ABERDEEN
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: The Midlands
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Worst Airport
So Aberdeen airport was voted the worst airport in the whole of the UK, does not surprise me at all, hopefully aal will take notice and fix all the many problems ASAP and start investing some proper money
Fit like min?
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ...
Posts: 2,126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For a so-called 'oil capital' Aberdeen's road, rail AND air transportation systems are diabolical, with no apparent thought given to any of them. ALL are stuck in a 40yr time warp.
Airport management have been told time & again that facilities need improving, both terminal & airside. Even the runway & taxiway extensions are to some merely tinkering at the edges. Up to now, only LH to FRA was one where the extra runway length may have had a bearing in bringing in the route.
Complacency from airport management, local & national politicians down the years though when it comes to Aberdeen is a very difficult thing to overcome.
It's easy to talk. But turning any talk into action...?
Airport management have been told time & again that facilities need improving, both terminal & airside. Even the runway & taxiway extensions are to some merely tinkering at the edges. Up to now, only LH to FRA was one where the extra runway length may have had a bearing in bringing in the route.
Complacency from airport management, local & national politicians down the years though when it comes to Aberdeen is a very difficult thing to overcome.
It's easy to talk. But turning any talk into action...?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: London
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RT wrote "For a so-called 'oil capital' Aberdeen's road, rail AND air transportation systems are diabolical, with no apparent thought given to any of them. ALL are stuck in a 40yr time warp."
the road from the south is a dual carriageway - which is more than can be said for the road to places such as Norwich and Hastings
The train isn't bad considering it's effectively end of the line
the airport has good service levels but is a very C3 operation TBH
the road from the south is a dual carriageway - which is more than can be said for the road to places such as Norwich and Hastings
The train isn't bad considering it's effectively end of the line
the airport has good service levels but is a very C3 operation TBH
Fit like min?
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ...
Posts: 2,126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://www.routesonline.com/events/158/routes-europe-2013/
Aberdeen is being represented here, taking place in Budapest May 12-14 - airports have a 20-25min pitch to flutter their eyelashes at the airlines. 'Speed dating' for airport & airlines.
Will they be any more successful this time? Or back of the queue (or not even in the queue) as per?
At least we now have a smoking shelter!
Aberdeenshire does have plenty to offer, but there is still a lack of knowledge about the area, as I think inbound tourism to this area is still an untapped market. Everything is about targeting businesses here (not surprisingly perhaps) but the local catchment isn't there - it needs to be augmented by inbound tourism, in my view. I think promotion is better now, but it can still be improved.
Will they be any more successful this time? Or back of the queue (or not even in the queue) as per?
At least we now have a smoking shelter!
Aberdeenshire does have plenty to offer, but there is still a lack of knowledge about the area, as I think inbound tourism to this area is still an untapped market. Everything is about targeting businesses here (not surprisingly perhaps) but the local catchment isn't there - it needs to be augmented by inbound tourism, in my view. I think promotion is better now, but it can still be improved.
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If and once certain infrastructure improvements are implemented (aka AWPR) then ABZ will become a lot more attractive to people down Dundee way. I see the A96 will also be duelled by 2030 - apparently.
I doubt the train station will ever be moved but if it was changed to a stop at the airport then it would become a serious consideration for people from Dundee to the Highlands.
ABZ claim they have a catchment of 650,000 - surely enough to support more than a few charter flights a year (Hello LS!)
I doubt the train station will ever be moved but if it was changed to a stop at the airport then it would become a serious consideration for people from Dundee to the Highlands.
ABZ claim they have a catchment of 650,000 - surely enough to support more than a few charter flights a year (Hello LS!)
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My post was referring to when the bypass is complete and where ABZ could end up being a winner with dual carriageway access all the way.
In other news growth returned with an overall increase in pax numbers by 3.7% or 284,000 with helis weighing down further progress. Will be interesting to see what the LHR statistics are.
Maybe it's all those extra Dundee punters
In other news growth returned with an overall increase in pax numbers by 3.7% or 284,000 with helis weighing down further progress. Will be interesting to see what the LHR statistics are.
Maybe it's all those extra Dundee punters
Last edited by CaptainDoony; 13th May 2013 at 13:45.
