rhysflies

By the time a runway would be built traffic levels are likely to be up again so I'm not sure that's right.....

South London Bon Viveur

I am sure it will re-open in some shape of form at some point. It will be a reduced and limited service initially but will build back up over a period of months and years. Indeed, given that Gatters is less dependent on business travel than LHR, it may even be better placed to bounce back. I don't think the good British people are that keen on staycations (notwithstanding the beautiful countryside we have) and you certainly can/t get tanned or Brahms & Liszt via Zoom

LGWClosedAgain

You're right but if there's one thing British people love move than a week in the sun, it's "free" healthcare, something they may only be able to obtain with a staycation..

I'm not sure what limitations are on the EHIC now but I would expect travel insurance/medical cover will be very big limiting factor that will be pushing lots of people towards a staycation this year.

Dr Dave

Presumably this is another nail in the coffin of the 737Max "order" from IAG.

BAeuro

I don’t think BA will leave LGW. We’ve been here before and they just trim back the network and make a few cost cutting changes. I think it would be a short sighted move, especially given how many slots they’ve recently picked up at Gatwick.

There will be demand for holidays after this, as most will have missed their summer holiday this year, and BA will want to tap into this market. It was after the financial crisis in 2008 that BA launched the Maldives and Punta Cana to get into the premium leisure market. A few will probably move to LHR, some others cut, but ultimately I think it will still be the main bucket and spade base.

I also have seen some messages and information from BA and to me it doesn’t seem like they’ve said Gatwick may not open again. It seemed to be, we don’t know when we will be able to resume operations again (aka when will this be over). Probably more of a story to get readers.

allturnleft

Makes sense to hibernate at the moment
Remove as many cost centres as possible
Get rid of staff , remove infrastructure
When the green shoots appear almost start from scratch , this probably works out cheaper
in the long run

LGW ltd must be nervous though?? They will probably need bailing out

paulaf

I really hope you are right and they are trying to get Governement support as it will mean more redundancies for staff at the airport too in shops and security etc etc. I read people are booking/transferring lots of summer holidays to later in the year as they still want to go away at some point me included, and that business trips may suffer more due to people finding new ways of working.
Can anyone explain to me how the slots work eg I am interested in our flight LGW to PFO in September, if Gatwick closes can BA transfer this to LHR or do they lose the landing slot at PFO altogether? Thanks

BOH

But that may just be because BA will not give them their money back without a huge hassle and it just seems easier to re-book to a later date.

paulaf

For my 2 holidays cancelled I found the refund experience no problem, didn't have to do anything actually it all happened automatically so it does work well sometimes.

BAeuro

Don't quote me on this but I don’t think it matters where BA fly to Paphos from, as long as they use the slot. To be honest Paphos may not even be a slot controlled airport, in which case BA can just ask to fly whenever they want.

Keiran Newberry

OT but no, he won't. That isn't how financing projects like this work. HS2 is being funded by what is effectively a mortgage on its infrastructure. If it doesn't get built, the money doesn't exist

TedToToe

We live in hope!

BOH

Nor did I until around 1 month ago and got 3x flights refunded very quickly. But then the "Refund" button in MMB no longer deposited money back to my account but instead issued a voucher.

There is a whole thread in this forum on this topic and how BA are not automatically refunding cash anymore....you have seen that?

AlanA

BA are not the biggest user of Gatwick, it could move long haul to Heathrow and then move European to other airports?
would this be a way of. Consolidating contracts within BA into a single?
Gatwick I’m sure can survive as a regional airport, just like Birmingham has had to.

With BA retiring their large passenger volume aircraft lije the A380 and 747, would a leaner smaller capacity based aircraft range work at Heathrow? Would it give them more flexibility?

sjoh1271

Boeing was doing a good job preventing the 737Max ever flying for BA (or anyone) before Covid