MANCHESTER 1

[Dobbo_Dobbo]

Originally Posted by LAX_LHR

Apparently Cathay are now reluctant to change to the A350 at MAN as the B77W has more than proved its worth, as both decks (cargo and Passengers) are exceeding expectations.

I'm sure Spanners a few months ago stated MAN holds the Cathay record for heaviest cargo payload on a B77W.

The A350 just can't match that.

That it is possible for CX to operate daily (possibly 8x weekly?)using a B77W in the next year or two is incredible.

[Armodeen]

Una is correct, its 36 LD3 for the A359 and 44 for the A35K. The A350 is an excellent cargo hauler in its own right, it is a direct competitor to the B77E/W.

I guess depending on the MAN/MUC split, going daily on the smaller aircraft could actually increase available cargo space?

Excellent news on Aegean and Oman air - anybody know the type for the latter? Surely a 738 no? Even though it would be a hugely long route for it, I can't see MAN getting a daily wide body?!

[GrahamK]

Oman Air will be a 787-8

[Dobbo_Dobbo]

Originally Posted by Armodeen

I guess depending on the MAN/MUC split, going daily on the smaller aircraft could actually increase available cargo space.

Good point - 2x A359 > 1x B77W.

Will depend on aircraft availability but I bet the B77W will operate one route (most likely MUC).

[GavinC]

Oman Air is some coup IMO. Point to point demand will presumably be low but onwards is what they will be after just like the MEB3. They'll need to offer low fares and a decent product. I flew with them once but it was short haul and before their rebrand so I'm not in a position to say that there product is or is not any good.

[LAX_LHR]

I too think Oman Air is a coup.

To think we have bagged an airline that doesn't yet serve some of the larger European airports and capitals is quite re-assuring.

I remember Anna.aero a few years ago point out Manchester had the second largest presence of Middle Eastern carriers in Europe. We may have slipped down the ranks slightly, but, the news of Oman air will probably boost us back up again.

I wonder if this news will cause Emirates to bring forward any plans for a 4th daily?

[Skipness One Echo]

That it is possible for CX to operate daily (possibly 8x weekly?)using a B77W in the next year or two is incredible.

Cathay used to fly (daily?) B744s out of MAN, albeit with one stop. Sadly gifting Big Airways a codeshare and leaving MAN may not have been a genius plan IMHO. See also QANTAS, perhaps rather than another Emirates rotation, a QF A380 might be an option via DXB? #justkidding (alas)

[AvGeek1]

An interesting idea. Although Qantas could operate a Manchester rotation from Dubai with the 787-9, similar to what they do at Heathrow, just not with the A380?

[Armodeen]

Originally Posted by AvGeek1

An interesting idea. Although Qantas could operate a Manchester rotation from Dubai with the 787-9, similar to what they do at Heathrow, just not with the A380?

They could but why would they? They can just sell tickets on EK instead like they do for the rest of Europe apart from LHR.

Thanks for the confirmation of B788 for Oman air.. It's a great score for MAN and somewhat out of left field. Wish we had gotten an A332 instead but WYs future is with the 787 so understandable.

[Dobbo_Dobbo]

Originally Posted by Skipness One Echo

Cathay used to fly (daily?) B744s out of MAN, albeit with one stop. Sadly gifting Big Airways a codeshare and leaving MAN may not have been a genius plan IMHO. See also QANTAS, perhaps rather than another Emirates rotation, a QF A380 might be an option via DXB? #justkidding (alas)

Indeed - wasn't the tag Heathrow?

Getting these flights as non-stoppers by themselves is a big vote of confidence. Upping the frequency is a big step in the right direction.

It would be good to see Qantas metal at MAN, but I really don't think there is anything in it for them or Emirates.

[Bagso]

Manchester growth is a bit like watching the swingometer on election night at the moment !

Oman Air and Muscat would surely be such a "marginal" for the MAG "MANCHESTER" development team its a bit like Labour winning Old Bexleyheath !

I'm amazed i would have thought Oman Air would have been a safe seat for Paris Amsterdam and or .....Frankfurt ?

Now however comes the difficult bit.

[LAX_LHR]

Oman air do serve Paris and Frankfurt. They don't serve AMS however.

[Logohu]

Una is correct, its 36 LD3 for the A359

I stand corrected - should've checked the Airbus website instead of relying on Wikpedia
Will SQ have the appetite to go daily nonstop to both MUC and MAN with the A359 ? Or will we see a mix of nonstops/onestops to begin with, or even a frequency reduction for a nonstop ? Time will tell.

There have been rumours of Oman Air but daily flights is a bit of a surprise.

I'm not surprised. I think Oman realize they are the "Johnny come lately" and if they are going to make any inroads at all into the well established turf of the MEB3, Turkish, PIA etc they need to at least have a daily offering. Get ready for some bargain prices to the subcontinent if you're into that sort of thing !

[Ringwayman]

Here's the hint

"Mr Cornish said, adding that the airport was bringing in more long-haul routes, including to the US and Middle East, where airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways had added capacity in recent years."

Based on that,, we've seen SFO and BOS announced by VS. And now we have Oman Air.

Now what did this particular sage say?

"Adding more Middle East routes? Can only be Oman Airways or Kuwait Airways. Out of those 2, I think it's Kuwait Airways that might be slight favourites as years ago they stated they'd be adding MAN flights. "

Well that was awesome of me to back the wrong horse!

[LAX_LHR]

And with Etihad. Emirates, Qatar, Saudia and now Oman Air on board, that's 5 ME carriers, and as Kuwait have in the past stated they would like to serve Manchester, then that's all the 'realistic' ME carriers covered (Gulf air seem to be in some form of crisis mode at the moment).

Not bad for a secondary city.

[Dobbo_Dobbo]

Would Iran Air not count as a potential Middle Eastern carrier?

[parky747]

If the reports that BA are looking to introduce BOB on euro services are true, perhaps they may take some of the action at MAN again!!

[BDLBOS]

Originally Posted by parky747

If the reports that BA are looking to introduce BOB on euro services are true, perhaps they may take some of the action at MAN again!!

I think the last thing anybody wants is BA screwing things up. The main reasons for MAN's last major decline was a combination of BA and bad Management decisions. The grouping of Airlines serving MAN are stable and seeing growth.

Now where are the terminal plans, fag packet drawings and pretty video's should have moved on to reality by now!

[Bagso]

Lax

I was thinking not just as a destination but equally in terms of adding capacity into Europe. That hasn't gone to those airports but as you say has come to Manchester.

[Dobbo_Dobbo]

Originally Posted by Ringwayman

Here's the hint

"Mr Cornish said, adding that the airport was bringing in more long-haul routes, including to the US and Middle East, where airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways had added capacity in recent years."

Based on that,, we've seen SFO and BOS announced by VS. And now we have Oman Air.

Now what did this particular sage say?

"Adding more Middle East routes? Can only be Oman Airways or Kuwait Airways. Out of those 2, I think it's Kuwait Airways that might be slight favourites as years ago they stated they'd be adding MAN flights. "

Well that was awesome of me to back the wrong horse!

Ringwayman

The second (or more) Middle eastern route might be one from an existing Middle East carrier - Saudia to Ryiadh maybe?