NEWQUAY
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: London
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It looks like the current problem relates to a CAA requirement for some work on the 'clear and graded' area. This will need heavy macinery/diggers and the ground is too soft at the moment.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You make it sound as though this requirement is something new the CAA have introduced. although I realise you may not mean to..
Just to clarify for anyone who may wonder if CCC have any excuse here, they have not. The requirements for airfields are very simple to understand and there is nothing significantly new in what the CAA expects of Newquay, or anywhere else.
If that figure of £6m to consultants is right, words fail me. Most competent advisers on airfield requirements could have told CCC what was needed, and even project managed the very, very simple task of conversion from military, for less than £300,000. And CCC were aware of that. If I were a Cornwall ratepayer I would be reaching for a lawyer, or rather forming a group to reach for one for recovery of that cash from the Council staff and members involved in what can only have been a huge scam.
But the figure might have been for the whole project, not just the consultants. Even so it was remarkably badly spent.
Just to clarify for anyone who may wonder if CCC have any excuse here, they have not. The requirements for airfields are very simple to understand and there is nothing significantly new in what the CAA expects of Newquay, or anywhere else.
If that figure of £6m to consultants is right, words fail me. Most competent advisers on airfield requirements could have told CCC what was needed, and even project managed the very, very simple task of conversion from military, for less than £300,000. And CCC were aware of that. If I were a Cornwall ratepayer I would be reaching for a lawyer, or rather forming a group to reach for one for recovery of that cash from the Council staff and members involved in what can only have been a huge scam.
But the figure might have been for the whole project, not just the consultants. Even so it was remarkably badly spent.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: west of the tamar
Age: 75
Posts: 862
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The masterplan....
Would love to hear what others think after reading - or maybe you wrote it- this hefty document. My view?
Of the 360 pages about 75% are the usual fluff and nonsense and really say nothing. The rest is all quite positive and full of good intent based on well founded ideas. A very professionally produced document. Indeed it would appear that the consultants used are a highly reputable company that have plenty of experience in airport management.
Great future for Newquay then.............or is it?
Four years ago I met with Colin Jarvis , Head of Transportation CCC and handed over a scruffy piece of paper with pretty much exactly the same ideas written on it and the cost to the ratepayer was a cup of coffee. It took me about ten minutes to produce the document ( and fourty years working in the business) and was politely received then probably discarded.
Worryingly several millions of pounds later what we now have is a masterplan produced by the same people that handled the change over from the RAF in the same hands CCC who implemented it - or rather didn't.
With the Keystone Cops running the show I can see no good reason why the aims of the document will ever be achieved but every reason why many more millions will be wasted in trying to do so.
CCC have asked for opinions on the plan but somehow I just cannot bring myself to do this. The masterplan actually typifies quite well what CCC represents - 75% fluff and nonsense ( at great expense) and 25% actual action. As much as I would love to make an input it just feels like a complete waste of time and my opinion will probably just dissappear into the system only to be ignored (again).
The best thing for the future of Newquay Airport would be to go round with a big for sale sign and get it into commercial hands - on current performance at least CCC couldn't be accused of selling the crown jewels now could they?
Would love to hear what others think after reading - or maybe you wrote it- this hefty document. My view?
Of the 360 pages about 75% are the usual fluff and nonsense and really say nothing. The rest is all quite positive and full of good intent based on well founded ideas. A very professionally produced document. Indeed it would appear that the consultants used are a highly reputable company that have plenty of experience in airport management.
Great future for Newquay then.............or is it?
Four years ago I met with Colin Jarvis , Head of Transportation CCC and handed over a scruffy piece of paper with pretty much exactly the same ideas written on it and the cost to the ratepayer was a cup of coffee. It took me about ten minutes to produce the document ( and fourty years working in the business) and was politely received then probably discarded.
Worryingly several millions of pounds later what we now have is a masterplan produced by the same people that handled the change over from the RAF in the same hands CCC who implemented it - or rather didn't.
With the Keystone Cops running the show I can see no good reason why the aims of the document will ever be achieved but every reason why many more millions will be wasted in trying to do so.
CCC have asked for opinions on the plan but somehow I just cannot bring myself to do this. The masterplan actually typifies quite well what CCC represents - 75% fluff and nonsense ( at great expense) and 25% actual action. As much as I would love to make an input it just feels like a complete waste of time and my opinion will probably just dissappear into the system only to be ignored (again).
