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Post by vctr on Nov 16, 2013 19:56:19 GMT 1
Given flybe are closing many bases surely talk of opening a base at LPL for just one route which has competition is a tad optimistic, even if it is with MAN based crew?
The MAN base now has to backfill many flights that were previously flown by non-based aircraft, so where is this 'spare' Dash-8 in the MAN system is supposed to come from that could become LPL based/overnighted?
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Post by robaero on Nov 16, 2013 20:26:00 GMT 1
Given flybe are closing many bases surely talk of opening a base at LPL for just one route which has competition is a tad optimistic, even if it is with MAN based crew? The MAN base now has to backfill many flights that were previously flown by non-based aircraft, so where is this 'spare' Dash-8 in the MAN system is supposed to come from that could become LPL based/overnighted? Flybe has at least 3 aircraft based on the Isle of Man so where are these aircraft going Man ? BHX ? going off lease maybe ? they won`t want aircraft sitting around in store when the are paying leasing fees !
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Post by vctr on Nov 16, 2013 20:47:00 GMT 1
The E195's are coming off lease so the E175 will be used to backfill those and then the Dash-8 into some E175 routes.
Im nit suggesting LPL will loose its route, as a W pattern is likely if it makes enough money for flybe, however I do think talk of a based aircraft is a tad optimistic given the amount of bases that are closing.
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Post by LPL on Nov 16, 2013 21:24:41 GMT 1
The timings of flights on the LPL/IOM route after the IOM base is closed will decide whether the route continues or not.
If FlyBe operate the route with timing close to that of the EZY flights may lead to few passengers.
Parking an aircraft overnight at LPL and using MAN crews is not a full blown base as such.
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Post by vctr on Nov 16, 2013 21:56:49 GMT 1
I think its going to be a wait and see scenario.
With the number of bases cut yet no sign of a large cull in routes, the planners have a huge task on their hands on how to switch round routes between former bases (ei MAN-ABZ used to be ABZ crew, will now have to be MAN crew), so, linking non base routes together, such as LPL-IOM is going to be an even bigger headache.
So with 12 MAN staff being laid off, yet more work for them to now cover in the form of previously non-based routes, its hard to see how crews can be spared to also run a completely stand alone route down the road.
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Post by LPL on Nov 17, 2013 0:07:46 GMT 1
The 12 staff may not be crews, it maybe engineers or admin staff.
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Post by vctr on Nov 17, 2013 12:06:56 GMT 1
Whilst you re right the staff losses could be anyone, I read somewhere majority of redundancies were pilots due to low work rate hours compared to other airlines.
Other than crew not a lot of other staff at MAN, most ramp/engineering etc is now outsourced (engineering handed over to Monarch a few months ago)
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Post by ronturner on Nov 17, 2013 12:08:38 GMT 1
Its simple.
Either Flybe will continue the route with a "W" rotation, or it will be abandoned to somebody else. There is no chance of LPL being included as a stop on some other route. To start with, that's inconvenient to passengers from other start points, and LPL has demonstrated a lamentable lack of ability to sustain any other UK routes, (Except for the sea crossing to Belfast)
If timetabling will allow "W" rotation in Flybe planning, that would be my best guess. If not, they will surely aim to put their passengers through Manchester. The IOM government will have some influence in all this, but limited, not decisive.
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Post by speedbird1960 on Nov 17, 2013 13:52:11 GMT 1
Flybe to make 179 pilots redundant and close six UK bases. All other bases except Manchester will see a reduction in pilot numbers. Knock-on effects on routes are not yet known.Read more: www.pilotcareernews.com/flybe-to-make-179-pilots-redundant-and-close-six-uk-bases/I have just checked Flybe's website and LPL-IOM is bookable up to the date below. Liverpool (LPL) to Isle of Man (IOM) Tuesday 09 September 2014 Depart 08:15 Arrive 08:55 £ 20.03
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Post by vctr on Nov 25, 2013 17:18:37 GMT 1
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steh
Full Member
Posts: 145
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Post by steh on Nov 25, 2013 20:48:23 GMT 1
I find it difficult to believe Flybe's claims from that article that they operate 4 year round and 7 seasonal routes from the Isle of Man yet only make a profit from one of them. I'd imagine they'll be happy to let someone else take the hospital contract, they have form for walking away from Liverpool before.
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Post by LPL on Nov 25, 2013 23:49:06 GMT 1
Its obvious to me that Flybe are not playing with a straight bat.
How they say the LPL route isnt in profit when they get to what amount to a £1.5million subsidy when even with a cursory glance at their website show very similar pricing structure to MAN.
They are aiming to do what the charters have done over the years and go to MAN and take the £1.5million with them.
However the IOM Government may call their bluff and let EZY take up the contract as they obviously have selected the Liverpool area hospitals as their hospitals of choice.
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Post by baldyman26 on Nov 26, 2013 12:53:41 GMT 1
It's just a guess but I think the "not viable" bit is possibly to avoid any contract penalties should they walk away. Fly be have wanted away from Liverpool ever since they came here. Presumably they couldn't just walk away, but if they cut the route along with others, maybe that is the business case they have to prove to avoid paying back some of the subsidy. On the subject of EZY, would they see the IOM-LPL route as a route for profitable expansion. My feeling is if it wasn't worth their while it would've been pulled a long time ago, or is the future of the route with a smaller operator.
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Post by 737tony1 on Nov 26, 2013 13:41:10 GMT 1
I think liverpool should think about changing it's name to Liverpool QUEEN airport "another one bites the dust" although Imagine is quite a good slogan for them.
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Post by charlie on Nov 26, 2013 15:52:35 GMT 1
fly be have always been a non committal company to this area,MAN has always been their airport of choice,and this opting out of LPL just sums that up,they as a company have never strengthened its ties but has always tried to find ways of severing them here,to be honest its a company we will not lose any sleep over,and maybe EZE may take up the reins,which Fly be cannot handle as it scurries off to MAN
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