BACX Retreats from Plymouth
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VLM NQY-EXT-LCY
I've heard that VLM are seriously considering NQY-EXT-LCY and that their sales and marketing director Berhard Jacobs has been talking to EXT. Rumours abound that John Orpin is somehow involved, the bloke behind the ill-fated Celtic Airways service from Plymouth to Brussels a few years ago, but I don't know if it's true.
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BBC lunchtime news says that Air Southwest (aka Sutton Harbour Holdings) are in final negotiations re PLH - NQY - LGW flights.
Dot the i's & cross the t's!!!!!!!!!
The owners of Plymouth City Airport are setting up a new airline to run flights to London after British Airways announced it was pulling out.
Sutton Harbour Holdings today revealed it is in advanced discussions with British Airways about taking over the crucial Plymouth air services to Gatwick - including securing the vital landing slots.
The company has set up a new subsidiary, Air Southwest Limited, which it hopes will take over the Newquay-to- Plymouth-to-Gatwick link when BA pulls out in October.
Air Southwest is also talking about running services to destinations including France and Amsterdam.
The company is already in talks to buy Dash-8 aircraft similar to those currently used on the route by BA.
Duncan Godefroy, managing director of Sutton Harbour Holdings, said today: "We have been is discussions with British Airways CitiExpress for some time about the transfer of the Gatwick routes and slots to our new subsidiary Air Southwest, and those discussions are progressing extremely well.
"We remain committed to securing these vital air links for the region and hope to be in a position to make a formal announcement shortly."
British Airways announced earlier this month it would cease operating the Newquay and Plymouth-to-Gatwick routes from October 26 this year.
Plymouth's business community reacted with dismay, saying that losing the air link with London would be a major blow to the city's economy.
Air Wales, which already runs services from Plymouth to Ireland, soon announced its interest in taking over the route. It was considering its response to today's developments.
Air Southwest is headed by Malcolm Naylor, the Sutton Harbour group's head of aviation strategy.
He is a former managing director of Brymon Airways, which used to operate the Gatwick route but has since been incorporated into BA.
Mr Naylor said: "I'm very excited. It's good to be back in Devon and Cornwall. It may be obvious but we need airline activity to keep the airport running. It's absolutely vital we keep the links to London first and foremost. Without those links the airport would wither on the vine."
Air Southwest is investigating further services linking the South West to other regions of the UK and overseas.
The news comes as Sutton Harbour Holdings announced its seventh successive rise in core profits today.
Finance director Nigel Godefroy said only last week the closure of Plymouth City Airport could cost up to 2,300 jobs and £35 million to the economy.
He added that if the airport were to close and the Royal Navy's Flag Officer Sea Training organisation was to relocate to another airport, the region's prosperity would be hit hard.
Today Plymouth City Council leader, Cllr Tudor Evans, welcomed the news of the new airline. "The situation is now looking incredibly brighter than it was just a couple of weeks ago," he said. "Sutton Harbour Holdings are obviously very committed to Plymouth and the region and it is fantastic to see.
"From the city council's point of view, we welcome the efforts that are being made to secure the future of the airport.
"The most important thing to us is that the routes and slots are secure because we have a lot of investors in Plymouth who rely on these air links."
Charles Howeson, chairman of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, described the announcement as 'excellent news'.
He added: "Sutton Harbour Holdings probably have a very good plan for the airport and obviously we must wish them well and support them to the hilt on this."
Plymouth MP and Transport Minister David Jamieson added: "If Sutton Harbour Holdings secures the air services in the future it will be extremely good news to everyone concerned. It will put an end to this period of uncertainty. Hopefully we can now not only look forward to the new service but also build on it for the future."
Plymouth's business community was united in welcoming today's announcement.
Chris Bailey, financial director of Roborough-based X-Fab UK Ltd, said employees used the airport as often as twice a week to travel to the firm's other sites in Germany and America.
After hearing that BA was pulling out of Plymouth, the company described the news as a 'backward step for Plymouth'.
However, after hearing the latest news, Mr Bailey said: "This is very positive news not only for Plymouth but for the region as a whole. For a company that has international customers it really is great news."
Steve Vickers, deputy managing director of Ernesettle- based Kawasaki Precision Machinery (UK) Ltd - which uses the service regularly - said: "It is great to see a company like Sutton Harbour Holdings is prepared to put its money where its mouth is to support the area.
"The news is sure to bring back confidence in the area and local businesses are sure to support the company in its approach. Air links to London are vital for us and other companies which look to fly in clients and managers on a regular basis."
Jo Hartop, head of communications at The Wrigley Company, said: "The protection of this air route is good news for Plymouth, the South West and for the businesses in the area."
John Taynton, spokesman for the South West Regional Development Agency - which last week agreed to £4.5 million of funds to Sutton Harbour Holdings for improvements to the runway at the airport - added: "This is very positive news for the South West region and we await further developments with great interest."
