easyJet buys GB Airways
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A sorry day!
Another one bites the dust! Well, as a regular GB passenger, having already booked post 30 March, I am looking forward to my full refund, and the opportunity to rebook on a mainline BA flight. The short haul market is already saturated by an array of low cost and charter operators! Some passengers, including me, do still like "frills", and don't mind paying a few pounds more for the privelege.
Thank you to all the brilliant GB Airways crew we have encountered over the last 5 years, good luck in whatever you do. You will be missed!
PS
Just had this email from GB Airways customer relations, shows you where they stand:
We are sorry to learn of your disappointment, to discuss your booking you will need to contact BA reservations, as your booking was made using BA miles the Exec Club reservations.
Regards
GB Airways
Thank you to all the brilliant GB Airways crew we have encountered over the last 5 years, good luck in whatever you do. You will be missed!
PS
Just had this email from GB Airways customer relations, shows you where they stand:
We are sorry to learn of your disappointment, to discuss your booking you will need to contact BA reservations, as your booking was made using BA miles the Exec Club reservations.
Regards
GB Airways
Last edited by Iainf1; 26th Oct 2007 at 15:26.
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A Gib point of view
From Vox-Online
In a move that may well eventually lead to fewer flights between Gatwick and Gibraltar, the controversial low-cost airline easyJet yesterday acquired GB Airways and its fleet of 15 aircraft from the Gaggero family's Bland Group for £103.5 million. The future of GB Airways employees is uncertain, as easyJet has already indicated that from March next year it intends to cut operating costs.
The deal will give the budget airline which is headquartered at Luton, an extra seven per cent of the flight slots at Gatwick, boosting its current 17 per cent share to 24 per cent. It will also acquire the historic "Beehive" headquarters of GB Airways - the original, 1930s art deco control tower and terminal at Gatwick.
In most recent takeovers in the industry the availability of slots - the number of daily flights in and out of major airports allotted to each airline - has been significant in determining both the success of the deal and the price. And though easyJet has switched its thrust from providing for low-cost holidaymakers on no-frills flights to an attempt to attract more business fliers who tend to buy more expensive ‘late bookings', this aspect of the Gibraltar pattern is unlikely to prove particularly attractive.
There will be nothing, other than a moral obligation, to prevent easyJet using its newly acquired slots at Gatwick and at other destinations in Europe, North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean to fly to and from different destinations. And the airline, founded 12 years ago by the ambitious Greek entrepreneur Stelios Ioanniou, has shown scant regard for sentiment. If easyJet can cut a flight to one destination and replace it with a more lucrative one elsewhere it will do so.
Following yesterday's cash purchase, GB will cease to operate as a franchisee of British Airways, which had first option to acquire the Bland-owned carrier. Clearly British Airways has no need to be tempted by slots - and the Heathrow slots it has used to feed the Gibraltar are not part of the deal - nor will the relatively low profits of GB Airways (£2.6 million, pre-tax from £250 million of sales) attract the bigger operator.
A further argument that the budget carrier is likely to use should it decide to cut the number of its flights to the Rock are the high landing charges at Gibraltar. Though these have been negotiated at lower levels than those set by the MoD in recent years, they remain higher than elsewhere in the region. And it is these high landing charges that in the past have deterred easyJet, RyanAir and Budget from flying to the Rock.
Interesting about the LGW slots & the 'Beehive'.
In a move that may well eventually lead to fewer flights between Gatwick and Gibraltar, the controversial low-cost airline easyJet yesterday acquired GB Airways and its fleet of 15 aircraft from the Gaggero family's Bland Group for £103.5 million. The future of GB Airways employees is uncertain, as easyJet has already indicated that from March next year it intends to cut operating costs.
The deal will give the budget airline which is headquartered at Luton, an extra seven per cent of the flight slots at Gatwick, boosting its current 17 per cent share to 24 per cent. It will also acquire the historic "Beehive" headquarters of GB Airways - the original, 1930s art deco control tower and terminal at Gatwick.
