ABERDEEN
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Join Date: Nov 2004
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Good old Sir Malcolm Bruce! 
Always nice to get an acknowledgment that our area is doing so well.
Although quite whether the LCY route is 'lifeline' is open to some debate...
Perhaps the auld duffer heard 'London City' & thought it was the LHR route that was being chopped!
In fact, I wonder if that's what he WAS thinking...
Wonder if Cityjet might be tempted to try it, given they were going to before BA scared them off.
Always nice to get an acknowledgment that our area is doing so well.
Although quite whether the LCY route is 'lifeline' is open to some debate...
Perhaps the auld duffer heard 'London City' & thought it was the LHR route that was being chopped!
In fact, I wonder if that's what he WAS thinking...
Wonder if Cityjet might be tempted to try it, given they were going to before BA scared them off.
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: The Midlands
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Aberdeen traffic up
343,400 pax for June, up 9%, traffic up as well, freight down.
Airport should of had more forward planning for traffic numbers that we have seen this year, unfortunately it's poor management at Aberdeen
Airport should of had more forward planning for traffic numbers that we have seen this year, unfortunately it's poor management at Aberdeen
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: ABZ
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Wide Body
I believe there's a widebody movement scheduled for ABZ on 21st July. Titan Airways are supposedly operating a B763 arriving at 0700 and departing again at 2030, will be parked up all day. Always nice to see a widebody since they are so few and far between now.
Whilst the Easyjet announcement of Geneva, no matter how short it operates for, is welcome it is slightly frustrating the amount of startups ABZ gets and seems to lose after one season. Air Baltic for instance is a strange one, good loads yet pulled for Winter, and unlikely to return next summer. We havent had a comtinous startup route since Lufthansa in 2009, its about time we got something.
As for the summer charters, they are slowly but surely expanding with Faro being the only announcement for 2015, but nothing startling or special. Surprised we haven't had a Larnaca or Paphos route added yet or Malta. It would be nice to see a short season of some slightly longer routes like Egypt or Canada. We had a regular Air Transat service to Toronto back in 2000s, was it pulled because of poor loads or just because of airline restructuring? as I notice they still operate from Exeter (via BHX) each summer with an A310 and there cant be much more of a catchment around Exter.
it was imteresting to read the BBC News article on Ethiad's announcement to launch EDI, that another Scottish route will be launched within the next 5 years. Since GLA is now twice daily with Emirates, would they really swamp the middle east market with another route, and depending on load's EDI might secure a second daily service which given Qatar is unlikely, does that mean ABZ is in their sights with an A320 or A330?
Whilst the Easyjet announcement of Geneva, no matter how short it operates for, is welcome it is slightly frustrating the amount of startups ABZ gets and seems to lose after one season. Air Baltic for instance is a strange one, good loads yet pulled for Winter, and unlikely to return next summer. We havent had a comtinous startup route since Lufthansa in 2009, its about time we got something.
As for the summer charters, they are slowly but surely expanding with Faro being the only announcement for 2015, but nothing startling or special. Surprised we haven't had a Larnaca or Paphos route added yet or Malta. It would be nice to see a short season of some slightly longer routes like Egypt or Canada. We had a regular Air Transat service to Toronto back in 2000s, was it pulled because of poor loads or just because of airline restructuring? as I notice they still operate from Exeter (via BHX) each summer with an A310 and there cant be much more of a catchment around Exter.
it was imteresting to read the BBC News article on Ethiad's announcement to launch EDI, that another Scottish route will be launched within the next 5 years. Since GLA is now twice daily with Emirates, would they really swamp the middle east market with another route, and depending on load's EDI might secure a second daily service which given Qatar is unlikely, does that mean ABZ is in their sights with an A320 or A330?
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Aberdeen
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airBaltic are perhaps just being cautious? Demand for RIX will surely fall off a cliff in the winter months? Flights are bookable for next Summer and although this can change, I'm confident they will be back next year.
