Flybe-9
Join Date: Aug 1999
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Join Date: Jun 2007
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That statement doesn't really say anything, all it says is that it'll connect the regions but connect it to what? Manchester and Heathrow? Anywhere that doesn't connect to those two could be in for worrying times.
See post #2432 - to recap, these are statements from Virgin Connect:
"At its heart, Virgin Connect will be passionately focused on becoming Europe's most loved and successful regional airline".
"As Flybe, we have been connecting passengers across the UK and Europe for 40 years...Virgin Connect will continue our work as Europe’s Largest Regional Airline."
"We will differentiate ourselves in the regional market upon rebranding next year."
"We will remain true to our heritage and reason for being, which is offering essential regional connectivity to local communities."
"We’ll be saying goodbye to purple and hello to red...whilst continuing to connect the regions & our passengers to what matters most."
"As Flybe, we have been connecting passengers across the UK and Europe for 40 years...Virgin Connect will continue our work as Europe’s Largest Regional Airline."
"We will differentiate ourselves in the regional market upon rebranding next year."
"We will remain true to our heritage and reason for being, which is offering essential regional connectivity to local communities."
"We’ll be saying goodbye to purple and hello to red...whilst continuing to connect the regions & our passengers to what matters most."
"We will remain true to our heritage and reason for being, which is offering essential regional connectivity to local communities."
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Wales
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Virgin are an investor and although yes it's quite probable they'll build up Manchester and Heathrow where possible and feed Virgin Atlantic the company will still need to make a profit so it's investors get a return. And I maybe wrong but I don't think that they would achieve that by withdrawing from key regional markets at Edinburgh, Southampton, Belfast and Birmingham and other smaller ones like Cardiff, Exeter and Newquay just to feed what is a small long haul airline at the moment at 2 airports but that is just my opinion.
Summer 2020 will probably give us some idea of where they'll go as an airline.
A few other points - Virgin only own 30% of BE, BE feed into MAN is already pretty extensive, slots at LHR are horrendously expensive, particularly at the peak times needed to support VS LH. Talk of LHR seems like positioning for a post 3rd runway world.
So - there will be some tweaking of MAN to improve connections to VS, any opportunities at LHR will be grabbed (a la IOM, GCI) and the deadwood will continue to be cut.
Join Date: May 2017
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I don't think we need to wait to S20. I would suggest that from Jan20 we will see further cuts and other changes to the network to ensure that S20 is in keeping with the overall plan
There are reports at SEN that three Virgin Connect ATR72 will be based there. One of these, EI-FMK, flew DUB-NWI for respray yesterday (although reportedly due to it going back to the leasing company). EMB190 EI-GMK arrived at SEN on Satruday from AMS and is currently parked up.
Last edited by Expressflight; 28th Oct 2019 at 11:49.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Down a Tin mine......
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Flybe/ Virgin Connect CEO Mark Anderson, confirms the company are looking at getting larger aircraft and not just relying on the Dash8.
https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/n...arger-aircraft
Yep, and if responses that BEE get on social are anything to go by, there are plenty of previously loyal but now unhappy punters bemoaning the end of the sun routes from SOU, EXT, NWI and DSA.
Join Date: Aug 2014
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I wouldn’t be so worried about those. They tend to be more fickle and price-conscious. If someone had come along offering similar routes cheaper they’d ditch BE in a flash. No, it’s more a problem if they upset loyal punters regularly travelling on domestics or other higher frequency business routes.
If someone had come along offering similar routes cheaper they’d ditch BE in a flash.
It’s more a problem if they upset loyal punters regularly travelling on domestics or other higher frequency business routes
.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Think SOU will go without any sun routes next summer in order to concentrate on expansion works!
Join Date: Mar 2003
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They were at one point just going to cut the loses by returning them and paying the penalty but decided it was better to keep them for a while and try to at least break even with them
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Why would they want to do that? Even with better terms the operating costs just to keep it in the air are more than double the eye watering lease cost. They don't want them, they want shot of them, it's as simple as that. If you knew the figures you'd understand why.
Join Date: Aug 2014
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It happens that often i’m surprised it even makes the papers.....I guess if one was a nervous flyer this is the type to avoid at all costs and take the easyjet option