GATWICK

[canberra97]

I think it was already announced that another 777 would be heading to LGW for next summer with more deliverys of 787 at LHR.

It looks as if the new Oakland flight will start at the beginning of the summer 2017 season at the end of March exactly the same time the seasonal winter flights to Cape Town discontinue, with Fort Lauderdale not commencing service untill July 2017 and operating three times a week could we still possibly see another long haul destination added at Gatwick for the other days maybe Havana, Seychelles or even St Vincent (a must visit island btw).

[toledoashley]

The St Vincent route was being talked up when Buccament Bay opened (however there are problems there are the moment). I would say Havana or Seychelles would be more likely.

[vctenderness]

It's actually back to Oakland for BA. Operated in early 1970's with, I think, B707.

[canberra97]

vctenderness

Although obviously owned by BA the previous Oakland flights from LGW to OAK in the early 1970s were operated by KT British Airtours on ABC flights rather than fully scheduled as did BCAL both on B707.

[toledoashley]

It is also interesting that a lot of those LHR routes were leisure routes, freeing up a bit of space for LH at LGW.

[canberra97]

toledoashley

Although I have to agree that either Havana or Seychelles are more likely I think the problems associated with the new Argyle International Airport on St Vincent have been addressed.

What problems are you referring to with the new airport?

[AvGeek1]

I just do not understand BA's logic here. They are facing competition from a carrier that will almost always beat them on price, and BA's product is outdated on the 777 from Gatwick so it's not like they are offering a world class service with this outdated product. Norwegian also have newer aircraft which means their operating costs will be less and there product is in better condition, albeit luxury.

Also, Oakland would have been a better fit for Heathrow as it can offer lots of connections, which would give them an advantage over Norwegian plus they can operate using other newer aircraft like the 787 with a much better product.

BA should be concentrating on unserved markets in their network, like Havana and Seychelles that many have mentioned or should operate routes that will complement their Heathrow services like Bangkok or Miami (unlikely now that FLL has been announced)

I also wondering if BA have any short-haul announcements for S17, they still have gaps in their network that they could operate, like Milan (only operated by easyJet) and Palma (huge leisure route from Gatwick).

All of these routes that have been announced have come as a surprise and I am really pleased, will definitely be using the their Murcia service.

[toledoashley]

Canberra - I can't see St Vincent working if Buccament Bay isn't open/operating. At the moment there are doubts whether it is staying open or not. With out it, is there enough to sustain it?

[toledoashley]

AvGeek1 - I'm wondering if they might try a summer only Jerez or Bastia.

[AvGeek1]

They are both viable but I think there would be stronger destinations they could fill if we are talking bucket and space routes like Gran Canaria, Almerķa & Palma de Mallorca. I'd like to see some competition on the Milan route also as it's just easyJet and the market is 500,000+ a year.
Maybe even flights to Berlin Tegel as well.

[compton3bravo]

Not sure about Jerez, very close to Seville especially with Seville airport being on the south side of the city so not very far from Jerez. Also the area of the Costa de Luz is not really a UK destination, very, very popular with Germans though. The area is well worth a visit from the Costa del Sol - not to far on a fairly quiet roads especially if you like Sherry!

[canberra97]

toledoashley

Your correct I was under the impression that Argle International Airport at Buccament Bay, St Vincent and Grenadines was already open for business, I had been following the development of the airport over the last few years purely as I have a fondness for the island but wasn't aware of the current troubles and according to Wikipedia the airport won't open till 2018 at the earliest so no hope of any BA anytime soon so we can totally rule out St Vincent out which leaves either Havana or Seychelles or at a push even Banjul.

Seems that Berlin isn't the only airport with problems!

If and when BA or VS did contemplate flights to St Vincent when the new airport actually opens it would probably be a tag on to an existing airport nearby as in St Lucia or Grenada.

St Vincent is a beautiful island with lovely people check out YOUNG ISLAND RESORT it's pure paradise.

[canberra97]

compton3bravo

Not that is worth flying to with Seville being so close BA did previously fly to Jerez de la Frontier during the GB Airways franchise along with nearby Seville.

Although not as popular as other areas in southern Spain the Costa De Luz is becoming more popular with the British with many flying into nearby Faro and crossing the border over into Spain so Jerez could cater for this market.

But I don't see Jerez being added to the BA network maybe as Avgeek mentioned Almeria, Las Palmas, Palma are obviously all candidates as are Berlin and Milan and maybe Ajjacio or Bastia in Corsica.

[INKJET]

BA can certainly make life difficult at LGW for Norwegian, but a lot will depend on if they are able to get enough numbers in the premium and business class seats to subsidise the economy product to rob Norwegian of volume. BA have form in terms of trying to see off other airlines from Laker to Virgin. One thing is for sure there will be some bargain to be had across the pond next year.

[supermarine]

It may be cheap to get to the States but people are going to be shocked at the buying power of the pound, the same in the Eurozone. I foresee interesting times ahead with people foregoing the second and third short breaks and stag dos we have all become accustomed to.

[Skipness One Echo]

but a lot will depend on if they are able to get enough numbers in the premium and business class seats to subsidise the economy product to rob Norwegian of volume.

I wonder how much of LGW is a loss leader to keep elites spending on business out of LHR collecting AVIOS? A lot of what goes out up front at Gatters is redemption based rather than paid.

[nguba]

The IAG mantra is that all businesses have to target its target ROIC to justify investment in new aircraft.

BA at LGW went through a lot of pain to secure new short-haul aircraft and the BA Holidays business has been performing very well.

IAG obviously doesn't want easyJet to grow any further LGW, but it has had other options than BA.

As for LGW-OAK, how much of a loss-leader this is I don't know but I would put money on its launch being driven by decisions taken at IAG rather than BA.

[Wycombe]

new short-haul aircraft

I don't think any of the "new" A320's at LGW were actually new.

[Boeing_James]

The BA route to Oakland appears to be nothing more than a tactic to take on Norwegian.

Surely if BA felt there was a demand for this type of route from Gatwick they would have been better off going 'one-up' and offering a direct Gatwick-SFO route instead of into Oakland? This would also compliment their existing Heathrow service.



It's a shame because there are a lot of long-haul destinations that I'm sure BA could do very well on from Gatwick

[davidjohnson6]

Press reports that Easyjet will open a route between Gatwick and Granada in southern Spain