NEWCASTLE
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The model that is 'low cost' works on tight margins, the airlines coming to NCL are getting in at next to no cost and therefore not a great deal of profit to the airport. The name of the game is to shift as many pax as possible and make a little bit of cash off each one, but that little bit probably isnt enough to upgrade the whole airport in one go. I did hear a year or so ago about a pier refurbishment, but nothing recently. On the pier subject, which regional airports in the UK, serving mainly the low cost model have got airbridges? not many i think! Its about priorities, money first.
Join Date: Aug 2003
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Skyman
First of all thank you for editing my post. I can tell you that my opinion comes from a very operational back ground; it also comes with over 25 year’s experience of a changing civil aviation background all over the UK.
If you had read my post you would have realised that more air bridges would not get rid of the busing of pax’s, read again, you only have to look at the problems with BA 767 arrival on stand 10 to realise these things are not always within the airports control! The airport would love nothing more than to reduce the amount of busing, like you said new bus’s and drivers do not come cheap!
I do agree we could do with a few more air bridges and as I have said this is in the planning, we could also do with a second pier again all in the planning, but like I said you have to balance all of things within the funds available!
It would seem that you and other people posting here would like to go back to an airport without low cost, with an air bridge on every stand, but who would be using it? Do you think that if low cost had arrived at DTV(!?!?) first that pax’s would be still using IT’s and schedules out of NCL in the same numbers?!?! Low cost is here to stay and a successful airport is one that changes to meet the new demands!
First of all thank you for editing my post. I can tell you that my opinion comes from a very operational back ground; it also comes with over 25 year’s experience of a changing civil aviation background all over the UK.
If you had read my post you would have realised that more air bridges would not get rid of the busing of pax’s, read again, you only have to look at the problems with BA 767 arrival on stand 10 to realise these things are not always within the airports control! The airport would love nothing more than to reduce the amount of busing, like you said new bus’s and drivers do not come cheap!
I do agree we could do with a few more air bridges and as I have said this is in the planning, we could also do with a second pier again all in the planning, but like I said you have to balance all of things within the funds available!
It would seem that you and other people posting here would like to go back to an airport without low cost, with an air bridge on every stand, but who would be using it? Do you think that if low cost had arrived at DTV(!?!?) first that pax’s would be still using IT’s and schedules out of NCL in the same numbers?!?! Low cost is here to stay and a successful airport is one that changes to meet the new demands!
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It is true that low cost is here to stay and I at NCL, they have a happy medium at the minute. This whole big discussion on airbridges is a little unwarranted. Airlines are free to use them at NCL for a charge, the fact is most airlines operating prefer steps at NCL with the exception of BA and TOM who pay to use the airbridges. Should the developement occur of a second pier and more stands then maybe there will be more airbridges, however it is generally full service scheduled carriers who tend to use them at airports and the types of a/c these airlines operate into NCL ate too small to use airbridges, which leaves generally the charter companys to use them, as loco's have already stated at every airport they serve that preferably they like steps. Maybe if there was no charge in the use of airbridges then charter carriers like XLA, MYT, OHY, AEA etc will use them at NCL . I have to say that when the new pier is built, I hope it is better designed and decorated than the current one and does have jettys, which means handling agents would need to train all despatchers on their operation.
Word also has it that the tables are possibly about to turn in the ongoing Servisair/Swissport contract grabbing. Possibly a few new airlines coming maybe????
Word also has it that the tables are possibly about to turn in the ongoing Servisair/Swissport contract grabbing. Possibly a few new airlines coming maybe????
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Airbridges
Passengers like the airbridge, but, the longer we can operate on a stand without an airbridge the better as it only slows down the disembarkation and the embarkation of passengers on a standard one hour turnaround. I don't see anything great about having an airbridge, apart from if it is raining! If we are looking for a slick operation this summer, a 757 on a one hour turnaround using an airbridge is not it.
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The only reason Stansted has airbridges is because it was built first as a full-cost airport that sat empty until the lowcos arrived. Compare it with Luton.
An airbridge costs +£750k for the machinery and then there is installation, modification of existing infrastructure, strengthening etc. etc. That's a hefty investment (probably about £1m in all) when you consider the cost of the other capital works the airport has recently completed (International Check-In Hall, Level 2 works etc.)
So it's all about getting the most efficient use of resources. I can understand people (spotters mainly
) wanting a brand spanking style Dubai/HKG/LHR Terminal-5 equivalent on their doorstep, but you need to be realistic!
Spare a thought for us here in Bahrain, where an off-airbridge (even we only have 7!) arrival in August means climbing down the stairs after 6 hours in a 777 in 45C heat!
BL - flying LHR-NCL tomorrow and LHR security will certainly be the nightmare component of that trip!
An airbridge costs +£750k for the machinery and then there is installation, modification of existing infrastructure, strengthening etc. etc. That's a hefty investment (probably about £1m in all) when you consider the cost of the other capital works the airport has recently completed (International Check-In Hall, Level 2 works etc.)
