LUTON
Join Date: Oct 2003
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LATEST - man arrested at LTN under anti terrorist law. No further news as yet.
UPDATE said man released after being highlighted as possibly one of the London bombers. His ID was checked over and has been released by police.
UPDATE said man released after being highlighted as possibly one of the London bombers. His ID was checked over and has been released by police.
Last edited by bacardi walla; 27th Jul 2005 at 13:55.
Join Date: Jan 2004
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With the new developments at Luton and Luton now being a really large airport, surely capacity is not reached yet. Time to resurrect Now Airlines? What has happenned to those at Now? Anyone know what the Now managers are doing now? They looked promising but they seemed to just fizzle away and no be heard of again.
Join Date: Jan 2003
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NOW, Oh no, not that name again.
Luton needs new business from established airlines, currently not serving the airport, both UK & european based, plus increased freqs from the likes of easy, ryan, Monarch etc.
The airport has had enough in the past of high risk, short-lived operators. It does not need yet another.
Luton needs new business from established airlines, currently not serving the airport, both UK & european based, plus increased freqs from the likes of easy, ryan, Monarch etc.
The airport has had enough in the past of high risk, short-lived operators. It does not need yet another.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
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I took a ride up to the airport the other day and spotted a well dodgy character who I would not like to sit next to on the Underground. He was on foot and about to enter the tunnel and appeared to be heading for the terminal. He was straight out of one of those mug shots seen on our TV screens and was carrying some sort of black bag.
Thinking that it wasn’t his fault that he looks like a potential suicide bomber I still felt uneasy and thought I would report him anyway once I got to the terminal myself so I quickened my pace to give myself a 60 second lead.
Once inside the terminal all I had to do was report my suspicions except that I couldn’t find any police, security staff or even staff at the portable information desk. There was absolutely no one to talk to so I went outside and tried my luck there. Again there was no one apart from a NCP man in the drop off zone who was doing nothing despite abandoned cars parked everywhere. I then decided I was probably being silly and gave up my quest to be a good citizen. Well nothing did happen but that’s not the point. So why is there no visible security at the airport? Why are unattended cars still parking in the drop off zone with no attempt being made to stop them? Why can someone who gets hold of a disabled badge be allowed to park 20ft from the terminal for up to an hour?
Thinking that it wasn’t his fault that he looks like a potential suicide bomber I still felt uneasy and thought I would report him anyway once I got to the terminal myself so I quickened my pace to give myself a 60 second lead.
Once inside the terminal all I had to do was report my suspicions except that I couldn’t find any police, security staff or even staff at the portable information desk. There was absolutely no one to talk to so I went outside and tried my luck there. Again there was no one apart from a NCP man in the drop off zone who was doing nothing despite abandoned cars parked everywhere. I then decided I was probably being silly and gave up my quest to be a good citizen. Well nothing did happen but that’s not the point. So why is there no visible security at the airport? Why are unattended cars still parking in the drop off zone with no attempt being made to stop them? Why can someone who gets hold of a disabled badge be allowed to park 20ft from the terminal for up to an hour?
Join Date: Sep 2003
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Things couldn't be more different at STN.
A couple of years ago I did something that I now see was totally stupid.
I pulled up at the drop off zone in front of the terminal, couldn't see my friend. It was late at night, after 2300, so I thought "Oh I'll nip inside, quick look on the arrivals board and run back out again"
(YES YES I know I should not have done it)
Anyway - in the time it took to walk to the domestic arrivals, spot the flight number, and nip back to the car there were 2 Police officers, one each end of my car
, and as I walked up to them with a friendly "Sorry, sorry!" I was pulled to one side and read the riot act!!!! 
I fully deserved it. And felt almost terrified to go near the terminal building again for the next week in case the same Plod should happen to eyeball me again.
As I say again.....sorry.
The un attended cars littering LTN's drop off area are a shame to both the drivers, and I would say even more so to the airport authorities.
A couple of years ago I did something that I now see was totally stupid.
I pulled up at the drop off zone in front of the terminal, couldn't see my friend. It was late at night, after 2300, so I thought "Oh I'll nip inside, quick look on the arrivals board and run back out again"
(YES YES I know I should not have done it)
Anyway - in the time it took to walk to the domestic arrivals, spot the flight number, and nip back to the car there were 2 Police officers, one each end of my car
, and as I walked up to them with a friendly "Sorry, sorry!" I was pulled to one side and read the riot act!!!! I fully deserved it. And felt almost terrified to go near the terminal building again for the next week in case the same Plod should happen to eyeball me again.
