Why don't any of the LCC's serve the IOM

[stalling attitude]

Just wondered why the lcc's seem to have avoided the IOM . I know the runway isn't the longest in the world but from what i remember of my time there the islanders were calling out for some competition on the London route in particular. Is it difficult for a non- Manx carrier to get rights to operate into the island ?

[WHBM]

Well what about Flybe, certainly trades as a LCC, routes to London (City), Belfast and Bristol. And they're a non-Manx carrier.

Given the population of the IOM, I'm surprised they have as many services as they do have.

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

You've got to be joking.

Tiny population, most of whom are wealthy, needing travel to the City or hoping a tiny distance to the Mainland.

LCC's need big populations, people who are price sensitive, wanting to travel to not-expensive airports over reasonable jet distances.

Flybe say they are a low cost airline in one breath whilst in the next they are a traditional regional airline that has some premium niche routes. There are only 2 normal low cost airlines in the UK and they are Ryanair and easyJet. The others a low cost operating units of airlines with interests outside the sector.

Cheers

WWW

[Zulu]

Hmmm...how does a night Athens fit into that model then?!

[ALLMCC]

Flybe serve IOM fairly well and, at least, quote transparent fares which is more than can be said for others - if the chaos and fragmentation that "others" have caused in the N Ireland market is anything to go by then the "island" is better off without them!

[Groundloop]

"Tiny population, most of whom are wealthy" - probably quite o few islanders who would not agree with that last bit!

Don't forget traffic is two-way. What about mainlanders who would like to visit IOM for short breaks, weekends, etc?

[whitingiom]

Euromanx are currently trying to match the boat fares on the LPL route, however I'm pretty sure that they'll inevitably go up. They've just introduced ATR's but I wonder how full they'll be.

Ryan & Ezy have both held talks with IoM Govt I think, but can never secure as good a deal as they want - good old BA has announced it will only operate Luton, LGW & MCR from the spring, but having travelled regularly for about 14 years, the load factors can't be that exciting! Obviously trying to keep their longhaul traffic through LGW & MCR.

The lowest load record I think was 2 pax & 3 cabin crew on an Emerald 748 in the late 90's!

We all grumble about travel costs (national sport) but actually if you asked most residents they only fly 3 or 4 times a year, so you wouldn't make much money.

Happy landings from the Isle

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

Come on the place is stuffed full of tax exiles and bankers. They form a large proportion of the airline ticket buying populace.

IOM is not a serious tourist destination is it? Hardest job in the world I imagine - being the Tourism Officer for IOM...

Night Athens is the exception that proves the rule.

People, EZY doesn't yet have a base in, say, the whole of ITALY or SPAIN. I doubt very much whether the Isle of Man features very much in the planning bunker.

Cheers

WWW

[eastern wiseguy]

the harbour information officer Allmcc wrote.....

if the chaos and fragmentation that "others" have caused in the N Ireland market

WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?? without PROPER lo co's the likes of Jersey would still be putting the bat up the population of NI'S collective ar$e ......try getting a cheap fare from harbour to LHR ...then you will see the benefit of no competition.....

[spanner the cat]

There is too much competion on the Island as it is. LCC's wouldn't find enough trade to fill their planes regularly. Manx used to have reasonably full ATP's between IOM and LPL but that was only 68 seats. There are considerably more bums to put on seats on a 737 and LCCs wouldn't be interested in the types that they would be able to fill. The Manx govt should knock their open skies policy on the head and concetrate on building up an operator with a stake in the Island. I don't believe EuroManx should be that operator yet as it still needs to become a proper airline and not an oversized air-taxi operator.

[Sir Stanley Bigh]

Emerald are back on the LPL - IOM route as a low cost carrier using ATPs. Booking site www.flyjem.com

[er82]

Flybe offer about 4 flights a day from IOM to LCY. Not sure how much the fares are as I only fly the planes there myself - have never wished to travel there as a pax. Think the number of flights will be dropping soon, what with the JER a/c being pulled off the route. So it'll only be served by the BHD crew now. 2 flights in the morning and 1 in the afternoon - unless the commercial dept have something else planned.

[dicksynormous]

Because you've all got three legs and wont fit in the seat.:cool:

Also the quick turn arounds will be hampered by your jake the pegging it up the steps, now get back to your sheep.:}

[PAXboy]

I have been travelling to the IOM for over 20 years, from LHR and LTN, as my retired mother lives there now.

Money on the island? Yes a fair amount but many pensioners are not well off and cost is always an issue for my mother. For me? As I am self-employed, money is not always to hand when I need to visit her. The LTN route has been the best for convenience and, if I can book far enough ahead, for cost. The lowest I can get these days is around the £80 mark but my mother once had to pay the full £250 when her mother was seriously ill.

I cannot see any LCC gaining enough pax to make a daily rotation of a 737 possible. As I understand it, they plan for a minimum of one rotation to start a route and expansion thereafter. If you have laid on ground handling, publicity and all the rest of it, a single daily rotation will not give the return that they need.

The LCY route should be a good-ish one for them and STN has many onward holiday connections. MAN does well because of the rail and air connections but the destinations are going to be split across the the whole of the UK and not give the concentration for the LCCs. It is correct that both EZY and RYR have spoken to the Govt there but no deal.

--------------------
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

[whitingiom]

Rumour has it that Euromanx may be utilising a 146 on the LPL route....we'll see over the Bank Hol/TT period