Flybe-9
Join Date: Oct 2004
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[QUOTE][The question is what does regional connectivity really mean? Connecting the regions to each other while avoiding London, or connecting the country via London? Given the chronic lack of investment for CrossCountry over the past decade, or more, I wonder if the latter is more important for Whitehall?/QUOTE]
I'm sure that it's much more important to HMG to provide connectivity of anywhere outside London to London, rather than, for example maintaining connectivity between Manchester and Aberdeen, Inverness to Birmingham or Newcastle to Bristol (not suggesting any of those are FlyBe routes, I know some aren't). One only has to look at the UK's motorway and rail networks to understand that connecting Nottingham to London is more important than Nottingham to Birmingham, and Leeds to London more important that Leeds to Manchester. But then, with most civil government civil servant and MPs (wherever their constituency is) spend a disproportionate time in London and the Southeast why would they think in any other way.
I'm sure that it's much more important to HMG to provide connectivity of anywhere outside London to London, rather than, for example maintaining connectivity between Manchester and Aberdeen, Inverness to Birmingham or Newcastle to Bristol (not suggesting any of those are FlyBe routes, I know some aren't). One only has to look at the UK's motorway and rail networks to understand that connecting Nottingham to London is more important than Nottingham to Birmingham, and Leeds to London more important that Leeds to Manchester. But then, with most civil government civil servant and MPs (wherever their constituency is) spend a disproportionate time in London and the Southeast why would they think in any other way.

Join Date: Mar 2017
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Lots of thoughts, pondering, and some uninformed commentary. What we really need now is news. Cold hard facts in black and white so we can all start to move on with whatever future the company may or may not have.
What time is the PM's speech today?
What time is the PM's speech today?

Looks like gloves are off BA seem to be taking the fight to BE
BA simply don't have the operational capability (ie, that of a regional airline) to compete with Flybe in their (regional) backyard.
This looks more like BA playing a publicity and politics game.
Good news for people who use the Cornwall to London routes though.

Join Date: Mar 2017
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"Gloves off" would be re-opening ops at EGCC to say EGAC, EGHI, EGNS and maybe LFPG. But that would require actual investment in crew, aircraft, and marketing.
EGHQ is just a clumsy shot using spare aircraft and crew to slot sit for 2 months of the year. EGLL is far too valuable for IAG to waste slots on a EGHQ PR exercise.
Conversely as EGHQ is a PSO route, all BA are potentially doing by taking pax from BE is to increase the amount of public funds that will be given to BE to support this supposedly non-viable route.

Join Date: Jun 2008
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I haven’t seen many mention the fact that since Flybe moved HQ to LL from KK - to slot sit, many many passengers and residents wanted HQ>KK to return for its Euro connections and EasyJet links. The world doesn’t begin and end at Heathrow people!

No but for connections, it's usually LHR that wins hands down. It's an oddly niche market that prefers to self connect at Gatters. Flybe not being in an alliance couldn't have helped. I wonder if second homes in France or Italy might be a significant driver?

Join Date: Mar 2001
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Sajid Javid - Chancellor resigns,
Andrea Leadsom - Business Secretary sacked,
Nusrat Ghani - Transport minister sacked
George Freeman - Transport Minister sacked
I wonder where this will the leave the potential rescue of Flybe/Virgin connect now ???
Andrea Leadsom - Business Secretary sacked,
Nusrat Ghani - Transport minister sacked
George Freeman - Transport Minister sacked
I wonder where this will the leave the potential rescue of Flybe/Virgin connect now ???
Last edited by Whispering Giant; 13th Feb 2020 at 11:20. Reason: Correct spellng

Join Date: Aug 2009
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Javid was trying to restrict Government spending so probably better for deal. The two junior transport ministers were not involved in the aviation brief so unlikely to have any effect.

Join Date: Feb 2020
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Leadsom and Javid were both very pro Flybe , DC less so....

Join Date: Jul 2001
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I have no more inside knowledge that you do just read the tea leaves differently. My thought are with the staff who must be going through the wringer at the moment.


