LUTON - 6
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Any sign of a thawing in the relationship between ACDL and the Town Hall...?
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Pre-7am this morning and there was not a policeman to be found inside or outside the terminal. The reason I was looking for one was to report that there were 5 cars left unattended in the drop off area. With no airport security in the drop off area and the barriers left in the up position I was wondering if the news at Glasgow had got to Luton.
I did find one muppet in a security vehicle that was parked infront of the service road barrier to the undercroft but he said there was nothing he could do. I suggested that he should use his 2-way radio but he was not interested.
Post 7am the morning police came on duty, so to give them credit, once I had reported my concerns they did head for the area and stood by an unattended vehicle for around 20 minutes until the driver returned to his car.
Some security measures have been put in place. Concrete barriers have been placed in front of the glass windows by the check-in area. More concrete barriers have been placed on the road blocking access to the taxi rank although if someone drove on the pavement these could be bypassed. A security vehicle now blocks access to the bus station but moves when a coach appears. Nothing stopping a car driving in via the exit to the bus station through.
The no smoking ban came into force today. The bar area was completely void of any customers.
I did find one muppet in a security vehicle that was parked infront of the service road barrier to the undercroft but he said there was nothing he could do. I suggested that he should use his 2-way radio but he was not interested.
Post 7am the morning police came on duty, so to give them credit, once I had reported my concerns they did head for the area and stood by an unattended vehicle for around 20 minutes until the driver returned to his car.
Some security measures have been put in place. Concrete barriers have been placed in front of the glass windows by the check-in area. More concrete barriers have been placed on the road blocking access to the taxi rank although if someone drove on the pavement these could be bypassed. A security vehicle now blocks access to the bus station but moves when a coach appears. Nothing stopping a car driving in via the exit to the bus station through.
The no smoking ban came into force today. The bar area was completely void of any customers.
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I've started to wonder just a bit about the attitude to Security @ LTN...
Last week, waiting outside the terminal for the Staff Bus at 1A. Long queue of inbound pax waiting for the Long-Term: Several became alarmed by an unattended bag hanging on baggage cart. No Security/Police presence in sight, so pax in queue approached me as only uniform nearby. I went inside and asked for Security to be called - returned outside to find Staff Bus arrived. I boarded and asked him to pull away ASAP, away from unattended bag. His response was to step out of the bus, pick the bag up and throw it onto the dash of his bus. Queried about this, he said it was procedure. I went to get off the bus, now that it had been transformed into a mobile IED collection vehicle. A man turned up and said "That's my bag" and was handed the item without a second glance. I later rang the Airport Ops D/O and was advised that this was pretty much an unremarkable event. Hmmmm.
Last week, waiting outside the terminal for the Staff Bus at 1A. Long queue of inbound pax waiting for the Long-Term: Several became alarmed by an unattended bag hanging on baggage cart. No Security/Police presence in sight, so pax in queue approached me as only uniform nearby. I went inside and asked for Security to be called - returned outside to find Staff Bus arrived. I boarded and asked him to pull away ASAP, away from unattended bag. His response was to step out of the bus, pick the bag up and throw it onto the dash of his bus. Queried about this, he said it was procedure. I went to get off the bus, now that it had been transformed into a mobile IED collection vehicle. A man turned up and said "That's my bag" and was handed the item without a second glance. I later rang the Airport Ops D/O and was advised that this was pretty much an unremarkable event. Hmmmm.
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Good old Luton, doesn’t seem to matter who is in charge nothing seems to change. Due to upgraded security the drop off area has been reduced from 6 rows to just 4 rows. Last night it appeared that every taxi in Luton wanted to be at the airport. I counted 50 that occupied the first and last row. In the row closest to the short-term car park they were tripled parked as they waited their turn to move up to the top row. This left just two rows for the great-unwashed British public. Or should I say the British and the Poles.
