DERRY/LONDONDERRY
You boys finished bitching at each other over on the Belfast thread and come over here for a ruck?
Instead of looking at Google Earth or even better, BFS flight arrivals on Ceefax, maybe you should look up the word "joke". Nothing like a red rag to a bull! Christ, I was hoping the smiley face would have alluded to the intended humour. No? Or have I crossed the line by belittling BFS in a joke?
Anyway, without harping on about it, there's other places in the NW of Ireland, where getting to BHD or LDY is cheaper/easier/more convenient than the all-conquering, superb, must not be criticised (nearly forty minutes at baggage reclaim anyone? Sitting looking at the departures board to see the flight you're on that was supposed to take off 20 minutes ago is still "on time"....any bells ringing?), is not the be all and end all.
As for any significant infrastructure projects being carried out in the NW 20 years ago, would you go and catch yourself on? And there's no point harping on about what may have been. What is...IS.
Why people who have interests in BFS seem so dismissive of the other two airports in NI is beyond me. I've flown from all three on many occasions (I didn't need google earth to do that either), and would hate to see any of them close, lose any further routes nor any of the jobs they support.
The only reason I've posted on here today was to try and ascertain the authenticity, or otherwise, of the earlier claim that LDY is shutting at the end of the year. If you can add to that, then please do. If not then maybe there's a delayed Flybe or Ryanair into BHD you can go and moan about.
P.s. As some one who lives in an area that REALLY does suffer severe traffic congestion, believe me, Belfast is grand!
Instead of looking at Google Earth or even better, BFS flight arrivals on Ceefax, maybe you should look up the word "joke". Nothing like a red rag to a bull! Christ, I was hoping the smiley face would have alluded to the intended humour. No? Or have I crossed the line by belittling BFS in a joke?
Anyway, without harping on about it, there's other places in the NW of Ireland, where getting to BHD or LDY is cheaper/easier/more convenient than the all-conquering, superb, must not be criticised (nearly forty minutes at baggage reclaim anyone? Sitting looking at the departures board to see the flight you're on that was supposed to take off 20 minutes ago is still "on time"....any bells ringing?), is not the be all and end all.
As for any significant infrastructure projects being carried out in the NW 20 years ago, would you go and catch yourself on? And there's no point harping on about what may have been. What is...IS.
Why people who have interests in BFS seem so dismissive of the other two airports in NI is beyond me. I've flown from all three on many occasions (I didn't need google earth to do that either), and would hate to see any of them close, lose any further routes nor any of the jobs they support.
The only reason I've posted on here today was to try and ascertain the authenticity, or otherwise, of the earlier claim that LDY is shutting at the end of the year. If you can add to that, then please do. If not then maybe there's a delayed Flybe or Ryanair into BHD you can go and moan about.
P.s. As some one who lives in an area that REALLY does suffer severe traffic congestion, believe me, Belfast is grand!
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I cannot see any possibility of LDY closing. I don't know where this story has come from.
Yes there is a new manager, but his task is to increase routes and passengers. You don't need to headhunt someone to close a facility, striking council workers can do that for a fraction of the price.
Now there has been talk of privatisation and speculation that the terminal extension is to do with that, so maybe the council will indeed no longer own the facility but I cannot see that they are going to close it.
Yes there is a new manager, but his task is to increase routes and passengers. You don't need to headhunt someone to close a facility, striking council workers can do that for a fraction of the price.
Now there has been talk of privatisation and speculation that the terminal extension is to do with that, so maybe the council will indeed no longer own the facility but I cannot see that they are going to close it.
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Notwithstanding my Nom de Plume someone (not me!) was on Radio Foyle yesterday suggesting the name of the airport be renamed to the "Amelia Earhart" Airport.
Has Belfast City benefited at all from being renamed to "George Best", has Liverpool benefited from being named "John Lennon"?
I would have thought if anything being known as "JFK" airport instead of New York Airport is actually damaging to business.
Any takers?
Has Belfast City benefited at all from being renamed to "George Best", has Liverpool benefited from being named "John Lennon"?
