Has Flybe bitten off more than it can chew?

Since the takeover of BA Connect by Flybe there has been a high number of cancellations and delays due to crew shortages. Over the last month or so it has been very noticeable in Jersey, as many flight have been cancelled leaving hundreds stranded in the island.

A report on our local Channel TV has tonight picked up the story stating that Flybe have admitted that they are struggling to maintain flight schedules at present due to staff shortages. LINK HERE

I was under the impression that when Flybe acquired BA Connect that the crew were part of the deal or am I wrong?.
I do hope that they get over their problems very soon and get back on schedule serving the island as they have done for many years without any major problems.

Jerseyboy

I wouldn't say that they have bitten off more than can chew but it will take time for everything to run smoothly. Having said this anyone who thought it would be plain sailing was mad- what you have to remember is that BE brought a carrier that was bigger than themselves so it was always going to be tough when you more than double in size over night.

The deal was orginally delayed due to some errors on BA's valuation of BACON, this didn't help win over "the hearts and minds" of BACON staff as Flybe couldnt commit to them when they said they could.

There are also issues with BACON staff who have joined flybe being annoyed with Flybe cutting bases at Bristol etc. All staff were given the option of joining BA Mainline or Flybe, I don't know the numbers who went to the mainline but it may have been more than joined Flybe hence the lack of crews. Considering the main problems are from Ex BACON stations then it would seem a heck of a lot of staff joined BA mainline.

It is also worth bearing in mind that BE are opertaing a large amount of aircraft which are unfamiliar to them. These ex BACON a/c can only be operated by ex BACON crew as they are the only ones type rated on them. They are also uncommon a/c in the UK so BE cant even sub in crew to operate the flights. Eventually these a/c will be phased out and replaced by Jungle jets and dash Q8s. The main problems do seem to be from airports such as BHX, Flybe exclusive stations such as Exeter and Norwich for example arent, AFAIK, having too many problems.

So give it a couple of months and I am sure everything will be back on track.

Got a few mates at Flybe & getting the BaCon guys to get into the "Flybe way" is far from easy. Heard some terrible tales of BaCon!!!!

Originally posted by willd
Flybe exclusive stations such as Exeter and Norwich for example arent, AFAIK, having too many problems.

...as I sit here in MAN waiting for my Norwich flight facing an hours delay.

NWI-MAN was delayed this morning too.....


[:(][:(]

My flight departure was 2 hours delayed in the end [:(!]

This didn't bother me greatly, what did though was the lack of updates / reasons for the delay.

Luckily we made about 25 minutes up in flight as the original Dash 8 Q400 was subbed to an ex-BA EMB-145.

The latest alledged Flywannabe craziness is that pax are not allowed to consume their own food and drink onboard, and can only consume items purchased from the crew...

http://www.uk-airport-news.info/birming ... 090607.htm

They cite allergens as a reason, but it sounds too much like profiteering from a captive audience.

Mike

It might be of some interest that Flybe are operating a 757 out of Southampton now, i don:t know what route it operates on though.
Richard

Originally posted by Richard
It might be of some interest that Flybe are operating a 757 out of Southampton now, i don:t know what route it operates on though.
Richard

I believe it is to cover the B+S routes such as FAO and PMI becuase the 737s have been returned to Asteraus and the Jungle Jets haven't all arrived.