In most recent takeovers in the industry the availability of slots - the number of daily flights in and out of major airports allotted to each airline - has been significant in determining both the success of the deal and the price. And though easyJet has switched its thrust from providing for low-cost holidaymakers on no-frills flights to an attempt to attract more business fliers who tend to buy more expensive ‘late bookings', this aspect of the Gibraltar pattern is unlikely to prove particularly attractive.
There will be nothing, other than a moral obligation, to prevent easyJet using its newly acquired slots at Gatwick and at other destinations in Europe, North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean to fly to and from different destinations. And the airline, founded 12 years ago by the ambitious Greek entrepreneur Stelios Ioanniou, has shown scant regard for sentiment. If easyJet can cut a flight to one destination and replace it with a more lucrative one elsewhere it will do so.
Following yesterday's cash purchase, GB will cease to operate as a franchisee of British Airways, which had first option to acquire the Bland-owned carrier. Clearly British Airways has no need to be tempted by slots - and the Heathrow slots it has used to feed the Gibraltar are not part of the deal - nor will the relatively low profits of GB Airways (£2.6 million, pre-tax from £250 million of sales) attract the bigger operator.
A further argument that the budget carrier is likely to use should it decide to cut the number of its flights to the Rock are the high landing charges at Gibraltar. Though these have been negotiated at lower levels than those set by the MoD in recent years, they remain higher than elsewhere in the region. And it is these high landing charges that in the past have deterred easyJet, RyanAir and Budget from flying to the Rock.
Interesting about the LGW slots & the 'Beehive'.
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Indeed it is, although why Easyjet is controversial beats me. Perhaps the author of the piece couldn't think of another adjective.
On another point, I'm wondering why GB crews wouldn't be welcome at Easyjet? I've always found sectarianism in sport for instance, a touch forced and artificial - why would there be any here? It is after all just an airline, a company, and employer - hardly grounds by which to define ones self.
My two pennies worth, Easy is fine, but it's far from what it's been talked up to be on here. All I've read from Easy crews however, I must say, is factually accurate - although coming from an airline such as GB, I'm concerned that the Easyjet atmosphere (perhaps best described as pressured) may be but one of the things that could contribute to a pretty big culture shock. That said, the very best of luck to you all in whatever choices you make for yourselves
On another point, I'm wondering why GB crews wouldn't be welcome at Easyjet? I've always found sectarianism in sport for instance, a touch forced and artificial - why would there be any here? It is after all just an airline, a company, and employer - hardly grounds by which to define ones self.
My two pennies worth, Easy is fine, but it's far from what it's been talked up to be on here. All I've read from Easy crews however, I must say, is factually accurate - although coming from an airline such as GB, I'm concerned that the Easyjet atmosphere (perhaps best described as pressured) may be but one of the things that could contribute to a pretty big culture shock. That said, the very best of luck to you all in whatever choices you make for yourselves
So GB were faced with either trying to go on their own from Gatwick, which they probably recognised was a route to losses, or selling out. The fact that the Easy press release mainly talks about the value of the Gatwick slots shows that the inherent business had little value, it was just these chance assets that were most of the realisable worth. All the London area airports are now full, the only way to expand your business is to get slots from someone else.
Press comments speak about the "acquisition of 15 aircraft", but these were not owned and will presumably go back to the lessor at the first opportunity as they are not compatible with the rest of the Easy fleet.
Do British Airways intend to start up on any of the routes under their own name ?
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PABS that was a joke right. BA citiexpress was not BA...by any stretch!
Yeah roster stability is better than a couple of months ago, but my level of knackeredness is also stable. 700 hrs a year my arse, always rostered over 80 hrs personally...this month is great 98.35 in 28 days!!!!!!
Get changed onto HCT alot and with my leave etc am running at approx 830 hrs a year on average.
I really do feel for the GB guys, it sounded like a lovely airline and was one of the last name not a number type outfits.
Easy is alright but not great. C
P pay deal just accepted. Based on the company saying that they couldnt afford a better one due to market forces etc...or maybe they wanted our payrise to spend 100 odd million on another airline to earn those hard working shareholders and directors even more money!
Oh well better go, off to bed soon (before the kids) for the 3rd time this week at 8pm. Only 2 more earlies after tomorrow...then a whole three days off to recover before my 5 four sector days next week!
