Originally Posted by
SWBKCB
S
So MAN should have a high-lo to handle the occasional ad-hoc charter? Doesn't seem to have done BHX much good in attracting regular traffic. And also, there is a bit more to it than having the equipment, it's the staff and the rest of the infrastructure. The role of the handling agent is being ignored, BHX have a small specialist company, where's at MAN I doubt whether the mainstream agents would be interested without a regular significant schedule. Ad hoc charters with big freighters are usually a pain in the backside.
Where did I say that MAN should get a hi-lo for an occasional ad-hoc charter? There is evidence that MAN is getting inquiries for regular freight flights, not just the one-offs. This is what Ozzy wrote:
"
More pertinent to MAN is cargo intended for the NW region specifically - that business IS "rightfully" MAN's, particularly when it pertains to carriers which would like to supplement existing passenger schedules with whole-plane freight services. As for realistic candidates, I am aware of specific carriers which have enquired at MAN. However, it is not appropriate to post commercially sensitive information on here and I'm not prepared to do so"
My point was that some airports have hi-lo equipment for the occasional ad-hoc flights they might get, whereas the evidence indicates there is interest by freight companies and airlines to operate into MAN on a more regular basis yet the airport doesn't have the equipment apparentlyto handle main deck cargo
.
And in that case, perhaps the handling agents would be interested, as you yourself seem to acknowledge. However, who decides whether or not a hi-lo should be acquired? Is it solely down to the Agents who probably get the inquiries? Does it need the blessing of the Airport that they can accommodate, and are willing to take, wide-bodied freighters? Or could the airport direct the agents to get a hi-lo under the service agreements if they know pure freight business is in the offing? I'm sure someone in the business knows the protocol for those of us who may not be clear.