Air Southwest
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Cloud 9
Posts: 2,948
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We should be supporting a permanent NQY that is never likely to break even, never mind make a profit, during our lifetimes, why?
When NQY started out it was a clutter of buildings etc. the other side of a military airfield perimeter, the only (civil airport) upkeep was the maintainence of these buildings, a couple of fuel bowsers etc.
The airfield and associated services was paid for by the tax payers thru MoD funding, the airfield of RAF St Mawgan was closed to save tax payers monies.
Cornwall Council re-open this ex RAF Airfield and fund it, support it, with tax payers monies.
Am I missing something here?
When NQY started out it was a clutter of buildings etc. the other side of a military airfield perimeter, the only (civil airport) upkeep was the maintainence of these buildings, a couple of fuel bowsers etc.
The airfield and associated services was paid for by the tax payers thru MoD funding, the airfield of RAF St Mawgan was closed to save tax payers monies.
Cornwall Council re-open this ex RAF Airfield and fund it, support it, with tax payers monies.
Am I missing something here?
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: uk
Posts: 913
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PF has analysed the economic situation correctly. You could draw up a list of half a dozen UK airports which should close by these criteria. There is undoubtedly, too much runway available in the UK at present.
However, it does not take into account the political argument for keeping these places open, supporting them and in limited cases expanding them. People need jobs, airports provide them, many are low skill-low barrier of entry type positions which are desperately needed, particularly among the unemployed young. When the economy upturns, remote areas such as NQY will benefit as they did in the boom years.
What is not needed is hair brained grandiose schemes which look great but have no chance of getting off the ground, or worse being set up, then turning turtle dashing peoples hopes again. Regional airports, their operators, supporters and local authorities are particularly prone to this disease. Reality check, please!
Keep them operational, mothball what can't be used profitably (terminals, maybe) and get a proper viable business plan ready for the upturn.
However, it does not take into account the political argument for keeping these places open, supporting them and in limited cases expanding them. People need jobs, airports provide them, many are low skill-low barrier of entry type positions which are desperately needed, particularly among the unemployed young. When the economy upturns, remote areas such as NQY will benefit as they did in the boom years.
What is not needed is hair brained grandiose schemes which look great but have no chance of getting off the ground, or worse being set up, then turning turtle dashing peoples hopes again. Regional airports, their operators, supporters and local authorities are particularly prone to this disease. Reality check, please!
Keep them operational, mothball what can't be used profitably (terminals, maybe) and get a proper viable business plan ready for the upturn.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Cloud 9
Posts: 2,948
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Simon,
Does Newquay have a need for two commercial aerodromes ... is there so much air traffic around that two Newquay aerodromes are needed to meet with such demand?
Once the closure of RAF St Mawgan airfield was announced Corwall Council could have weighed up the options, got their abacus out, and easily realised that over the years a St Mawgan commercial airport will cost them, cost the taxpayers, 10's, indeed 100's, of millions of pounds ..... meanwhile UK doesn't have the means to defend it's own airspace and is sailing an aircraft carrier around for the next 10 (ish) years without any fixed wing aircraft to put on it!
Cornwall Council should be looking for a long term solution and there is one commercially successful aerodrome to the south of Nequay, it makes it's own living, it is self supprting and give it a one off investment to upgrade it to 'airport' status then Council can wipe their hands and walk away.
Meanwhile to the north of Newquay there is a white elephant of an aerodrome that has never been commercially viable, requires millions of pounds of taxpayers monies, year in, year out, just to keep it open, well let's say all of these annual millions were coming out of your pocket, you wouldn't be so keen to keep it open for any longer than is necessary would you Simon?
Does Newquay have a need for two commercial aerodromes ... is there so much air traffic around that two Newquay aerodromes are needed to meet with such demand?
Once the closure of RAF St Mawgan airfield was announced Corwall Council could have weighed up the options, got their abacus out, and easily realised that over the years a St Mawgan commercial airport will cost them, cost the taxpayers, 10's, indeed 100's, of millions of pounds ..... meanwhile UK doesn't have the means to defend it's own airspace and is sailing an aircraft carrier around for the next 10 (ish) years without any fixed wing aircraft to put on it!
Cornwall Council should be looking for a long term solution and there is one commercially successful aerodrome to the south of Nequay, it makes it's own living, it is self supprting and give it a one off investment to upgrade it to 'airport' status then Council can wipe their hands and walk away.
Meanwhile to the north of Newquay there is a white elephant of an aerodrome that has never been commercially viable, requires millions of pounds of taxpayers monies, year in, year out, just to keep it open, well let's say all of these annual millions were coming out of your pocket, you wouldn't be so keen to keep it open for any longer than is necessary would you Simon?
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: cornwall, uk
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does Newquay have a need for two commercial aerodromes ... is there so much air traffic around that two Newquay aerodromes are needed to meet with such demand?
but i tell you what PF, you win !
i give up, scrap the airport, who cares !
