SOUTHEND 5

[canberra97]

Red Four

You mentioned that you were supprised not hear from Canberra 97.

Well I've just read the posts regarding Flybe expansion from SEN and to be totally honest I am shocked to actually find out this is all happening but why is it happening is beyond me. As you can see from my previous posts I didn't think for one minute that this would happen and was just hyperbole but I'm pleased for Southend and I hope the routes are successful and can only lead to more, an early Christmas gift to SEN for sure and even as I'm typing this I still can't quite believe it.

What I do find strange are some of the destinations, why can't Flybe fly from Southampton to some of these, hopefully in the near future we might see them doing so.

I wish SEN and Flybe all the best with this expansion but knowing how fickle Flybe are I wonder how many of these routes will survive into 2018.

I still can't believe it's all happening though!

[compton3bravo]

Cannot see the likes of easyJet, Jet2, Monarch, Ryanair and Wizz quaking in their boots about this sort of operation, sorry.

[LTNman]

why can't Flybe fly from Southampton to some of these, hopefully in the near future we might see them doing so.

Because this is a Flybe operation in name only. This is Stobart putting seats through their airport which is the only reason this is happening using the name of Flybe.

So are the negative Stobert folk here still so negative this morning? Seems like a good move if they pull it off.

[BA318]

They are being flown by Stobart Air at their risk. Not Flybe. Hence why Flybe hasn't chosen to fly them from Southampton. Maybe the flights will prove there is a market and Flybe will launch them.


I'm pleased for the new routes but it seems a shame that there is no Scandinavian routes which seem to be doing well elsewhere. I am sure that Kristiansand could support a service, Stockholm Bromma might also work (and be very convenient for me!)

[Andy_S]

Originally Posted by Wycombe

Aren't BEE still on the hook to take a few more 175's? (the rest of their order having been swopped with Republic for their Dashes).

I believe 4 orders are yet to be fulfilled.

I must admit that I'm among those who were sceptical that Stobart had anything tangible to announce today. So well done. It should be borne in mind, though, that Stobart are on the hook for this. If it's a success, then it could be the start of a virtuous circle with SEN itself. But if it loses money, it will be a big, big headache.

Not being negative, just making the point.

[Spearman]

Eve and Nick were having a little chat on the 21st Dec.

What would u like for Christmas says Nick:
Some perfume, the CD of 'take my breath away' and Ultravox's greatest hits she says.
Nick: Eve, nice list!
What about you Nick: some of those big male pencils for my toolbox and as a Man City fan, Pep to go on as there is a solid PR argument for him to stay.
Eve: I wouldn't rely on that!
Nick woke up on Christmas Day, 'is that snow' he asked Eve.
No, it's sadly it's only dew, brother Nick.
Is that the dog bouncing?
Yep, Bud is a pest when he sees that trampoline.
Any chance of getting us a cup of tea Nick.
Course I can Eve. Fancy some Kedgeree? I will do some rice.

Sorry, I'll go back to radar now.......

Merry Christmas everyone.

[DC3 Dave]

Originally Posted by compton3bravo

Cannot see the likes of easyJet, Jet2, Monarch, Ryanair and Wizz quaking in their boots about this sort of operation, sorry.

FANTASTIC NEWS! MOL and the Orange Dame won't be going apoplectic with rage then, demanding that those Stobart / Flybe upstarts be wiped off the face of the aviation world. Perhaps those routes will have the chance to be judged on their own merits.

Are you related to the Grinch?

[virginblue]

And still the SEN website is behind the times! No mention on the "new routes" section. Would have thought that they would have had this ready by the time the announcement was made.

I cannot think of a poorer time of the year to launch a big media campaign than Thursday, December 22. So it is probably a good idea to let the airline do a soft launch and make a big media announcement by the airport after christmas.

[tophat27dt]

Originally Posted by compton3bravo

Cannot see the likes of easyJet, Jet2, Monarch, Ryanair and Wizz quaking in their boots about this sort of operation, sorry.

these routes are not set up to quake anybody's boots. They are an attempt to fill a demand for short or medium breaks from the catchment area east of London and for those who hate using such airlines from Stansted or Luton.

[DC3 Dave]

Trying to get my head round one of the routes: Lyon. I thought it was odd, but perhaps it is quite clever. If easyjet drop the route next winter then Flybe - with an AF codeshare - will be in prime position to run the service with a much smaller aircraft. If easyjet resume the route, then Flybe can look to pick it up again in the summer of 2018 (assuming acceptable numbers in 2017)

[virginblue]

. If easyjet drop the route next winter then Flybe - with an AF codeshare - will be in prime position to run the service with a much smaller aircraft.

I think that it is useful to keep in mind that Flybe has nothing to do with the routes. Stobart Air is simply paying a fee to use the Flybe brand and get access to Flybe's booking engine. It does not make those flights Flybe flights, so any agreement would have to be between Air France and Stobart-

[fatmed]

That said, the existing Flybe/stobart routes from Southend to French destinations use AF codeshare I believe !

[Expressflight]

Fatmed

That is correct as those flights operate under a BE flight number and LYS should therefore also benefit from an AF codeshare.

[virginblue]

Sure, although I do not think that there is any automatism "BE flight number = AF code-share". But as LYS-LON is not operated by AF, I don't think they will have problems with a code-share.

[Expressflight]

Looking at the scheduling for the two aircraft there seem to be just 2 or 3 spare slots left to fill.

virginblue

I think 22nd December is an excellent time to launch the routes on the Flybe website with most people having a lot of spare time to fill between Christmas and the New Year. What better way to occupy themselves than to book a holiday or two?
I do agree with you that a major marketing campaign to go along with that would be largely wasted and I'm sure this will be launched in earnest in early January.

[tws123]

Just confirm Figari, Zadar, Perpignan, Dubrovnik and Reus are summer season only. Also as I mentioned previously, the website is currently undergoing improvements and will be updated soon.

[inOban]

I wonder whether some of the capacity has been presold to tour operators, especially the smaller, specialist ones.

[tophat27dt]

Originally Posted by inOban

I wonder whether some of the capacity has been presold to tour operators, especially the smaller, specialist ones.

Thats how it used to be done...i think its a good idea to try and sell 35%+ of the seats in advance to a travel agency or tour operator...even on a no sale/return basis. Not everyone knows how to book online or set up their own holiday packages.

[compton3bravo]

DC-3 Dave. No relation to Jim Carey as far as know, just trying to be realistic and keeping ones feet firmly on the ground. Sorry if I hit a nerve, love.

[toledoashley]

Any closer to working out why all the press are saying it is 2x 195's, yet the seat maps suggest otherwise?