ISLE OF MAN
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Mansfield
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I'm a regular IOM Airport user, but I'm afraid that I'm going to have to make other arrangements soon. Not because of the weather, ash clouds or whatever, but simply because of the price increases (Flybe and Manx2). I've been priced out of flying.
Perhaps I'm going to be the only one, but I suspect not. there's going to be more people considering whether a given flight is strictly necessary Only Easyjet is still providing flights at reasonable prices, so I expect that when their new timetable starts they'll instantly win over a lot of customers who are finding Flybe too expensive. Unfortunately, it looks like being too late for me.
Perhaps I'm going to be the only one, but I suspect not. there's going to be more people considering whether a given flight is strictly necessary Only Easyjet is still providing flights at reasonable prices, so I expect that when their new timetable starts they'll instantly win over a lot of customers who are finding Flybe too expensive. Unfortunately, it looks like being too late for me.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Just checked the website and I found return flights to LPL for £45 total including taxes. I dont think that is unreasonable myself and this was available on lots of dates in May.
Are you being flexible with your travel dates and booking in advance?
Are you being flexible with your travel dates and booking in advance?
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Isle of Man
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FlyBe's website now shows price inc taxes in the selection box - much better practice IMHO. Maybe you didn't notice that?
But I agree prices for travel for dates close to today seem to have risen a bit. My problem is I can no longer afford to take my luggage - the cost of taking my 20kg bag has shot up almost 20%!
But I agree prices for travel for dates close to today seem to have risen a bit. My problem is I can no longer afford to take my luggage - the cost of taking my 20kg bag has shot up almost 20%!
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Mansfield
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I book in advance - usually 4-6 weeks. Dates aren't flexible, and LPL is no good - has to be MAN or BHX. Not unusual for someone doing business on the IOM and can't afford to lose a day a week because of inconvenient flights.
But a quick random check; return fare IOM to LPL leaving Monday 1st Feb a.m. returning Fri 4th Feb evening is £175 including card fees (excluding seat reservation, insurance and luggage).
Cheapest crossing that week Mon-Fri (if the times are any use) is £118.
Book four weeks in advance from Manchester to IOM (more typical for me) and it's £143 or £111 (on the same basis).
Bearing in mind that the more expensive figure is actually the only practical flight for me (and a lot of others, judging from the price structure), these fares are a lot higher than 12 months ago.
Yes, I could book a Liverpool flight for April at a very reasonable cost. But that's too far ahead, and I don't think it's any coincidence that Easyjet are bringing in their new LPL-IOM timetable then (which offers real competition to Flybe, at last!).
But a quick random check; return fare IOM to LPL leaving Monday 1st Feb a.m. returning Fri 4th Feb evening is £175 including card fees (excluding seat reservation, insurance and luggage).
Cheapest crossing that week Mon-Fri (if the times are any use) is £118.
Book four weeks in advance from Manchester to IOM (more typical for me) and it's £143 or £111 (on the same basis).
Bearing in mind that the more expensive figure is actually the only practical flight for me (and a lot of others, judging from the price structure), these fares are a lot higher than 12 months ago.
Yes, I could book a Liverpool flight for April at a very reasonable cost. But that's too far ahead, and I don't think it's any coincidence that Easyjet are bringing in their new LPL-IOM timetable then (which offers real competition to Flybe, at last!).
Join Date: Apr 2008
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So what you are doing is comparing EasyJet fares on the IOM-LPL with Flybe on a different route altogether. That is not how fair comparisons work.
1st feb is next week, that is not booking in advance. Having looked at this again there are return fares of between £70 and £80 at the end of feb (4 week booking time) which whilst more expensive than the LPL route is stll lower than that being quoted.
Unfortunately if you are tied to certain flights and are inflexible you will have to put up with fares changing and getting higher. Unsurprisingly this is the same with Easyjet fares across their network (beyond their single IOM route) You are just being unfortunate as a result.
Whilst Tinwald is pleased to have competition, EZY wont stay on the IOM. The airport has already said that pax numbers are down, and this is not because of fares or limited destinations. There is not enough demand and this means its getting harder to fill up planes - especially A319s
1st feb is next week, that is not booking in advance. Having looked at this again there are return fares of between £70 and £80 at the end of feb (4 week booking time) which whilst more expensive than the LPL route is stll lower than that being quoted.
Unfortunately if you are tied to certain flights and are inflexible you will have to put up with fares changing and getting higher. Unsurprisingly this is the same with Easyjet fares across their network (beyond their single IOM route) You are just being unfortunate as a result.
Whilst Tinwald is pleased to have competition, EZY wont stay on the IOM. The airport has already said that pax numbers are down, and this is not because of fares or limited destinations. There is not enough demand and this means its getting harder to fill up planes - especially A319s
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Mansfield
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I never mentioned Easyjet fares at all. That was just a few examples of fares on different Flybe routes at varying times.
Perhaps my post was confusing, so here's a summary of my examples;
But now you mention it, the problem with Easyjet flights has been that they're useless unless you're able to travel early/mid afternoon. Any airline will realise that's eliminating a large customer base (i.e. those who have regular jobs). Towards April, the Easyjet timetable is changing to evening flights, which will be a big improvement.
Perhaps my post was confusing, so here's a summary of my examples;
- next week Monday and Friday IOM to LPL return (Flybe) (best times) £175
- next week Monday and Friday IOM to LPL return (Flybe) (cheapest flights) £118
- four weeks time Monday and Friday MAN-IOM return (Flybe) (best times) £143
- four weeks time Monday and Friday MAN-IOM return (Flybe) (cheapest flights) £111
But now you mention it, the problem with Easyjet flights has been that they're useless unless you're able to travel early/mid afternoon. Any airline will realise that's eliminating a large customer base (i.e. those who have regular jobs). Towards April, the Easyjet timetable is changing to evening flights, which will be a big improvement.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Isle Of Man
Age: 40
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If you think IoM is expensive look at BHX to EDI or GLA or MAN to LON and you'll see IoM is cheap.
Even worst. Look at the train fares on the uk routes. Look at the price of petrol. Flying is good value right now
Even worst. Look at the train fares on the uk routes. Look at the price of petrol. Flying is good value right now
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Mansfield
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Yep, it costs me £16.50 return by train from Sheffield (Meadowhall) to Manchester Airport (including luggage charges (none), credit card fees (none), insurance (none), security charges (none) and seat reservation fees (none). "Checkin" 1 minute before departure. Probably about 40 miles each way; tickets booked a few days in advance.
Car parking is free!
Sorry to go off-topic, but that's part of my journey to the IOM and it's interesting to compare with the flight section.
Car parking is free!
Sorry to go off-topic, but that's part of my journey to the IOM and it's interesting to compare with the flight section.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Isle Of Man
Age: 40
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Any sign of the January pax numbers yet. I seem to remember that last Januarys 
l figures were put down to the awful weather so I spose this January will be massively up? 
will the red hedded one have the bottle to claim it's positive news or will she admit we're dyin slowly
l figures were put down to the awful weather so I spose this January will be massively up? will the red hedded one have the bottle to claim it's positive news or will she admit we're dyin slowly
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Mansfield
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The December numbers didn't appear until 24th January, so it could be another couple of weeks until the January figures get released.
Seems like the positive spin is taking a while to dream up.
Seems like the positive spin is taking a while to dream up.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: iom
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Maybe an interesting fact like more dogs and cats were carried in January than the previous year. Or the fact that the new security fence looks nice and so will stimulate passenger growth! Any bets on the reasons?