Originally Posted by
Dobbo_Dobbo
The issue VS/DL, AA/BA, UA have is TCX.
They cannot pull out and expect to funnel their passengers via LHR/AMS/CDG/FRA.
If they pull out, they know they are likely to loose a large chunk of their passengers to TCX who are based at MAN.
Although the present situation can lend itself to excess capacity on certain routes, personally I much prefer to see a small portfolio of TATL carriers than a very dominant single airline such as TCX.
MAN may not have the premium demand of LHR but it seems to me that it does now have a reasonable base of Business and higher fare passengers. TCX, despite getting some good reviews for its Economy and P/E products, doesn't have Business Class at present, and if AA/BA and VS/DL were to contract at MAN, I suspect those higher yield pax would simply take their loyalty points / gold cards or whatever to LHR or DUB or PAR etc.
The region, and MAN's wider catchment, do have folk - and not just those on business - who are prepared to pay more for their long haul flights that offer greater comfort, as well as those who are happy to take the cheapest options.