Channex goes low-cost from LBA
 

from the newswire today:

UK aviation services company Dart Group has this morning unveiled plans to join the increasingly crowded budget flights market by launching a low cost passenger service operation from Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Dart's Bournemouth-headquartered passenger and freight charter unit, Channel Express (Air Services), will operate the services, alongside its existing activities. The low cost operation, to be branded under the Jet 2 name, will utilise Boeing 737-300QC aircraft.

The company suggests use of the quick change aircraft will enable it to maximise the utilisation of its fleet - by operating passenger services during the day and cargo flights at night. In addition to using Channel Express' existing 737 fleet, the company also intends to acquire more aircraft to "support the expansion".

Selection of Leeds Bradford as the base for the services makes it the second airport in north England to unveil new low cost services this week. On 21 October Easy Jet announced it would launch a mini-hub at Newcastle International Airport next spring.

Dart Group chairman Philip Meeson says: "We are to be working with Leeds Bradford International Airport which has a catchment area of 9.5 million people, who are not adequately served by low cost carriers."

There were no details of Jet 2's proposed start date, fares or the size or content of its route network in the statement released by the Dart Group, the company stating only that Jet 2 will provide low cost passenger services to "European business and leisure destinations".

Dart estimates that start-up costs incurred in the current financial year will be around £2 million ($3 million), but expects Jet 2 to be earnings neutral in its first full year and "earnings enhancing thereafter".

I know them from a cargo point of view and they do an excellent job, see whether they can do the same on the low cost side!!

could keep the costs really low if they strap the pax to pallets , they could get hundreds in ;)

On local news tonight the MD's of Jet 2 and LBA were interviewed and it proclaimed a start date of Feb 03 with 2 daily rotations using 148 seat ac of which there will be 4! This could double LBAs pax throughput to 3m per year. Just hope the ac are all CAT 3 capable! Good luck to them, with the Yorkshire folks eye for a bargin I think they should do well. As for overcapacity in LCAs, pax from LBA region travel to EMA/LTN and LPL for low cost flights but I doubt it will have too much effect on the LCAs there or at NCL as they have yet to start. Once again good luck to all involved.:)

2 Rotations a day with 4 A/C thats some business plan. Is this proposed base in addition to the expected 737 at Manchester.

Astro, only passing on what was said! Guess the 2 rotations was per ac ie 8 flights a day with the 4 ac. As for the Man side of things , nothing was mentioned about Jet 2 operating from anywhere else!:(

So once again, Finningley misses out due to the endless faffing about by the DETR. :mad:

RAFAT

You're a bit behind on government depts, the DETR no longer exists, the transport is the DfT now.

As for Finningley see Section 4.6.33 in the following section of the DfT's report into Northern Airports - the planning report will be passed to the Deputy Prime Minister for a decision - ie John Prescott.

http://www2.aviation.dft.gov.uk/avia...df/north_4.pdf

2 rotations a day with 4 aircraft in addition to a night freight operation. Now that sounds like a business plan.

actually...
 

Just to dispel any rumours...

Its actually 3 rotations a day on four aircraft (by May 2003), with a bit of extra time between sectors to increase reliability.

Also the 737's used will be dedicated passenger aircraft and will NOT be QC's used for cargo in the evenings.

Furthermore I'm really excited about this project.

BM

The low cost thing is just the cream on the top for the dart group as there main business is in the cargo sector of the market , if they can fly the B737QC aircraft during the day when most of the cargo aircraft are on the ground then they will be ££££££ ahead of the game.

I wish them the best of luck with what I think will be a good business move.

Hope this is a big success for Channex. They seem to have a sound man in charge who seems to be well able to put a buisness plan together(not many of them about!). They are profit making in a tough market,they deserve success !.
Good luck,
Aerod'.


P.S. Any jobs!

That is an awful lot of seats to sell in a very crowded market place. I would think that baby and easy will fight back should 2's routes match those of thier competitors.

Good luck, I guess if they are a success, they will be bought out for a large profit!

Hopefully they will have enough 300 crews?

So what colour scheme, how about an all over black paint job like a London taxi with "Hired" on the tail?

brabazon, yes, thankyou for that, and thankyou also for the link, very interesting.

I have no faith whatsoever in the final decision by the DfT being unbiased. 'Jabba' Prescott's strong links to Manchester, Humberside & East Mids, who all strongly oppose the Finningley development, cannot be ignored, and it surprises me that he is being allowed to make the final decision.

Anyway, back on topic, best wishes to Jet 2 with this venture.

It seems that Jet2 will initally at least, only operate on European routes. MD on local radio has said that no startup UK routes to be flown which has to be good news for LBAs other operators as most UK routes are well covered by BMIR and BA. Only Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels are covered on mainland Europe and Dublin and Cork in Eire. This will leave plenty of routes to choose from for Jet 2 with LBA despeately needing a German route I feel this must be one they will look at. Mainland Spain must be another favourite as must Italy. Given the number of LCAs I think that LBA was a good choice as all other LCA airports are around 1 hour away from the main urban centres. Best of luck Guys, given LBAs weather you'll need it.:D

Howz about Cologne, Bologna or Liege then! :D

I did some consultancy work for the Dart Group when the 737 was introduced and have nothing but admiration for the team there.

As I am now retired I am not familiar with the business plan so cannot comment other than I am sure it will be well thought out.

If anyone from Channex/Dart reads this, best wishes to all involved and mat it be a huge success.

DS

They certainly seem to have captured the public imagination up here! Good luck to them - its what the place has been crying out for.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/have_your...inations.shtml

682

Flew BHD to LBA with flybe this week £280 for a day return and not even a meal just a lousy cup of tea, a complete rip off.

Northern Ireland needs a lo-co on this route to some competition.

I'm with you on that one Puma, theres been no competition on the route since Air UK pulled the plug on Belfast International years ago. Lets hope Jet2 try the route eh!