Air Southwest
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Going forward
Arnold
I am extremely cleAr on how well asw is or is not doing . As a stand alone airline it certainly has challenges . However Plymouth is very positive for the airline - ie d8300 .
It does strike me that Sutton harbour want to see a positive outcome Ie what's good for the southwest . Eastern would certainly have the skill set to see it going forward . Obviously the paperwork departments would take a hammering . So either eastern wud move ops to Plymouth or vice versatile - economies of scale wud work a treat and the final thought - if they are in the Final furlong - is it deciding - who pays the termination bills ?
As buzz lightyear might say - to infinity abc beyond
shamrogue
I am extremely cleAr on how well asw is or is not doing . As a stand alone airline it certainly has challenges . However Plymouth is very positive for the airline - ie d8300 .
It does strike me that Sutton harbour want to see a positive outcome Ie what's good for the southwest . Eastern would certainly have the skill set to see it going forward . Obviously the paperwork departments would take a hammering . So either eastern wud move ops to Plymouth or vice versatile - economies of scale wud work a treat and the final thought - if they are in the Final furlong - is it deciding - who pays the termination bills ?
As buzz lightyear might say - to infinity abc beyond
shamrogue
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jetstreamtechrecords
you seem awfully well informed, infact you seem to know more than management who are telling us that the Eastern rumours are unfounded. They are said to be down to discuss the codehare arrangements that are in there infancy. What is your source?
Logically, Why would Eastern want another odd-ball fleet of 5 fairly elderly but reliable -8's? They have 50 seat Saabs added to the J41 and Embraer 135's it doesn't make economic sense to introduce another aircraft type with all the associated spares inventory to go with it. (That's all about to head off to NQY due to having to vacate the hangar at PLH in November!)
I can see where the Eastern rumours have come from, they are the only regional airline left in the UK of some size that isn't Flybe or a franchise of, so lets face it, there isn't anyone else big enough! The only others I can think of are Blue Island, Manx 2 (not really an airline, more ticket only sales), Aer Arann - dealing with their own more substantial losses, Aurigny - ditto and about to become BI and Scot Airways.
The staff were told in the initial forums that whoever took on WOW would have to take on the same routes structure and also have to continue to run services out of PLH and keep the brand name. This Eastern cannot do without the Dash-8. You will not get the Saab/135 or J41 (with any useful payload) in or out of PLH without a runway extension.
This is where SHH will lose out if not careful. They state they want to maintain services out of PLH and it's a a political hot potato here if they don't (protecting London airlinks for PLH has been an ongoing battle for the last 25+ years). If they throw the baby out with the bath water then any hope of keeping links out of PLH with sink without trace as what has become an Air Southwest niche will become a Plymouth City Council/SHH noose as there are very few other aircraft types suitable for PLH and the airport will lose valuable income. (then maybe it's time for them to sell the remaining land and make a tidy profit....see where this is going?)
The only positive thing is that the route structures of both airlines do not clash and would fit well together and this is where the code share works. (maybe it's time to bring back Air UK brand lol!! - I miss those F50's!)
The best option we can all hope for is a management buy-out but who knows what stage if anything that's at? If its is that then they know that all of us will do anything we can to turn things around, I'd openly say I'd take a pay cut if it meant preserving the airline, jobs and airlinks for the first 12 months and work around the clock to make it work as personally I think the airline is profitable. I know others would too. There is nothing wrong with the structure or core income at all.
If it does turn out to be another airline then they have a gold mine here, there isn't much meat on the bone staff-wise as we are already a lean machine! I'm excited about the future even though I know my job is at risk but I'm not naive.
For someone that has seen this happen time and time again, Brymon/Birmingham European = Brymon European that lasted 8 months.....Brymon/BA...... Brymon/BACitiexpress..... BACitiexpress/BA Regional/Manx Airlines....BACitiexpress/BA Connect......BAConnect/Flybe..... . I've become numb to it all, when you're sat here for 12 hours and have to field the 10th phone call from an external supplier asking if we've heard anything!! The endless rumour and speculation, although inevitable, does nothing for morale as we were all led to believe it would be a quick process and as stated before, and as the months tick by the initial excitement has dwindled to worry and anxiety and people are now looking elsewhere, especially the office support staff. Each week someone says , oh we will hear next week and then that passes by....... so maybe we'll hear next week!!!!!
Logically, Why would Eastern want another odd-ball fleet of 5 fairly elderly but reliable -8's? They have 50 seat Saabs added to the J41 and Embraer 135's it doesn't make economic sense to introduce another aircraft type with all the associated spares inventory to go with it. (That's all about to head off to NQY due to having to vacate the hangar at PLH in November!)
I can see where the Eastern rumours have come from, they are the only regional airline left in the UK of some size that isn't Flybe or a franchise of, so lets face it, there isn't anyone else big enough! The only others I can think of are Blue Island, Manx 2 (not really an airline, more ticket only sales), Aer Arann - dealing with their own more substantial losses, Aurigny - ditto and about to become BI and Scot Airways.
