ABERDEEN
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And so the Flybe speculation begins!!
Think Barrhead Travel intend operating Palma as well from what I read. Wonder which airline will operate the flights?
Meanwhile following the Flybe order for the 175 announced yesterday, the rumour network about where they will go & which airports will benefit has sprung into action!
Bristol thinks they may in line for more & new flights to the continent, & Aberdeen thinks it too stands in line to benefit, with possible flights to the likes of Germany, Scandinavia & France. I think Mike Rutter was quoted by Aberdeen journals, but my papers have long become fish 'n' chip paper, so can't recall exactly what he was meant to have said.
I do think though he was meant to have also mentioned that there would be more Gatwick flights, but don't know when that was to be from - from the introduction of the 175s or earlier than that. Would guess the Brum route will eventually see 175s over Q400s.
Meanwhile following the Flybe order for the 175 announced yesterday, the rumour network about where they will go & which airports will benefit has sprung into action!
Bristol thinks they may in line for more & new flights to the continent, & Aberdeen thinks it too stands in line to benefit, with possible flights to the likes of Germany, Scandinavia & France. I think Mike Rutter was quoted by Aberdeen journals, but my papers have long become fish 'n' chip paper, so can't recall exactly what he was meant to have said.
I do think though he was meant to have also mentioned that there would be more Gatwick flights, but don't know when that was to be from - from the introduction of the 175s or earlier than that. Would guess the Brum route will eventually see 175s over Q400s.
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More local Flybe speculation
This time concerning the forthcoming Finnair co-operation.
Seems Mike Rutter was quoted as saying that the Flybe/Finnair deal could see new routes to Scandi & the Baltic from regional airports "such as Aberdeen".
Rutter is said to have added: "Aberdeen is one of three or four places in the UK that would seem to make a lot of sense".
The press talk is of an Aberdeen - Helsinki link, the Finnish capital then acting as a hub to other destinations such as to the Baltic.
There always seems to be speculation periodically concerning Flybe & ABZ. But it never quite comes to fruition.
Worth reporting, but believe it when I see it! I can't see the demand to fly to Helsinki & vice versa.
Seems Mike Rutter was quoted as saying that the Flybe/Finnair deal could see new routes to Scandi & the Baltic from regional airports "such as Aberdeen".
Rutter is said to have added: "Aberdeen is one of three or four places in the UK that would seem to make a lot of sense".
The press talk is of an Aberdeen - Helsinki link, the Finnish capital then acting as a hub to other destinations such as to the Baltic.
There always seems to be speculation periodically concerning Flybe & ABZ. But it never quite comes to fruition.
Worth reporting, but believe it when I see it! I can't see the demand to fly to Helsinki & vice versa.
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Barrhead Travel - Malaga / Palma
Are there any schedules released yet for Barrhead Travels new Palma and Malaga services for Summer 2011? Any indications as to which charter airline will be operating?
In relation to the Flybe news article, how many new services have been started from ABZ in the last year? Nothing worth noting that I can think off, yet we still keep on hearing about Ryanair or Flybe mentioning new destinations which could potentially be started from ABZ.
I can't understand how we have never seen the likes of Bmi codesharing with Lufthansa for a direct link to Frankfurt, or Wizz Air low cost link or LOT (Star Alliance Codeshare with BMI) to Warsaw. These would definately seem more logical than a route to Helsinki. Flybe opening a link to Helsinki is pointless, connecting traffic can already go through Amsterdam with KLM, Paris with Air France or Copenhagen with SAS, why would you want to use a low cost airline to connect with Finnair? and besides that I cannot see much demand for Helsinki as a destination in its own right.
In relation to the Flybe news article, how many new services have been started from ABZ in the last year? Nothing worth noting that I can think off, yet we still keep on hearing about Ryanair or Flybe mentioning new destinations which could potentially be started from ABZ.
