MANCHESTER 1

[LAX_LHR]

They are on the list, which does go to show how focuses they are on trying to get the target routes.

The issue with Bangkok is that the list of carriers who could realistically serve the route is small. MAN-BKK has got the volume, but, yield is always the issue, so, maybe NokScoot and their LCC format could be the key to the door.

[Dobbo_Dobbo]

Very true. Looking at the routes commenced over the last 12 months and those due to start over the next 12 months the focus is clearly there.

Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are two of the presumed list where carriers don't necessaraly match the demand - due to the present troubles of MH and TG.

It would be good to see some of the more obscure routes start to open up...

[110Cornets]

Originally Posted by Mr A Tis

The Rouge fares might be "similar" but the service isn't.
Had I known, I might have booked on it- but too late now for me.
Not sure what AC are up to, they indicated a longer season than previous, but it's ended up almost the same, late start/ early finish, probably at the expense of the enhanced Dublin offerings this year.

Strangely, AC have a special lower business class fare that's valid only for the period during which the mainline AC 767 operates, so provided you can get the lower fare, it would be cheaper to fly flat J in high season than AC Rouge in June.

[Una Due Tfc]

Was there not a lot of news articles last year saying that Nokscoot, amongst other Thai airlines, were about to be put on the European and American blacklists?

[Dootz505]

Originally Posted by Una Due Tfc

Was there not a lot of news articles last year saying that Nokscoot, amongst other Thai airlines, were about to be put on the European and American blacklists?

Blacklisted in the US, but not Europe.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/thailand/articles/Thailands-airlines-downgraded-over-safety-concerns/

[Skipness One Echo]

Flights kick off this Friday with 3 weekly Rouge service AC1930/1. Then from 03-24 July the flights change to AC842/843 (AC's previous MAN flight numbers from way back when) operating 5 weekly and using mainline 763 aircraft with AC Business class available. From 25 July Rouge AC1930/1 service returns at 6 weekly for the rest of the peak summer season.

AC840 / 841 was MAN-YYZ, AC842 / 843 was the GLA-YYZ flight.
Technically though we also had :
AC840 / 841 YYZ-MAN-PIK/GLA-MAN-YYZ
and latterly YYZ-GLA-MAN-YYZ(?)
AC842 / 842 YYZ-PIK/GLA-MAN-PIK/GLA-YYZ

And yes, I really do need to get a life!
Looking at what Westjet have done at Gatwick, it can't be long before they have a go at MAN, they're four daily at LGW and have dragged Rouge into LGW in retaliation.

[roverman]

Loco vs legacy to Thailand

If NokScoot have indeed opened an office in Portland Street that's very un-loco! Many legacy flag carriers have done away with the traditional city centre office complete with large scale aircraft model in the window. Peter Street still has Overseas House, the former BOAC city centre office in Manchester, but the old tenant is long gone.

I thought TG were looking at BKK-MAN? NokScoot fits the point-to-point market better but TG have the presence and the onwards connectivity.

[LAX_LHR]

TG have been 'looking' at MAN for years, and years, and years.

The fact is, a low cost is best suited to this route. MAN-BKK certainly has volume, and I don't think anyone could dispute that, however, the low yield on the route anyway, with 4, soon 5 middle eastern/edge of Europe hubs offering cheap fares between MAN and BKK, it will take a brave and determined airline to offer the non stop flight.

Thomas Cook or Norwegian were originally the best candidates for that, but now NokScoot are in the foray, could be the best option.

The only way we could ever see a 'legacy' airline offering BKK is in the form of a stop over to somewhere else, such as Eva Air MAN-BKK-TPE (not saying they are rumoured, just an example).

[Bagso]

Norwegian takes off with two new routes from Manchester Airport - Manchester Evening News

Puff publicity piece in the MEN, on Norwegian. An actual annoucement of a base or long haul as per EDI would have been more encouraging.

[Bagso]

Coverage of 'first Boston" service would have been good.

Suprised we didn't go to town on that but maybe it's full and we don't need the publicity?

[MAN2SIN2BKK2FRA]

The overall parent companies of NokScoot are 51% Thai Airways and 49% Singapore Airlines. They are a budget airline operating out of the old Don Mueang Airport not Suvarnabhumi, no entertainment onboard and 38 inch pitch in the Biz, not too pleasant for 11+ hours non stop, I'll stick with Etihad!!!

[Mr A Tis]

....and of course Boston was previously served by American A/L, so it's not a "new" route.

[Logohu]

They are a budget airline operating out of the old Don Mueang Airport not Suvarnabhumi, no entertainment onboard and 38 inch pitch in the Biz, not too pleasant for 11+ hours non stop, I'll stick with Etihad!!!

Took a sneaky peek at the "about us" page on Nokscoot's website where I learned a new word today - Scootitude
Now I'm by no means a nervous flyer but I have to say attributes like daring, laid-back and quirky are probably not at the top of my needs list when it comes to choosing an airline ! "Memorable" I can live with if its for the right reasons.

Regardless I'm sure they could do very well if the price is right, and would certainly add a splash of colour to the tarmac at MAN if they turn up

[Betablockeruk]

Another misleading headline.....

Liverpool welcomes new direct air link with China - Liverpool Echo

Liverpool-based ChargePoint Technology, the CBI, the IoD and North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) have all praised the new service and believe it is a massive benefit to the region and will unlock new opportunities.

[LAX_LHR]

Puff publicity piece in the MEN, on Norwegian. An actual annoucement of a base or long haul as per EDI would have been more encouraging.

Patience dear bagso, patience. We could be hearing something soon

[Bagso]

Lax

Excellent. ..

[LAX_LHR]

Route swap next summer

Virgin takes over the JFK route from May 25th 2017, VS127/128 on A330-300.

That's now 6 based aircraft for next Summer (just think it was only 2 based as little as 3 years ago), and strong rumours that we are not about to see the Delta tail disappear either.

[Dootz505]

I'm just looking at all the following Delta hubs online at Wikipedia.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris)
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York City)
LaGuardia Airport (New York City)
Logan International Airport (Boston)
Los Angeles International Airport
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport
Narita International Airport (Tokyo)
Salt Lake City International Airport
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport

With Virgin already serving Atlanta, the Delta/Virgin swap on the JFK and the new routes in 2017 to San Francisco and Boston, i suppose the only viable route for Delta to try out, would be Detroit or Los Angeles. I would probably back Detroit.

[Dobbo_Dobbo]

DL/VS next move at MAN

My guess is that when VS take over the JFK route, DL will switch to Detroit.

I think VS will try LAX in the near future (subject to general market conditions of course). I don't know whether it will take an extra based aircraft to make that happen but I imagine so.

They may have to move quickly as TCX are supposedly doing well on the route and wish to increase frequency and Norwegian seem likely to want to enter that market when they set up their long haul base at MAN.

[Bagso]

6th VS airframe
DL Detroit
Norwegian on the cusp?

My goodness I may have to have one of my pills.

Any chance of extracting yet more stands from within the airports current footprint!