Originally Posted by
JW95
RE. absence of network carriers - I believe this is something MAG are targeting, in addition to further long haul, aside from Emirates to DXB, so an airside transit facility, even if small, could be beneficial in achieving this. Also, I know that FR did start to launch connecting flights a few years ago from BGY and FCO, and given that STN is their largest base, as well as the fact that passengers do "self connect" from Stansted, this further adds weight for the need for a transit facility, even if it is just a small one. Would certainly save passengers the hassle of having to clear customs and passport control and re-enter the terminal. The current 'flight connections' signage is pretty misleading because of this.
Again don’t dispute Harp customers self connect at both MAG airports, however the demands of GB Government Border and security make for an exceptionally poor and very expensive experience to the operator (MAG) to provide the requisite facilities for relatively small numbers when compared to almost any Schengen airport facility. This is compounded by the lack of a genuine hub and spoke carrier that Dublin (none Schengen but CTA )can also deliver.
Whether Lufthansa Group return for a longer stay or an additional desert based carrier enters the fray it remains unlikely to change the balance in any meaningful way.
And for whatever reasons MAG Groups record on TALC carrier retention has been particularly weak in the last few years.
One of the central policies of MAG Group and partner IFE is the maximisation of retail and concessions across Group Businesses in the UK , Australia and the US.
That effectively means generating as much value from each square foot of terminal space.
Whilst it wouldn’t necessary preclude transit facilities it would suggest they are of lower priority in strategic planning, and opportunity cost/investment considerations.
Consider those optics , and the threshold barely reaches “nice to have” territory.
All passengers transiting a UK airport must to be reprocessed to UK Border standards to board an onward flight by statute.