SOUTHEND
In order to ease HZ123's extremely pessimistic view of events, perhaps I can quote from the current edition of Airports of the World.
RAL's business development manager is quoted as saying, in the context of talking about the new terminal/railway station development:
"In the meantime, the existing terminal building will be refurbished shortly, allowing it to handle up to 750,000 passengers a year as a stop-gap measure until the new terminal opens in 2009. ....... further check-in counters will be added and the terminal extended forward once the car park in front of the building has been modified."
This statements seems exactly in line with the planning application lodged earlier this week, so does not seem to threaten, or even delay, the building of the new terminal. I do think that RAL has invited all this speculation, however, by not making a statement at the time clarifying matters.
Whether or not this extension turns out to be a 'botch up' or not doesn't really matter that much if it only has to meet the needs of the next 3 or 4 years.
RAL's business development manager is quoted as saying, in the context of talking about the new terminal/railway station development:
"In the meantime, the existing terminal building will be refurbished shortly, allowing it to handle up to 750,000 passengers a year as a stop-gap measure until the new terminal opens in 2009. ....... further check-in counters will be added and the terminal extended forward once the car park in front of the building has been modified."
This statements seems exactly in line with the planning application lodged earlier this week, so does not seem to threaten, or even delay, the building of the new terminal. I do think that RAL has invited all this speculation, however, by not making a statement at the time clarifying matters.
Whether or not this extension turns out to be a 'botch up' or not doesn't really matter that much if it only has to meet the needs of the next 3 or 4 years.
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My view is not pessimistic I would say it is realistic, as from whence they are going to get 750,000 between now and 2009 can only be via a miracle. I am inclined to ignore some of the hype that would serve the Office of the deputy Prime Minister quite well?
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HZ123
Sorry HZ123, I have to agree with Expressflight, almost all your comments
about Southend seem to major on the negative. You also end each post
with a question mark which makes it rather difficult to follow whatever
point you are trying to make.
We all know the difficulties and constraints peculiar to Southend, but it has
great potential as a local community airport, close to London and with a
catchment area of 5 million within an hour's drive. Given local support and
a following wind it will become a successful gateway.
Sorry HZ123, I have to agree with Expressflight, almost all your comments
about Southend seem to major on the negative. You also end each post
with a question mark which makes it rather difficult to follow whatever
point you are trying to make.
We all know the difficulties and constraints peculiar to Southend, but it has
great potential as a local community airport, close to London and with a
catchment area of 5 million within an hour's drive. Given local support and
a following wind it will become a successful gateway.
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tilewood
I have to question your point on the catchment area within an hours drive of southend being 5 million with the fastest growing airport in europe only approx 30/40mins away i think stansted has taken much of that 5 million
I live about 30 mins from stansted and 40 mins from southend i know which i would rather travel from.
also the roads to southend are a nightmare without an airport
the A127 and the A12, A13 I wouldnt even chance it for a departure before 1100 taking into acount chk-in times
also its not many more miles to gatwick
sorry to sound negative but the geography is all wrong for southend in my view sorry if i have upset anyone its just my view
I have to question your point on the catchment area within an hours drive of southend being 5 million with the fastest growing airport in europe only approx 30/40mins away i think stansted has taken much of that 5 million
I live about 30 mins from stansted and 40 mins from southend i know which i would rather travel from.
also the roads to southend are a nightmare without an airport
the A127 and the A12, A13 I wouldnt even chance it for a departure before 1100 taking into acount chk-in times
also its not many more miles to gatwick
sorry to sound negative but the geography is all wrong for southend in my view sorry if i have upset anyone its just my view
I am sure that the catchment area for SEN, be it 2 million or 5 million, will not prove a problem to the success of routes from SEN.
Also, it has never been suggested that 750,000 pax are expected to use the airport by 2009 and the planning application gives a figure of 500,000 for the capacity of the extended terminal. In any event annual capacity in itself is not a useful number as it must take into account seasonal peak demands or diversion capacity which may be very demanding if only for short periods of time.
It is often assumed that routes from a 'new' airport must poach existing traffic from similar routes already established at relatively nearby airports (although to say that SEN is 30/40 minutes from STN by road is stretching it a bit). This is not the case and the phenominal success of the LCCs is based upon the fact that an entirely new market is opened up. People who would not normally have flown to a given destination have been found to do so once services are available from what they regard as their local airport.
As a small example my family in the Southend area have generated 12 passenger movements on the SEN-JER route this summer. All of these were additional holidays, over and above their normal 'main' holiday, and they would not have flown to Jersey had the SEN route not existed. The same will be repeated on any other new routes opened up.
The catchment area around SEN also has no relevance to inbound flights from European or UK cities opened up by airlines seeking a near-London arrival airport.
One has only to look at the success of routes from NWI - is it some 14 destinations served from there now by Flybe?
The Southend/Rayleigh/Basildon area is twice as populated as the Norwich conurbation and the population of Essex is twice that of Norfolk, so a similar route network from SEN should be sustainable.
