DURHAM TEES VALLEY AIRPORT - 5
Join Date: Apr 2001
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bad bear:
Waterford gets a government subsidy of €1.5m a year. Dundee is wholly owned by a subsidiary of the Scottish Government. Does that give you any clues?
DTVA is the same as a host of other airfields - used to be publicly-owned in the days when it was recognised that you can't make money out of running airports, now being run down to the bone by its private owners in a last ditch attempt to make the revenues match the costs.
NS
Waterford, they have one flight on Saturday, 2 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 4 flights daily for the other 4 days and the airport survives. Dundee has 2, 3 or 4 flights a day and seems to keep going so why would DTV have any problems given their current activity levels?
DTVA is the same as a host of other airfields - used to be publicly-owned in the days when it was recognised that you can't make money out of running airports, now being run down to the bone by its private owners in a last ditch attempt to make the revenues match the costs.
NS
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Something is in the air (pardon the pun) at the Airport. Lots of meetings and confidential memos. Don't know if it is good bad or indifferent news but I would expect something to be announced shortly or early in the New Year at the latest.
I do know that Thomas Cook looked earlier in the year at having a winter programme but as they are operating a virtual skeleton service this winter it was not possible. Thomsons on the other hand are pleased with their yields on their last winter's programme.
I do know that Thomas Cook looked earlier in the year at having a winter programme but as they are operating a virtual skeleton service this winter it was not possible. Thomsons on the other hand are pleased with their yields on their last winter's programme.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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It would appear that passengers on private charters etc have not been subject to Immigration or even Customs Controls for several months at Teesside. No wonder they keep on flying in.
Durham Tees Valley Airport says claims from Border Agency whistleblower are 'plain wrong' (From The Northern Echo)
Perhaps this was what Management were discussing in private. Their reponse seems well rehearsed and the memo was leaked to the Labour Party some time ago apparently.
Durham Tees Valley Airport says claims from Border Agency whistleblower are 'plain wrong' (From The Northern Echo)
Perhaps this was what Management were discussing in private. Their reponse seems well rehearsed and the memo was leaked to the Labour Party some time ago apparently.
Shoot yourself in the foot??
Had atelephone call from a mate just back from sunny Spain.He tells me the TOM flight he was on had to hold away from DTV and couldnt land as there was no firemen !!!
apparently a couple of other aircraft also had to hold.Now this wasnt 4 in the morning this was lunchtime.Can you beleive that an airport would run there services so badly ?
I remember they had a notam out about reduced fire services due staffing?
This will surely do the reputation a bundle of good!!!
apparently a couple of other aircraft also had to hold.Now this wasnt 4 in the morning this was lunchtime.Can you beleive that an airport would run there services so badly ?
I remember they had a notam out about reduced fire services due staffing?
This will surely do the reputation a bundle of good!!!
Decline accelerates
Didnt think it possible...
DTV October figures
Passengers -34% (13298) thats 428 per day or 214 out approx(not much passenger tax revenue there then ?
movements -24.7% (369)
Take a bow VAS
DTV October figures
Passengers -34% (13298) thats 428 per day or 214 out approx(not much passenger tax revenue there then ?
movements -24.7% (369)
Take a bow VAS
Join Date: Oct 2009
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It will continue
Of course its possible...
And logic tells us that the numbers will be worse for at least the next 5 months (barring any weather anomolies or new route announcements).
For November - March, we'll see one less 737 a week (Egypt) versus the same period last year and no Southampton operations. That can only translate into a further YoY decline in passenger numbers.
November/December may yet be a little more tricky to predict given the snow during that period last year and the lack of it so far this....but in good weather terms...its downhill for at least 5 months.
Whats more, if there are no new routes come the Spring, the decline YoY will continue as next spring/summer we'll lose Southampton and Turkey flights versus last year....in short until new routes come online the downard trend in passengers will continue until around August next year is my guess (which is when the Turkey flights stopped (I think?))....
None of this should be a surprise to anyone unfortunately....
