Easyjet had to pull the shorter internal flights such as Luton/Stansted to Liverpool some time ago quite simply because they couldn't compete with Mr Branson's trains. With the cost of fuel going up seemingly continuously, that's not something likely to change unfortunately.
(19/01/2013 20:10)CX54 DKD Wrote: [ -> ]Easyjet had to pull the shorter internal flights such as Luton/Stansted to Liverpool some time ago quite simply because they couldn't compete with Mr Branson's trains. With the cost of fuel going up seemingly continuously, that's not something likely to change unfortunately.
Indeed, as trains are now so much faster than they used to be between Manchester and London, flights are so much less viable now. Indeed, there was an article in Modern Railways (I think) stating how a fair chunk of the growth on the West Coast line is from people having switched from air to rail for these journeys.
I think the main reason flights are continuing from MAN to LHR is for onward connections elsewhere.
(19/01/2013 20:47)Metroline1511 Wrote: [ -> ]I think the main reason flights are continuing from MAN to LHR is for onward connections elsewhere.
Nail on the head. The link was always there for BA and BMI to connect passengers onto their greater range of destinations from LHR (mainly long-haul but for loyal BA customer's, some European destinations too) but it really cemented its own future as one of a small number of short, domestic routes when it allowed Lond.... sorry, British, Airways to justify withdrawing the final remaining long-haul services from Manchester because 'Heathrow is just a 45 minute flight away'.
BMI did keep at it as long as they could but they were loosing money left, right and centre across its entire network and the withdrawal of Manchester, as a full operating base, was really the last ditch attempt for Lufthansa/BMI prior to sale to BA.
(19/01/2013 21:55)CX54 DKD Wrote: [ -> ] (19/01/2013 20:47)Metroline1511 Wrote: [ -> ]I think the main reason flights are continuing from MAN to LHR is for onward connections elsewhere.
Nail on the head. The link was always there for BA and BMI to connect passengers onto their greater range of destinations from LHR (mainly long-haul but for loyal BA customer's, some European destinations too) but it really cemented its own future as one of a small number of short, domestic routes when it allowed Lond.... sorry, British, Airways to justify withdrawing the final remaining long-haul services from Manchester because 'Heathrow is just a 45 minute flight away'.
BMI did keep at it as long as they could but they were loosing money left, right and centre across its entire network and the withdrawal of Manchester, as a full operating base, was really the last ditch attempt for Lufthansa/BMI prior to sale to BA.
Technically BA still have 1552/3 to from New York as an AA codeshare, but I agree with your point entirely.
United and American equipment parked up at MAN tonight - presumably due to US weather closures.
At what times of the day does Manchester Airport use there second runway ?
From the NATS airfield documents:
Quote: - Dual runway segregated operations are normally in force between the hours 0630-1030 and 1600-2000 Mon-Fri; 0630-1030 Sat; 1600-2000 Sun (local). At other times, single runway, mixed-mode operations are in force using Runway 05L/23R;
- Due to local planning constriants, Runway 05R/23L is not normally available between the hours of 2200-0600 (local) daily.
The Antonov 225 is due to land at Manchester on Monday (24th) at 11:30AM.
Well worth a look if you have the opportunity
Happy 75th Birthday Manchester Airport!!
