MANCHESTER 1

[Mr A Tis]

Jet2 like a dabble with the odd transatlantic- thought they might of been interested in MAN/BOS. It's only a few hundred miles more than a Sharm El Sheikh.
Although, obviously a hub carrier with connections would make it more viable.
Don't know if they(LAX / BOS ) still appear in the TCX drop down menu, but they are not bookable, so a bit late for a spring launch now if they are still on the cards- do they even have the spare capacity?

[Bagso]

I noticed a planning application is in for an 8 storey Hilton Inn Airport City !

Anybody know the exact location ?

Is it near the other hotels near M56 OR further round near the centre ?

[eggc]

It'll be joining the bus / train station.

[BasilBush]

This isn't really news Bagso. It was featured in the MEN last March. Manchester Airport City hotel: 350-bedroom hotel would be run by Hilton group - Manchester Evening News


See also http://www.publicaccess.manchester.g...1-dsx-0001.pdf which shows the location.

[Bagso]

Many thanks it was put in so long ago I had forgotten !

IF you want quote "real news" check the M E N who have now reported the SAUDIA story but NOT the denials in those tweets that Ringwayman quoted !

SAUDI spokesperson

"I have never ever talked to any media on this or any other related issues ..Totally false and fabrication"

Clearly we do not want to bury bad news, maybe they were testing the water BUT this appears a total misquote !

Its a fledgling service for Manchester maybe the reporter could have dug a bit deeper AND quoted the denials before lighting the touch paper and leaving the story to gather momentum.

oh dear "Check the M E N "....maybe I should rephrase that !

[Fairdealfrank]

Let's be realistic, we'd all be very shocked if BA came to MAN themselves.

The sensible way would be to see if AA could plug gaps to their hubs, as in BOS, DFW, MIA possibly LAX, with greater tie in with BE at this end.

If BA did try themselves then possibly MCO would be for them, but again it'd take a massive turn around in their policy to come back to Ringway.

Be interesting to see who makes the next move...

Agreed, the only way it might happen is if AA (with BA codeshare on the joint venture) loses market share to VS, perhaps in the event, that given the choice, pax specifically want to use a UK carrier.

But how likely is that?

Judging from the comments above, there appears to be potential for increased trans-Atlantic activity at Ringway.

Good, it's about time. Perhaps VS at Ringway will be a catalyst.

Maybe Ringway managment need to spend more time on route development and less on fretting about Heathrow expansion??

BA - Given that BA are circling EI maybe there IS a change of strategy, that said the UK domestic feed into DUB is minscule compared to the "direct" operation offered by BA from Heathrow so surely they are simply after slots or maybe there are some sort of tax implications. That said a company that the goverment believes is wrapped in the Union Jack having its HQ in Dublin would surely be a final nail in the coffin for LHR and RW3

It’s not about LHR slots for BA, BA has adequate slots and actually needs longhaul aircraft, so don’t see EI’s LHR slots being asset-stripped in the event of a purchase by IAG.

It’s more strategic than that: it’s more to do with preventing the competition acquiring these slots and asset-stripping them from EI.

The above-mentioned company is headquartered in Spain. Spain or Ireland, what’s the difference from the government’s point of view? and how is this related to Heathrow expansion?

I would have thought there was more potential expanding the FlyBe feed Manchester but this is equally small.....BUT with a dozen regional cities now served from MAN there is lots of potential to increase marketing/capacity/frequency !

Yes, more feed would be essential and BE appear to be in prime position....

[EI-BUD]

Fairfealfrank,

In terms of the mention of IAG asset stripping, firstly to say the Dublin Heathrow is a very strong market in terms of traffic and one of the busiest European routes. Hence, I don't think we need to worry about Aer Lingus' slots. However, increased size in aircraft on EI services on Dublin London could release BA's own slots (from the Dublin route) that could be deployed onto their own long haul routes.

Equally BHD the same applies.

Ei- bud

[Skipness One Echo]

However, increased size in aircraft on EI services on Dublin London could release BA's own slots (from the Dublin route) that could be deployed onto their own long haul routes.

Or Aer Lingus', remember when it was assumed BA would drop DUB after getting BMI and just codeshare with EI? In a more commercial environment, the current SNN-LHR just doesn't work, it's the EI equivalent of BA's LHR-LBA. The first inbound to London is useless for point to point. Depending on how much feed BA get from ORK/SNN/BHD with EI, they might be better of at LGW....in commercial terms. They are of course knee deep in local politics.

However an IAG owned Aer lingus would surely be a more aggresive entiity at MAN, even to the extent of feeding American's exisiting MAN operation as overflow from DUB.

[eggc]

Not to sound like a mod, but let's not lose track of the subject of the thread...Manchester

[Ringwayman]

BA don't have enough long-haul aircraft at the moment hence the more touristy destinations being launched by them out of LHR.