My fear had always been that RAL would not modernise the existing terminal until some new routes were inaugurated (the 'chicken and egg' situation), but that now seems to be going ahead and must be a good sign.
Also, it has never been suggested that 750,000 pax are expected to use the airport by 2009 and the planning application gives a figure of 500,000 for the capacity of the extended terminal. In any event annual capacity in itself is not a useful number as it must take into account seasonal peak demands or diversion capacity which may be very demanding if only for short periods of time.
It is often assumed that routes from a 'new' airport must poach existing traffic from similar routes already established at relatively nearby airports (although to say that SEN is 30/40 minutes from STN by road is stretching it a bit). This is not the case and the phenominal success of the LCCs is based upon the fact that an entirely new market is opened up. People who would not normally have flown to a given destination have been found to do so once services are available from what they regard as their local airport.
As a small example my family in the Southend area have generated 12 passenger movements on the SEN-JER route this summer. All of these were additional holidays, over and above their normal 'main' holiday, and they would not have flown to Jersey had the SEN route not existed. The same will be repeated on any other new routes opened up.
The catchment area around SEN also has no relevance to inbound flights from European or UK cities opened up by airlines seeking a near-London arrival airport.
One has only to look at the success of routes from NWI - is it some 14 destinations served from there now by Flybe?
The Southend/Rayleigh/Basildon area is twice as populated as the Norwich conurbation and the population of Essex is twice that of Norfolk, so a similar route network from SEN should be sustainable.
My fear had always been that RAL would not modernise the existing terminal until some new routes were inaugurated (the 'chicken and egg' situation), but that now seems to be going ahead and must be a good sign.
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A lot of work is going on in the background to make frequent scheduled services from Southend a reality. It could happen as early as spring 2007. A ready market has been identified, an airline wants to come and I presume development subsidies from somewhere to make it happen.
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Lets hope it happens soon. Southend is starting to look a bit tired around the edges.
Ł25M as stated on their website, is alot of money. Is it enough? and where is it coming from?
Would be good to see regular pax flights from there again.
Ł25M as stated on their website, is alot of money. Is it enough? and where is it coming from?
Would be good to see regular pax flights from there again.
Terminal Extension
I viewed the plans for the extension of the existing terminal yesterday (available on the Rochford District Council website, follow the links to Planning and View Planning Applications, enter reference 06/000546/PD).
The extension, added to the south side of the existing building, effectively becomes the new landside area with some 10 check-in positions, new cafe/bar, retail, car hire and taxi desks etc...
The existing building becomes the airside area, via 2 security channels, with duty-free shop, another cafe/bar, retail, 4 departure gates, VIP lounge etc.. Inbound there are two arrival channels (presumably international & domestic) each leading to its own baggage hall.
While still being a single-storey, low-ceilinged building it certainly looks functional and I would have thought well up to the needs of potential airline customers. I looks, if anything, rather over-the-top if it's just to last until 2009/2010 when the new terminal opens
.
The car parking comprises 500 new spaces, laid out mainly immediately east of the Tower within security fencing.
It all looks rather more than one winter's work to me and it is difficult to see how the terminal could function at anything other than very low pax volumes while the work is underway.
In all events, if the work goes ahead, it will certainly give RAL something to sell to the airlines and then we'll really see if SEN has a future.
The extension, added to the south side of the existing building, effectively becomes the new landside area with some 10 check-in positions, new cafe/bar, retail, car hire and taxi desks etc...
The existing building becomes the airside area, via 2 security channels, with duty-free shop, another cafe/bar, retail, 4 departure gates, VIP lounge etc.. Inbound there are two arrival channels (presumably international & domestic) each leading to its own baggage hall.
While still being a single-storey, low-ceilinged building it certainly looks functional and I would have thought well up to the needs of potential airline customers. I looks, if anything, rather over-the-top if it's just to last until 2009/2010 when the new terminal opens
.The car parking comprises 500 new spaces, laid out mainly immediately east of the Tower within security fencing.
It all looks rather more than one winter's work to me and it is difficult to see how the terminal could function at anything other than very low pax volumes while the work is underway.
In all events, if the work goes ahead, it will certainly give RAL something to sell to the airlines and then we'll really see if SEN has a future.
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Well, I must agree with the sentiments of HZ123. SEN will not bring the passengers in unless the airport provides decent facilities. It has to be a completely new facility rather than the current situation of a toilet with an outside terminal.
40 pax, yes but only on a busy day. SEN future seems to lie with its Engineering side and perhaps storage, but even then they are running out of concrete.
Having read the forum, HZ123 may seem pessimistic but probably accurate.
40 pax, yes but only on a busy day. SEN future seems to lie with its Engineering side and perhaps storage, but even then they are running out of concrete.
Having read the forum, HZ123 may seem pessimistic but probably accurate.