The staff were told in the initial forums that whoever took on WOW would have to take on the same routes structure and also have to continue to run services out of PLH and keep the brand name. This Eastern cannot do without the Dash-8. You will not get the Saab/135 or J41 (with any useful payload) in or out of PLH without a runway extension.
This is where SHH will lose out if not careful. They state they want to maintain services out of PLH and it's a a political hot potato here if they don't (protecting London airlinks for PLH has been an ongoing battle for the last 25+ years). If they throw the baby out with the bath water then any hope of keeping links out of PLH with sink without trace as what has become an Air Southwest niche will become a Plymouth City Council/SHH noose as there are very few other aircraft types suitable for PLH and the airport will lose valuable income. (then maybe it's time for them to sell the remaining land and make a tidy profit....see where this is going?)
The only positive thing is that the route structures of both airlines do not clash and would fit well together and this is where the code share works. (maybe it's time to bring back Air UK brand lol!! - I miss those F50's!)
The best option we can all hope for is a management buy-out but who knows what stage if anything that's at? If its is that then they know that all of us will do anything we can to turn things around, I'd openly say I'd take a pay cut if it meant preserving the airline, jobs and airlinks for the first 12 months and work around the clock to make it work as personally I think the airline is profitable. I know others would too. There is nothing wrong with the structure or core income at all.
If it does turn out to be another airline then they have a gold mine here, there isn't much meat on the bone staff-wise as we are already a lean machine! I'm excited about the future even though I know my job is at risk but I'm not naive.
For someone that has seen this happen time and time again, Brymon/Birmingham European = Brymon European that lasted 8 months.....Brymon/BA...... Brymon/BACitiexpress..... BACitiexpress/BA Regional/Manx Airlines....BACitiexpress/BA Connect......BAConnect/Flybe..... . I've become numb to it all, when you're sat here for 12 hours and have to field the 10th phone call from an external supplier asking if we've heard anything!! The endless rumour and speculation, although inevitable, does nothing for morale as we were all led to believe it would be a quick process and as stated before, and as the months tick by the initial excitement has dwindled to worry and anxiety and people are now looking elsewhere, especially the office support staff. Each week someone says , oh we will hear next week and then that passes by....... so maybe we'll hear next week!!!!!
Last edited by Dash-7 lover; 12th Sep 2010 at 06:40.
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Dash-7 Lover that is a great post. I have no idea what will happen, even those that think believe they do cannot be sure, but, whatever the future holds I wish all the best to the staff at ASW in whatever form. Since the early 70's I knew Jim Cameron well and in his memory alone I would love to see Air Southwest prosper.
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I'd put the sentiment aside. ASW are losing money, the owners want out.
Its difficult to lend money at the moment, especially to buy & run a loss making airline, so a management buyout seems less likely? A "cash" buyer would seem more likely.
Richard Lake has a track record in picking up things on the cheap and turning them round. Air Kilroe first, and then snapping up the turboprops from Citiexpress for a song are good examples.
I suspect he is interested, but only if the price is right..
Its difficult to lend money at the moment, especially to buy & run a loss making airline, so a management buyout seems less likely? A "cash" buyer would seem more likely.
Richard Lake has a track record in picking up things on the cheap and turning them round. Air Kilroe first, and then snapping up the turboprops from Citiexpress for a song are good examples.
I suspect he is interested, but only if the price is right..
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ASW are losing money
since the end of all the ash trouble the AIRLINE is making money, the airport that we are lumped in with is a different story, as people keep driving tractors over ILS aerials!
latest word is the sale has been agreed (sourse the wife of a sutton harbour shareholder) to eastern. Someone was seen in the offices last week measuring them. hopefully not just to see how many flats they will be able to build over the top!
fingers crossed for all the crews
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A BUMP - That airport you are lumped with has served you well in your early years, protecting you from the big boys with i should imagine a fair bit of creative accounting
with regards to landing fees and fuel costs as sutton harbour owns ASW and the airport.
with regards to landing fees and fuel costs as sutton harbour owns ASW and the airport.
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standby for fireworks.
Will there be champagne and canapes too?
We need a party after all this bloody suspense. It's worse than waiting for thingy and wotsit to tie the knot in Friends, you knew it was going to happen by series 5, waiting until series 53 just got tedious.
So, yes, Mr Lake (there you go jstr!) if you are going to, please get on with it, so that we can all get on with our lives and deal with the joy or the pain accordingly.
We need a party after all this bloody suspense. It's worse than waiting for thingy and wotsit to tie the knot in Friends, you knew it was going to happen by series 5, waiting until series 53 just got tedious.
So, yes, Mr Lake (there you go jstr!) if you are going to, please get on with it, so that we can all get on with our lives and deal with the joy or the pain accordingly.
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Eastern Finally Confirmed .....
The Business Desk North West
Good Luck Everyone, hopefully now the uncertainty is over you can move forward.