I would have thought if anything being known as "JFK" airport instead of New York Airport is actually damaging to business.
Any takers?
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Seems to me a place should have some connection with the City it serves. I know why there is an Amelia connection.....but would many others?
I have been involved in aviation for over 30 years and I am still puzzled as to the location of places like Robin Hood......
Just thought..if you can't sort out the name of your city in the first place calling it by the name of a missing aviatrix will only further muddy the waters.
Never mind Albert will sort it out.......Eglinton industrial estate...or something like that
I have been involved in aviation for over 30 years and I am still puzzled as to the location of places like Robin Hood......
Just thought..if you can't sort out the name of your city in the first place calling it by the name of a missing aviatrix will only further muddy the waters.
Never mind Albert will sort it out.......Eglinton industrial estate...or something like that
Tower Ranger and Eastern, are you two the same person? Cunning the way one character can spell and manipulate HM's English, and the other can't.
Or could there possibly be two people with such pointless opinions on here?
Anyway, St Columbs International? (Reflecting the Saint of the city), something that will appeal to one and all? John Hume? Who knows. Much as I love George Best for what he achieved in football, I don't think naming an airport after some one renowned for womanising, who managed to drink himself to death by the age of 59 was the brightest thing to do. (Nice airport though)
Aldergrove Loughside Airfield Shed could be named Ian Paisley International, cos he's about the most famous person within a 20 mile radius. Or maybe name it after Liam Neeson?
Or could there possibly be two people with such pointless opinions on here?
Anyway, St Columbs International? (Reflecting the Saint of the city), something that will appeal to one and all? John Hume? Who knows. Much as I love George Best for what he achieved in football, I don't think naming an airport after some one renowned for womanising, who managed to drink himself to death by the age of 59 was the brightest thing to do. (Nice airport though)
Aldergrove Loughside Airfield Shed could be named Ian Paisley International, cos he's about the most famous person within a 20 mile radius. Or maybe name it after Liam Neeson?
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Believe me.....we are NOT the same person....Little and Large ...
As to pointless opinions I was merely surmising as to why people felt the need to name airports after people rather than the communities they serve. I personally hope Eglinton flourishes. It must be a pain having to travel 70 odd miles to get to a decent connection. Tower Ranger would have somewhat further to travel ....but then he has all the connections one could ask for.
Regards
EW
As to pointless opinions I was merely surmising as to why people felt the need to name airports after people rather than the communities they serve. I personally hope Eglinton flourishes. It must be a pain having to travel 70 odd miles to get to a decent connection. Tower Ranger would have somewhat further to travel ....but then he has all the connections one could ask for.
Regards
EW
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Airport Name
Tower Ranger, if you renamed Derry Airport Bernard Madoff International I am sure most English travellers there would think you meant Bernard MANNING International, which is another kettle of fish. Not sure who is worse.
If Derry airport want to name themselves after a famous person, then they need to think of a famous person who came from there and never came back viz: Robin Hood - poxy little well named after him well on the other side of Donny; George Best - went to Manchester; John Lennon - only too delighted to leave the Pool for the joys of London, India and the US.
Sorry, feeling a bit cynical
If Derry airport want to name themselves after a famous person, then they need to think of a famous person who came from there and never came back viz: Robin Hood - poxy little well named after him well on the other side of Donny; George Best - went to Manchester; John Lennon - only too delighted to leave the Pool for the joys of London, India and the US.
Sorry, feeling a bit cynical
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Hey Cuthere,
How's it going?? Don't bee two harsch withe Easterns spolling and menepulation of Englich, he's bigger than you too!! Just popped over from the Bellfast forum as it's become more like a teletext flight delays board and I know you`re a BHD fan at heart.
They could always rename Derry/Londonderry TR international as I`m from County Londonderry and I`ve even flown out of the place a couple of times!!
How's it going?? Don't bee two harsch withe Easterns spolling and menepulation of Englich, he's bigger than you too!! Just popped over from the Bellfast forum as it's become more like a teletext flight delays board and I know you`re a BHD fan at heart.
