Leeds Bradford: Ryanair Flights, New Routes & Base Updates

[Aviador]

That does seem to be the Ryanair stance from a lot of UK airports. My personal theory is that they just can't afford to expand right now. They have made substantial cuts at numerous bases throughout Europe. In my opinion any expansion from them this year will need to be timed and precise to avoid too much competition with other airlines. Competition is the last thing they need right now.

 

[backtrack]

I have hoped in the past Ryanair would base, and personally think they would suit it at LBA. I think a major route would be Hahn, Germany (HHN). For one, not many routes to Germany anyway (jet2 DUS) and Hahn being FRA secondary airport alternative that FR fly to im sure would prove popular from LBA. I also thought about a SHN route, i think that would work too. Those 2 plus ALC, GRO & DUB would surely be enough to base at least one aircraft at LBA?

 

[White Heather]

I don't think Ryanair can afford the start up costs right now for new bases in the UK. They have just taken a major financial hit due to fuel costs last year and are still committed contractually to buying yet more new 737 800's. The start up costs abroad will be less and there will be less competition in places like Italy and Spain, which is probably why their new bases are all around Europe.

It seems to be their standard routine to blame everyone else, especially Airport Operators, Governments etc for their failure to operate from certain airports - it always seems to be someone elses fault - but to me seems rather like a cover up for the fact that their profits are down despite passenger numbers being up. Clearly they are going to have to open bases to utilise their ever expanding fleet, but until the recession ends, I think their new bases will be abroad and where they don't have the likes of Jet2 and Easyjet fighting it out with them.

 

[White Heather]

Does anyone know why Thursday 30th saw the Ryanair Alicante flight cancelled? I wondered if the aircraft had been caught up in the closure of Palma airport or something during the day.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Heather,

MOL has said Ryanair will open another British base possibly by October this year with up to three aircraft.

See the Ryanair world airline thread for full details.

 

[Aviador]

Does anyone know why Thursday 30th saw the Ryanair Alicante flight cancelled? I wondered if the aircraft had been caught up in the closure of Palma airport or something during the day.

I posted it in the Diversions, Delays & Cancellations thread. The flight was cancelled because of the security scare in PMI. I don't know if the Spanish police grounded all aircraft movement for a short while or if the Ryanair aircraft was possibly stook in PMI, I'm not sure.

 

[backtrack]

Heather,

MOL has said Ryanair will open another British base possibly by October this year with up to three aircraft.

See the Ryanair world airline thread for full details.

What are the other realistic possible options to LBA?

 

[dispext]

gatwick or manchester must be more likely? don't they tend to open a base when they have an airport with a good few routes already to other bases, as they both do

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The favourites seem to be MAN, LBA and NCL, of the airports already served by Ryanair, and GLA and CWL of those that currently have no FR flights.

LGW would have the catchment and MOL might like the idea of trying to oust Aer Lingus but the view seems to be that they wouldn't go there - not sure of the slot situation.

Others mentioned are MME and DSA and even SEN (Southend) and LDY (Derry).

Assuming the airline believes all the airports it is talking to would be viable then the one offering them the best deal will undoubtedly win out.

I find Ryanair impossible to second guess - after all, only a few weeks ago they said no more UK expansion because of the government's aviation tax, yet now here they are talking of opening another British base.

 

[backtrack]

Im not familiar with Ryanair operations at NCL, but i know Manchesters is a lot bigger than LBA's. My guess is they would go there. We may find out soon then...

 

[White Heather]

It is only a month since Michael O Leary confirmed that his airline would NOT expand at LBA by opening a base as the airport was too expensive. So unless Bridgepoint are now in a position to drastically improve the deal they can offer (and no doubt upset an already grumpy Phillip Meeson further) on the back of their approved terminal expansion, it is difficult to see Ryanair coming here. I do think however that the will is there if a financial deal can be reached. Remember that a year ago, Leeds appeared on the Ryanair route map shown as a base before being rapidly being withdrawn the next day!

No smoke without fire!

 

[lbaspotter]

Hi

For the winter season the LBA - Alicante route has been dropped by Ryanair by the looks of things. The Gerona-Barcelona service continues to operate but only 3 times weekly as the Monday service will be dropped. The airlines Dublin route continues to operate 2 times daily Sunday to Friday and once daily on Saturdays.

Not so good news to report for both DSA and MME. As both airports have lost there Alicante and Gerona routes completley for the winter season meaning no ryanair operation for both airports over the winter 2009/2010 period.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

It may be that not all winter routes have been put into the Ryanair system.

When they expanded their Bristol base last month a Ryanair spokeswoman told the local press there that the full winter programme from Bristol would not be announced until September - this seems a bit late to me, but then again the reported new FR base (wherever it turns out to be) won't be known, or its routes, until around then.

 

[backtrack]

If they are dropping a route from LBA, i cant see us holding the new base for FR. Its going to be someone not mentioned being kept on a low key at the moment, for example, NCL? But then is there too much competition there already for FR?

Saying that, i still strongly hope it is LBA.

 

[empire]

LBA-ALC is now bookable at 3 per week

 

[lbaspotter]

LBA-ALC is now bookable at 3 per week

Thats Great news empire. Just when I thought LBA had lost the ryanair service for the winter and left the route to jet2 to operate.

Has DSA and MME's winter routes come on sale as well yet?

Ryanair's winter Alicante - Leeds timetable as follows. Operates as below on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays.

ALC-LBA 17:55 – 19:30 FR9078
LBA-ALC 19:55 – 23:35 FR9079

 

[backtrack]

Nice turnaround, only 2 days ago we thought the route had been dropped alltogether!!!!

 

[Aviador]

That's good news considering we are all expecting a very quiet winter ahead.

 

[backtrack]

Has anyone heard anything yet about Ryanair opening a new base in the UK, from where they currently operate? I believe the options were LBA, MAN and NCL?

 

[pug]

I was under the impression they were considering three airports, one of which FR do not currently serve. Speculation would suggest MME and LBA are in the running, however, LBA's flights for the winter are back on sale whereas DSA's and MME's are not. Could this suggest FR have yet to make a decision between those two and a possible third they dont currently fly to? Could i make a wild suggestion for HUY to be the one they dont currently fly to?