VLM Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Germany
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: BMA
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't understand why they don't try going back to what made them a successful carrier in the first place - niche routes from LCY.
Some of their old routes have BA on them now but others are available.
Some of their old routes have BA on them now but others are available.
I don't understand why they don't try going back to what made them a successful carrier in the first place - niche routes from LCY.
Some of their old routes have BA on them now but others are available.
Some of their old routes have BA on them now but others are available.
AMS - KLM ERJ190
EIN - not currently served from LCY
RTM - BA ERJ170
ORY - BA ERJ170
BRU - uncompetitive against Eurotunnel
MAN/LPL died a death as soon as the West Coast Mainline was upgraded
LUX - strong competition from LG
JER - local competition from SI
IOM - now operated by Eastern for BA
The rest of the routes I have were from the CityJet days which were French focussed and sold via Air France. They got squeezed out when BA moved in, the market moved onto bigger and faster jets and they don't have the funds for the equipment let alone the rewards to make a dent in the brand loyalty of the frequent flier programmes of BA or KLM.
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Ireland
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What's changed since those days? Far more competition, not least from BA in LCY. Much higher landing fees in LCY as the owners attempt to get a return on their investment, not least by discouraging smaller aircraft from using scarce slots, Higher fuel prices. Higher maintenance costs for the ageing F50s. And the same challenge that every other regional airline has: how to get and retain pilots?
I wish them well but unfortunately I believe the notion that there is some El Dorado of unserved lucrative routes out there, just waiting for VLM's return, just doesn't stack up.
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Outer London
Age: 43
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is a place/need for random niche routes around Europe but the problem is they are so dispersed unless you’ve got guaranteed income like PSOs or they’re a true goldmine the costs of servicing them start outweighing the economies of scale achieved from having a single HQ, multiple frames etc. You’re better off getting into white label flying and getting some local entrepreneur to charter you, which does look a bit like the way they’re trying to go.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last edited by CKT789; 7th Aug 2018 at 22:07.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It has been cash out for them ever since they are back.
LCY might be close to break even but ZRH cant be making money.
So with no money in the bank, fleet reductions and “new” aircraft coming in 2019..
Might it be the Superjet... those guys will need a new EASA carrier soon...
LCY might be close to break even but ZRH cant be making money.
So with no money in the bank, fleet reductions and “new” aircraft coming in 2019..
Might it be the Superjet... those guys will need a new EASA carrier soon...
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Outer London
Age: 43
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They would do better without Stobart's SEN-ANR route. While it its unlikely to attract high yielding pax, the ANR-passenger volume diverted to SEN would certainly be helpful if it ended up at LCY instead of SEN. Let's hope that Stobart is in for the long run so that ANR will still have a London link should VLM bite the dust sooner or later partly because of that unhelpful competition. I really don't see who could give LCY-ANR a try in the future.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If we believe everything we are told in terms of it being a profitable route - then why wouldn't LCY-ANR be of interest to either BA brands at LCY: BACF either with E170 or additional leased-in S20 or Sun-Air with D38 (appreciating they, too, have to lease in a D38prop to cover their current LCY ops)?
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Hither and Thither
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They would do better without Stobart's SEN-ANR route. While it its unlikely to attract high yielding pax, the ANR-passenger volume diverted to SEN would certainly be helpful if it ended up at LCY instead of SEN. Let's hope that Stobart is in for the long run so that ANR will still have a London link should VLM bite the dust sooner or later partly because of that unhelpful competition. I really don't see who could give LCY-ANR a try in the future.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If we believe everything we are told in terms of it being a profitable route - then why wouldn't LCY-ANR be of interest to either BA brands at LCY: BACF either with E170 or additional leased-in S20 or Sun-Air with D38 (appreciating they, too, have to lease in a D38prop to cover their current LCY ops)?
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: BMA
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Confirmation link here: https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/v...on-bankruptcy/
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Essex
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Absolutely gutted.
I took my family to Antwerp this week with VLM and they were fantastic.
I hope the staff who tried to make it a success, are able to find alternative work soon.
I took my family to Antwerp this week with VLM and they were fantastic.
I hope the staff who tried to make it a success, are able to find alternative work soon.