@SeanM1997

Norse Atlantic Airways are planning to launch operations in Summer 2022 from London, Oslo and Paris to various points in the US, using the Boeing 787 aircraft, of which 15 aircraft are awaiting delivery. London Gatwick has been named as the London airport and a British AOC is pending. As the airline is obtaining a UK AOC, should the new airline look at Manchester as a base? Manchester is the UK's third busiest airport and busiest outside of London. The airport has flights across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America - including several routes to USA. At the time of writing, in Summer 2022, the airport is expected to having the following US routes (subject to change): Atlanta - Virgin Atlantic (7x weekly on A330) Boston - Aer Lingus (not currently on sale) Houston - Singapore Airlines (5x weekly on A350) Los Angeles - Virgin Atlantic (3x weekly on A330) New York JFK - Aer Lingus (7x weekly on A321LR) New York JFK - Virgin Atlantic (7x weekly on A330) Orlando International - Aer Lin

Following the collapse of Flybe in March 2020 and liquidation of Stobart Air in June 2021, many routes between Ireland and the United Kingdom were left unserved. However, Ryanair have recently added an abundance of routes from Irish airports to the United Kingdom, closing the opportunity for a new Aer Lingus Regional airline to have a major presence in the market. Image 1: Ryanair Over recent months, Ryanair have announced a series of routes including: Knock - Edinburgh (commenced in September 2021) - previously served by Flybe Knock - Manchester (commenced in September 2021) - previously served by Flybe Shannon - Edinburgh (commenced in September 2021) - previously served by Stobart Air Shannon - London Luton (commences 7 October 2021) - previously unserved Dublin - Cardiff (commences 31 October 2021) - previously served by Flybe Shannon - Birmingham (commences 1 November 2021) - previously served by Stobart Air Image 2: Ryanair's recent Ireland - UK additions Ryanair have put on

This piece is all opinion base - please don't take this as fact or as a given that this will happen With British Airways reporting to end most of its short haul operation from London Gatwick - a number of slots would become available. Whilst the low cost carriers are looking for a presence at the UK's second busiest airport, British Airways are probably reluctant to allow these carriers to grow in what would be competition to BA's Heathrow operation and Vueling's Gatwick operation. One airline could be the answer for British Airways - Jet2. Jet2 have been expanding rapidly in the UK. In 2017, the leisure operator launched bases in Birmingham and London Stansted and in 2021 launched its 10th base at Bristol. This has shown clear intent to grow in Southern England and to become a UK wide carrier, after growing from Northern England in the 2000s. Gatwick presents the perfect opportunity for Jet2 and one British Airways would probably not mind supporting. Jet2 are known to

British Airways are reported to have axed plans to revive short haul operations at London Gatwick Airport, with all short haul flights removed from sale (excluding daily flights to Glasgow and Manchester). With the second largest carrier at Gatwick significantly reducing operations, which airlines could be interested in buying slot s and expand or add a presence at the UK's second busiest airport? London Gatwick has been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Norwegian Air and Virgin Atlantic have already closed its bases at the airport, whilst many long haul carriers have moved operations to Heathrow - including Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, Emirates and Rwandair. Whilst some of these airlines are forecast to return in Summer 2022, it is unclear to what extent they will return or if they would remain at Heathrow (if they can obtain long term slots). All this means there will be a great number of available slots at London Gatwick for new and incumbent airlines to base a