And logic tells us that the numbers will be worse for at least the next 5 months (barring any weather anomolies or new route announcements).
For November - March, we'll see one less 737 a week (Egypt) versus the same period last year and no Southampton operations. That can only translate into a further YoY decline in passenger numbers.
November/December may yet be a little more tricky to predict given the snow during that period last year and the lack of it so far this....but in good weather terms...its downhill for at least 5 months.
Whats more, if there are no new routes come the Spring, the decline YoY will continue as next spring/summer we'll lose Southampton and Turkey flights versus last year....in short until new routes come online the downard trend in passengers will continue until around August next year is my guess (which is when the Turkey flights stopped (I think?))....
None of this should be a surprise to anyone unfortunately....
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Whatever the trend, then the bigger picture is that in month when DTV recorded 13,298 pax, then in same period the competion recorded :- NCL 407,277 & LBA 242,948.
This IS the issue facing DTV where the competition is investing millions in improved pax / terminal facilities. Reality is that DTV is NOT an attractive proposition at this time to most of it's catchment area. There is no way that Peel/VAS or indeed anyone else is at this time prepared/able to invest large amounts on a longshot. In this market volume counts & should an airline come calling, then they will be facing significant competition in establishing routes.
The current situation must be approaching critical,as any business whatever industry that has to rely on one customer (in DTV's case KL) to survive is seriously at risk.
This IS the issue facing DTV where the competition is investing millions in improved pax / terminal facilities. Reality is that DTV is NOT an attractive proposition at this time to most of it's catchment area. There is no way that Peel/VAS or indeed anyone else is at this time prepared/able to invest large amounts on a longshot. In this market volume counts & should an airline come calling, then they will be facing significant competition in establishing routes.
The current situation must be approaching critical,as any business whatever industry that has to rely on one customer (in DTV's case KL) to survive is seriously at risk.
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We where in a local travel agent the other day considering a Med Cruise which sails from Barcelona. Last time we did a similar cruise we flew Teesside / Amsterdam / Barcelona. Even though the KLM link is still operational and they are accepting Teesside / Amsterdam reservations up to next summer our travel agent said that the cruise lines are not contracting any Teesside flights due the airport,s uncertain future. (they don,t want to get caught out by stranded passengers stuck at an airport which has gone bust). Very sad and annoying when we live 10 minutes from Teesside.
Anyone know what's behind passengers on the Amsterdam route in Oct 2011 from MME declining by 13%, when it rose by 4% at Newcastle, in comparison to Oct 2010 ?
Flight time change, capacity change, or something else ?
Flight time change, capacity change, or something else ?
Join Date: Oct 2005
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What Skyman said....
If those figures were extrapolated asa flat line across 12 months (which isn't truly accurate but hey ho) that's the worst YoY since 1971. The fact that the prior 7 years figues to 1964 are from start up should be the ultimate doom laden warning.
You have to fancy that the tax and APD and improved facilities at LBA and NCL mean that unless something dramatic occurs the airport seems to have the death gurgle sadly. I just can't see airlines coming on spec, owners investing in light of those figures or PAX beating a path to the airport door. Needs a Euromillions rollover and some divine intervention?
If those figures were extrapolated asa flat line across 12 months (which isn't truly accurate but hey ho) that's the worst YoY since 1971. The fact that the prior 7 years figues to 1964 are from start up should be the ultimate doom laden warning.
You have to fancy that the tax and APD and improved facilities at LBA and NCL mean that unless something dramatic occurs the airport seems to have the death gurgle sadly. I just can't see airlines coming on spec, owners investing in light of those figures or PAX beating a path to the airport door. Needs a Euromillions rollover and some divine intervention?
I've had an idea to boost passenger numbers... tell the spotter and airplane geek community that this may be their very last chance to fly to/from MME and that they should book a flight to Aberdeen or Amsterdam *now*. The boost in passenger numbers will be so great, that airlines will then come flooding back to MME and open up new routes, saving the airport !
