Air Wales to scrap EDI/GLA-CWL plans
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Air Wales to scrap EDI/GLA-CWL plans
No great surprise really, after the BD announcement that WW would be operating CWL-EDI/GLA.
16:47BST PA HOME SCOTCX5
AIRLINES IN DOGFIGHT FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE
By Rachel Williams, PA News
A Welsh airline’s plans for services from Cardiff to Glasgow and Edinburgh have been shelved, it was today revealed.
Air Wales, which announced its intention introduce the services last month, claims “pressure” from low cost carrier bmibaby – which is also launching services to the Scottish cities – has forced it to abandon its venture.
The new service had been due to start from Cardiff International Airport on August 12, and had already been advertised in the press. Passengers who had already bought tickets are now having their payments refunded.
Air Wales chairman Roy Thomas said: “We are devastated not to be able to run our routes to Scotland.
“We received no official indication whatsoever that bmibaby was to take on the routes until their own announcement less than a fortnight ago in the press.
Air Wales, which employs 50 people, will now take over a route between Plymouth and Cork, which British Airways is about to abandon.
A spokeswoman for bmibaby said: “It was never our intention to push any operators out. We just want to offer a good deal for travellers in Wales. It’s a shame that Air Wales feels it can’t compete.”
Mr Thomas said Air Wales was now looking at new European destinations from Swansea Airport, including Amsterdam and Paris.
Bmibaby will fly to nine destinations when it begins its Cardiff operation in the autumn.
As well as flights to Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow, the no-frills carrier will operate to Alicante, Faro, Geneva, Malaga, Milan and, subject to government approval, Jersey.
The services will start on October 27 and domestic fares will start from £18 one way, with international fares starting from £25.
The launch of bmibaby services from Cardiff will make the airline – a subsidiary of bmi british midland – the airport’s biggest operator, with an additional one million passengers a year forecast to go through the airport.
end
16:47BST PA HOME SCOTCX5
AIRLINES IN DOGFIGHT FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE
By Rachel Williams, PA News
A Welsh airline’s plans for services from Cardiff to Glasgow and Edinburgh have been shelved, it was today revealed.
Air Wales, which announced its intention introduce the services last month, claims “pressure” from low cost carrier bmibaby – which is also launching services to the Scottish cities – has forced it to abandon its venture.
The new service had been due to start from Cardiff International Airport on August 12, and had already been advertised in the press. Passengers who had already bought tickets are now having their payments refunded.
Air Wales chairman Roy Thomas said: “We are devastated not to be able to run our routes to Scotland.
“We received no official indication whatsoever that bmibaby was to take on the routes until their own announcement less than a fortnight ago in the press.
Air Wales, which employs 50 people, will now take over a route between Plymouth and Cork, which British Airways is about to abandon.
A spokeswoman for bmibaby said: “It was never our intention to push any operators out. We just want to offer a good deal for travellers in Wales. It’s a shame that Air Wales feels it can’t compete.”
Mr Thomas said Air Wales was now looking at new European destinations from Swansea Airport, including Amsterdam and Paris.
Bmibaby will fly to nine destinations when it begins its Cardiff operation in the autumn.
As well as flights to Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow, the no-frills carrier will operate to Alicante, Faro, Geneva, Malaga, Milan and, subject to government approval, Jersey.
The services will start on October 27 and domestic fares will start from £18 one way, with international fares starting from £25.
The launch of bmibaby services from Cardiff will make the airline – a subsidiary of bmi british midland – the airport’s biggest operator, with an additional one million passengers a year forecast to go through the airport.
end
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Shame really, but I don't think they should have anything to be concerned about, the Plymouth-Cork route has always done well. I still don't see BMIBaby keeping the EDI/GLA routes scheduled as often as they plan. There just is simply not enough business to make the 737's profitable to run a twice daily service, BA have never been able to fill up the jetstream or embraer on these routes so why BMIbaby think they can fill the 737 on a daily basis is beyond me.
I think Air Wales has done the right thing to wait and see what BMIbaby end up doing with the service after 6 months.
With the arrival of Air Wales new ATR 42 fleet in a few months time I would imagine they would be looking to do a London service.
I think Air Wales has done the right thing to wait and see what BMIbaby end up doing with the service after 6 months.
With the arrival of Air Wales new ATR 42 fleet in a few months time I would imagine they would be looking to do a London service.
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BA have never been able to fill up the jetstream or embraer on these routes so why BMIbaby think they can fill the 737 on a daily basis is beyond me.
Anybody who has tried getting a low priced midweek return between south Wales and Scotland at any point in the past five years will have given up straight away and got the train. The weekend BA rotations were at very strange times and the timetable was always being turned upside down. The BA service was only ever useful to the few C class pax who generated most of the revenue.
The point about low cost airlines is that they expand the whole market for air travel between destinations, bringing in new pax, as well as just competing with the traditional carriers.
You are right about the PLH-ORK route, quite successful. Mr Thomas deserves to succeed, too.
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You hit the nail right on the head there aj....
The one time I tried looking at a ticket to Cardiff from Edi last year I was gobsmacked to find that they wanted over £270 return, needless to say I never looked again!!!!
I wouldn't bank against some of the passengers from Go's EDI-Bristol route transferring to the service either. That's the best way into South Wales at the moment, and a damn site cheaper than into Cardiff. And believe me, those flights are usually VERY full.
Interesting times ahead!!!
The one time I tried looking at a ticket to Cardiff from Edi last year I was gobsmacked to find that they wanted over £270 return, needless to say I never looked again!!!!