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: The Midlands
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aberdeen Runway Length
Here is some interesting facts, besides Aberdeens pathetic runway extension a fully loaded 737-800, A319/A320/A321, 757-200/300 are unable to take off from Aberdeen with most aircraft that are at max t-off weight requiring a runway length of over 2000m with the 757 variants that are used by charter airlines requiring a runway of about 2500m. So any chance of airlines flying fully loaded with passengers and flying longer routes will not be possible until the runway is extended to over 2500m. So any chance of route development or anything like that to North Africa or further afield in Europe will need to wait.
So Aberdeen will be stuck with the normal destinations and passengers wanting to travel further than London are more likely to travel to either Edinburgh or Glasgow
So Aberdeen will be stuck with the normal destinations and passengers wanting to travel further than London are more likely to travel to either Edinburgh or Glasgow
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Granted it's not an ideal length but for now it seems to be adequate with TOM getting a full 738 off to TFS direct, J2 managed A319/A320 direct to GYD, BA use the E190 down to AGP which is about as long a route as an E190 will be used on.
ABZ will never see proper long haul because even if the runway was 3000m the infrastructure is sorely lacking for aircraft of even 787 size.
ABZ will never see proper long haul because even if the runway was 3000m the infrastructure is sorely lacking for aircraft of even 787 size.
Last edited by CaptainDoony; 14th May 2013 at 12:43.
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: The Midlands
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
True to that, I doubt whether the airport can actually handle what it does pax wise at the moment. But with the airport going on about route development and all that the overall facilities that Aberdeen has to offer not jus it's runway as u said are trulely lacking for an airport that claims to be an international one.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: scotland
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In the days of Britannia, they did operate a few one off charters in the mid to late 90's to Orlando SFB. I assume these had a touch down but can't recall where.
I remember ATA operating L1011's from EDI to Orlando via Gander, did they offer ABZ too ?
I remember ATA operating L1011's from EDI to Orlando via Gander, did they offer ABZ too ?
Last edited by goldeneye; 14th May 2013 at 17:20.
Fit like min?
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ...
Posts: 2,126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Award!
As far as my dodgy memory goes, I can only ever remember TransAt flights with Britannia to Florida & Dominican Republic; and Air Transat to Toronto.
There may have been a pre-Xmas charter to JFK utilising Air 2000 one year, but I might be wrong on that - maybe people with better memories can confirm.
Anyway...the award...
Aberdeen team scoops top award (AIA website)
14 May 2013
Aberdeen International Airport has scooped a top award at a major international routes conference.
The team, who are in Budapest for “Routes Europe 2013”, have been named winners in the ‘Routes Europe Marketing Award’ for airports in the ‘under 4 million passenger’ category.
The awards are highly regarded as the most prestigious awards in the industry as they are voted for and judged by the airline network planning community.
Carol Benzie, airport Commercial Director, was at the awards presentation and was delighted to scoop the trophy. She said “Whilst we felt we had a strong entry, there was a lot of stiff competition in our category. We stressed the work that we do, on an on-going basis, to market the airport and the region, for example show-casing a number of specific projects we have worked on including the viral YouTube film “Tom’s Aberdeen Adventure”, and of course the work we do to drive existing air services from Aberdeen. It is rewarding to be recognised at this level by our peers and colleagues.”
Members of the airport team have spent the last few days in the Hungarian capital, attending what is described as one of the most important dates in the aviation calendar. The event attracts airports and airlines from across Europe and is seen as a launch-pad for attracting new carriers and destinations to the airport map. The Aberdeen team have been working hard to cement relationship and specifically to attract new leisure carriers to the North-east.
It comes ahead of the city hosting the prestigious event in 2015.
Congrats - but will it pull in a new route or two??
There may have been a pre-Xmas charter to JFK utilising Air 2000 one year, but I might be wrong on that - maybe people with better memories can confirm.
Anyway...the award...
Aberdeen team scoops top award (AIA website)
14 May 2013
Aberdeen International Airport has scooped a top award at a major international routes conference.
The team, who are in Budapest for “Routes Europe 2013”, have been named winners in the ‘Routes Europe Marketing Award’ for airports in the ‘under 4 million passenger’ category.