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I can see where HZ-123 is coming from, i`m sure he like me, wants to see SEN develop well, but having listened to years and years of New Terminals, Railway Stations, Runway Extensions & a moved Control Tower, its no wonder some of us become a little pessimistic.
By the way the railway station idea was discussed when i moved in the area and lived just 500m from the proposed site.
( That was in 1965 )
Jamie
By the way the railway station idea was discussed when i moved in the area and lived just 500m from the proposed site.
( That was in 1965 )
Jamie
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Thank you Jamie for saying exactly as I wanted to. It is refreshing that Ford are flying from SEN for the forseeable future. That said RAI have done no more than put a coat of emulsion around the terminal and irrespective of the future plans it is lucky that Ford seem contend with the surroundings. It could be a lot bewtter with a little effort.
Terminal Extension
I've today managed to get some information directly from Karen Medworth, RAL's Business Development Manager.
In an email to me she says:
"The interim plans have been put in place to meet the needs of an incoming airline (no one specifically at this point) as the proposed terminal modifications can be completed relatively quickly - anticipated at 6 to 8 months - and would therefore afford an airline sufficient terminal capacity until the new terminal/train station is completed in 2009. It has been a necessary step as we need to demonstrate to potential airlines that their services will be of the same standard as anywhere alse in their network - soemthing that would be difficult at present due to physical limitations in the current terminal."
All the above seems much as I have been suggesting in recent postings, although the phrase "no one specifically at this point" is rather worrying as one would have hoped that, by now, one or more potential airlines would be on the point of signing-up.
I very much doubt that Fordair are particularly content with the existing terminal but more likely have been assured that the extended and modernised terminal is only a few months away.
Comments anyone?
In an email to me she says:
"The interim plans have been put in place to meet the needs of an incoming airline (no one specifically at this point) as the proposed terminal modifications can be completed relatively quickly - anticipated at 6 to 8 months - and would therefore afford an airline sufficient terminal capacity until the new terminal/train station is completed in 2009. It has been a necessary step as we need to demonstrate to potential airlines that their services will be of the same standard as anywhere alse in their network - soemthing that would be difficult at present due to physical limitations in the current terminal."
All the above seems much as I have been suggesting in recent postings, although the phrase "no one specifically at this point" is rather worrying as one would have hoped that, by now, one or more potential airlines would be on the point of signing-up.
I very much doubt that Fordair are particularly content with the existing terminal but more likely have been assured that the extended and modernised terminal is only a few months away.
Comments anyone?
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I suppose “anything is better than nothing”
Express at least they replied to your email with reasonable details.
I have to say that one of the reasons I am so sceptical about the future & operation of the Airport, is that on 3 occasions in the early 90`s I approached them requesting details, information & a possible meeting in regard to establishing a business on the Airfield. The business was a new venture for us and aviation related, but several emails, faxes and a letter were never replied to.
Express at least they replied to your email with reasonable details.
I have to say that one of the reasons I am so sceptical about the future & operation of the Airport, is that on 3 occasions in the early 90`s I approached them requesting details, information & a possible meeting in regard to establishing a business on the Airfield. The business was a new venture for us and aviation related, but several emails, faxes and a letter were never replied to.
Buzz off with BAF!!
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I have looked at the plans for the extension of the existing terminal.
They look perfectly acceptable and would readily serve until the traffic
warranted the contruction of the new terminal and station on the
Eastern boundary.
I agree with Expressflight that it is disappointing that no specific airline
is yet being mentioned, but perhaps not surprising . An airline is going
to want to see some firm commitment to improve facilities before it
makes it's own decision to commence operations.
RAL are going to have to bite the bullet and spend some real money if they
want Southend to be taken seriously.
They look perfectly acceptable and would readily serve until the traffic
warranted the contruction of the new terminal and station on the
Eastern boundary.
I agree with Expressflight that it is disappointing that no specific airline
is yet being mentioned, but perhaps not surprising . An airline is going
to want to see some firm commitment to improve facilities before it
makes it's own decision to commence operations.
RAL are going to have to bite the bullet and spend some real money if they
want Southend to be taken seriously.
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Originally Posted by Buster the Bear
The existing terminal works are being planned for good reason as I have stated above!
Go on gis' another clue? The Flybe rumour was quashed a while ago (Unless that has changed?).
I flew in to Gatwick today, spent quite a while getting through baggage claim (note to self. Buy smaller bag) and then cried at the cost of parking for the measly 5 days away.
I looked at the extension plans for the existing terminal at MC. They look quite encouraging. But will it actually come to fruition in the near future?
Continuing with my unhealthy interest in Southend, I was looking at the plans in the property section. Lots of changes to the North side. But the most striking part was 'New Control Tower'. When are they building that?
I bet the ATCO's can't wait for that! The existing tower, has a very limited view of the 06 Threshold. ..... Or is that way, way in the future?
I shall look for another airport to stalk soon!
Last edited by Barnaby the Bear; 4th Aug 2006 at 08:39.