Looking at the Delta operation for this summer, it seems that the two new-ish JFK services have squeezed out two Atlanta services. So ATL-LGW drops to 2 x B767s as opposed to 4 x767s in 2005 and 2 x 767s and a 777 last year.
So no expansion in real terms at Gatwick for Delta after all the headlines etc. Are slots really so tight at the minute? Or is it gates at the North Terminal with Continental moving across?
Does anybody know why Continental moving into North Terminal and where they going to park ?
Flyer55, GAL have made some changes to the check-in and baggage sorting areas, which opens up some capacity in the North terminal. At least it does in those areas. There are no more parking stands than there were last year. CO will be using the stands allocated to airlines other than BA, i.e. from stand 51 down to stand 46.
Location: Down at the sharp pointy end, where all the weather is made.
Age: 63
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GRS are one of four refuelling companies at LGW. Dunno what percentage of the business they have, but it's a competitive game. Not sure if the others would take up the slack. Anyone got a definitive list of who refuels whom?
VK moved to the North to fill the void left in Zone B by the loss of the daily EY service as far as I am aware. Not sure the exact reason behind CO's move, it will make travelling CO more pleasurable than using the South and I think BAA have/are increasing their security space in the South which has encroached on where CO check in now and BA need to save money and each desk I think (?) costs around £100,000 per year to operate so BA are losing Zone F and concentrating on just Zones C, D and half of E, especially with the introduction of the new baggage facility (TBF) at the North allowing BA to check in bags to any destiation at any desk. I head CO were having Zone F desks 7-20 I think, the current 'Bag Drop' desks for BA, if true who will be taking F1-6?
Does anyone know what's going on at Gatwick with all the demolishing on the south side? The old BA crew report centre has gone and is now a small car park. I see the hangars are being knocked down and removed one by one. A lot of work and a lot of expense, but not really much publicity! Is there a connection to the recent changes in planning laws that should make protracted Terminal 5-type planning procedures a thing of the past? (ie what's it going to be, new runway or new terminal?). Whatever it is, it all seems to be unnaturally quiet.
Its not been unnaturally quiet at all. It has been much publicised round LGW! They are comming down to make way for more carparking, more crew rooms, and a new multi aircraft hangar. They are all comming down except for the BA one at the end.
Follows a letter sent to BAA and DfT over three weeks ago. On a second prompt I received an acknowledgement from BAA but that is it.
To Whom It May Concern,
I have previously written to the BAA to complain about, in particular, a filthy toilet at London Gatwick; and in general, about the general tackiness of our “flagship” airports. I am often appalled at the state of facilities, particularly toilet facilities offered to those passengers not fortunate enough to use the airport lounges (I do not always have that opportunity but it is welcome when available). Terminal 4’s baggage collection area is particularly gross.
My recent experience on return from a business trip from Australia only serves to reinforce my contention that there are serious management failings regarding infrastructure, its maintenance and the attitude to passengers.
I arrived at LHR on Qantas QF 029 at around 1330 on May 16th travelling Melbourne/Heathrow/Newcastle. The aircraft could not pull in to its remote stand since the guidance system had not been switched on; no problem, these things happen. However, even with it working the aircraft could not pull in due to improperly parked cargo equipment on the stand. We finally deplaned at about 1400.
The British Airways bus that conveyed us to Terminal 4 was filthy; worn seats and a dirt-encrusted floor and fittings (I know that BA’s vehicles have little to do with BAA but it gives an impression of general sloppiness at the airport). The Flight Connections bus from Terminal 4 to Terminal 1 was also dirty. I was embarrassed to hear some Australian passengers – rightly – disparaging our shared experience.
Worse, however, was the condition of the “Flight Connections” security area at Terminal 1. There were plastic bottles and other litter strewn about the area. The carpet was dirty, torn and in places repaired with tape. What sort of impression does this give visitors to the United Kingdom? I am fortunate to travel to many places around the world and most airports I use – even those in countries we consider “Third World” – have better airport facilities than we have in the UK. In fact, during the trip described above, I used Melbourne and Hong Kong, both examples of clean and tidy airports. One does not have to travel far to see how to make an airport look good; visit Amsterdam, Brussels, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Düsseldorf, Köln, Frankfurt or Helsinki if you fancy a day out. Further away, Almaty and Karachi are decent airports; we do not have to discuss Dubai or Singapore. They all make Heathrow and Gatwick look like what they are: shabby and unkempt shopping centres.
If you deign to reply, kindly do not offer platitudes about forthcoming improvements. What matters is the state of the airports and the level of service offered to passengers today.
Well done, if nothing else it humms a note of discontent from the PAYING public. BAA is a prime example of the "we're doing you a big favour" or "don't you know we own Heathrow and Gatwick" attitude.
Agreed - was in Term 3 on Monday. The Gent's toilets near the check in area were a disgrace. Most cubicles and all hand dryers were out of order. This indicated by barely literate notices taped to the offending objects. Unbelievable.
Teminal 3 altogether is a right hole, years old and no sunlight in the place at all. That roof inside the terminal, which when you look up at you become dizzy by all those squares (you get the idea?), is also a bit of a health hazard, I mean I couldn't tell you the number of cobwebs I walked into, we'd probably be here til Christmas!
Terminal 1 nearly one time did me an injury, I was exhausted at carrying all that luggage for ages, sat down on a filthy, white, plastic garden seat (which there was loads of by the way), only to just about stop myself from getting hurt, as a leg on the seat snapped in half. Airpot worker came over and said would you like another seat, didn't even ask me if I was ok, and don't ask me how I didn't lose my temper, I really do not know! I just picked up my luggage, pretended she didn't exist by not replying to her, and just went to check-in.
I walked into, we'd probably be here til Christmas!
