More Transatlantic Routes To EDI After CO?

[GoEDI]

I think that the other US majors are going to be watching how the EDI route works for CO closely once it starts, in the hope that it will be successful. If it is proven to be, then I can see some other airlines wanting to jump on the bandwagon and operate to EDI from/to the US, as the demand must be there!
What do you think? realistic or not? and if so what routes may start?

[Joe Curry]

Long haul is largely untried from EDI, one of the main problems appear to be infrastructure.

EDI lacks suitable universal wide-body stands and terminal
holding lounges for large capacity aircraft.

Having said that, BAA must be aware of the deficiencies and they
surely must be taking steps to address them.

It's crazy that Scotland's seat of government and the UK's number two tourist and financial centre does not offer more long-haul.

Two weekly seasonal Canada flights and one daily USA flight
is abysmal.

I do agree that a successful CO flight might be the lever to
persuade other airlines to offer more EDI direct long-haul
services.

Perhaps Air Canada might be next to take the plunge.?:ok:

[kpiko3]

United Airlines and BMI have both spoken about EDI and possible long haul.

And as said before EDI just has not yet got the proper long haul status i.e,Runway legnth,Stands etc.

I am pretty sure that any tx flight into EDI would work,recent statistics show that most people travelling to GLA from the US are visiting the city of Edinburgh.

BAA,get your fingers out.

Kpiko3

[Joe Curry]

> And as said before EDI just has not yet got the proper long
> haul status i.e,Runway legnth,Stands etc.

EDI's runway length should pose no problems for modern
aircraft. For example Birmingham's runway is 2605 metres
and Dublin's is 2637 metres - against EDI's 2506 metres.

Both DUB and BHX have long-haul programmes.

Scottish Airport's MD, Donal Dowds, suggested recently that
EDI's runway might incorporate start-up strips in the future. :O

[GoEDI]

Yes, the runway length isn't the problem, unless it is to the west coast US. Air Canada would work with 762s, EDI can handle them well anough.
Is Qatar remotely interested in EDI maybe to rival EK from GLA? or was I dreaming? :O
Where and when did you hear about UA? BMI transatlantic was virtually defininite until 9/11 :{

[Ringwayman]

All the bumpf I've read about bmi's long-haul aspirations (including the small matter of CAA license applications) has not once mentioned EDI; they went after around 4 LHR destinations initially and upped it around 15 or so, their MAN applications numbered around 9 or so. They will be operating only out of MAN and LHR, with MAN not expanding much above 5 or 6 long-haul routes.

[GoEDI]

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/162846/M/

The best proof I could find. :)

[Caslance]

Are the British Midland A320s ETOPS equipped, then????? :E

[GoEDI]

http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/040223/1531000845_2.html

This has to be a excellant chance for EDI, surely ATA will notice that it is underserved.

[Joe Curry]

Mike Bishop did raise EDI hopes way back in May 2001.

There is obviously no doubt about EDI's long-haul potential.

Airlines keep making noises, Continental, to their credit, have taken the plunge and they will make money where others have feared to tread. :D

Here's the announcement. (http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1377312001)