LYDD AIRPORT
I'm not an expert on Lydd so I hope someone else more familiar with Lydd will be able to help answer 2 questions
Why exactly does Lydd need a runway extension, and who are likely to be the new additional users of the airport ?
Additionally, how does this strategy take into account developments in the last few years at London-City, Manston, Gatwick, Shoreham and the HS1 train line ?
I'm not saying it shouldn't happen - just want to understand the business case and try to see if it makes sense (preferably without having to put on rose tinted fanboy glasses !)
Why exactly does Lydd need a runway extension, and who are likely to be the new additional users of the airport ?
Additionally, how does this strategy take into account developments in the last few years at London-City, Manston, Gatwick, Shoreham and the HS1 train line ?
I'm not saying it shouldn't happen - just want to understand the business case and try to see if it makes sense (preferably without having to put on rose tinted fanboy glasses !)
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Regrettably far from 50°N
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
davidjohnson6, whether the catchment is sufficient is a matter of contention but one can imagine the sort of demand they might be looking to attract. London City is expanding fast but serves a wholly different market to the one which Lydd (one imagines) proposes to. Manston has closed; whether the early success of KLM's AMS service could be replicated from Lydd is doubtful given its catchment. Cargo (the former's bread and butter) is dependent on infrastructure which Lydd simply doesn't have. Shoreham's runway dimensions and ATC cover are significantly restricting (putting it firmly in the GA realm). It's very hard to see how investment to reopen the railway to Ashford via Appledore (and thence to London) would be viable. One suspects a competitively-priced GA, bizjet, niche cargo and ad hoc charter operation is the plan. But the resurgence of Southend and Oxford in some or most of these markets necessarily means demand must be localised (even LGW is less than an hour's drive from Ashford) - SEN is infinitely better connected and has still struggled to attract new operators (though this may change as LTN and STN reach capacity).
A mixed picture. LGW is now full enough that (if I remember correctly) EZY struggled to discharge its full flying programme last summer. In Lydd's dreams a loco would use it as a cheap access to a challenge for LGW's easterly catchment; it's not beyond the means of man to have the bus which stops hourly at the turning into the airport (leaving passengers with just under a mile's yomp) actually end up at the terminal. Beauvais doesn't have a railway station; a deal between a based operator and Southeastern could use off-peak capacity on HS1 to connect passengers to a direct bus service. But this is a figment of my imagination, and a long shot at that.
As such I'm at once sceptical as to Lydd's prospects and reminded of the widespread surprise which met the success of KLM's MSE-AMS operation. Without such sprawling infrastructure, if such a service (big if) were to emerge it is easy to imagine that together with summer charters and healthy GA patronage, Lydd would earn its keep. In its absence, one has to wonder.
A mixed picture. LGW is now full enough that (if I remember correctly) EZY struggled to discharge its full flying programme last summer. In Lydd's dreams a loco would use it as a cheap access to a challenge for LGW's easterly catchment; it's not beyond the means of man to have the bus which stops hourly at the turning into the airport (leaving passengers with just under a mile's yomp) actually end up at the terminal. Beauvais doesn't have a railway station; a deal between a based operator and Southeastern could use off-peak capacity on HS1 to connect passengers to a direct bus service. But this is a figment of my imagination, and a long shot at that.
As such I'm at once sceptical as to Lydd's prospects and reminded of the widespread surprise which met the success of KLM's MSE-AMS operation. Without such sprawling infrastructure, if such a service (big if) were to emerge it is easy to imagine that together with summer charters and healthy GA patronage, Lydd would earn its keep. In its absence, one has to wonder.
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Siargao Island
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Correct me if I'm out of date but doesn't London, indeed the City of London, already have a dedicated GA and Business airport in Biggin Hill which is significantly better placed that a few other (supposed) London airports that I could mention.
Despite all the mocking of Manston's poor location Manston has/had significantly better road and public transport facilities than Lydd has, and may ever have.
Even if KLM were doing OK with yield on their Manston operations I'd suggest that Lydd management have long since approached KLM regarding Lydd operations, alas Lydd was specifically built to serve the cross channel market pre ferry and chunnel services, it's location is specifically to serve France pretty much making it useless to serve anywhere other than south of itself.
As for runway extension etc. ... What for? ... Manston tried and failed with a based low cost carrier operation, not even the save Manston group are suggesting that a re-opened Manston would have a viable future with passenger operations, a KLM service alone wouldn't finance the costs of a new runway and terminal at Lydd and any IT charter operations in/out of Manston clearly didn't last if at all.
Despite all the mocking of Manston's poor location Manston has/had significantly better road and public transport facilities than Lydd has, and may ever have.
