WATERFORD Airport

[NABLAG]

I am very disappointed to see Aer Arann Regional drop the Waterford operation. On many occasions down the years, Aer Arann staff have told me that the WAT/LTN was the best route on their network (yield), but I am sure that this would not have been the case over the last few years due to the reduction in frequency and size of aircraft.

The Southend change was understandable given the Stobard investment in Aer Arann and Southend Airport, but should have supplemented LTN and not taken over as the primary route to London.

If Flybe take up the opportunity, perhaps we might see WAT-Edinburgh finally happening.

One of the advantages that Flybe have over Aer Arann is the ability to upgrade the aircraft from DHC8 to EMB 175/190 if summer loads permitted and this could open the door to summer destination routes during the peak.

[Hangar6]

FLYBE Waterford

Looking at flybe news today , loss after first 6 months this year, bear in mind this is the only time you can make a profit in general, planes parked for winter, cost reductions and possible staff reductions, wouldnt hold my breath on an early route for Waterford but who knows , tough times ahead

[irish lad]

Can an easyjet A319 take off from Waterford's runway? Or is flybe their last opition...

[sawtooth]

A319 takeoff run at MTOW - 2,164m according to WIKI.

WAT is 1433m x 30m (EZ operated from SEN which is was around 1500x37m pre extension). Probably could operate short sectors with lower fuel/baggage loads, whether that would be cost effective is another thing.

[RE-tard]

A319 cannot operate from the runway at Waterford.

From the airport press release they are talking to four airlines which includes Flybe, Although Flybe may be a good runner I would not rule out another operator looking to get a foot in the door.

Ted

[adfly]

May I quietly suggest Loganair as I reckon they would be better suited than Flybe.

[mart901]

aster

Exactly adfly, flybe branding and web coverage minus half the amount of seats to fill. There is of course manx2, eastern, not sure who else?

[Hangar6]

FLYBE JAN to BHX

Hi is this route closed for Jan/feb ?

[Mayfly1]

Ya not sure, was looking at booking for mid Jan and it's not bookable until Feb 16th...does this mean there will be no flights from the airport after Jan 6th?

[irish laddie]

CAA airport stats for October are interesting reading, showing a 29% pax increase on LTN-WAT during October. Was there many additonal frequencies compared with 2011? Still a pity no replacement for LTN-WAT has been announced yet.

LTN-WAT
Oct 2012 1,733
Oct 2011 1,335

SEN-WAT
OCT 2012 2,467
OCT 2011 2,530
Source: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/80/airport...nal_Routes.pdf

[Jamie2k9]

Don't know exact figures but there was a few extra flights in early October. I would make it a LF of around 90-94% which is excellent considering as its around €100 per passenger return.

[NABLAG]

Same statistics show Flybe BHX/WAT up by 30 %.

[Mayfly1]

Any new on a new carrier ? Time is pushing on as most airlines now have summer 2013 finalised and on sale and aircraft committed at this stage.
If Flybe were on the radar then I'm surprised there has been no announcements...I wonder thought about their appetite for this though given the financial challenges they have in their business and no Luton base etc.WAT needs a reputable carrier on the UK routes and not one of the smaller lesser known brands of they will have any chance of developing sustainable air services from there

[EI-BUD]

I cant help but feel that Citywing (Manx2) and statements by them that they needed to change to name of the airline to reflect the intention to take up opportunities that do not involve the IOM, could Waterford by such an opportunity?


EI-BUD

[irish laddie]

Looks like it was another good month in November for WAT according to the latest CAA Airport stats. Still can't believe nobody has taken up the opportunity to operate LTN at the very least. Wish all the team there the very best of luck.
Headlines year on year figures for November 2012 are:
MAN +10%
LTN +10%
BHX +91% (1260 pax vs.658 pax LY)
SEN -12%

Full report: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/80/airport...nal_Routes.pdf

[iwak]

Any news on a replacement operator for London route.

[Daza]

Flybe Birmingham-Waterford

Flybe recommence Birmingham to Waterford two weeks earlier than initially planned.
Flights start on Friday 22nd February 2013 and operate on Sunday 24th then the service operates on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday until Monday 11th March when it reverts to four weekly Mon,Wed,Fri,Sun until the end of the Summer season on 26th October 2013.
On a side note my brother used the service out on 28th December returning from Waterford on 30th December after visiting his inlaws in Wexford there were 70 passengers outbound and 72 inbound. He was however shocked to see that Waterford Airport don't even display Birmingham or Flybe on their information screens!!!! So people traveling to and from other UK points at the moment may not even know that a service to Birmingham exists.....madness!
Daza

[mart901]

I recently booked myself on the route in the absence of SEN flights, I've noticed fares creeping up, quite obvious its starting to pick up, I would imagine I'm not the only person to have booked BHX due to lack of alternatives. It does bode well for further routes, I do think EIR have made a big mistake. I hope BE or someone else will take up the slack. The lack of BE promotion is evident when you look on the WAT website, they are not listed as an airline contact.

[Jamie2k9]

The lack of BE promotion is evident when you look on the WAT website, they are not listed as an airline contact.

Don't agree with this at all. After the route was announced there was a major radio campain advertising the route on a number of stations in the region for months and there is still the odd add now as well as the signs in the city and adds in the papers.

[mart901]

That's brilliant. Advertise to the 49,000 people in Waterford. What about the 3million around Birmingham with a huge ex pat community?