DUO from Brum and EDI

[Findo]

Duo Airways (VB/Birmingham), a British Airways (BA/London Heathrow) franchisee, is planning to start services from Birmingham and Edinburgh to Zurich.

[nighthawk117]

Good news indeed! DUO have also been rumoured to be considering an Edinburgh-Budapest route, I wonder if they will announce this one soon too?

Will the zurich flight be a DUO route or a BA route?

[Select Reverse]

They are planning a press conference next Tuesday involving the first minister for Scotland I believe to announce all. Hope it doesn't rain!

[Blighty Pilot]

I am not prepared to ruin the 1st ministers moment of glory, but once the announcement has been made next tuesday (1/7/03) the website will be available with information. Bookings can be made as of the first week in August.

[BAlite]

Heard today that they are to loose the franchise at the end of the summer schedule. BACX to take on some of the routes!

[Blighty Pilot]

I don't think the term loose the franchise is the correct one to use as I believe that the duo team think it would be in there best interest to break away from B.A and have some independence. With regards to the routes, all of the current routes are owned by duo - yes they have chosen to reduce the amount of BHX O/B routes for the winter as they are not profitable, so therefore, BA are welcome to them.

[nef]

>>I am not prepared to ruin the 1st ministers moment of glory<<

I think that we might have stolen his thunder!

It will of course be nice to have this new flight, but it seems a bit OTT to have a press conference with McConnell just to announce one new route - so I was wondering if it might perhaps be a multiple announcement, featuring other services that haven't leaked out here yet!?!? - pure speculation of course - any comments?

[Blighty Pilot]

4 routes - no further comment me lord.

[Select Reverse]

But might include Helsinki and Budapest????

[Blighty Pilot]

Nope - far more exotic and exciting

[bounty]

Nope - far more exotic and exciting

Blackpool?

[Select Reverse]

Madrid or Faro or Malaga or Barcelona or Athens or Blackpool or Blackpool?? They be running for them highlands at thought of hours on a CRJ

[HZ123]

CRJ

This is living dangerously I cannot imagine that you can compete using CRJ's on these routes, if they (the routes) were feasible surely LC's would already operate them. Whatever DUO need to be sucessful as the future looks uncertain for many.

[Blighty Pilot]

Believe me the above listed routes are not fact. The company has done its homework and all will be revealed on Tuesday.

[bounty]

Any new direct international routes from Scotland will be welcomed by folk up here.

Looking forward to the announcement....

[Findo]

After President Putin's visit last week, escorted by the First Minister and talk about closer trade ties .... what chance a Russian, perhaps oil related, service ?

[Southend Geeza]

Just wait til Tuesday.

oh tar

Geeza

[Callum Johnstone]

The Sunday Times says the four new EDI services will be to Geneva, Zurich, Oslo and Milan. They are to commence in October.

Excellent news!

[Tom the Tenor]

All great routes, I am sure, and especially so if one of them is Milan! What a feather in the cap! The Glasgow contingent will be biting their lip with that one. Either way, great news. Delighted for Edinburgh if they all come off.

[sparkymarky]

I saw that article too. Great news for Scotland. Well done EDI.

I wonder if it might prompt any reaction from other airlines. Ryanair's competitive instincts might see their almost inevitable Prestwick - Milan route brought forward.

I'd imagine Easyjet might also be unhappy about another airline covering their Swiss destinations. Perhaps they might finally be pushed into improving their dire international links from Scotland.