that’s very true and accurate. As you rightly say, Summer peak BA LGW was at up to 90ish departures a day precovid, winter ranged from 35 to 45ish departures a day.

the five months of winter, November through to March. November was always very quiet as was early December. Mid to late December it picked up, BA LGW cleverly added NUE and CGN to target the Christmas markets, also RVN and KTT Lapland charters, it then dropped off again in January and built through February and March with increased ski destinations and March saw med destinations pick up.

canaries also were popular in winter due to their climate.

The winter period in general, and especially the the main lean periods of November and early December and January would need, from BAs point of view, some ability to maybe have periods of unpaid leave, part time working etc to aid cost saving and aid flexibility.

im thinking aloud but possibly some staff being full time for summer and reduced hours over winter or with periods of enforced unpaid leave would all help BA.

Or alternatively annualised hours - some our LA workers are paid the same every month, regardless of how many hours they work. Obviously if they exceed the annual figure, overtime kicks in.

When did above the BA above wing handling go to GGS? I guess it was when they moved back to the North Terminal? When you say the BA staff "left the business", I am hoping you meant TUPED across to GGS?

I wonder if BA Engineering would have to bid to cover maintenance for their own fleet once more?

As for the new name for the LGW based short haul leisure operation, I am surprised that no one has suggested "British Airtours"..... LOL it's not really brand aligned for 2021 alas.

August 2020 above wing went to GGS. No, I meant left the business all together, approx 15% of above wing staff TUPED across.

I'm very surprised the unions are tolerating this to be honest. They've been very protective in the past of a fear Cityflyer pilots may be used on 'mainline' operations to undercut mainline T&Cs.

If this happens and is successful it's only a matter of time, IMO, before they look to do similar at Heathrow short haul before moving onto the long haul stuff.

Standard divide and conquer from IAG.

https://www.headforpoints.com/2021/0...twick-carrier/

interesting read. I agree with you regards it being the thin end of the wedge but at a time like this and with the prospect of increased work and jobs with LGW SH returning, not really something BALPA can be seen to be being against or blocking

Very interesting read, thank you for the link. That article seems quite bewildered as to what the gain is in doing it!?

If the article is correct this isn't really a Low Cost operation - it's just a slightly cheaper version of BA.

They won't be able to compete IMHO

This doesn't make any sense, BA tried to lower the cost base before by franchising the branded product with GB Airways, BMed, Maersk and BRAL, then tried a Low Cost operation with GoFly, and before that, EOG (Dan Air) crews were on different Ts and Cs, which proved difficult to integrate with mainline. BA should stick to what they are good at (while they still remember how to do it) and not try to enter the LCC world where they have absolutely no chance at all of bringing down the unit cost to RYR and WIZZ level.

They put mainline pilots into BRAL on the 146 and denied BRAL crews promotion and the Union stuffed its own members by allowing it, the same will happen again.

As daft ideas go, this is up there with Utopia/World Image.

As for the new name for the LGW based short haul leisure operation, I am surprised that no one has suggested "British Airtours"..... LOL it's not really brand aligned for 2021 alas.

Surely Go is the best name or perhaps in view of the new BA CEO's nationality, Go On

Asturias56

Doesn't it need to be a British company and if so would HQ in Dublin or Madrid be a problem?

I still can't see it's worth the hassle of setting up a separate AOC and all the associated complexity compared to the savings that will be made.

BA CityFlyer is at least a distinct operation from mainline and has a degree of relative autonomy, which this new AOC won't have.

I've said it numerous times, from a business point-of-view, BA long haul needs to be a full-service airline competing globally. Short-haul is just another LoCo. The only thing stopping this is the legacy and unions, but if it doesn't it will die and the Union members will end up in a LoCo anyway, if at all.
Premium short-haul flying will go to the many private charter executive jets, which, with a bit of intelligent systems and marketing, could ensure flights were paid for each way with few dead-legs. The rest of the short-haul flyers will put up with an hour and a half in a narrow seat for £30 each way.

Asturias. I think they will be competitive. Gatwick SH was profitable before Covid. The use of more seasonal contracts will ensure it will remain competitive in the quieter winter months. All ground staff are now part of GCS. (Another wholly owned subsidiary) pilots and cabin will also be on amended contracts. The engineering base will continue as a stand alone unit that will have to continue to compete for work both inside and outside the IAG group. At the moment the unit is kept busy with some line maintenance, looking after parked aircraft and a Vueling maintenance contract.
The situation may not be ideal but in the current climate probably better than no jobs at all. We shall have to see.

vectisman

True of many operations. Financial centres like Frankfurt or Zurich fall right away in August and over Christmas/New Year, but can sell the whole aircraft as Club for a German trade fair in February, which is why having the flexibility to do both gives a significant advantage. Must say that BA Cityflyer at LCY seem to be more past masters at managing this than most others.

If BA short haul is only a loco why in the name of God would anyone flying in Business Class connect over London on BA? No point flying in a long haul flat bed only to be stuck in a middle bolt upright Pinnacle when you're at your most tired. It's not that simple for a network carrier.

But surely that argues for different short haul products at LGW and LHR. Despite BA’s best efforts (remember the “hub without the hubub”?) LGW has never been a hub in the way that LHR is/was.

BALPA members are being balloted on the proposals. Up to 17 short haul aircraft at Gatwick in summer 2022:

https://www.theguardian.com/business...ary-at-gatwick

presumption being with some minor concessional negotiations they’ll accept given the circumstances
How long this venture would last in that format is anyones guess

BA at Gatwick
 

How does 17 short haul aircraft compare to the size of the fleet pre Covid?