Air Southwest
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Plymouth
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Has anyone heard of any rumours or news on Air Southwest lately?
Here in Plymouth our local paper, had qouted WOW as "evaulating potential routes from Plymouth for 2008", but nothing else has been heard.
With the cancellation of The Bristol-Norwich, Cardiff-Manchester/Newquay services and Newquay-Cork ending for the sumemr in October, WOW have alot of spare tiome with there fleet, one would expect for more services.
Here in Plymouth our local paper, had qouted WOW as "evaulating potential routes from Plymouth for 2008", but nothing else has been heard.
With the cancellation of The Bristol-Norwich, Cardiff-Manchester/Newquay services and Newquay-Cork ending for the sumemr in October, WOW have alot of spare tiome with there fleet, one would expect for more services.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: E London and Plymouth
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ABTN published this today:
Air Southwest says it is looking at its route structure for next year with several key cities highlighted for expansion.
A spokesman for the Plymouth-based carrier says: “We are carrying out a route development evaluation at the moment for summer 2008, with Plymouth, Newquay and Bristol identified as areas for development.”
Air Southwest is essentially the major part of Brymon Airways, which was created in the 1970s and is credited, together with John Mowlem with the invention of London City Airport. Former Loganair managing director, Jim Cameron has recently been installed as CEO and had a previous spell in Plymouth as BA sales manager during its tenure.
Brymon was subsequently taken over by British Airways (BA) and in 2003, together with Plymouth City Airport, was sold to Sutton Harbour Holdings, a listed company, based locally.
Cameron says that he is reviewing all aspects of the airline, which currently operates five Dash 8s. In spite of a disappointing 2006, Sutton Harbour has a positive outlook with funds available for new aircraft. 2007 has been a year of consolidation, with passengers carried totalling around 300,000, and the airline plans to expand in 2008.
The airline recently withdrew from Cardiff, from where it operated to Newquay and Manchester, but operates a four-times daily Gatwick (triangular) route via Newquay.
BA introduced a daily 737 service from Gatwick direct to Newquay airport earlier this year and it does not seem to have affected numbers (they have actually gone up), but it has reduced yields.
Besides Gatwick, Plymouth has services to Jersey and Bristol, which connect to other northbound flights. From Newquay, Air Southwest flies to Bristol, Cork, Dublin, Leeds Bradford and Manchester; Bristol is connected to Jersey, Leeds Bradford and Manchester.
A point-to-point operator, Air Southwest is not linked to any other carrier. Cameron believes that under the present management, BA is not looking at any new franchises, with even the successful Loganair partnership under review.
A more flexible ticketing approach is also a possibility for Air Southwest: “We are looking at a variety of pricing initiatives to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of both business and leisure customers,” the spokesperson said.
Plymouth Airport dates back to the early days of aviation when the city was a major navy base. It was established on the airline map in 1981 when services were introduced to Heathrow, but these were lost when BA decided to use the slots for other routes.
While Plymouth is a major city with a population of 250,000 and 354km (220mi) from London by road, the airport suffers from limited runway length, the 1,160m (3,800ft) useable length only suitable for 50-seat turboprops, typically the Bombardier Dash 8-300. Passenger throughput in 2006 was 80,000, down from the previous year, a major factor being the collapse of Air Wales.
Air Southwest says it is looking at its route structure for next year with several key cities highlighted for expansion.
A spokesman for the Plymouth-based carrier says: “We are carrying out a route development evaluation at the moment for summer 2008, with Plymouth, Newquay and Bristol identified as areas for development.”
Air Southwest is essentially the major part of Brymon Airways, which was created in the 1970s and is credited, together with John Mowlem with the invention of London City Airport. Former Loganair managing director, Jim Cameron has recently been installed as CEO and had a previous spell in Plymouth as BA sales manager during its tenure.
Brymon was subsequently taken over by British Airways (BA) and in 2003, together with Plymouth City Airport, was sold to Sutton Harbour Holdings, a listed company, based locally.
