OT: Branson cuddles up to BA’s Rod
Nov 28, 2004, 9:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Scotland, UK
Posts: 158
OT: Branson cuddles up to BA’s Rod
Sorry, I know this isn't miles related, but thought it was of interest.
Sunday Times (UK) today:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspap...378063,00.html
I think you need to be registered, so here's the gen;
"BA has agreed to babysit a set of precious runway slots — Heathrow’s are the hottest property in commercial aviation — while Virgin builds up its fleet and route network.
The deal has stunned airline executives. “It shows how times have changed. The lion has laid down with the lamb,” one said last night.
The three pairs of prime slots, out of a set of four Virgin bought for a reported £20m, have been handed to BA for up to three years.
The deal was sealed last weekend during an international slots conference in Boston. Virgin purchased the slots from FlyBe, a British airline, and Air France last year, but did not have the aircraft or route rights to use them immediately...
...The Boston accord will see BA take over the slots, with Virgin taking them back as its fleet grows. The first set is due to be handed back in October next year, with the last returning to Virgin in three years.
Neither company would comment last night. Discussions on slot agreements are notoriously sensitive, with the European Commission still regarding slot trading as illegal."
Perhaps we'll see reciprocal ff program benefits negotiated on these routes?
Sunday Times (UK) today:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspap...378063,00.html
I think you need to be registered, so here's the gen;
"BA has agreed to babysit a set of precious runway slots — Heathrow’s are the hottest property in commercial aviation — while Virgin builds up its fleet and route network.
The deal has stunned airline executives. “It shows how times have changed. The lion has laid down with the lamb,” one said last night.
The three pairs of prime slots, out of a set of four Virgin bought for a reported £20m, have been handed to BA for up to three years.
The deal was sealed last weekend during an international slots conference in Boston. Virgin purchased the slots from FlyBe, a British airline, and Air France last year, but did not have the aircraft or route rights to use them immediately...
...The Boston accord will see BA take over the slots, with Virgin taking them back as its fleet grows. The first set is due to be handed back in October next year, with the last returning to Virgin in three years.
Neither company would comment last night. Discussions on slot agreements are notoriously sensitive, with the European Commission still regarding slot trading as illegal."
Perhaps we'll see reciprocal ff program benefits negotiated on these routes?
Nov 28, 2004, 10:04 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: anywhere but here
Programs: LH au VS au BMI au
Posts: 2,375
its not that strange - its an appreciating asset and BA can use them immediatley -- If they arent used BA loses £20m. BA is the only airline at LHR who could fill the slots immediateldy - VS needs more planes and more destinations.