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Baboo would make sense, they get an airline already operating E-jets and Q400s, an AOC outside the UK to put all their shiney new E175s on.... plus Baboo are already quite chummy with AF.
(EasyJet bought a Swiss company (TEA) and EasyJet Switzerland doesn't seem to be doing too badly.)
(EasyJet bought a Swiss company (TEA) and EasyJet Switzerland doesn't seem to be doing too badly.)
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(EasyJet bought a Swiss company (TEA) and EasyJet Switzerland doesn't seem to be doing too badly.)
Still best not to learn from history. Let's throw some more random darts and let more people worry about their jobs. This thread has gone into fantasy land now.
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FlyBe MAN programme.
I have this afternoon received an e.mail promoting FlyBe's Winter programme from MAN. Whilst 14 routes are listed including the new ABZ and NTE services, there are some notable absentees aside from the usual seasonal routes. I have noted that EXT, MSE and NWI were omitted from the list. Can anybody confirm the status of these services? Are they dropped or going seasonal, or are they just missed out of the promotion because they don't have a Sunday service (the promotion is pushing weekend breaks)? Thanks in advance for any insights provided.
SHED.
SHED.
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Baboo looks like a classy airline but they only have 5 aircraft for goodness sake. Can't see why anyone would purchase a company that is so small fry.
Cityjet would make sense as they have a route network that doesn't clash with flybe's and flybe have history and maintenance in place for the avro's. Plus the 175's are perfect replacements.
Transavia is my outside shot, they have a similar business model like flybe's i.e. low cost but still with some perks. My friend from the US was recently singing their praises, however would AF/KLM need to sell part of their company that is performing.
Cityjet would make sense as they have a route network that doesn't clash with flybe's and flybe have history and maintenance in place for the avro's. Plus the 175's are perfect replacements.
Transavia is my outside shot, they have a similar business model like flybe's i.e. low cost but still with some perks. My friend from the US was recently singing their praises, however would AF/KLM need to sell part of their company that is performing.
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s.c. - you would do well to go back to the words Jim French has used to describe the targets they are looking at - 'digestible' and 'bridgehead'.
A bridgehead is any position gained that can be used as a foothold for further advancement. Baboo fits that bill perfectly. A small continental beginning, from which they can build, plus the tiny fleet is wholly compatible and digestible into the existing fleet.
Cityjet is a different animal altogether - a different business model, nearly as many aircraft as Flybe, mostly fairly ancient and incompatible and a route network which is UK and Ireland focused and not a bridgehead to Europe. It would absorb a lot of the planned 175 deliveries to renew the fleet and a massive amount of management time, which could even destabilise the core business.
I have no connection to BE, or any other airline, other than as a very regular pax, and I would bet you all my FlyBe points that you are barking up totally the wrong tree here promoting the Cityjet theory.
BTW, congratulations on the astronomical post rate - have you nothing better to do.
A bridgehead is any position gained that can be used as a foothold for further advancement. Baboo fits that bill perfectly. A small continental beginning, from which they can build, plus the tiny fleet is wholly compatible and digestible into the existing fleet.
Cityjet is a different animal altogether - a different business model, nearly as many aircraft as Flybe, mostly fairly ancient and incompatible and a route network which is UK and Ireland focused and not a bridgehead to Europe. It would absorb a lot of the planned 175 deliveries to renew the fleet and a massive amount of management time, which could even destabilise the core business.
I have no connection to BE, or any other airline, other than as a very regular pax, and I would bet you all my FlyBe points that you are barking up totally the wrong tree here promoting the Cityjet theory.
BTW, congratulations on the astronomical post rate - have you nothing better to do.
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Well they do operate many routes in Europe on behalf of AF, which will fit in nicely with the new code shares flybe have just taken on. Plus flybe's business model is fine by business men judging by the routes they operate. Plus i'm sure they would rather have a foothold in Paris or Amsterdam. Of course this is all just my opinion 
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I didn't want to get involved in this rather ridiculous speculation as to who the target airlines might be, but I had a meeting which involved a former VLM director on Tuesday.
He had met with a very senior CityJet executive last week on another matter and was told that the Flybe rumour was rubbish.
