DERRY/LONDONDERRY
Join Date: May 2003
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WHIH
You would think that something would have been learnt from the Bristol experience, who were initially in denial but gained respect from the moment they dealt with the problem while keeping everybody informed. It seems now that the Derry airport management invited the CAA to do an audit prior to starting work on the runway extension. Curioser and curioser
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Not sure there's really a comparison here with Bristol. They experienced problems during a planned works programme on the runway (and during extreme weather conditions). City of derry have yet to begn the Rwy works and I would imagine have simply been tripped up by a failure to implement previous recommendations out of CAA Audits.
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Is George Best safer???
Appeal for probe into emergency closure of airport
Monday, May 28, 2007
By Brendan McDaid and William Allen
All circumstances leading to the shutdown of City of Derry airport must be investigated, a former committee chairman has said.
As talks resumed to resolve the crisis at the airport, ex-chairman of the airport committee, William Hay, said that while the first priority was reopening, questions would follow about why the Civil Aviation Authority withdrew the license on Friday.
A meeting was due to take place this afternoon, 24 hours after the CAA undertook a site and safety review.
Derry City Council, which owns the Eglinton airport, today maintained that the CAA was "reassured" by its commitment to resolving the safety issues.
The CAA shut the airport on Friday after an inspection raised concerns over runway drainage, an inadequate aircraft parking area, its bird plan and lighting.
In January, a report noted complaints about the airport's lighting system after an Eirjet cock-up when a plane landed at nearby Ballykelly Army base by mistake. The report into the Ballykelly incident was carried out by the Government's Air Accident Investigations branch.
While the lighting system was not to blame, the report noted: "Pilots are reported to have commented that Runway 26 at Londonderry is very difficult to see from a distance, as the approach lights apparently do not stand out on a bright day."
Mr Hay said: "The ratepayers, and those passengers affected by all this need a full explanation of how we ended up at this point."
Mr Hay added: "As soon as the safety issues are sorted to the satisfaction of the CAA, we need to take a step back and find out the whole story. We, as councillors, need to ask hard questions," Mr Hay added.
A list of remedial action has now been drawn up after yesterday's inspection, along with a full audit of the aerodrome. Contractors were drafted in over the bank holiday weekend to carry out improvements to the bird management system.
Remedial repairs at the parking area and minor drainage work adjacent to the runway was completed. A council spokeswoman said a review of safety was " in progress".
She said: "Monday will provide an updated position from the CAA and their view on the safety provision.
"While we apologise for the uncertainty to airlines and passengers, safety remains our number one priority. Council remains optimistic that business can resume as soon as possible".
Information telephone lines have been set-up; they are 028 7130 5544 and 028 7181 0784.
(BELFAST TELEGRAPH 28//5//2007)
Monday, May 28, 2007
By Brendan McDaid and William Allen
All circumstances leading to the shutdown of City of Derry airport must be investigated, a former committee chairman has said.
As talks resumed to resolve the crisis at the airport, ex-chairman of the airport committee, William Hay, said that while the first priority was reopening, questions would follow about why the Civil Aviation Authority withdrew the license on Friday.
A meeting was due to take place this afternoon, 24 hours after the CAA undertook a site and safety review.
Derry City Council, which owns the Eglinton airport, today maintained that the CAA was "reassured" by its commitment to resolving the safety issues.
The CAA shut the airport on Friday after an inspection raised concerns over runway drainage, an inadequate aircraft parking area, its bird plan and lighting.
In January, a report noted complaints about the airport's lighting system after an Eirjet cock-up when a plane landed at nearby Ballykelly Army base by mistake. The report into the Ballykelly incident was carried out by the Government's Air Accident Investigations branch.
While the lighting system was not to blame, the report noted: "Pilots are reported to have commented that Runway 26 at Londonderry is very difficult to see from a distance, as the approach lights apparently do not stand out on a bright day."
Mr Hay said: "The ratepayers, and those passengers affected by all this need a full explanation of how we ended up at this point."
