Eujet cease operations/Manston(Merged)
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I don't really think - in terms of location, transport links or infrastructure - that Manston is comparable to DSA.
Join Date: May 2002
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According to their booking office, it's business as usual. "No problems....media have blown it out of proportion ...... we're not worried about our jobs..... etc..." BUT they're not prepared to put that in writing.....
Will they be saying the same thing this time tomorrow? I doubt it. And even if flights are ok today, what happens the pax who depart today?? Not a pleasant feeling to be heading off on hols with the stark reality that they are likely to be stranded.
Presumably there is a bond that will ensure that pax will get home.
It has been said some time previously that some flights were cx due to reduced load factors leaving people with an extended stay. Rumours like that, once started, are very difficult to shake off and it would not have helped them on their way.
It was a good opportunity for Manston and the area in general. It will be a shame if it is the final whistle.
Will anybody replace them? Probably not. Will there even be an airport, if PlaneStation are brought down....
Will they be saying the same thing this time tomorrow? I doubt it. And even if flights are ok today, what happens the pax who depart today?? Not a pleasant feeling to be heading off on hols with the stark reality that they are likely to be stranded.
Presumably there is a bond that will ensure that pax will get home.
It has been said some time previously that some flights were cx due to reduced load factors leaving people with an extended stay. Rumours like that, once started, are very difficult to shake off and it would not have helped them on their way.
It was a good opportunity for Manston and the area in general. It will be a shame if it is the final whistle.
Will anybody replace them? Probably not. Will there even be an airport, if PlaneStation are brought down....
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Here , (IMHO), are some of the reasons they are now in trouble.
1) Too little research into route viability.
2) No destination local advertising.
3) Crazy timing for the special seat low cost seat promotions. (Major upsetting of passengers who paid a relatively high ticket price, when they see “free” flights advertised a few weeks after they booked. Net result of this type of marketing is to make all regular flyers delay booking to await the Super Discount offers.
4) No attempt to poll passengers as to their reasons for travel. i.e.. Business, Holiday or owners abroad.
5) Very poor PR from the parent company. Late publication of even the good news. Even now , assuming they are not 100% dead, there should be something on their web site to reassure or otherwise inform the customer base as to what is happening.
No doubt other more knowledgeable folk could add a few more. Some good input here might yet save the day or at least permit others to learn from EU’s mistakes.
I do believe that the flights this week are virtually fully booked. Even before this morning news the EUJet fare for two people to Alicante at the end of August was around £600 total compared with the “normal” spring price of around £120 for the same flight. That has to indicate high load factors.
Bob D
1) Too little research into route viability.
2) No destination local advertising.
3) Crazy timing for the special seat low cost seat promotions. (Major upsetting of passengers who paid a relatively high ticket price, when they see “free” flights advertised a few weeks after they booked. Net result of this type of marketing is to make all regular flyers delay booking to await the Super Discount offers.
4) No attempt to poll passengers as to their reasons for travel. i.e.. Business, Holiday or owners abroad.
5) Very poor PR from the parent company. Late publication of even the good news. Even now , assuming they are not 100% dead, there should be something on their web site to reassure or otherwise inform the customer base as to what is happening.
No doubt other more knowledgeable folk could add a few more. Some good input here might yet save the day or at least permit others to learn from EU’s mistakes.
I do believe that the flights this week are virtually fully booked. Even before this morning news the EUJet fare for two people to Alicante at the end of August was around £600 total compared with the “normal” spring price of around £120 for the same flight. That has to indicate high load factors.
Bob D
No, but take away EU jet, MSE has virtually no flights so it is like starting from scratch, comparable to DSA
Even starting from scratch, DSA, in my opinion, was always going to be attractive to an airport operator because of it's wide catchment area, proximity to large cities and being situated close to strategic road and rail links. I just don't think Manston has the same qualities, and as such is unlikely to be so attractive to Peel et al. Let's face it Planestation never managed to attract a viable carrier, and have (it would seem) failed in trying to run their own airline. Who, now, is going to look at Manston acquisitively?
NB. Realising the above appears negative, I would like to acknowledge that there are employees of Planestation and EUjet, and others besides, who face an uncertain future right now. I do wish them all the very best of luck.
Join Date: May 2004
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According to soth-east today, an offical statement will be issued to staff in the morning, good luck to all concerned.
From the money today website.
Bank pulls the plug on Kent Airport owner
Nick Goodway, Evening Standard
25 July 2005
PLANESTATION, which owns Kent International Airport and no-frills airline EUjet, called for its shares to be suspended today after it lost the Bank of Scotland's support, and pulled the plug
The group raised £30m from shareholders in December, and said that was enough to allow it to buy the 70% of EUjet it did not already own and give it working capital for 12 months.
