I managed to read the “Your Flybe” staff news letter the other day, and they say that the 195’s are heading to Southampton, Belfast, Birmingham and will replace the damp leased 737’s and ageing 146’s.

This also means Exeter will see atleast one for the “Bucket and Spade” flights to the Med. This also come with news of atleast another 9 routes from Exeter alone, with the possiblity of a new service to AMS. Im sure it will do alot better than the new CDG service, which during the week, is struggling to fill a Dash 8-400.

As a member of Ground Crew that will have to park, load and service these planes, I’d like to know where they are going to park them all! We are somewhat over-stretched already! And the holds of the 195 are going to be a nightmare to load for the AGP/ALC runs – it looks mighty small!

And would i be in favour of the new South Hams airport? Call me biased but HELL NO!!! (I work at EXT)
Bad plan from the word go. Ext has great weather, a decent length runway that can technically handle up to A340 a/c, Great staff (!) and good location and transport links.
South Hams has very dodgy wx, and the runway would only be able to handle A320 family size a/c. Whats the point? I thought the idea was to expand? Why limit yourself ?

I’ll tell you another Airline that i think is well overdue for a paint job, and thats Air Malta….Does anyone else think that??

A service from EXT- LGW i think just wouldnt happen. A large, if not most of EXT’s business is charter flights. A link to LGW could lead to a decline in charter passengers not prepared to pay the supplements to fly from their ‘Local’ airport. This would mean a big decline in revenue for Exeter. Loco’s are not the way to go, as most money from this type of operation is from facilities such as shops and restaurants- Exeter just hasnt got enough of them! The only good point from this would be the increase in pax numbers, giving the airport moe scope as its somewhat shadowed under Bristol, but Ext’s facililites are already stretched!!!

The 4th one is quite nice, but very ‘Monarch’ like. There fore, i’d probably go for the 5th.

If i could start my own airline…….

My airline would be called simple-aviation.com.

Based at Exeter International (EXT) which has the second best wx record in the UK, and currently very under-served in the domestic market. The catchment area is huge, and a market is crying out to be served.

Initially, 2 ATR72’s in an all economy class (but generous leg room) would serve destinations such as Glasgow (GLA), Edinburgh (EDI), Birmingham (BHX) and Belfast (BFS) which is popular with the local military bases. A link to London, probably City (LCY)would be introduced later on (any other London airport would effect EXTs charter business). AMS and CDG would also be considered at a later stage.

A point to point airline, similar to Ryanair/easyjet, with a big online reseravtion system (hence the name) but with a few more thrills, including ticket flexibility.
Maintenance to be carried out at FlyBE’s ever expanding maintenance hangars on site.

Subject to demand, a possible a/c upgrade to the Bae146 varient, which again can be maintained care of FlyBE.

simple-aviation.com. Its as Simple as that!!!