LUTON - 4

[phnuff]

6 aircraft, 4 destinations. Lets face it, even if they were lucky to convert 10% of prudent businessmen to helicopter, shuttles, that is still not exactly a massive influx is it! And, oh, yes, the Olympics. Well, that would increase traffic for what, 4 weeks in 2012?

No, I wish Silverjet all the best and will probably use them at some time, but dreams of networks of helicopter shuttles are just that - Dreams !!

[LTNman]

They just need a couple of these http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices...e/ch46e09.html

[Buster the Bear]

I would guess that the workload for ATC would be greatly increased as most arriving and departing helicopters would require to cross the runway? In the event of inclement weather those inbound would require an ILS, not many I would suggest are capable of 160 kts to 4 miles and then a good approach speed inside this range?

With the massive savings made on the airfare, helicopter transfers I would imagine look good value within an overall package price.

[Daft bat]

Buster Bear

not many I would suggest are capable of 160 kts to 4 miles and then a good approach speed inside this range?

This would not be a problem for a majority of the corporate machines.

[LTNman]

Luton accident report http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/cms_resou...YJ%2011-06.pdf

[CAP493]

Rumour is that there could be a massive influx of helicopter flights ferrying Silverjet's pax mainly to/from London, so much so that Luton's management is working with the CAA to set up some new helicopter routes south of the airport

As is so often the case, rumour is wrong... The changes to the routes to the south of LTN have nothing whatsoever to do with Silverjet but are part of an ongoing initiative by LLAO suported by NATS, to reduce the noise disturbance to the residents of places like Harpenden and St Albans caused by helicopters routeing into and out of the Airport via what's known as the "South Lane". The changes will sweep up all corporate & private helicopters operating 'visually' to and from Luton to the south of the Airport, not only the extra few helicopters that might be associated with Silverjet.

Looking at reaching 4 destinations with 6 aircraft within 14 months. No mention though where Silverjet think they will park them.

Six aircraft won't all be on the ground at Luton simultaneously. By the time that Silverjet's fleet reaches six airframes, Harrods will have relocated to their new complex adjacent to the Cargo Apron and their hangars, and the South Apron stands will all be available for LLAO's use. With some minor stand re-arrangements, three B767s could quite easily park there at the same time. With a little more re-arrangement, four B767s could be/will be/might be/might perhaps be/would be....accommodated.

[LTNman]

The Notam about the night time runway closure has disappeared so it looks like the airport is now back to full 24/7 operations.

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

Correct! The last night closure was during the early hours of Thursday morning so no closure last night.

Shame that the airport (not air traffic) never did get the NOTAM right!!

[Powerjet1]

Originally Posted by LTNman

The Notam about the night time runway closure has disappeared so it looks like the airport is now back to full 24/7 operations.

So when can we expect to see the return and a substantial increase in cargo ops, from those that had to decamp elsewhere, whilst overnight runway works were carried out.

Were there not one or two new things in the pipeline, that were supposed to increase LTN cargo ops generally?.

[ebenezer]

Were there not one or two new things in the pipeline, that were supposed to increase LTN cargo ops generally?

That's what was strongly rumoured, but then perhaps rumour got it wrong again...??

[LTNman]

With the new proposed 2007 cargo apron smaller than the existing one don’t get to excited about an increase in business.

[LGS6753]

Aer Arann have announced a number of new routes, including various UK/Ireland airports to Nantes, but nothing from LTN?

On the other hand, Manx2 have announced a reduction in flights from IOM to Stansted, so presumably Aer Arann are doing well on IOM-LTN.

[Powerjet1]

LGS6753

The summer only service, Luton to Lorient, will be released for sale at the end of December. One, possibly two, new routes, are expected to be announced shortly thereafter.

[CAP493]

With the new proposed 2007 cargo apron smaller than the existing one don’t get to excited about an increase in business.

The 'new' Cargo Apron should contain four narrow-body/two wide-body stands, and there will be one narrow-body stand still in use on the existing Cargo Apron (probably stand 33). So the total size won't actually be smaller - but then again, it won't be any bigger so one must draw one's own conclusion regarding any expansion of cargo ops at LTN.

[LTNman]

I see that Channel Express have now pulled out of Luton and moved its LTN cargo flights to Stansted.

[Daft bat]

Police helicopter 382

Heard the other day the police helicopter will be leaving Luton on Tuesday 19th December 2006 never to return to hangar 129.If this is the case, good luck and may you return occasional to keep the airport safe.

[Powerjet1]

Originally Posted by Daft bat

Heard the other day the police helicopter will be leaving Luton on Tuesday 19th December 2006 never to return to hangar 129.If this is the case, good luck and may you return occasional to keep the airport safe.

Is it moving to Henlow on that date or elsewhere?

[CAP493]

I see that Channel Express have now pulled out of Luton and moved its LTN cargo flights to Stansted

Given the state of the local road system, including the M1 and the still utterly hopeless connection with the A1(M) - and the likelihood that it's going to get a lot worse before it gets any better - if Channex (which is also a trucking/haulage company) was shifting significant amounts of cargo during the daytime (as opposed to the relatively quiet overnight period), then it's hardly surprising. Although the various programmes of road improvement are desperately needed, LTN could see a serious loss of business if the process isn't managed better than it has been so-far, particularly the roads in the immediate vicinity of the Airport. Even after 2009 when everything's supposed to be fine and dandy (except of course, there stillwon't be a decent high-speed road connection with the AI[M] motorway) there's another three-year M1 widening programme up to Junction 13 = more traffic chaos.

[Buster the Bear]

Look on the bright side, all the huge investment on the M1 adjacent and South of Luton will create a dedicated car share lane at peak periods. Time to purchase an inflatable big brown bear for my car I think !

[LTNman]

Wonder how much executive jet traffic is being lost due to the M1 nightmare.