Monarch - 3
Join Date: Dec 2010
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Flew on the A300 from Dublin to Faro in 2002 when I was just 17 seems a long time ago now 
and the A300 I was on although I have no idea of the reg must have been nearly 12 years old then and they still looked new! Great aircraft and both served and represented Monarch and its brand well back then, just goes to show when an airline maintains aircraft well they will last a very long time. Time for the A300 to go to sleep now so to speak. 
and the A300 I was on although I have no idea of the reg must have been nearly 12 years old then and they still looked new! Great aircraft and both served and represented Monarch and its brand well back then, just goes to show when an airline maintains aircraft well they will last a very long time. Time for the A300 to go to sleep now so to speak.
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Join Date: Jun 2011
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Cheers mky, we talking a couple of years or good 5+?
Still hope that there will be a trip on the A300 before they go
Monarch are the last European operator of the A300 and some sort of trip on one of them would be amazing I'm sure spottilludrop would like to go on it too
Join Date: Apr 2004
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New Long Haulers...
I'm not sure how long the A330's will last but What I do remember is that they were apparently looking for some new long haul aircraft, so I presume they will go around then.
With the tour operators doing nearly all their operations in-house now, there seems to be little need for an airline like Monarch to offer their A330's for charters.
We have seen the A330's used more and more on flights to Egypt and Canaries in the last year or two, and going back 5-10 years ago, these aircraft were maxxed out flying long haul routes, and even had to supplement the fleet with a DC-10 and 767 for several summers.
While I am sure the airline operates the aircraft profitiably, does it really make sense going forward to operate a small sub-fleet of 2-4 aircraft... Especially if the airline wants to focus on LCC routes within Europe and North Africa.
I do sometimes wonder, if the airline did order some wide bodied aircraft, if they could possibly go down the path similar to Norwegian, and start flying Low Cost Long Haul routes. But this is high risk and Monarch are usually quite a conservative airline.
If the airline did want to get rid of their A330's soon, I am sure Air Transat would jump on them in a shot! They are after second hand A330's to replace the A310's and grow the fleet too.
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Join Date: Jun 2011
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Well Well Well. Look what I just received by email:
Dear Enthusiast,
I’m sure you are already very much aware, that Monarch Airlines will be retiring our A300-605R fleet in early 2014. The aircraft came in to service with Monarch in 1990, was our first widebody aircraft, and has served both the airline and the travelling public for well over two decades.
Monarch are the last European passenger operator of Airbus’ first entry in to the commercial airline sector. The aircraft’s retirement in April 2014 will be a sad occasion at Monarch as we wave goodbye to an aircraft that has flown in our colours for longer than most of our crews have. It will also mark a turning point for the company, as we re-fleet and introduce more modern aircraft.
To mark the occasion of the aircraft’s retirement from service, Monarch are considering our options with regards a farewell flight which we would open up to Enthusiasts, with the intention of hosting a VIP reception in Monarch Aircraft Engineering Ltd’s new Birmingham hangar, a milestone achievement for our sister company.
The proposed event would feature a short flight, departing from and arriving back in to Birmingham International Airport (BHX), hopefully with passengers disembarking directly in to the new, three-bay hangar for a farewell celebration.
I must stress that no event is confirmed, and at this stage, I have been tasked simply with gauging the interest of the Enthusiast Community in attending this proposed event. If you would be interested in attending our Birmingham-based event in very late March, or very early April 2014, I would love to hear back from you with an idea on the numbers that you may be attending with. An idea on pricing would follow in due course, if the event is confirmed and we have finalised all of the appropriate arrangements.
I look forward to your responses, and thank you for your patience while we try to get something arranged. If you have friends that may be interested in the event, but may not be on my mailing list, I would appreciate you forwarding this e-mail to them, or sharing the proposal on any aviation forums you may use.
Thank you for your time.
Kind Regards
Toby Hillier
I’m sure you are already very much aware, that Monarch Airlines will be retiring our A300-605R fleet in early 2014. The aircraft came in to service with Monarch in 1990, was our first widebody aircraft, and has served both the airline and the travelling public for well over two decades.
Monarch are the last European passenger operator of Airbus’ first entry in to the commercial airline sector. The aircraft’s retirement in April 2014 will be a sad occasion at Monarch as we wave goodbye to an aircraft that has flown in our colours for longer than most of our crews have. It will also mark a turning point for the company, as we re-fleet and introduce more modern aircraft.
To mark the occasion of the aircraft’s retirement from service, Monarch are considering our options with regards a farewell flight which we would open up to Enthusiasts, with the intention of hosting a VIP reception in Monarch Aircraft Engineering Ltd’s new Birmingham hangar, a milestone achievement for our sister company.
The proposed event would feature a short flight, departing from and arriving back in to Birmingham International Airport (BHX), hopefully with passengers disembarking directly in to the new, three-bay hangar for a farewell celebration.
