Air Southwest to Close

[starrymarkb]

Air Southwest will cease operations in September

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14154909

Bit of a blow for Newquay airport, and puts a real dampener on those wanting to keep plymouth open...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The loss of the Manchester to Pymouth service is a blow.

I note that the airline was sold near to end of 2010, so that may have been rationalisation showing its face.

 

[schwa]

The loss of the Manchester to Pymouth service is a blow.

I note that the airline was sold near to end of 2010, so that may have been rationalisation showing its face.

Sold is a loose term.. more like paid off!

 

[me123]

I first thought that you meant SouthWest Airlines over in the US of A! Slightly less surprised at hearing about Air Southwest's demise to be honest. I had always heard that the Glasgow-South West flights were well loaded, but clearly not well enough to sustain the operation. I suppose they've had to put up with competition from easyJet (into Bristol) and FlyBe (into Exeter) serving the South West much more frequently and with a wider range of destinations, even if they're not going right down to Plymouth. It's definitely a blow for Newquay and Plymouth. Hopefully flyBe would be able to pick up the slack from Cornwall to help support the airport and local economy.

 

[Zoe]

If Bristol Airport was closer to the railway then it would be quite easy to fly to Bristol and change there for Plymouth. Same goes for Exeter (yes it is closer to a railway but not the GWML) and due to the traffic in Exeter it can take some time to get to St Davids station. An express coach from Plymouth to Exeter Airport would be useful though.

 

[me123]

Although Plymouth is (sadly) dead, I think Newquay could be saved if flyBe decide to boost their services to the Cornish airport. flyBe could easily decide to start services to (for example) Glasgow, Aberdeen and Jersey to maintain these links. Not an ideal replacement, but it would minimise the hardship and retain some valuable links to Cornwall.

 

[northwichcat]

Air South West isn't just a XC rival as they fly between Cork and Newquay.

BMI Baby offer a limited service between Manchester and Newquay. However, they are planning to reduce flights from Manchester so maybe they'll review their proposals.

 

[TicketMan]

I'd be surpised if they actually continue operating until September - they've already returned two aircraft to the lessor (G-WOWC/D), and of the remaining three, G-WOWE is on sub-lease to Aurigny Air, leaving just G-WOWA/B in service.

 

[Samtron2000]

BMI Baby offer a limited service between Manchester and Newquay. However, they are planning to reduce flights from Manchester so maybe they'll review their proposals.

BMI Baby are withdrawing from Manchester completely!

 

[trentside]

I'm sorry to hear about the demise of Air Southwest, though given the impending closure of Plymouth airport it was probably inevitable. I just hope the staff are able to find alternative employment - I've heard good things about the quality of service offered.

 

[stut]

Sold is a loose term.. more like paid off!

More like asset stripped. Notice how the Gatwick and City slot pairs were the first to go...

 

[WestCoast]

BMI Baby are withdrawing from Manchester completely!

Indeed they are, so Newquay - Manchester won't be served at all. It will also leave other key domestic routes like Jersey and Belfast City (where the only competition is ferries) from the airport to the mercy of Flybe.

I could possibly see Jet2 filling in, but that is probably unlikely. They seem a little scared about Ryanair moving in on their patch at Manchester....

If anyone is going to do well out of Air Southwest's demise it is Flybe, since they are in a position to expand. I can't see CrossCountry trains doing all that well out of it...

 

[starrymarkb]

Indeed they are, so Newquay - Manchester won't be served at all. It will also leave other key domestic routes like Jersey and Belfast City (where the only competition is ferries) from the airport to the mercy of Flybe.

I could possibly see Jet2 filling in, but that is probably unlikely. They seem a little scared about Ryanair moving in on their patch at Manchester....

If anyone is going to do well out of Air Southwest's demise it is Flybe, since they are in a position to expand. I can't see CrossCountry trains doing all that well out of it...

The maintenance and some of the office went to Eastern at Humberside a while ago (previously maintenance was done by Flybe)

 

[WestCoast]

Indeed, but perhaps Flybe will be looking at Newquay for route development, now the dominant carrier has gone?