Mr Hay added: "As soon as the safety issues are sorted to the satisfaction of the CAA, we need to take a step back and find out the whole story. We, as councillors, need to ask hard questions," Mr Hay added.
A list of remedial action has now been drawn up after yesterday's inspection, along with a full audit of the aerodrome. Contractors were drafted in over the bank holiday weekend to carry out improvements to the bird management system.
Remedial repairs at the parking area and minor drainage work adjacent to the runway was completed. A council spokeswoman said a review of safety was " in progress".
She said: "Monday will provide an updated position from the CAA and their view on the safety provision.
"While we apologise for the uncertainty to airlines and passengers, safety remains our number one priority. Council remains optimistic that business can resume as soon as possible".
Information telephone lines have been set-up; they are 028 7130 5544 and 028 7181 0784.
(BELFAST TELEGRAPH 28//5//2007)
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Perhaps you would care to share your concerns as to why you singled out BHD as opposed to any other regional airport on the planet.
With the exception of bird activity, none of the other concerns listed for LDY apply at BHD as far as I can see. On the whole, a very satisfactory operation airside.
With the exception of bird activity, none of the other concerns listed for LDY apply at BHD as far as I can see. On the whole, a very satisfactory operation airside.
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Looks like some serious overtime this weekend, it's been cleared to re-open:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6697549.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6697549.stm
See also http://www.abtn.co.uk/Derry_Airport_closed
which publicises the fact that the non-compliance has been known to CAA for years; reading between the lines they finally lost patience. But why does it take years? Either an airport complies or it doesn't. If the required standards can safely be ignored for years then there's either something wrong with the standards, or something wrong with the regulator. The standards are ICAO's, so that leaves, er, the regulator
It's not the only case where on every annual inspection/audit the same old comments are made, the same excuses, followed by the same promises are made, and nothing happens. Operations continue blithely on, and everyone files the paperwork neatly.
Didn't you love the quote from the Airport Director:
"Airport chief executive Seamus Devine said they wanted to apologise to all of their customers.
"It's the last thing we wanted to happen and of course we accept a large part of the responsibilty," he said. "
"They" and "we", I guess, must refer to his management team, and the Council which owns and runs the place. But I wonder who has accepted the small part of the responsibility? The little people?
How's about:
"I, and the Officers of the Council that employs me, accept ALL the responsibility, and we have therefore all resigned and waived our rights to a fat payoff and pension, recognising that we have put the million passengers we are boasting about at an unacceptable risk due to our incompetence."
And perhaps the role of the CAA, supine as always, should be looked at, too.
which publicises the fact that the non-compliance has been known to CAA for years; reading between the lines they finally lost patience. But why does it take years? Either an airport complies or it doesn't. If the required standards can safely be ignored for years then there's either something wrong with the standards, or something wrong with the regulator. The standards are ICAO's, so that leaves, er, the regulator
It's not the only case where on every annual inspection/audit the same old comments are made, the same excuses, followed by the same promises are made, and nothing happens. Operations continue blithely on, and everyone files the paperwork neatly.
Didn't you love the quote from the Airport Director:
"Airport chief executive Seamus Devine said they wanted to apologise to all of their customers.
"It's the last thing we wanted to happen and of course we accept a large part of the responsibilty," he said. "
"They" and "we", I guess, must refer to his management team, and the Council which owns and runs the place. But I wonder who has accepted the small part of the responsibility? The little people?
How's about:
"I, and the Officers of the Council that employs me, accept ALL the responsibility, and we have therefore all resigned and waived our rights to a fat payoff and pension, recognising that we have put the million passengers we are boasting about at an unacceptable risk due to our incompetence."
And perhaps the role of the CAA, supine as always, should be looked at, too.
Join Date: Jan 1999
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Can The CAA ever win ?
If the CAA don't shut the airport you lot say that they are a toothless watchdog and when they do shut the place down you lot say they should have done it sooner. . . . . . life is just so simple sitting in front of the computor!
A & C
I suppose I'm you lot...