The best thing for the future of Newquay Airport would be to go round with a big for sale sign and get it into commercial hands - on current performance at least CCC couldn't be accused of selling the crown jewels now could they?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Groundhog
Pretty much, that makes 2 of us who did that.....As I said
That £300K figure was a guess at what a very big, competent firm would have billed by the time the project was finished; an independent would have been just as good and much, much less.
handed over a scruffy piece of paper with pretty much exactly the same ideas written on it and the cost to the ratepayer was a cup of coffee. It took me about ten minutes to produce the document ( and fourty years working in the business) and was politely received then probably discarded.
Most competent advisers on airfield requirements could have told CCC what was needed, and even project managed the very, very simple task of conversion from military, for less than £300,000. And CCC were aware of that.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: west of the tamar
Age: 75
Posts: 862
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flybe to operate LGW 3 times daily and Ryanair not to restart STN until March
NQY/LGW 20/01 21/01 LGW/NQY Air Southwest quote £160.00
Flybe price £29.99 one way all inclusive.
Should be interesting?
NQY/LGW 20/01 21/01 LGW/NQY Air Southwest quote £160.00
Flybe price £29.99 one way all inclusive.
Should be interesting?
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: cornwall, uk
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i would guess the price difference is because WOW have already sold most of the seats on those services! Flybe have only just loaded them into the booking engine so chances are that you are getting quoted for seats on an empty aircraft.
Do you have some sort of beef with Airsouthwest GROUNDHOG ?
Do you have some sort of beef with Airsouthwest GROUNDHOG ?
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: west of the tamar
Age: 75
Posts: 862
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Absolutely not, in fact the late Jim Cameron was a personal friend. Just to clarify I have no commercial interest with any aviation company now since I am retired. I am sure ASW are a great bunch of people.
I want to fly to Gatwick on 20th January and again 20th February, if I can fly with Flybe at the time I want to go for £59.99 return and it is going to cost me twice as much with ASW via Plymouth why on earth would I go with them?
I want to fly to Gatwick on 20th January and again 20th February, if I can fly with Flybe at the time I want to go for £59.99 return and it is going to cost me twice as much with ASW via Plymouth why on earth would I go with them?
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flybe reply to the ASW press release
e-mail just received from Flybe:
"First 200 win free flights on our new Newquay to London route!
As you may have heard, this afternoon Flybe announced the start of a brand new route from Newquay to London Gatwick which will operate from the 15th February 2009. We will be flying direct to London up to 3 times per day with our great low fares starting from just £29.99 one way, that's 23% cheaper than Air Southwest.
Tickets go on sale today, so to celebrate the start of this new route, and to show our long-term commitment to passengers travelling from Newquay, we are offering the first 200 people that book a return flight from Newquay to London Gatwick, a free return flight on the same route in 2010. Simply book your flights now and if you are one of the first 200 we will contact you by telephone before the 15th February 2009 and issue you with a free flight voucher......"
"First 200 win free flights on our new Newquay to London route!
As you may have heard, this afternoon Flybe announced the start of a brand new route from Newquay to London Gatwick which will operate from the 15th February 2009. We will be flying direct to London up to 3 times per day with our great low fares starting from just £29.99 one way, that's 23% cheaper than Air Southwest.
Tickets go on sale today, so to celebrate the start of this new route, and to show our long-term commitment to passengers travelling from Newquay, we are offering the first 200 people that book a return flight from Newquay to London Gatwick, a free return flight on the same route in 2010. Simply book your flights now and if you are one of the first 200 we will contact you by telephone before the 15th February 2009 and issue you with a free flight voucher......"
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Blighty
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Once the initial Flybe hype is out of the way, I'm sure their fares will be around the same as ASW's fares, or else BE won't be able to make any money on the route.
So then it comes down to customer choice. ASW is a great little airline, with smiley crew and no funny business in terms of added charges for bags etc etc. And they fly to loads of other places from NQY, not just LGW, so they deserve (and I'm sure will get) local support.
So then it comes down to customer choice. ASW is a great little airline, with smiley crew and no funny business in terms of added charges for bags etc etc. And they fly to loads of other places from NQY, not just LGW, so they deserve (and I'm sure will get) local support.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmmm a Ryanair type of response from Air Southwest - did not see that one coming. I thought they were slightly more dignified. Could it be the CEO is actually very worried and feels this is the only thing he can do, I certainly think so.
