COVENTRY

[EI-BUD]

What was the busiest route(s) from Coventry? I would be surprised if some airline doesnt look to operate the busier routes. I would imagine Malaga, Faro and Alicante etc?

Maybe Ryanair would look at Alicante and Girona? But with an operation at EMA and BHX it remains to be seen, I remember in late 80's Ryanair were offering a flight from Dublin to Coventry with a coach transfer on to Birmingham city centre!

I can't see any airline looking to set up a base at the airport anytime soon given the economic climate.

[Centre cities]

Ryanair

Ryanair operated 737 200 to Dublin.

They now operate 800's not really suited to Covenrty.

With BHX, EMA and LTN I don't think so.


Centre cities

[cvt person]

Ryanair operated the 1/11 and the ATR out of Coventry do not ever recall seeing a 737-200.
The first job loses are on the way.

[0523 cov man]

cvt

ryanair go from blk with 300 feat less runway?
0523 covman

[CVT]

0523covman,

CVT's runway length, or at least that of which is usable is shorter than Blackpool's equivalent. Despite having a 2008m runway, only I believe around 1800m is actually available to aircraft due to some rather bizarre rulings, regulations and managerial decisions in the past.

cvt person; can you give anymore information as to in which department the job losses will be?

CVT

[call100]

I think you will find that the Take off run available (TORA) is greater at Blackpool.
Check the AIP docs...
Didn't Coventry lengthen some runway without planning permission and therefore, it is not able to use it??

CVT
Sorry posted at the same time....

[CVT]

No problam Call100,

I've just looked for some more info.

Runway 23:

Take off run available = 1825m 44M LESS THAN BLK
Landing distance available = 1615m

Runway 05:

Take off run available = 1615m 254M LESS THAN BLK

CVT

[cvt person]

The runway at Coventry was not lengthened without planning permission this is an often quoted but not entirely accurate statement. The overrun area at the 05 end was hardened by removing the grass that lay on top of the concrete and putting tarmac down so its to all intents and purposes the same surface as the runway. However unlike the 23 end this has never been given the category of starter strip, hence the difference in TORA in opposite directions. Cannot recall the actual length of tarmac in place but its somewhere in the region of 2000metres.
Cvt I think you may find the first job losses to be announced will be amongst those not employed directly by the airport itself.

[Expressflight]

.......... and LDAs at CVT are 74m less on 23 and 254m less on 05 than BLK's respective LDAs.

[CVT]

I think that I recall from somewhere that aircraft (i'm not sure which runway 05/23) can't utilise all of the runway for landing as they will descend to an altitude that would place them below obstacle clearance limits.

Please feel free to correct me if i'm wrong on this.

I'm sorry cvt person, I thought you meant job losses at the aerodrome itself.

[midspilot]

Job losses

The airport's own staffing was is at its lowest point since the PAX services recommenced. Most are employed by contractors, especially after the security staff were transferred to a third party earlier this year. One assumes that Company picks up the redundancy bill. The ground handling staff were expecting to move over to the airport when the agent announced its intention to exit Coventry. My understanding is that the Tfy withdrawal came before that happened so, I guess, the agent carries the redundancies. Tfly had already moved the majority of its people elsewhere but the few remaining were advised last week of their fate and, I believe, there are redundancies. Not sure about the other people - car hire, catering etc.

Despite the airport's efforts to attract a new carrier I expect much of the infrastructure associated with manning pax services will go very soon.

[jamesp]

is there any other airport in uk with a shorter runway than cvt with aircraft bigger than the 737300 operating out of it?

[call100]

Expressflight .......... and LDAs at CVT are 74m less on 23 and 254m less on 05 than BLK's respective LDAs.

It's the take off that the fully laden 737-800 has a problem with as far as I know. So take off run is the important figure...
I believe that there are performance issues with the 800 when runway at CVT is reported Wet....?
Whatever the reason, it seems to be consensus that the 800's can't use Coventry commercially.

[nav3]

Incomprehensible Management Decision making

Since the crash in August the airport has been Notam'd for sporadic ATC closures. That improved to the degree until 31/10/08 the airfield is closed from 0700 to 0900 and then 1900/22200 (all local). So anyone wanting to go out during the day (GA) and return early evening is stuck and has to return early (not viable if continental flights) or wait until after 2200 (maybe not possible if continental airfields close before you can leave there.

This has ended up with Centreline leaving to East Midlands together with Capitol. Also one of the bigger cargo carriers is leaving and now to cap it all they have decided to close the airport between 0100/0700 local from 1/11/2008 which completely cocks up all of the remaining cargo flights.Are the management complete devoid of business acumen or what ?

Years ago, they used to operate an air / ground service and it worked perfectly. The airport virtually ran itself and then these people get hold of it and have not got a clue what they are doing. How much more business are they going to throw away ?

I read all the comments and hear so much there about it becoming a cargo and business airport but if they can't make simple logical decisions then how can they possibly expect to entice the Biz-jet traffic they so crave and bolster the GA community ?

Yet again on Sunday due to Atlantic they stopped booking out for an hour whilst the Vampire was 'playing'. I have all the time in the world for some of the people and ATC get a raw deal there but talk about shooting yourself in the foot....not once but they keep on doing it !

Will they ever learn ?

[twostroke]

The runway at Coventry was not lengthened without planning permission this is an often quoted but not entirely accurate statement. The overrun area at the 05 end was hardened by removing the grass that lay on top of the concrete and putting tarmac down so its to all intents and purposes the same surface as the runway. However unlike the 23 end this has never been given the category of starter strip, hence the difference in TORA in opposite directions.

Your version is not entirely accurate either. If you take a look at the southern end of the runway on say Google Earth you will see the turning circle and the (now mostly erased) white paint arrow markings for a starter strip. This was clearly not built as an overun area. The evidence is still there to be seen. It was only after being threatened with enforcement action from warwick District council, that the 'D' shapes at the edges were covered, and the markings changed to overun area markings

[CVT]

nav3,

Would you be able to tell us which one of the 'bigger cargo carriers' is leaving. Wouldn't have thought it was Atlantic. Perhaps HD Air or Farnair?

A curious CVT

[danieloakworth]

Nav 3, bit harsh there. Cov ATC have chronic undermanning having lost a number of controllers even before 2 were suspended after the accident. The closures are forced and the night period has a dis-proportional effect on the roster so is the obvious target.

[Skypartners]

Runway closures

The 'complete lack of business acumen' is, probably, a harsh assessment - the airport is a big, leaky bucket and 24 hour Ops prior to Thomsonfly was a product of Air Atlantique's need. The knock-on effect was to make it attractive for other cargo operators because, let's face it, not many airports are open that long. If the Tfly services were staying and in decent volume I am sure the airport could afford to stay open 24/7. Without them it would be a VERY brave man who would wear the cost of it in the hope that it develops.

[aidoair]

Does anyone have any photos / artist impressions or links of what the 'proposed' termnial for Coventry could have looked like?

I am sure I saw an artists impression for the terminal a couple of year back but not sure where.

Cheers

[JB204]

CAT 2?

Hi - is there any truth in this or is it just a rumour - i do hope all is not this bleak for you guys

FireNet Forums / Coventry Airport