As I say again.....sorry.
The un attended cars littering LTN's drop off area are a shame to both the drivers, and I would say even more so to the airport authorities.
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Ref Merv. Once I know more I will let folk know. For the last 15 years he was a well known character, especially when I found out he liked to Morris Dance and once looked after sheep!
I hope to see Barry, Paul, Martin and Ray at Merv's final departure. Hopefully Luton Wrelic will arrive from his siesta, but prices this time of year are rather expensive. The 'Real' Buster told me of this horrible news earlier this week!
Luton airport's current foundations are built through the hard work and dedication of the few like Merv.
I know of quite a few folk who lurk on these pages. They would like, through me, to express thier thanks for having a friend called Merv.
Sleep well Merv. You can Morris dance to you hearts content without me splitting my sides! Baa Baa Baa!
The famous F27 registered after Merv. D-AISY!
I hope to see Barry, Paul, Martin and Ray at Merv's final departure. Hopefully Luton Wrelic will arrive from his siesta, but prices this time of year are rather expensive. The 'Real' Buster told me of this horrible news earlier this week!
Luton airport's current foundations are built through the hard work and dedication of the few like Merv.
I know of quite a few folk who lurk on these pages. They would like, through me, to express thier thanks for having a friend called Merv.
Sleep well Merv. You can Morris dance to you hearts content without me splitting my sides! Baa Baa Baa!
The famous F27 registered after Merv. D-AISY!
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Although more services from established carriers would be welcome at Luton, runway capacity is at times now beginning to bite.
Once again this month there have been several occasions when the airport company's declared hourly runway movement rate (32/hour) has been reached because of a combination of airline schedules and charters (passenger & cargo) which are all 'coordinated' and a large number of corporate aircraft movements which currently, are not.
LLAO's FBOs (Signature Flight Support & Harrods Business Aviation) are continually bringing in more corporate business which is gradually taking up any slack that's available during the airport's 'busy' hours. Whilst it's a long way from being in the situation that LGW and STN are in for peak-time slots, at the present growth rate (movements - not passengers) runway availability at peak times may not for much longer, be freely available.
Then there's the issue of the adjacent airspace capacity and the unhelpful interaction of many of Luton's departure routes with routes from some other London airports/airfields for which there are no improvements on the horizon for at least two-and-a-half to three years.
In reality therefore, whilst there's scope for perhaps a 10% overall increase in business i.e. runway movements, until changes to the airspace and the addition of full-length parallel taxiways, holding areas and other surface improvements are in place, it's doubtful that Luton could efficiently cope with a dramatic increase such as might occur if another airline operator decided to base several aircraft at the Airport.
Once again this month there have been several occasions when the airport company's declared hourly runway movement rate (32/hour) has been reached because of a combination of airline schedules and charters (passenger & cargo) which are all 'coordinated' and a large number of corporate aircraft movements which currently, are not.
LLAO's FBOs (Signature Flight Support & Harrods Business Aviation) are continually bringing in more corporate business which is gradually taking up any slack that's available during the airport's 'busy' hours. Whilst it's a long way from being in the situation that LGW and STN are in for peak-time slots, at the present growth rate (movements - not passengers) runway availability at peak times may not for much longer, be freely available.
Then there's the issue of the adjacent airspace capacity and the unhelpful interaction of many of Luton's departure routes with routes from some other London airports/airfields for which there are no improvements on the horizon for at least two-and-a-half to three years.
In reality therefore, whilst there's scope for perhaps a 10% overall increase in business i.e. runway movements, until changes to the airspace and the addition of full-length parallel taxiways, holding areas and other surface improvements are in place, it's doubtful that Luton could efficiently cope with a dramatic increase such as might occur if another airline operator decided to base several aircraft at the Airport.
aceatco, retired
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Merv the Marshaller
The funeral will take place on Friday 5th August at 1345 hours at the Vale Crematorium, Luton.
There will be family flowers only; however donations will be accepted for a charity to be nominated by Mervyn’s daughter Kimberley and son Gregory in the next couple of days.
There will be family flowers only; however donations will be accepted for a charity to be nominated by Mervyn’s daughter Kimberley and son Gregory in the next couple of days.
