LUTON
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More Wizz, more Helvetic
Rumours around the airport suggest that Helvetic will be doubling their services in September to 12 per week, morning and evening rotations.
Also, Wizz have added Kaunas (Lithuania) to their network, to be linked to Luton and Liverpool via Warsaw. Warsaw and Gdansk services will increase in the winter.
Rumours not yet confirmed on the respective airlines' websites.
Also, Wizz have added Kaunas (Lithuania) to their network, to be linked to Luton and Liverpool via Warsaw. Warsaw and Gdansk services will increase in the winter.
Rumours not yet confirmed on the respective airlines' websites.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Something seems very strange at LTN. A lovely new and allegedly much larger departure lounge opens yet seems to be much more busy and crowded than the old smaller one. The big difference now is that the shopping area and its limited seating is now the holding area as passengers wait for information as to what gate to head for. The old lounge allowed passengers to pass through the shopping area and wait in a central seating area that served all gates. The new lounge does not have this facility.
I did hear that the old shopping area was going to be converted to offices but I have heard from just one person that part of this area will become extra seating for gates 1-9. At the moment I have yet to see more than a few seats occupied in the old lounge as passengers are being kept in the new lounge longer than they need to before being called to these gates. Maybe this is to change to clear some of the passengers out of the new lounge.
I did hear that the old shopping area was going to be converted to offices but I have heard from just one person that part of this area will become extra seating for gates 1-9. At the moment I have yet to see more than a few seats occupied in the old lounge as passengers are being kept in the new lounge longer than they need to before being called to these gates. Maybe this is to change to clear some of the passengers out of the new lounge.
Last edited by LTNman; 19th Jul 2005 at 18:29.
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LTNman
I have to say watching you just walking around and around it is no wonder that you have corns. Perhaps if you did a little bit more work rather than walking it may help. Ring,Ring
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Earwigging. I bet a certain ATR flight to Ireland is well delayed tonight, RE508? According to the handling agent on 130.6, many of thier staff were sick and the pax could not get off the inbound flight due to a lack of choks/staff, I bet the pax got a bit hot and bothered!
I saw the Ryanair Shannon flight overfly my lair rather delayed from its normal evening departure time, was this the reason? Or was it because the passengers collapsed due to the incredible heat and the length of walk from the departure lounge, via Plaster Board Land, to the RYR gates?
I understand that Weight Watchers are to introduce the NEW Luton terminal experience as an approved method of weight loss. A sauna & hike! Progress eh!
I saw the Ryanair Shannon flight overfly my lair rather delayed from its normal evening departure time, was this the reason? Or was it because the passengers collapsed due to the incredible heat and the length of walk from the departure lounge, via Plaster Board Land, to the RYR gates?
I understand that Weight Watchers are to introduce the NEW Luton terminal experience as an approved method of weight loss. A sauna & hike! Progress eh!
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So there we were sitting in the back garden enjoying a few beers last night when the women folk got themselves worked up about a UFO high in the sky. Apparently an airship broke free from Cardington and was at 2000ft north of Luton. Some 20 minutes later Luton radar was reporting that the airship was now at 7300 and heading for London TMA. Anyone know what happened next?
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Well used gate 23 from the new pier for my easy flight to INV on saturday, which was great. Just a short stroll from the new departure lounge and your there. Excellent views of the apron and when compared to the usual easy gates 1 - 11, this was bliss.
Interesting to see easy using gates 19,21,23, & 25 that morning. Lack of seats did not seem a problem but the lifts not working was, as families pushing buggies had to carry them down about 3/4 flights of stairs.
Interesting to see easy using gates 19,21,23, & 25 that morning. Lack of seats did not seem a problem but the lifts not working was, as families pushing buggies had to carry them down about 3/4 flights of stairs.
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I bet it departed more than an hour late. The crew were not amused at being held, doors closed awaiting the agents!
Families are already used to, when arriving on the lower numbered stands, having no lift to negotiate the walk up over the corridor below, then down again before entry into the terminal, that really is third world design. Carrying bags, babies and buggys up and down stairs is no fun, especially within a busy terminal environment!
Families are already used to, when arriving on the lower numbered stands, having no lift to negotiate the walk up over the corridor below, then down again before entry into the terminal, that really is third world design. Carrying bags, babies and buggys up and down stairs is no fun, especially within a busy terminal environment!
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I have used those easyjet gates in the original pier a few times. None of those gates even has a lift. It is clear compared to the new pier that the old pier was built on the cheap and has no width or height.
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new boss at LTN
The directors of TBI plc are pleased to announce that Kathryn James, currently the Finance Director of London Luton Airport Operations Limited ("LLAOL"), will be appointed as Managing Director of LLAOL with effect from the close of business on Friday, 5 August 2005. She succeeds Paul Kehoe, who resigned earlier this month.