Lets not wrap the company up in cotton wool, it is what it is. None of my friends who have left regret it...I dont regret joining, but I am looking forward to leaving! Just a small matter of some share money to wait for!
All the best to all the GB crews....the people at EZY are great. The company is not!
Yeah roster stability is better than a couple of months ago, but my level of knackeredness is also stable. 700 hrs a year my arse, always rostered over 80 hrs personally...this month is great 98.35 in 28 days!!!!!!
Get changed onto HCT alot and with my leave etc am running at approx 830 hrs a year on average.I really do feel for the GB guys, it sounded like a lovely airline and was one of the last name not a number type outfits.
Easy is alright but not great. C
P pay deal just accepted. Based on the company saying that they couldnt afford a better one due to market forces etc...or maybe they wanted our payrise to spend 100 odd million on another airline to earn those hard working shareholders and directors even more money!Oh well better go, off to bed soon (before the kids) for the 3rd time this week at 8pm. Only 2 more earlies after tomorrow...then a whole three days off to recover before my 5 four sector days next week!
Lets not wrap the company up in cotton wool, it is what it is. None of my friends who have left regret it...I dont regret joining, but I am looking forward to leaving! Just a small matter of some share money to wait for!
All the best to all the GB crews....the people at EZY are great. The company is not!
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This is the state of GB Airbus fleet, from EasyJets Transition outline.
9 x A320s (8 operating lease, 1 sale and leaseback),
6 x A321s (2 sale and leaseback, 4 debt financed),
5 deliveries between June 08 and October 09.
So when the flights start under the orange brand at the end of March they will only have a max of 14 aircraft from GB, as one A321 will leave in Feb 08.
Here is part of the last set of results.
"Based upon its statutory accounts under UK GAAP for the year ended 31 March 2007, GB Airways reported profit before tax of £2.6 million and EBITDAR of £35 million on revenues of £250 million; it carried 2.8 million passengers; had gross assets of £182 million and net assets of £33 million".
9 x A320s (8 operating lease, 1 sale and leaseback),
6 x A321s (2 sale and leaseback, 4 debt financed),
5 deliveries between June 08 and October 09.
So when the flights start under the orange brand at the end of March they will only have a max of 14 aircraft from GB, as one A321 will leave in Feb 08.
Here is part of the last set of results.
"Based upon its statutory accounts under UK GAAP for the year ended 31 March 2007, GB Airways reported profit before tax of £2.6 million and EBITDAR of £35 million on revenues of £250 million; it carried 2.8 million passengers; had gross assets of £182 million and net assets of £33 million".
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A321s??
Looks like the leased A321s are to stay in BA colours to operate the AGP, FAO etc, from next March 30th, on the 'new' BA routes ex-LGW for mainline Gatwick .... rumours from the top! EZY doesn't want them???
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I'm sure easyjet is a nice enough place to work but you can see why the GB crews will be gutted by the news.
Their Ts and Cs are (were) better than easyjet's in every way. What can they possibly be upbeat about except keeping a job.
If they wanted to work for easyjet they would have gone years ago and replaced some of the easyjet pilots who have been leaving.
Their Ts and Cs are (were) better than easyjet's in every way. What can they possibly be upbeat about except keeping a job.
If they wanted to work for easyjet they would have gone years ago and replaced some of the easyjet pilots who have been leaving.
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They can be upbeat that they retain a stable job rather than face redundancy, moving base, moving seats and all the upset that even the chance of these things causes.
There are chill winds blowing in from the West and I think the game in 2008 will be to find a secure chair as the music stops.
There are chill winds blowing in from the West and I think the game in 2008 will be to find a secure chair as the music stops.
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Looks like the leased A321s are to stay in BA colours to operate the AGP, FAO etc, from next March 30th, on the 'new' BA routes ex-LGW for mainline Gatwick .... rumours from the top! EZY doesn't want them???
As AH has said before, Airbus are busy and we only have 10-12 A319s being delivered next year. Surely this would mean that to fill the slots we'll need to hang on to the GB a/c, at least for the short term.
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Of course EZY want the larger a/c have on very good source that there will be consolidation on many routes.
