BACX Flagging Out?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 256
Likes: 4
From: South of the Watford Gap, East of Portland
BACX Flagging Out?
In its continuing trashing of the former BRAL/Manx system BA Citiexpress will soon be adding the Isle of Man to its base closure list of BHD, ADN,LBA,NEW, CWL, PLH. 'Fraggle' is sinking fast with a Dutch operator flying a F50 on the BA BHX route as a replacement for an ATP which the management argue cannot be crewed from exisiting resources.
So this unmitigated Citiexpress disaster continues unabated and a foreign operator unwittingly puts another nail in the IOM crews' coffin.
So this unmitigated Citiexpress disaster continues unabated and a foreign operator unwittingly puts another nail in the IOM crews' coffin.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 0
From: Middlesesx
It is even confusing to your cousins in mainline LHR. But be assured yours will not be the first or the last that we can bring down.
There seems to be a total lack of direction at the moment with further announcements expected as our revenue has shrunk by £1.8 billion which will require next years business plan brought forward to January.
Quote
Urgent new action is required.
Business continues to fall far short of out most pessimistic predictions. Bad news continues.
There seems to be a total lack of direction at the moment with further announcements expected as our revenue has shrunk by £1.8 billion which will require next years business plan brought forward to January.
Quote
Urgent new action is required.
Business continues to fall far short of out most pessimistic predictions. Bad news continues.
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Alba sor
Outrage!
Well said Jenkins. Euromanx have been operating wholly foreign aircraft/crews since they started operting out of IOM, no locals can be employed. If you read the companies submission to the CAA (and its a NI registered company), they say no alternative is available hence the need for flagging... I say bollocks to Woodgate Aviation, get your act together, and to the CAA, hang your heads in shame... 
As for Eastern, how long are they going to persist using foreign barbie jets? Why does the CAA not tell them to get their own now they have operated them for over a year (2?), but at least they employ lots of UK crew etc, and looks like they are getting more routes into IOM, Liverpool to the rock seems on the cards.
As for Eastern, how long are they going to persist using foreign barbie jets? Why does the CAA not tell them to get their own now they have operated them for over a year (2?), but at least they employ lots of UK crew etc, and looks like they are getting more routes into IOM, Liverpool to the rock seems on the cards.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: fragglerock
The future is of course even more dutch with Denim air Citiexpress operating. Must be costing a fair few pennies to lease PH-PRH to operate 2 sectors in the morning then sit for 8 hours before 2 sectors in the evening though - Another effective rationalisation measure ?
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
From: belfast
Begs the question how IOM - BHD can support two operators (Flybe 3 per day/Keenair 2 per day) - thought the Keenair was a summer only service but still operating despite high fares - presumably the business fraternity are providing some if not most of the passenger nos as unlikely to be any holiday traffic at this time of year!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Hampshire, UK
G-MIMA, the 146 that operates the LGW/LTN routes is being retired later this month too, leaving G-MAUD as the only ex Manx plane, and that is being retired in December. With the rest of the ATPs going over the next few months I really can't see much of a future for the Isle of Man in BAs route network and am expecting an imminent announcement on their withdrawal.
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Hampshire, UK
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: PommyLand - but I'll be back!
Actually, there has been no decision announced as to the future of the IoM as a base. The announcement was that the whole Operations Department will be moved / merged with the Operations Department at BHX. In spite of Mr Cowan's assertion of cost savings, I have yet to hear of anyone who actually believes this to be possible. From any logical, rational examination, it would have to save costs to have the whole Operations Department on the Island, where all the staff are already located (with the exception of the few at BHX, who are responsible for 16 aircraft), and leasing costs for the property must be less than at BHX.
As with most of these decisions the assumption must be that the decision is made for emotional and / or political reasons which are then justified on (mirage-like) 'cost saving' grounds. It also must be seen as a precursor to BACX closing IoM as a base and possibly even as a destination. So perhaps you are not so far from the truth, Judge!
As with most of these decisions the assumption must be that the decision is made for emotional and / or political reasons which are then justified on (mirage-like) 'cost saving' grounds. It also must be seen as a precursor to BACX closing IoM as a base and possibly even as a destination. So perhaps you are not so far from the truth, Judge!
Last edited by GWYN; 5th November 2003 at 20:50.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 256
Likes: 4
From: South of the Watford Gap, East of Portland
Several questions have been directed at so-called 'senior' management through the company's internal forum and it appears there is a complete 'no comment' response.
It has been reported the flight ops manager was interviewed on the local radio station where he said the were no plans to alter the route structure. But it has been apparent to all that the necessary steps, from the management viewpoint, to run down the base have been on the go for the past 12 months with a freeze on cabin and flight crew recruitment. Those costs would pale into insignificance when compared to the costs of night stopping as many as 8 cabin and flight crew at a time on the isle plus, of course, BA's recent subscription to the Dutch economy through Denim.
Euromanx is another matter; an opportunist outfit waiting to pick up the scraps from the Bacx table and a gamble which might pay-off if it can keep going. There are regularr reports of its staff not being paid on time.
It has been reported the flight ops manager was interviewed on the local radio station where he said the were no plans to alter the route structure. But it has been apparent to all that the necessary steps, from the management viewpoint, to run down the base have been on the go for the past 12 months with a freeze on cabin and flight crew recruitment. Those costs would pale into insignificance when compared to the costs of night stopping as many as 8 cabin and flight crew at a time on the isle plus, of course, BA's recent subscription to the Dutch economy through Denim.
Euromanx is another matter; an opportunist outfit waiting to pick up the scraps from the Bacx table and a gamble which might pay-off if it can keep going. There are regularr reports of its staff not being paid on time.
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,843
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
One can only hope that BA are not totally barmy and remain on the island as a base and for the Manx network. If BA do withdraw from the island, then it would confirm my view that they only bought Manx to get the slots at LHR. The indication of this was strengthened when they shifted the route to LGW. I do hope that I'm wrong about this.
I am booked on the IOM~LTN sector on 16th December, the data that Mima is listed as being returned to lessor, so I hope that it is after the day's work!
I am booked on the IOM~LTN sector on 16th December, the data that Mima is listed as being returned to lessor, so I hope that it is after the day's work!