[EI-BUD]

Sorry eggc,
I was unaware of where I was when I responded!!!

[Fairdealfrank]

Fairfealfrank,

In terms of the mention of IAG asset stripping, firstly to say the Dublin Heathrow is a very strong market in terms of traffic and one of the busiest European routes. Hence, I don't think we need to worry about Aer Lingus' slots. However, increased size in aircraft on EI services on Dublin London could release BA's own slots (from the Dublin route) that could be deployed onto their own long haul routes.

Equally BHD the same applies.

Ei- bud

Indeed, but have suggested exactly the opposite: that IAG would not asset-strip EI LHR slots for BA becasuse BA doesn't need any more LHR slots, it needs longhaul aircraft.

BA will be getting 9 more LHR slot pairs anyway later this year when no other carrier takes over from VS on LHR-EDI and LHR-ABZ.

Another buyer of EI, on the other hand, would want the slots, and as mentioned by Skipness One Echo, some of the LHR slots currently used by EI on ORK-LHR, BHD-LHR, and particularly SNN-LHR could be asset-stripped.

However an IAG owned Aer lingus would surely be a more aggresive entiity at MAN, even to the extent of feeding American's exisiting MAN operation as overflow from DUB.

Yes, covering all the bases.

BA don't have enough long-haul aircraft at the moment hence the more touristy destinations being launched by them out of LHR.

Exactly.

Not to sound like a mod, but let's not lose track of the subject of the thread...Manchester

Good point, and some of us probably don't want slagging off by a troll on
another forum.

[eggc]

Hey, no need to apologise...just didn't want the MAN thread locking again

[Logohu]

With all the speculation about possible AA/BA and DL/VS moves at MAN, lets not forget there's also a third dog in the fight - UA and Star Alliance.

I'm sure UA/Star will be watching with interest for any sign of a developing turf war between VS/DL and AA/BA at MAN. Particularly so now that Little Red, UA's current preferred feeder carrier from MAN (and Scotland) to LHR is about to disappear.

I doubt UA/Star will be too thrilled at the prospect of their top tier MileagePlus members having to fly on BA to LHR to connect with UA. Currently most of their alternative non-direct options from the UK regions to the USA involve a time consuming backhaul via FRA, BRU or the like. So in the absence of any replacement for Little Red, might UA also consider beefing up service to their US hubs from MAN and the regions ??

[Ian Brooks]

There are a lot of ifs and buts but making very interesting times. Flybe could be holding a trump card because if they stay non aligned things
could get very interesting indeed.
Now all that has to be done is the new terminal and we have places to park everyone.

[Armodeen]

Are their links or statements I can view to back up the falsehoods you mention , or are you crew from Saudi telling it 1st hand ?

Hi Nigel,

I had written a big long post about Saudia and KSA in general, but decided to keep it simple. My family has worked for Saudia for a long time, and what those who should know say is that the story is typical tabloid tosh. Apparently they are planning to change the seating allocation to allow families to sit together easier (typical Sauds will neither OLCI nor preassign seats). There are similar accounts on other forums.

I doubt Saudia will issue a statement themselves, PR isn't really their strong suit.

Of course this isn't a credible source since you don't know me from Adam, so make your own mind up.

[Fairdealfrank]

I doubt UA/Star will be too thrilled at the prospect of their top tier MileagePlus members having to fly on BA to LHR to connect with UA. Currently most of their alternative non-direct options from the UK regions to the USA involve a time consuming backhaul via FRA, BRU or the like. So in the absence of any replacement for Little Red, might UA also consider beefing up service to their US hubs from MAN and the regions ??

Indeed, CO, now part of UA, have a long tradition of running flights from the UK "regions" to its EWR hub. BFS, BHX, BRS, EDI, GLA, and MAN have all had, or still have, these links.

There are a lot of ifs and buts but making very interesting times. Flybe could be holding a trump card because if they stay non aligned things
could get very interesting indeed.
Now all that has to be done is the new terminal and we have places to park everyone.

Yes, BE could clean up here. Theoretically, it could codeshare with all 3 alliances.

[Mr A Tis]

Rail / Air

Had a smile when I watched this Rail-Fly - Singapore Airlines
Wonder if Singapore has thought of teaming up with Northern Rail to offer the unique chance of a through ticket from Southport to Changi on a 35 year old Pacer train? via MAN

[Logohu]

Rail / Fly

Ah yes - maybe SQ could reintroduce Boeing 707s to match the age of some of the trains, for that authentic 1970's experience. Now that would definitely be worth the price of a through ticket !!

[nigel osborne]

Armodeen,


Thanks for the update, and I certainly have no reason to doubt your words, media hype again then.


Nigel