As is the norm at Luton no attempt was made to stop cars parking in the reduced area as long as the owners stayed with the vehicles. As is the norm at Luton traffic was queuing into the tunnel.
The Polish community provided the entertainment as normal. I just love it when they come out of the terminal to see their cars has been towed away. They all seem to have a good command of English but reading the tow away signs seems to be beyond them. I have to say though that they don’t seem to be the brightest of people if they think they can leave a parked car outside a terminal when the UK is on a high state of security.
As is the norm at Luton no attempt was made to stop cars parking in the reduced area as long as the owners stayed with the vehicles. As is the norm at Luton traffic was queuing into the tunnel.
The Polish community provided the entertainment as normal. I just love it when they come out of the terminal to see their cars has been towed away. They all seem to have a good command of English but reading the tow away signs seems to be beyond them. I have to say though that they don’t seem to be the brightest of people if they think they can leave a parked car outside a terminal when the UK is on a high state of security.
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A piece from the LADACAN website....
Luton announcement soon?
"On Monday 18 June, the Airport operator told the Consultative Committee that it would make an announcement about "the way forward" in the next few weeks. So many promises have been made and forgotten since January last year when many thousands of us responded to the draft Master Plan consultation that we are not holding our collective breath. But we hope that the announcement, if it comes, will make clear that the second runway is a dead duck so that much of the blight on local communities is lifted and that it will include real action to curb the continuing deterioration in the noise environment around the Airport (as distinct from the window dressing we are usually fobbed off with)".
Nothing much changes really..
Luton announcement soon?
"On Monday 18 June, the Airport operator told the Consultative Committee that it would make an announcement about "the way forward" in the next few weeks. So many promises have been made and forgotten since January last year when many thousands of us responded to the draft Master Plan consultation that we are not holding our collective breath. But we hope that the announcement, if it comes, will make clear that the second runway is a dead duck so that much of the blight on local communities is lifted and that it will include real action to curb the continuing deterioration in the noise environment around the Airport (as distinct from the window dressing we are usually fobbed off with)".
Nothing much changes really..
Paxing All Over The World
IOM route is restored
IOM this is from the Ronaldsway web site. http://www.iom-airport.com/news/press.xml and look at the top item in Latest News Releases. Looks like a Q400.
Flybe will initially operate a 4 times weekly schedule to Luton from the Island with fares starting from £34.99 one way including taxes and charges. The first flight will depart on 28 October and seats go on sale from today, 3 July 2007. Both the Isle of Man Airport and Flybe are confident that the popularity of this important route will quickly be revived and that the service will go from strength to strength.
[edit]
... hoped that the frequency would be increased to a daily operation by spring 2008.
[edit]
The new Flybe Luton schedule for the winter will mean that the service will depart from the Isle of Man at 13:00 with a flight time of just over one hour. The return flight will leave Luton at 14:30, arriving in the Isle of Man at 15:35.
Flybe will initially operate a 4 times weekly schedule to Luton from the Island with fares starting from £34.99 one way including taxes and charges. The first flight will depart on 28 October and seats go on sale from today, 3 July 2007. Both the Isle of Man Airport and Flybe are confident that the popularity of this important route will quickly be revived and that the service will go from strength to strength.
[edit]
... hoped that the frequency would be increased to a daily operation by spring 2008.
[edit]
The new Flybe Luton schedule for the winter will mean that the service will depart from the Isle of Man at 13:00 with a flight time of just over one hour. The return flight will leave Luton at 14:30, arriving in the Isle of Man at 15:35.
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Excellent news. There is a decent market for a North London service, since 60,000 pax used the route in 2006, and I was surprised when Aer Arann pulled the route completely. Hopefully an increase to a daily service for S08 will follow.
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From Wizzair web site:
'Wizz Air announced today that it would further expand its route network from Poland by launching new flights from Wroclaw. The news comes shortly after the airline revealed its plans to establish its 7th operating base in Poznan as of early 2008. The new flights to London-Luton and Doncaster/Sheffield would start in February 2008.
