COVENTRY
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Coventry
Wizzair have today announced three times weekly service from Coventry to Katowice, service begins July 2007. Source iccoventry.co.uk
Excellent news!!!
Excellent news!!!
Last edited by SeamusCVT; 9th October 2006 at 08:10. Reason: Addition of date of commencement
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Coventry
"Closer to the fruit harvesting areas!"
Like the Vale of Evesham?
Looking at routes to Poland from other parts of the UK, I think we're pretty underserved here - ok, FR do a few from Nema, but Sky Europe's 2x weekly to KRK from BHX hardly corners the market.
"Can an A320 operate fully loaded with 180 pax from Coventry to Poland, if it can under all weather conditions"
TOM's '500s have had their diverts too, so I presume it boils down to whether the percentage of diverts / load limits in any one year is deemed to be significant enough to put an airline off. I suppose it could also be a relative equation - so, to answer Olton Pete's point:
"I am surprised that FR have not moved the BHX Dublin flights to
Coventry and I hope that this is one of the possible two."
Runway IS an issue for FR at CVT, but perhaps less so on a short sector like DUB? Presumably less of an issue for an EI 737-500, but perhaps they've got other priorities right now beyond shaving a few grand off the costs of their ops into the Midlands?
So, final call for speculation then (announcement is due at 10)? I think that Poland has to be a big opportunity, but there is also a substantial Irish community in this part of the world too. Considering the Irish-American ownership of the airport, I'm sure they haven't overlooked this. Turboprops have to be less of a risk for any airline, and Wizz rumours seem stronger for other UK airports (esp MME?).
So I'll get that flame proof jacket on again and go for RE.
-----
Doh! Seamus, was typing this as you posted, so flame away!
Like the Vale of Evesham?
Looking at routes to Poland from other parts of the UK, I think we're pretty underserved here - ok, FR do a few from Nema, but Sky Europe's 2x weekly to KRK from BHX hardly corners the market.
"Can an A320 operate fully loaded with 180 pax from Coventry to Poland, if it can under all weather conditions"
TOM's '500s have had their diverts too, so I presume it boils down to whether the percentage of diverts / load limits in any one year is deemed to be significant enough to put an airline off. I suppose it could also be a relative equation - so, to answer Olton Pete's point:
"I am surprised that FR have not moved the BHX Dublin flights to
Coventry and I hope that this is one of the possible two."
Runway IS an issue for FR at CVT, but perhaps less so on a short sector like DUB? Presumably less of an issue for an EI 737-500, but perhaps they've got other priorities right now beyond shaving a few grand off the costs of their ops into the Midlands?
So, final call for speculation then (announcement is due at 10)? I think that Poland has to be a big opportunity, but there is also a substantial Irish community in this part of the world too. Considering the Irish-American ownership of the airport, I'm sure they haven't overlooked this. Turboprops have to be less of a risk for any airline, and Wizz rumours seem stronger for other UK airports (esp MME?).
So I'll get that flame proof jacket on again and go for RE.
-----
Doh! Seamus, was typing this as you posted, so flame away!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 376
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From: MIDLANDS
Any idea whether Thomsonfly have any intention of expanding above the current four based aircraft? I know that the 737-500s are being replaced by 737-300s over the winter, but everything seems to have gone a bit quiet.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,523
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From: Solihull
More to come?
Jabird
Arran seems far more sensible and logical than Wizz.
Although only three a week and flying at reasonable times, as a
year round operation I just don't see it. Also with Baby expanding
at BHX they could find competition before they get started.
Now as for Arran, if it is them and they choose the right destination(s)
it could work but there again what would be the "right destinations"?
Cork is covered at BHX, Galway is a possibility but flybe are coming.
Shannon is needed from the West Mids but there is FR at East Mids.
Would they consider UK domestic? Mind you that is fairly well
covered at BHX.
Peter
Arran seems far more sensible and logical than Wizz.
Although only three a week and flying at reasonable times, as a
year round operation I just don't see it. Also with Baby expanding
at BHX they could find competition before they get started.
Now as for Arran, if it is them and they choose the right destination(s)
it could work but there again what would be the "right destinations"?
Cork is covered at BHX, Galway is a possibility but flybe are coming.
Shannon is needed from the West Mids but there is FR at East Mids.
Would they consider UK domestic? Mind you that is fairly well
covered at BHX.
Peter
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 137
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From: Coventry
This may seem like a pointless comment, but I personally feel that it might be worth bringing up...but how relevant to determining the factors behind which airlines would be feasable at Coventry, would the booking and information systems be for each airline?
I.e. Both Wizzair and Thomsonfly use Navitaire, as do Aer Arran, and Ryanair (however I personally cannot see Ryanair returning to Coventry) who have both also been mooted as being potential airlines for Coventry. Easyjet also use a system closely linked to Navitaire...again very unlikely that they would come to Coventry.
My theory is that Coventry is very much seen as a low cost airport and indeed does sell itself to the airlines as such...low cost for the airlines. Therefore, if say Jet2 were to come in using the AirKiosk service, a lot of employees at CVT would need to be taught how to use 2 systems...potential for asking for higher wages...which would in part be subsidised I'd imagine by asking for higher fees for the airlines. However, if by sticking to just Navitaire airlines, then life is a lot easier.
Like I say, feel free to shoot me down...just a small theory I had.
I.e. Both Wizzair and Thomsonfly use Navitaire, as do Aer Arran, and Ryanair (however I personally cannot see Ryanair returning to Coventry) who have both also been mooted as being potential airlines for Coventry. Easyjet also use a system closely linked to Navitaire...again very unlikely that they would come to Coventry.