Good Luck Everyone, hopefully now the uncertainty is over you can move forward.
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On the local news here too ASW to continue as a separate company with staff employed by ASW. I am sure there will be a lot of interesting developments before the fat lady sings.
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This is the storey from the Herald
Plymouth's Air Southwest sold to UK's second largest regional airline, Eastern
The Sutton Harbour Group has today announced that it has reached agreement to sell its airline subsidiary, Plymouth-based airline Air Southwest, to Eastern Airways, the UK’s second largest regional airline.
Legal completion is expected to take place in October, subject to regulatory approval.
Humberside-based Eastern Airways employs 420 staff and operates a fleet of 30 aircraft serving 21 destinations in the UK, Ireland, Norway and France carrying 700,000 passengers on 40,000 flights a year.
Air Southwest will continue to fly under its existing brand and staff will continue to be employed by Air Southwest under existing terms and conditions, albeit with a change of ownership to Eastern Airways from the Sutton Harbour Group.
Nigel Godefroy, chief executive of the Sutton Harbour Group, said: “Our goal has been to reach an agreement which puts Air Southwest into good hands and I am confident that this deal with Eastern Airways does just that. Being part of a larger airline will bring stability to Air Southwest and that is good news for air travel to and from the far South West, and for Plymouth and Newquay airports.”
Richard Lake, managing director of Eastern Airways, said: “As market leaders in our respective catchments this deal makes perfect sense for Eastern Airways and gives us even greater reach across the UK. Air Southwest is well regarded by its customers and we want to ensure we retain that loyalty by continuing to offer excellent service and value for money.”
Air Southwest formed a strategic alliance with Eastern Airways in February this year enabling it to join the Global Distribution ticketing system (GDS) and broaden the sales channels through which its flights can be booked. This will continue to be rolled out to cover all Air Southwest routes as soon as technically possible.
The Sutton Harbour Group announced in May that it intended to sell Air Southwest so that it could concentrate resources on its core business of property regeneration and development. It will retain its lease on Plymouth City Airport, and will continue to work with the airport’s freeholder, Plymouth City Council, on this strategically important asset for the city.
Eastern Airways was founded in 1997 and operates a combination of 29-seater British Aerospace Jetstream 41 and 50-seater Saab 2000 aircraft, and has recently introduced two 37-seater Embraer regional jets.
Plymouth's Air Southwest sold to UK's second largest regional airline, Eastern
The Sutton Harbour Group has today announced that it has reached agreement to sell its airline subsidiary, Plymouth-based airline Air Southwest, to Eastern Airways, the UK’s second largest regional airline.
Legal completion is expected to take place in October, subject to regulatory approval.
Humberside-based Eastern Airways employs 420 staff and operates a fleet of 30 aircraft serving 21 destinations in the UK, Ireland, Norway and France carrying 700,000 passengers on 40,000 flights a year.
Air Southwest will continue to fly under its existing brand and staff will continue to be employed by Air Southwest under existing terms and conditions, albeit with a change of ownership to Eastern Airways from the Sutton Harbour Group.
Nigel Godefroy, chief executive of the Sutton Harbour Group, said: “Our goal has been to reach an agreement which puts Air Southwest into good hands and I am confident that this deal with Eastern Airways does just that. Being part of a larger airline will bring stability to Air Southwest and that is good news for air travel to and from the far South West, and for Plymouth and Newquay airports.”
Richard Lake, managing director of Eastern Airways, said: “As market leaders in our respective catchments this deal makes perfect sense for Eastern Airways and gives us even greater reach across the UK. Air Southwest is well regarded by its customers and we want to ensure we retain that loyalty by continuing to offer excellent service and value for money.”
Air Southwest formed a strategic alliance with Eastern Airways in February this year enabling it to join the Global Distribution ticketing system (GDS) and broaden the sales channels through which its flights can be booked. This will continue to be rolled out to cover all Air Southwest routes as soon as technically possible.
The Sutton Harbour Group announced in May that it intended to sell Air Southwest so that it could concentrate resources on its core business of property regeneration and development. It will retain its lease on Plymouth City Airport, and will continue to work with the airport’s freeholder, Plymouth City Council, on this strategically important asset for the city.
Eastern Airways was founded in 1997 and operates a combination of 29-seater British Aerospace Jetstream 41 and 50-seater Saab 2000 aircraft, and has recently introduced two 37-seater Embraer regional jets.
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Good News...
If they were to restructure the route network, i could only see Leeds/Bradford or Newcastle being cut. Gatwick, Glasgow and Manchester are the top routes in that order from Plymouth and Newquay.
Any word on the lease's? Im sure eastern will green light there renewal.
If they were to restructure the route network, i could only see Leeds/Bradford or Newcastle being cut. Gatwick, Glasgow and Manchester are the top routes in that order from Plymouth and Newquay.
Any word on the lease's? Im sure eastern will green light there renewal.