 

[317 forever]

I used Air South West from Newquay to Manchester in 2009. I had to pay a departure tax of £5 at Newquay Airport, allegedly to help with development of the Airport. The question is whether anyone will still be using it by the end of the year? Unless someone like FlyBe or Jet2 moves in, Cornwall will be rather cut off from much of the northern part of the country at least.

 

[WestCoast]

I had to pay a departure tax of £5 at Newquay Airport, allegedly to help with development of the Airport.

It's becoming increasingly common that - Blackpool Airport has an ADF of £10pp, with the incentive of free parking. Norwich Airport also has an ADF. Purely a fund to keep such small airports open in my opinion!

The question is whether anyone will still be using it by the end of the year? Unless someone like FlyBe or Jet2 moves in, Cornwall will be rather cut off from much of the northern part of the country at least.

I was going to book a flight down to Newquay from Manchester but I can't now.
As for domestic connections, Flybe establishing a small operational base at NQY may be feasible - they have suitable aircraft with their Dash 8 Q400 fleet.

However, there must have been enough traffic in summer to support Air Southwest and Bmibaby on the domestic routes from the north.

I could perhaps envisage Jet2 setting up a few domestic routes (perhaps Manchester or Newcastle?), since they are very leisure orientated nowadays. However, personally, domestic routes from the north may be a stronger option for easyJet. They have proven they can operate on "thinner" domestic routes such as Liverpool to Isle of Man.

 

[jopsuk]

That's as may be, but I think the routes to the north, even in summer, would struggle to cover the costs of operating an A319- even an A318 (which Airbus don't have) would be a bit big (in seat numbers- I do appreciate Ryanair operated 737-800s to Newquay, as I've used them...)

 

[WestCoast]

That's as may be, but I think the routes to the north, even in summer, would struggle to cover the costs of operating an A319- even an A318 (which Airbus don't have) would be a bit big (in seat numbers- I do appreciate Ryanair operated 737-800s to Newquay, as I've used them...)

Well, Manchester - Newquay sustained both an Air Southwest Dash 8 300 (50 passengers) and either an B737-500 (131 passengers) or B737-300 (148 passengers) operated by bmibaby, in the summer months.

However apart from Manchester, Flybe with their Dash 8 Q400s (78 passengers) would be the best option.

People said that an easyJet A319 (156 passengers) was way too big for the Isle of Man - Liverpool route, which has now been running succesfully for a considerable amount of time. It's a good "filler" rotation for EZY, in that it wouldn't be a lengthy rotation. easyJet is also more efficient with costs.

On the subject of A318s, I think they are pretty useless. The costs are way too high for such a size of aircraft. They do have a role as private jets and at STOL ports though (Short Take Off and Landing) such as London City.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

(in seat numbers- I do appreciate Ryanair operated 737-800s to Newquay, as I've used them...)

If the local council dig into their pockets, then anything is possible....

 

[starrymarkb]

On the subject of A318s, I think they are pretty useless. The costs are way too high for such a size of aircraft. They do have a role as private jets and at STOL ports though (Short Take Off and Landing) such as London City.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Only way a A318 is going to be worth it is if you have a large A320 fleet for commonality - even then it seems E-Jets are the way to go for that size. Shrinks are always problematic.

 

[Samtron2000]

I'm sorry to hear about the demise of Air Southwest, though given the impending closure of Plymouth airport it was probably inevitable. I just hope the staff are able to find alternative employment - I've heard good things about the quality of service offered.

Believe me, the worst flight experience I've ever had was with Air Southwest! I know of others who have been treated badly by them also!!:cry:

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

There is now an ACTUAL final date of 30th September when Air Southwest will cease branded flights.

 

[WestCoast]

Believe me, the worst flight experience I've ever had was with Air Southwest! I know of others who have been treated badly by them also!!:cry:

Admittedly I only travelled with them 3 times, but they seemed like a friendly, small local airline - which is a lot rarer than it used to be. They were a little pricey, but below what one would pay on the train. One flight was subject to a minimal delay, but that is to be expected, especially when the airline involved has a small fleet. Certainly better than CrossCountry trains!

Obviously others may have differing experiences, but trust me I have heard complaints about virtually every airline in Europe!

