In answer to the points raised above:

1. As I understand it is the airlines intention to operate with a cabin crew member on board, I also understand they plan to offer complimentary refreshments on board

2. The check in desk at Blackpool is yet to be decided. As the airport is due to go live week commencing 7 May with the L-DCS electronic check in system there are to be some improvements, principally any flight, any desk (within each airline, so any jet 2 flight at any jet 2 desk) etc. The whole check in process will also be speeded up.

It is likely however the JXT will operate from either desk 2 or 14.

3. I am sure the airline will develop routes in line with demand, if the demand for ABZ and/or SOU indicates it needs additional frequency, then it would be logical for them to add it?

In the meantime, lets help this new airline on its way and tell people about it, and we all wish them the best of luck!

I completely agree with you. I have already booked a trip to BHD in late March. I obviously am not the first person to book on either flight as the fares had risen to GBP 83 each way!

If they can offer a free in-flight service and complimentary lounge access, then I am afraid to say - LS won't gettin' any business from me for a while!:}...Until I need that week in the sun!:ok:

They have four a/c, so they can easily introduce new services if needed anyway. I think they will see weekend flights introduced before increased frequencies during the week.

Jet. Express and Manx2, BLK is becoming a little domestic goldmine!:D

There ARE 4 a/c mentioned and available & I am sure that should demand necessitate, then extra flights will be added not only for double dailys but also for weekends and new routes which are I understand being considered and researched.

Another nice thing is that the prices shown INCLUDE all taxes and charges so no nasty surprises when you get to the end as well.

MUFC Fan - I can't find an £ 83 fare anywhere. Which date have you booked on - you mentioned "late March" ? did you mean May ?? The other BHD prices are all showing £ 73 including taxes which seems to be the £ 54 lead price + taxes etc on the literature in the Terminal this morning.

Sorry, I meant May, yes.

One question. Will Jetstreamexpress maintain a decent level of service on what is a very limited business market. With high operating costs, cabin crew on a Jetstream and only 18 seats available, (will it be 18, SOU and ABZ are quite a distance with cabin crew and baggage) is there really demand for such services that they are offering?

Charlie Lima

City Star Airline thought there was on the ABZ route, but they were unable to fill over 30 seats - this aircraft has 18 and offers the about the same price.

I do feel abit uneasy about the competiton on their routes:

Belfast : LS (BLK); BE & WW (MAN); EZY (LPL)
Southampton : BE (MAN & LPL)
Aberdeen : BD (MAN); FR (LPL)

I would like the airline to look at EDI and GLA also, as these would be able to serve the market that JXT are aiming for.

What the airline has over BE, LS, WW, FR, EZY and BMI is free in-flight meals and service... and also BLK, which is by far easier to travel through than MAN and LPL!

If there's cabin crew surely there will only be 18 seats available. Or is the FA expected to stand?

Re: Jestream Express
 

Charlie Lima - The levels of service I am sure WILL be maintained. With regard to the 18 seats you are undoubtedly correct as I doubt very much if she fancies having an "Utterley Butterly" moment....but it certainly would be a first @ 230kts........and what advertising THAT would be !!:) If it runs up to 18 seats full then I am sure double dailys will soon be the order of the day, giving further flexibility.

MUFC fan - You are right about the fast Transit times through BLK and all the other destinations served which should be a bonus with the easy access to BLK and the Motorways etc. Comments also noted with alternative routes but have to start somewhere....Not sure everyone will get a three course meal on board;) but a tea and a few biccies would be a nice touch.

Fred is missing ?
 

Anybody seen Fred ? Not been on here for a while now........is he checking the new competition out ?

Heard Manx2 looking at larger a/c later this year. Anybody know anything about that ?

Jet2 cancelled trips to AMS and PRG from June but still no refunds been given yet ( so I hear ) ??

How long do you think there going to hang on to other peoples money ?

On the JXT story, and the apron at BLK, will the a/c have to park where the BNWA a/c used to park, or will they use the main apron?

I know that the main apron can accomodate 4 737s comfortably, but if 2 J31s are to be based as they have stated (current schedule shows only need for 1), and LS have their 3 733s on the apron, surely they cannot park these a/c on the main apron?

