Summer-only Flybe riles rival Aurigny
Friday 19th September 2008, 2:29PM BST.
COMMERCE and Employment wants to know Flybe’s plans for its Manchester route after the airline cut direct services for the winter.
Minister Carla McNulty Bauer said she was waiting to hear from the airline in the wake of complaints from Aurigny that Flybe was cherry-picking which routes it runs.
‘We are very keen to have robust all-year-round services to the island. That is what we want to see,’ said Deputy McNulty Bauer, pictured.
‘We are waiting to hear from Flybe with regard to its intentions for the Manchester route. I am reluctant to say anything further until I have heard what Flybe has to say.’
Flybe has stopped direct services between the island and Manchester during the winter months for the past few years. Aurigny, which operates a daily direct service all year round, said it was about time the airline stopped dropping routes as and when it suited.
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What business is it of Aurigny what routes Flybe drops during the Winter? Flybe is a business and doesn’t have to explain its decisions to its rivals. Surely Aurigny should be pleased anyway as it means any islanders looking to fly to Manchester have to fly with them. I for one am grateful for Flybe who, despite their faults, still provide the island with valuable air links at a tolerable price (if booked early enough) and in my experience are of far better quality than Aurigny.
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For the past few years? Who did the research? FlyBE have not operated to Manchester for ‘the past few years’. FlyBE did a very similar thing to British Airways when they operated the Manchester route. Unfortunately FlyBE (Then Jersey European) lost due to the fact they were relative minnows at that point. I fully back Aurigny in this, as I believe in fair competition all year round, not just when the money is to be made. Aurigny operate a fantastic year round Manchester service, the frequency of which unfortunately was reduced this year due to the said ‘Cherry Picking’. Good luck Aurigny, from a loyal passenger.
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Aviation is a competitive world. Paul, is right in his observations.
You might not like what Flybe are doing, but don’t forget that Aurigny have done some barmy things in the pat. About four years ago it lost a considerable sum of money, effectively cherry picking and muscling in on other companies routes.
It was open competitiion then. Aurigny should stick to what it does best – provide a good core service and leave the bellyaching to others.
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There is no future in FlyBE operating a route which would contribute to their bankruptcy. Statistics obviously show that operating in the Winter would be loss-making. Forecasting traffic loads is now a quite refined art, and keeping “in the black” helps to ensure the return of the service next year.
I agree with the “Paul” comment. Let Aurigny concentrate on keeping themselves in the black !
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Surely its not beyond our powers to require airlines to commit to minimum service level agreements. If the airline is only prepared to operate in the summer months then they should apply on that basis and then everything is above board. Applying for a year-round service and then dropping the winter route just shouldn’t be allowed. Aurigny had to drop attempts to fly to Southampton last year and provide much-needed competition with Flybe on a very expensive route because of Flybe’s antics on the Manchester route.
Is it not too much to ask Flybe to be honest re. their intentions on any route that they get granted a licence to fly, and for our airport authorities to hold Flybe to what they commit themselves to ?
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