Coates makes it personal
Wednesday 15th September 2010, 2:30PM BST.
Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart has indicated he would still be amenable to working with Blue Islands, but that looks unlikely after the outburst from rival airline chairman Derek Coates. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 1028370)
ANY hopes that Aurigny and Blue Islands could work together in the future were crushed yesterday as Derek Coates labelled the States-owned airline incompetent and devious.
The fallout from Treasury’s decision to back out of the proposed sale got personal yesterday with Blue Islands chairman Mr Coates showing his frustration by lashing out at Aurigny.
When asked if he would consider revisiting the ‘plan B’ alternative to a straight takeover – namely both airlines working together to make efficiencies – that he put on the table and then subsequently withdrew, Mr Coates said: ‘I cannot see us working with the current Aurigny because I believe they are incompetent and they have been devious and I cannot see them being people I would want to sit down to dinner with.’
But Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart, who was gagged by Treasury throughout the negotiations, refused to be drawn into a war of words with his rival.
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Why doesn’t blue Islands merge with Flybe. They make a profit and would help DC sort out the airline too.
Where is the downside to that?
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True colours ……. ??
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What a relief that Mr Coates no longer wishes to have anything to do with Aurigny. Unneccessary comments about Aurigny being devious though. The island must continue to have its own airline as it is a life line to the Guernsey people. We Guern’s would always have the worry that at some future time any other owner would simply close the service if it was not financially viable . Having said that I hope Mr coates will continue to provide the Blue Island service. Healthy competition must help to keep costs down.
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Eh, Mr Coates probably tried to talk to Aurigny until he was blue in the face. Judging by his reactions though I’d suggest he’s now turned a brighter shade of red!
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Sour grapes???
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That’s right Mr Coates, why don’t you throw your toys out of the pram? I wouldn’t care if Blue Islands just disappeared into oblivion.
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I don’t have any issue with Coates saying what he has said, but he should substantiate his allegations.
If he thinks they are untrustworthy then provide examples, otherwise it makes him look like a bad loser.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he was shafted by Aurigny as the States couldn’t run a tap properly, never mind a loss making airline (which it is).
In any case, people will still fly with Flybe as they actually get you there and don’t go ‘Tech’ when it suits, i.e. not enough folk on the plane etc…
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Darren
You are no better than Coates. If you are saying that Aurigny cancels flights for commercial reasons when the real reason is a lack of passengers, then you should give examples of this. If you don’t people will just assume you are biased, probably because you work for flybe.
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Raymond, he is talking about BI. That has happened in the past – the crew thought it was their day off. Nearly all flights were cancelled!
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Raymond,
I don’t work for FlyBe, so you made an ass umption.
It happens and will continue to happen that airlines, in this case both Aurigny and FlyBe, cancel flights on occassion when they are not commercially viable, or to merge slots on the basis of ‘technical issues’ to enhance profitability.
It is not operating practice, but it goes on an both sides of the fence.
And yes, I have seen both sides (FlyBe & Aurigny) do this. Flybe were infamous when operating the 146 into London for dropping the Sunday evening service outbound on such a proviso. Miraculous the very same aircraft would suddenly be operation at 0700hrs the next morning, with no technical work having been carried out (according to FlyBe staff).
The point I make is, he – Coates – is making an allegation against Aurigny, so he should substantiate it, simple really.
I don’t know if BI do the same thing, but I imagine they would given that other airlines do.
If these statements show any form of bias then I am an Irishman with Dutch clogs on, and you, Mr Chisholm, are Father Christmas.
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