So it's all about getting the most efficient use of resources. I can understand people (spotters mainly
) wanting a brand spanking style Dubai/HKG/LHR Terminal-5 equivalent on their doorstep, but you need to be realistic!Spare a thought for us here in Bahrain, where an off-airbridge (even we only have 7!) arrival in August means climbing down the stairs after 6 hours in a 777 in 45C heat!
BL - flying LHR-NCL tomorrow and LHR security will certainly be the nightmare component of that trip!
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Newcastle has managed perfectly well for years now without the use of airbridges. I am sure it is not a priority when airlines look to start flying from NCL, indeed speedy turnarounds is what they are after, in order to maximise flying time for aircraft. I agree with what starship has said, a full 757 say can be turned around quicker with 2 sets of steps compared with one airbridge at door 1/2L.
Does anyone know if Travelcity Direct plan to reinstate their SFB service for Summer 2007? According to Airliner World they could not find an aircraft this summer to operate it, but possibly they could find one for next summer, though I have doubts wether a 747 would be viable, maybe a Air Atlanta 767 in TCD colours for regional departures?
Does anyone know if Travelcity Direct plan to reinstate their SFB service for Summer 2007? According to Airliner World they could not find an aircraft this summer to operate it, but possibly they could find one for next summer, though I have doubts wether a 747 would be viable, maybe a Air Atlanta 767 in TCD colours for regional departures?
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A rather strangely worded story appeared in the local press about KLM increasing capacity on the NCL - AMS route by 11% with the introduction of more 737/400 aircraft. 7 aircraft were mentioned in relation to NCL but a quick look at the timetable on the KLM website shows 3 flights operated by KLM CityHopper and 2 by KLM mainline. Presumably the mainline flights will be 737 ops.
Can anyone thow any more light on this?
Can anyone thow any more light on this?
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KLM AMS-NCL
Originally Posted by Jamesair
A rather strangely worded story appeared in the local press about KLM increasing capacity on the NCL - AMS route by 11% with the introduction of more 737/400 aircraft. 7 aircraft were mentioned in relation to NCL but a quick look at the timetable on the KLM website shows 3 flights operated by KLM CityHopper and 2 by KLM mainline. Presumably the mainline flights will be 737 ops.
Can anyone thow any more light on this?
Can anyone thow any more light on this?
Now its going to be 3 by city hopper F 70/ F 100 plus 2x 737 mainline, hence increased capacity almost to coincide with the JET 2 launch on the same route.
Join Date: Dec 2004
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New routes
It's all gone very quiet in relation to new routes. Does anyone have any other news? I was hoping 2006 would bring us:
- A further EZY aircraft with some more routes.
- Further expansion from Jet2 (in addition to what we already have).
- One or two more routes from Ryanair.
- Double daily Copenhagen with SAS.
- Flybe to ABZ and NWI and perhaps some other routes (i.e. French destinations).
- T3 to INV.
- Some further routes to Eastern Europe (we must be one of the few large regional airports without a route to Poland now).
- An announcement about a New York service.
- I had hoped WOW would take over the CWL route so that there would be connections to NQY but this doesnt appear to be on the cards after T3's announcement.
Anyone heard anything about any of these?
- A further EZY aircraft with some more routes.
- Further expansion from Jet2 (in addition to what we already have).
- One or two more routes from Ryanair.
- Double daily Copenhagen with SAS.
- Flybe to ABZ and NWI and perhaps some other routes (i.e. French destinations).
- T3 to INV.
- Some further routes to Eastern Europe (we must be one of the few large regional airports without a route to Poland now).
- An announcement about a New York service.
- I had hoped WOW would take over the CWL route so that there would be connections to NQY but this doesnt appear to be on the cards after T3's announcement.
Anyone heard anything about any of these?
Join Date: Feb 2004
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nclairportfan
''Further expansion from Jet2'' - I don't think there will be more expansion from Jet2 for little. Most of there smaller bases, excluding Edinburgh, has been built up to 7 destinations, with Belfast, Newcastle and Blackpool.
''An announcement about a New York service'' - If it was to go ahead, like the AA service, it will probably be announced in the July/Aug/Sept period.
''Flybe to ABZ and NWI'' - Flybe are looking at the possiblilty of a Norwich service, we just have to wait - their new aircraft are due for arrival soon!
''Further expansion from Jet2'' - I don't think there will be more expansion from Jet2 for little. Most of there smaller bases, excluding Edinburgh, has been built up to 7 destinations, with Belfast, Newcastle and Blackpool.
''An announcement about a New York service'' - If it was to go ahead, like the AA service, it will probably be announced in the July/Aug/Sept period.
''Flybe to ABZ and NWI'' - Flybe are looking at the possiblilty of a Norwich service, we just have to wait - their new aircraft are due for arrival soon!
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Update on Cancun. It is not showing on Thomas Cook's reservation system or indeed the TC website. Spoke to Thomas Cook today and they said that not all flights had been loaded to the system yet so may be a delay before available to book 
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Cancun
Originally Posted by Travel Agent
Update on Cancun. It is not showing on Thomas Cook's reservation system or indeed the TC website. Spoke to Thomas Cook today and they said that not all flights had been loaded to the system yet so may be a delay before available to book