Flybe - 8
 

New thread since the old one is now locked.

I was wondering about the BE LCY to Aberdeen service. BE1xxx codes that this route utilises are generally reserved for flights operated by flybe, and they show up on FR24 as BEExxx instead of LOGxxx but are invariably operated by Loganair Saab 2000s. What is going on? Is it a Loganair route, or are BE just short of LCY-trained crews?

On an unrelated note, any news on what happened to BE/ST ATR 72-500 EI-REM would be greatly appreciated :) (Location, future, etc.)

Kind Regards, Adam

When LCY was first set up there was only a certain number of steep approach Dash 8s. Loganair therefore operate the Flybe service for them on the Saab however now that some routes by Flybe have been removed it frees up a S/A aircraft. I think it will end up going to a Flybe Dash at some point.

This is why LCY sees the same aircraft, almost all in new colours?

Yep - the only steep approach aircraft are all in purple. I think they are (although happy to stand corrected) -BE, -BD, -DU, -DR, -DT, -DP. Typically those that are named "The Spirit Of" with the exception of "The Spirit Of Liberum"

It is quite nice to see the original Flybe colours going in, in the form of the Saab. As I say I think this will change now that no S/A aircraft is required in INV and nor will it be required soon at DUB.

Also as a side note Loganair have just painted one of their Dornier's in the new purple livery. Looks much better in my opinion compared to the Dash!

Oh and possibly -CF.... This would actually leave 1 more than needed (DUB,INV,EDI,EXT,BHD) so maybe one of those on my list above is incorrect or one has had the modification later and only after LCY "base" was opened

Winter Timetable
 

Why are Flybe so late with their winter timetable? They released their summer timetable much later than their competitors and it appears the same is happening with their winter timetable. I reckon 95% of comments on their Facebook page are related to when flights will become available and the narrative from their Social Media staff has changed from end of April, Beginning of May, Middle of May, end of May beginning of June... Very frustrating when all they offer is the e news sign up and you want to book an intercontinental flight which uses Flybe on a domestic UK sector. Surely it is better to release early and get money in the bank? As a former Airline (not Flybe) employee, I'm perplexed.

As Flybe are primarily a business airline, especially so in the winter season, there is little point in putting the season on the market until 3 or so months before it starts. Most business people don't know what they're doing next wee, let alone in six months time.

If they were offering The Canaries, Egypt, Tunisia etc then, sure, announcing the schedule earlier makes sense, but they're not.

Currently in for deep maintenance with Rheinland Services in Germany. Still on Stobart's books I believe but don't know when it will be finished.

I'd have to respectfully disagree. Yes, the business passengers will be late bookers, but flybe's clientele is by no means all business, and - especially on routes where there's competition - not having your flights on sale simply means that your prospective customers tend to choose your competitor instead.

(If flybe is so sure that it's got the capacity vs demand balance right that it can allow its competitor to fill up with early-booking low-yield traffic, and then swoop in later and take the higher-yield late-booking traffic, then I stand corrected, but some recent network decisions would not give me confidence that the flyBE Commercial department is that sort of finely-oiled precision machine... ;) )

Flybe Timetable
 

Flybe are also increasingly becoming a feeder airline; through MAN, AMS, CDG, DUB etc - you only have to look at the increasing number of codeshares to see that. I would think that this is becoming an important part of their business. I for one want to book a long haul leisure flight using Flybe and can't - GDS usually display flights up to 350 days. The lack of flights beyond October on their codeshare routes operated by Flybe is, I would imagine, making people switch to alternative carriers. I'll be making a booking shortly... with other carriers!

Speaking of codeshares, is the new Liverpool-Amsterdam route actually getting a codeshare? That was the whole point of the route.

It starts in September and there still haven't been any codeshares announced, yet Liverpool have been marketing the route as a hub connection. Very misleading.

How much does codesharing make flybe? Revenue tends to flow to the longer haul portion of the ticket, let's remember BMI codeshared with everyone and that did not end well.

Are they doing it to be seen to be doing something (like LCY-INV/DUB/EXT.....) or because it's a decent revenue stream?

Advertising strategy
 

There seem to be strong voices from both camps on whether this new management are doing good things or are completely and utterly clueless.


Someone please explain why on my travels this week I saw advertisements for their BOH operation in both Southampton and Winchester. I mean talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face, shooting yourself in the foot etc etc. Why would BE advertise in areas which are already being served by their SOU base? More to the point who in their right mind would drive from Winchester or Southampton to BOH when they can fly with the same airline at more convenient times at SOU?


Do EZY advertise their LTN base around LGW or their LPL in MAN? Sorry but this lot are clueless.

have seen Easyjet and Ryanair liverpool adds in Manchester

Flybe advertising
 

The advertising for BOH appears to be an airport campaign, not Flybe. Makes perfect sense.

No different than past campaigns by SOU airport. The catchments overlap.

FF

Because some people might commute from somewhere equidistant from the two of nearer to BOH, and the likes of Deauville, Biarritz and Toulon are not served from SOU. How are Flybe shooting themselves in the feet by encouraging people to fly with Flybe from BOH in addition to Flybe from SOU anyway?

I was slightly amused today that Flybe was deprived of some free advertising today when Sky News showed the approach of an BACF Embraer 190 on finals into LCY live, filmed from a helicopter, stating that Nicola Sturgeon was arriving on that plane from Edinburgh. In fact she was apparently travelling on a BE Q400...

With the new CWL base opening in less than a month, does anyone know or have any thoughts what the winter season will bring ? Will there be more ski flights or sun flights for the 2 Embraers ?

And are the E95s getting the purple treatment ?


cs

They did show the purple monstrosity at some point during the day.

Looked like a greaser, if a bit long. Not sure she deserved more than the 'standard Dash' landing mind.