SOUTHEND 5

[TartinTon]

I think we can safely assume that 4 a/c into SEN is not for the benefit of connecting traffic from GRQ....

[Expressflight]

When the SEN-CFR route negotiations were being undertaken in 2013 prior to launching the route the possibility of connecting with the DUB-SEN-DUB route was seriously discussed by the CFR negotiating team and Stobart Air. From Basse Normandie it is quite a trek to Paris from where it was possible to route via LCY on Cityjet to DUB and some market research was carried out into the possibility of SEN-CFR-DUB being a better alternative.

Possibly similar discussions took place with the GRQ team at the time.

I'm working on the assumption that CFR and GRQ routes would continue under the Flybe brand on ATRs so the feed into the SEN Cityjet routes would require just one of the four RJ/SU95 fleet operating a multiple daily SEN-DUB route.

[tophat27dt]

I can see almost everything has been written regarding the CityJet/Stobart news, and it attracts the same arguments for and against from "experts" on this forum, so hopefully we will now settle down and wait a few more weeks for the routes to be confirmed. I am sure the bosses have considered those previous routes operated by Easyjet (Krakow, Berlin, Venice, Belfast, Edinburgh, Newquay) which attracted loads 100+ per leg, but sometimes not profitable for an A319, which will be more suited to a 100-seat jet, provided the fares are competitive. I personally think it's very good news because it's better than having "all one's eggs in the same basket" with EZY.

[Expressflight]

The Cityjet f/b page has just put up a recruitment ad for flight deck and cabin crews for their "London-Southend base" for both RJ85 and SU95 types.

[cumbrianboy]

2 of each I believe ... plus the ATR

[highwideandugly]

Any chance of a Southend. To Carlisle route with the new aircraft???

[davidjohnson6]

highwide - History teaches we should never say never but it'd be a big surprise...

[tws123]

The advert states "operating throughout the UK and Europe". Is that a hint at a domestic route?

[SWBKCB]

it's a hint they'll be doing whatever they can to make a buck.

[01475]

Among which a likely possibility may be Edinburgh?

[SWBKCB]

I think it mean that although you will be nominally based at SEN, as well as any skeds they'll be doing charters, ACMI contracts, etc, etc

[SEN Observer]

Regarding Carlisle, I would think that if it does ever get going it would be an ATR. Obviously I don't know, just my thoughts.

[DC3 Dave]

This move is a huge deal for CityJet. They will surely need to make a solid start offering destinations where there is credible evidence of demand, and EZY's abandoned routes would be a good place to start. I cannot see much benefit in testing the waters with a service to Carlisle.

[DC3 Dave]

Flybe's timetable til Sept 17 available.

[goldeneye]

My guess on a domestic would be Edinburgh and possibly BHD, better size of aircraft than when EZY tried the A319.

[EK77WNCL]

I wonder if SEN-NCL would be worth their while, a possible alternative to BA and LHR, likely cheaper, not too inconvenient for reaching London, and if they offer attractive connections at perhaps London's friendliest airport... Maybe it could be a winner.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what Cityjet come up with at Southend

[tws123]

Summer frequencies

Flybe:
- Caen 5x weekly
- Rennes 11x weekly
- Groningen 8x weekly

EasyJet:
- Alicante 9x weekly
- Amsterdam 13x weekly
- Barcelona 4x weekly
- Faro 10x weekly
- Ibiza 3x weekly
- Jersey 4x weekly
- Palma Mallorca 7x weekly
- Malaga 7x weekly
- Menorca 2x weekly
- Paris CDG 4x weekly

Thomson (Volotea):
- Palma Mallorca 2x weekly

89 weekly flights (roughly 12/13 return flights a day), and CityJet still to be announced too.

[aurigny72]

No sign of any new routes from EZY yet then?

[AirportPlanner1]

If there is a route within England it will be a couple of times a week to NQY. The only possibility of a regular schedule to a domestic destination would be to Derry in my opinion and this would only work because there would be no other option. Belfast wouldn't have the local demand to support it, this was demonstrated by light loads on the flights arriving late or leaving early from SEN. EDI may just about work if focused around weekend breaks.

[tws123]

I don't think EZY have announced any new routes yet across their network. This will probably be done in a separate announcement.

LDY-STN had over 126,000 passengers in 2015
SEN-BFS handled something like 90,000 in its first year I believe
SEN-DUB was around the 60,000 mark

If the route network planners get the flight times right on domestic/business orientated routes then they stand a good chance of success. Talking to people, they would love to fly from SEN everytime, but the flight times put them off and they fly elsewhere instead. I hope they start to announce the routes soon and give enough lead in time.

Looks like Florence and Nantes could be on the cards as they are not bookable from LCY from end of March onwards. Coincidence?