RE: Monarch Airlines

I flew with MON a while ago and found them to be quite good. Charter airlines will never be described as world beating carriers, but the overall service standards on most charter carriers has come on a long way over the past decade. Unless of course, your airlines name is Airtours International.

RE: VC 10 and Il-62

The VC-10 (and Super VC-10) were poor sellers because they were designed too closely to the requirements of one airline – BOAC. The Il-62 sold in large numbers primarily to Aeroflot. Back when the Il-62 was introduced, Aeroflot only flew Russian built aircraft and lots of the aircraft were required because they were needed to replace older types and let us not forget the number of routes the airline flew in the former USSR. To suggest it was a vast network is an understatement. Hence why a considerable number of them were built.

As for the VC-10, it was designed with hot and high routes in mind – Take off performance was very impressive. However, it lacked the range to compete with the likes of the 707 and DC-8, and so only a small number were sold. I still think it ranks along side the 757 and 747 as one of the best looking aircraft ever built.

RE: GO at EMA

EMA could do with a boost in passenger services, and the arrival of GO is evident that this airport has a bright future ahead of it.

As for BMI, they have been trying to concentrate on services out of LHR for years and EMA has taken a back seat for a while now. It’s too early to speculate about them pulling out of the airport. Personally, I doubt they will pull out, though they may reduce frequency on some routes that Go will compete on.

RE: A330-500

The A330-500 was proposed to Lufthansa some time ago, but the German carrier was said to be unimpressed with what Airbus had to offer. The project has since been shelved due to lack of interest. Lufthansa know they need a replacement for their A300/A310 fleet soon, but they seem unsure of what they want. They seriously considered buying the B757-300, but they’ve dropped those plans also.

The biggest issue with the A310 was range, but I’ve heard rumblings of a new version being talked about. I doubt if this will amount to anything though. The A310 would have outsold the 767 in the 1980s and 1990s if the range was greater. It had many things going for it – Wider cabin, the ability to hold industry standard LD3 containers, advanced wing design.

In the current economical climate, you’ll see much smaller types replacing such types as the 757/767 and A300/A310. BA are replacing their 757 fleet with A319s and A320s. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lufthansa go for the A321 for it’s short haul needs. Just a thought.

RE: US Tragedy

24 hours after this attrocity and I still cannot comprehend what has happened. When I was first informed of the first airliner crashing into the WTC, I thought it was a sick joke. I then switched on the TV and moments later I saw what looked like a 767 smash into the second tower. I couldn’t even talk after I witnessed this horrific act.

My thoughts are with our friends in America. You have my deepest sympathies.

RE: Virgin Sun

First Choice is to take full control of Virgin Sun during November. Air 2000 will then operate all flights that Virgin Sun flew. The small Virgin Sun Airbus fleet will not be part of the package however.

On a different note, I’ve heard that Monarch are up for sale. Anybody have any news on this?

RE: Britannia

This new ‘uniform’ livery Britannia will share with Hapag-Lloyd disturbs me a little. Both said carriers will lose their individual identity and the new colours as a whole are quite poor. I agree that perhaps both airlines were in need of a new lick of paint, but going down this avenue of the blue ‘Korean Air’ style colours is not favoured.

I’m not the only one to be negative of this new image. Many people have voiced strong opinions and have been very critical of TUI.

You never know though. BA reversed it’s world images and is now paiting the whole of it’s fleet with the union flag image. Perhaps if public outcry is as strong as it was with the BA livery, then maybe TUI will reconsider. Personally, I doubt this will happen, especially after several million pounds has been spent developing the new identity.

RE: New/restyled a/c c/s in the planning?

Britannia Airways is getting a new livery, along with it’s sister company Hapag Lloyd. As both carriers now come under the World of TUI banner, they will have an identical livery. I’ve seen the colours already (a Hapag 737 was the first to be repainted) and they look very much like the Korean Air livery(!)

Personally, I’m horrified by the new colours. Both Britannia and Hapag Lloyd are due for a new livery as their current colours have been around for several years, but did they have to go for such a horrible scheme?