Ezy @ Stn
 

Easyjet's strategy for STN is an interesting question.

Last year Easyjet carried just under 20% of all passengers at STN, with Ryanair accounting for 67%. I'm struggling to think of an airport of a similar size where one carrier enjoys this level of dominance. This could raise a bit of a problem for anyone interested in buying STN from BAA.

I'm sure that STN has some strategic importance for EZY, but they have to balance this with their larger base at LTN and their recent clear preference for expanding at LGW whenever the opportunities arise.

If you look at the number of EZY flights at STN, it's clear that their priorities lie elsewhere. Last year the total number of EZY flights at STN was only marginally above the combined number of EZY and Go flights back in 2002. This year, they will almost certainly fall below that level. EZY flights at STN peaked back in 2004.

Interestingly, the reverse situation occurs at Luton, where EZY is the dominant carrier and Ryanair have achieved very little growth since 2005.

In the last couple of years Ryanair's intentions at STN have been very clear. They have launched STN - ALC, PMI, AGP, FAO and IBZ, which are all core routes for Easyjet. It will be interesting to see how much willingness EZY have for a fight on these routes. The precedents aren't great, as EZY finally gave up STN-VLC and STN-LEI last year after over 3 years of going head to head.

What will happen next? I suspect not a lot other than further frequency cuts until the economy improves. Once it does, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ryanair increase the frequencies on the routes mentioned above and launch the likes of STN-TLL, PRG and EDI. That would leave EZY with a difficult choice.

As for EZY restarting any routes that they have dropped, it seems highly unlikely. If those routes weren't making money before, it is improbable that they will do so in future. The market has already decided.

@Skipness One Echo: Spot on!

I'm aware that EZY have made the choice that LGW should be their focus and I think quite rightly. They are the dominate LCC at LGW and do a very good job of it too. I'm sure the cash flies in from LGW. LTN is a steady base and I think both FR and EZY live which each other and complement each other quite nicely. STN just seems like a bum fight. With FR winning, hands down.

As you say Anna FR launch routes EZY do well on such as ALC and as a result we now see less ALC flights with EZY. It's obvious FR wants STN to itself just as EZY wants to boot EI out of LGW to keep it all for itself. Understandable and a wise business move. It seems that EZY have made their choice. LGW and LTN. They're now playing the game of let FR get rid of me and I'll go if not I'll just stand still.

I disagree that launching new routes will counterbalance the LGW expansion. STN and LGW have two very different catchment areas. STN - North London and East Anglia. LGW- South London and the south east. Launching flights to the Canaries for example on a 3 times weekly basis shouldn’t effect LGW too much just grab a few more customers off the charters and allow EZY passengers in the east to go to new destinations.

Ezy @ Stn
 

This is an interesting discussion around EZY's future at STN and the sort of strategy that it is following.

I have spoken to quite a few Easyjet member of staff at STN both flight deck and cabin crew, many of which think Easyjet will not maintain the base at STN in the long run.

When Dortmund was announced as closing some of them said that they expected that STN would suffer the same fate in time and they also said that this was a common sentiment among many other fell Easyjet workers.

Not that this stands for much.

LGW is the focus for EZY and I think any additional resources that they get in Aircraft terms in the London area will go to LGW to ensure not too much opportunities left for the competition.

I too suspect easyjet will desert and focus on LGW and LTN in the near future. I just hope someone such as bmibaby for example takes advantage of the situation and creates its Lonodn base at STN. It woyuld be a sad day to have Ryanair soley at STN.

EZY projected movements/seats for Stansted this summer are 11 to 12% less than summer 08 and with Ryanair slightly more at about 12.5% less so both have cut back.

But relativity speaking easy jet's operation at Stansted is a third of the size as the Ryanair operation. So comparatively easyJet has reduced more.

Actually 12% of two thirds is more than 11% of one third. Ryanair have reduced more, proportionally and absolutely :}

OOpsh lol! Sorry too early in the morning for maths. My mistake.

For now any new route annunced for winter season on all Easyjet network. When will start these annunce?

29th Oct MAN-RAK 3/7
6th Nov MAN-CPH 6/7
6th Nov MAN-MUC 4/7

Routes go on sale from next week.

Great news, do you have any rumors about new Easyjet route from others base, especially MXP?

I know Easyjet have obtained slot to open several new route from FRA and MUC! LH is not very happy... :}

EZY will add 2 more a/c (then 17) at MXP at the beginning of 2010, right?
But FR is also very strong and growing at BGY. I doubt EZY would launch routes which FR is operting.
New routes from MXP could be MLA, BFS, TLS and BOD. FAO, SKG and CFU (or other Greek islands) could be some nice summer destinations. BUD, VIE, MUC, HAM, WAW and HEL are EZY destinations which aren't operate from MXP but I doubt they'll come.

What about a base at FCO? Any chance AMS, BRU or BCN will become a base in the near future (or what could be a new base/market)?

Is this the lot? EZY are supposed to have 5 based units by 2010 at MAN with c40 destinations! Is this still the plan or is it now under review due to economy?

I think any new route in this economic climate is a bonus !

I would imagine that there's still a little bit of room for growth this winter at MAN as I don't believe that 2 return sectors per day is utilising an A320 to its optimum. Unless they're adding more Geneva services? I would believe a 4th unit will be in use next year (probably from Winter 2010) with the 5th unit not until 2011 at the earliest.

The blurb that accompanied these new routes does indicate that there may be more of a focus to city break destinations away from the bucket and spade routes that has been the norm.

I cant see EZY doing BFS MXP any time soon as Aer Lingus is struggling on this route and it is being dropped at the end of summer season. I think if EZY cant make BFS FCO or PRG work for that matter, MXP is very unlikely.

EI-BUD

OliWW

Regards your post, I think that Easyjet will go BFS MAN and BHX being 2 of WW´s busiest routes and that would tie in nicely to your comments about the MAN base.

However, one would have to wonder in the current climate of cash strapped airlines and losses, who would splash the cash for bmibaby, with an aged fleet, and some weak enough markets. Would EZY be interested in CWL with such a strong position in BRS?
Would EZY see opportunity in EMA where they have been pretty stagnant for some time what with Ryanair being big there?

And more over would they want to take on bmibaby´s operation at MAN given that Ryanair has indicated that MAN is going to feature long terms as a big for them? Perhaps they would?

Some for and against cases there, but overall I think that if Easyjet want bmibaby markets so much they could probably start operating them and not even bother with WW. But then the price tag might be attractive enough?

Not a bad idea at all! Some great little money earners from MAN - plus all the flights from the other bases at EMA, BHX etc. It would also provide them with more a/c to replace which at the moment is quite a good idea.

Replace the 733s with 319s. Sorted!

Will be interesting to see if U2 are to look at WW!

I assume that BE would be the main, if not only bidders for BD regional.

I understand what you are saying about BRS and CWL, however LPL and MAN works well, LGW, LTN and STN work well together, EDI and GLA. On that note I still think that EZY at CWL would work well... 2/3 aircraft based, same as baby, perfect...

I know what you mean by their B733's. Some of them are on leases, so would not be renewed anyway. I wouldn't know what flybe would do with the B733 when the E195 is their biggest aircraft, and carries what, 118 where as the B733 carries 148. Quite a large difference.