Easyjet takeover of BA/GB Airways in March.

[brianw999]

Does anyone have any ideas what QueasyJets' intentions are for the BA/GB Airways routes when they take over in March '08 ?

Will they use their aircraft, and therefore their crap seat pitch and will they be offering a scheduled service type cabin service like BA's or their "pay-for-everything-no online check in seat reservation-scramble like a herd of sheep for a seat" type of service. ( I use the word "Service" very loosely !! )

For that matter, will they fly the current BA/GB routes or are they simply interested in the slots ?

Does something here give you a clue that I 'aint exactly a fan of EasyJet ?

[AA 1818]

For that matter, will they fly the current BA/GB routes or are they simply interested in the slots ?

I think that they were mostly interested in the slots. The most profitable routes will probably stay, but as for the 'legacy' routes served by GB, unless they turn a profit, they are going to get the axe. Sucks, cuz once again an LCC is going to be taking over, but that's the market trend. And so, the conundrum comes to play when people complain about the amenities provided by said LCCs. They are willing to pay just for the gas, but wonder why they do not get the meals.

[GAZ747A380PILOT]

They are using some routes that GB used like Gatwick to Las Palmas, as it says on their website. They are also going to use their aircraft so we could see an easyjet a321.

[uy707]

What EasyJet may keep
1 - the slots, going along with this one to be the FIRST reason in buying
2 - the most lucrative destinations, provided they can fit in EasyJet marketing policies
What they may not keep
3 - most route licences if they don't fit in the business model, ie, destination too much "infected" by traditionnal services and so on (this happens)
4 - fleet members, EasyJet may stick to 319s, first for operational costs such as landing and parking fees which are probably higher for either a 320 or a 321. They may decide to dump them while they still command some high value....

[AA 1818]

GB Airways (British Airways) (London-Gatwick) has sold at least six Heathrow Airport slots for almost $160 million. Reportedly the slots were acquired by British Airways, Continental Airlines and Qatar Airways.

This was posted on our news ticker a few weeks ago. I though that they would have wanted to retain as many slots as possible, but then again, when they are fetching such high prices - why not sell a few?

[uy707]

Looks they sold the few slots held at LHR for a premium, EasyJet would have done probably the same as they have nothing running at LHR and look keen to avoid the area at any cost ... Well, as for the slots they kept, out of LGW and other places where Easy goes strong, this becomes another song.

[AA 1818]

How many slots did they have? Is there a website that shows how the slot process works at LHR, and who holds what slots?