Originally Posted by
Rivet Joint
Wow, talk about what a difference a day makes! First and foremost, this very welcome news, and perhaps it suggests there is an airline secretly driving this investment. Strange how some progress is being made since David Brent went to Bristol?
However, lets not get carried away. Some quick pros and cons I have noticed: -
+ The starter strip which was not expected and should help add flights to further destinations and with less restrictions;
+ Extended terminal with covered walkway for the majority of the stands;
+ Creation of more larger stands so more large aircraft can be handled at once;
+ Possible unlocking of the north east land;
- What is with the half arsed additional taxiway by stand 14? Aircraft will still have to backtrack the runway like they would do on a dirtstrip in the outback. Utterly woeful decision not to do a full length taxiway if all the equipment is going to be on site to do the pointless part (and presumably relaying the runway which is due?). I have said this before, look at the arrivals and departures on any given day and even planes that arrive early leave late. This is not efficient;
- Why are the first set of improvements shown on a plan which is indicative of the year 2027? Nearly 10 years away? Absolutely no part of the last masterplan was ever implemented, probably on the augment demand did not warrant it. In another 10 years time SOU will be in exactly the same position as it is today, and was in 10 years ago at the time of the last master plan. Investment facilitates growth(!), growth cannot happen with out investment(!), LOOK AT SOUTHEND!
- The creation of 4 larger stands has resulted in 1 stand being lost. This means there will be 13 stands rather than 14. That is going backwards;
- What is the obsession with parking? One of the most blessed airports for transport connections should not be obsessed with wasting precious land with mass car parks. Are they really happy to unlock the land to the north east just to build a bloody car park? What about unlocking it for more stands, to move the cargo and business aviation hangers to free up larger stands next to the runway, or maybe just maybe, trying to lure one of the big aircraft manufacturers or MRO providers to create a large repair/maintenance hangar that would create lots of jobs and business. Nope, car park, or shop, or car park and shop maybe;
- This masterplan is a watered down version of the previous masterplan. That is going backwards;
-Will these fairly minor improvements, which lets not forget will take 10 years to implement (so we are told), be enough to lure an Easy Jet or Jet2? Would a 4 aircraft base be enough for them? As it stands, the Volotea 717 spends well over an hour on the ground (even though its suppose to be only 30 minutes), what is going to happen when SOU is expected to handle 4 large sized aircraft at once? Will a circa 10% bigger terminal and half arsed taxiway increase the efficiency enough? Not likely. I suspect the improvements shown in the indicative land use for 2037 would be required to lure an Easy Jet or a Jet2, and they should not need 20 years to justify, they are very much required today.
Some good news, but a missed opportunity for me. Interested to hear what others think though.
Did you not see the second diagram for 2037 where it clearly shows the second apron on the other side of the runway with there stands, cargo centre, control tower, fire station, hangars.
Although 2037 seems a ridiculously long way off these plans should be brought forward far sooner, I should imagine that stands 1-5 would be aligned first along with the taxiway and starter strip.
With regards to the full length taxiway I don't think that is an option as it would be too close to the homes on Southampton Road plus the fuel farm and local radar would have to be moved which is an extra cost, Luton has managed for years without a full length taxiway with far more movements than Southampton.
I personally think that the ''new'' master plan is an excellent one and far more then I expected, so without being so pessimistic as yourself which I find very strange considering your rampant posts concerning lack of any air side development.
Lets get this six week consultation over and let the builders start ASAP ready in time for Easyjet to base three A320 at the airport.