I can't understand how we have never seen the likes of Bmi codesharing with Lufthansa for a direct link to Frankfurt, or Wizz Air low cost link or LOT (Star Alliance Codeshare with BMI) to Warsaw. These would definately seem more logical than a route to Helsinki. Flybe opening a link to Helsinki is pointless, connecting traffic can already go through Amsterdam with KLM, Paris with Air France or Copenhagen with SAS, why would you want to use a low cost airline to connect with Finnair? and besides that I cannot see much demand for Helsinki as a destination in its own right.
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With over 2yrs of continuing contraction, how does ABZ arrest the fall in passenger numbers? Is it really a case of attracting new routes to stimulate growth? Fully embrace the low cost concept? Or has that passed ABZ by?
I am not a fan of BAA, but it can't be easy sometimes trying to attract new routes & airlines - always seems to be one step forward but at least two back!
Should they change tack & try to attract more GA & biz movements? Be more receptive to expanding freight ops?
(or persuade BAA to sell ABZ off...
)
I am not a fan of BAA, but it can't be easy sometimes trying to attract new routes & airlines - always seems to be one step forward but at least two back!
Should they change tack & try to attract more GA & biz movements? Be more receptive to expanding freight ops?
(or persuade BAA to sell ABZ off...
)
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I think they need to start by demolishing the pathetic excuse for an airport that ABZ is!
The oil capital of Europe? What a joke. I know plenty of people that would rather drive to EDI or GLA than use ABZ.
The oil capital of Europe? What a joke. I know plenty of people that would rather drive to EDI or GLA than use ABZ.
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[QUOTE]With over 2yrs of continuing contraction, how does ABZ arrest the fall in passenger numbers? Is it really a case of attracting new routes to stimulate growth? Fully embrace the low cost concept? Or has that passed ABZ by?
I am not a fan of BAA, but it can't be easy sometimes trying to attract new routes & airlines - always seems to be one step forward but at least two back!
Should they change tack & try to attract more GA & biz movements? Be more receptive to expanding freight ops?
(or persuade BAA to sell ABZ off...)/QUOTE]
Cactus, I agree with you in the fact ABZ needs to have a complete revamp as it does indeed look like a fag packet of an airport. I have read many stories in the local press about a runway extension, flights direct to Houston etc etc just don't hold your breath. I can just imagine a 767 unloading pax into the cattle shed of the terminal. Quite clearly if ABZ is to develop it needs to expand. Does the skint council in Aberdeen get involved, doubtful, possibly the oil industry in Aberdeen can help; but expanding is probably not on the radar for BAA, with EDI and GLA "just down the road".
My opinion is BAA are paying lip service to ABZ and as long as the LHR, LGW and Norwegian flights continue to fly in who cares. As Richard Taylor mentions in his post; should ABZ embrace the low cost route?
A few years ago I used to use the Ryanair route to LPL and at £22 rtn it was scandalously cheap. At the moment (correct me if I am wrong) the Low Cost boys only fly to LTN and DUB, but take a look at what routes are open from GLA and EDI, one could argue ABZ is in the catchment area for those Low cost routes. As one who works away from Aberdeen but returns at the weekend I would love the Low Cost boys to serve Aberdeen with more routes as the competion would drive prices down.
A few years ago Ryanair tried to negotiate more routes to/from MAN but in the words of MAN management "they made us an offer we could refuse". I am sure ABZ have tried with Ryanair and EasyJet (you must be stupid not to) to get more routes but not at the expense of getting shafted and cheesing off current airlines.
I am not a fan of BAA, but it can't be easy sometimes trying to attract new routes & airlines - always seems to be one step forward but at least two back!
Should they change tack & try to attract more GA & biz movements? Be more receptive to expanding freight ops?
(or persuade BAA to sell ABZ off...)/QUOTE]
Cactus, I agree with you in the fact ABZ needs to have a complete revamp as it does indeed look like a fag packet of an airport. I have read many stories in the local press about a runway extension, flights direct to Houston etc etc just don't hold your breath. I can just imagine a 767 unloading pax into the cattle shed of the terminal. Quite clearly if ABZ is to develop it needs to expand. Does the skint council in Aberdeen get involved, doubtful, possibly the oil industry in Aberdeen can help; but expanding is probably not on the radar for BAA, with EDI and GLA "just down the road".
