FlyBE LHR slots returned to BA
 

Apparently, FlyBE's LHR slots have returned to BA according to this tweet and ACL's slot swap sheet:

Twitter

https://www.acl-uk.org/wp-content/up...-S20-BE-BA.pdf

So what is BA going to do with the slots?

BA must be thrilled by the timing.

I am correct in thinking that T5 is at capacity?

I imagine we'll see a new route - LHR-LGW

The only thing I’d say is that BA have a longer term vision and can cope with a few unwanted slots for a month or two. It’ll mean they get extra slots for later in the year which will be useful.

on the date range, it says from 11th May. Have they got some alleviation from the beginning of the summer season to then?

LHR - LCY would be nice.

Brilliant timing. BA must be delighted.

I wonder if they'll run something purely to keep competitors out if the slot rules aren't relaxed?

Unless another airline asks to use the slots. It must be a nightmare for BA to have those slots. They should be ready to use them (fleet, crews, etc.) as soon as they get them but then they should release them as soon as someone else wants them.

Does this mean that those slots immediately become part of the 'use it or lose it' allowance? If so, ouch!

LHR-JER? We have plenty of gate availability after BE’s demise.

Whether it would ever prove profitable is a different question. It was tried before by BMI. I doubt BA could fill an A319 on a daily basis - do they have anything smaller and spare? Or might they lease something suitable? And yet there must be a tourist market from the west of London?

An early and late rotation to connect to TATL? Do we really need 5-a-day to LGW? One can dream.

Previously, when BA were unclear of the permanence of these exact slots, they wet leased a 737 (Jet Time IIRC) to do some slot sitting. Times are obviously different now, given that wet leases are likely to be covering Max operators! Could BA be forced into keeping some of those A319s a little longer?

Exactly my question - if so then ouch! Have to say I expected a quicker relaxation on the use it or lose it rule in light of the climate movement - easy way for the regulators to allow a quick win [let alone that many airlines are likely to need all the help they can get to stay alive!].

The "use it or lose it" rules are likely to be significantly relaxed, at least in the short term, due to the current Covid19 crisis.

(They have already been relaxed for flights to/from China & Hong Kong)

My guess be that they rapidly increase U.K. domestic flying in the short term as that will mainly fill the void left by flybe. ABZ, INV, EDI, GLA, BHD and MAN can fairly easily absorb additional rotations especially once the current Heath issues start to subside.

there is also the possibility that BA could well tender to operate the recently vacated pso, for which I admit x4 daily on an a319 is probably too much, however I don’t think that the wording states all 4 rotations per day have to be operated to the same airport so potentially they could do x2 LHR, & 1 each for LCY & LGW and I think still meet the terms of the pso contract.

the other option would be to contract stk in a similar way that EI use them ex DUB.......

cs

If BA want something smaller than a 319, I assume that FlyBE's fleet is up for grabs?