Jet2.com

[TheLocalYokel]

STN would be the most logical choice for a new Jet2 base but I wonder if Jet2 could do CWL seasonal? They don't even have to use their own aircraft. They use Cardiff Aviation for MRO and they have a partnership in an ACMI venture so they could use one of their planes (or another charter airline) and i'm sure they'd get plenty of publicity if they partnered up with Bruce Dickinson! It could be a way for them to access smaller regional airports and their markets without basing planes.

Ryanair has done seasonal bases in the past - Bournemouth was one. I don't know whether Jet2 would consider a seasonal base. They, like all the low cost airlines, don't use their aircraft so intensively in the winter. In the past it's not been unusual to see as many as six easyJet aircraft parked at BRS for much of the day, especially in mid-week, during the depths of winter.

I really have no idea about the logistics and financial implications of low cost airlines chartering aircraft on a regular basis. I know that easyJet, for example, has done this sort of thing for entire seasons in the past either because of a shortage of aircraft or crew.

 

[Jerry]

Ryanair has done seasonal bases in the past - Bournemouth was one. I don't know whether Jet2 would consider a seasonal base. They, like all the low cost airlines, don't use their aircraft so intensively in the winter. In the past it's not been unusual to see as many as six easyJet aircraft parked at BRS for much of the day, especially in mid-week, during the depths of winter.

I really have no idea about the logistics and financial implications of low cost airlines chartering aircraft on a regular basis. I know that easyJet, for example, has done this sort of thing for entire seasons in the past either because of a shortage of aircraft or crew.

Jet2 does have a holiday part of their buisness so i'm wondering if they would do what Thomas Cook does at CWL and some other airports and i'm not sure about prices but i would have thought that chartering an aircraft for say a six months period and guarenteeing work for it would be cheaper per rotation than an emergency charter to cover for increase in demand or aircraft going tech?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Perhaps someone with knowledge of commercial operations might be able to point us in a direction with this.

 

[Aviador]

To be honest, although Jet2 does operate year-round it is predominantly a seasonal airline. At LBA the airline goes from operating as many as 20 plus departures daily dropping to just one or two on the quietest days in the winter. I guess the problem with a seasonal op is the airport is quite far from its nearest crew and engineering base so it would make it an expensive option for them.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Aviador, the quietest days in winter are also the quietest days in Summer if that makes sense. I agree that there is a reduction but it's not from 20 to 1 or 2. Its more like 11 to 2 on a Wednesday, Tuesday is Similar however Tuesday throughout the winter this year will have ACE LPA and TFS especially this January when Jet2 normally retreat that far on those days we don't even know who they are haha!!

We've seen some amazing growth for winter at LBA this year - all due to Egypt and the situation.

 

[Tinkerman]

Think of another MAG airport on the extremities of London and you'll be correct ... It's been suggested above.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37228744

Jet2 is to create almost 1,000 new jobs as it continues to expand. This will include 180 pilots, 700 cabin crew and 80 engineers. Road shows will be held around the country.

The CEO of Jet2 and Jet2holidays said, "Our family-friendly formula is clearly working with customers and it means that we're one of the UK's fastest growing airlines. We have exciting plans to expand the number of destinations we fly to, as well as the number of UK bases we fly from, and this means that our team is growing all the time too."

So perhaps CWL might be one of these new bases.

 

[CraigW92]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37228744

Jet2 is to create almost 1,000 new jobs as it continues to expand. This will include 180 pilots, 700 cabin crew and 80 engineers. Road shows will be held around the country.

The CEO of Jet2 and Jet2holidays said, "Our family-friendly formula is clearly working with customers and it means that we're one of the UK's fastest growing airlines. We have exciting plans to expand the number of destinations we fly to, as well as the number of UK bases we fly from, and this means that our team is growing all the time too."

So perhaps CWL might be one of these new bases.

I imagine there will be a host of airports scrapping out for the chance to have a Jet2 base, BOH, SOU, perhaps STN has been widely expected, LTN ? And add in BRS and CWL, goes without saying mind that a base by Jet2 will set CWL up well to the 2 million passenger mark, which will be back to the days when Baby was around.

After being told no constantly by Jet2 with regards to the south in previous years, I imagine the airport will target some sort of deal with the RDF that remains, I'll be intrigued to see what plans they have coming up, although I have said before his could well have a positive domino effect, in the sense that the two charter companies already here would perhaps show some sort of growth with regards to new destinations.

 

[jfy1999]

LTN is in such a state at present that even some LTN forum members on the dried plum would rather see Jet2 head to Stansted where there is actually some room for them!!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I imagine there will be a host of airports scrapping out for the chance to have a Jet2 base, BOH, SOU, perhaps STN has been widely expected, LTN ? And add in BRS and CWL, goes without saying mind that a base by Jet2 will set CWL up well to the 2 million passenger mark, which will be back to the days when Baby was around.

After being told no constantly by Jet2 with regards to the south in previous years, I imagine the airport will target some sort of deal with the RDF that remains, I'll be intrigued to see what plans they have coming up, although I have said before his could well have a positive domino effect, in the sense that the two charter companies already here would perhaps show some sort of growth with regards to new destinations.