The only major route that I can think of that has been chopped in the last couple of years is the LCY and even then this won't be a big deal since it will make room for VS and EZY who have got a real token presence on ABZ-LTN - particularly in winter - 4x weekly! There are a couple that I would say are at risk though, SK's loads on OSL have been garbage and one of them will break. KSU must surely be on its last legs and Eastern will surely drop LBA/SOU a la BRS.
I think ABZ-ME is a bit of a long shot really. Never say never to ABZ-IST with TK who are keen on expanding into thinner markets that the ME3 can't i.e AAL, BLL, RTM.
Pax numbers up another 10%... Not surprising, I've never seen airside so busy when passing through a couple of Mondays ago with two PC 738s on the ground at once.
Finally, the new vestibule is finally open and I must say it is of course a considerable improvement over the prehistoric revolvers that used to be in place.
The only major route that I can think of that has been chopped in the last couple of years is the LCY and even then this won't be a big deal since it will make room for VS and EZY who have got a real token presence on ABZ-LTN - particularly in winter - 4x weekly! There are a couple that I would say are at risk though, SK's loads on OSL have been garbage and one of them will break. KSU must surely be on its last legs and Eastern will surely drop LBA/SOU a la BRS.
I think ABZ-ME is a bit of a long shot really. Never say never to ABZ-IST with TK who are keen on expanding into thinner markets that the ME3 can't i.e AAL, BLL, RTM.
Pax numbers up another 10%... Not surprising, I've never seen airside so busy when passing through a couple of Mondays ago with two PC 738s on the ground at once.
Finally, the new vestibule is finally open and I must say it is of course a considerable improvement over the prehistoric revolvers that used to be in place.
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Aberdeen
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CAA provisional stats were released today and as expected they made for mostly good reading. Record months for LHR, AMS, FRA, MAN and probably quite a few others.
RIX figures were 2856 for the month which equates to around a 75% load factor when accounting for blocked seats up front and a couple of Dash rotations - far from the disaster many claimed it would be.
Also note that KLM have been cutting back quite a bit this winter in the UK generally however ABZ seems to be unscathed with it remaining 5x daily ex Sat with an extra daily 737.
RIX figures were 2856 for the month which equates to around a 75% load factor when accounting for blocked seats up front and a couple of Dash rotations - far from the disaster many claimed it would be.
Also note that KLM have been cutting back quite a bit this winter in the UK generally however ABZ seems to be unscathed with it remaining 5x daily ex Sat with an extra daily 737.
Join Date: Oct 2012
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What's the loads on Oslo?
Good thing having Aberdeen fc in europe, few extra charter flights today from holland and assuming be the same for the return leg, hopefully they go far in the Europa league, help boost the numbers
Good thing having Aberdeen fc in europe, few extra charter flights today from holland and assuming be the same for the return leg, hopefully they go far in the Europa league, help boost the numbers
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Local press, politicians & businessmen have fairly got a bee in their collective bunnets over BA dropping LCY at the end of the season!
I doubt they'll change any minds at BA, who are claiming the route lost money (from Day 1?), forward bookings were poor & APD was also a factor in the decision. The airline event put a letter in the local morning paper to explain the decision. Only they know the real reason, & you have to assume the reasons given in public are truthful...
The route was not profitable for BA via BACF - doesn't necessarily mean it wouldn't be for a.n.other airline. Just have to wait & see if the clamour to retain the route tempts the likes of Cityjet or Eastern in. I can't remember the last time Eastern launched a new scheduled route though.
Re a rumoured loco, I always assumed Jet2 would be the one, especially as they said ABZ was possibly a future destination for them when they arrived at GLA. But that was something like 3+yrs ago, & so far no sign of them.
I would love personally to have Monarch back, but more chance of me winning the lottery sadly!
Any diversions due to the t/storm at teatime today? Think at least one diverted away.