A Chartered Accountant, specialising in Inward Investments & Grants, a division of corporate finance at Price Waterhouse, Kathryn joined TBI in October 1996 to establish the Group's Internal Audit function and to take a leading part in the acquisitions teams. Since then, she has occupied a number of key roles during the development of TBI as an international airports business, including acting as Finance Director of Orlando Sanford Airport, Florida (1997), Stockholm Skavsta Airport, Sweden (1999) and Airport Group International, Inc., California (2000-01). Latterly, as Finance, Commercial and HR Director of LLAOL, she has been directly responsible for finance, commercial activities, including retail and car parking, and Human Resources.
Kathryn James said: "I am delighted to be taking on the challenge of leading London Luton Airport at such an exciting time in its development. We have just opened the first phase of the enlarged terminal and expect further phases to open within weeks. The airport has a key role to play in the future of air transport in the South East of England, in creating jobs and in economic generation for Luton and the region, and I am thrilled to be centrally involved in it."
Albert Harrison OBE, Chief Operating Officer, said: "Kathryn is an outstanding airport executive and is admired throughout TBI for her intellect and professional ability. With the support of the excellent management teams and staff at London Luton, TBI and abertis, I am confident that the airport will continue to flourish under her leadership."
A Chartered Accountant, specialising in Inward Investments & Grants, a division of corporate finance at Price Waterhouse, Kathryn joined TBI in October 1996 to establish the Group's Internal Audit function and to take a leading part in the acquisitions teams. Since then, she has occupied a number of key roles during the development of TBI as an international airports business, including acting as Finance Director of Orlando Sanford Airport, Florida (1997), Stockholm Skavsta Airport, Sweden (1999) and Airport Group International, Inc., California (2000-01). Latterly, as Finance, Commercial and HR Director of LLAOL, she has been directly responsible for finance, commercial activities, including retail and car parking, and Human Resources.
Kathryn James said: "I am delighted to be taking on the challenge of leading London Luton Airport at such an exciting time in its development. We have just opened the first phase of the enlarged terminal and expect further phases to open within weeks. The airport has a key role to play in the future of air transport in the South East of England, in creating jobs and in economic generation for Luton and the region, and I am thrilled to be centrally involved in it."
Albert Harrison OBE, Chief Operating Officer, said: "Kathryn is an outstanding airport executive and is admired throughout TBI for her intellect and professional ability. With the support of the excellent management teams and staff at London Luton, TBI and abertis, I am confident that the airport will continue to flourish under her leadership."
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Looking ahead to Autumn 2005, reliable information is that on certain days during September (traditionally, a busy month) pre-planned airline slots (presumably known schedules plus some ad-hoc flights) equate to around 360 daily movements.
Considering that corporate flights at Luton now account for about 25% of the total movements and that few of these are arranged more than four weeks in advance, if true, this should see Luton exceed 400 daily movements during September (the previous record earlier this year was 379).
Despite undeniably impressive new terminal facilities (accepting that several finishing touches are still required) one cannot but wonder just how the local (naff) roads and local (congested) airspace can continue to cope satisfactorily with what seems to be an exponential rise in traffic at Luton under the new owners/operators that few industry 'experts' appear to have anticipated or accurately forecast.
Something to do with a pair of pants and being caught with them down, comes to mind...
Considering that corporate flights at Luton now account for about 25% of the total movements and that few of these are arranged more than four weeks in advance, if true, this should see Luton exceed 400 daily movements during September (the previous record earlier this year was 379).
Despite undeniably impressive new terminal facilities (accepting that several finishing touches are still required) one cannot but wonder just how the local (naff) roads and local (congested) airspace can continue to cope satisfactorily with what seems to be an exponential rise in traffic at Luton under the new owners/operators that few industry 'experts' appear to have anticipated or accurately forecast.
Something to do with a pair of pants and being caught with them down, comes to mind...
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As to the new team, can't say that I know the FD (new MD) that well or indeed the rest of them. However, pinching someone from BAA doesn't seem such a good idea. BAA haven't had to cope in a competitive market - therefore their managers probably aren't agressive enough to deliver the tough demands of the TBI shareholders.
I heard that the previous MD resigned precisely because the new owners wouldn't support a large expansion and that they wanted to continue the nickel and dime approach of the previous regime.
This autumn will see the airport pass through 9m given the present growth profile. At some point though, someone is going to call a halt to the growth in GA traffic surely as pax flights seem to be the only game in town. If that is the case it will be a shame really as I was getting used to going into Luton.