Jet2 seems to be concentrating more and more on holiday routes, along with its associated holiday company.

Any summer sun from them at CWL (almost inevitable if they did come) would be challenging Vueling and the two main charter players although, as many of us have agreed, CWL still has unserved capacity for those. Jet2 would also likely operate to the Canaries which again are not well catered for.

Obviously, say, a two-aircraft base would get the airport back up to around 2 mppa (as you noted) but I don't know how many of the city routes (good for business and the Wales economy) that CWL wants would feature. Possibly Rome (although that is probably primarily a leisure route) and possibly Prague (almost entirely a leisure route) might come into the frame.

The obvious danger would be getting up Vueling's nose if Jet2 was looking at (in Vueling's view) too large a slice of the sun pie.

Of course, we don't know that CWL is in the mix. The reference to expanding the number of UK bases might mean BHX (yet to start although announced) and the much-rumoured Stansted.

Outside of these the realistic contenders are few:

CWL - already discussed
BRS - very big easyJet and big Ryanair presence plus a bigger TOM and TCX presence than CWL. I'm not sure that the remark on a Wales aviation website today that the BRS ramp is full overnight is true though.
BOH - many often older, well-off people in the catchment who will travel but Ryanair has a reasonable presence which might be enough for that airport.
SOU - runway may be a limiting factor.
LTN - seems pretty full at the moment.
EXT - not a huge catchment and this airport has in the past been swayed by Flybe's pressure to do what Flybe wants which probably would not be a Jet2 presence. I can give examples if needed.
LGW - maybe but is there room for a decent-size base? Couldn't see LGW just having two aircraft.

 

[User001]

I would be surprised if Jet2 could get a large batch of suitable slots, especially for a based aircraft.

LGW is in a very similar predicament to LHR, it needs a runway as good slots are hard to find.

Apparently for mornings in the summer scheduling period, LGW is for all intents and purposes, full.

 

[CraigW92]

Jet2 seems to be concentrating more and more on holiday routes, along with its associated holiday company.

Any summer sun from them at CWL (almost inevitable if they did come) would be challenging Vueling and the two main charter players although, as many of us have agreed, CWL still has unserved capacity for those. Jet2 would also likely operate to the Canaries which again are not well catered for.

Obviously, say, a two-aircraft base would get the airport back up to around 2 mppa (as you noted) but I don't know how many of the city routes (good for business and the Wales economy) that CWL wants would feature. Possibly Rome (although that is probably primarily a leisure route) and possibly Prague (almost entirely a leisure route) might come into the frame.

The obvious danger would be getting up Vueling's nose if Jet2 was looking at (in Vueling's view) too large a slice of the sun pie.

Of course, we don't know that CWL is in the mix. The reference to expanding the number of UK bases might mean BHX (yet to start although announced) and the much-rumoured Stansted.

Outside of these the realistic contenders are few:

CWL - already discussed
BRS - very big easyJet and big Ryanair presence plus a bigger TOM and TCX presence than CWL. I'm not sure that the remark on a Wales aviation website today that the BRS ramp is full overnight is true though.
BOH - many often older, well-off people in the catchment who will travel but Ryanair has a reasonable presence which might be enough for that airport.
SOU - runway may be a limiting factor.
LTN - seems pretty full at the moment.
EXT - not a huge catchment and this airport has in the past been swayed by Flybe's pressure to do what Flybe wants which probably would not be a Jet2 presence. I can give examples if needed.
LGW - maybe but is there room for a decent-size base? Couldn't see LGW just having two aircraft.

Oh I agree, although with the two charter companies that would be welcomed , I'm cautious when it come with regards to VY, I remember there was a host of people when there was rumoured to be an increased FR presence with regards to ALC and AGP, There was a host of people encouraging them to come and take VY on head to head, Id urge on the side of caution, I'm with you in the fact where the last thing the airport wants to do is screw up there relationship with VY, Vuelings next move for the airport will be interesting, I've previously noted that a similar operation like that of ZRH

There's a big selection of routes that either remain unserved or under served, ACE, LPA, IBZ for an example, although it's pretty nailed on that any airline that comes in will want those core sun routes, PMI, AGP, ALC, which of course are served by both VY and the two charters ( Thomas cook only PMI)

I think many thought that FCO would be the net VY route ( still might be for next summer ) though when you look at the current situation with BE and some of the city routes are struggling there, Jet2s 737-300/800s would be too big, hence I think why summer sun would and limited winter sun would be that.

Many thanks for that overview Local, extremely interesting to see that limited opportunities lay there, I would sill say that BRS would have agood shout if they were to venture further south.

 

[Jerry]

A poster on Prune has suggested that Jet2 could base 1 or 2 737s at MME for Summer 18 for Spanish and Greek holiday routes between May and September. If there's any truth to what the poster said then I'm wondering if in the future they could do something similar at CWL. As Jet2 expand then it might be a good way for them to access smaller airport's like CWL without having to try and make it work in winter as well.

