Manchester: S26 start of season analysis

[Scottie Dog]

The initial ACL report is now out for Summer 2026.

Here is my initial take on the changes compared with Summer 2025

Destination Movement Seats
Southampton - 1,020 49,980
Delhi - 420 141,960
Exeter - 420 20,580
Dubai World Centre - 294 -
Riyadh - 180 52,200
Amritsar - 120 38,880
Ljubljana - 110 20,460
Palermo - 106 20,964
Samos - 106 20,034
Total 2,776 365,058

Potential new carriers

LOT Polish Airlines
Riyadh Air
SpiceJet

Highest increase in movements

Ryanair - plus 4,563
Jet2 - plus 2,363
easyJet - plus 2,254
Emerald - plus 1,580
Loganair - plus 1,320
Emirates - plus 1,134
IndiGo - plus 706
TUI - plus 599
Etihad - plus 526
Saudia - plus 436

 

[Jerry]

Can we see LOT actually happening?

 

[Scottie Dog]

A further visit to the site has left me with some queries and therefore I will leave any further updates until later tomorrow when I have had a chance to check old records.

 

[Comet]

A further visit to the report produces the following - please remember that this is all based on slot requests and does not guarantee the operation of any servIce

What might that be please

 

[Scottie Dog]

What might that be please

Please see post #3

 

[Scottie Dog]

Okay, I've now had time to look into the report and have produced the following comparison between Start of Summer 2025 and Initial Summer 2026 reports:

One route that jumps out at me is the reduction in flights by Iberia - seats down by 60%!!

 

[Manchester Exile]

Many thanks for the analysis, Scottie. May I ask what Emirates are planning for Summer 26? An additional 720 flights looks huge.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

Many thanks for the analysis, Scottie. May I ask what Emirates are planning for Summer 26? An additional 720 flights looks huge.

Most likely scenario is that they’re planning for a fourth daily scheduled service, but they have booked two alternative sets of slots at this stage. They will keep the ones they want if and when timings are finalised for the additional service. Meanwhile, I’m sure we’ll all be very surprised if the Emirates Cargo slots to DWC are taken up, but I certainly won’t be complaining if my scepticism is misplaced.