MANCHESTER - 8
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btw why has Stand 03 turned (back?) into Stand 01? I am already confused enough without Northern-type stand planners adding to it....
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Whilst I know BA will never ever open a hub at MAN again, I think the main concensus is that a lot people just dont want to go down to Heathrow to catch their flight anymore.
At the end of the day, to those of us who have even the slightest bit of aviation knowledge, yes, BA is doing the same as everybody else by sending all MAN pax via their hub like everyone else. But, to the general British public, they will always question why BA do not offer long haul flights out of MAN, or GLA/EDI/NCL for that matter.
They will see that VS, the other UK long haul carrier does operate such flights out of MAN. Again, we know they operate on a different business rationale than LHR, but, the General public doesnt.
After reading another post on another forum this morning, I do think BA could make MAN a small holiday hub with Kuoni/BA holidays, similar to VS at MAN, but thats a different business model and arguement completely
At the end of the day, to those of us who have even the slightest bit of aviation knowledge, yes, BA is doing the same as everybody else by sending all MAN pax via their hub like everyone else. But, to the general British public, they will always question why BA do not offer long haul flights out of MAN, or GLA/EDI/NCL for that matter.
They will see that VS, the other UK long haul carrier does operate such flights out of MAN. Again, we know they operate on a different business rationale than LHR, but, the General public doesnt.
After reading another post on another forum this morning, I do think BA could make MAN a small holiday hub with Kuoni/BA holidays, similar to VS at MAN, but thats a different business model and arguement completely
After reading another post on another forum this morning, I do think BA could make MAN a small holiday hub with Kuoni/BA holidays, similar to VS at MAN, but thats a different business model and arguement completely
I do understand what you say however regarding peoples perceptions but does a business lose money in order to put those wrong perceptions right? Hopefully most people travelling to, for example, HKG will realise that whether they fly EK or BA, there is still a stopover/connection to be made. Many, admittedly, would prefer to get a huge chunk of the journey straight away ex MAN and therefore like EK whilst others prefer to get the long haul flight done in one long stretch.
LHR, as we know, isn't the most efficient of airports but connecting there isn't all that bad (especially T5) and whilst it's not as seamless as my experience of DXB, i wouldn't hesitate using LHR in the future.
Even if BA had long haul flights ex MAN, for most destinations there would still be a requirement to connect via LHR as even the most hardened protestor here would admit that BA long haul destinations would be quite select.
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Nobody asks of TCX to operate scheduled NYC......because we recognise and accept that thats not part of it's strategy
for most destinations there would still be a requirement to connect via LHR
In terms of the BA holiday hub, the other forum had an idea of:
-Cutting the LGW shuttles (as it will save money for BA, especially with the new higher charges at LGW, making domestics more expensive to run)
-Bringing 1/2x 3 class B772 to MAN to operate MCO and a few carribean routes.
-The stored B744's could replace the B772 routes
BA holidays and Kuoni, as well as a few online sales could support the route. VS has been very successful in this, and if the BA following in the Northwest is as wanted so badly as on here, we should be able to support the route.
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-Cutting the LGW shuttles (as it will save money for BA, especially with the new higher charges at LGW, making domestics more expensive to run)
-Bringing 1/2x 3 class B772 to MAN to operate MCO and a few carribean routes.
-The stored B744's could replace the B772 routes
-Bringing 1/2x 3 class B772 to MAN to operate MCO and a few carribean routes.
-The stored B744's could replace the B772 routes
Or why not build a stand alone specialist and focussed leisure company closely working with BA Holidays and call it, oh I don't know......something to make use of BA heavies on leisure routes..... *ponders* EUREKA! I have it, it shall be known as "British Airtours" What a crazy, mad idea I just had!
Last edited by Skipness One Echo; 21st Mar 2011 at 20:42.
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VS seem to manage this quite well but this based on a fleet charging a LOT on a daily B744 to see Mickey Mouse
Or why not build a stand alone company and call it, oh I don't know......something to make use of BA heavies on leisure routes. EUREKA! I have it, it shall be known as "British Airtours" What a crazy, mad idea I just had
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I dont see your point? If VS can charge a LOT to see mickey mouse, surely BA holidays/Kuoni could do the same?
