ABERDEEN

[Richard Taylor]

Jan 2017 passenger figures

https://www.agcc.co.uk/news-article/...r-january-2017

Bit of hope maybe - nice to see domestic fixed-wing up, hopefully international will turn around soon, especially with the new flights.

Apparently office demand is up too in the city, so maybe a corner being turned as everyone adjusts to a lower costs base.

[Heathrow Harry]

still totally dependent on the oil price.......... still bleeding to death but not as quickly............

[Richard Taylor]

I was so trying to be optimistic too...........

[CaptainDoony]

Oil price hasn't changed much though.

The new routes being added should mean some small growth this year (any growth is welcome let's face it). There are some minor capacity cuts on AMS/CDG, both have lost a daily rotation (E90/E70) and FRA has been cut to E90.

Some increases as well though LHR (BE, BA static) DUB and even SVG gets a small boost from SAS with a Mon-Fri 737 rotation returning (cargo related maybe?).

This is about as positive as could be given events of the last few years.

[Richard Taylor]

Paris

Capt D a question for you if you know.

FR24 shows the Paris flight this morning as having originated in Le Bourget, not de Gaulle.

I saw this the other day as well when I happened to look.

Has the Paris flight been changed to LBG (not seen any news about the terminal changing) or FR24 error?

[CaptainDoony]

Just a FR24 glitch. Have noticed this a few times but still definitely from CDG

[Richard Taylor]

Ta very much

https://www.youtube.com/user/DrapersView

Some great slides of mainly 80s at ABZ on the above YT link - the chap worked in the TWR through the 80s.

Many types/operators I remember very well - and some I didn't know about! Definitely worth a look for some of you young whippersnappers out there; some great slides of an era now long past!

[Heathrow Harry]

Album 5 brought tears to my eyes - the Friday Tristar to LHR, every seat filled with people desperate to get away for the weekend! The Chinook for offshore change-outs and the Shack... followed by the full set of fire tenders ("just in case")

And how many airlines have come and gone......

[01475]

Album five set me off to find out what the BA helicopters were used for, which lead me to "On 2 May 1984 a Boeing 234 (G-BISO) crashed in the East Shetland Basin of the North Sea, 8 miles (13 km) north west of the Cormorant Alpha Rig. All crew and passengers were rescued by other helicopters and boats. Although not damaged in the accident the helicopter sank after 85 minutes.[5] The aircraft was recovered for post accident investigation and later refurbished to fly again."

How times have changed... in many ways!

[Richard Taylor]

bmi & the SSJ

Interesting they are leasing a Cityjet SSJ for a short time to operate the BRS route. About 1mth before reverting back to ERJ.

Shortage of ERJ/crew, or evaluating how it performs?

Cityjet have appeared at ABZ with it already (can't recall for what purpose).

[MerchantVenturer]

bmir has been using CityJet Sukhois on some routes from BRS at certain times for the past few weeks. It seems to have been occasional use though.

[Facts R Us]

SSJ

SSJ = New BHX base opening, shortage of ERJ145 capacity due to winter C-check programme.

[Richard Taylor]

Helicopters & windfarms

Interesting recent contract win for NHV, due to start Q2 2017:

https://www.energyvoice.com/oilandga...-farm-builder/

I'm with those that think such windfarms should be built offshore anyway.

[Richard Taylor]

Lufthansa/Frankfurt

The Head of the Lufthansa Group's UK ops (can't remember exact title) was interviewed on R. Scotland this morning which I happened to catch.

They were talking about the group's performance on their Scotland routes to EDI/GLA/ABZ for the past year.

Will surprise no-one to learn that traffic on the LH FRAABZ had declined 16% in 2016 - so little wonder there has been a downsizing.

Will also surprise no-one that traffic for the group on the EDI & GLA routes were up, so......it's just us.

[mwm991]

Was he discussing solely LH routes or also sister ops such as the EW routes?

[Porrohman]

Originally Posted by Heathrow Harry

still totally dependent on the oil price.......... still bleeding to death but not as quickly............

It's not all doom and gloom in the oil sector. Yes, exploration crashed when tax breaks were slashed a few years ago but the record levels of investment in 2012-2014 are beginning to near production. It hasn't been widely reported in the mainstream media but BP expects to double its production and cut production costs to $12 per barrel from the current $17 per barrel. With oil selling at circa $56 per barrel and Petroleum Revenue Tax having been effectively abolished in the March 2016 budget there is still scope to turn in a tidy profit. Hopefully, this will start to feed through to the Aberdeen economy and the airport over the next few years.

BP CEO Dudley: We?ll Double Our North Sea Oil Production By 2020 | OilPrice.com

[Richard Taylor]

mwm991: yes, sisters too, so including EW. Must admit I was listening for ABZ-specific so can't recall what he said re the increase on GLA/EDI other than there had been one - think he mentioned BRU/ZUR/FRA.

Porrohman: can only hope.

[Heathrow Harry]

Big problem is the size of the remaining reserves in the N Sea proper (ie NOT Wos) - these days if you find 20 mmbbl you're a hero

And the big guys are selling out - the incomers will be REAL cost cutters but they are dependent on fading infrastructure..................

[CaptainDoony]

FR ALC and AGP for winter 17 loaded today - both twice weekly.

No sign of FAO yet. ABZ seem to think it is year round but the FR press release from a couple of weeks ago for their new Scottish routes makes no mention of FAO.

Anyone have an inkling?

[exlatccatsa]

And WZX upping capacity to A321 for summer '17. Not sure if its for both routes.