Eastern Airways for sale

[bmibaby.com]

I have heard a rumour that Eastern Airways is to be put up for sale this autumn but I have a few questions:

1. Who already own Eastern Airways?
2. Are they profitable?
3. What are their future plans?

[skytravel]

Most of their Jetstream aircraft are ex-BA Citiexpress. Have you been on their website? http://www.easternairways.com/ maybe you'll find more info there

[expedite_climb]

Heard a rumour that BA were going to buy them. Maybe then merge them with citiexpress ?? :p :p :p

[Joe Curry]

Air Kilroe own Eastern?

[BALU53]

In view of a possibility of Eastern Airways being up for "possible" sale, are they starting to sell off some of the Jetstream 32, as one of these transitted through JER after re-registering on its way to Rumania:confused:. If this is the case, are they trying to sell off all the little Jetstreams before they "possibly" go ahead, in view of the large amount of J41s they have recieved...?

It would be of commercial sence to have types of aircraft with similar seating capacities as the J41 and the E135 when un-serviceabilities come about. :ok:

[bmibaby.com]

They´re very much a specialist airline with much of their route network and fleet being cast offs from British Airways CitiExpress.

If CitiExpress thought the routes were unprofitable and unloaded the J41, why would it make financial sense for Eastern to operate them?

Unless of course they´re planning to take a flybe approach?

[BAe 146-100]

Hi,

How come T3's fares are so expensive?

BAe 146-100

[TartinTon]

T3's fares are expensive because that's how they make money. They operate small aircraft on thin, commuter routes providing a service to the business community and therefore charge "business" type fares. They have to do this to survive. It's the same idea as when BA used to get slated for charging high fares to some of the islands in Scotland. If it wasn't commercially viable to operate then the service wouldn't exist at all, hence the high fares.

[Chillwinston]

If the rumour is true, whom would be intrested, depressed market and all that?

Reasons for sale?

[Shed Driver]

Have heard 2 mirrored rumours on the ramp at EDI, that Scotair and taking them over, and that Eastern are taking over Scot... take your pick. :p

[niknak]

The reason Eastern's fares are "expensive", is because for the majority of their routes, they are operating where a road or rail journey would be significantly, if not infinately longer, AND, the air fares are only slightly more than the first class rail fare.
They are aimed at the business traveller, who's time is money.

e.g. Norwich - Manchester, cheapest restricted return 1st class fare - £95, time 5 hours.
Cheapest return air fare £141, time 45 mins.

The same applies to the vast majority of their other routes.

Is the airline for sale? I haven't a clue, I suppose every business is for sale at the right price, but Eastern are one of the few UK domestic airlines who have the right formula, and they'd be daft to change it for anyone.

[Thrush]

Owned, I believe, by 2 guys from the east coast. Brian Huxford and Richard Lake. RL sells used military jets (Strikematers etc) and BH sells used cars, and has a dealership in Lincolnshire.

BH is the same as in the ill-fated Genair that went pop.

[harryf]

The boys being a pair of second hand salesmen, could well be putting the business up for sale. Rumours abound that BA are about to shed another load of rubbish from the domestic scene. I guess Eastern could take it on. For Sale, no business is ever not for sale.....just waiting for the right offer!:)

[Chillwinston]

Thrush Owned

" I believe, by 2 guys from the east coast. Brian Huxford and Richard Lake. RL sells used military jets (Strikematers etc) and BH sells used cars, and has a dealership in Lincolnshire.

BH is the same as in the ill-fated Genair that went pop. "

BH was the owner of Eastern before being taken over by General Relays (Crewe) Ltd, owners of Genair, was I believe the MD of Genair but left the company before the company entered administration in 84.

He did own a sucessful electrical company in Grimsby some years ago.

[dundoniandean]

Joe Curry

Didn't Eastern buy Air Kilroe? I'm almost certain it was that way round.

[Chillwinston]

Air Kilroe was bought by BH / RL to get access to there AOC, Air Kilroe operate the charter flights, Eastern the scheduled routes.