 

[Tinkerman]

That is exactly what they wanted to do for this Summer when they were assessing their options last year. Instead they opted for BHX and STN and quite rightly so.

For Jet2, i believe either CWL/BRS will be next. If i tell you anymore then i'll have to go into hiding the forseeable future ! Haha.

 

[Jerry]

If Jet2 do start operating out of CWL then I believe they'll operate out of BRS as well as i don't think it's a case of one or the other. If you look at the size of their BHX base then it's reasonable that they could operate 3 aircraft out of BRS in the summer and 2 out of CWL but one of the CWL could be one of the smaller 300s to operate thinner routes from CWL. Though obviously a lot of the routes won't be new ones i do hope that if they did turn up they would introduce some new routes and use Flybe for their City break side as well. The winter months though if the base is only seasonal could still see Jet2 flights but routed from other airport's like they do when they operate charters. If they did turn up TCXs and TOMs responses will be interesting.

 

[Tinkerman]

If Jet2 do start operating out of CWL then I believe they'll operate out of BRS as well as i don't think it's a case of one or the other. If you look at the size of their BHX base then it's reasonable that they could operate 3 aircraft out of BRS in the summer and 2 out of CWL but one of the CWL could be one of the smaller 300s to operate thinner routes from CWL. Though obviously a lot of the routes won't be new ones i do hope that if they did turn up they would introduce some new routes and use Flybe for their City break side as well. The winter months though if the base is only seasonal could still see Jet2 flights but routed from other airport's like they do when they operate charters. If they did turn up TCXs and TOMs responses will be interesting.

You're in fantasy land there a little. It will be CWL OR BRS, not both. The only thing CWL has in it's favour at the moment is the large charter operators seem to be increasing their S18 operations from BRS, TCX upto 3 based, and maybe even more from TOM.

I could say more but i'd have to bury my head in the sand for eternity so i'd rather not.

 

[Jerry]

You're in fantasy land there a little.

Yeah sometimes I do head into there!
I just don't think Jet2 would be put off by TCX or TOM. If they did choose CWL over BRS for whatever reason that would be positive for CWL with peoples perception of it.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

A poster on Prune has suggested that Jet2 could base 1 or 2 737s at MME for Summer 18 for Spanish and Greek holiday routes between May and September. If there's any truth to what the poster said then I'm wondering if in the future they could do something similar at CWL. As Jet2 expand then it might be a good way for them to access smaller airport's like CWL without having to try and make it work in winter as well.

I do not see Jet2 at MME even if it was 2 737-300s. MME is such a small catchment area that is diluted by DSA/LBA to the south and NCL to the north. Having worked at LBA for Jet2 for nearly a year, before moving on, i can say that there is a lot of customers that travel down from the Darlington, Middlesborough and surrounding areas. Jet2 would be only shooting themselves in the foot. Alongside that; a retraction of based number of aircraft at LBA and NCL would imo be required to counteract the MME base opening.

I can however see PMI/ALC been used eventually to expand presence in airports such as MME, NWI, ABZ, NQY. Holidays will sell well to these trunk routes.

BRS/CWL is interesting as i also believe that is the next logical step for Jet2 - again only 1 of them two and not both. Guess it depends what the airport offers alongside the competition at both airports. I can see BRS rather then CWL but who knows. I would of said NWI a couple of years ago but considering they went into BHX/STN regional local airports imo are off the agenda for the foreseeable future.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Jet2 could market themselves as the Airline of the Southwest!
It seems Tinkerman knows more than he is letting on, but to save him from a mouthful of sand lets just wait and see what happens.
BRS or CWL is certainly a strong contender. BRS is continuing to attract more and more routes. I would wonder if they would have an issue with space. I'm sure Jet2 would want to base at least 2 aircraft. I can't see EZY and TOM holding back if we're already seeing more from MT already for 2018. It may be the saving grace for Jet2 to come to CWL. BRS seems the place to be.
The way Jet2 are expanding could be the boost CWL needs. It will be a new brand to the area, but long term it could mean greater things with TOM and MT concentrating over the bridge. We may even see some Christmas NYC flights!
I read on a Facebook page that TOM will release their S2018 on 20th April. Hopefully CWL can pick up some more W pattern flights. I can't see a 3rd aircraft coming though.

 

[Tinkerman]

I also agree with those sentiments expressed above. It will be a case of wait and see, interesting times do indeed lie ahead for the South-West of the UK.

As has been said above the only advantages that CWL has over BRS now are that TOM and TCX are expanding at BRS, whilst stagnant at BRS (that can also be a disadvantage). BRS is running out of space despite additional stands recently being constructed. Another advantage is the WG support, which may or may not exist for Jet2 or the likes.

Last time, 'a number' of airports (all i can say) were in discussions with Jet2, with 'some coming closer than others' to securing the deal. From what has happened, it's obvious to see the standard of airport that Jet2 now expect, and are NOT afraid of stern competition from their competitors. Make of that what you will.