Dot the i's & cross the t's!!!!!!!!!
The owners of Plymouth City Airport are setting up a new airline to run flights to London after British Airways announced it was pulling out.
Sutton Harbour Holdings today revealed it is in advanced discussions with British Airways about taking over the crucial Plymouth air services to Gatwick - including securing the vital landing slots.
The company has set up a new subsidiary, Air Southwest Limited, which it hopes will take over the Newquay-to- Plymouth-to-Gatwick link when BA pulls out in October.
Air Southwest is also talking about running services to destinations including France and Amsterdam.
The company is already in talks to buy Dash-8 aircraft similar to those currently used on the route by BA.
Duncan Godefroy, managing director of Sutton Harbour Holdings, said today: "We have been is discussions with British Airways CitiExpress for some time about the transfer of the Gatwick routes and slots to our new subsidiary Air Southwest, and those discussions are progressing extremely well.
"We remain committed to securing these vital air links for the region and hope to be in a position to make a formal announcement shortly."
British Airways announced earlier this month it would cease operating the Newquay and Plymouth-to-Gatwick routes from October 26 this year.
Plymouth's business community reacted with dismay, saying that losing the air link with London would be a major blow to the city's economy.
Air Wales, which already runs services from Plymouth to Ireland, soon announced its interest in taking over the route. It was considering its response to today's developments.
Air Southwest is headed by Malcolm Naylor, the Sutton Harbour group's head of aviation strategy.
He is a former managing director of Brymon Airways, which used to operate the Gatwick route but has since been incorporated into BA.
Mr Naylor said: "I'm very excited. It's good to be back in Devon and Cornwall. It may be obvious but we need airline activity to keep the airport running. It's absolutely vital we keep the links to London first and foremost. Without those links the airport would wither on the vine."
Air Southwest is investigating further services linking the South West to other regions of the UK and overseas.
The news comes as Sutton Harbour Holdings announced its seventh successive rise in core profits today.
Finance director Nigel Godefroy said only last week the closure of Plymouth City Airport could cost up to 2,300 jobs and £35 million to the economy.
He added that if the airport were to close and the Royal Navy's Flag Officer Sea Training organisation was to relocate to another airport, the region's prosperity would be hit hard.
Today Plymouth City Council leader, Cllr Tudor Evans, welcomed the news of the new airline. "The situation is now looking incredibly brighter than it was just a couple of weeks ago," he said. "Sutton Harbour Holdings are obviously very committed to Plymouth and the region and it is fantastic to see.
"From the city council's point of view, we welcome the efforts that are being made to secure the future of the airport.
"The most important thing to us is that the routes and slots are secure because we have a lot of investors in Plymouth who rely on these air links."
Charles Howeson, chairman of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, described the announcement as 'excellent news'.
He added: "Sutton Harbour Holdings probably have a very good plan for the airport and obviously we must wish them well and support them to the hilt on this."
Plymouth MP and Transport Minister David Jamieson added: "If Sutton Harbour Holdings secures the air services in the future it will be extremely good news to everyone concerned. It will put an end to this period of uncertainty. Hopefully we can now not only look forward to the new service but also build on it for the future."
Plymouth's business community was united in welcoming today's announcement.
Chris Bailey, financial director of Roborough-based X-Fab UK Ltd, said employees used the airport as often as twice a week to travel to the firm's other sites in Germany and America.
After hearing that BA was pulling out of Plymouth, the company described the news as a 'backward step for Plymouth'.
However, after hearing the latest news, Mr Bailey said: "This is very positive news not only for Plymouth but for the region as a whole. For a company that has international customers it really is great news."
Steve Vickers, deputy managing director of Ernesettle- based Kawasaki Precision Machinery (UK) Ltd - which uses the service regularly - said: "It is great to see a company like Sutton Harbour Holdings is prepared to put its money where its mouth is to support the area.
"The news is sure to bring back confidence in the area and local businesses are sure to support the company in its approach. Air links to London are vital for us and other companies which look to fly in clients and managers on a regular basis."
Jo Hartop, head of communications at The Wrigley Company, said: "The protection of this air route is good news for Plymouth, the South West and for the businesses in the area."
John Taynton, spokesman for the South West Regional Development Agency - which last week agreed to £4.5 million of funds to Sutton Harbour Holdings for improvements to the runway at the airport - added: "This is very positive news for the South West region and we await further developments with great interest."
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hmm... private sector operator already operating PLH services gazumped by an (as yet non existent) airline owned by the airport (which is subsidised by local quangos...)
what was wrong with Air Wales then?
what was wrong with Air Wales then?
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So, let me get this straight then. An AIM listed property company with a market cap of 20m has announced it's own airline which, as yet, is unfunded, has no AOC and no aircraft and yet is going to start the PLH-LGW in around 20 weeks
A company with an AOC and aircraft that stepped in to run the previous routes BA CitiExpress dumped that has a high net worth backer worth around 100 million is not CitiExpresse's prefered option.
