The exact wording in the article Looopings is referring to is: "
The opening of the Rookburgh theme section is at the earliest next year, but possibly only in 2019."
I've read the original article and it just seems like a report on Vekoma and their recent business. As far as I could understand there was
no interview section with anyone from Vekoma (I assume they did speak to someone to get the figures about how much their recent business was worth but it wasn't an interview).
In the article the journalist says Vekoma won't reveal any information about F.L.Y. And the line about the opening year, I think, is
from the writer and not anyone at Vekoma. At least that's how it reads. The article doesn't make a big deal of it, it simply says it might be next year or 2019 and moves on. If Vekoma had told them that you'd think they would make a bigger deal of it (oh look we got exclusive information). Only the attention seekers at Looopings are going mad with the mention of 2019.
Also their description of how F.L.Y. works, "After the restraints are closed the seat clap into the flying position so guests are already on their belly. Then the train is launched (as opposed to using a lift like other flying coasters)", leaves much to be desired.
As with Klugheim the park aren't announcing an opening date far in advance. Because things can and do go wrong. Delays happen. Given how they started promoting it in the park with the biggest sign of all time back in June I think they are planning for a 2018 open. But maybe they are aiming for the start of season 2019.
And maybe delays will push it back to 2019. They have
already suffered delays with the concrete work foundations due to issues with the ground (something to do with the type of ground and water problems I believe)
The ground issues created delays in both the construction of Chiapas and Black Mamba. Both those projects also suffered other delays (Chiapas - Intamin's prototype systems having all sorts of problems) (Black Mamba - B&M incorrectly manufactured of one of the loop supports which had to be entirely redone. Believe that one support caused a month's delay.) Thankfully Mamba only ended up being two months delayed while on the other hand Chiapas.......
I'm still optimistic for a 2018 opening. I think it is doable providing no other delays befall F.L.Y. and the winter isn't too harsh delaying construction.
But until we see how much progress they make in the next few months it will be impossible to say for sure.
