I don't think EZY need a handling agent problem at NCL to instigate a pull out, the winding down of the NCL EZY base is no secret and is happening far quicker than what happened at EMA. I would expect an announcement in the next couple of months regarding the closure of the base at NCL. Hope I am wrong.

My guess is if EZY pull out of NCL completely, our other resident loco carrier will be ready to jump in on the unserved routes of BCN, CIA, NCE etc.

This closure of Gate at NCL will mean additional business for the existing 2 handling agents, if Menzies do not set up an operation themselves, which with only 4 based aircraft, possibly dropping to 3 with EZY and of course the T3 contract it seems like a big step to take? Could T3 go self handling?

Can't see it being Swissport somehow!!!! Hope all the old circus lot still have their old uniforms!!!!

I feel sorry for all those who work with Gate and wish them luck if they secure something else.

It can't have been easy on the front line of Easyjet with the amount of delays and cancellations they've had to explain their way through over the past few months

Edit

Nasty looking delay for TCX from Sharm El Sheik, due in at 21.40 on Thu night and still on a next info at 00.01

I assume it's either a mistake or bad tech for tcx

Latest story I have heard. Make of it what you will, its third hand information.

EZY offered Gate Av a long term handling deal (4+ years) at a reduced rate per turnaround. Gate questioned EZYs commitment to NCL and argued that their continued reduction in aircraft was unworkable with the reduced rate.

EZY called Gates bluff, knowing how much of GAs business was orange... Gate didnt bite at the 'long term bait'... and now this is gonna hurt EZY. Bad feeling amongst crew is that the increased fee they will HAVE to pay at Newcastle will hasten the closure of the base.

I am told that both Gate and Servisair at NCL were good performers. Its a poor EZY management decision. They gambled... and seemingly lost. Sounds like they expected a good deal from a 'desperate' gate. but gate didnt want to play ball.

RTG

if EZY closed NCL as a base would they necessarily stop ALL flights there?

Not necessarily, they've got some decent performing routes that could be operated from the other end first (Bristol comes to mind).

This is only a rumor.. But I have heard menzies are moving in

Wouldn't surprise me...Menzies certainly handle EZY at STN

I hope EZY stop on, if only for the reason that without the competition the likes of LS would put their prices up.

Here we go again with all the resulting paranoia so many willing to put 2 plus 2 to make "X".
I have no reason to believe that "short term" EZY are going anywhere. Reality is that they seem to feel that they can get better returns by placing their resources (aircraft) elsewhere hence the loss of some aircraft.
At the end of the day its as much up to how much the airport value EZY as vital to their business plan. Personally my feeling is that they would be fools if they were to take the more paroachial view that Jet2 / "eggs in one basket" approach would be in the long term a more suitable direction to take. No one seems to question the airport management "think small & you will end up small..":suspect:

I agree. EZY should be encouraged to maintain and expand their operation and if NCL is a mainly summer base there is nothing wrong in reducing the fleet in the winter (jet 2 do that).. They could also fly into NCL from other bases if that proved a more financially viable option. This is how Ryanair uses NCL.

7 - 4 = 3

A once 7 aircraft base which will end up at 3 is every justification for paranoia. If an increase in costs and competition drives down profit margin then the plug is easily pulled, it happened not so long ago in the Midlands.

If you applied that logic to every airline that reduced based a/c in the last 2 years or so of a recession at each airport then the whole world would have ground to a halt.

The level of summation and paranoia displayed on this thread recently is barmy.

Can't we get back to normality, i.e. flights to NYC, Emirates putting on 777 thrice daily and say an all business 320 hourly to MME ?

The number of based aircraft has reduced by 57% but by some peoples logic everything's fine and dandy.

Has any other Easyjet base seen this this % reduction in numbers during the recession, I can't think of any but i'm happy to be informed of any.

Whilst the EZY numbers reduce, TCX and LS have placed (or announced intentions to add) additional aircraft at NCL.

sincere apologies for the spotter-ish nature of this question and mods feel free to move if inappropriately placed but this is for the more knowing of you posters

I'm off to a wedding in Reus and I'm flying back to NCL before heading off to REU with TCX this coming weekend. I notice TCX operate online check in, do they operate a simple baggage drop desk at NCL or am I best placed to simply wait it out in the standard check in queue? (I refuse to admit my reason for using the flight was to fly a 752 :E)

Many thanks

haha, i used this flight to Reus just the other week, very good cabin crew. the 752 is very cramped mind you. :/

To go back to the EZY pulling out question. If, as reported, Gate was offered a four years + contract, that doesn't sound like an airline contemplating pulling out of NCL.

Easyjet
 

I do think that easyjet days are now numbered at NCL

When set up back in 2003 it was stated that the plan was to have 10 based aircraft within 10 years.... 7 years on we are now back to the start with 3 aircraft!!!!!

days are numbered now somewhere and somehow easyjet and NCL dont seem to be getting on or to argee to where they should be flying too.

Jet2 wouldnt be going to add prague and kakrow if they thought easyjet would add them back into there programme from ncl....

The future at NCL is now RED not ORANGE!!!!!!!!

CentreFix25 -

East Midlands suffered a 100% reduction in EasyJet based aircraft - total withdrawal. The base there has been closed.