The are rumours rife a few of the Boeing 737-300 fleet could leaving LBA this winter. Maybe retirement / scrapping who knows?
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G-LSAN gone to Lasham after a test flight. Presume that's for maintenance?

Not soon enough, must cost a fortune to fuel them compared with the newer models.

On the flip side there’s no leasing cost compared to the newer models.

I'm sure it's all part of the calculation of fuel and replacements costs compared to retaining an asset that's owned outright and any sale value
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Surely the elderly 752 fleet will be replaced ahead of the 733s which in some cases are younger than the 738s

Are the 733s all off to Spain to sunbathe over winter or are they operating during the quiet season?

At least one operating today. GDFM currently en route to LBA from ALC.

The 733s are perfect to operate on low density routes from Leeds. Similar fuel burn to the 738s. Some of them are the last ones built, newer than the 738s in some cases. They are fully owned and are maintained mostly in house. They are virtually cost neutral as far as aircraft go.

They were only sent to Spain for winter storage during the COVID periods to help prevent corrosion etc that happens with lack of activity in a damp climate.

Thanks for that.

I suspect the utilisation rates of them must be pretty low over winter then.

The routes flown over winter mainly are operated Friday thru Monday with a lot not starting until late December and some finishing mid Jan until late march and at one point Wednesday was a no go from
anywhere even LBA and MAN.Many of the aircraft go in for some well earned TLC and longer checks.

https://www.ft.com/content/5224012f-...3-d2fccecd116f

Good news for Jet2, they’ve bounced back quite well from the pandemic, despite paying out more than £50M in disruption associated costs.

Be interesting to see what TUI’s compensation related costs are too as I’m surprised at the amount for Jet2.

G-JZBL been operating out of Gatwick for a few weeks. Presuming charters?

Yes, similar sort of programme to this time last year.

this years program is to be much bigger and also longer. 4 aircraft to be temporarily based in LGW

Lapland charters
Ski charter for Balkan Holidays
Cruise Charter for P&O cruises to TFS.

Shows what I know, i.e. nowt.

Why do Jet2 aircraft change their call signs from LS to EXS?

A Jet2 flight ecently arrived into VLC, not a usual Jet2 destination, as a LS flight and departed as an EXS flight.

FR24 shows quite a few out and about at the moment on services to the Med, CDG and the winter/Christmas Market services to Germany and Austria.

AIUI the callsign is always Channex.

LS is a flight number and EXS is the (ICAO) designator.