DUNDEE
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Middlesex (under the flightpath)
Frank - the rules around Govt tenders being written and publicised give failed bidders opportunity to sue when a Govt body makes a mistake or is seen to discriminate unfairly between private companies. Perhaps listing Heathrow as a valid option of London airport is nothing more than an a**e-covering exercise in this regard so as to prove Dundee is following Govt procedures strictly, or at least can claim a defence against discrimination in a potential litigation outcome ?
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 514
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From: uk
Had to laugh at the comments attributed to a Dundee Politician :
I guess any of the 15 passengers on the City flight would say that !
He goes on to say:
I have to wonder if he even knows how many passengers it would take to cover the £2m costs of keeping the airport open or how much more infrastructure the airport would need to service that number of passengers.
It appears that the subsidy for the new London route is £200,000
I recall one of the reasons that Sheffield built an airport was that it was the largest city in Europe without its own airport, it seems that some cities don't need their own airport.
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“As a user of this service, I regularly speak with business passengers who tell me that a connection between London and Dundee is good for business and vital for the city’s economy.”
He goes on to say:
“Our airport can be a success with the right investment, better marketing, more routes and competitive prices.
It appears that the subsidy for the new London route is £200,000
I recall one of the reasons that Sheffield built an airport was that it was the largest city in Europe without its own airport, it seems that some cities don't need their own airport.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
From: uk
Aid being phased out?
Ive just noticed a link on another website suggesting that aid to small regional airfields is to be phased out, anyone heard of this before?
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/bu...orts.html?_r=1
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http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/bu...orts.html?_r=1
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Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 1
From: Ireland
Ive just noticed a link on another website suggesting that aid to small regional airfields is to be phased out, anyone heard of this before?
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/bu...orts.html?_r=1
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http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/bu...orts.html?_r=1
bb
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 24
From: Blighty
MoD open to Leuchars becoming passenger airport - The Scotsman
Is this just fluff, or would commercial passenger services have a chance of working at Leuchars ? Discuss...
Is this just fluff, or would commercial passenger services have a chance of working at Leuchars ? Discuss...
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,173
Likes: 0
From: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
Is this just fluff, or would commercial passenger services have a chance of working at Leuchars ? Discuss...
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 7
From: Sometimes north, sometimes south
Ahhh, Dundee (Leuchars) - Carlisle - Luton, Autair Airspeed Ambassador, 1969!
But no-one knows yet what the airside facilities at Leuchars will be like after the Army takes over. Runway etc for UAS Tutors yes, but radar? ILS? PAR?
Seems to me a Leuchars option would only make sense if Riverside is closed completely, which would be a shame. And then the Army would have to make it possible for all the regular based civil traffic at Dundee to operate from Leuchars with sensible security access etc.
I can't see it happening.
But no-one knows yet what the airside facilities at Leuchars will be like after the Army takes over. Runway etc for UAS Tutors yes, but radar? ILS? PAR?
Seems to me a Leuchars option would only make sense if Riverside is closed completely, which would be a shame. And then the Army would have to make it possible for all the regular based civil traffic at Dundee to operate from Leuchars with sensible security access etc.
I can't see it happening.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 262
Likes: 2
From: Scotland
I'd normally criticise schemes such as this, but I think there's room for a couple of routes driven by N Fife/Dundee demand, plus the obvious inbound attraction. I wouldn't see it as an alternative to EDI for FR though, I can't imagine many pax heading to Edinburgh itself would want to travel to Leuchars when they can fly to EDI with other airlines, even if FR were offering giveaway fares.
I'm not sure any of the logistical issues are insurmountable tbh, I think they could all be sorted. The problem is there's no terminal and the only way you're going to get one is public funding - I can't see any such funding being forthcoming and complaints from GIP EDI would be vociferous to say the least. Given the EU aid rules mentioned earlier aim to prevent the development of excess airport capacity through state subsidy, they could cause trouble too.
At the end of the day, this comes up every 6 months or so and it will probably never amount to anything.
I'm not sure any of the logistical issues are insurmountable tbh, I think they could all be sorted. The problem is there's no terminal and the only way you're going to get one is public funding - I can't see any such funding being forthcoming and complaints from GIP EDI would be vociferous to say the least. Given the EU aid rules mentioned earlier aim to prevent the development of excess airport capacity through state subsidy, they could cause trouble too.
At the end of the day, this comes up every 6 months or so and it will probably never amount to anything.
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 0
From: Middlesex (under the flightpath)
MoD open to Leuchars becoming passenger airport - The Scotsman
Is this just fluff, or would commercial passenger services have a chance of working at Leuchars ? Discuss...
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 786
Likes: 8
From: London