mototopo,
there has been (for some time now ) a FCO rumour, so, I think it is safe to say that it will happen (as most base rumours in NAS have so far ) the exact timing ? well who knows, and Boeing give us "only" 15 aircraft (excluding "plastic-fantastic" deliveries ) this year so who knows exactly when.
Alex , I think it is fair to say that you, & my colleagues A&C & others, are doing a fantastic job of flying the flag for our respective current employers.
Lest we forget, the Harpies are on a "charm offensive" & they will always undercut us. I think Easy/NAS are on a different level, and the "crisis" has probably reduced the chav spend , so we are well placed to pick up the slightly more discerning end of the pax market . . .but, even if Wayne & Wynnetta stay home, RYR WILL adapt to tempt the slightly more genteel clientele I suspect.
We are all chasing the same punters, and they WILL be swayed by service, but even more by price. Hell, even the "filthy rich " Norwegians allow Ryanair to have a fairly substantial timetable from Torp & Rygge , allowing the canny Norwegians to save some dosh for the important (relatively much cheaper) things in life I.E. going on the p*ss where it is affordable. To go back (briefly ) to the thread subject, personally, I still subscribe (FWIW) to the "leasing out" theory, I cannot see dual fleets working , logistically nor operationally.