As for "my" crazy British Airtours idea, well I'll leave that to someone older than I.
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As for "my" crazy British Airtours idea, well I'll leave that to someone older than I
Once again a simple question that could have an interesting debate blasted down purely because Sir Skipness says so.
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Why be so patronising?
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Fair enough, I see where you are comming from now.
The point Im trying to make is, Whilst its not in the regions, such a set up still exsists at LGW, as all of LGW's long haul routes are leisure orientated and rely quite a lot on BA holidays.
At a time when they are about to create 'mixed fleet', maybe the time is now?
They have a crew base at MAN, the B772 could be rotated at MCO (like VS does), and with BA holiday/Kuoni, the venture wouldnt be soley relient on feed or point to point airfare only sales.
BA could, even utilise their BE codeshares to feed MAN from those points served by BE with the BA codeshare. There is also still the terraces lounge to be put to good use. Basically, the infrastructure is there, it just needs the commitment now.
And with that, I dont think its a mad idea. Im also not stating 20-30 aircraft should be based at MAN, just 1 or 2. BA could easily replicate at MAN what VS do, and if its just the morning MAN-LGW shuttle that feeds the LGW long hauls, it sounds like it wouldnt impact on LGW ops too much.
Then again, the above will always just be a dream
The point Im trying to make is, Whilst its not in the regions, such a set up still exsists at LGW, as all of LGW's long haul routes are leisure orientated and rely quite a lot on BA holidays.
At a time when they are about to create 'mixed fleet', maybe the time is now?
They have a crew base at MAN, the B772 could be rotated at MCO (like VS does), and with BA holiday/Kuoni, the venture wouldnt be soley relient on feed or point to point airfare only sales.
BA could, even utilise their BE codeshares to feed MAN from those points served by BE with the BA codeshare. There is also still the terraces lounge to be put to good use. Basically, the infrastructure is there, it just needs the commitment now.
And with that, I dont think its a mad idea. Im also not stating 20-30 aircraft should be based at MAN, just 1 or 2. BA could easily replicate at MAN what VS do, and if its just the morning MAN-LGW shuttle that feeds the LGW long hauls, it sounds like it wouldnt impact on LGW ops too much.
Then again, the above will always just be a dream
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I think it's a rather good idea, my feeling having dealt with BA is that they got their fingers so badly burned with anything with the word "regions" anywhere near it that it will be years before they try again.
They even used to fly MAN-YYZ on the TriStar, I used to cry at the noisy RB211s when they stopped off at PIK.
They even used to fly MAN-YYZ on the TriStar, I used to cry at the noisy RB211s when they stopped off at PIK.
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They have a crew base at MAN
There is also still the terraces lounge to be put to good use.
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Hi Skipness,
Don't forget Air Blue [ED] to Islamabad. Also, Thomas Cook's services to Canada last summer were also officially "scheduled", although I'm not sure if they will be back on Canada routes this season with Air Transat resuming most of the programme in their place. Regards, SHED.
Don't forget Air Blue [ED] to Islamabad. Also, Thomas Cook's services to Canada last summer were also officially "scheduled", although I'm not sure if they will be back on Canada routes this season with Air Transat resuming most of the programme in their place. Regards, SHED.
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Thomas Cook's services to Canada last summer were also officially "scheduled", although I'm not sure if they will be back on Canada routes this season
With three TCX A330s returning to the lessors at the end of Summer 2011. This is the last year for TCX on Vancouver / Calagary for Canadian Affair.
Toronto this summer are a mix of Transat A330s & A310s.(instead of the previous TCX B757s)
Toronto this summer are a mix of Transat A330s & A310s.(instead of the previous TCX B757s)
wanna be there
Have you any idea how many BA staff are currently 'based' at MAN?
Have you any idea how many BA staff are currently 'based' at MAN?
Of course it could be but I think we can safely say it is unlikely. Neither OPO or VCE are bases and, comparatively speaking, W patterns aren't operated on a wholesale basis across the network. Plus, it is now getting close to the Summer season.