Ren Frew, we’re slated for 772HDs from 1st June to be replaced by 773HDs from 30 October on the EK17. Although them expanding their UK regional operations in always welcome, my opinion that GLA going from A330 to 777-300s seems a tad too ambitious – I can understand thinking about updgrading services to 777-200s from next year; it does like that they’ve forestalled any sign of further enhancement for GLA for a little while if 773s are introduced!

It seems more likely that we could end up with A380 operations at MAN before the expected 3rd daily service as that plan now seems to have gone onto the backburner (perhaps another instance of EK trying to increase yields at MAN; they pegged MAN at daily services for a couple of years despite tremendous loads – 90%+ I believe – and admitted as much when they revealed the 2nd daily service. Speaking of which, loads are now approaching 90%…time to get the shoehorn out again to cram the passengers in).

Yes indeed David, I’d expect GLA to go towards a 772 initially or possibly permanently, even if at just the weekend peaks ? There’s still talk of a 2nd daily service though, we’ll have to wait and see. I’d imagine an EDI A330 service coming on stream first though ?

I expect MAN to become increasingly popular and available new slots to become thin on the ground in the next 5 years or so. An A380 service in that respect would make perfect sense. If that’s not already the reason for designing it then I don’t know why?