I must stress that no event is confirmed, and at this stage, I have been tasked simply with gauging the interest of the Enthusiast Community in attending this proposed event. If you would be interested in attending our Birmingham-based event in very late March, or very early April 2014, I would love to hear back from you with an idea on the numbers that you may be attending with. An idea on pricing would follow in due course, if the event is confirmed and we have finalised all of the appropriate arrangements.
I look forward to your responses, and thank you for your patience while we try to get something arranged. If you have friends that may be interested in the event, but may not be on my mailing list, I would appreciate you forwarding this e-mail to them, or sharing the proposal on any aviation forums you may use.
Thank you for your time.
Kind Regards
Toby Hillier
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Seem to be missing an opportunity here. I'm not going to drive a couple of hours to Birmingham to fly to Birmingham, regardless of what else is involved.
The trips to Gibraltar and Milan were great and I'd do similar again, but not this.
Stick it on a regular schedule to Nice or Venice (where ever you can do a day return, even if it's only one way and the return is on a narrow body) - that's what'll be of interest, get bums on seats, nice photo opportunities, nice magazine articles and all round good PR for Monarch.
The trips to Gibraltar and Milan were great and I'd do similar again, but not this.
Stick it on a regular schedule to Nice or Venice (where ever you can do a day return, even if it's only one way and the return is on a narrow body) - that's what'll be of interest, get bums on seats, nice photo opportunities, nice magazine articles and all round good PR for Monarch.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Luton
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Get over it people, at least Monarch are offering you something. If you dont like the thought of travelling to BHX it obviously isnt for you, surely a centrally located departure point is the most sensible solution.
And yes I was there the day NR landed. No I'm not sad to see them go.
And yes I was there the day NR landed. No I'm not sad to see them go.
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Forgive me for being rude here ladies but Monarch have run these enthusiast days from Luton, Gatwick, Manchester/Gatwick and now its Birminghams turn, and I for one will be attending... I travelled from Staffordshire to Luton for Gibraltar and had a great (long) day out
Last edited by ib26uk; 22nd Nov 2013 at 09:15. Reason: Because
Join Date: Feb 2004
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If you dont like the thought of travelling to BHX
Spot the Monarch employee ;-)
Join Date: May 2011
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G-AZUK I dont think there is anything to get over, If you read the post it says he is looking for feedback wherever the message is posted. Well the feedback so far seems to be no thanks not from Birmingham (especially not for a flight right back to Birmingham). Nothing wrong with that.. Just helping the guy out.
Join Date: Aug 2013
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I think its a great idea, and as a departure point i cant think of anything better (however bias that may be ) Although granted a trip to another airfield across Europe would be better still, beggars cant be choosers and if this is the last chance to get on this aircraft (would be my first trip on an A300) then so be it.
I also would love a tour of the new hangar and can understand why they want to show it off.... Its quite an impressive looking building.
First post from this brum based spotter BTW!
) Although granted a trip to another airfield across Europe would be better still, beggars cant be choosers and if this is the last chance to get on this aircraft (would be my first trip on an A300) then so be it.I also would love a tour of the new hangar and can understand why they want to show it off.... Its quite an impressive looking building.
First post from this brum based spotter BTW!
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: South of MAN, North of BHX, and well clear of Stoke ;-)
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Nothing to "get over" G-UK. 
I'm surprised that the enthusiast final flight, for an aircraft which has spent all its operational life at LGW and MAN, would be from and to BHX.
I don't get the argument of "showing off" the new hangar to the public either; people booking this flight will be doing so for the Airbus A306, not particularly to see a new hangar and many will have been round Luton or Manchester hangar facilities on previous enthusiast flights anyway; a hangar is a hangar, is a hangar...
If feedback is genuinely being sought, then I would suggest the flight is arranged around MAN and/or LGW and leave the "look at our new hangar" for another occasion.
I'm surprised that the enthusiast final flight, for an aircraft which has spent all its operational life at LGW and MAN, would be from and to BHX.
I don't get the argument of "showing off" the new hangar to the public either; people booking this flight will be doing so for the Airbus A306, not particularly to see a new hangar and many will have been round Luton or Manchester hangar facilities on previous enthusiast flights anyway; a hangar is a hangar, is a hangar...
If feedback is genuinely being sought, then I would suggest the flight is arranged around MAN and/or LGW and leave the "look at our new hangar" for another occasion.
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Not much of an enthusiast if the fact that the flight will be from BHX is an issue...
Surely if Monarch are just running one enthusiasts flight, then Birmingham is the logical choice, half way between Manchester and Gatwick.
You'd moan just as much if it was the other end of the country rather than in the middle.
I agree with above, probably trying to show the huge new maintenance facilities. Something I'd have thought most spotters would have enjoyed a poke around.
Just no pleasing some people! How about just saying thanks!!!
You'd moan just as much if it was the other end of the country rather than in the middle.
I agree with above, probably trying to show the huge new maintenance facilities. Something I'd have thought most spotters would have enjoyed a poke around.
Just no pleasing some people! How about just saying thanks!!!