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Does anyone know if the stands on the North Apron can still handle 747’s since the completion of the new pier? The reason I ask is that yesterday a Monarch 757 was parked on stand 41. I noticed that its tail was only just clear of the new road markings that have been painted at the rear of the stands.
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More importantly, can the runway handle a 747?
Although it doesn't have 7 metre hard shoulders, the runway is a standard 46-metre width and the taxiways are all standard 23-metres wide. Runway length is not a factor because these aircraft operate to European destinations unless positioning out empty and thus, light.
The stands now usually allocated to 747s are on the East Apron e.g. 48.
Thread Starter
Wizz in winter
Wizz have now opened their winter bookings, although timetables are not yet uploaded on their website.
Taking Nov/Dec dates, there appear to be 44 flights per week to 5 destinations: Katowice, Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan and Budapest. Connections to Sofia and Kaunas. Budapest is down to one daily (presumably due to EZY competition/overcapacity).
Taking Nov/Dec dates, there appear to be 44 flights per week to 5 destinations: Katowice, Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan and Budapest. Connections to Sofia and Kaunas. Budapest is down to one daily (presumably due to EZY competition/overcapacity).
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Stand 48 hasn’t been used for a 747 since the north apron was built. The eastern apron doesn’t have the depth to park 747’s nose in so they have to park at an angle. The northern apron was built to allow 747’s to park nose in which they have done quite successfully. When the builder’s village was erected the stands were shortened for aircraft no bigger than a 737 but now the stands have been remarked for bigger aircraft since the village was removed and the pier opened. Not sure if the service road that now sits at the rear of the stands was there before the pier was built. The last photo in the link below doesn't seem to show a service road.
http://www.stevelevien.com/boeing747.htm
What’s happening to stand 60? Still doesn’t seem to be in use despite being finished nearly 4 months ago. Is it a white elephant that can’t be used for self parking aircraft as it is too small for 737 aircraft and the vehicles needed to service 737’s
http://www.stevelevien.com/boeing747.htm
What’s happening to stand 60? Still doesn’t seem to be in use despite being finished nearly 4 months ago. Is it a white elephant that can’t be used for self parking aircraft as it is too small for 737 aircraft and the vehicles needed to service 737’s
Last edited by King Pong; 30th Jul 2005 at 10:51.
Join Date: Dec 2003
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The fact that Stand 48 can't take a Boeing 747 unless it's parked at an angle and can push-back onto Taxiway Delta to face south for tug disengagement doesn't mean it's not available for use again if required.
Not sure if the service road that runs at the foot of stands 41 and 42 would preclude a 747 parking nose-in but maybe the airport company would temporarily close it under these circumstances?
The service road that runs around the east end of the new pier is due to be withdrawn from use shortly.
Stands 60 & 61 are both designed to take the Boeing 737-800 (the design type) and both were subjected to swept-path analyses during the design phase. One airline has submitted an objection to using Stand 60 because it claims that the spacing is too tight. However, this may change when the electronic docking and parking guidance system ('Safedock' see: http://www.safegate.se/reference.asp) on stands 60 & 61 is up and running.
This system is in use extensively in the US, at other UK locations such as Birmingham and will be used for some of Heathrow's T5 stands.
Not sure if the service road that runs at the foot of stands 41 and 42 would preclude a 747 parking nose-in but maybe the airport company would temporarily close it under these circumstances?
The service road that runs around the east end of the new pier is due to be withdrawn from use shortly.
Stands 60 & 61 are both designed to take the Boeing 737-800 (the design type) and both were subjected to swept-path analyses during the design phase. One airline has submitted an objection to using Stand 60 because it claims that the spacing is too tight. However, this may change when the electronic docking and parking guidance system ('Safedock' see: http://www.safegate.se/reference.asp) on stands 60 & 61 is up and running.
This system is in use extensively in the US, at other UK locations such as Birmingham and will be used for some of Heathrow's T5 stands.
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Did anyone see the London Luton Airport TV program when the airport authority towed an easyjet aircraft on to stand for the first time? The stand was already painted up but when the aircraft front wheels reached the supposed correct stopping point the tug was hard against the barrier. The aircraft was then pushed back a few feet to allow free movement of service vehicles in front of the stand but the aircraft was then too close to the service road at the back of the stand. The airport authority then kept changing the angle at which the aircraft would come onto stand until they were sort of happy. The operations manager said to camera that it was vital that this stand became operational on May 1st yet it has not. Can’t see a Boeing 737-800 ever parking on this stand.