Originally Posted by
salut0
Just what I was thinking -- these regional airports aren't being propped up with a US-style "essential air service" subsidy, for the most part. (Maybe that sort of thing does exist for the outer Hebrides or Shetland or who knows where...) So it is a question of running well-oiled operations to make a profit.
T3 -- I thought you meant BA's flights from LHR terminal 3. But I looked it up and saw you meant Eastern Airways. Their route network does look complementary to BA's own. Air Southwest looks a bit more of a budget airline than Eastern Airways. What are they like?
I Cant really comment on T3, but as for WOW.......
They use the same dh8-300's as previously operated by BA, however they have been upgraded recently to Q versions.
They are handled by BA at LGW (very well if im allowed to say) and previously at BRS. They offer a fairly simple onboard service which is buy on board, however the majority of the buy on board is westcountry sourced.
The fleet currently sits at 5 dh8-300's, which are based between PLH & NQY and currently serve around 14 destinations, all but one being UK/Eire. However i wouldnt be surprised to see something announced fairly soon regarding fleet and route expansion as Air Southwest's 6th Birthday is coming up on the 26th October.
I know that press statements etc shouldnt be beleived but if you read reports and interviews in the press and chat to the staff they do seem to be in a fairly good position, backed by a fairly good local firm which is listed on the stock exchange, so like i said....... expansion wouldnt surprise me, watch this space!!
As for Franchise with BA, i would love it, but i doubt it would happen at the moment, however codeshare with BA first, maybe ! Especially out of LGW & LCY.
There are plenty of rumours locally regarding the possibility of NQY/PLH routes into LHR which lets be honest would only happen if it was backed in some way by BA. There are also suggestions regarding new WOW routes from LGW and LCY but who knows!!
CS