Didn't think they were keeping anything at Newcastle.

Set off from Tarbes for HUY on 11/02, but had to return.

I can’t see the Newcastle LM base being there for that much longer. Especially when now it’s connected directly to the LM superbase of ABZ, and to EDI indirectly via Norway. Much cheaper just to service NCL from Scottish bases with cheaper LM infrastructure, like they’re in the process of doing with NWI.

So I reckon Eastern will be back in Newcastle before you know it.

Isn't Carlisle also covered from NCL? And has the Eastern base left NCL?

The Carlisle is a damp lease. Aircraft and flight deck are from an Estonian carrier called NyxAir. Cabin crew are Loganair, based from Newcastle. From what I remember, CAX is a temporary contract (2 years I think). Which is why LM won’t have their own base there. They want as few bases as possible, as maintenance of their ageing fleet is much cheaper and easier.

I didn’t think Eastern were pulling out of NCL, just going down from 2 to 1 aircraft, and just doing 1 ABZ per day. But this was a few weeks ago, so plenty could have changed since then. The NCL-ABZ must be dead in the water for Eastern with Loganair on the patch, so I reckon they may as well fully pull out of NCL and go to MME where there is no competition (and no disrespect, but nobody to compare their poor reliability with).

Correct, NCL - ABZ down to 1 per day but operated by an ATR72

Ah, that makes sense. In that case, it sounds like a full Eastern base closure of Newcastle, as the ATR is ABZ based.

Still, having seen some of their loads, a Jetstream 41 was massively oversized. Never mind an ATR.

If you're thinking the LM base at Newcastle won't be there for long, I'm pretty sure time will prove you wrong. Brussels, Stavanger and soon Bergen and Newquay are all routes that you could not easily fly from NCL without a base. The issue with NWI was that the two routes of ABZ and EDI were both to existing Loganair bases. There's just no comparison between the two.

Apologies if this has been mentioned, but I've seen reports that the three Eastern E190s are ex Flybe, but Flybe operate 195s and the press release seems to be quite clear about 190s, can anyone clarify? Ta

Try G-FBEI, G-FBEJ and G-FBEK

So, E195s then.

E195s Wonder if these might appear in the Teesside master plan for holiday flights.

And perhaps the reason for confusion is that the correct technical designation for these "E195s" is ERJ-190-200LR. For verification see G-INFO, where Embraer 195 is shown as the Popular Name..

Certainly the right size aircraft to fill at good yields. More than enough range and comfort for the Spain runs.

Only if the Mayor's pockets are deep - 195 won't be able to operate at the prices locals will want to pay.

Also, am I right in that the 195 can't do LCY? If so, that rules out the CFE rumour.

Haven't Flybe already tried that with the very same aircraft?!

I guess time will tell wherever Eastern Airways decide to base there 170/190's

not sure of yield but the BE lease charges were through the roof!

A common misconception. The lease rates were through the roof on the 175's. The 195's are just an expensive aircraft to operate. 175 operating costs weren't that dissimilar to the Dash's.

Do you have a link to these reports?