LUTON - 6

[gilesdavies]

A330 @ Ltn

Yes Monarch have operated their A330's from LTN...

They use to fly a weekly charter on behalf Airtours flying Luton to Sanford non-stop. The route flew for the summer of 2001 and Airtours were very pleased with the loads and were selling tickets for summer 2002, but after the events of 9/11 and the decline in the industry the route saw the axe.

The route was restricted from Luton with a payload of 340 passengers and other than baggage, cargo on the flight was very restricted.

So in theory an A330-200 in three class config with about 220-250 passengers is possible on a 7-9hr mission. The chances of a legacy carrier operating this sort of route from LTN is very questionable?!

I think the only long haul routes likely from LTN, in the forseeable future is a start-up LCC. But this then goes back to the question of the runway, as these sort of airlines want to operate aircraft in maximum dense config. Or if we were really really lucky maybe a Continental 757-200 flying LTN-EWR or an Emirates A330 LTN-DXB.
(But I think I am dreaming!)

[VS-LHRCSA]

Thanks Gilesdavies, very helpful.

[nickmanl]

VS-LHRCSA, a couple of years ago a start up under the name of Tara Airlines was planning scheduled flights to India from Luton using A332's. As far as I'm aware it never got any further than a website unfortunately. The market is there considering the high asian population within Luton.

[VS-LHRCSA]

Thanks Nickmanl. As long as it is physically possible that's all that matters for the assignment, it's not really about commercial viability as such. Your advice has been very helpful, thank you.

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

Shaheen Air

According to leaflets being handed out at the World Travel Market currently on at the Excel Centre in Docklands, Shaheen will start flights between Islamabad and Luton in February with A310's.

No frequencies mentioned.

Islamabad to Leeds to start in February too.

[BombardierCR7]

19th Feb seems to be the date that the Leeds service starts (although unconfirmed- West Yorkshire Police will significantly step up their operation at LBA on that date, ironically the same date that is rumoured from BB's with postings from Shaheen employees, as their first date of UK operations) so I assume Luton will start also around that date. Rumour also has it the initial flights will be via Dubai from both Leeds and Luton in order to connect into Shaheen's Pakistan regional network from there with a mix of direct and indirect flights later. Lahore to follow on the 2nd aircraft.

Not the best time to start flights to Pakistan, assuming the general election will take place (without bloodshed one hopes) at that time also.

Again, nothing official released from either airport, nor the airline...it has been heard before about Shaheen starting UK routes, so it is best to keep an open mind at this stage. I assume as flyers are being passed out, I guess there is some intention to start something at least.

[Powerjet1]

This rumour has been doing the rounds for quite some time. Indeed Wikipedia quoted..

"On March 1 2007, it has been announced that Shaheen Air are to commence services from Luton Airport than add a second UK destination which was originally planned to be Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield. Instead now Shaheen are now planning to use the nearby Leeds Bradford Airport".

Maybe now things are getting closer but don't hold your breath. Incidentally, what aircraft type would be used ?. I think they currently only have 732s for domestics.

[LBIA]

Incidentally, what aircraft type would be used ?. I think they currently only have 732s for domestics.

Shaheen Air has acquired 2, Airbus A310's for its UK routes to both London Luton and Leeds/Bradford Airports.

The Airline currently employ's 7 X's Boeing 737-200's along with 2 newly leased Airbus A320's for its Domestic and International short haul operations.

[LGS6753]

"Latest News" on the Shaheen website indicates approval gained to fly to UK and USA. Presumably that's from the Pakistan Government. Do they need bilateral approval to operate to UK?

[Powerjet1]

LTN Oct pax up 6.7% to 871,686. Rolling 12m now 9.83m, up 4.3%. The magic 10m pax for the year, might just be missed by the odd few 000s.

[Buster the Bear]

BLIMEY! 6.7% IS huge!

Any idea on runway movements during this period?

[LTNman]

So with the end of the year now in sight what has happened to the second version of the great master plan? There certainly doesn’t seem to be any hurry in releasing the details. Once released how many years before something if anything actually happens?

So how many more passengers can the terminal and the road network around the terminal take before the full signs go up and the growth rate drops to zero?

[Buster the Bear]

Last I heard, at last ACDL and LBC were talking again.

Expect the 'Master Plan' to be well contained within the current perimeter of the airport. Fancy ideas of new runways were fantasy!

Ferrovial are busting a gut to refinance their BAA purchase debt in a worldwide economy that now detests large investment. ACDL, also Spanish, must invest lots of money to enhance Luton, but as I have said before, they have to ensure the concession period allows them to recoup the capital investment which means re-negotiating the deal length with LBC.

LBC cannot extend the 'deal' without puting it back out to tender. Hopefully the impasse has moved on?

[Powerjet1]

Any idea on runway movements during this period?

Prov stats gave Oct 7410, which was +6.6%. R12m was 82226, +3.6%.

Buster.

Lets hope talks between ACDL & LBC are moving closer to a resolution. As LTNman points out, publication of the second draft Masterplan was meant to happen before the end of the year. Now, with only 6 weeks left... no way!

[egnxema]

What is the link to the part of the CAA website with the UKs airport monthly stats?

[Yak97]

Try this

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?ca...geid=3&sglid=3

The latest stats are listed under provisional

[Powerjet1]

Silverjet commence daily Luton-Dubai flights today, to add to their twice Newark operation. Dep ex LTN is 2100, with arrival back into LTN 1445 the next day. Also it seems their private terminal at Luton is going to be nearly tripled in size to 27000 sq ft, with work being completed by the late spring 08.

The London Luton route will be operated twice weekly on Tuesdays & Saturdays, With the first flights commencing on Feb 5th 2008.
The Leeds/Bradford route will also be twice weekly as well but operating on Thursdays and Sundays with the first flight commencing 2 days later on Feb 7th 2008

Timetable (All times given are local)

Islamabad 16:30 - Luton 20:00
Luton 22:30 - Islamabad 11:15*
Islamabad 16:30 – Leeds/Bradford 20:00
Leeds/Bradford 22:30 - Islamabad 11:15*

*Arrives ISB the next day ()

The above was posted in the Leeds thread by our friends there re Shaheen Air. Seems pertinent to carry the post in the Luton thread as well, due to the direct relevance of a proposed LTN-ISB route. Although not yet officially announced, it does seem a tad more probable.

[CAP493]

Also it seems their private terminal at Luton is going to be nearly tripled in size to 27000 sq ft, with work being completed by the late spring 08.

Yep! And Silverjet's paying for it...!!

[LTNman]

Luton Snow closed

Being snowing now for a few hours. The airport has finally succumbed and closed for the brushes to sweep the runway.

http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/current/EGGW.html

[Powerjet1]

No doubt p****d off Silverjet on their inaugural Dubai, as the flight was delayed by 135mins, not departing until 2315 from LTN.