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Cloud 9
Posts: 2,948
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Perranporth Aerodrome has a CAA Ordinary Licence (Number P787) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee (Perranporth Airfield Limited).
Truro Aerodrome is an unlicensed aerodrome
Truro Aerodrome is an unlicensed aerodrome
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: The Nether Region
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't really think the land on which Newquay Airport is built on has any value- there are plenty of spare fields in Cornwall on which to build houses. Fields that aren't in the middle of nowhere either.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Cloud 9
Posts: 2,948
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And whilst not wishing to disturb ASW personnel but once PLH closes there will be no short field requirement for DHC8's thus, if I were a gambling man, I'd bet my money that these, and any SW DHC8 maintenance facilty, will be gone PDQ and replaced by Jetstream's and/or Saab's with the maintenance done at Eastern's maintenance facility(s) in HUY or wherever.
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: UK
Age: 64
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can anyone tell me why it is safe for ASW to fly in and out of Plymouth from now till 8 am Monday morning with Ply Mil closed, but it will not be safe to fly at anytime from the end of July to the end of August when Ply Mil are closed. Oh yes it will be safe again in September. 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can anyone tell me why it is safe for ASW to fly in and out of Plymouth from now till 8 am Monday morning with Ply Mil closed, but it will not be safe to fly at anytime from the end of July to the end of August when Ply Mil are closed. Oh yes it will be safe again in September
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: UK
Age: 64
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No i am saying that Eastern have said they are not using Plymouth from the end of July for four weeks whilst PlyMil Radar are on summer leave due to safety reasons. If the safety case has come to that conclusion fine, BUT why are they using Plymouth airport from now till they go on leave before 8 am every weekday and from 2 pm on a Friday till 8 am on the Monday morning when PlyMil Radar are also closed. A case of double standards. Explain that one to the passengers
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Blighty
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are many things which I find astonishing about this affair.
But one thing which I find quite amazing from a customer perspective (and as a SHH shareholder) is that the Plymouth City Airport website doesn't even mention that their entire scheduled service network isn't operating for the month of August! In fact the latest news story on the airport's website is dated November 2010!
Do I sense that everybody concerned has just given up caring?
Very unprofessional.
But one thing which I find quite amazing from a customer perspective (and as a SHH shareholder) is that the Plymouth City Airport website doesn't even mention that their entire scheduled service network isn't operating for the month of August! In fact the latest news story on the airport's website is dated November 2010!
Do I sense that everybody concerned has just given up caring?
Very unprofessional.
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: UK
Age: 64
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
L G - Don't judge a book by its cover (or in this case its website) I think you will find the person who runs the website does not work at the airport..There are a lot of professional people at the airport working very hard in difficult circumstances to come up ways to try keep it going having the rugs pulled from under their feet and one hand tied behind their backs. When the whole story of this affair is able to be told then it will be the correct time to make judgements on Companies,Councils and people.
I think there will be a few suprised onlookers out there.
I think there will be a few suprised onlookers out there.
Last edited by trafficnotsighted; 8th Jul 2011 at 21:50.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Cloud 9
Posts: 2,948
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
trafficnotsighted,
When I worked at PLH and all hope seemed lost, that nobody cared, the airline staff would get out on to the airfield for a game of cricket with the firemen ..... hit the ball across 06/24 and one scored a '4'.
Please, never give up, should things become so dire then come to work with a bat and ball
When I worked at PLH and all hope seemed lost, that nobody cared, the airline staff would get out on to the airfield for a game of cricket with the firemen ..... hit the ball across 06/24 and one scored a '4'.
Please, never give up, should things become so dire then come to work with a bat and ball
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: UK
Age: 64
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EGHQ - The amount of hairy moments over the last 3 -4 years have not increased and the helicopter traffic is less than it was 5 years ago when there were Lynx's and gazelles doing navex's around the moor.. There are departures after 5 pm and plenty of departures at weekends.
80% of inbounds from the channel islands come straight in from SKERY not the BHD 262R. Inbounds from the East rarely join the BHD 262R at the earliest opportunity they self position to join at the IAF.
There is No excuse for double standards when it comes to safety, they were offered a service from Exeter giving the same the coverage as PlyMil but were not interested.
The original Safety case - don't get me going on that one as it is a real can of worms. One day the whole story will come out.
A BUMP - I am fully aware on what is going here, it just maybe that i am old fashioned and do not expect double standards in FLIGHT SAFETY in our industry.
80% of inbounds from the channel islands come straight in from SKERY not the BHD 262R. Inbounds from the East rarely join the BHD 262R at the earliest opportunity they self position to join at the IAF.
There is No excuse for double standards when it comes to safety, they were offered a service from Exeter giving the same the coverage as PlyMil but were not interested.
The original Safety case - don't get me going on that one as it is a real can of worms. One day the whole story will come out.
A BUMP - I am fully aware on what is going here, it just maybe that i am old fashioned and do not expect double standards in FLIGHT SAFETY in our industry.