The awards are highly regarded as the most prestigious awards in the industry as they are voted for and judged by the airline network planning community.
Carol Benzie, airport Commercial Director, was at the awards presentation and was delighted to scoop the trophy. She said “Whilst we felt we had a strong entry, there was a lot of stiff competition in our category. We stressed the work that we do, on an on-going basis, to market the airport and the region, for example show-casing a number of specific projects we have worked on including the viral YouTube film “Tom’s Aberdeen Adventure”, and of course the work we do to drive existing air services from Aberdeen. It is rewarding to be recognised at this level by our peers and colleagues.”
Members of the airport team have spent the last few days in the Hungarian capital, attending what is described as one of the most important dates in the aviation calendar. The event attracts airports and airlines from across Europe and is seen as a launch-pad for attracting new carriers and destinations to the airport map. The Aberdeen team have been working hard to cement relationship and specifically to attract new leisure carriers to the North-east.
It comes ahead of the city hosting the prestigious event in 2015.
Congrats - but will it pull in a new route or two??
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Virgin
Article a couple of days old but is still relevant:
Virgin?s Little Red passengers shun onward flights - Business - Scotsman.com
Not many positive sound bytes at all about ABZ (or EDI) flights for that matter - just 27% of pax are transferring with weekend breaks seemingly popular from ABZ.
LHR figs for April were flat and the flights I've been on had only 20 pax each way and looking back online we were in the cruise by Leuchars.
Does anyone know how the loads have been shaping up as of late? Father is going down on the red eye and the first 8 rows are blocked off. Again!
Virgin?s Little Red passengers shun onward flights - Business - Scotsman.com
Not many positive sound bytes at all about ABZ (or EDI) flights for that matter - just 27% of pax are transferring with weekend breaks seemingly popular from ABZ.
LHR figs for April were flat and the flights I've been on had only 20 pax each way and looking back online we were in the cruise by Leuchars.
Does anyone know how the loads have been shaping up as of late? Father is going down on the red eye and the first 8 rows are blocked off. Again!
Last edited by CaptainDoony; 21st May 2013 at 14:42.
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: The Midlands
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The highest loads I've seen out of Aberdeen is 40 pax, but these a320s are apparently fitted with 174 seats so less than 25% load factor, but most of time is about 20 pax, pretty disappointing but hopefully it will pick up, was never gonna be busy in its first month or two as most people would have already booked their flts with ba, guess just wait and see,
On another topic rumour is Aberdeen to Madrid direct a few times a day might be happening, no idea who the carrier would be, doubt it be Iberia since they are always on strike and losing millions every day, might be their low cost carrier who's also owned by IAG, Vueling or whoever they call themselves, I think that could be a decent route, something new is always better an makes life a bit more interesting, I'm still waiting for the airport owners to invest some money into the airport properly, maybe get lucky with another rumour that a Qatari company is gonna buy the airport, fingers crossed as BAA are useless unless its Heathrow
On another topic rumour is Aberdeen to Madrid direct a few times a day might be happening, no idea who the carrier would be, doubt it be Iberia since they are always on strike and losing millions every day, might be their low cost carrier who's also owned by IAG, Vueling or whoever they call themselves, I think that could be a decent route, something new is always better an makes life a bit more interesting, I'm still waiting for the airport owners to invest some money into the airport properly, maybe get lucky with another rumour that a Qatari company is gonna buy the airport, fingers crossed as BAA are useless unless its Heathrow
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Madrid? Never going to happen.
I believe that MAD was just an example destination quoted by NESTRANS that they would like to see added to the ABZ european portfolio.
It wouldn't happen in good times and most certainly isn't happening with 27% unemployment in Spain and massive austerity measures in place.
It's pretty difficult to even guess what and when the next Euro destination will be - maybe a German route MUC/DUS? TK to IST in a few years? ZRH, OSL, SVG? Who knows
I believe that MAD was just an example destination quoted by NESTRANS that they would like to see added to the ABZ european portfolio.
It wouldn't happen in good times and most certainly isn't happening with 27% unemployment in Spain and massive austerity measures in place.
It's pretty difficult to even guess what and when the next Euro destination will be - maybe a German route MUC/DUS? TK to IST in a few years? ZRH, OSL, SVG? Who knows