Originally Posted by
Barling Magna
Yes, I agree. Stobart seem to have a fixed idea of what is important for an airport. They had a "build it and they will come" mentality at the outset but are hamstrung by the short runway. They still seem to have that mentality. They also had the idea of developing their own airline and they now seem happy playing with that, but not from SEN! They have missed several possible opportunities to attract major airlines including SAS, Wizz Air and even BA. They managed to lose Aer Lingus. They fell into flyBE's trap. I think they need to send their managers - and their executives too - to a successful airport such as Luton, Stansted or Bristol and see how that success was achieved.
Bristol would be an excellent start. In the last few years they have seen a significant dip (2008 - 2009) followed by a period of stagnation before growth resumed. And what did people always say about BRS? "Runway's too short". Now it's seems onwards and upwards for them, including transatlantic flights from a runway just 500 feet longer than SEN