It's all down to Bath Travel. This travel agent is well respected on the south coast, with most of their clients being retired & well heeled (Skiers not the snow type).

STATSMAN

Firstly, Palmair do NOT have any aircraft. European Aircharter provide the aircraft and flight crew, Palmair provide the cabin crew.

Although the 737-200 is a real fuel guzzler European don't actually fly them that often. The Palmair allocated aircraft may only have a daily utilisation of 5 hours if their is only as single rotation to, say, Malaga that day. Therefore we are not talking about 10-12 hours in the air per day like most normal airlines. Therefore the fuel bill is not that great, and this is offset by European owning the aircraft, which are probably fully depreciated, therefore higher fuel burn is offset by no leasing charges, etc. European also do their own maintenance and have their own simulator so everything is done in house.

Palmair succeed because they are now in a niche market ie a full-service airline out of Bournemouth. Some people still prefer that sort of thing. Also they do charge significantly more that Ryaniar/Thomsonfly BUT there are no hidden extras like check-in, bags etc.

So basically Palmair survive because they are different and the 737-200 survives because, overall, it is still relatively cheap for European to operate.

Palmair is owned by Bath Travel, a very well-respected chain of retail travel agents in Hants, Wilts & Dorset. They sell their own package holidays, 'flight-only' deals, weekend breaks, etc mostly using the Palmair aircraft. Having been around for 50 years, being on every High Street, and having an excellent reputation for service I would expect them to survive current economic difficulties.

Palmair are using Jet 2 aircraft this week to operate there services from Bournemouth to Tenerife , Fuerteventura , Lanzarote and Monastir in the wake of European ceasing trading , who they had been using since 1999 on the 737 classic

Previously they had been leasing a BAe 146 300 ( G- BPNT ) FROM Flightline

They are also in talks with Jet 2 and another carrier i believe about leasing an aircraft full time to continue operating there services and to have the cabin crew of Palmair back on board

Good luck

Well one thing's for sure, they won't be using a Flightline aircraft either :(

Markeyd,

They won't be using "Palmair" cabin crew, they were made redundant by EAAC!

It will be the carriers cabin crew, Jet2 or whoever, who will be in check and current on that type of a/c.

PS Jet2 just annouced £37 million profit for first 6 months this morning, they must being doing something right.

i believe the Palmair cabin crew were not employed by EAAC, they were employed directly by Palmair who damp leased the B732's from EAAC with pilots only.

freightdoggy dog

You are correct about EAAC crew being made redundant but i was under the impression Bath Travel employed there own cabin crew ( they used to be interviewed personally by Peter Bath and there cabin services manager at his house outside of Bournemouth ! ) they tended to just recruit mature experienced ladies who had flown before !!

They were then trained by EAAC to SEP requirement on the 737 but the cabin service was done the Palmair way . The crew only ever operated flights for Palmair and not EAAC flights

At the moment the crew are not working and you are correct that JET 2 cabin crew are operating the flights at this time but i believe once Bath Travel have negotiated an aircraft to lease again , the Palmair cabin crew will be SEP trained onto that particular aircraft they decide on and re start flying

I do stand corrected though if anyone knows different to this

it would be great to see a B733 or B73G or A319 in Palmair colours. Maybe they'll then be able to get worlds best status instead of 3rd best. (-:

im thinking leather seats, business class... hahaha just kidding

palmair is still running liek normal part from the aircraft they did leased have gone , i do know that channel express (jet2) aircrafts were helping palmair out.

Word is Flyglobespan have done a deal and start from January. We will have to wait and see how this will impact on day trip programme for 2009, as I think that a 2nd EAC 737 did these flights.

Flyglobespan to the rescue
 

Perfect fit - B736 (Flyglobespan stored B737-600 to be used at BOH)

Palmair have secured a B737-600 for exclusive use from Bournemouth from Jan/Feb 2009. It will be painted in PALMAIR colours and damp-leased (using Flyglobespan pilots relocated to Bournemouth from Scotland).

Currently the aircraft is fitted with 131 seats. 6 seats may be removed for the Palmair configuration of 125 (1 more than the EAC B737-200), This is a sensible solution as it doesn't grow capacity from the airport at a time when charter airlines are consolidating. It wil also drink far LESS fuel than the B737-200 so will offer Palmair more profitability. Palmair cabin crew will be re-instated. Aircraft will have leather seats.

What is the reg of the aircraft that Palmair will be leasing from Jan 09?

GSM's only remaining B737-600 is G-CDKT

Does anyone know if they have any plans for LPA as they seem very strong in the rest of the Canaries?

Palmair tried a season to Las Palmas a few years ago but cancelled the season when Thomsonfly announced the route and bookings were not up to scratch with Palmair although the Thomsonfly service has recorded good loads

They have a strong presence in the rest of the Canaries though and will be interesting to see how Palmair and Thomsonfly go head to head on the Funchal route this winter which has always been a Bath Travel domain

Many Recent Palmair passengers have welcomed the New planes (jet2) with far better toilets and seating. With the Globespan move this can only be a Improvement for Palmair.

Rumour is the G-CDKT is already being painted in Palmair scheme as we speak (Would be nice for a red tail and White Palmair titles)

and a picture of the new aircraft . Photos: Boeing 737-683 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

Ray M.

I wonder if they will keep the red belly and just have PALMAIR going up a red tail. Dull but somewhat pleasing scheme :ok: