New Routes to Maldives + Sharm El Shiekh.

BA have announced this morning the following from this winter:

3 x weekly LGW-MLE using a 3 class 777
3 x weekly LGW-SSH using a 3 class 777
End of LGW-JFK from end of summer season

So there we go. MLE is announced using the spare 777 from the axing of the JFK service. JFK did not last long at all and one has to wonder if BA only ever intended it as a stop gap measure. I can see MLE being a real money earner considering that the only direct options are with charters ex LGW (or via DXB). Surely a winner with the newly weds market.

Interesting to see SSH return and with a 777!! Surely will give the charters and U2 a run for their money. I wonder what the yields are like on SSH up the front?

So VS missed out on the trick of starting MLE before BA a real shame but not surprising given the lack of aircraft.

Press Release from BA here

[HighFlyer]

Great news. As you say, both routes that do a lot of charter business with no real scheduled competition. I can see me wanting to do both routes, especially if SSH falls into the long-haul 120 TP bucket as per Cairo.

Thanks,
Sarah

Yes it will be interesting to see if SSH is classed as long-haul with CW or short-haul with CE. Anyway great news.

That is cool because i too fancied flying to maldives but wouldnt go upto now as only charters flew there.

cheers

alex

[mitchja]

EK and QR both fly to MLE via the Middle East and SQ fly there via SIN, but good to see a direct scheduled flight from the UK.

Regards

quote:Originally posted by lilyjosh0
Yes it will be interesting to see if SSH is classed as long-haul with CW or short-haul with CE. Anyway great news.


WEll BA have confirmed that it is going to be using a 777 so will be with CW in. Like Sarah said it will be the same as Cairo which is operated using the 744 with full CW. Makes me giggle though as U2 obviously believe it is justifiable using the LCC model hmmmm I know which I would select!


Will be interesting to see what VS does. It is clear that BA have decided that, possibly, the long haul holiday market hasn't been hit as much as they predicted and so are keen to expand. BA seem to have really thrown the challenge to VS, especially when one considers it has been VS that have been active in expanding the holiday routes ex LGW not BA.

The only downside I can see to MLE, is that people prefere to do the trip as two centre, with some time in DXB or AUH or Doha as well. Of course this plays right into EK/QR hands.

Interesting though will be how Sri Lankan respond, they I beleive currently operate twice weekly direct to MLE and the onto Sri Lanka (on the other days I beleive they route via Sri Lanka on the outbound).

Really glad that SSH is CW and 120 TP's to boot. The only drawback is the outward flight time departing LGW at 22.00 and landing at 05.00. OK if your hotel will let you check in early but otherwise a bit of a pain.

[HighFlyer]

quote:Originally posted by lilyjosh0
Really glad that SSH is CW and 120 TP's to boot. The only drawback is the outward flight time departing LGW at 22.00 and landing at 05.00. OK if your hotel will let you check in early but otherwise a bit of a pain.


True. Of the times I have been to SSH the majority of the charters leave around 10pm so many of the hotels will often offer a half day rate to guests that want to keep their room, it would be nice if they could offer the same to BA pax.

The CAI flight leaves at a good time though, so possibly fly to CAI, a day or two there then over to SSH. Doesnt work out so well for the divers but suits the vacationers.

Thanks,
Sarah

A possible reason they have chosen SSH is because of the poor exchange rate on the Euro Vs . A lot of Brits are looking for their winter sun outside the EU and Sharm is a bit of a bargain. This could give them a good return.

Miopyk[8D]