SOUTHEND - 2
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Interesting interview with Andrew Tinkler in the Sunday Times: "Buying Southend Airport and obtaining permission to extend the runway, signing a 10-year deal with easyJet, surprised some. Stobart already owns Carlisle airport and Tinkler thinks a mix of freight and passengers can make small airports a very profitable concern. He may even buy more.
Last November Stobart Group took a 5% stake in Aer Arann, a small loss-making Irish airline, with an option to increase it to 37%. Where's that going? Tinkler launched into a rapid-fire reply about opportunity in Ireland, government subsidy, how well Aer Arann works with Aer Lingus for which it operates some domestic flights. But he doesn't really answer the question. Then he adds that part of it was to create a service from Southend. But if he has easyJet from next year shouldn't he focus on that? Sure he says, but he also wants to offer Stobart's biggest haulage customers - firms such as Tesco and Coca-Cola- an air-based service. If I've got Coca-Cola with a factory breaking down and they need a part and the say fly me something in.... But wouldn't they use international couriers? Tinkler's plans look hubristic.
' No worries. Southend was cheap. We had to get planning but I knew we could do it. I want to put a smile on passengers/ faces.' But no Stobart airline? 'No, not unless someone pays us to use the name.' "
Last November Stobart Group took a 5% stake in Aer Arann, a small loss-making Irish airline, with an option to increase it to 37%. Where's that going? Tinkler launched into a rapid-fire reply about opportunity in Ireland, government subsidy, how well Aer Arann works with Aer Lingus for which it operates some domestic flights. But he doesn't really answer the question. Then he adds that part of it was to create a service from Southend. But if he has easyJet from next year shouldn't he focus on that? Sure he says, but he also wants to offer Stobart's biggest haulage customers - firms such as Tesco and Coca-Cola- an air-based service. If I've got Coca-Cola with a factory breaking down and they need a part and the say fly me something in.... But wouldn't they use international couriers? Tinkler's plans look hubristic.
' No worries. Southend was cheap. We had to get planning but I knew we could do it. I want to put a smile on passengers/ faces.' But no Stobart airline? 'No, not unless someone pays us to use the name.' "
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Entertaining Journalistic dribble, and readers comments in the local rag today, all because of an RJ85 going a bit techy with some Red lorries called out.
Fears for incoming plane at Southend Airport (From Echo)
Fears for incoming plane at Southend Airport (From Echo)
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October's pax statistics show a continuing trend:
Luton to Galway 6844 in 2010, 1471 in 2011
Southend to Galway 1413
Total in 2011: 2884 v. 6844 in 2010
Luton to Waterford 5688 in 2010, 1335 in 2011
Southend to Waterford 2530
Total in 2011: 3865 v 5688 in 2010.
The only other passengers showing from SEN are 68 to Jersey, so the monthly total staggered above 4000. I wonder if Aer Arann will ever build a network from SEN, or whether they will quietly fade away from the airport entirely next year? Whatever, it's been good to see daily services back at SEN and thanks to Aer Arann for that. I still find it hard to grasp that easyJet are coming to SEN. I always imagined that smaller operators would slowly prove the market before EZY would show interest a year or so down the line. It's amazing that Stobart Air scooped top prize at the outset. Part of me remembers watching Southend United go 3-0 up inside the first twenty minutes, only to lose 5-3 by the end of the match. I hope SEN maintains its early lead..... SEN needs its new terminal and runway in operation. I note that the last cottage on the approach has been demolished this week so progress is being made.Roll on the day those orange jets crowd the apron....
Luton to Galway 6844 in 2010, 1471 in 2011
Southend to Galway 1413
Total in 2011: 2884 v. 6844 in 2010
Luton to Waterford 5688 in 2010, 1335 in 2011
Southend to Waterford 2530
Total in 2011: 3865 v 5688 in 2010.
The only other passengers showing from SEN are 68 to Jersey, so the monthly total staggered above 4000. I wonder if Aer Arann will ever build a network from SEN, or whether they will quietly fade away from the airport entirely next year? Whatever, it's been good to see daily services back at SEN and thanks to Aer Arann for that. I still find it hard to grasp that easyJet are coming to SEN. I always imagined that smaller operators would slowly prove the market before EZY would show interest a year or so down the line. It's amazing that Stobart Air scooped top prize at the outset. Part of me remembers watching Southend United go 3-0 up inside the first twenty minutes, only to lose 5-3 by the end of the match. I hope SEN maintains its early lead..... SEN needs its new terminal and runway in operation. I note that the last cottage on the approach has been demolished this week so progress is being made.Roll on the day those orange jets crowd the apron....
Join Date: Jul 2008
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The ILS is in the process of being recommissioned so I would guess that means the runway extension is at a very advanced stage of completion.
There was an Easy A319 in earlier today but I think it was for engineering.
There was an Easy A319 in earlier today but I think it was for engineering.
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if the length of the r/w at sen can only accom A319/turbo prop planes(no 737-800),what airlines could we hope to see?.it has been said that it would not be profitable to get an 737-800 and fill it 75%,is this true
There is no simple answer to the question of which aircraft types can use SEN and with what restrictions. It is necessary to look at the aircraft specific data in all cases. This is because within a generic aircraft type (e.g. A320) there can be lightweight and heavyweight versions, and subtypes operating at different engine thrust ratings. These differences can become significant on a performance limiting runway.
Many medium size jets will be takeoff weight limited at SEN, but the limitation is likely to manifest itself as either (a) full fuel, hence maximum range but restricted payload or (b) full payload but limited fuel which will constrain maximum range. I would expect scheduled operators to be most interested in (b), but one-off or occasional charters might accept (a).
So for example it may well be that a 737-800 could operate with a full payload on short sectors from SEN, but for longer sectors the likely payload restriction would make it a commercially unattractive option. This is why it is unlikely SEN would ever become a main base for this type.
The 757 has a very good airfield performance for an aircraft of its size. I would expect it to be able to operate to a good portfolio of European destinations from SEN but not a maximum payload transatlantic. That is a general comment based on my own experience, but again the real picture would only emerge from a proper performance calculation.
Many medium size jets will be takeoff weight limited at SEN, but the limitation is likely to manifest itself as either (a) full fuel, hence maximum range but restricted payload or (b) full payload but limited fuel which will constrain maximum range. I would expect scheduled operators to be most interested in (b), but one-off or occasional charters might accept (a).
So for example it may well be that a 737-800 could operate with a full payload on short sectors from SEN, but for longer sectors the likely payload restriction would make it a commercially unattractive option. This is why it is unlikely SEN would ever become a main base for this type.
The 757 has a very good airfield performance for an aircraft of its size. I would expect it to be able to operate to a good portfolio of European destinations from SEN but not a maximum payload transatlantic. That is a general comment based on my own experience, but again the real picture would only emerge from a proper performance calculation.
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We looked at operating A320's to/from Southend for the Olympics. As part of our due dilligence we approached current A320 operators and asked them if they could perfrom a SEN-REU sector with 150 pax. Some said the extended runway was too short and they wouldn't do it - some agreed to do it. It seemed to us that the runway length (extended) is on the lower limit of what airlines will accept and that individual company SOP's are the determining factor.
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The Return of Holiday Charter Flights
Air Humberside reports a Newmarket Holidays charter from SEN to Milan Bergamo on Sunday 17th June 2012, returning 1 week later. The airline used will be Mistral Air, presumably one of its 737-300 or 400s. Let's hope this is the first of many. 