Isle of Man-3
Join Date: May 2015
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Hardly a surprise as has long been referenced Easyjet only use the Isle Of Man as 'filler' in their schedule. There is no real commitment and as soon as another more viable route appears they are off! At least Loganair are setting up a small hub and operating a variety of routes. And I know they have financial support from the IOMG but they are incurring risk as well so at least the island has a chance of having a regular set of services something Easyjet will never offer.
Join Date: May 2015
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It’s not nonsense it’s fact ! EasyJet are good at offering cheap seats and there is nothing wrong with them they have a role to play . However they will never offer regular and frequent services to the island it’s not how their business model works . That will be in 2021, 2022 or whatever year you choose !
Join Date: Oct 2013
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Their business model does offer regular and frequent, sometimes even shuttle style, services. The problem is the IOM itself.....i.e its a small market, unsurprisingly given its geographical nature. It's true, easyJet can't offer the service that the island needs or deserves but the airline plays its part in bringing in tourists and locals alike, particularly at certain times of the year whilst offering an alternative to the steam packet and to facilitate otherwise discretionary trips. I don't think it's true to say that IOM is just schedule filler fodder for easy.
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I agree with a lot of these points and the size of the market is why their business model does not work for providing the island with regular frequent services . And the point about bringing tourists is I believe valid hence why I say they have a role to play . However they do use the island as a filler that’s why in June , July , August on some days they have two flights a day whereas in September and October they go to one a day ! Clearly the plane has an alternative use because in November there are once again two flights on some days . If that’s not the sign of a filler I don’t what is !
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Those summer months are obviously for tourists. As for November, I imagine there is probably a reason because in the context of filling the schedule, IOM fills very little in a quiet month such as November. I would hazard a guess those additional frequencies are well patronised by Christmas shoppers and other part season related activity.
IOMX
If you want a regular scheduled service to a wide variety of destinations then frankly you need a nationalised and subsidised local carrier. And you probably need to pull easyJet's route authority, because even though your local carrier may not make money (it will lose quite a lot), to minimise losses and keep frequency, you'd need to capture a % of those who would fly easyJet, as you will need volume. As they won't choose an ATR over an A319 if they're semi-relaxed about their schedule and reasonably price sensitive, then they'll fly elsewhere, and probably on easyJet!
Hence for what you want, you actually need to get rid of easyJet as it's going to destroy any profits your airline could hope for in good times on higher volume routes, and it needs those to cross subsidise the lower volume ones. The days of G-OJET or G-MIMA popping over to LHR 3 x daily and charging and arm and a leg for the privilege aren't something I think we should aspire to. There's no simple win. I mean look at Aurigny, they only still exist because A319s can't get into GCI with a commercial load.
The use of "filler" is a misnomer, every off peak slot is a filler by that definition and if they don't bring the bacon home, they go elsewhere.
If you want a regular scheduled service to a wide variety of destinations then frankly you need a nationalised and subsidised local carrier. And you probably need to pull easyJet's route authority, because even though your local carrier may not make money (it will lose quite a lot), to minimise losses and keep frequency, you'd need to capture a % of those who would fly easyJet, as you will need volume. As they won't choose an ATR over an A319 if they're semi-relaxed about their schedule and reasonably price sensitive, then they'll fly elsewhere, and probably on easyJet!
Hence for what you want, you actually need to get rid of easyJet as it's going to destroy any profits your airline could hope for in good times on higher volume routes, and it needs those to cross subsidise the lower volume ones. The days of G-OJET or G-MIMA popping over to LHR 3 x daily and charging and arm and a leg for the privilege aren't something I think we should aspire to. There's no simple win. I mean look at Aurigny, they only still exist because A319s can't get into GCI with a commercial load.
The use of "filler" is a misnomer, every off peak slot is a filler by that definition and if they don't bring the bacon home, they go elsewhere.
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easyflyer83
The data is clear that fewer passengers travel through Ronaldsway in November than September or October ( source :monthly air traffic summary) . For those who believe that Easyjet can provide all the services the island needs ask them if they will overnight even one plane at Ronaldsway. I would hazard a guess the answer would be no in which case forget any early morning flights off the island for patient transfers or business the earliest you will be leaving is circa 8.30am!
The data is clear that fewer passengers travel through Ronaldsway in November than September or October ( source :monthly air traffic summary) . For those who believe that Easyjet can provide all the services the island needs ask them if they will overnight even one plane at Ronaldsway. I would hazard a guess the answer would be no in which case forget any early morning flights off the island for patient transfers or business the earliest you will be leaving is circa 8.30am!
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I don’t think anyone has suggested that easy can provide all the Islands air travel needs. By the same token, I don’t think a semi frequent, regional aircraft operation can either. The two co-existing is a win win in my opinion.
