EDINBURGH
Join Date: May 2000
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Commonsense would dictate they sell the worse performing Scottish central belt airport but given that BAA have all their Scottish airport registered offices
located at GLA - and therefore their top Scottish brass - the indications are that
the better performing EDI is for the chop?
located at GLA - and therefore their top Scottish brass - the indications are that
the better performing EDI is for the chop?
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LV
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Percentage wise if you think the largest voting number of the most powerful "movers and shakers" in Ferrovial BAA are likely to be at GLA youre sadly mistaken.
But your wish may be put to the test sooner than expected...
But your wish may be put to the test sooner than expected...
The decision as to which airport to be sold should be made on a strategic (long-term) basis at BAA Board level, with approval from the Spanish main board. It won't be made by anyone in GLA or EDI.
Long-term considerations may include:
- which has best return on capital projected over an extended period
- which has best growth opportunities (in terms of ROCE, capital requirements and strategic value analysis)
- which offers the best sale option in terms of value received against capital invested.
Unlikely considerations may include:
- which managers are based at which airports
- how many passengers each serves
- how well each has performed in the recent past
- how good the bacon sandwiches are
Long-term considerations may include:
- which has best return on capital projected over an extended period
- which has best growth opportunities (in terms of ROCE, capital requirements and strategic value analysis)
- which offers the best sale option in terms of value received against capital invested.
Unlikely considerations may include:
- which managers are based at which airports
- how many passengers each serves
- how well each has performed in the recent past
- how good the bacon sandwiches are
It has been clear for some time that the politicians/civil servants in Edinburgh want their airport to be the big player in Scotland so it would seem to have the brighter future.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Edinburgh
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Scotbill, it's got absolutely nothing to do with what politicians/civil servants want, and there isn't a scrap of evidence to suggest that that is what they want. It's what passengers and airlines want. EDI's recent steady expansion has to do with Edinburgh's popularity as a significant European tourist destination, and a reflection of its status as a key financial/business destination.
Believe that if you like - but there have been rumours that airlines thinking of opening new routes ex-Scotland have been advised by Holyrood politicians that any financial incentive is conditional on the route being fom Edimburgh.
Michael O Leary is not famous for paying BAA fees. What attracted him to Edinburgh?
Michael O Leary is not famous for paying BAA fees. What attracted him to Edinburgh?
Join Date: Feb 2007
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That allegation is completely without foundation, I'm afraid. Why shouldn't Ryanair be interested in developing Edinburgh? It's a popular destination, with a healthy mix of inbound and outbound demand (about 50/50, as Easyjet recently identified).
The Scottish route development fund is no more, but while it was briefly there it helped launch a number of routes, including plenty from GLA, PIK and INV (Emirates being the most high-profile airline to benefit with the largest contribution). I don't understand where all these silly conspiracy theories about politicians wheeling and dealing to promote EDI at the expense of other Scottish airports come from. It just sounds like sour grapes to me.
The Scottish route development fund is no more, but while it was briefly there it helped launch a number of routes, including plenty from GLA, PIK and INV (Emirates being the most high-profile airline to benefit with the largest contribution). I don't understand where all these silly conspiracy theories about politicians wheeling and dealing to promote EDI at the expense of other Scottish airports come from. It just sounds like sour grapes to me.
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There have very much been suspicions but I dont think there is any firm evidence to back up what you have said. There will have been incentives and deals but I suspect these will have been at a local BAA level and all will be up for grabs again with the sell off.
You will get a blinkered opinion however as those who adamantly support their precious EDI, as you will have noticed here and elsewhere, will not let anything lie
. And as for Emirates.... that looks like the biggest of the sour grapes.
You will get a blinkered opinion however as those who adamantly support their precious EDI, as you will have noticed here and elsewhere, will not let anything lie
. And as for Emirates.... that looks like the biggest of the sour grapes.
Join Date: Feb 2007
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CabinCrewe, there certainly is no evidence to support conspiracies of government intervention. I have never doubted that the Scottish Government has a vested interest in seeing all Scottish airports grow and prosper, and I have never been under the impression that any special treatment on their part is being exercised towards any one airport.
