DERRY/LONDONDERRY
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Dublin
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Derry
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A SPOKESMAN for budget airline Ryanair says there are no plans to cancel its seasonal service to Alicante in Spain from City of Derry - which became the first international route from the Londonderry airport when it opened in summer 2009.
There was speculation over Ryanair's intention regarding the service.
But a spokesman told the Sentinel there are: "no changes planned to that seasonal route."
There was speculation over Ryanair's intention regarding the service.
But a spokesman told the Sentinel there are: "no changes planned to that seasonal route."
Nevertheless it is still unbookable, isn't on drop down lists, isn't on the timetable and isn't on the route map despite the route map having different colours for summer routes and winter routes as well as all year round routes.
I'll be delighted if this U-turn is true, for I am convinced it would represent a U-turn, but I'll not relax till I'm picking up my luggage from the carousel at City of Derry on my way back from Alicante at the end of the season.
Hmmmm......this smacks of right hand not having a clue what the left hand is up to. If it is still operational, then surely this RYR spokesperson would bother his/her backside to go and check that the route is available for booking on their own website.
Poor show all round really, and makes you wonder what RYR are up to.
Poor show all round really, and makes you wonder what RYR are up to.
Join Date: Jun 2010
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If it is operating then it should be put up when the booking system is cleaned up next week as MRS base closes and talks between BUD and PRG have brokedown and all will have to be removed as well as a few other things.
Has anybody asked the airport about it?
Has anybody asked the airport about it?
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Derry
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The airport never say anything.
The council occasionally release statements but they seem to be the last to know anything.
Lack of communication with the public and even secrecy between the airport and the council is a recurring issue. Remember the CAA closure fiasco.
So they'll all know when we find out and tell Radio Foyle. But I'm perplexed at the variance between the Ryanair statement and their website unless of course it is a U turn.
Anyway here's hoping! Afterall this wouldn't be the first time absolute rot has been spoken about the airport particularly from those who should know best.
I, for one, will continue to believe the quality rumours from this site.
The council occasionally release statements but they seem to be the last to know anything.
Lack of communication with the public and even secrecy between the airport and the council is a recurring issue. Remember the CAA closure fiasco.
So they'll all know when we find out and tell Radio Foyle. But I'm perplexed at the variance between the Ryanair statement and their website unless of course it is a U turn.
Anyway here's hoping! Afterall this wouldn't be the first time absolute rot has been spoken about the airport particularly from those who should know best.
I, for one, will continue to believe the quality rumours from this site.
Amelia, I can see your point, but think it unfair to bring up the CAA closure cock-up when the current management had nothing to do with that.
The "personality" who was in charge back then was also responsible for many other issues, including a delayed flight returning from Lourdes being diverted to BFS as, and I quote, "my airport is closed". So, the deadwood at the top has been removed to lesser positions, and the new management (in general) are doing a much, MUCH better job. (runway and apron extensions, maintenance of the airfield in general, improvements in the terminal building, including new retail units).
We'll wait until next week to see how the website clean-up referred to by J2K9 ends up.
The "personality" who was in charge back then was also responsible for many other issues, including a delayed flight returning from Lourdes being diverted to BFS as, and I quote, "my airport is closed". So, the deadwood at the top has been removed to lesser positions, and the new management (in general) are doing a much, MUCH better job. (runway and apron extensions, maintenance of the airfield in general, improvements in the terminal building, including new retail units).
We'll wait until next week to see how the website clean-up referred to by J2K9 ends up.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: IRELAND
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Cuthere - coming across as a grumpy old sod yourself there.
Were you on the plane in question or picking someone else up from it? I know it's a long shot but do you happen to know the date the flight took place? Might be able to get some background on it even though it would've been several years ago. Also, did that "Quote" appear in a newspaper etc or did you witness it being spoken? Interesting post, thanks in advance.
Were you on the plane in question or picking someone else up from it? I know it's a long shot but do you happen to know the date the flight took place? Might be able to get some background on it even though it would've been several years ago. Also, did that "Quote" appear in a newspaper etc or did you witness it being spoken? Interesting post, thanks in advance.
AE, I was referring to your apparent grumpiness with Speedbird. Seemed unusual.
Anyway, as I recall it, the flight was in the early 2000s, I can't remember exactly when without trawling the CAA records (and then I'd only be able to find a month). The quote came from the pilot of the flight in question, and was relayed to the passengers at the time, one of whom was an aunt. My uncle wasn't pleased about the return trip to BFS. (and I see no cause for either my aunt, or the pilot to lie).
Thankfully, things are now run much better at CODA.
Anyway, as I recall it, the flight was in the early 2000s, I can't remember exactly when without trawling the CAA records (and then I'd only be able to find a month). The quote came from the pilot of the flight in question, and was relayed to the passengers at the time, one of whom was an aunt. My uncle wasn't pleased about the return trip to BFS. (and I see no cause for either my aunt, or the pilot to lie).
Thankfully, things are now run much better at CODA.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Northern Ireland
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Experience our first flights to/from derry this week and must say was very impressed, airport is very easy to pass through, secuirty is easy to pass through and food and drink offerings are resonable enough, sadly was delayed today on our return journey from Liverpool :/
Would deffinilty use LDY again and family are consider Faro for Summer 2011
Would deffinilty use LDY again and family are consider Faro for Summer 2011
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Yeah sadly 
and Only an hour and a half, 4 days car parking at derry for £16 wasnt to bad either
Also expereinced the Bar
and The Cafe, would recommend the £5 meal deal, almost as good as the Boots One 
and Only an hour and a half, 4 days car parking at derry for £16 wasnt to bad either
Also expereinced the Bar
and The Cafe, would recommend the £5 meal deal, almost as good as the Boots One
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Derry
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I'm telling yous, its gone and it won't be back.