I doubt they'll change any minds at BA, who are claiming the route lost money (from Day 1?), forward bookings were poor & APD was also a factor in the decision. The airline event put a letter in the local morning paper to explain the decision. Only they know the real reason, & you have to assume the reasons given in public are truthful...
The route was not profitable for BA via BACF - doesn't necessarily mean it wouldn't be for a.n.other airline. Just have to wait & see if the clamour to retain the route tempts the likes of Cityjet or Eastern in. I can't remember the last time Eastern launched a new scheduled route though.
Re a rumoured loco, I always assumed Jet2 would be the one, especially as they said ABZ was possibly a future destination for them when they arrived at GLA. But that was something like 3+yrs ago, & so far no sign of them.
I would love personally to have Monarch back, but more chance of me winning the lottery sadly!
Any diversions due to the t/storm at teatime today? Think at least one diverted away.
Join Date: Oct 2012
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Since Aberdeen seems to have to highest airfares to any location I know about how is it that ba can't make money on the lcy route?
Flights recently have been 80% full or higher, especially the early morning and evening flights, is the reason more likely that Glasgow and Edinburgh have much lower landing fees, ba can still charge same fare and make a larger profit, and also Dublin as I recall has little to no apd.
So what ba are really saying this Glasgow and Edinburgh are increasing frequencies is that Aberdeen costs are too high.
So only people to blame for losing this route and the 100k+ pax a year that go with it are the people sitting in the offices at Aberdeen airport calling the shots on how this airport is run.
It's no surprise to anyone that since Edinburgh was taken over it has boomed, 10 mil pax, new long haul routes, new charter flights, increase in frequencies on established routes, new airlines, airport development and investment,
What's Aberdeen had? Lost a primary London route, Some new routes served summer only 4 x week, Oslo bound to be next one dropped, oh we did gain faro for next summer, no big deal, and we got a 13 million quid paint job of the terminal with a new front porch for good measure.
I personally hope for an airport operator that can invest in the airport, retain routes, develop the badly needed infrastructure and increase the potential,
Wait and see I guess, fingers crossed for the people of Aberdeen it's not waiting for long
Flights recently have been 80% full or higher, especially the early morning and evening flights, is the reason more likely that Glasgow and Edinburgh have much lower landing fees, ba can still charge same fare and make a larger profit, and also Dublin as I recall has little to no apd.
So what ba are really saying this Glasgow and Edinburgh are increasing frequencies is that Aberdeen costs are too high.
So only people to blame for losing this route and the 100k+ pax a year that go with it are the people sitting in the offices at Aberdeen airport calling the shots on how this airport is run.
It's no surprise to anyone that since Edinburgh was taken over it has boomed, 10 mil pax, new long haul routes, new charter flights, increase in frequencies on established routes, new airlines, airport development and investment,
What's Aberdeen had? Lost a primary London route, Some new routes served summer only 4 x week, Oslo bound to be next one dropped, oh we did gain faro for next summer, no big deal, and we got a 13 million quid paint job of the terminal with a new front porch for good measure.
I personally hope for an airport operator that can invest in the airport, retain routes, develop the badly needed infrastructure and increase the potential,
Wait and see I guess, fingers crossed for the people of Aberdeen it's not waiting for long
Join Date: Jan 2012
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ABZ-LCY had 73k pax in 2013. The average load was around 50 so only about 65% on average. Upon reflection this does sound pretty marginal for an O&D route to a fairly small area.
Sometimes, I can't believe the pessimism on here (or is it just Aberdonians in general!?). The airport has never been busier and this is only going to continue. 3.7m pax this year. There has never been so many routes available.
Lets not forget that Aberdeen is a relatively small place. It will never be a multi terminal colossus and doesn't need to be.
The airport do introduce new routes, clearly in the case of LCY it's the public and businesses that have let the airport down here. It's not ABZ management that are filling the seats.
Sometimes, I can't believe the pessimism on here (or is it just Aberdonians in general!?). The airport has never been busier and this is only going to continue. 3.7m pax this year. There has never been so many routes available.