Oh, and there is certainly no Emirates sour grapes from me, nor from the overwhelming majority of people with an interest in seeing EDI grow and prosper. Perhaps you have been listening to one rather vocal alleged fan of EDI too much and it has influenced your opinions of us Edinburgh boys for the worse? Without a successful GLA-DXB service there would be little prospect of EK starting at EDI, so I for one welcome EK's success at GLA and hope it will lead to expansion at EDI in the near future. I do, however, get the impression that not everyone would wish for such an equitable outcome .. perhaps that is the real sour grapes?
Oh, and there is certainly no Emirates sour grapes from me, nor from the overwhelming majority of people with an interest in seeing EDI grow and prosper. Perhaps you have been listening to one rather vocal alleged fan of EDI too much and it has influenced your opinions of us Edinburgh boys for the worse? Without a successful GLA-DXB service there would be little prospect of EK starting at EDI, so I for one welcome EK's success at GLA and hope it will lead to expansion at EDI in the near future. I do, however, get the impression that not everyone would wish for such an equitable outcome .. perhaps that is the real sour grapes?
Bartek
So the politicians have no influence then?
" it's got absolutely nothing to do with what politicians/civil servants want, and there isn't a scrap of evidence to suggest that that is what they want"
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Scotbill, on what basis do you suppose that politicians within the Scottish Government would try to influence airlines to operate from one Scottish airport at the expense of another? When Ryanair launched EDI-Tenerife, for example, what possible benefit would there be to the Scottish Government in ensuring the route went strictly to EDI and to no other airport? Perhpas ... just perhaps .... Ryanair saw an opportunity to serve an underserved market and went for it, and BAA Edinburgh took a commercial decision to offer them the attractive rates to enable the service to go ahead. No massive conspiracy there.
Join Date: Nov 2010
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Can I ask something, what's so important about one of Glasgow or Edinburgh remaining under control of BAA?
As far as I can see if Glasgow was sold, the biggest loser is likely to be Prestwick as the new management are going to want to boost passenger numbers (and in the short term, that is likely to be Ryanair, although PIK getting shot of Ryanair could work well for it, if, and it's a big if, new airlines could be attracted, but that's a discussion for another page).
On the other hand if Edinburgh was sold, BAA are likely to raise a higher instant price, which in the short term is attractive to the seller.
To be honest it seems is if the age old "which is better? Glasgow or Edinburgh?" has reared it's head...
As far as I can see if Glasgow was sold, the biggest loser is likely to be Prestwick as the new management are going to want to boost passenger numbers (and in the short term, that is likely to be Ryanair, although PIK getting shot of Ryanair could work well for it, if, and it's a big if, new airlines could be attracted, but that's a discussion for another page).
On the other hand if Edinburgh was sold, BAA are likely to raise a higher instant price, which in the short term is attractive to the seller.
To be honest it seems is if the age old "which is better? Glasgow or Edinburgh?" has reared it's head...
For their own convenience perhaps? Or, more likely, the convenience of senior civil servants who now, for example, need a second bridge across the Forth to commute to their villas in Fife?
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Yup, the sour grapes theory really is gaining momentum, I have to say 
So when any other Scottish airport succeeds in luring new routes/airlines it does so equitably and fairly, but when it's EDI it follows that there must have been political maneuvering from within government to influence such an outcome? I had hoped for a more mature discussion on the facts rather than a parade of insecurity.
So when any other Scottish airport succeeds in luring new routes/airlines it does so equitably and fairly, but when it's EDI it follows that there must have been political maneuvering from within government to influence such an outcome? I had hoped for a more mature discussion on the facts rather than a parade of insecurity.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Exactly how, does PIK losing FR help???? EDI was held back for years as BAA spent massively at GLA. It was the stepchild LGW against the favoured son, GLA. Now that has swung the other way. Having both seperate and actively competing would help. Does GLA need FR? Depends if they get the BHX or MAN version, either way it's unlikely to bring new destinations as the west of Scotland only currently does well on sun routes whereas EDI as the capital supports more city breaks.