No-one said they are a toothless watchdog. The problem is they are slow to use the teeth they've got, and yes, they should have done it sooner.
I repeat, if it wasn't safe last week, it hasn't been safe for years.
I suppose I'm you lot...
No-one said they are a toothless watchdog. The problem is they are slow to use the teeth they've got, and yes, they should have done it sooner.
I repeat, if it wasn't safe last week, it hasn't been safe for years.
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BHD. No slight intended
No Inuendo intended against BHD,Maude Charlee. It was a rhetorical question, hence the question marks at the end.......
"Perhaps you would care to share your concerns as to why you singled out BHD as opposed to any other regional airport on the planet.
With the exception of bird activity, none of the other concerns listed for LDY apply at BHD as far as I can see. On the whole, a very satisfactory operation airside"
The reason I choose BHD is that it and LDY are the only two regional airports in Northern Ireland that I regularly fly into as SLF.I have no doubt that airside operations are entirely satisfactory.
As regionals go it is efficient ,friendly and a delight to use.The view down the middle of the lough can be a bonus when it is not raining!!
Out of curiousity are there any special restrictions on the buses operations there?? Presumably u/s thrust reversers are not on the deferred equipment list?????
"Perhaps you would care to share your concerns as to why you singled out BHD as opposed to any other regional airport on the planet.
With the exception of bird activity, none of the other concerns listed for LDY apply at BHD as far as I can see. On the whole, a very satisfactory operation airside"
The reason I choose BHD is that it and LDY are the only two regional airports in Northern Ireland that I regularly fly into as SLF.I have no doubt that airside operations are entirely satisfactory.
As regionals go it is efficient ,friendly and a delight to use.The view down the middle of the lough can be a bonus when it is not raining!!
Out of curiousity are there any special restrictions on the buses operations there?? Presumably u/s thrust reversers are not on the deferred equipment list?????
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I repeat, if it wasn't safe last week, it hasn't been safe for years.
Every airport in the UK has a list of safety issues which are tolerated by CAA
Let me assure you, we are not talking of minor, unimportant variances in many cases, we are talking of major hazards, which are not "rectified over a short timescale". One of the worst I know about has been there since 1980 (before that, in fact, but it became important at that time) and was commented on by CAA in 1984 if not earlier.
we'll see whether they have the balls to do it to some of the bigger boys with similar issues.
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Sounds like standard procedure if the article is to be believed; though a cynical man might say when things go @rse over t!t the buck stops with the manager.
As an aside, Falcon are starting charters to Bulgaria from Spring '08, which can only be good news.
As an aside, Falcon are starting charters to Bulgaria from Spring '08, which can only be good news.
Join Date: May 2003
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Politics
A golden rule when choosing a scapegoat, is to pick a man who is not going to take anybody with him. Speaking generally of course.
How can the council run the airport when forced into a shoestring budget, having to regularly appease the recurring anti-airport lobby of non travelling luddite ratepayers?
How can the council run the airport when forced into a shoestring budget, having to regularly appease the recurring anti-airport lobby of non travelling luddite ratepayers?
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Derry Airport today
Hi all,
Was in LDY today and an LTE was in from Palma, good load in it and back out again. It was on the ground 1 hour and 6 mins! Quite an impressive take off down the wet runway, it had to wait until the train went past to get away!
Has anyone heard any rumours about EMA being pulled?
Was in LDY today and an LTE was in from Palma, good load in it and back out again. It was on the ground 1 hour and 6 mins! Quite an impressive take off down the wet runway, it had to wait until the train went past to get away!
Has anyone heard any rumours about EMA being pulled?
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Yes i heard its going to be pulled, with luck may just be reduced, but the low numbers of pax speaks volumes.
One thing that does really get on my tits is the trainline, i've had to do a go around before all because of a train????? Come on we only have 25 mins from touch down to take off, we cant afford to wait for a train.
One thing that does really get on my tits is the trainline, i've had to do a go around before all because of a train????? Come on we only have 25 mins from touch down to take off, we cant afford to wait for a train.