Thomson
 

I've just spoken to a friend of mine and they have been told it's a computer error...

As if Thomson would pull one of their bigger bases with no reason after a good 15 years being based, they won't leave unless something goes drastically wrong, especially when their ethos is to fly from your local airport.

Thomson also have one of the more intense winter programmes out of NCL compared to the others.

15 years may underestimate their presence slightly. Thomson/Britannia must have had a base at Newcastle for at least 35 years - definitely here throughout the 80's, 90's and 00's possibly throughout the 70's.

Yes SWBKCB "trying to kill it" because I assume that if they just pulled it without being able to cite "low/decining passenger numbers" there would be some kind of outcry from the quarter of a million people who use it every year.

Really?? All EZY will say is that the route wasn't making enough money. If it doesn't make sense they'll just drop it and move on - no need to play games.

Easyjet jersey
 

Increase to 3 x weekly for summer 2015

Announced quite a while ago I'm sure, but still good news. Considering whether it could be a good more for EZY to do IOM, it would push Manx2 off the route which would be a shame but it would make it much more affordable and attractive.

I'd rather the safety of an Airbus than Manx2 Two. Sorry I mean Citywing.

Forgot about the name change. I flew manx2 2/3 years ago NCL-IOM-NCL G-CCPW, I was impressed with them, but 'PW has had 2 landing gear collapses since :/

Pilots were mint... Sat me up in 1B with a headset on the IOM-NCL flight because they were the same pilots who did our NCL-IOM

Well ManxWho crashed a plane and nobody got held responsible. No matter how much you spotter types whinge easy has a fabulous safety record and great prices. If they push a two Bob operator off the route then I will rejoice knowing my fellow north easterners are traveling in safety.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, replacing a 19 seater with a 319 - how does that work?

Only on Pprune!

CAA stats showing DXB up a little. GLA maintaining its levels despite QR.

Ah the obligatory derogatory spotter comment..

SWBKCB, EZY would be much much cheaper, think around 20% of the cost (Citywing's lowest fares are £59.99 each way from NCL), x2 weekly A319 with £20 each way with a trusted brand name and all those little details like... Flight attendants? Would undoubtedly be more popular.

EZY has created quite a market for themselves on the IOM too. But I think Citywing is quite a formidable competitor, I suppose we will see if EZY ever go after them IOM-BFS

Well in all fairness BRS has been without an IOM a service for quite some time yet that route is being revived, this time with an Airbus so anything is possible. Nothing surprises me these days.

I heard a rumour the Manx govt. pays some subsidy for new route. Not sure if there's any truth in it (im sure some make stuff up just for the craic!) but with NCL being a current route perhaps there's less chance of it switching to another carrier as there's no incentives for them and they would have them taking on the full commerical risk.

Potentially however it could work. It's accross the sea. There's no cheap or quick alternative so you should manage a decent yeild together with the lower operating costs of a short hop it could be a winner.

I however know zilch about the demand on the route nor the demographics IOM so who knows!

They almost certainly do. Whenever a new route is launched from any airport, it almost always receives some sort of support from either the government or local council.

This often takes the form of joint advertising campaigns, or a direct subsidy such as the Scottish Route Development Fund, paid either to the airline or the airport to reduce landing fees. Other forms of support and incentives will also be offered to attract new routes.

Even with a frequency reduction to twice weekly and lower costs I still don't think EZY would have a chance at making it work, you have to consider the IOM flights don't operate every day and aren't always full to their 19 passenger capacity. I think EZY would struggle to get 50 per flight, the only airline I could see operating it other than Citywing is Flybe, the Dash 8s operating costs are much lower than an Airbus and there aren't as many seats to fill, but I still can't see it happening.

Well yeah it's definitely a long shot... But If EZY had an A319 sitting on the ground for 3 hours, they could do it no problem, less than 30 minutes there and the same back, 25 minutes on the ground, simples(-ish)

Still though, the current service is better than no service, there's been a service to the IOM as long as there has been an airport there...

Can anyone confirm that easyjet has pushed back the termination of AMS? I could have sworn it ended in April but is now on sale until 31st May

always been the end of May, as far as I'm aware.