VS will be handing back the little red slots in September. BA may just throw those back in the pot!

And BA have what to do with little reds a/c? I believe the noc route is protected under the IAG deal.

BA had to give up the ex BMI slots as a remedy, when VS winged about the BMI takeover. Those slots were awarded to VS but only if they operated them on the same routes as BMI. VS failed to make money on the routes, so have now decided to give the routes up. The slots revert to BA.

Apologies epsomdog I misread your message!

EU Approval
 

The EU have approved with the following:

1 - 5 daily slot pairs at LGW given up to allow competing airlines to Dublin/Belfast (suspect BA will be giving up but will get back(
2 - Long Haul connecting passengers carried from London-Heathrow, London-Gatwick, Manchester, Amsterdam, Shannon and Dublin with current agreements.

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-5371_en.htm

LGW slots seem pointless as I can't see FR adding major capacity to Dublin or Easyjet to BHD. (FR have already increased for winter)

Of course, it's pointless. The whole EU thing is just a meaningless sham to create an impression that they were "concerned" and have to be seen to be "doing something" about it. They might as well have put in a condition that EI/BA can't serve boiled elephant on flights.

The only serious contender for LGW has to be Norwegian. Ryanair could really spice things up on Belfast but highly unlikely... I wonder could easyJet avail of the slots to launch a Gatwick Belfast City route ( and I already appreciate that they've tried LTN BHD before, though given the lack of slots, this could be attractive).

As for Dublin I cannot see any wisdom in any airline touching the market.

EI-BUD

Nobody will take on LGW-DUB knowing FR will blow them out of the water by increasing freqs and dropping prices to unsustainable levels like they did to EZY in ORK, KOC, SNN

BA don't fly LGW-DUB, not a huge worry for them, suspect EI might just drop it?

What drop their second busiest route and most likely highly profitable routes?? They are also bound to carry connections to LGW so they can't drop it for now.

Remember it was EI who helped get rid of them from the route in the first place!

The market seems to have changed, in the not that distant past EI pulled out of LGW altogether and FR hasn't always had such a full schedule to DUB either. I agree there is a limited number of carriers who would tackle the route with no BE, also would anyone want to take on LGW-BHD?

Sorry I meant BHD, having a senior moment there, I agree DUB would stay.

Ryanair to bid for LGW slots, would make BHD-LGW a certain loss if they win them.

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/id...50715?irpc=932

Think you could be right, they have really poor times (gave up earlier slots) and loads are really bad and I can't see yield been much better. Their whole BHD base might go of become seasonal if bucket and spade are viable while seeing a improvement in loads this year I am not sure about them.

BHD-LHR slots moved to DUB and BA transfer 3 or 4 current BA DUB ones to BHD to replace them or find their own.

If FR were to bid I agree it would be certain, FR could easily swap their DUB slots around and deliver a 5 times daily BHD service and keep DUB at current/planned 6 daily. EI wouldn't bother competing + the imminent departure of 319s will increase costs at BHD and if they can't fill what they have then what's the point.

Perhaps that single 737 700 could be put into service on BHD LGW... :O

Well thanks for nothing, EC.

For Belfast connections to hubs, that means Heathrow is now monopolised by a cartel^W single airline group.

Amsterdam has Easyjet and KLM from the two airports.

Manchester has Easyjet and FlyBE from the two airports.

Gatwick has Easyjet and ( possibly still ) Aer Lingus from the two airports.

Stansted and Luton are only served by Easyjet.

Looks like it's a go:

Why a new transatlantic hub at Dublin? I think it's all about selling the C&I pre-clearance as a passenger convenience. (I can testify to the difference it makes, and I'm doing it again in September.)

Wouldnt be hugely suprised to see the BHD base close, as others have said! PMI flight are being operated by a DUB aircraft, so AGP/FAO could be operated in a similar way, if there was sufficient demand. BA has a lounge in Belfast and offers Business Class, so they may be keen to keep their own metal on this route!


Any update on the Omni Air operation? Its due to end at the end of August, but could we see the operation extended, or used on another route next summer?

It will depend on the number of factors such as the number of aircraft added next year ie. 1, 2 or 3 for long haul services. Should know in a few months.

I believe numbers filing the 767 are up and down so not sure how much it will pay off.

Anyone know what's up with EI103 to JFK today. Due to leave at 07.50 but not gone yet and EI website saying next info at 10.45. Have friends on it who won't be too happy!