Virgin's Little Red services to cease in 2015

jamo2oo9

Kinda expected before due to massive competition against British Airways.

man98

On a related topic, what will happen with their planes? All leased from EI I think. I doubt there's many flying Heathrow - Manchester anyway...

Tenger

man98 wrote: »

On a related topic, what will happen with their planes? All leased from EI I think. I doubt there's many flying Heathrow - Manchester anyway...

2 are EI aircraft so they will return to the Green.
The other pair were leased in specially, no idea what sort of terms are attached to that lease. If it was 2 years with an option for 1 more then EI can not take the option. If it was 3 years then EI may face a fine to offload early.

gordongekko

Tenger wrote: »

2 are EI aircraft so they will return to the Green.
The other pair were leased in specially, no idea what sort of terms are attached to that lease. If it was 2 years with an option for 1 more then EI can not take the option. If it was 3 years then EI may face a fine to offload early.

Possibly allowing EI to expand its own route network.

KCAccidental

I'm guessing Virgin will keep the extra LHR slots though. Probably the plan all along!

A319er

Two airlines bid for these slots VS , an airline with a proven track record
Of shorthaul flying failures and Ei , perhaps EI will be allowed to re bid? Or is three years the time period these slots had to be used domestically?

Pity EI were 2nd choice, maybe Scotland now might consider seeking new bidders?

Tenger

A319er wrote: »

Two airlines bid for these slots....... perhaps EI will be allowed to re bid? Or is three years the time period these slots had to be used domestically? .....

I doubt EI want to touch them at this point.AFAIK the now unused (EDI and ABZ) slots will revert back to the regulator. VS had to use them for 3 years before they could have free rein with them. These were the slots that were involved in the bidding process.
I believe the LHR-MAN were already under the control of VS, so they can redeploy as they wish.

basill

Possibly allowing EI to expand its own route network

Doubt it. Latest rumour is to park up aircraft for winter like FR do. FOs being offered unpaid leave just like FR do. Any expansion seems to be on long haul routes and through ACL. I suspect the newer leased aircraft will be returned to lessor or the older aircraft in the AL fleet that are owned and were about to be sold prior to little red starting up will now be sold resulting in a net gain of zilch. Will also depend largely on what the lease terms are on the newer aircraft. If they can shift the penalties to Virgin then they will. Virgin on the other hand might offer an incentive to minimise their losses eg: throw some A330 work ALs way.

I can't see the benefit to AL of bidding for the slots either. Why fly punters from the regions to LHR when you are already getting them for free (no slot costs) from the regions and onto the Atlantic services.

A319er

I believe Moscow Cairo among other routes can be used with these slots , maybe a chance for EI or someone else to expand or even enter LHR eg Easyjet ?

owenc

Well that doesn't surprise me.