But EUjet has not lived up to expectations with bookings of 402,000 reported at the end of June since services began last September. It is reckoned the group\'s five jets, which fly to 19 destinations ranging from Malaga to Prague, needed to carry 800,000 passengers a year to breakeven.
Planestation said last month that it could fund the shortfall by selling assets and had entered negotiations to sell its 75% interest in Kent International Business Park, which adjoins its Manston airport.
Last December's re-funding was largely underwritten by stockbroker Evolution at 10p a share. The shares were today suspended at 5.35p after they fell more than 8% in early trading.
The group said: 'Until now, the directors had no reason to believe that support from its bank would not be forthcoming. However, discussions with the company's bank over the last 48 hours have not been positive, and the company was informed this morning that the bank is no longer able to support the company with additional facilities.
Debts are thought to total more than £22m. Bank of Scotland declined to comment.
From the money today website.
Bank pulls the plug on Kent Airport owner
Nick Goodway, Evening Standard
25 July 2005
PLANESTATION, which owns Kent International Airport and no-frills airline EUjet, called for its shares to be suspended today after it lost the Bank of Scotland's support, and pulled the plug
The group raised £30m from shareholders in December, and said that was enough to allow it to buy the 70% of EUjet it did not already own and give it working capital for 12 months.
But EUjet has not lived up to expectations with bookings of 402,000 reported at the end of June since services began last September. It is reckoned the group\'s five jets, which fly to 19 destinations ranging from Malaga to Prague, needed to carry 800,000 passengers a year to breakeven.
Planestation said last month that it could fund the shortfall by selling assets and had entered negotiations to sell its 75% interest in Kent International Business Park, which adjoins its Manston airport.
Last December's re-funding was largely underwritten by stockbroker Evolution at 10p a share. The shares were today suspended at 5.35p after they fell more than 8% in early trading.
The group said: 'Until now, the directors had no reason to believe that support from its bank would not be forthcoming. However, discussions with the company's bank over the last 48 hours have not been positive, and the company was informed this morning that the bank is no longer able to support the company with additional facilities.
Debts are thought to total more than £22m. Bank of Scotland declined to comment.
Last edited by bish-bash; 25th Jul 2005 at 21:08.
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It's not over just yet we are still flying aeroplanes and it's business as normal tomorrow (apart from the aircraft at EDI).
Sounds like PJ is going to try and save the day by starting to wet lease again. The end of MSE though.....
Shame because ATC have just started letting us get off the rwy now on our own! and what is vultchure going to do all day long?
Sounds like PJ is going to try and save the day by starting to wet lease again. The end of MSE though.....
Shame because ATC have just started letting us get off the rwy now on our own! and what is vultchure going to do all day long?
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Mac Gold Trick. YET Another airline bites their dust. How many more are they allowed to ruin? I cannot Lift Heavy these days!
I for one, wish everyone associated with EUJet, the best of luck for the future!
Where does this leave Manston. Seriously, who owns it? Who owes money to whom and is it security for the bank that is owed money by PlaneStation?
Could solve some of the South East's future housing needs if sold for home building? Whoops, crap roads and infrastructure!
A good friend bailed out when Wiggins went mad, investing in very unpopular airports, then formed an airline! Probably one of the few smiling tonight? Wiggins sold off good property portfolios to concentrate on Black Forest and Manston. They even bought Melbourne......in Florida and a landing strip in Scandinavia that is impossible to pronounce!
I for one, wish everyone associated with EUJet, the best of luck for the future!
Where does this leave Manston. Seriously, who owns it? Who owes money to whom and is it security for the bank that is owed money by PlaneStation?
Could solve some of the South East's future housing needs if sold for home building? Whoops, crap roads and infrastructure!
A good friend bailed out when Wiggins went mad, investing in very unpopular airports, then formed an airline! Probably one of the few smiling tonight? Wiggins sold off good property portfolios to concentrate on Black Forest and Manston. They even bought Melbourne......in Florida and a landing strip in Scandinavia that is impossible to pronounce!
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You know, upon mature reflection, I really cannot see EUjet getting out of this, one way or another. There is no smoke without fire, and there is quite a lot of smoke on this occasion.
Even if they do manage to rise above the smoke, will people have the confidence to continue to book with them??
If there is any doubt as to the prospect of a flight operating on a particular date, then the more cautious may well choose to look / book elsewhere.