I wouldn't bank against some of the passengers from Go's EDI-Bristol route transferring to the service either. That's the best way into South Wales at the moment, and a damn site cheaper than into Cardiff. And believe me, those flights are usually VERY full.
Interesting times ahead!!!
Having once been heavily involved in Air Wales I wish them the very best of luck with Plymouth and the introduction of the ATR42. They are a small but very dedicated team and the backer RT has poured in a lot of cash and deserves to see positive results.
Low cost carriers do expand numbers on any route but AW need fear not because there are many other options open to them. London for sure - look at Newquay to London now with Ryanair/BA and on that subject - why not from Newquay to Cardiff and on to Cork/Dublin? Sorry guyts but you didn't give Cardiff to Manchester a fair chance either it would work with interlines to the long haul carriers.
Many doubters on Pprune said Air Wales would never start and others it would last six months - it will soon have its second birthday and has created about 50 much needed jobs in South Wales so bloody good luck to all, pick your routes carefully and BMI baby will be no threat but could compliment what AW do.
Low cost carriers do expand numbers on any route but AW need fear not because there are many other options open to them. London for sure - look at Newquay to London now with Ryanair/BA and on that subject - why not from Newquay to Cardiff and on to Cork/Dublin? Sorry guyts but you didn't give Cardiff to Manchester a fair chance either it would work with interlines to the long haul carriers.
Many doubters on Pprune said Air Wales would never start and others it would last six months - it will soon have its second birthday and has created about 50 much needed jobs in South Wales so bloody good luck to all, pick your routes carefully and BMI baby will be no threat but could compliment what AW do.
It suprised me initially that Go put 1776 scheduled seats a day between EDI/GLA and BRS. It seemed a lot. Thankfully the loads are there. I often see a 100% load.
I just can't believe that all these people were travelling up to Scotland on the train or in their cars prior to the arrival of a low cost carrier on the route. There are still plenty of pax flying the route with Brymon as well.
The only conclusion that one can reach is that the arrival of a no frills airline on a route grows the market by persuading people to travel that otherwise wouldn't.
WWW
I just can't believe that all these people were travelling up to Scotland on the train or in their cars prior to the arrival of a low cost carrier on the route. There are still plenty of pax flying the route with Brymon as well.
The only conclusion that one can reach is that the arrival of a no frills airline on a route grows the market by persuading people to travel that otherwise wouldn't.
WWW
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www - have to agree there my man
people will now look at places to go to for a weekend that they would'nt necessarily have thought of, if there are cheap tickes - hmmmm - 50 min flight or many hours on a train or in a car - tough choice!!!
prof
people will now look at places to go to for a weekend that they would'nt necessarily have thought of, if there are cheap tickes - hmmmm - 50 min flight or many hours on a train or in a car - tough choice!!!
prof
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As it has been said, faires with BA were irratic and it was no wonder why they weren't filling the flights ... now at £25 each way i don't think there is any competition ... here is the latest from http://www.cial.co.uk i keep upto date as it is my local 
bmibaby says a big thank you to Wales
Exceptional start as bookings take off
bmibaby managing director, Tony Davis has declared the decision to have
Cardiff International Airport as the airline's second UK base a winner, as
the airline sees an exceptional start during the first full week of sales.
Nearly 10,000 seats were sold in just seven days after bookings were opened
up on 25 July 2002, when bmibaby announced that it would be serving nine
destinations from Cardiff at the start of winter schedules on 27 October
2002.
Tony Davis, managing director of bmibaby said:
"I want to say a big thank you to the people of Wales for
the way that they have taken to bmibaby. There has been a tremendous
response to our new services and we have also been inundated with applicants
who want to work for and be a part of the low cost airline of Wales.
"In particular seats to Alicante and Malaga are proving
exceptionally popular with domestic services also selling well, especially
at holiday times and major sporting events. Those with winter sports in
mind have also responded well with flights to Geneva selling fast.
"The clear message is that our choice of Cardiff as a new
bmibaby base is a winner and the support we are getting is going to match
the success that we are enjoying at East Midlands Airport. This can only be
good for the future prospects of our operation in Wales.
Kind Regards
Shaun Grist
bmibaby says a big thank you to Wales
Exceptional start as bookings take off
bmibaby managing director, Tony Davis has declared the decision to have
Cardiff International Airport as the airline's second UK base a winner, as
the airline sees an exceptional start during the first full week of sales.
Nearly 10,000 seats were sold in just seven days after bookings were opened
up on 25 July 2002, when bmibaby announced that it would be serving nine
destinations from Cardiff at the start of winter schedules on 27 October
2002.
Tony Davis, managing director of bmibaby said:
"I want to say a big thank you to the people of Wales for
the way that they have taken to bmibaby. There has been a tremendous
response to our new services and we have also been inundated with applicants
who want to work for and be a part of the low cost airline of Wales.
"In particular seats to Alicante and Malaga are proving
exceptionally popular with domestic services also selling well, especially
at holiday times and major sporting events. Those with winter sports in
mind have also responded well with flights to Geneva selling fast.
"The clear message is that our choice of Cardiff as a new
bmibaby base is a winner and the support we are getting is going to match
the success that we are enjoying at East Midlands Airport. This can only be
good for the future prospects of our operation in Wales.
Kind Regards
Shaun Grist
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I also wish Air Wales the best of luck. But please correct the most unfortunate spelling mistake on your website!
"Air Wales are operating two of these ****tle aircraft and will increase the fleet to four later this year"
www.airwales.co.uk/about%20us.htm
edited to correct my own inability to type & spell.
"Air Wales are operating two of these ****tle aircraft and will increase the fleet to four later this year"
www.airwales.co.uk/about%20us.htm
edited to correct my own inability to type & spell.