He had met with a very senior CityJet executive last week on another matter and was told that the Flybe rumour was rubbish.
Last edited by Expressflight; 2nd Oct 2010 at 06:58.
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flybe have history and maintenance in place for the avro's.
Plus flybe's business model is fine by business men judging by the routes they operate.
Two words: "Swiss AOC." Hell, five words: "Swiss AOC, established Geneva market."
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Please, not Baboo, PLEASE. They are a great little airline with fantastic onboard service and product, decent fares, great crew. Please look for something else to take over. 
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Originally Posted by second coming
Plus flybe's business model is fine by business men judging by the routes they operate.
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Well true but i'm sure they do maintenance for Avro's down in Exeter. I can see that LCY might be a step too far for Flybe but then their fairs are not exactly cheap and fluctuate from airport to airport. Guess we will have to wait and see on that one.
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I too know both airlines they are quite openly discussed now (within the company would suggest one for the private forum still though)....however no deals done yet! 1 has def been mentioned on here not sure on the other. Deals far from done understand they are just looking at the books at this stage.
CityJet - 100% no chance!!!!
Also CityJet stops the LCY question although don't Baboo and a couple others of the potentials go to LCY?
CityJet - 100% no chance!!!!
Also CityJet stops the LCY question although don't Baboo and a couple others of the potentials go to LCY?
Flybe engineering
Flybe do indeed maintain Avro RJs alongside the BAE146 at Exeter. Also several varieties of Embraer, CRJ, Dash 8 and ATR - not just the types they operate themselves.
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Nice speculating, but in all earnest, why would AF or KL be interested in selling wholly owned airlines like Brit Air, Cityjet, Regional or KLM cityhopper to Flybe? AF/KL need those airlines and has systematically added them to their portfolio in order to control them 100 per cent.
The only French/Durch airline mentioned that could be sold by private owners is Airlinair, although AF has a minority stake in it through Brit Air - and I would not be surprised if the contract provides for some take-over clauses in the event of sale.
As for other airlines mentioned, Wideroe is 100% owned by SAS - again, why should they sell?
The only French/Durch airline mentioned that could be sold by private owners is Airlinair, although AF has a minority stake in it through Brit Air - and I would not be surprised if the contract provides for some take-over clauses in the event of sale.
As for other airlines mentioned, Wideroe is 100% owned by SAS - again, why should they sell?
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Exactly virginblue. Regionals can be of huge benefit despite what BA think. I think they would sell cityjet at the right price but the majority think the business model is wrong for flybe. France seems to be a black hole when it comes to competion in the regions. Very much doubt AF will let that change.
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I can't help but think that 'wholly owned subsidiaries' , once the darlings of the mainline carriers about ten years ago, are no longer what they once were. They were efficient and streamlined with low costs thanks to their independence. These attractive regional airlines were bought up and re-equipped by their new owners with very expensive short haul jets like CRJ's and E145's. They were obliged to follow the policies of their mainline owner which brought additional costs to the business. This wouldn't have been a problem if it were not for the low cost carriers coming into the regional game, squeezing the once hefty margins on these regional tickets. Slowly but surely, these once very efficient profitable carriers were loaded with costs associated with mainline carriers and in BA's case with Connect, became an expensive 'millstone' around the neck of the flag carriers.
For those airlines that come under he umbrella of the big three in Europe (BA/IB, AF/KLM and LH), I can understand the attraction of the majors who seek to remove what has become a major cost, but aim to retain an element of the connecting traffic.
The move by Flybe and AF is certainly testing the water and if successful then I can see the likes of LH and IB looking at how an airline like Flybe might also help them to rationalise their costs. I'm sure Flybe will be looking to assist in whatever way they can
For those airlines that come under he umbrella of the big three in Europe (BA/IB, AF/KLM and LH), I can understand the attraction of the majors who seek to remove what has become a major cost, but aim to retain an element of the connecting traffic.
The move by Flybe and AF is certainly testing the water and if successful then I can see the likes of LH and IB looking at how an airline like Flybe might also help them to rationalise their costs. I'm sure Flybe will be looking to assist in whatever way they can