The spokesman for Ryanair said there were no changes planned to the route. That's true: the route has already been axed and there's no plans to bring it back!
The spokesman for Ryanair said there were no changes planned to the route. That's true: the route has already been axed and there's no plans to bring it back!
Join Date: Jun 2010
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I'The spokesman for Ryanair said there were no changes planned to the route. That's true: the route has already been axed and there's no plans to bring it back
Join Date: Aug 2007
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It wasn't grumpiness at all, merely highlighting the fact that your friend claimed to see a plane that didn't visit! I suspect that he saw a Flight Plan and then used artistic licence shall we say. 
As for the Lourdes flight being diverted, I should imagine it was doubly inconvenient given that a fair proportion of the Pax were old/ handicapped/ sick etc.
I think it only fair to point out though that your assumption that it was all the previous managers fault is ill informed. I remember only too well the struggles involved back then by management trying to get Fire cover and Fire Personnel refusing to do it. That would have resulted in the Airport being closed. Imagine the uproar if you relatives plane had landed with insufficent fire cover.
Believe me, those that were around during the Lourdes flight era know not only the reasons behind inbound flights diverting but also why outbound operators sometimes "surprised" their captive boarded PAX with the news that the aircraft would have to make an unscheduled stop at Dublin enroute!
Hopefully, you'll be proved right about the new regime. An increase in routes and maybe the return of some Lourdes flights will be all the proof needed to show they are an improvement on whats gone before.
It might also be worth pointing out that i've had nothing to do with the previous management in case you're wondering!
AE
As for the Lourdes flight being diverted, I should imagine it was doubly inconvenient given that a fair proportion of the Pax were old/ handicapped/ sick etc.
I think it only fair to point out though that your assumption that it was all the previous managers fault is ill informed. I remember only too well the struggles involved back then by management trying to get Fire cover and Fire Personnel refusing to do it. That would have resulted in the Airport being closed. Imagine the uproar if you relatives plane had landed with insufficent fire cover.
Believe me, those that were around during the Lourdes flight era know not only the reasons behind inbound flights diverting but also why outbound operators sometimes "surprised" their captive boarded PAX with the news that the aircraft would have to make an unscheduled stop at Dublin enroute!
Hopefully, you'll be proved right about the new regime. An increase in routes and maybe the return of some Lourdes flights will be all the proof needed to show they are an improvement on whats gone before.
It might also be worth pointing out that i've had nothing to do with the previous management in case you're wondering!
AE
I have just listened to the Radio Foyle program in question. It came about after a caller said he contacted Ryanair's call centre in Dublin to enquire about the Alicante route, and although this was the wrong place to call, they said the flight had been cancelled and no plans existed to reinstate it in the short term.
Radio Foyle then contacted Ryanair directly, and got the statement that Stewart refers to below, with them saying the Alicante summer schedule from CODA will be published soon!
AE, if you had nothing to do with the previous management, then surely you must agree that previous cock-ups at the airport were directly their responsibility, and therefore, their fault. Which other commercial airport in these islands had to be closed for four days due to inadequate maintenance of the airfield? At the time there were calls for heads to roll, and what do you know? Heads did indeed roll. As for fire cover, that should've been sorted LONG before any flight operations into/out of LDY were planned. The management were responsible for this too.
If the airport at the time did not have the facilities to receive flights, then it should've been closed with relevant NOTAMs etc issued to that effect.
Anyway, that regime has been moved on, and the place now actually looks like an airport.
As you say, let's hope for further developments during the coming year.
Radio Foyle then contacted Ryanair directly, and got the statement that Stewart refers to below, with them saying the Alicante summer schedule from CODA will be published soon!
AE, if you had nothing to do with the previous management, then surely you must agree that previous cock-ups at the airport were directly their responsibility, and therefore, their fault. Which other commercial airport in these islands had to be closed for four days due to inadequate maintenance of the airfield? At the time there were calls for heads to roll, and what do you know? Heads did indeed roll. As for fire cover, that should've been sorted LONG before any flight operations into/out of LDY were planned. The management were responsible for this too.
If the airport at the time did not have the facilities to receive flights, then it should've been closed with relevant NOTAMs etc issued to that effect.
Anyway, that regime has been moved on, and the place now actually looks like an airport.
As you say, let's hope for further developments during the coming year.
Join Date: Apr 2009
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they said the flight had been cancelled and no plans existed to reinstate it in the short term.
Radio Foyle then contacted Ryanair directly, and got the statement that Stewart refers to below, with them saying the Alicante summer schedule from CODA will be published soon!
Radio Foyle then contacted Ryanair directly, and got the statement that Stewart refers to below, with them saying the Alicante summer schedule from CODA will be published soon!
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According to anna.aero Ryanair has been describing resumed seasonal routes as 'new routes' on their website this year. Therefore any route that will recommence later in the year is branded as a new route and the understanding is that the route does not currently exist.
As the Ryanair response was to say that there will be no change to the existing situation their position would seem to be that it will continue to not exist this summer.
Confused logic from Ryanair but an interesting way to not have to officially stop a route, just don't reopen it the following season and call the position unchanged.
As the Ryanair response was to say that there will be no change to the existing situation their position would seem to be that it will continue to not exist this summer.
Confused logic from Ryanair but an interesting way to not have to officially stop a route, just don't reopen it the following season and call the position unchanged.