 

[starrymarkb]

There is now an ACTUAL final date of 30th September when Air Southwest will cease branded flights.

Air Southwest as a company ceased on the 4th July by the looks of it, G-INFO now shows the fleet as being registered to Eastern rather then Air Southwest Ltd

 

[WestCoast]

Air Southwest as a company ceased on the 4th July by the looks of it, G-INFO now shows the fleet as being registered to Eastern rather then Air Southwest Ltd

An interesting observation is that some services after September on the Eastern Airways website (such as Leeds - Aberdeen) are now being listed as operated by the "Q300", so that suggests the ASW aircraft will transfer over to Eastern?

 

[bb21]

I've been trying to book with Air Southwest for the last couple of days for dates in August and September in their new section and so far can't.

 

[jopsuk]

Well, Manchester - Newquay sustained both an Air Southwest Dash 8 300 (50 passengers) and either an B737-500 (131 passengers) or B737-300 (148 passengers) operated by bmibaby, in the summer months.

Crikey. When i live down there (6-7 years ago) the only flights out of Newquay were the Scilly Isles ones, ASW to gatwick and Ryanair's Stansted service. Muist be a rather busier place these days!

 

[WestCoast]

Crikey. When i live down there (6-7 years ago) the only flights out of Newquay were the Scilly Isles ones, ASW to gatwick and Ryanair's Stansted service. Muist be a rather busier place these days!

In the period after that it did get busier and bmibaby are only withdrawing from the Manchester - Newquay route becuase they are closing their Manchester base. They are keeping East Midlands - Newquay.

It's also worth pointing out that in the period between then and now BA also served Newquay from Gatwick for 18 months.

 

[Samtron2000]

Admittedly I only travelled with them 3 times, but they seemed like a friendly, small local airline - which is a lot rarer than it used to be. They were a little pricey, but below what one would pay on the train. One flight was subject to a minimal delay, but that is to be expected, especially when the airline involved has a small fleet. Certainly better than CrossCountry trains!

Obviously others may have differing experiences, but trust me I have heard complaints about virtually every airline in Europe!

I was on MAN-NQY via Cardiff. It was 2hrs late leaving manchester which we were told was to do with fault light showing (departure boards showed delayed but my wife who was picking me up said teletext showed the flight as cancelled!!!!!). Anyhoos, we finally departed on the first leg to Cardiff. On the final approaches, the stewardess suddenly announces that Cardiff is fog bound and that we may not be landing, it depends on the pilots - que lots of shouting from the Cardiff passengers on board. We did land. So for the next leg of the journey. Whilst on the ground at Cardiff, I'd text the mrs to set off for NQY (it being an 1hr from her parents house). Once we were in the air having left Cardiff the stewardess almost immediately informs us NQY is fog bound and we are not going there. She tells us Plymouth is also fog bound and we may not be going there either. We will probably be going.... Exeter. As it happens, we land in Plymouth, with the mrs waiting for me at NQY. On landing we were told there were coaches waiting for us to take us onto NQY. We had to wait nearly 2 hours for them to arrive. All the Air Southwest staff promptly disappeared on landing and there was nobody to assist/deal with some livid customers. The coach to NQY to a further 1.5hrs.

Total duration from original departure time to arriving at NQY was about 7hrs. Air Southwest never even sent a courtesy letter responding to 2 letters of complaint. Absolute garbage!!

 

[WestCoast]

Well, that does sound like a bad experience but unfortunately, fog can cause major problems for an airline like Air Southwest, becuase of the type of aircraft they operate. They do suffer from operational difficulties in foggy conditions, more so that a larger aircraft would. Passengers getting irate about fog is not helpful, there is nothing that can be done about it.

You can hardly get annoyed about technical and weather issues, if the pilot is not confident that landing or operating the plane is safe in such conditions, they wont do it. Would you rather have an accident? NO.

The lack of staff and ground transport issues are a big problem and it's disappointing to see that they did not respond.

 

[Samtron2000]

It was the deceit that infuriated everybody. Twice the cabin crew waited till the plane was in the air before making the announcements. They clearly knew we weren't going to NQY when on the ground at Cardiff. why not tell us then when some of us could have rearranged our plans!