My theory is that Coventry is very much seen as a low cost airport and indeed does sell itself to the airlines as such...low cost for the airlines. Therefore, if say Jet2 were to come in using the AirKiosk service, a lot of employees at CVT would need to be taught how to use 2 systems...potential for asking for higher wages...which would in part be subsidised I'd imagine by asking for higher fees for the airlines. However, if by sticking to just Navitaire airlines, then life is a lot easier.
Like I say, feel free to shoot me down...just a small theory I had.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 207
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From: Coventry, UK
Not shooting you down, just adding my tuppance!
Ground handlers often don't use the airlines own reservation systems. For check-in and dispatch they often use other systems (e.g. Codeco, LDCS).
In larger bases the airlines have their own desks for sales/changing bookings with their own staff. Sometimes ground handlers provide the sales desk and staff, so will have a few staff trained in that software, but mainly their staff will be trained in the system they use as an agent.
Obviously its not as clear cut as that, different airlines use different systems to differing degrees. I'm not sure on the set up at Coventry regarding what system Coventry Airport Handling use and whether Thomson even have a sales desk and who it is manned by?
Ground handlers often don't use the airlines own reservation systems. For check-in and dispatch they often use other systems (e.g. Codeco, LDCS).
In larger bases the airlines have their own desks for sales/changing bookings with their own staff. Sometimes ground handlers provide the sales desk and staff, so will have a few staff trained in that software, but mainly their staff will be trained in the system they use as an agent.
Obviously its not as clear cut as that, different airlines use different systems to differing degrees. I'm not sure on the set up at Coventry regarding what system Coventry Airport Handling use and whether Thomson even have a sales desk and who it is manned by?
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 137
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From: Coventry
In a way, Thomsonfly have expanded at CVT by replacing OA and OB with two of the 737-300s...ergo extra capacity.
Re routes, the only 'new' routes so far on sale for Summer 2007 with the schedule operations of Thomsonfly are BOH VLC and PRG, LTN PRG, and MAN SZG. The "massive expansion" of Thomsonfly at the other airports is no significant increase in capacity, all that has happened is that the scheduled side of operations have taken seats on more of the charter routes.
We wait for what else Thomsonfly scheduled shall release.....
Re routes, the only 'new' routes so far on sale for Summer 2007 with the schedule operations of Thomsonfly are BOH VLC and PRG, LTN PRG, and MAN SZG. The "massive expansion" of Thomsonfly at the other airports is no significant increase in capacity, all that has happened is that the scheduled side of operations have taken seats on more of the charter routes.
We wait for what else Thomsonfly scheduled shall release.....
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 906
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From: East Midlands Airport (EMA)
It's a shame really, because surely Thomsonfly has the same potential at Coventry, as HLX had at Cologne, in so much as limited direct competition, huge catchment area, minimal operating restrictions into the airport as well as a visible & successful brand. I don't know about terminal space limitations, but I can think of plenty of TOM destinations within a 3-hour range that would do well out of Coventry. Surely it's better for them to launch the flights maintaining their monopolistic position, than allow someone else to either come in or launch similar routes from nearby airports. It's also a shame they're keeping the 735s, they're not particularly pleasant inside, but do the job. Would be nice to have some modern, super-quiet, reasonably-comfortable 737-700s.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 137
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From: Coventry
NineForks, I'm afraid that what I have heard is that TOM will have two 737-500s G-THOC, and G-THOD, a well as two 737-300s, which are coming down from DSA i believe, based at CVT for Summer 2007.
Still, us Coventrians do get to enjoy the WizzAir airbus coming in...provided the runway's not wet etc
Have heard a rumour that one of the new TOM 737s is fitted with winglets? Can anyone confirm or deny this? Is it possibly ex HLF aircraft?
Still, us Coventrians do get to enjoy the WizzAir airbus coming in...provided the runway's not wet etc
Have heard a rumour that one of the new TOM 737s is fitted with winglets? Can anyone confirm or deny this? Is it possibly ex HLF aircraft?
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 789
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From: UK
One of the new 737-300s has winglets (apparently there are only two in the world). Not sure if it will be for CVT, or for a charter base, where the winglets will give it better range for the further afield charter destinations.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 1
From: Barton Upon Humber
More new flights and airlines
From UK Airport News website
Sounds to me like Aer Arann to Galway and a German LoCo are on the way. As for Romania I guess Wizz Air, or maybe Blue Air, a Romanian LoCo
Coventry airport could soon be the gateway for flights to a further five countries, according to airport bosses. The news comes hot on the heels of this week's announcement that Wizz Air will be flying to Poland from the airport from next spring.
Chris Orphanou, a director at the airport, revealed that he is lining up more airlines to put on services into Ireland and continental Europe. He said: 'We are trying to marry our potential with passenger airlines and move into areas like western Ireland, Germany, Bulgaria, Romania and Italy. We expect to be making more announcements very, very soon.'
The expansion will depend on planning approval being given for a controversial new passenger terminal, which was subject to a public inquiry. Orphanou said he was 'more than confident' they would get the go-ahead when the inquiry inspector reports early next year.
Chris Orphanou, a director at the airport, revealed that he is lining up more airlines to put on services into Ireland and continental Europe. He said: 'We are trying to marry our potential with passenger airlines and move into areas like western Ireland, Germany, Bulgaria, Romania and Italy. We expect to be making more announcements very, very soon.'
The expansion will depend on planning approval being given for a controversial new passenger terminal, which was subject to a public inquiry. Orphanou said he was 'more than confident' they would get the go-ahead when the inquiry inspector reports early next year.
