Dogfighter2111 From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2004, 1968 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 2114 times:
They already fly LGW but there's been talk of expanding a lot in Europe. Clearly things have gone well so far with their 763 (although I'm just guessing - never been on the route), and with LON-JNB being generally so busy with something like 5 daily 744s already serving JNB from LHR (VS seasonal), perhaps CE acquiring a 744 isn't quite as over-optimistic as it initially sounds.
Dogfighter2111 From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2004, 1968 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 2011 times:
SA006 From South Africa, joined Sep 2003, 1883 posts, RR: 56 Reply 6, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 1980 times:
I think CE , with the new aircraft , would expand into Germany (probably MUC as they originally intended with the second 763 they were to receive ages ago , but cancelled) and most likely JNB-LOS which they were planning to serve with a 757 they intended to purchase.
Those seem the routes most likely to happen for now.
ZSOFN From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 1391 posts, RR: 8 Reply 8, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 1932 times:
Quoting BBJII (Reply 7): Nationwide are happy at LGW.
They serve the same market as LHR (Southern UK) and have great fares with good yeilds.
The also pick up alot of freight out of LGW from the US routes. This freight was previously roaded from LGW to LHR for BA/VS/SA.
Close working with DAS AirCargo, CE has seen alot of Entebbe freight moved to CE from DAS.
Despite the fact LGW is seen as inferior to LHR in pretty much every way, there is undeniably a great market for CE there. There's a large SA population around South London so getting to LGW isn't a problem for many people.
BBJII, I wasn't aware of the cargo agreements but it sounds like a real winner. I guess if a 744 was introduced on this route this would be a great benefit in terms of cargo (we all know about the 763's cargo capabilities).
So I don't see them moving to LHR - the cost and likelihood of acquiring slots is a big barrier to entry before any other considerations, and fares could only increase, with direct competition from BA, SA & VS. What CE already has to a certain extent is a niche market.
About increasing EU ops - would AMS be a consideration? I'm surprised JNB-AMS isn't a bigger market than it is with Dutch/Afrikaans links etc.
Georgiabill From United States of America, joined Mar 2003, 544 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 1837 times:
Would a 777-200er be a viable alternative for a 744? I know finding one may be problematic! I think if Nationwide was to expand assuming they could find available aircraft(maybe Delta and their somewhat orphan 7 strong fleet) would be a suitable aircraft for their immediate needs. The 767-300er's would be great if they wanted to do flights within Africa.
A342 From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 4655 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 1761 times:
Quoting SA006 (Reply 6): I think CE , with the new aircraft , would expand into Germany (probably MUC as they originally intended with the second 763 they were to receive ages ago
They wanted to serve MUC ? You completely surprised me ! Thx for the info ! By flying to MUC they would kick SA´s and LH´s ass who don´t !
ZSOFN From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 1391 posts, RR: 8 Reply 11, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 3 days ago) and read 1699 times:
Quoting Georgiabill (Reply 9): Would a 777-200er be a viable alternative for a 744? I know finding one may be problematic! I think if Nationwide was to expand assuming they could find available aircraft(maybe Delta and their somewhat orphan 7 strong fleet) would be a suitable aircraft for their immediate needs.
I wouldn't be surprised if CE are finding that particularly on their LGW route they need some serious capacity, and moreover 744s may be easier and cheaper to acquire at this point in time. If they were to step up to a daily LGW service they'd still only be offering half the capacity of SA or BA to LHR.
If VS can regularly use its 744s on the route whilst up against direct competition from BA and SA in LHR, I would think CE could do the same at LGW with cheaper fares. Incidentally if the LGW route has been so successful for CE then VS might get interested in starting services from LGW...
ETStar From Canada, joined Jan 2004, 2103 posts, RR: 9 Reply 12, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 3 days ago) and read 1673 times:
Quoting BBJII (Reply 7): Close working with DAS AirCargo, CE has seen alot of Entebbe freight moved to CE from DAS.
CE does not serve Entebbe. Is it just me who finds something wrong with this statement? Also, if freight going to EBB, why go down to JNB before flying back up?
Quoting A342 (Reply 10): They wanted to serve MUC ? eyepopping You completely surprised me ! Thx for the info ! By flying to MUC they would kick SA´s and LH´s ass who don´t ! dopey
Was the MUC service announced by that never-flew airline, African Star?
ETStar From Canada, joined Jan 2004, 2103 posts, RR: 9 Reply 13, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 3 days ago) and read 1669 times:
Also, doubt JNB-LOS for CE, with VK now being in the scene... and it appears that South African will be reducing its flights to just 4x per week as of November, from the current daily.
MIASkies From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 1335 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 1554 times:
Some months ago their were talks about Nationwide possibly serving CPT-MIA could this hint at that?
Yes , I beleive the Nigerian goverment has a limit for the number of flights SAA can operate into LOS since their interest lies in their own airlines so it seems CE won't be able to get LOS. But I am pretty sure another destination into Africa would be a very good possibility.
Quoting MIASkies (Reply 14): Some months ago their were talks about Nationwide possibly serving CPT-MIA could this hint at that?
That is a possibility. But its all a guessing game at the moment.
Quoting A342 (Reply 10): They wanted to serve MUC ? You completely surprised me ! Thx for the info ! By flying to MUC they would kick SA´s and LH´s ass who don´t !
Yes. It was even rumoured when SAA announced they were to join Star , they would serve MUC but , has never happened.
Quoting ZSOFN (Reply 8): About increasing EU ops - would AMS be a consideration? I'm surprised JNB-AMS isn't a bigger market than it is with Dutch/Afrikaans links etc.
I see more of a market available in Germany than in Holland. KLM would be direct and stiff competition for CE.
Sponsor Message: 
From Switzerland, joined Jun 2005, 1813 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2004, 1968 posts, 
From UK - England, joined Mar 2005, 3760 posts, 
From South Africa, joined Sep 2003, 1883 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Mar 2003, 544 posts, 
From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 4655 posts, 
You completely surprised me ! Thx for the info ! By flying to MUC they would kick SA´s and LH´s ass who don´t ! 
From Canada, joined Jan 2004, 2103 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
