A wee Aberdeen Thread
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Blairgowrie,Scotland
Age: 75
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There certainly are restrictions,given that the agreement was for a maximum of FOUR flights per night,but not sure if that included outbounds,but I DON'T think it was purely for delayed flights.
Fit like min?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ...
Posts: 2,126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No restrictions on delayed flights.
4 flights permitted outwith the "old" restrictions but good point Oshkosh,I'm not sure either if that means inbound only,outbound only or both!
Never that simple with ABZ is it?!
BAA said(last time I noticed)that they would be ready for H24 in 6/8 weeks.
4 flights permitted outwith the "old" restrictions but good point Oshkosh,I'm not sure either if that means inbound only,outbound only or both!
Never that simple with ABZ is it?!
BAA said(last time I noticed)that they would be ready for H24 in 6/8 weeks.
Fit like min?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ...
Posts: 2,126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They won't re-time any existing scheduled flights into the wee early hours.Always a possibility the odd scheduled flight may see the light of day between say 2230hrs & midnight, & at the moment I'd say that's doubtful as BA et al are happy with what they do at ABZ.
Odds on that the"magnificant 4"during the night would be holiday charters at the weekend & maybe a mixture of holiday/freight flights Mon-Thu.(Only so many ways they can split 4!!)
As for destinations,I think Spain,Spain,Spain & Spain stand a good chance if IT flights are scheduled overnight!
BAA have excitedly said(if you believe newspaper reports!!)that they have been talking to "DOZENS" of operators.Erm,I assume that means charter/tour operators rather than airlines!And I doubt if it's dozens!
Think the main benefit,as ABZ MD Andy Flower has mentioned,is that it removes the uncertainty for airlines that want to schedule maybe an evening flight to/from ABZ that their aircraft won't be stuck at Dyce overnight because the airport is shut.
That may be of more benefit than anything scheduled overnight.
Odds on that the"magnificant 4"during the night would be holiday charters at the weekend & maybe a mixture of holiday/freight flights Mon-Thu.(Only so many ways they can split 4!!)
As for destinations,I think Spain,Spain,Spain & Spain stand a good chance if IT flights are scheduled overnight!
BAA have excitedly said(if you believe newspaper reports!!)that they have been talking to "DOZENS" of operators.Erm,I assume that means charter/tour operators rather than airlines!And I doubt if it's dozens!
Think the main benefit,as ABZ MD Andy Flower has mentioned,is that it removes the uncertainty for airlines that want to schedule maybe an evening flight to/from ABZ that their aircraft won't be stuck at Dyce overnight because the airport is shut.
That may be of more benefit than anything scheduled overnight.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Blairgowrie,Scotland
Age: 75
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So therefore it must mean OUTBOUNDS too,or the aircraft WOULD be stranded!
Also,do you see this as the thin edge of the wedge,i.e. A preliminary to even more night flights,or even open house H24?
Also,do you see this as the thin edge of the wedge,i.e. A preliminary to even more night flights,or even open house H24?
Fit like min?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ...
Posts: 2,126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There seems to be a big misconception among the suspicious Aberdeen public that are against the H24 opening that it is the thin end of the wedge.
However the NIMBY syndrome in Aberdeen is alive & well.The fact is that our catchment area simply would not justify an "H24 free-for-all".
ABZ may get busier during current operating hours,& maybe between 10 & 11pm but LHR we ain't!!
I think the big fear is whether helicopters will operate normal crew change flights to/from the rigs during the night.BAA have been very clear(& I haven't been a BAA fan over the years)that NO heli ops will be scheduled beyond the current hours of opening.Obviously such things as emergency flights would be permitted.
In my view,no free-for-all(although as a fan of ABZ,I'd like to see it...
)
Should also record that BE 117 from Belfast City arrived 1410hrs,so says BAA ABZ website.
Thus marks their first "low-cost" route to ABZ & the return of the airline in its low-cost guise(post-Jersey/British European).
As with Citystar,I wish them well & a long & prosperous association with ABZ!
However the NIMBY syndrome in Aberdeen is alive & well.The fact is that our catchment area simply would not justify an "H24 free-for-all".
ABZ may get busier during current operating hours,& maybe between 10 & 11pm but LHR we ain't!!
I think the big fear is whether helicopters will operate normal crew change flights to/from the rigs during the night.BAA have been very clear(& I haven't been a BAA fan over the years)that NO heli ops will be scheduled beyond the current hours of opening.Obviously such things as emergency flights would be permitted.
In my view,no free-for-all(although as a fan of ABZ,I'd like to see it...
)Should also record that BE 117 from Belfast City arrived 1410hrs,so says BAA ABZ website.
Thus marks their first "low-cost" route to ABZ & the return of the airline in its low-cost guise(post-Jersey/British European).
As with Citystar,I wish them well & a long & prosperous association with ABZ!
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ABZ
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Any more rumours on the runway extension?
