ISLE OF MAN

[JobsaGoodun]

This was always going to be the case. EZY aren't interested in serving an island community and have very little idea of the importance of such vital transport links.

Will they be here come Winter? I doubt it and to be honest, they'll not be much of a loss anyway given that they don't exactly undercut Flybe by much, and don't facilitate a day return to the mainland.

They have the wrong aircraft and the wrong product to meet the needs of IOM.

[Tinwald]

Thanks for the info, Tonyq.

[lfc84]

wrong schedule

[EI-BUD]

Even if loads are light on IOM LPL for Easyjet, they might stick this one out as a short hop can be useful in filling up the schedule at Liverpool, the place can be over and back LPL IOM LPL with a push in 1 hour 45, this being the shortest route on the network only second to BFS GLA.

So from a unit cost point of view outside of the variable costs this one is probably low cost enough. I am not sure what level of marketing they are doing but they would need to be doing some.

Personally, I think Easyjet are using this short route as a little test case to test Flybe's resolve. Have a niggling feeling that Easyjet might look at some of the BHD routes that Flybe operate.

EI-BUD

[Tonyq]

I'm not sure any of us have really figured out quite what EZY's motives are for this strange route, and even stranger schedule.

They already compete head on (or close to head on) with FlyBe on quite a few routes, so why would they need to use IOM-LPL as some sort of test bed?

I see their booking engine is now selling the route to March next year, although only 4 per week and nothing on Saturdays.

Obviously EZY have very deep pockets and can afford to play games here, but not at all clear why they'd want to, or what they are trying to prove. No matter how they engineer the financials, 13 pax on an A319 is losing money and must also be damaging reputationally.

[Wellington Bomber]

It will be interesting if they did a IOM - LGW schedule, that would really put the willys up Flybe

[MUFC_fan]

Have a niggling feeling that Easyjet might look at some of the BHD routes that Flybe operate.

It's taken many many weeks but somebody has finally said it!

As soon as BHD was announced by U2, it was always going to be the case that U2 will now do to BE what BE has done to so many small carriers - make their life hell.

Granted, it hasn't begun yet, but the day BHD-LGW is announced by U2, it will move more into full swing.

Watch this space.

[EI-BUD]

thanks for that mufc_fan

I see IOM have Viking to Naples today, is this a one off? And where did it fly in from? I assume it is a 737?

EI-BUD

[JC25]

PMI and MAH are using IOM based Q400's.

[s_insania]

Are the PMI/MAH flights on behalf of a tour operator? I'm guessing they run on a weekend?

[Chitty]

yes the palma and menorca flight are flying for the tour operator freedom travel iom

[Chica]

Is there any chance that Easyjet would sell through tickets to IOM passengers to the aircraft's next destination, and let them stay on the aircraft in Liverpool?

I suspect that on certain days the aircraft's next destination is somewhere I want to go, but as an IOM passenger the connection time is too tight, even with hand luggage, to make that flight if I have to get off the plane and join the security queue at LPL. Now if I could just stay on the plane...

[Tonyq]

In a word, "No" simply not part of their model!!

[FS01]

Another canx again today? Any details?

[ben_keghead]

Ground Handler damaged the aircraft so therefore the aircraft is "tech" and unable to fly before being checked/fixed by an engineer

[IOMspotter]

Heres a question. How many times can an airport baggagge handler dent an aircraft in one day. Answer - twice. Bashed the front door of Easys shiny 737 then went to the rear and bashed that to for good measure. Should have heard the reaction in Easys Ops department. made Gordon ramsey sound like a toff.

[fredtheanorak]

Have IOM Airport accepted Sleezyjets' usual penal terms and conditions for flying in? In which case either the Airport or flight support could be about to write a very big cheque for damage and penaltys for grounding a 319 overnite. Who bashed the aircraft was it the baggage loaders or the FS handlers or was it once each?

[FS01]

This case seems to be down to the IOM Airport loaders. Not the first time, at least one flybe Q400 been grounded for a few days the same way and if I recall in the early days of Flybe/BACON merger a german 146 D-AMGL was grounded by them to.

I would imagine the airport has signed a standard agreement so they will no doubt be paying out a nice amount of compensation to easy.

This begs the question again. Why are the loaders at IOM not privatised? No doubt huge savings on the wages could be made, bringing down costs in general at IOM (thats a wall.. it could be substituted for an A319)

[ben_keghead]

Indeed, it will cost IOM big time. And by the way IOMspotter, it wasnt a 737....it was an A319

[thetimesreader84]

Having dealt with the isle of man loaders on more than one occasion I have to say they are the most over unionised, overpaid, classless, inept, aggressive, lazy, surly and stupid staff of anywhere I have been.

I'm sick of being talked back to, having my load instructions questioned or ignored, having the piss taken out of me every time I turn my back and having to adhere to strange rules and legislation that changes with the shift.

There must be some decent loaders there, but i've yet to meet them.

Flight Support (or whatever they are now) are excellent.

TTR.