Anymore news on which check-in desk JXT will be getting?

Cheers.

Ibiza
 

Just been on J2 website, and they are adverstising Ibiza from blk from 4.99. Is this an error or a new route coming up to cash in for summer hols????

PRG & AMS ex BLK
 

Don't know how true it is, but rumour has it the reason why jet2 have pulled Prague and Amsterdam is due to them causing reduced loads for the same destinations out of Manchester and Leeds.

Have heard Jet2 are loosing a 733 from BLK to it should be any prob parking 2 JS's on the main apron!

I'm wondering how long it will take until Jet2 start to lose interest with BLK. Only a couple of weeks ago I flew to ALC and back and there was roughly only 90 pax going out and 110 coming back and that’s in school half term to a bucket and spade route! :hmm:

The 757 that people said BLK was going to get this year seems way ahead of the game plan when they are struggling to fill a 149 seater in the Easter half term (supposedly one of the busiest times of the year). I think before people start to suggest new routes out of BLK for Jet2 there needs to be some improvement over loads on the basic routes, or possibly Jet2 might not be around for the winter.

146

1. It is not possible for LS to use 2 a/c from BLK even without the two routes (PRG&AMS).
2. If it was pulling away at MAN/LBA loads, then why didn't they reduce their frequency?
3. These two destinations are hardly summer destinations for a small airport like BLK, they were getting between 50-60% in March on both routes - which isn't bad for a 1st summer season! (CAA results)
4. The rumour about IBZ is growing, could be the replacement for the PRG&AMS flights.
5. If these two routes weren't doing so well last winter, would they have carried them on during the summer? No. So I expect them to return this winter.

I know that BLK and LS's relationship is not at it's best at the moment, but lets hope that it improves, and hopefully look forward to a great summer on the 'bucket and spade' routes (and BFS!) and hope for some great routes this winter!

Jet2 March results:

AMS - 58% (86 pax)
FAO - 82% (121 pax)
ALC - 83% (123 pax, With TOM competition)
AGP - 71% (105 pax)
MJV - 62% (92 pax)
PMI - 65% (96 pax)
PRG - 54% (80 pax)

On the TFS route, they carried 2300 pax exactly on seven return flights. This works out as 164 pax per flight (don't know % because don't know max pax per flight)

Has the bubble burst ? Well with Jetstreams on the apron again in the near future it looks like its going backwards , not forwards.

Wasn't that the case a few years ago , you were lucky to see any pax jets
on a regular basis , just props on the ramp.

It all looked promising until the last few posts but unless the actual operating infrastructure has changed and improved at the airport , ex council run and existing mentalities ... that may be a factor. On the occasions I've visited sometimes it seems chaotic , especially if you want to get a parking spot .... and thats only landside ! Heard the've had some chaos on the ramp at times of peak traffic , anybody care to shed some light on this rumour ??:oh: :oh:

How about this.

As the AMS and PRG flights have been cancelled this summer, can we not try an jig-saw the rest of the schedule together?

If PRG was substituted for IBZ and AMS for another BFS rotation, could we see these two routes fill the gaps that are left in the timetable? If the BFS flight was to leave for a lunchtime flight (12.40) and then return two hours later and then fly from BLK to IBZ before returning in the eveing?

(Monday, Thursday and Friday - probably the three busiest days for the BFS flights):

BLK-PMI 06:00-09:30
PMI-BLK 10:05-11:50
BLK-BFS 12.40-13.25
BFS-BLK 13.55-14.40
BLK-IBZ 15.10-18.40
IBZ-BLK 19.10-20.40

I know this sounds far-fetched, but it could happen! People said EZY would never survive!;)

Does anybody know how the JXT flights are selling? They seem to have only sold three seats on the first day! Hope they improve!

From Jet2's point of view would a late evening return blk/bfs/blk not suit business better, spreading out their schedule throughout the day.

Does anybody know anything about the proposed BLK - LPA charter's in late October/early November? Saw these advertised in the local rag at the weekend, anybody know the airline/tour operator & whether or not these are one off deps?

Regards