I don't think the Allegiant (G4) deal will be long term. AFAIK they haven't sorted out ETOPS yet so can't begin their Hawaii programme this summer. But when it does start chances are it will be year round. Most of G4's routes operate for most of the year, albeit at varying frequencies dependent upon the season

Jet2 has cancelled its enitre Tunisian programme for summer 2011, The flights were to operate from LBA, NCL, MAN and GLA.#

Source

Not really a surprise, I guess over the last week bookings have almost stopped and will not recover for a good while. A real shame though as Jet2 have really pushed Tunisia this year with increases from some stations.

I suspect it may be back though eventually, certainly last year it did really well and was a dam good earner for on board sales!

I agree. There was no need to close all flights until summer 2012. It's a long way off July and August but in a way it's good that they made the decision now rather than lather and they are giving passengers notice.

GLA base is getting smaller and smaller. 2 routes dropped and it hasn't even opened yet.

Thats a real shame, but I guess customers safety has to be put first.

There is a new government in Tunisia, but now there is in fighting between those who support the new Govt and those who supported the old one, so the situation is still dangerous.

I wonder if any other operators will follow suit? I suppose its easier to re-book people now, and spread them across the programme before the last minute bookings make the job more difficult.

The customer safety issue is only for those booked on Jet2 Holidays and the rest is down to a high risk of making a loss on the routes.
Before anyone gets on their high horse, l would do the same if it was up to me.
Gives Jet2 time to add capacity on its other routes.

The MD has announced that further 737-800 models will be entering the fleet and will be introduced at all bases. They will initially work alongside the -300's and the 757's but will be the long term fleet.

So lets start the speculation, like for like replacement or will we see the surplus -300's and 757's be deployed elsewhere? A good way to test the water at other airports with fully depreciated and still cheap to operate 737's.

Advert for B737-800 captains in flight international says the same. It says the B738 will be working alongside the B733 and B752 at MAN, then progressivly rolled out to other bases.

Im not sure if the B738 is too big for some routes, such as MAN-BUD or MAN-BJV or NCL-KRK, whereas the B733 is more suited (size wise).
Im sure time will tell where they get posted and which routes.

Im guessing the B738 may be initially used on MAN-FAO/ALC/ACE so on, with the B733 doing cities and B752 doing Trunk routes/longer flights (MAN-TLV/PMI/SSH etc)

738 on MAN-BUD
 

You could easily fill a 738 on the Manchester Budapest route.
It is always full. It is not just people going for breaks and the service is used by lots of Hungarian's and other nationals from that region.

The 737-800's will initially be used on MAN to Budapest and Rome plus a weekly Funchal sector. I suspect once they are operationally used to operating the type it will be used on the longer routes.

I might take a guess that some -700's may arrive in due course for routes that cannot sustain an -800 and as a direct replacement for the -300?

Righthandrule that's exactly what I was informed was happening.
The 738 can cope with any destination offered by Jet2. It is just a matter of how many seats required against fuel burn.
That will decide what kind of aircraft goes on a route.
And that is for the commercial department.

Rome
 

Rome and Budapest were operated in the past with a Futura aircraft? What was the seating capacity on that?

Probably the same as Jet2 will be, 189Y like most LCC and charter airlines.
Fewer LCC airlines though have configuration of 186Y, like Transavia or Air Berlin.

Great news about even more 737-800, can't wait to see them operating! :ok:

Maybe Jet2 will have fewer seats if optional extra legroom seating is offered.

Could be. As Summer is always time of big demand, and they're starting out the 738's apearently in short routes where people don't need so much the extra space for a couple of hours, I wouldn't bet my money on that, I'd say the 18 standard extra-legroom seats would be enough, but.... you never know. :)

That was a 737-400, seating about 170 from memory.

Is this a fleet replacement programme, or are the B738s an expansion to the fleet, with the B733s soldiering on a few more years?

Does anyone know what Jet2 are planning to fill the spare slots to Tunisia with?

G-GDFC sat on west Apron at Manchester respendent in full Jet2 silver/red colours
should be off to Leeds soon to have it`s new seats and interior fitted


Ian B

Jet2's B738, G-GDFC has now arrived at LBA and is currently parked on the main apron.

She should be entering multiflight hanger later.