Sat up in Manchester on standby, flying third party work for another company, although we’ve had contracts for TCX in the past. I’m sure we’ll be flying repatriation flights as and when required. Sad times.
It’s an awful time for many folk, not just direct employees, but all the associated companies and their employees too. And not forgetting the stress on the customers. The flights we did for TCX were generally full, so the capacity is utilised. There will be a big bun-fight over slots, however my colleagues and I aren’t aware who has spare aircraft to service that requirement. The widebodied jets won’t be taken on (IMHO) by anyone as they’re seriously old now and would be a commercial liability. I don’t know about the narrowbodies.
Why don’t the CAA use the bankrupt airlines planes and staff?
The aircraft are owned by a leasing company; they will also be impounded at airfields until the landing/parking fees are settled and that they have the regulatory approval to fly, which can’t be issued to a bankrupt airline. The crew and ground staff will be busy looking for new jobs. Their passes will expire as Security is paramount.
The CAA are merely a regulator. They can’t and won’t requisition aircraft that are owned by a bank or anyone else.
I can’t help feel that RBS who were bailed out by the taxpayer should be coughing up; it’ll cost 3 times the bailout to repatriate…