Yay! Despite the economic depression this was very much a gap in the market for MAN-ATH, although 2 weekly is rather conservative. MAN has been doing well at attracting new airlines like Egyptaie and constant FR and EZY expansion.
Aegean are expanding an awful lot, can they afford to do this with all the economic issues? Particularly attracting leisure and not business clientelle.
Well, perhaps it makes sense to fly a route not in direct competition with BA. I've been trying to find a way to fly A3 now that I have GOLD status, but I can never find a good fare and time (which means A3 planes aren't empty, at least). It's not worth it to pay £200 when you get a flexible ticket on BA for 20K avios + £30. (Note that this is the same price for MAN-ATH)
MAN-ATH makes sense for A3 and will be increased subject to performance. MAN was always a route OA tried to make work back in the day but failed due to lack of management and vision like lots of things in state controlled OA.
This should do well for them lets hope with the predicted increase in tourism to Greece this year of 20% that MAN-ATH benefits too.
