The situation at NCL regarding lack of room/facilities/staff etc does not seem to be getting any better, certainly with the start of the busiest time of year rapidly approaching things need to improve or airlines will start to look elsewhere and new services will be few and far between if the airport does not have adequate facilities. It will be interesting to see what Emirates - a high class world renowned carrier makes of it when they start in september.
Today alone, I either witnessed while passing through or was told by colleagues that:
- Monarch checkin que for SFB this morning was enormous, stretching back into the direction of starbucks
- 4 large sized flights were attempting to be boarded from Gate 16 - the 'international coaching lounge', which is obviously outgrown its intended use considering extra number of remote flights handled.
- There was a que for coaches, seems the airport only tend to operate 3 at any one time for both arrivals and departures
- Mid Afternoon, the international arrivals doors were still broken, with a que stretching back into customs just to get out!
- Escalators prior to immigration and in the departures hall both off.
- Usual que for immigration. Surely an airport projected to handle 6 million pax should have more than 6 immigration counters?
- Massive ques for security clearance for majority of the day.
Is this really the image the airport is trying to project to potential customers and airlines? In addition to all this, flights are regularly delayed due to the now infamous at Newcastle delay code 'Airport facilities'. I suppose this gives a nice cover up for Servisair - who appear to be performing abismally at the moment, what do their management think?
Its all a bit negative, but IMHO needs addressing at NCL as the summer will only get busier!!!