RE: Saab 340

Wait till you get upgraded to BA’s First class – romper suits, half a cabin to yourself…surely BA’s prettiest stewardesses…

RE: 17 killed in Cuban plane crash

Okay keltic, I agree with the majority of your points. There is no doubt that the Cuban regime has lots of flaws; still, Cuba will be naturally reluctant to take what might be seen as a Spanish bail-out.

All sorts of former colonies feel the same; being a Brit, I’ve experienced it first hand in all sorts of places. Even back in the 60’s and 70’s, the government of Zambia refused to allow a British construction firm to build the dam at lake Kariba at a low price; the French did it instead.

But you can’t deny that US sanctions play a big part – in fact, would the US even allow ATR’s to be sold to Cuba? They must contain at least some US (engines for one!) parts and the Americans usually object very strongly to that kind of thing.

It’s obviously because the feel embarrassed at the exploding cigar era!

RE: St. Paddys Day

Zambian Airways have a partally green colour scheme, though only on Beechcraft 1900D’s.

http://www.africa-insites.com/zambianairways/

RE: 17 killed in Cuban plane crash

The US still has sanctions against Cuba, I believe.

It would therefore be impossible for a Cuban carrier to purchase any new airliners or the majority of spare parts for them. The parts for Soviet-bloc aircraft have always been in short supply; in the old days, once they ceased production they also stopped making parts.

It’s frankly a miracle that civil aviation exists in Cuba at all – maybe you should direct a little of your anger at Cubana towards to the Americans. I don’t think the UK or EU have the same sanctions.

RE: Manx Airlines

Back to the original post…

I think a twice daily IOM-AMS route would be a treat.

What do you think would be the most economical aircraft for such a route?