Interesting news as Now Airlines went into receivership before launching flights.

I’m sure IB will re-instate BCN in the summer Grey but wot will happen to the MAD IB flight? Back to a Nostrum CRJ??

I guess they could always code-share with BA on MAN-MAD like at BHX?

Surely they don’t impact on your ability to do the job, which is much more important

Luton is the place of charter flights, wicker Spanish donkeys and Lorraine Chase,

think you’re still living in the ’70s mate

See here:
http://www.manairport.co.uk/web.nsf/Content/PressReleaseGBAnnouncement

“GB AIRWAYS OPENS NEW BASE AT MANCHESTER

GB Airways, the British Airways franchise carrier, announced today (September 30, 2004) it is to open a new base at Manchester airport operating flights to Spain and the Canary Islands, Madeira, Cyprus and Malta.

The airline has also extended the franchise agreement with British Airways until March 2010.

The new services to Malaga in Spain and to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Funchal in Madeira, Paphos in Cyprus and Malta will be operated by one Airbus A320 at Manchester increasing to three aircraft over the following two years.

From May 16, 2005, GB Airways will operate daily flights to Malaga, three weekly flights to Malta, two weekly flights to Paphos, a weekly flight to Funchal and a weekly flight to Tenerife (south), all destinations already served by the airline from London Gatwick. All flights will operate as British Airways services. Winter destinations have yet to be confirmed.

John Patterson, managing director GB Airways said: “I am delighted that we will start flights from Manchester. GB Airways has a long established partnership with British Airways and this new base will not only extend the British Airways network from Manchester but also create around 140 new jobs with GB Airways.

The extension of the franchise agreement to 2010 gives passengers and staff the reassurance that GB Airways will continue to offer British Airways services with all the benefits that you would expect from a full service airline at truly competitive fares. For the first time, customers in the North have a true alternative scheduled service to these popular sun-spots.”

David Evans, managing director, British Airways CitiExpress added: “This is great news for everyone in Manchester and the north. Now customers flying off on holiday and business will be able to take advantage of the British Airways terminal with the best lounges and facilities in the airport as well as having the reassurance of flying with British Airways. These flights will no doubt be very popular amongst our Executive Club members who travel using their BA Miles and want to fly direct.”

Did You Know?

GB Airways flies over two million passengers a year to 28 destinations across the Mediterranean region including the Canary Islands, Madeira and Portugal from London’s Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
Flights from London Gatwick to Fez in Morocco launch in November 2004 and flights to Heraklion, Crete start in May 2004.
GB Airways is based in the Beehive at Gatwick airport and has been operating as a British Airways franchise since 1995.
The airline holds the Queen’s Award for Enterprise and is part of the Bland Group of shipping aviation and travel companies established in 1810.
Return fares including taxes will start at: Malaga £99, Madeira £189, Malta £119 and Paphos £149, Tenerife £129.

30/09/2004″

pre-bookable seats

I think this concept was one of the factors that contributed to the downfall of charter airlines. In the days before pre-bookable seats everyone was treated equally. The great British public saw this idea (and the paid-for meals) as charter airlines cashing in for every penny they could and henceforth ditched them in favour of the growing locos.

a belated Happy Birthday!! 😀

Both fly to Rome’s second airport, Ciampino. For service quality, easyJet is often considered to be somewhat better than Ryanair but I guess that can be quite subjective. I guess it all comes down to which offers the better schedule, the cheaper price etc…