My opinion is BAA are paying lip service to ABZ and as long as the LHR, LGW and Norwegian flights continue to fly in who cares. As Richard Taylor mentions in his post; should ABZ embrace the low cost route?
A few years ago I used to use the Ryanair route to LPL and at £22 rtn it was scandalously cheap. At the moment (correct me if I am wrong) the Low Cost boys only fly to LTN and DUB, but take a look at what routes are open from GLA and EDI, one could argue ABZ is in the catchment area for those Low cost routes. As one who works away from Aberdeen but returns at the weekend I would love the Low Cost boys to serve Aberdeen with more routes as the competion would drive prices down.
A few years ago Ryanair tried to negotiate more routes to/from MAN but in the words of MAN management "they made us an offer we could refuse". I am sure ABZ have tried with Ryanair and EasyJet (you must be stupid not to) to get more routes but not at the expense of getting shafted and cheesing off current airlines.
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Apparently on the 14th July, there was something on the ABZ Twitter page (?!) about a "major" routes announcement in the pipeline.
I cannot see anything on the website (apologies if I missed it), but recall some speculation it may have been additional services to Dublin and Manchester?
It may just be me, but do you think it is amateurish of an airport to only give out some public information (albeit not really saying much) via Twitter, with no follow-up or confirmation through other more "official" channels?
I cannot see anything on the website (apologies if I missed it), but recall some speculation it may have been additional services to Dublin and Manchester?
It may just be me, but do you think it is amateurish of an airport to only give out some public information (albeit not really saying much) via Twitter, with no follow-up or confirmation through other more "official" channels?
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In my post above, I have tried to refer to the social networking site "Twitter" in the first sentence, but it seems that the word "Twitter" has been replaced by "PPrune"?
Well it does on my computer!
Well it does on my computer!
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IJM, the minor routes announcement was a Travel Agent (re)introducing AGP & PMI from 2011. That was it.
As I said at the time..........haud me back.
We'll see if the latest Flybe speculation comes to anything this time.
As I said at the time..........haud me back.
We'll see if the latest Flybe speculation comes to anything this time.
CH3CH2OH
The airport operator and airlines know where the passengers who travel through ABZ/EGPD are going to. If there was sufficient transfer and interline traffic that made Frankfurt, Helsinki or anywhere else make sense then you can bet that it will have been considered.
Air France/KLM, BA and SAS are all at Aberdeen with a significant presence to hoover up people through their main hubs and on to pretty much anywhere you want.
As for Ryanair or bucket and spade flights, these are unlikely to increase dramatically, a relatively small catchment area takes care of that.
If you want to fly EK or make use of an Airport with a significant choice of holiday routes then I don't see much option other than make that trip south!
As for the Airport itself, I have in the past been a critic but I must say that (relatively) recent changes have improved it dramatically. The opening up of the check in area, the departure lounge area and the extension of the covered walkway have all helped a lot.
Air France/KLM, BA and SAS are all at Aberdeen with a significant presence to hoover up people through their main hubs and on to pretty much anywhere you want.
As for Ryanair or bucket and spade flights, these are unlikely to increase dramatically, a relatively small catchment area takes care of that.
If you want to fly EK or make use of an Airport with a significant choice of holiday routes then I don't see much option other than make that trip south!
As for the Airport itself, I have in the past been a critic but I must say that (relatively) recent changes have improved it dramatically. The opening up of the check in area, the departure lounge area and the extension of the covered walkway have all helped a lot.
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"The airport operator and airlines know where the passengers who travel through ABZ/EGPD are going to."
Really?
I travel to Alicante 4/5 times a year - since the demise of Globespan I go through BHX, LTN, LGW etc and book the cheapest onward connection, usually Flybe from ABZ, then Easyjet, Monarch, BMIBaby or whoever. I check the fares at Skyscanner.net which then sends me to the individual airline website - I don't see how anyone at ABZ can know my final destination, and I know I'm not the only one who books using this method....
Really?