They could always rename Derry/Londonderry TR international as I`m from County Londonderry and I`ve even flown out of the place a couple of times!!
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I know its an old one but surely we'd have to call it Dana International Airport as Dana did come from here......
(Anyone not getting the joke should check wikipedia for the difference between Dana (Rosemary Scallon) who won the Eurovision song contest in 1970 and Dana International who won it in 1998)
(Anyone not getting the joke should check wikipedia for the difference between Dana (Rosemary Scallon) who won the Eurovision song contest in 1970 and Dana International who won it in 1998)
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Foyle Aviation Services
Irish News: New plant will bring 200 jobs to city airport (August 2004)
What ever happened to the Foyle Aviation Services plan for an aircraft renovation center?
It was announced five years ago and then nothing.....
There was talk of it ending up in Aldergrove after some problem at Derry but I'm not sure if that happened either.
Anybody know anything more?
What ever happened to the Foyle Aviation Services plan for an aircraft renovation center?
It was announced five years ago and then nothing.....
There was talk of it ending up in Aldergrove after some problem at Derry but I'm not sure if that happened either.
Anybody know anything more?
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Nice work if you can get it!
A Freedom of Information request by Radio Foyle has revealed that the newly appointed manager of City of Derry Airport is paid £12,000 per month for a 3 day week!
BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Foyle and West | £35k for part-time airport boss
I suppose that's one of the occupational hazards with working in the public sector - people can find out your salary.
It's a lot of money but if he can increase routes and passenger numbers and decrease the annual council subvention then he'll be worth every penny of it.
But on the other hand, what if he doesn't........
BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Foyle and West | £35k for part-time airport boss
I suppose that's one of the occupational hazards with working in the public sector - people can find out your salary.
It's a lot of money but if he can increase routes and passenger numbers and decrease the annual council subvention then he'll be worth every penny of it.
But on the other hand, what if he doesn't........
As a concerned member of Eglinton Flying Club and rates payer I find it somewhat disconserting that Albert Harrison is being paid what only can be described as a fairly decent salary by any standards which if I understand correctly is in excess of what his present proposal regarding the reduction in fire cover will actually saves the council in the first year at least.
I understand that he may bring extra revenue at some stage though how that can be achieved within his six month tenure in this economic climate baffles me.
I would have thought that this should be a case of where if he increases the revenue through airport expansion his salary/bonous would be linked to the increased income. The way it is at the moment he cuts everything to the bone and walks away leaving as somebody has described it an "industrial site" and as we all can see we need a few more of those.
The reduction in fire cover has resulted in not only a loss of revenue for the present training operators at EGT but also in owner operator reduction of utilisation.
This trend if it continues can only result in further loss of income for the council as owners will tend to look elsewhere as a lot are. Lets face it EGT does not have a great reputation as a friendly reception for GA pilots in fact I know several instructors in the north that will not send students in that direction.
The more cynical observer might also see a slight conflict of interest on AH's part as any reduction in flying/training in the North West can only benefit other flying/training organisations in the north one of which I understand AH happens to be the chairman of.
Rant over for now.
I understand that he may bring extra revenue at some stage though how that can be achieved within his six month tenure in this economic climate baffles me.
I would have thought that this should be a case of where if he increases the revenue through airport expansion his salary/bonous would be linked to the increased income. The way it is at the moment he cuts everything to the bone and walks away leaving as somebody has described it an "industrial site" and as we all can see we need a few more of those.
The reduction in fire cover has resulted in not only a loss of revenue for the present training operators at EGT but also in owner operator reduction of utilisation.
This trend if it continues can only result in further loss of income for the council as owners will tend to look elsewhere as a lot are. Lets face it EGT does not have a great reputation as a friendly reception for GA pilots in fact I know several instructors in the north that will not send students in that direction.
The more cynical observer might also see a slight conflict of interest on AH's part as any reduction in flying/training in the North West can only benefit other flying/training organisations in the north one of which I understand AH happens to be the chairman of.
