Flybe-V1
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 780
Likes: 78
From: Outer London
Was EDI-LCY a basket case? That’s the one I took a few times and always seemed to do well for loads and as an outsider I’d have said fares weren’t too low either. I’ve seen it said a lot that BHD-LCY was a real winner.
The logic and strategy of the LCY network at the start seemed sound but clearly some routes didn’t work at all - some a surprise, some less so - and some were trimmed.
But the whole London strategy quickly became muddled and the LCY network itself represented a u-turn. They had quit the London market having sold the LGW slots and were focusing on the regions. Fine. But then they ended up being pressured/paid(?) to keep the NQY-LGW route. And then largely reinstating the old LGW network into LCY. And then added a couple of routes into STN which didn’t last long including a bizarrely timed double-daily to NCL where both flight were off-peak. And they had the Stobart franchise operation in their name at SEN, plus a short-lived DUB route that was operated directly outside the franchise. And Loganair into STN which was also a franchise.
So from a long-standing LGW operation they quickly went to dribs and drabs at multiple airports.
The logic and strategy of the LCY network at the start seemed sound but clearly some routes didn’t work at all - some a surprise, some less so - and some were trimmed.
But the whole London strategy quickly became muddled and the LCY network itself represented a u-turn. They had quit the London market having sold the LGW slots and were focusing on the regions. Fine. But then they ended up being pressured/paid(?) to keep the NQY-LGW route. And then largely reinstating the old LGW network into LCY. And then added a couple of routes into STN which didn’t last long including a bizarrely timed double-daily to NCL where both flight were off-peak. And they had the Stobart franchise operation in their name at SEN, plus a short-lived DUB route that was operated directly outside the franchise. And Loganair into STN which was also a franchise.
So from a long-standing LGW operation they quickly went to dribs and drabs at multiple airports.
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 139
Likes: 26
From: Cardiff
11 ex Flybe Q400s going over to be tankers in Canada.
https://fireaviation.com/2021/01/14/...rs-with-q400s/
https://fireaviation.com/2021/01/14/...rs-with-q400s/
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,794
Likes: 42
From: UK
One of the Directors of Thyme Opco is also a Director of Cyrus Capital, owners of the defunct Flybe so I would conjecture that a rebirth is a step closer. The other Director has been an adviser and spokesman for Cyrus on Flybe matters.
Dash 8 G-CLXC is ex OE-LGA of Austrian Airlines.
Dash 8 G-CLXC is ex OE-LGA of Austrian Airlines.
Last edited by Expressflight; 22nd January 2021 at 15:49.
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 297
From: London
Might be best to start a new thread for the "rebirth"? It's unlikely to be called flybe after all and this feels a tad like dancing on the grave of an old friend.
If someone else wants to fly a 20 year old Q400 on flybe's old routes then fair play but perhaps let's leave the old Jersey European company to rest in peace. No one looks at an Eastern B767 today and says "Oh I remember when they flew TriStars out of Miami
If someone else wants to fly a 20 year old Q400 on flybe's old routes then fair play but perhaps let's leave the old Jersey European company to rest in peace. No one looks at an Eastern B767 today and says "Oh I remember when they flew TriStars out of Miami
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 297
From: London
DC3 Dave
Because they're clowns with money to burn? The brand was beyond redemption years ago, in the public's mind, flybe is a now bankrupt airline that flew old propellor planes and was frequently unreliable. They spent money on buying THAT? This whole idea is a crackpot delusion that would be a very bad idea even in a good year.
Aviation is legendary for parting otherwise sensible investors from their money, it screws with good judgement as the part of your brain that deals with religion, faith, loyalty, belief, purpose and even rising from the dead gets involved.
They don't deserve a second chance, certainly not one where their original creditors remain overwhelmingly unpaid. By all means start something new, but I have a problem with resurrecting failed airlines from the dead.
Because they're clowns with money to burn? The brand was beyond redemption years ago, in the public's mind, flybe is a now bankrupt airline that flew old propellor planes and was frequently unreliable. They spent money on buying THAT? This whole idea is a crackpot delusion that would be a very bad idea even in a good year.
Aviation is legendary for parting otherwise sensible investors from their money, it screws with good judgement as the part of your brain that deals with religion, faith, loyalty, belief, purpose and even rising from the dead gets involved.
They don't deserve a second chance, certainly not one where their original creditors remain overwhelmingly unpaid. By all means start something new, but I have a problem with resurrecting failed airlines from the dead.
Last edited by Skipness One Foxtrot; 23rd January 2021 at 12:34.