I travel to Alicante 4/5 times a year - since the demise of Globespan I go through BHX, LTN, LGW etc and book the cheapest onward connection, usually Flybe from ABZ, then Easyjet, Monarch, BMIBaby or whoever. I check the fares at Skyscanner.net which then sends me to the individual airline website - I don't see how anyone at ABZ can know my final destination, and I know I'm not the only one who books using this method....
CH3CH2OH
"The airport operator and airlines know where the passengers who travel through ABZ/EGPD are going to."
Really?
I travel to Alicante 4/5 times a year - since the demise of Globespan I go through BHX, LTN, LGW etc and book the cheapest onward connection, usually Flybe from ABZ, then Easyjet, Monarch, BMIBaby or whoever. I check the fares at Skyscanner.net which then sends me to the individual airline website - I don't see how anyone at ABZ can know my final destination, and I know I'm not the only one who books using this method.
Really?
I travel to Alicante 4/5 times a year - since the demise of Globespan I go through BHX, LTN, LGW etc and book the cheapest onward connection, usually Flybe from ABZ, then Easyjet, Monarch, BMIBaby or whoever. I check the fares at Skyscanner.net which then sends me to the individual airline website - I don't see how anyone at ABZ can know my final destination, and I know I'm not the only one who books using this method.
The majority of passengers book to final destinations using the carriers mentioned and the final destinations are well known.
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Germany tweet
Just noticed prior to the BGO news about a relaunch, that the airport are working on "various" German destinations. Again they say "watch this space".
Any news on a new German route would fall under a "major route announcement" this time!
Seems Germany is a "high priority" for them.
I presume it would be either Flybe or bmi/R in the frame.
Guess we should exercise caution when it comes to BAA announcements, but I hope they pull der rabbit out of der hat!
Any news on a new German route would fall under a "major route announcement" this time!
Seems Germany is a "high priority" for them.
I presume it would be either Flybe or bmi/R in the frame.
Guess we should exercise caution when it comes to BAA announcements, but I hope they pull der rabbit out of der hat!
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ABZ (and GLA for that matter) definately deserve some more Geman flights imo, there about 50-odd flights a week from EDI to Germany this summer, 7 from GLA and pretty much none from anywhere else - I question if this is an accurate reflection of demand, even allowing for inboud tourists tbh. I think there have been various rumours floating about at GLA and NCL as well recently about German routes, seemingly in connection with BMI Reg. Makes sense given the LH takeover. Not sure there are a lot of spare slots at FRA/DUS/MUC for lots of new UK Reg flights though? Maybe when FRA gets its new runway, but that's not for a while.
Overall, I think that ABZ is always going to be limted by it's population, so it's unlikely there's going to be major loco bases etc. That said, there's certainly potential for more Med flights. I think BAA in Scotland have focussed too much on growing EDI for the last 2-3 years and sidelined ABZ and GLA. The difference in new routes/airlines attracted to EDI recently is massive when compared to its other Scottish airports. It's high time they redressed the balance!
Overall, I think that ABZ is always going to be limted by it's population, so it's unlikely there's going to be major loco bases etc. That said, there's certainly potential for more Med flights. I think BAA in Scotland have focussed too much on growing EDI for the last 2-3 years and sidelined ABZ and GLA. The difference in new routes/airlines attracted to EDI recently is massive when compared to its other Scottish airports. It's high time they redressed the balance!
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New MD
I see BAA have appointed Derek Provan as new MD, replacing Kevin Brown. Started off as a firefighter before working through the ranks.
Good luck to him - perhaps he can get off to a flying start by finally announcing a start date for the seemingly-never-to-be-built runway extension!!
Good luck to him - perhaps he can get off to a flying start by finally announcing a start date for the seemingly-never-to-be-built runway extension!!
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at least they appear to be talking to someone!
High hopes of new air routes for north-east - Press & Journal
Whether they are successful remains to be seen.
Whether they are successful remains to be seen.
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Richard - I saw that P&J article too - I too hope there will be welcome developments at Aberdeen, although think that the article was verging on being a bit of a "non-story" (not unusual for the P&J nowadays imho).