This is one of the next airframes earmarked for a "return" to service along with FLBB.
2 aircraft are also apparently soon to be registered, previously in service with LOT
More routes starting later this week, namely BHX to GLA and EDI
Frequency increases also now in effect on some other routes, notably BHD to GLA (up to 3 daily) and LBA (up to 4)
The airline also made its return to SOU over the weekend, with flights to and from BHD and onwards to AVN and TLN

Be careful, in referring to the airline making "its return" you are borderline suggesting that Mk.2 is not a new business, but a reincarnation of the old one!!:ok: Using the term "brand" - one that I detest - is probably more accurate.

Fully aware of the situation :O but bearing in mind that so far all of the Dashes that have entered service with BEE Mk2 are from BEE Mk1 (a situation that looks like it's going to change soon) and that they have the same ICAO code and callsign, those who are less up to speed on the details could be forgiven for thinking otherwise :ok:

News leaking out on social media that a SOU base is to be confirmed (not sure on timing, but suspect for W22)

Was that not posted by "SeanM" on Twitter a few months ago?

He posted on 12th June...."UNCONFIRMED: Are Flybe looking at launching a Southampton base? Looking at slots - they seem interested in adding Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey, Manchester and Newcastle in Winter 2022 (in addition to keeping Belfast City), and who knows what else. Of course, this is very early days"

So looks like that was speculation based on slot applications?

Bit conflicted by this. T3 absolutely need to be pushed out of the airport with the way they just cancel flights when they want and I guess LM do charge a lot using there little 145s but wouldn’t want SOU becoming completely dominated by BE again. Not healthy for an airport to be so reliant on one airline.

I can’t think SOU management will let that concentration happen again, now having a pretty balanced airline customer group including KLM, BA CityFlyer, Aer Lingus by Emerald, Loganair, Aurigny and Blue Islands. They just need a bit more leisure capacity, Air France in some shape and then Aer Lingus Regional on DUB as well as BHD.

Eastern do seem to have sealed their own fate at SOU with things like suspending Manchester for two months (during rail strikes and Heathrow disruption too) suggesting that they’re less than serious.

Chucking Flybe into the middle of this mix and them competing with almost everyone else - KLM, Loganair, Emerald, Blue Islands and so - will just cause no end of mess and potentially some long term damage. We‘be all seen routes go from one carrier to two and then to none.

And how would SOU management stop it happening?

Appears BHD-MAN has been removed from sale from mid Aug.

Good old Twitter! Well that didn’t last long. Whats next for the chop

Agree, looking at the near empty apron a week ago if someone comes along and indicates that they are going to base 2, 3 or more aircraft they are going to welcome them with open arms, together with the start up incentive deals.

Any airport is able to use commercial terms - discounts from the published fees - to influence airline route behaviour to a greater or lesser extent. I’d heard a few airports were taking a cautious approach to Flybe. I’m sure if they roll up at SOU wanting to fly to Paris, La Rochelle and maybe even Dublin and Manchester then a deal would be on the table. Amsterdam, Jersey, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow ? Not so sure.

SOU don’t care which airline operates what route, if the deal is right for them they will welcome whomever with open arms, fact!

SOU as a profit-seeking company should care very much about ensuring no single airline customer is too dominant in their business, unless SOU receives very good terms from that customer (eg airline pays full published price for SOU's services with fees paid for several months up front in a deposit account). SOU learned the hard way in the last 2 years why this is important

But how do they control that without falling foul of anti-competition rules?

Its also not just as simple as saying we want to fly from A - B airport. The airports may offer some deals, the company may be happy to pay full rates on fees.. but is there a market for it? Over the last few years we've seen a lot of companies saying they will do this, that and the other on the regional market and it doesn't always come through.

Business travel has changed the whole market has changed, routes that historically were very good maybe not so much now, where as other routes can charge a premium and they will still have good loads. CI's and BHD out of SOU are good examples of this. You cant drive easily to either, and both have good load factors and the CIs dont have cheap fares by any means.

Simply not true. Do you think the runway extension which has been many years in the making was for BEs benefit? They clearly want to attract one of the big low cost airlines which would be completely game changing for the airport and the local area. Having a BE base makes it a harder sell for SOU.

Of course SOU are not going to turn away business and can’t do much even if they wanted to but the routes hinted at above are all routes already served by other airlines and would clearly indicate BEs intentions to come into SOU and push all other competition out and have a monopoly again. There are still a fair routes left unserved like CDG, MAN etc. Whilst the incumbent carriers aren’t the best, outside KLM, this is not healthy for any airport. I’d like to think BE, EZY and KLM could all operate at SOU together. BE for regional routes, EZY to Europe and KLM to offer the world connections. I suspect they would all want to fly to AMS though so not going to happen.

I repeat, SOU doesn’t care who operates what routes as long as its financially viable and commercially successful, this I know. I agree that another BE monopoly would not be ideal although footfall through the terminal is ultimately king. Also remember BE or any other regional are not in competition with the likes of EZY and there is very much room for both!

BE and KL co-existed quite happily before. As did BE/AF. A mutually beneficial relationship with BE feeding the hubs and KL/AF underpinning the BE operation. Makes sense to me and suits all parties.