The local press were speculating on a 1000ft (300m) add-on and quoted one of the managers as saying" if the airlines want it we will build it, it's as simple as that".
However one of my mates who works there says that the smart money is on a 50 (that's FIFTY) metre extension. That would make a mockery of the press speculation of flights to Turkey, USA etc.
The local press were speculating on a 1000ft (300m) add-on and quoted one of the managers as saying" if the airlines want it we will build it, it's as simple as that".
However one of my mates who works there says that the smart money is on a 50 (that's FIFTY) metre extension. That would make a mockery of the press speculation of flights to Turkey, USA etc.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Samsonite Avenue
Posts: 1,538
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can't see Globespan doing that well from ABZ unless they have a very modest timetable. Maybe 3-4 flights a week max with the usual bucket and spade destinations (PMI,AGP,TFS) but 14 is ridiculous. No demand for that! Air Scotland used to do BCN and PMI from ABZ and it is interesting to note that Air Scotland did one summer at ABZ and have never returned - wonder why! They even downsized for a period with a leased Hola B737 to replace the usual B757 that they had.
Apparently the main driving froce behind the extension is Ryanair. Their 737-200s get phased out soon and the DUB route will be replaced with a 737-800 and it seems that the 800 needs just a modest extension to take a fullish load. ABZ will never have a great array of holiday flights since there is probably not that much demand!
Apparently the main driving froce behind the extension is Ryanair. Their 737-200s get phased out soon and the DUB route will be replaced with a 737-800 and it seems that the 800 needs just a modest extension to take a fullish load. ABZ will never have a great array of holiday flights since there is probably not that much demand!
Fit like min?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ...
Posts: 2,126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wouldn't surprise me if it is RYR-driven.
Their '800s don't have sufficient power to operate from ABZ on current runway length,especially if RYR plan any "more distant" destination from here.
737-800s have operated from here in the past of course.RYR have flown a couple of 800s on the DUB route & other operators such as FUA & BAL have quite happily operated IT flights to Spain from here,as their engines are more powerful than those on RYR's '800s.
IT suggests to me that RYR(as they have alluded to in the past)could operate more flights from here "given the right deal".Whether this INCLUDES the runway being lengthened remains to be seen.
I would agree that 14 weekly flights from flyGlobespan doesn't seem feasible,as our catchment area isn't as dense(in population terms!!)as the Central Belt around GLA/EDI.Still,if you don't try...plus traffic is growing at ABZ quite healthily at the moment(healthily for a BAA-owned airport that is!!)
Guess we'll know in the coming weeks/months/years what the future holds for ABZ,be it lo-co or otherwise.
Their '800s don't have sufficient power to operate from ABZ on current runway length,especially if RYR plan any "more distant" destination from here.
737-800s have operated from here in the past of course.RYR have flown a couple of 800s on the DUB route & other operators such as FUA & BAL have quite happily operated IT flights to Spain from here,as their engines are more powerful than those on RYR's '800s.
IT suggests to me that RYR(as they have alluded to in the past)could operate more flights from here "given the right deal".Whether this INCLUDES the runway being lengthened remains to be seen.
I would agree that 14 weekly flights from flyGlobespan doesn't seem feasible,as our catchment area isn't as dense(in population terms!!)as the Central Belt around GLA/EDI.Still,if you don't try...plus traffic is growing at ABZ quite healthily at the moment(healthily for a BAA-owned airport that is!!)
Guess we'll know in the coming weeks/months/years what the future holds for ABZ,be it lo-co or otherwise.
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SSE of smoki
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ABZ needs a bit more than 50M to become a viable option. Remember doing a flight to Paphos back in 98 on the 757. Full load, 4hrs 30 mins flight time and having to wait for the wind to become a bit more southerly prior to departure. Ideally needs another 700M but cannot really see that happening. Rgds.
Fit like min?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ...
Posts: 2,126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I say lengthen BOTH ends up as far as the existing peri roads & have displaced thresholds.
Then you could have longer run off areas at both ends for landings & a longer take off run from both ends for departures.
Mind you,probably too expensive for BAA & the council would have a hairy fit!!
I am assuming that it why some airports have displaced thresholds,or am I being stoopid?
Given that there seems to be lots of oil cargos transported abroad,wouldn't a longer runway attract more cargo flights,taking equipment abroad to other oil provinces directly?
Just as an alternative to lo-co flights if they don't arrive.
ps,ASSUMING the runway is to be lengthened!
Then you could have longer run off areas at both ends for landings & a longer take off run from both ends for departures.
Mind you,probably too expensive for BAA & the council would have a hairy fit!!
I am assuming that it why some airports have displaced thresholds,or am I being stoopid?
Given that there seems to be lots of oil cargos transported abroad,wouldn't a longer runway attract more cargo flights,taking equipment abroad to other oil provinces directly?
Just as an alternative to lo-co flights if they don't arrive.
ps,ASSUMING the runway is to be lengthened!