But also A321 will be used on key routes such as AMS, MAD, MXP and BCN, allowing other aircraft to be used elsewhere......
But also A321 will be used on key routes such as AMS, MAD, MXP and BCN, allowing other aircraft to be used elsewhere......
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There are chill winds blowing in from the West and I think the game in 2008 will be to find a secure chair as the music stops.
Good luck to all the GB people, looking forward to working with hopefully most if not all of you next year.
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Thanks for the welcome guys,............ really appreciate it,......... takes the edge off things
I hope that GB pilots are welcomed like GO pilots were, with a nice little cheque!!
On a different note, seeing as we are in a period of negotiation with easy, is there anything that gets on yer t*ts collectively, that you would like to see change? (thinking operationally)Perhaps we have a similar situation, and are in a position to negotiate,......... and return the nice welcome!!
Willy
I hope that GB pilots are welcomed like GO pilots were, with a nice little cheque!!
On a different note, seeing as we are in a period of negotiation with easy, is there anything that gets on yer t*ts collectively, that you would like to see change? (thinking operationally)Perhaps we have a similar situation, and are in a position to negotiate,......... and return the nice welcome!!
Willy
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Not quite right...
Sorry, few@two - need to correct your comments abouts 321 (and presumably 320's) operating non ex-GB routes. At todays forum it was stated that GB-Ops Dept., *will* stay at the Beehive "beyond March 2008" and probably until "end Summer 2008 season". They said GB aircraft/routes will be run separately, by what is currently known as "GB-Ops" until the end of Summer 2008. This will be achieved using the current fleet of aircraft (pending end of lease and new deliveries).
Also heard that the first "Easyjet, fully-logo'd A321" will be delivered new from the factory in February 2008". - subject to the whole deal passing the Competition Commission of course.
Interestingly, as per todays FAQ from KH (posted to us at our home addresses) which stated that if the GB/EJ deal DOESN'T actually go thru "GB will RESUME the BA franchise".... Probably an unthought out comment based on the principal it will *probably* go thru...?
Also heard that the first "Easyjet, fully-logo'd A321" will be delivered new from the factory in February 2008". - subject to the whole deal passing the Competition Commission of course.
Interestingly, as per todays FAQ from KH (posted to us at our home addresses) which stated that if the GB/EJ deal DOESN'T actually go thru "GB will RESUME the BA franchise".... Probably an unthought out comment based on the principal it will *probably* go thru...?
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Assuming it all goes to the wire, and the deal falls through at the last minute, then GB will resume the Franchise arangment,.......... for all of half a season until it expires!!! Then what!!
Dont think that is likely though,............ easy got these things sussed,.......
Besides, in my time at GB, I have never felt that BA appreciated, valued, or liked the work that GB did,........ so do I wanna work for a "parent" company that doesnt appreciate me, certainly not. This is a step forward in my eyes,.......... we are wanted at easy, that is clear,........ but as Will Bored puts it, it would be nicer with a cheque
Dont think that is likely though,............ easy got these things sussed,.......
Besides, in my time at GB, I have never felt that BA appreciated, valued, or liked the work that GB did,........ so do I wanna work for a "parent" company that doesnt appreciate me, certainly not. This is a step forward in my eyes,.......... we are wanted at easy, that is clear,........ but as Will Bored puts it, it would be nicer with a cheque
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Sorry, few@two - need to correct your comments abouts 321 (and presumably 320's) operating non ex-GB routes. At todays forum it was stated that GB-Ops Dept., *will* stay at the Beehive "beyond March 2008" and probably until "end Summer 2008 season". They said GB aircraft/routes will be run separately, by what is currently known as "GB-Ops" until the end of Summer 2008. This will be achieved using the current fleet of aircraft (pending end of lease and new deliveries).
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The great north/south divide...
Wex, it won't be "one big happy family" until Oct 2008, by which time (in theory) all crews will have been cross-trained.
Ref the North/South divide, I *suspect* GB will fill the void (space wise) in the South Terminal left by the departure of most of the US carriers to LHR come April.
Ref the North/South divide, I *suspect* GB will fill the void (space wise) in the South Terminal left by the departure of most of the US carriers to LHR come April.