Eastern are the preferred bidder, just the final paper work to sign. So the contract is theirs unless there are any unforeseen hicups. Well Done.

Eastern at OXF today
 

Saw an Eastern Saab 2000 at 'London Oxford Airport' today - what's going on there then?

Inverness or Aberdeen have got potential and OXF - Edinburgh is an absalute no brainer (son's at uni in EDI, so a little biased)

Charter from IOM I think!

Maxwell Run
 

Blackadder Route......Now that is an idea, we could do a Maxwell Run, for money launderers, tax "efficiency" experts, Offshore Bankers and thier like out here.....Auruba,Curacao,Bonaire,Carracus,Valencia and Bogata......whoops I forgot we do it already!!

Awsome!
 

"Auruba,Curacao,Bonaire,Carracus,Valencia and Bogata"

Wow thats some fantasic fuel saving economies in a S2000 from Humberide, unleaded or straight from the Bogota Coke factories?

Yes, Eastern should serve all the great Universities, Oxford, Cambridge, Hull....

Have heard Eastern are to launch an ABZ RTM route??

That right???

ABZ RTM
 

They may be, they seem to be holding slots for Su-Fr double daily from what I can see, with S20. But not until Mar09. And having slots doesn't mean necessarily that they will use them.

Btw, does Eastern still hold slots for LCY-AMS that were surrendered by KL/AF/VG?

Eastern to Dublin
 

Who has posted on ppjn that a route is opening up from MME to DUB.

MME to BHD gets my vote:ok:

It would be interesting to see if these routes could work against the established cheaper routes at NCL and LBA, assuming the rumours are true.

Im still surprised they havent tried anything new from Humberside. EDI was destined to fail but BHD, SOU and BRU could be ones to try. Doubt it will ever happen though.

Belfast is identified on the airport website as having the greatest potential after London and it would seem that Eastern would be the best candidate (to BHD, of course). The J41 would be an ideal size, BE's Q400s and FR's 737s would be too big for what would be a fairly thin route.

Having said that, RE might be a possibility although they don't operate into DTV at present. They do operate to BHD however and could do a DTV - ORK link via BHD - just a thought.

Durham to Southampton might possibly work, but I think the stop in Leeds will reduce its appeal. The problems getting into Leeds, cat 1, early morning, in the regular winter fog might also affect the reliability of both the routes.

Looks like they are reducing the southampton to liverpool service from november to 2 a day

But they look to be increasing the number of seats 'available'.

At present the Aberdeen to Southampton via Liverpool is three times per day. In the winter there will be one Aberdeen to Southampton via Liverpool flight, one Aberdeen to Liverpool return and one Liverpool to Southampton return.

Looking at the eastern website. Aberdeen to Liverpool looks like it is getting a Saab on the evening rotation.

Aberdeen - Southampton looks like its getting a direct lunctime/afternoon service on a J41.

Southampton - liverpool is getting reduced slightly, morning service still on the Saab, evening service on the J41, afternoon service withdrawn.

Quote:

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Durham to Southampton might possibly work, but I think the stop in Leeds will reduce its appeal. The problems getting into Leeds, cat 1, early morning, in the regular winter fog might also affect the reliability of both the routes.

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Doesn't Leeds have a Cat 3 ILS?

Yes it does.
Are Eastern aircraft and pilots authorised to operate to Cat 3.

I expect they are cat 2

Try CAT I only!!

Eastern wont pay to keep the training up for CAT2

Aircraft are cat 2 rated, but the training is only to cat 1

Saab 2000 is cat3a, when HUDs is used. crew were given initial cat2 training, but company approval has not been sought, down to costs I guess.

Anyone offering odds on the next base to close?

Manchester, Chester, IOM and now Leeds all gone in 12 months. Are they still looking to sell off some of the J41 fleet?

Aberdeen seems to be in good health at least!

perhaps SZ could have a couple of the J41's instead of paying to keep one of the Eastern ones at NQY all the time on standby

CS

Next new base to open will be in Sweden with one J41 as for base closures not sure. How is the Southampton doing?

Eastern expansion at SOU?
 

Eastern have been advertising recently in the Southampton Daily Echo for 'fluent French speaking' cabin staff to be based at SOU- new routes perhaps???

The used to fly from sou-angers-maybe they will restart the route????

The fluent french speaking staff is for the french football charters they are operating, the aircraft is based in Southampton when not in use, so local staff for this aircraft is required rather than positioning from all over the place

Eastern have 2 or 3 J41s based in SOU, 1 for the schedule, the others spend half of the week on charters in France, hence the requirement for French speaking cabin crew.

SOU routes performing well indeed. I have my doubts about MME-LBA-SOU though...well specifically I have my doubts about landing at LBA early in the morning in winter!!!

Could someone expand more on the Sweden base please?

Talking of Eastern and France, I take it the Dijon base isn't going to happen

Thanks to EZE and Wellington for the 'french' update. And there was me thinking they were about to go head to head into La Belle France from SOU with Flybe!

Scatsta Contract
 

So when's the signing of the contract going to be announced or is it true that Flybe are back in the negotiations.
Funny it's taking so long isnt it?

Only comment that justifies is BOLLOX. 5 year fixed wing contract is signed with bristows, bristows are now in negotiations for the transport fixed and rotary contract with oil companies, which is what those actually operating the contract everyday have been told. Flybe are full of c***p.

Maybe it is b********, maybe it isn't. The bottom line is that nobody really knows for certain until the contract is actually signed and announced. Has it been announced officially yet? If not then those that are actually in the industry will know that things can change overnight, and very quickly.

Time will be the greatest teller.

Maybe you should take your own advice about those IN the know, just because there is no news doesn't mean it needs filling with speculation, i know, I know I'm biting, but it is amusing the bs that is put on here and apparently spread by flybe management. As previously stated contract is signed with bristows. Ill admit I operate to scs regularly, do you?
Remember Flybe management announced they had both the interim contract and the five year one. Are they operating there now...no.

Of course the contract has been signed, been signed for months now thats why they have told us what flies to Scatsta that our jobs are secure for five years.
At least flybe are up front with their crews!!!

The contract has actually not been signed. The consortium has conferred "preferred supplier" status on Eastern which means that they are the leading bidder and so in pole position and highly unlikely that the contract would now be awarded to someone else (ie Flybe). However no contract has been signed between Bristows and Eastern - which is why there has been no announcement to date.

Have just flown SOU-LBA return for £20 more than flybe, great experience, really professional onboard experience and a full load both ways. This airline really is a cut above the rest at SOU.

I have been informed as above eastern are the preffered bidder however there seems to be a few sticking points on the contract so they are keeping their options open with Flybe. Lets just say I wouldn't be suprised to see a few twists yet.......

Darren1 why are you so pleased to have spent an extra £20? Obv money to burn!