Usually schedule changes are for little things. The aircraft may arrive from another destination into AUH which has slot restrictions and they need to have a minimum time to turn the aircraft around.

Maybe the extra few minutes is to accomidate transfers which are popular but the exsisting schedule may not allow sufficent connecting time when people see that it can put the off.

I saw a Virgin Nigeria A340 outside one of the hangers in DUB today, didnt catch the reg.

I can see where Gary is coming from. Thomsonfly dropped their Doncaster flight just after FR started the route. Other dropped routes include IB to BCN although it will now be operated by clickair.

Air Malta are apparently dropping their MLA-DUB flight although they were only one weekly.

I know the 737s were transferred from mainline to baby but it still wouldnt make sense to buy 73Gs would it?

Fair enough about crews not being able to transfer from one airline to another but from a maintenance perspecitve does it not make sense for them to have as few types as possible.

If maintenance on the current BD and WW fleets done at the same place?

I really am bewildered by the bmi group.

On one side I know they need new aircraft to expand and to help WW grow but then on the other side I dont think they are making the most of what the already have.

My opinion is that if the aircraft are for bmi mainline then they should be A319as the already have a strong fleet of A319/A320 but it doesnt take a genius to come to that conclusion.

If the new aircraft are for bmibaby they should also be A319 simply to keep things like maintenance simple and if the really needed to crew could switch from one airline to another.

73G is an awful idea as they just dont fit into the current fleet.

The idea of replacing the WW 737s with E190s is stupid. It is an unproven type in LCC operations, I know BE are introducing them but they havnt proven themselves yet against the 737 or A319, again just my opinion.

Then again we all know that the bmi group arnt the best at making desicions.

When you say UA are looking at a MAN-LAX or SFO are they actively looking at it or is it wishful thinkn your behalf?

Over the last few years pretty much since I got interested in aviation MAN people have been talking about new long haul routes most of wish havnt come about.