Initially, the flights between London and Wroclaw will be operated 5 times per week, while the Doncaster/Sheffield service will be run twice weekly.'
'Wizz Air announced today that it would further expand its route network from Poland by launching new flights from Wroclaw. The news comes shortly after the airline revealed its plans to establish its 7th operating base in Poznan as of early 2008. The new flights to London-Luton and Doncaster/Sheffield would start in February 2008.
Initially, the flights between London and Wroclaw will be operated 5 times per week, while the Doncaster/Sheffield service will be run twice weekly.'
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
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FlyBe back again, how long will they last this time (remember the Jersey route)?
Plenty of scope for -400 operation to a whole host of destinations too big for a jet in future?
Plenty of scope for -400 operation to a whole host of destinations too big for a jet in future?
Join Date: Jul 2002
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London Luton Airport today announces the launch of six further new routes before the end of the year, with services to:
Zurich, Switzerland easyJet from 18 Sept 2 x daily
Isle of Man, UK Flybe from 28 Oct 4 x weekly
Vienna, Austria easyJet from 29 Oct daily
Transylvania, Romania Wizz Air from 30 Oct 3 x weekly
Tel Aviv, Israel Thomsonfly from 01 Nov 4 x weekly
Shannon, Republic of Ireland Ryanair from 7 Nov daily
With the new routes on offer London Luton Airport now operates to over 85 destinations across 3 continents. Within this total sees a range of new and exciting international cities to include Bucharest, Dubrovnik and New York as well domestic flights to Jersey and the Isle of Man.
Natalie Raper, Marketing Director of London Luton Airport, said, "We continue to offer a broad range of destinations to our customers who enjoy visiting new and exciting locations. Our expanding route network supports trade to cities across Europe and beyond, more destinations and a higher frequency of flights are both key to providing businesses with a cost effective and efficient business travel solution.
"The range of destinations that are being introduced this year affirms London Luton's position as the UK's fifth busiest airport."
Zurich, Switzerland easyJet from 18 Sept 2 x daily
Isle of Man, UK Flybe from 28 Oct 4 x weekly
Vienna, Austria easyJet from 29 Oct daily
Transylvania, Romania Wizz Air from 30 Oct 3 x weekly
Tel Aviv, Israel Thomsonfly from 01 Nov 4 x weekly
Shannon, Republic of Ireland Ryanair from 7 Nov daily
With the new routes on offer London Luton Airport now operates to over 85 destinations across 3 continents. Within this total sees a range of new and exciting international cities to include Bucharest, Dubrovnik and New York as well domestic flights to Jersey and the Isle of Man.
Natalie Raper, Marketing Director of London Luton Airport, said, "We continue to offer a broad range of destinations to our customers who enjoy visiting new and exciting locations. Our expanding route network supports trade to cities across Europe and beyond, more destinations and a higher frequency of flights are both key to providing businesses with a cost effective and efficient business travel solution.
"The range of destinations that are being introduced this year affirms London Luton's position as the UK's fifth busiest airport."
Red On, Green On
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New runway plans at Luton shelved
"Bosses at London Luton Airport have unexpectedly withdrawn plans to build a new runway. TBI, the company which owns the airport, planned to build a full length replacement runway to the south of the existing runway, with a new terminal."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/b...ts/6276506.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/b...ts/6276506.stm
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Haven't been to Luton in the past 5 years but I never thought Luton needed a new runway. It just needed the taxiway to the existing one extending at the east end (even further than I did it) and an eastern runway extension into Bedfordshire. When I was there there was a little will in the owners camp for the work, but no political will in the next county.
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Taken from the airport's website......
LONDON LUTON AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
06 July 2007
Friday 6th July
London Luton Airport today announced its intention to focus on making the most of the existing airport site. The airport will publish its development proposals for the period up to 2015 later this year.
