Monarch 4
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 308
Likes: 20
From: London
To be fair to BA, you have to look at things in context.
After 9/11, the airline was heavily in debt which resulted in a near decade long freeze on new long-haul aircraft deliveries. There was also laundry list of legacy issues that needed fixing, particularly at London Heathrow. Remember when every summer was known for wildcat strikes by LHR groundstaff?
BA has returned to a lot of markets it had previously withdrawn from (Belfast, Dublin, Inverness, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, The Seychelles) so it’s not surprising to see it return to growth at LGW now the business is in much better shape financially.
After 9/11, the airline was heavily in debt which resulted in a near decade long freeze on new long-haul aircraft deliveries. There was also laundry list of legacy issues that needed fixing, particularly at London Heathrow. Remember when every summer was known for wildcat strikes by LHR groundstaff?
BA has returned to a lot of markets it had previously withdrawn from (Belfast, Dublin, Inverness, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, The Seychelles) so it’s not surprising to see it return to growth at LGW now the business is in much better shape financially.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 8
From: Ainsdale
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 716
Likes: 5
From: UK
In fairness to BA the world has changed; relying on LHR would suffocate their business in a way that it wouldn't have done in the past (and it doesn't look like the never ending effing about re the third runway will end before a fifth one is needed).
And on the other hand; Aer Lingus of course also built up operations at Gatwick at one point...
And on the other hand; Aer Lingus of course also built up operations at Gatwick at one point...
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,173
Likes: 0
From: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
Given Norwegian’s strong growth in LGW short haul has plateaued, it’s a shame they’re not giving BA a run for their money. BA do finally, after so very long, have a lean, mean, money making machine at Gatters.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
From: Southampton
London is BA territory and LGW and the British Airways operation won't have LEVEL entering the London market and dilute it's current market, plus British Airways is a well known brand and has a loyal customer base and with BA making their LGW based 777's into a high density layout why would they need LEVEL to take on Norwegian as they are more or less doing that already.
LEVEL is for European ops such as BCN, FCO, ORY and a big maybe in the future we may see them at MAN but definitely not at LGW.
Guest
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 554
Likes: 44
From: UK
I am not sure why some people can't seem to accept that in London it will be BA doing most of the long haul not Level. BA is the recognised brand and at Gatwick with newly refurbished, densified and fully paid for 777s will be able to compete effectively with Norwegian. Level maybe used more in the regions. At the moment the strategy for Level appears to be establishing other European bases for long haul.
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 6
From: Hemel Hempstead
Can absolutely second that about Level, I really doubt Gatwick is going to become a base anytime soon. I think if it does appear on UK shores it will be introducing something different to BA - possibly even utilising 321’s and operating to places like Providence and Stewart.
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: UK
So people are delusional? Insert level at Lgw eventually lhr, IAG codeshares. Slash legacy contracts maximise profit and compete with Norwegian on a higher level! Seems obvious to all those except the ones trying to cling to a legacy contract. Do you BA boys still have your rediculous scope agreement??
Plumbum Pendular
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 0
From: Avionics Bay
"densified and fully paid for 777s will be able to compete effectively with Norwegian"
Then why didn't they do that with Iberia aeroplanes out of Barcelona, why create the new brand?
The point is that they need the new brand to be low cost long haul and to not tarnish the premium brand that is BA.
Also to fly the low cost long haul I am sure they would like much lower operating costs than BA affords them.
IAG want to destroy Norwegian and Level is their weapon of choice.
Listen to this podcast with Willie Walsh if you want to know how it's going to work.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/29...ost-long-haul/
Then why didn't they do that with Iberia aeroplanes out of Barcelona, why create the new brand?
The point is that they need the new brand to be low cost long haul and to not tarnish the premium brand that is BA.
Also to fly the low cost long haul I am sure they would like much lower operating costs than BA affords them.
IAG want to destroy Norwegian and Level is their weapon of choice.
Listen to this podcast with Willie Walsh if you want to know how it's going to work.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/29...ost-long-haul/
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,173
Likes: 0
From: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
Then why didn't they do that with Iberia aeroplanes out of Barcelona, why create the new brand?
Perhaps Iberia is still seen as the Spanish flag carrier, the brand is not in the same place in Catalonia, that BA is in Surrey. But Level has zero brand recognition in the UK market and BA’s costs at Gatwick are pretty close to Norwegian levels now.
