DERRY/LONDONDERRY
I spent the week flying around Blighty with work. BHD-EXT-GLA-BHD, and was astonished at how few pax were on all the flights (bar GLA-BHD, which was pretty full). I counted 40 on the BHD-EXT flight, and the next day, 23 on the EXT-GLA flight. Despite this fares were still relatively high. One wonders if BE are an example of an airline who don't need massive numbers on their planes as yields are high. Hopefully this bodes well for LDY-MAN. Naturally, I would've preferred to use LDY, but timings/destinations wouldn't allow.
I also noticed that BE are now offering a connection to CDG via MAN. Hopefully this will be the first of many.
As an aside, I'd imagine the airport will be very busy toward the end of April, with the extra Bank Holidays and also an extended Jazz Festival. All good.
I also noticed that BE are now offering a connection to CDG via MAN. Hopefully this will be the first of many.
As an aside, I'd imagine the airport will be very busy toward the end of April, with the extra Bank Holidays and also an extended Jazz Festival. All good.
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Good to see some advertising going on. And hopefully the Paris connection will be advertised along side the Manchester route. The price isn't bad and neither is the journey time either!
CU I hope with those kind of loads being profitable it bodes well for LDY!
CU I hope with those kind of loads being profitable it bodes well for LDY!
ALC times have changed for Thursdays, now departs LDY 0900 arrives ALC 1245. Its a much more decent time instead of arriving late at night.
One story....two-sides.
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Great so long as you don't mind the 6.45am departure from Alicante.
Cuthere, it really is a case of LDY needing 1 based a/c during the summer at least?
I could see it being the case that we could get an aircraft based next summer with even more sun routes being announced if routes are successful this year. And I don't think it would be overly optimistic to say that in theory FR could be operationg 10/11 routes out of LDY over summer 2012. AS well as perhaps 2/3 from BE!
One thing that signal it would be a long time before we get a based aircraft though would be the fact TMP lacks a based aircraft with some 13 routes out of there. But we'll just see what comes in time!
CML, in my experience of flying with BE, they only block out seats because the seats are sold and been booked. I may be wrong. It does seem to be odd that it's 12 seats.
As for people who don't want to pay for the privilege of picking a seat, you can just choose your seat on the day (though obviously the options would be limited, but really, does it matter where one sits? I'm 6'4 and have no problems with any of the aircraft BE or RYR use).
LPL going to six a week in the summer is a no-brainer. In fact, LPL remaining daily, as in the winter would make more sense, but I assume RYR need the planes for sunshine routes out of LPL.
As for people who don't want to pay for the privilege of picking a seat, you can just choose your seat on the day (though obviously the options would be limited, but really, does it matter where one sits? I'm 6'4 and have no problems with any of the aircraft BE or RYR use).
LPL going to six a week in the summer is a no-brainer. In fact, LPL remaining daily, as in the winter would make more sense, but I assume RYR need the planes for sunshine routes out of LPL.
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I cant see LDY having based A/C. The reason for opening these "sun" bases is to operate to 'outstations' during peak summer demand periods. LDY is an outstation. The problem with LDY is you would have very weak yields in the winter. It's more economically sound to carry on down this route, with more routes being added to sun destinations if they continue to be popular.
Maybe in the future EDI might be added, as well as more routes to Spain ie AGP, REU and GRO on a low weekly frequency basis.
Maybe in the future EDI might be added, as well as more routes to Spain ie AGP, REU and GRO on a low weekly frequency basis.
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Some attention for the "Paris route", and in all fairness it's probably just as quick to travel from LDY instead of travelling upto BFS or BHD.
That's pretty misleading journalism really. The original press release makes it clear that it's via Manchester: Derry City Council - Flybe Summer Service to Paris
Regardless, it's all good publicity for the airport.
Regardless, it's all good publicity for the airport.