But it is difficult to disagree with what he says.
flyBE have made several grand announcements regarding services at Newquay, and few of them have actually happened. And if he is worried, I don't blame him. If it came to a price war, would your money (ahem) be on a small operator suxh as ASW or a company with the resources of flyBE?
And if it caused ASW to go tits up, how long would it take for flyBE to raise their fares on a route they would have then have a monopoly on?
flyBE have made several grand announcements regarding services at Newquay, and few of them have actually happened. And if he is worried, I don't blame him. If it came to a price war, would your money (ahem) be on a small operator suxh as ASW or a company with the resources of flyBE?
And if it caused ASW to go tits up, how long would it take for flyBE to raise their fares on a route they would have then have a monopoly on?
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I read many of these posts with interest and as an avid airline enthusiast over the years.
10yrs ago Jersey European found themselves under the pin of the likes of Easyjet who were encroaching on their routes between BRS, STN and Belfast. At the time, the comments were that JEA were 'far too expensive' despite having provided good service on these routes for a number of years. Eventually, unable to compete with the low fares, JEA withdrew their services and looked for alternatives. They transformed themselves into Flybe which has proved an incredible success.
The tables have now turned, and as horrible as that may be for Air Southwest, they will need to create some sort of 'unique selling point' to ensure that they can compete with Flybe.
At this time, it's the survival of the fittest. Will ASW be around for next Christmas, lets hope so. I'm sure it won't be due to a lack of trying.
10yrs ago Jersey European found themselves under the pin of the likes of Easyjet who were encroaching on their routes between BRS, STN and Belfast. At the time, the comments were that JEA were 'far too expensive' despite having provided good service on these routes for a number of years. Eventually, unable to compete with the low fares, JEA withdrew their services and looked for alternatives. They transformed themselves into Flybe which has proved an incredible success.
The tables have now turned, and as horrible as that may be for Air Southwest, they will need to create some sort of 'unique selling point' to ensure that they can compete with Flybe.
At this time, it's the survival of the fittest. Will ASW be around for next Christmas, lets hope so. I'm sure it won't be due to a lack of trying.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know it would be very difficult to argue what he says....I have tried in the past to explain the ins and outs of the NQY routes but I dont deny Flybe have not painted the best picture.
Interesting response back from Mr Rutter though offering 200 free seats (I assume taxes still have to be paid) for any NQY-LGW service in 2010! Clearly confident they will stay on the route - a silly comment in my opinion as you simply do not know what is around the corner but oh well.
Interesting response back from Mr Rutter though offering 200 free seats (I assume taxes still have to be paid) for any NQY-LGW service in 2010! Clearly confident they will stay on the route - a silly comment in my opinion as you simply do not know what is around the corner but oh well.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Devon
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flymaybe's record operating out of Newquay is not great new routes promised and some got off the ground and just faded out and others didnt even start so whats to say this is just another one of Flymaybes publicity stunts. And having flown with Flymaybe and got stung with their hidden costs I guess this will be the same with the prices on this route.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well Footster, I would like to think this time it will be different. We have been looking at the route for more than 2 years so a lot of time and effort has gone into it. Flybe are investing a lot, and I mean a lot, of money into the route and have as mentioned above offered free flights for 2010. If they were to pull it they would be in a really bad situation with all the free tickets promised so can't imagine they will just drop it.
The costs are not hidden if you read the website. The introductory fees are very good but of course they will go up as the plane fills up.
I must admit it will take a lot to convince Cornish folk to use them but if they are willing to invest only time will tell.
The costs are not hidden if you read the website. The introductory fees are very good but of course they will go up as the plane fills up.
I must admit it will take a lot to convince Cornish folk to use them but if they are willing to invest only time will tell.
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult
Join Date: May 2007
Location: On the western edge of The Moor
Age: 67
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BBC NEWS | England | Cornwall | Newquay Airport granted licence
though Ryanair pax who have been bussed to alternates by the airport won't be going anywhere.
though Ryanair pax who have been bussed to alternates by the airport won't be going anywhere.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: E London and Plymouth
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All routes with airsouthwest from Newquay are only £29 during January
Air Southwest
Includes all destinations excluding Grenoble.
A good pre flybe move
Air Southwest
Includes all destinations excluding Grenoble.
A good pre flybe move
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Blighty
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Every ASW Newquay flight in January (apart from Grenoble) really is £29. And that includes the taxes. And baggage. Now how refreshing is that?
www.airsouthwest.com
www.airsouthwest.com