As for overnighting, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility. Pre-pandemic, easyJet overnighted several LGW aircraft at various stations including INV. That said, the arrival by 9am need is not as big as it once was and the pandemic will impact this further. I’m not saying it isn’t there but I’m sure that market will be well catered by the small aircraft operator at the corresponding fares.
As for overnighting, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility. Pre-pandemic, easyJet overnighted several LGW aircraft at various stations including INV. That said, the arrival by 9am need is not as big as it once was and the pandemic will impact this further. I’m not saying it isn’t there but I’m sure that market will be well catered by the small aircraft operator at the corresponding fares.
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Could I invite someone resident on the Island to update us on the latest vibes emanating from Tynwald with regards to reopening access for visitors from Eng/Sco/Wal/NI? Does the prevailing mood suggest any meaningful reopening at all in time for S21 season? And if so, how dire are the restrictions they intend to impose on visitors? Until we know the answers to these questions, all discussion of airline route frequency is moot.
Personally, the IOM is exactly the kind of place I can envisage myself visiting again this Summer. But I will not book speculatively - had quite enough of chasing up vouchers and refunds, thanks! My business awaits if the 'powers that be' care to open the door!
BTW, It is quite logical that air travel demand for the IOM is reduced in November. The tourist attractions which bring so many to the island are highly seasonal in operation, and climate is unpredictable even in the better months.
Personally, the IOM is exactly the kind of place I can envisage myself visiting again this Summer. But I will not book speculatively - had quite enough of chasing up vouchers and refunds, thanks! My business awaits if the 'powers that be' care to open the door!
BTW, It is quite logical that air travel demand for the IOM is reduced in November. The tourist attractions which bring so many to the island are highly seasonal in operation, and climate is unpredictable even in the better months.
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OzzyOzBorn
Some light reading for you here which may or may not help you guess
https://covid19.gov.im/media/1573/exit-framework.pdf
Some light reading for you here which may or may not help you guess
https://covid19.gov.im/media/1573/exit-framework.pdf
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OzzyOzBorn
That’s true in the context of inbound flows. People on the island like to leave it from time to time and visit the mainland which is also one of the reasons why there are an increase in certain frequencies on certain days as alluded to by LFC.
It’s not unusual to see plenty of people visiting both Manchester and Liverpool for nights out etc. At least back in the old days. The trough for inbound leisure to the island coincides with the domestic party season.
That’s true in the context of inbound flows. People on the island like to leave it from time to time and visit the mainland which is also one of the reasons why there are an increase in certain frequencies on certain days as alluded to by LFC.
It’s not unusual to see plenty of people visiting both Manchester and Liverpool for nights out etc. At least back in the old days. The trough for inbound leisure to the island coincides with the domestic party season.
Join Date: Nov 2006
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'People on the island like to leave it from time to time and visit the mainland' - oooh! How quaint! You could have been even more patronizing and wrote 'The natives sometimes like to visit civilisation once and a while' - fella, its like Alcatraz here.
Bear in mind that over half the population here aren't manxies and they wouldn't have enough ferries to cope with the outflow when the Douglas mafia finally realise that this Rock in the middle of the irish sea can't be a shangri la and keep that nasty virus out for ever. For the locals who live within400 yards of their entire family life has pretty much gone on OK but htere are many here who haven't seen children and relatives 'across' for well over a year.
As for when we are going to be allowed out and you lot come in - please let we natives know cos you'll probably get to hear before we do.
Yessir, The Rock, freedom to go quietly mad and not do very much and certainly it ain't flourish.
Bear in mind that over half the population here aren't manxies and they wouldn't have enough ferries to cope with the outflow when the Douglas mafia finally realise that this Rock in the middle of the irish sea can't be a shangri la and keep that nasty virus out for ever. For the locals who live within400 yards of their entire family life has pretty much gone on OK but htere are many here who haven't seen children and relatives 'across' for well over a year.
As for when we are going to be allowed out and you lot come in - please let we natives know cos you'll probably get to hear before we do.
Yessir, The Rock, freedom to go quietly mad and not do very much and certainly it ain't flourish.
84,000 people is a pretty small base to support a variety of routes - without tourists you'd expect a couple of flights day
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I’m just speaking from experience. Weekend flights are usually well patronised by people who live on the Island who seek city culture. Incidentally, weekend flights inbound from KEF usually have a good number of Icelandic’s who want a break from the metropolis that is Reykjavik.
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There's always the ferry! The fast craft is dry docked in Liverpool but the mighty ben-my-chree ploughs to and from Heysham everyday. Haven't been able to visit my brother for a year and judging by the mood music don't think that will change this year.
