Ideas about how British Airways will use the extra Gatwick slots.
Dec 22, 2017, 7:53 am
#46
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 126
Last summer they had about 504 slot pairs per week. They have purchased another 149 weekly slot pairs from Monarch. At peak this will enable about a total of 92 plus departures and 92 plus arrivals a day in Summer 2018. They plan to grow operations about 28%. They have already indicated there will be new destinations and increased frequencies on current routes. I expect some will replace lost Monarch capacity but most will be additions as Monarch operated quite a bit on similar European routes to BA.
Dec 22, 2017, 8:25 am
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: BA Executive Club
Posts: 1,036
I think the plan is to use most of the slots. Having spent £50 to £60 million on them they will want to earn some revenue!!! By next summer BA have a few new short haul aircraft arriving at LHR which will free up aircraft for Gatwick. Furthermore leases on others can be extended and retirements delayed. I'm not sure why you think BA spent money on slots it doesn't want to use.
Dec 22, 2017, 9:03 am
#48
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,065
Actually it's IAG that own the slots and they will distribute them amongst the airlines they own as they see fit and as they can use them. So potentially the slots could be used by Aer Lingus or Level or Vueling or Iberia. Quite what IAGs strategy is still shrouded in mystery. We do know the majority - so let's say 60% of the ex Monarxh slots will come to BA.
Dec 22, 2017, 9:51 am
#49
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 126
I think the plan is to use most of the slots. Having spent £50 to £60 million on them they will want to earn some revenue!!! By next summer BA have a few new short haul aircraft arriving at LHR which will free up aircraft for Gatwick. Furthermore leases on others can be extended and retirements delayed. I'm not sure why you think BA spent money on slots it doesn't want to use.
Dec 22, 2017, 10:01 am
#50
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Brisbane
Programs: BAEC Blue/Bronze, Krisflyer, Qantas
Posts: 419
I have no idea but might the options IAG have on the A350-1000 sort things out in the longer term? (i believe they have 18 firm for BA + 18 options?), so the lack of planes might only be a short-medium term issue?
Dec 22, 2017, 10:59 am
#51
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Berkhamsted, UK
Programs: EasyJet Flight Club
Posts: 127
On the short haul side, surely there must be a plan to replicate what is happening at Heathrow with upguaging from 319’s to 320’s and 321’s? Long Hul - full expecting more 777’s to be handed down and maybe a couple of route swaps with a couple of. Additions.
Dec 31, 2017, 3:27 am
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: BA Executive Club
Posts: 1,036
I would imagine we should be hearing about increased frequencies and new routes at Gatwick in the next few weeks. January and February are busy months for future holiday bookings. Any new destinations need some run in time before they commence. The new season timetable begins towards the end of March. Will be interesting to see what is announced.