Regarding the significance of the Port of Southampton and its relevance to a direct air link from Manchester.
The Port of Southampton is northern Europe's busiest cruise port, and it's also the second busiest cruise turnaround port in Europe after Barcelona. The Port of Southampton is the world's seventh busiest cruise turnaround port.
A cruise turnaround is when a cruise starts and finishes at the port with passengers disembarking and embarking.
The Port of Southampton will have received up to 526 cruise ship calls by the years end 31 December 2023.
The Port of Southampton is expected to have received 2.2 million cruise passengers by years end 31 December 2023.
The Port of Southampton received 1.8 million cruise passengers in 2022.
The Port of Southampton previous record was set in 2018 with 2 million cruise passengers.
The Port of Southampton is expected to receive up to 538 cruise ship calls in 2024 with an estimated 2.3 million cruise passengers.
The Port of Southampton is a major cruise turnaround port serving both domestic and international markets.
The cruise industry at the Port of Southampton is year round. In February 2023, for the first time in the port's history, it received 18 cruise calls with two occasions when up to three vessels were in port together.
The Port of Southampton receives calls from all of the world's major cruise operators. Some of the world's largest cruise ships use the the Port of Southampton.
The Port of Southampton has upto 18 cruise ships based there during the peak summer season along with several others using the port either as a turnaround or a cruise call.
The Port of Southampton has five modern cruise terminals. The cruise terminals handle up to five cruise ships, and combined passenger movements can be up to 36,000 during busy turnaround days with those disembarking and embarking, including thousands of pieces of baggage This doesn't unclude the many thousands of crew also using the Port.
The Port of Southampton busiest days during peak season are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The port's five cruise terminals often handle up to 15 cruise ships during the busy weekend period.
The Port of Southampton also receives up to 75 cruise ship calls per year from overseas operators, with mostly Dutch and German passengers, as a port of call, with many of those taking onshore excursions.
The Port of Southampton is ideally situated with excellent transport links by road. rail, air, and sea.
Now, something different.
An example.
Prior to the collapse of Flybe, 15% of the passengers arriving from Manchester took the direct flight to Southampton. Many of those passengers also stayed overnight in Southampton prior to joining their cruise.
An example
Prior to the collapse of Flybe, there was, on average, one coach per ship to and from Manchester to the Port of Southampton. Summer 2023 saw up to FIVE coaches or more per ship on some occasions operating to and from Manchester to the Port of Southampton.
Some cruise companies offer a shuttle bus service between the cruise terminals and Southampton Airport. Since the collapse of Flybe, this service is only offered on busy cruise days and not by every cruise company.
Flybe previously offered an excellent schedule between Manchester and Southampton, and it was perfectly timed for passengers connecting to the Port of Southampton to join their cruise. The lack of a direct air link between Manchester and Southampton has had an impact on those passengers who prefer the option of air rather than a very long coach transfer.
Although the majority of UK passengers drive with their own vehicle to the Port of Southampton coach, rail and air play a major role. BHD, EDI, GLA, and NCL also witness a large number of passengers using the flights to connect to their cruise from the Port of Southampton.
The Port of Southampton has coach transfers direct to the port's cruise terminals from all over the UK, including Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Norwich, several other pick up points including both East and West Midlands. The coach transfers are operating on behalf of the cruise companies.
The amount of coach transfers direct from the Port of Southampton to LHR often far exceeds the amount of domestic connections as listed above as many of those are multi drop. The LHR coach transfers often have passengers connecting with the British Airways flights to Manchester.
Don't underestimate the importance of the cruise business at the Port of Southampton and also the relevance of a direct air link from Manchester to Southampton Airport.
I can assure everyone reading this post that there is definitely a demand for a resumption of a direct air link between Manchester and Southampton. (I hear it a lot).
I know that Eastern Airways previously reconnected a link between Southampton and Manchester, but the route was not reliable, and the prices were extortionate. Cruise passengers were not going to put their trust and money with Eastern Airways in getting them to Southampton join their cruise.
The route is not a failure, and it absolutely astonishes me that it remains unserved. Although it used to be a popular route with Flybe, not everyone using it was on business. A Southampton to Manchester route caters to different and large markets, for business, leisure, and also for visiting friends and family. I used to use the route fairly often and found it far more convenient than driving and, without a doubt, far more convenient and relaxing than the rail connection.
Some have suggested dedicated air charters to Southampton. This is not an option. Operating weekly air charters to the likes of Barbados, Malta, Palma, etc, for passengers joining their cruise is a lot different than operating similar air charters to Southampton. A perfectly timed schedule is what is needed with preferably up to two or three or even four daily flights.
So, Loganair, please can you announce a resumption of a link between Manchester and Southampton in 2024. I personally don't believe in Christmas, but if I can just ask for one thing, I'd really appreciate it 👍
If by any chance that know one from Loganair reads the above well, the request then goes to easyJet.
Last edited by Sotonsean; 1st Dec 2023 at 01:10.