I believe the operation is being transferred in total, i.e. crew and a/c.

From TTG

https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/news/v...overhaul-18331

Are BE handing x 4 E75's back as has been suggested on certain sites? cheers

Not reliable I know but wiki suggests 4 being handed back and sure I have read the same elsewhere!

Correct. Existing order cancelled and 4 returned. 7x E175's to remain.

I'm sure I read somewhere that they have to keep those 7 for BHX and MAN to CDG as having jets on those routes is part of the deal with Air France otherwise they would've got rid of them all.

175's
 

They could get away will just 3 to cover MAN & BHX - CDG and even operate Milan in between which is the only route where the Dash is not ideal. BHX already have Dash 8's at the weekend to CDG so not exclusively a jet operation. The 88 seat aircraft is not great on either BHX & MAN - CDG as the loads often warrant the 195 and CDG is not awash with spare slots so it is almost a waste.

As for the 175 routes today you can clearly see why they want rid of them, as it is just crazy - MAN-NOC, NQY, BHD, NTE, BHX-IOM, CWL- BHD, GLA, EDI and DUB, DSA - JER, NQY, BHD, DUB and if you want to be harsh BHX & MAN AMS & DUS are quite comfortable on the Dash, so is CWL-CDG and even BHX-STR & TXL are Dash 8's at times which basically leaves MAN-MXP and MAN CDG as ones where they needed to operate.

Now for the Dash 8 services -they seem to have kept out of the mainstream news but a dreadful 3 days at BHX with mass delays and over 20 sectors cancelled with EDI and BHD bearing the brunt with a Knock, Inverness and Jersey thrown in for good measure. Yesterday they did persevere with STR BHX landing 01.23, GLA-BHX- 00.53 and ABZ - BHX 00.29 (all today).

Some I believe were weather related but not all and some must have been a mix of crewing and tech with one 175 departing for its first flight today at 11am another operating one early flight then heading to Exeter today.

Pete

The original plan was for just 7 E175, but this has now supposedly been upped to 9 (5 BHX & 4 MAN).

Although this is still before the plans of the new owners have been announced.

Aren't you forgetting MAN-TLS also used 5 times weekly with the E175.
Purely for selfish reasons I hope this route continues, it performs well in terms of load factor at least. I use it at least twice a month, useful for airbus employees if the internal shuttle flight to Chester is full. No other airlines serve Toulouse from MAN or LPL.
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As an outsider that tells me two things. First, Swissport are a sh!t employer, and demoralised employees are less likely to turn up if they feel a tad unwell, and less likely to got the extra mile because they aren't appreciated for doing so; and secondly they aren't paying an attractive enough wage for the job to adequately staff their operation.

I'm sure that all handling agents must suffer similar issues so far as point two is concerned. How you treat your employees who are willing to work for the rate offered is something that most certainly is within their control.

I work for a ground handling company and I honestly can't complain. I earn way above average. Sure, I have to put up with the irregular hours etc but that's something I knew from the start.

Is that in Belgium, or UK? I would imagine that Belgian agents may offer better terms and conditions than UK; or am I wrong?

Handling agents in the UK struggle to recruit for peak season operations, mainly because UK airports are so seasonal, there are several handlers fighting for the same business and want the cheapest deal. Airlines get the service they pay for. If they paid more for service, Handlers and service providers could pay their employees more attractive wages and recruit to full potential.
If Swissport, or any handler for that matter, were so sh!t, the Airlines wouldn't stay with them.

In Belgium, yes. I have no idea really what the average is in the UK, but I can imagine it being slightly lower than in Belgium. I earn about 2'200 euro per month after taxes with a full time job (38 hours a week).

What would be minimum wage in th UK? I really have no idea. I think in Belgium it's around 1'600 euro/month.
In my home airport (ANR) we combine Passenger service and Ramp service so one day I'll be at the check in desk and pushing around WCHR pax, next I'll be making load sheets and calling up catering because they didn't show up...

That is fairly decent. UK minimum wage, 25+ works out at €1506 before tax at today's exchange rate. Younger than 25 will get less.