I personally hope for an airport operator that can invest in the airport, retain routes, develop the badly needed infrastructure and increase the potential
The airport do introduce new routes, clearly in the case of LCY it's the public and businesses that have let the airport down here. It's not ABZ management that are filling the seats.
Join Date: Oct 2012
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I think your missing the point
Recently this year loads have been 80% or higher on lcy route.
Cityflyer are changing aircraft to increase service to Glasgow and Edinburgh that already have 9 and 10 flights a day return as it's more profitable.
Airport might not be able to put bums on seats but they can lower landing fees to match central belt airports and make routes more sustainable.
It's the same apd that needs to be paid by central belt pax only difference is the fees that the airport charges.
Glasgow at 176k pax on lcy route with over 3 times as many flights and given your calculations this would be a less than 50% load factor,
It's no surprise that since Edinburgh was taken over it has expanded way beyond what baa were capable to doing
Recently this year loads have been 80% or higher on lcy route.
Cityflyer are changing aircraft to increase service to Glasgow and Edinburgh that already have 9 and 10 flights a day return as it's more profitable.
Airport might not be able to put bums on seats but they can lower landing fees to match central belt airports and make routes more sustainable.
It's the same apd that needs to be paid by central belt pax only difference is the fees that the airport charges.
Glasgow at 176k pax on lcy route with over 3 times as many flights and given your calculations this would be a less than 50% load factor,
It's no surprise that since Edinburgh was taken over it has expanded way beyond what baa were capable to doing
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Aberdeen
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ABZ to LCY
I'd hate to sound cynical, but seen as Aberdeen Airport is owned by 'Heathrow Airport Holdings' - why would they reduce fees to help a route to London City?
Forcing people to go via Heathrow means they get paid twice instead of once.
Seems to make good business sense to me.
Forcing people to go via Heathrow means they get paid twice instead of once.
Seems to make good business sense to me.
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Three nice medium/large movements (for ABZ!) today:
Titan B763 (Stansted)
Travel Service B738 (Birmingham)
Estonian E170 (Manchester)
Anyone know why they were here? All chartered by the same people apparently.
Airport was in the P&J Biz Supplement today with MD saying she would be happy with whoever purchased the airport as long as they invested in it - but any talks are way above her level. So something is afoot, but how quick it is appears to be 'up in the air' as it were. No mention of GIP in the report - just the offers from Ferrovial & the consortium led by Zurich. So either the report just forgot or GIP are no longer in the running, which personally would be a pity.
Impression I got is Carol Benzie really had to fight her corner to get the investment we are getting now from HAH. Which, whilst much needed, is modest.
Titan B763 (Stansted)
Travel Service B738 (Birmingham)
Estonian E170 (Manchester)
Anyone know why they were here? All chartered by the same people apparently.
Airport was in the P&J Biz Supplement today with MD saying she would be happy with whoever purchased the airport as long as they invested in it - but any talks are way above her level. So something is afoot, but how quick it is appears to be 'up in the air' as it were. No mention of GIP in the report - just the offers from Ferrovial & the consortium led by Zurich. So either the report just forgot or GIP are no longer in the running, which personally would be a pity.
Impression I got is Carol Benzie really had to fight her corner to get the investment we are getting now from HAH. Which, whilst much needed, is modest.
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Richard, there were a load of coaches lined up outside the terminal this morning which departed round towards the heliports. From what I seen, everyone was wearing a white shirt in one of the coaches.
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Aberdeen
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I'm not sure of the specifics but I believe they are a part of some church which makes sense because (hopefully not sounding too creepy!) there were women and children among the pax.
I think there was two Estonians in - one on 23 (which looked rather busy) and the other in front of the tower.
There has been a church related visit before, maybe two years ago.
I think there was two Estonians in - one on 23 (which looked rather busy) and the other in front of the tower.
There has been a church related visit before, maybe two years ago.