At 400 movements a day over the usual 16 hour typical day this represents an average movement rate of 25/hour - not bad for a runway with a peak capacity of 32/hour.
AA
I heard that the previous MD resigned precisely because the new owners wouldn't support a large expansion and that they wanted to continue the nickel and dime approach of the previous regime.
This autumn will see the airport pass through 9m given the present growth profile. At some point though, someone is going to call a halt to the growth in GA traffic surely as pax flights seem to be the only game in town. If that is the case it will be a shame really as I was getting used to going into Luton.
At 400 movements a day over the usual 16 hour typical day this represents an average movement rate of 25/hour - not bad for a runway with a peak capacity of 32/hour.
AA
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As has been mentioned numerous times before, the 'naff' roads are going to be improved, with a dual carriageway planned right up to the airport from junction 10. Also in the planning stage is a rail link from Parkway station. The new owners are experts in roads and construction so I'd expect the rubbish road layout around the terminal to also be improved.
The airspace needs to be drastically reworked - but I doubt this will EVER happen in the next 5 years.
The airspace needs to be drastically reworked - but I doubt this will EVER happen in the next 5 years.
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Avro Arrow
I take your point about the potential of calling a halt to further "GA" movements, but remember, the local council doesn't get a cut of the revenue for those movements ... and we are not talking Cessna 150's and Cherokees ... mostly heavy duty biz jets. GA is potentially as profitable to TBI if not more so!!!!
I take your point about the potential of calling a halt to further "GA" movements, but remember, the local council doesn't get a cut of the revenue for those movements ... and we are not talking Cessna 150's and Cherokees ... mostly heavy duty biz jets. GA is potentially as profitable to TBI if not more so!!!!
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The existing terminal will be full when it reaches around 10 or 11 million passengers which could happen in as little as 18 months if growth continues at its present rate. It will then be a very long wait before expansion south of the runway allows a new terminal to be built. The lack of terminal space should safeguard GA traffic at LTN for a number of years.
Last edited by King Pong; 19th Jul 2005 at 13:56.
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LGS6753
Looks like you were right about Helvetic increasing to 12 x weekly. From 20 Sept they are going twice daily on the LTN-ZRH, with a 09.10 dep ex LTN, Mon - Fri. The evening departure stays the same and from 31 Oct is 7 x weekly.
Looks like you were right about Helvetic increasing to 12 x weekly. From 20 Sept they are going twice daily on the LTN-ZRH, with a 09.10 dep ex LTN, Mon - Fri. The evening departure stays the same and from 31 Oct is 7 x weekly.
Thread Starter
Monarch
Whilst Monarch have published their new timetables from Malaga to Aberdeen, Blackpool and Newquay on their website (using a Malaga-based A320 with reduced seating capacity), they have not yet uploaded the new Luton schedules.
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Forgive me if this has been mentioned before but I came across this snippet mentioned last month, June 10th, in the TTG......
LIVERPOOL and Luton airports are benefiting from Stansted ’s plans to increase airline charges to raise money for a second runway, Ryanair chief executive Michael O ’Leary has claimed.
He said BAA ’s plan to spend £4 billion on a new runway at Stansted was pushing business elsewhere.
O ’Leary said summer bookings for regional airports were strong.
“Stansted is about 25% of our traffic but with increased charges we will grow elsewhere so in a couple of years ’ time it will account for about 15%,” he said.
“Stansted is a rip-off. It is one of the world’s most profitable airports,so does not need to increase charges.
“And there should be no cross-subsidy from passengers at Gatwick and Heathrow.”
Interesting regarding the percentage that MOL envisages for STN in the next couple of years. LPL already know they are getting a fifth based aircraft, and I'm sure even more in near future.
Hopefully LTN will follow likewise, bearing in mind the above statement was made by MOL after settlement of his dispute with the BAA
LIVERPOOL and Luton airports are benefiting from Stansted ’s plans to increase airline charges to raise money for a second runway, Ryanair chief executive Michael O ’Leary has claimed.
He said BAA ’s plan to spend £4 billion on a new runway at Stansted was pushing business elsewhere.
O ’Leary said summer bookings for regional airports were strong.
“Stansted is about 25% of our traffic but with increased charges we will grow elsewhere so in a couple of years ’ time it will account for about 15%,” he said.
“Stansted is a rip-off. It is one of the world’s most profitable airports,so does not need to increase charges.
“And there should be no cross-subsidy from passengers at Gatwick and Heathrow.”
Interesting regarding the percentage that MOL envisages for STN in the next couple of years. LPL already know they are getting a fifth based aircraft, and I'm sure even more in near future.
Hopefully LTN will follow likewise, bearing in mind the above statement was made by MOL after settlement of his dispute with the BAA