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Just seen it mentioned on Derry Journals Face-b-o-o-k New Derry to Paris route - Local - Derry Journal
Thankfully the journalisms honest, and people seem to be liking the news feed left right and centre
Thankfully the journalisms honest, and people seem to be liking the news feed left right and centre
It'd be fine if this route was going to operate in the same way as the BHD-EXT-CDG route does. I.e. You're on the ground in Exeter for 25 minutes; but it doesn't.
I reckon if I wanted to go to Paris, I'd be off on an EZY from BFS. There is no attraction whatsoever in disembarking an aircraft at MAN, farting about for over an hour, then flying onto Paris. How will they factor in the (inevitable) delays on MAN-LDY-MAN? By expecting people to hang around MAN for four hours for the 17.35 departure.
Sorry, but I see few takers for this route (unless booked by accident by someone who thinks it takes nearly four hours to get to Paris from LDY).
I reckon if I wanted to go to Paris, I'd be off on an EZY from BFS. There is no attraction whatsoever in disembarking an aircraft at MAN, farting about for over an hour, then flying onto Paris. How will they factor in the (inevitable) delays on MAN-LDY-MAN? By expecting people to hang around MAN for four hours for the 17.35 departure.
Sorry, but I see few takers for this route (unless booked by accident by someone who thinks it takes nearly four hours to get to Paris from LDY).
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On this occassion Cu, I think you're being a bit pesimistic. Firstly, this "route" is only there to help passengers on the MAN route and create a bit of a buzz around Flybe at Derry.
Yes there is an hour in between flights at MAN but when you probably start boarding 25 mins before at MAN and by the time you get of the LDY flight, you'll barely notice it.
Also the speed at which you can get to and through LDY's gates more as opposed to going the whole way to BFS or BHD and getting through security and finding your gate, LDY still comes out the more attractive option.
As per any delays, I'm sure Air France and Flybe have a close enough working relationship to deal with these situations. Other European countries manage it!
On a side note, seen BFS has 2 extra rotations to AMS from September. Surely Flybe could do this from LDY eventually.
Yes there is an hour in between flights at MAN but when you probably start boarding 25 mins before at MAN and by the time you get of the LDY flight, you'll barely notice it.
Also the speed at which you can get to and through LDY's gates more as opposed to going the whole way to BFS or BHD and getting through security and finding your gate, LDY still comes out the more attractive option.
As per any delays, I'm sure Air France and Flybe have a close enough working relationship to deal with these situations. Other European countries manage it!
On a side note, seen BFS has 2 extra rotations to AMS from September. Surely Flybe could do this from LDY eventually.
NC. You may be right, and let's hope so. However, I don't think the promise of a detour on your way to Paris will make the MAN route any more or less successful.
A grand total of 272 availed of BHD-EXT-CDG in February. I'd be surprised if half that (if it's even counted as a route by the CAA) will travel on LDY-MAN-CDG.
Maybe my pessimism stems from the fact I want actual, tangible and realistic routes at LDY.
A grand total of 272 availed of BHD-EXT-CDG in February. I'd be surprised if half that (if it's even counted as a route by the CAA) will travel on LDY-MAN-CDG.
Maybe my pessimism stems from the fact I want actual, tangible and realistic routes at LDY.
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Stansted
Just for information, travelled STN - LDY on Monday 21st: flight full on departure.
Travelled back LDY - STN on Tuesday 22nd. Counted 166 off the inbound, and could see no free seats on the outbound London flight.
These are remarkable loadings for a quiet week and much higher than would have been normal all that long ago when the Monday flight from London was normally only half-full, at best, and Tuesday was usually a very slack day. Suggests that some people are prepared to pay even the very high top-tier fares.
Travelled back LDY - STN on Tuesday 22nd. Counted 166 off the inbound, and could see no free seats on the outbound London flight.
These are remarkable loadings for a quiet week and much higher than would have been normal all that long ago when the Monday flight from London was normally only half-full, at best, and Tuesday was usually a very slack day. Suggests that some people are prepared to pay even the very high top-tier fares.