As I said previously, it will be a shame. Only a couple of days ago, I looked at the prospect of flying into Manston and onwards. It looked viable, seemed like a good option and passing through an airport with reduced "hassle" when compared with 'other' Airports, was looking very attractive indeed. Quick & easy passage seemed like a good option whilst maintaining adequate security.
Okay, so I didn't book this time, (it was only a option on this occasion), but the opportunity and potential was there. It will be a shame, but I fear the writing is on the wall.
I hope not, but, maybe, just maybe, I will be wrong, but we'll see.....
PS Any comment from Flap42......
PPS When EUjet cancelled the Glasgow/MSE route, they apparently offered full refunds for anybody who had booked for later in the year - will the same apply for pax who have booked for the next couple of days/weeks/months....?
PPPS Manston does have a lot going for it, but it will take time, and unfortunately a wad of cash. Reduced throughput (thus speedy passage), very reasonable parking charges, access to European ferries, etc. There have of course been other carriers who have tried, but with McGold**** there, his experience/knowledge of Ryanair should have been a huge help.
Even if they do manage to rise above the smoke, will people have the confidence to continue to book with them??
If there is any doubt as to the prospect of a flight operating on a particular date, then the more cautious may well choose to look / book elsewhere.
As I said previously, it will be a shame. Only a couple of days ago, I looked at the prospect of flying into Manston and onwards. It looked viable, seemed like a good option and passing through an airport with reduced "hassle" when compared with 'other' Airports, was looking very attractive indeed. Quick & easy passage seemed like a good option whilst maintaining adequate security.
Okay, so I didn't book this time, (it was only a option on this occasion), but the opportunity and potential was there. It will be a shame, but I fear the writing is on the wall.
I hope not, but, maybe, just maybe, I will be wrong, but we'll see.....
PS Any comment from Flap42......
PPS When EUjet cancelled the Glasgow/MSE route, they apparently offered full refunds for anybody who had booked for later in the year - will the same apply for pax who have booked for the next couple of days/weeks/months....?
PPPS Manston does have a lot going for it, but it will take time, and unfortunately a wad of cash. Reduced throughput (thus speedy passage), very reasonable parking charges, access to European ferries, etc. There have of course been other carriers who have tried, but with McGold**** there, his experience/knowledge of Ryanair should have been a huge help.
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Right....when I dared to stick my twopennyworth in earlier, I was pilloried, lambasted etc etc. I said then that I knew a thing ir three about this airport and its ops, and a bet was made....remember.... It was if the airline was around in a year from start I bought cases of the stuff....if it wasnt.....they bought ME the stuff. Own up who was it before I have to go trhrough the posts. Manston just does not have the catchment and an airport should never, never, never, never, and again, never, put their hard enarned dosh into an airline operation, especially when wishes are the collateral. Sorry guys, it's a cruel world out there and Manston is crueller than most......The end of the M2 is indisputable and Geographically in position.
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PPPS Booking Engine around 18.00 seemed okay.
Now around 23.40, booking engine now says:
RUNTIME ERROR CONDITION
mkdir /: Permission denied at d:/inetpub/wwwroot/skylights/lib/Storage.pm line 992
Mmmm.......
Perhaps that says it all......
Now around 23.40, booking engine now says:
RUNTIME ERROR CONDITION
mkdir /: Permission denied at d:/inetpub/wwwroot/skylights/lib/Storage.pm line 992
Mmmm.......
Perhaps that says it all......
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The Hangar is THE main asset..and is occupied by Jet Support.....MSE is buggered for about the 27 5/8th time. When will you guys get it into your heads, there is NO bloody catchment area. Many have tried, many have failed. You cannot manufacture pax out of thin air.
The best that could be hoped for is a cargo base. With slots tightening up, its a possibility. Nobody, but NOBODY passes Stanstead and Luton Heathrow and Gatwick to get to Manston. The small numbers who live in Canterbury love it, and rightly so, but nobody else.
Check my posts and replies for the past six months on this subject with people calling me a rotter to EU Jet....and then tell me I was wrong.
The best that could be hoped for is a cargo base. With slots tightening up, its a possibility. Nobody, but NOBODY passes Stanstead and Luton Heathrow and Gatwick to get to Manston. The small numbers who live in Canterbury love it, and rightly so, but nobody else.
Check my posts and replies for the past six months on this subject with people calling me a rotter to EU Jet....and then tell me I was wrong.
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Just remember alot of these guys were ex gill air, they have been through the mill! in aviation terms. Hope its all a load of rubbish and they are still trading. If not suppose the good news is that the market is the best its been for at least seven years,. Shame loyalty isnt as high on the agenda as hours though!