Demetrio Ullastres, Chairman of TBI (the parent company of London Luton Airport Operations Limited), said, "We are committed to the delivery of facilities that meet the needs of our customers and at the same time fulfil our shareholder expectations. Therefore, we have decided that our proposals should focus on making the most of the existing airport site.
As a result we have withdrawn the current draft Master Plan (issued for consultation in October 2005). This described a full length replacement runway 950 metres to the south of the existing runway with adjacent terminal facilities. We will not be pursuing this option further."
The proposals to be published later this year will set out the framework for the airport's development over the next eight years.
Seems the clearest indication to me, that the company is purely focasing on the period, up to the time it can activate the "get out" clause under the current Concession Agreement.
LONDON LUTON AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
06 July 2007
Friday 6th July
London Luton Airport today announced its intention to focus on making the most of the existing airport site. The airport will publish its development proposals for the period up to 2015 later this year.
Demetrio Ullastres, Chairman of TBI (the parent company of London Luton Airport Operations Limited), said, "We are committed to the delivery of facilities that meet the needs of our customers and at the same time fulfil our shareholder expectations. Therefore, we have decided that our proposals should focus on making the most of the existing airport site.
As a result we have withdrawn the current draft Master Plan (issued for consultation in October 2005). This described a full length replacement runway 950 metres to the south of the existing runway with adjacent terminal facilities. We will not be pursuing this option further."
The proposals to be published later this year will set out the framework for the airport's development over the next eight years.
Seems the clearest indication to me, that the company is purely focasing on the period, up to the time it can activate the "get out" clause under the current Concession Agreement.
I agree Dave.
A 3000ft extension to the East would do the trick. As long as the eastern end had a taxiway all the way thats all it would need. During 08 ops take-offs could begin at the western-most intersection giving around 8500 feet which would be ample for all but the heaviest aircraft. Landings on 26 would also have 8500ft which would all but eliminate any need for backtracking.
A couple of RETs either end would give it all the capacity it would need.
A 3000ft extension to the East would do the trick. As long as the eastern end had a taxiway all the way thats all it would need. During 08 ops take-offs could begin at the western-most intersection giving around 8500 feet which would be ample for all but the heaviest aircraft. Landings on 26 would also have 8500ft which would all but eliminate any need for backtracking.
A couple of RETs either end would give it all the capacity it would need.
For most operations it was the backtracking that was causing the reduction in capacity (or should I say, without the need to backtrack, capacity could be increased.
The only thing that stopped us extending Alpha beyond it's current position was a bloody big hole just to the N of the 24 threshold - and that all our funds went on an extension to Alpha where it was flat (albeit the last but up to the runway is relatively steep) and the new terminal.
I don't think the current pavement is weight limited, it took a few 747s while I was there (albeit only Corsair ones carrying footy supporters to Spain).
As far as I know the major problem was pursuading Hertfordshire they should have 3000 feet of runway and the increasied traffic over their county, without any of the revenue from the airport. I suspect that few of the people doing the 9000 new jobs would live in Harpenden.
The only thing that stopped us extending Alpha beyond it's current position was a bloody big hole just to the N of the 24 threshold - and that all our funds went on an extension to Alpha where it was flat (albeit the last but up to the runway is relatively steep) and the new terminal.
I don't think the current pavement is weight limited, it took a few 747s while I was there (albeit only Corsair ones carrying footy supporters to Spain).
As far as I know the major problem was pursuading Hertfordshire they should have 3000 feet of runway and the increasied traffic over their county, without any of the revenue from the airport. I suspect that few of the people doing the 9000 new jobs would live in Harpenden.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Care and maintenance seems to be the order of the day. Looks like the council stood firm. I for one am not sorry as too much countryside would have been lost.
They could squeeze in another 6 pack to the east of taxiway Delta but that’s about it.
They could squeeze in another 6 pack to the east of taxiway Delta but that’s about it.
Last edited by LTNman; 6th Jul 2007 at 15:46.