BACon and FlyBE to merge

Today, Exeter (EXT) based low cost carrier FlyBE has announced negotiations with BA to buy the regional subsiduary of British Airways, BA Connect. This should happen by late next year. This merger applies to all areas of BACon except the MAN - JFK route and all routes from LCY. More news as it comes in. BA would like to sell BACon as revenues are down on last year on the entire BACon network by a considerable percentage. On the other hand, BE has almost doubled its summer profits on last year's, from 12million to 20 million. BE is already in talks about weather to make new orders on Bombardier Q400 and Embraer E-195 Aircraft to renew the aging BAe 146/ Avro fleet on the intire network.

EXTspotter: All the best from EXT

Haha, thats interesting! FlyBe have a pretty good setup already and will benefit greatly from this move I'd say.

Good to see some other players submitting press into Industry News Keep it going

Your welcome, its my area of expertise, the disposal of the 146s that make the most annoying noise ever when they fly over my house at night is my top priority at the mo.


Alex at EXT

good news for EGCC. Lets see if flybe can do better than BA:D

Yes its very good news indeen for pax at MAN and all other airports outside london. BA has never been interested in the regions apart from interlining pax on the shuttle to connecting flights from Heathrow. It pushes BA connect as a low cost arm with blurbs line MAN FAO £39 return; but in reality these fares are impossible to obtain. My wife and I wanted to fly MAN/VIE last year and the cheapest fare BA could quote was £180 per person more expensice than the ticket we got with AZ.

Dont forget BA Connect isnt really BA, its Cityflier Express who were originally at Gatwick based commuter outfit and Brymon from Plymouth who were morphed into BA after franchise. So another two previously successful airlines bite the dust just as Manx did and almost Loganair although the later is fighting for survival with a handfull of SAABs.

Alo lets not forget BA cabin crew from my own personal experience ane the snootiest and least helpfull in the air. I remember leaving Heathrow after a 90 min hold at the runway for Glasgow wondering if I will make my connecting flight to Benbecula which was due to depart 95 mins after the Heathrow flights scheduled arrival time in Glasgow. When I enquired about this in-flight the stewardess said "Everyone knows we leave Heathrow late every flight, you should of booked an earlier flight"! I was stunned. Fortunatly the ATP went tech in Glasgow and I did make it ok. I now fly BMI dometically in the UK with no problems whatsoever.

Bye bye BA connect; GOOD RIDDENCE. Its just a shame BA arent out of MAN altogether. I look forward to being able to get onto FlyBEs expanding route network and its nice shiny and new Q400s and E195s from Manchester.

Steve

And i think it is a nicer livery.