Something isn't right here.
A company with an AOC and aircraft that stepped in to run the previous routes BA CitiExpress dumped that has a high net worth backer worth around 100 million is not CitiExpresse's prefered option.
Something isn't right here.
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I suppose the salient fact is that Sutton Holdings owns Plymouth Airport and presumably would prefer to run their own services from it.
I would surmise that this story will run for a bit longer before a final decision is made public.
If, and a big if, Sutton Holdings gets the airline operating and manages to fly extra routes from PLH to the likes of, say Amsterdam and Brussels, how will this affect the rumoured services to be starting from EXT by VLM and Flybe?
And can PLH really be viable in the long term given that it is ever only likely to be able to fly medium sized turbo props?
I would surmise that this story will run for a bit longer before a final decision is made public.
If, and a big if, Sutton Holdings gets the airline operating and manages to fly extra routes from PLH to the likes of, say Amsterdam and Brussels, how will this affect the rumoured services to be starting from EXT by VLM and Flybe?
And can PLH really be viable in the long term given that it is ever only likely to be able to fly medium sized turbo props?
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MerchantV
PLH isn't going to need A380s now is it
A fleet of Dash 8 Q400s might be sufficient?
As for the "Brymon 2" at PLH - very inside track. No doubt BA will franchise the route to them, encourage them to shove Air Wales off ORK-PLH, maybe even restart ORK-LGW... and then buy Brymon 2 and incorporate into mainline... then flog all the Dashes
PLH isn't going to need A380s now is it
A fleet of Dash 8 Q400s might be sufficient?
As for the "Brymon 2" at PLH - very inside track. No doubt BA will franchise the route to them, encourage them to shove Air Wales off ORK-PLH, maybe even restart ORK-LGW... and then buy Brymon 2 and incorporate into mainline... then flog all the Dashes
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Mark,
The point I was trying to make was that PLH is in competition with EXT just up the road.
Given that there is no scope to extend PLH, and I believe South Hams to be a diversion not worthy of consideration, can PLH continue indefinitely as a tiny turbo prop only field?
Furthermore NQY has two FR rotations a day to STN that give Cornwall pax access to continental travel.
Then there is BRS a bit further up the road from EXT that also has a daily feed from NQY.
It may be that the great and the good of Plymouthare quite happy to be ferried around Europe by turbo prop. If not, I question PLH's long term survival given the alternatives all around it.
The point I was trying to make was that PLH is in competition with EXT just up the road.
Given that there is no scope to extend PLH, and I believe South Hams to be a diversion not worthy of consideration, can PLH continue indefinitely as a tiny turbo prop only field?
Furthermore NQY has two FR rotations a day to STN that give Cornwall pax access to continental travel.
Then there is BRS a bit further up the road from EXT that also has a daily feed from NQY.
It may be that the great and the good of Plymouthare quite happy to be ferried around Europe by turbo prop. If not, I question PLH's long term survival given the alternatives all around it.
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I have to agree with Merchant Venturer about Plymouth, it competes directly with Exeter and since a great deal of business users live in the South Hams anyway I suggest it is quicker to whiz up the M5 than it is to negotiate Plymouth's traffic.
You can now fly NQY/BRS thanks to Skybus and as MV says we in the far South West can connect to Stansted as well for international services so PLY is not really relevant to us.
My vote would still go to someone operating into Gatwick ( who though is the question) as this connects the South West with the South East and also all those International/US routes which STN and LCY really do not.
Quick route to an AOC - buy a Company that already has one and add the type - now let's think who might be for sale at the right price?
Merchant Venturer - It would appear the Trislander you asked about belonged to a chap who wanted to start schedules ex Bristol but it never happened. Ther was a story that it caught light on its planned demonstration flight in front of the Mayor and all the VIP guests but I do not have any other details?
You can now fly NQY/BRS thanks to Skybus and as MV says we in the far South West can connect to Stansted as well for international services so PLY is not really relevant to us.
My vote would still go to someone operating into Gatwick ( who though is the question) as this connects the South West with the South East and also all those International/US routes which STN and LCY really do not.
Quick route to an AOC - buy a Company that already has one and add the type - now let's think who might be for sale at the right price?
Merchant Venturer - It would appear the Trislander you asked about belonged to a chap who wanted to start schedules ex Bristol but it never happened. Ther was a story that it caught light on its planned demonstration flight in front of the Mayor and all the VIP guests but I do not have any other details?
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GROUNDHOG,
Many thanks for info re Trislander - fascinating story.
Perhaps I'm the only person to have this aircraft on cine and now transferred to video tape as well - a little bit of what might have been in BRS's history.
Many thanks for info re Trislander - fascinating story.
Perhaps I'm the only person to have this aircraft on cine and now transferred to video tape as well - a little bit of what might have been in BRS's history.