Even if KLM were doing OK with yield on their Manston operations I'd suggest that Lydd management have long since approached KLM regarding Lydd operations, alas Lydd was specifically built to serve the cross channel market pre ferry and chunnel services, it's location is specifically to serve France pretty much making it useless to serve anywhere other than south of itself.
As for runway extension etc. ... What for? ... Manston tried and failed with a based low cost carrier operation, not even the save Manston group are suggesting that a re-opened Manston would have a viable future with passenger operations, a KLM service alone wouldn't finance the costs of a new runway and terminal at Lydd and any IT charter operations in/out of Manston clearly didn't last if at all.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 791
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
sadly for Lydd and its poor catchment area i see no future to spend millions on expansion. Its a pleasant GA airfield with a superb history but that's all.
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sometimes north, sometimes south
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
1 Post
would Lydd's current runway be long enough for E175/190 operating to AMS?
Then there's the fact that this is an airfield in uncontrolled airspace with no radar. We've already seen Flybe withdraw from Dundee for that reason - and at one point Flybe was seen as one of the most promising potential operators from Lydd.
Looks like things could be moving forward
Lydd Airport expansion: New terminal build could be brought forward says boss Hani Mutlaq
Lydd Airport expansion: New terminal build could be brought forward says boss Hani Mutlaq
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sometimes north, sometimes south
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
1 Post
Only if you take statements by airport management as fact. Another six months on and there is still no sign of contracts being awarded for either the runway extension or the terminal.
Planning applications for the runway extension and terminal went in in 2006. Approved in 2010. Seven years later nothing happening.
Planning applications for the runway extension and terminal went in in 2006. Approved in 2010. Seven years later nothing happening.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I paid a visit to Lydd a few weeks ago. The terminal building that was fully accessible, complete with viewing area pre covid, is now mainly off limits apart from a reception area. Such a shame as the terminal was in a time warp complete with wall photos of famous people boarding Bristol Freighters and Carvairs.
I would think that the plans to expand the airport have been forgotten.
Not much has changed
I would think that the plans to expand the airport have been forgotten.
Not much has changed
Last edited by LTNman; 31st Jul 2022 at 21:43.
Never been to Lydd myself, but the area referred to by LTNman would be the Biggles Bar which offers views of the apron. Apparently still closed for "refurbishment" following flooding in 2021.
This is one of the photos showing famous people there (Note that the airport was built for a superior class of traveller):
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restau...7&ff=437965020
This is one of the photos showing famous people there (Note that the airport was built for a superior class of traveller):
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restau...7&ff=437965020
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: southern spain
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Called in last March, everywhere open. Had a nice mug of help yourself coffee for £1. Visited the nostalgia area, everybody very friendly. Maybe they had prior knowledge were coming LTNman!!
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, this is it, the Biggles Bar. All now locked up.
The terminal reminded me of Swansea but on a much bigger scale. Biz jets still pass through the airport.
https://simpleflying.com/lydd-intern...airport-story/
The terminal reminded me of Swansea but on a much bigger scale. Biz jets still pass through the airport.
https://simpleflying.com/lydd-intern...airport-story/
Last edited by LTNman; 1st Aug 2022 at 11:23.
I popped into Lydd a few years ago, I've just got home now. It is a long way from Ashford let alone London.
Turning off the M20 at Ashford I thought I'd drop by for a cuppa which I duly managed in the delightful little cafe. This was a few years ago and for the 40mins I was there nothing at all moved, not even the windsock. But I do believe in more recent times the UK Border Force have been flying drones from there?
Turning off the M20 at Ashford I thought I'd drop by for a cuppa which I duly managed in the delightful little cafe. This was a few years ago and for the 40mins I was there nothing at all moved, not even the windsock. But I do believe in more recent times the UK Border Force have been flying drones from there?
[QUOTE=LTNman;11271181]
The terminal reminded me of Swansea but on a much bigger scale…….
/QUOTE]
A number of similarities between the two with the owners of each who had (misguided) visions of making millions by attracting operators who were simply not interested due to better equipped established airports close by. Similar to what is said about airlines “how do you make a small fortune?-start with a large one!”
The terminal reminded me of Swansea but on a much bigger scale…….
/QUOTE]
A number of similarities between the two with the owners of each who had (misguided) visions of making millions by attracting operators who were simply not interested due to better equipped established airports close by. Similar to what is said about airlines “how do you make a small fortune?-start with a large one!”
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/romney-...irport-284398/
Air Alderney is expected to operate regular services from the airfield at Lydd on Romney Marsh to destinations including the French airport of Le Touquet.