As they say in Hollywood films, it's a long shot but it just might work !
As they say in Hollywood films, it's a long shot but it just might work !
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MME has an option. That is to cut its costs. If you want to see an efficient small efficient airport you have to look at Linkoping City Airport. First of all, it's name is a give away. It is less than a five minutes from the city centre. So name the airport properly. Darlington Municipal Aerodrome would be an improvement but you'll probably find that Teesside would be better. Next, look at the staff. At Linkoping they have multiple functions. Loaders clean, check in, do marshalling, fire cover, and security etc. They can't afford to have people sitting in offices "managing". There is one small cafeteria and a self service shop. There are no facilities (except for clean loos) beyond security so all secondary revenues are generated landside which gives the place a bit if a buzz, even if just for one flight. But more importantly, you are also made to feel welcome.
However, at MME I get the impression that passengers are a nuisance and airlines are worse. Security treat people with contempt and crews as terrorists. And as you walk through the leaky, dirty, dilapidated, empty toilet of a terminal you wonder why you paid the £6 Passenger Facility Fee. I doesn't take long for you to realise that you could have driven a few miles more and gone to a real airport.
PM
However, at MME I get the impression that passengers are a nuisance and airlines are worse. Security treat people with contempt and crews as terrorists. And as you walk through the leaky, dirty, dilapidated, empty toilet of a terminal you wonder why you paid the £6 Passenger Facility Fee. I doesn't take long for you to realise that you could have driven a few miles more and gone to a real airport.
PM
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Toilets
As a regular user of the KLM service, I know how bad that terminal is. Its now at the point where I cross my legs until I get on the aircraft and use the facilities there.....at least I know they're clean!
That said...as a business passenger....I want to spend as little time in the airport as I can and I remain happy to pay £6 to depart from a run-down shed and have a reduced commute than I would facing the traffic of the A1 and the longer queues at NCL.
Now, when I am travelling with family on holiday...that's a different story...then I want the facilities to keep the kids occupied!
That said...as a business passenger....I want to spend as little time in the airport as I can and I remain happy to pay £6 to depart from a run-down shed and have a reduced commute than I would facing the traffic of the A1 and the longer queues at NCL.
Now, when I am travelling with family on holiday...that's a different story...then I want the facilities to keep the kids occupied!
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Palma
Saw a post recently about a Palma service next year on a Saturday. Looks like this is a replacement for a Thomson weekday service, so I presume this isn't an increase in capacity for next summer?
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it's an inward/outward flight PMI -MME - PMI operated under AEA flight codes on Sat only during the summer 12 season. Alicante and Tenerife flights operated by Thomson a/c cease mid April.
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Palma
Thanks James. I guess my comment was about Palma versus last year...not the winter schedule. Last year we had one a week with TOM on a Thursday. Initially, I read the AEA comments that this was in addition to the TOM weekday service, now it seems that the AEA Saturday flight could be instead of the TOM weekday service.
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Mike Tee
Mike, if true then this is as about as disturbing as it gets. Was this a national travel agent? or a more local operation who perhaps spend their spare time making their own "
informed?" judgement.
However new operators look even more unlikely by the day, with Astreus now gone "belly up" & Thomas Cook under siege just to survive, as such then not the climate for airlines to be looking at opening new services out of DTV, or indeed any other UK airport for that matter.
I for one would have difficulty in finding any reason to dispute your travel agents judgement. I fear that one way or another it may in any event become part of a self fullfilling prophesy.
our travel agent said that the cruise lines are not contracting any Teesside flights due the airport,s uncertain future.
informed?" judgement.However new operators look even more unlikely by the day, with Astreus now gone "belly up" & Thomas Cook under siege just to survive, as such then not the climate for airlines to be looking at opening new services out of DTV, or indeed any other UK airport for that matter.
I for one would have difficulty in finding any reason to dispute your travel agents judgement. I fear that one way or another it may in any event become part of a self fullfilling prophesy.