Rant over for now.
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My understanding was that Mr Harrison was hired to build up the facility not as a hatchetman. You don't need to pay that kind of money to reduce a facility.
As regards the reduction in fire cover, I think there are 7 less firemen (which seems a lot) so I don't know how they intended to achieve that without impacting on operating hours. But the fire cover reduction is part of the £600,000 of savings which was ordered by the new Derry City Council chief executive Valarie Watts, so I'm not sure how much of that is due to Mr Harrison.
If he is only there to implement the £600K savings, then I would be disappointed and would not regard it as a worthwhile venture. No doubt the annual burden on the rates payers needs reduced but this can be done by increasing revenue. If the council think it can only be done by cuts then it seems that they are throwing in the towel which does not augur well for the future of the facility.
Mr Harrison was engaged initially for only six months. He's only got 2 left!
Hopefully he has something up his sleeve ........
As regards the reduction in fire cover, I think there are 7 less firemen (which seems a lot) so I don't know how they intended to achieve that without impacting on operating hours. But the fire cover reduction is part of the £600,000 of savings which was ordered by the new Derry City Council chief executive Valarie Watts, so I'm not sure how much of that is due to Mr Harrison.
If he is only there to implement the £600K savings, then I would be disappointed and would not regard it as a worthwhile venture. No doubt the annual burden on the rates payers needs reduced but this can be done by increasing revenue. If the council think it can only be done by cuts then it seems that they are throwing in the towel which does not augur well for the future of the facility.
Mr Harrison was engaged initially for only six months. He's only got 2 left!
Hopefully he has something up his sleeve ........
Just wondered whether anyone knows if/when the ILS on RW 26 will be restored to in line (as opposed to offset) at Derry? Also are there any plans to have a precision approach on RW 08?
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Ryanair Winter Schedule
Ryanair has released their winter schedule.
Derry to Liverpool, Birmingham, Glasgow are all daily (1 per day). This is a up from 6 per week to Liverpool, the same as was for Brimingham and thankfully is a big improvement on the Glasgow route, up from its current 4 per week. (Remember when Derry had two flights per day to Glasgow, 1st twice daily with Loganair, more recently 1 daily flight each for Loganair and Ryanair? Alas!)
But what is going on with the London routes?
London Stansted was our original and best Ryanair route serving over 150K p.a. Latest figures show 4K per month now! OK so now we also have Luton but it carries less than 3K per month. During the summer it was timetabled on alternate days with the Stansted flight so as to provide a daily London service, but now it is timetabled to run on more or less the same days as the Stansted service. What's going on? In the absence of a return to a twice daily Stansted service a once per day to Stansted and once per day to Luton might have sufficed but I'm not convinced over this new timetable. It is now not really possible to use the London service as a first leg on a double flight, which it used to be. This is a disimprovement by any measure. No wonder passenger numbers have dropped. Anyone listening in Ryanair?!?!?!?
Derry to Liverpool, Birmingham, Glasgow are all daily (1 per day). This is a up from 6 per week to Liverpool, the same as was for Brimingham and thankfully is a big improvement on the Glasgow route, up from its current 4 per week. (Remember when Derry had two flights per day to Glasgow, 1st twice daily with Loganair, more recently 1 daily flight each for Loganair and Ryanair? Alas!)
But what is going on with the London routes?
London Stansted was our original and best Ryanair route serving over 150K p.a. Latest figures show 4K per month now! OK so now we also have Luton but it carries less than 3K per month. During the summer it was timetabled on alternate days with the Stansted flight so as to provide a daily London service, but now it is timetabled to run on more or less the same days as the Stansted service. What's going on? In the absence of a return to a twice daily Stansted service a once per day to Stansted and once per day to Luton might have sufficed but I'm not convinced over this new timetable. It is now not really possible to use the London service as a first leg on a double flight, which it used to be. This is a disimprovement by any measure. No wonder passenger numbers have dropped. Anyone listening in Ryanair?!?!?!?