Cameron says that he is reviewing all aspects of the airline, which currently operates five Dash 8s. In spite of a disappointing 2006, Sutton Harbour has a positive outlook with funds available for new aircraft. 2007 has been a year of consolidation, with passengers carried totalling around 300,000, and the airline plans to expand in 2008.
The airline recently withdrew from Cardiff, from where it operated to Newquay and Manchester, but operates a four-times daily Gatwick (triangular) route via Newquay.
BA introduced a daily 737 service from Gatwick direct to Newquay airport earlier this year and it does not seem to have affected numbers (they have actually gone up), but it has reduced yields.
Besides Gatwick, Plymouth has services to Jersey and Bristol, which connect to other northbound flights. From Newquay, Air Southwest flies to Bristol, Cork, Dublin, Leeds Bradford and Manchester; Bristol is connected to Jersey, Leeds Bradford and Manchester.
A point-to-point operator, Air Southwest is not linked to any other carrier. Cameron believes that under the present management, BA is not looking at any new franchises, with even the successful Loganair partnership under review.
A more flexible ticketing approach is also a possibility for Air Southwest: “We are looking at a variety of pricing initiatives to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of both business and leisure customers,” the spokesperson said.
Plymouth Airport dates back to the early days of aviation when the city was a major navy base. It was established on the airline map in 1981 when services were introduced to Heathrow, but these were lost when BA decided to use the slots for other routes.
While Plymouth is a major city with a population of 250,000 and 354km (220mi) from London by road, the airport suffers from limited runway length, the 1,160m (3,800ft) useable length only suitable for 50-seat turboprops, typically the Bombardier Dash 8-300. Passenger throughput in 2006 was 80,000, down from the previous year, a major factor being the collapse of Air Wales.
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Air Southwest
As far as I am aware Plymouth City Council and Sutton HH are at an advanced stage of negotiations over Plymouth Airport.Whether this is to buy the site outright your guess is as good as mine.I would think these negotiations can only be for this or the runway expansion.If SHH do aquire PCA then I believe this can only be good for the airport as the financial restrictions that PCC have would be lifted and maybe well get an airport and routes a city the size of Plymouth deserves.
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Such a move would be a double-edged sword for Sutton: The current size if the airport /runways guarantees a virtually competition-free life for ASW. Good for the airline, bad for the airport. An extended runway could attract further carriers - good for the airport, bad for ASW.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: UK
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Another option not raised would be for SHH to buy the land.....and develop it. Its in a prime location and certainly worth a quick buck. They could move ASW's base to NQY or BRS and have both thier cake and munch on it. Not saying this is a rumour but certainly something that has crossed my mind (and probably thiers!). Lets hope not.
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Air Southwest IATA code
Hi all
Trying to pull together some information for my team, can anyone advise what the IATA code is for Air Southwest
I have seen 08 and WO - any ideas? Many thanks
TOM1977
Trying to pull together some information for my team, can anyone advise what the IATA code is for Air Southwest
I have seen 08 and WO - any ideas? Many thanks
TOM1977
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Pass?
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Status: Scheduled
Base: Plymouth
IATA Code: WO
ICAO Code: WOW
Website: www.airsouthwest.com
Country: UK
Hope this helps.
Base: Plymouth
IATA Code: WO
ICAO Code: WOW
Website: www.airsouthwest.com
Country: UK
Hope this helps.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: UK
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Is Air Southwest still operating out of Plymouth? Where do they have their hub operations? BOH? Also, curious about how many Dash 8s they operate?
Cheers
Cheers
4 are based at PLH and one at BRS I believe.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Very close to the Theatre of Dreams!
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G-WOWC is currently wet leased to Fly Be and operating the MAN-IOM service. Flew with them today and was very impressed with both the flight and cabin crew. Thanks.
Join Date: Mar 2003
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When do Air Southwest usually open the summer schedule for sale? I am eyeing a NQY-MAN flight, but apparently the only S08 flights on sale are those to/from LGW (where there is BA competition).
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: UK
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Prepare to say cheerio to the Base at Bristol....
Crew
Crew