NEWQUAY
niknak
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Groundhog,
I agree that the commercial importance of Newquay to Cornwall should be a major consideration, but speaking to a senior Serco Aviation Head Office Bod recently, they are convinced (and very concerned) that without a major (and we are talking seriously major) subsidy from someone, the place will close.
It looks like they rate payers of Cornwall will have to foot the bill and I am sure there are more pressing needs within the county for that money.
Obviously Ryanair, or any other airline, aren't going to put any money into the place, and Serco would only take over the complete operation if they were given a long term (20 years or so) contract to do so.
That option may have a large initial cost, but long term it would be relatively painless and rid the locals of the burden whilst still giving them a much needed airport.
I agree that the commercial importance of Newquay to Cornwall should be a major consideration, but speaking to a senior Serco Aviation Head Office Bod recently, they are convinced (and very concerned) that without a major (and we are talking seriously major) subsidy from someone, the place will close.
It looks like they rate payers of Cornwall will have to foot the bill and I am sure there are more pressing needs within the county for that money.
Obviously Ryanair, or any other airline, aren't going to put any money into the place, and Serco would only take over the complete operation if they were given a long term (20 years or so) contract to do so.
That option may have a large initial cost, but long term it would be relatively painless and rid the locals of the burden whilst still giving them a much needed airport.
Join Date: Jul 2000
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Ryanair have already stated that they don't intend to pay any higher or extra charges in order to keep Newquay open - "there are 50 to 100 other airports in Europe that are begging us to start services", to paraphrase yesterday's announcement from the airline.
So the future has to depend on a major investor, or several major income streams. I can't imagine either Cornwall County Council or the District Councils increasing their subsidies to the Airport, year after year, to the extent required to keep the place open.
My own guess/hope is that the importance of the airport to the Cornish economy is so widely recognised in local government and the business/tourism sectors, that a very major and imaginative effort will be made to find new investors or income streams.
These initiatives could include a major new business park on surplus land, which would itself be dependant on the continuation of existing air links, and other aviation related activities (local news last night mentioned jet engine maintenance, a major professional flight training company, and a cargo transhipment hub).
Regarding new flights, it has always surprised me that more effort hasn't gone into attracting inbound foreign tourist charters to Newquay. Cornwall gets a lot of foreign tourists from Germany, the Netherlands, USA to name but a few places. Maybe there's scope for regular charters from these and other places, especially with the popularity of Eden Project and other major tourist attractions. Or how about a regular link Newquay-Exeter-Amsterdam to connect with KLM, like so many other UK airports?
So the future has to depend on a major investor, or several major income streams. I can't imagine either Cornwall County Council or the District Councils increasing their subsidies to the Airport, year after year, to the extent required to keep the place open.
My own guess/hope is that the importance of the airport to the Cornish economy is so widely recognised in local government and the business/tourism sectors, that a very major and imaginative effort will be made to find new investors or income streams.
These initiatives could include a major new business park on surplus land, which would itself be dependant on the continuation of existing air links, and other aviation related activities (local news last night mentioned jet engine maintenance, a major professional flight training company, and a cargo transhipment hub).
Regarding new flights, it has always surprised me that more effort hasn't gone into attracting inbound foreign tourist charters to Newquay. Cornwall gets a lot of foreign tourists from Germany, the Netherlands, USA to name but a few places. Maybe there's scope for regular charters from these and other places, especially with the popularity of Eden Project and other major tourist attractions. Or how about a regular link Newquay-Exeter-Amsterdam to connect with KLM, like so many other UK airports?
kala87... spot on and I have had discussions at the top level with the owners suggesting how they might do it. But we are west of the Taimar so as you know things take a little longer.
Niknak... Interesting comment from SERCO but under any major review as they only run the airport as a third party I wonder what the long term position would be anyway? If I were the council I would want to manage my own asset not leave it to SERCO long term.
Niknak... Interesting comment from SERCO but under any major review as they only run the airport as a third party I wonder what the long term position would be anyway? If I were the council I would want to manage my own asset not leave it to SERCO long term.
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Air Southwest are of course the other major operator there, would there be any likelihood of them (presumably them being Peel?) getting involved or are they too focused on PLH?
Join Date: Dec 2004
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If it came to the piont when Newquay had to close (Unlikely) Air southwest might have to change their Gatwick service to :
A 2xDaily Dierct from Plymouth
or...
Change to Plymouth-Exeter-Gatwick
I don't really think it would effect Plymouth dramaticly but it will effect people in cornwall as i have heard it brings Millions to the local economy.
And they would have to travel to Plymouth and Exeter
WOWBOY
A 2xDaily Dierct from Plymouth
or...
Change to Plymouth-Exeter-Gatwick
I don't really think it would effect Plymouth dramaticly but it will effect people in cornwall as i have heard it brings Millions to the local economy.
And they would have to travel to Plymouth and Exeter
WOWBOY
niknak
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Groundhog
I can understand that as a local business person, why you would be happier that the local authority run the airport than a contractor.
However, when Serco (or any other private contractor) take on a local authority contract, they offer better value for money for the council tax payers because the staff take on "multi function contracts" wherever this is feasible, ie with operational staff at the airport, it means that if the the grass doesn't need cutting, the grass cutters will be allocated another task, and overall, ground staff will encompass a number of roles.
It also saves the council a lot of employer costs, which should eventually mean a better return for the council tax payers, which probably includes you.
I accept that with the exception of a few specialist trades (such as ATCOs), it will also mean that employees at the base level will lose out in the long term, but that is a risk that exists in almost every industry these days.
If that's what it takes to keep the aiport going, so be it, there will always be a ready supply of people willing to take those posts.
I can understand that as a local business person, why you would be happier that the local authority run the airport than a contractor.
However, when Serco (or any other private contractor) take on a local authority contract, they offer better value for money for the council tax payers because the staff take on "multi function contracts" wherever this is feasible, ie with operational staff at the airport, it means that if the the grass doesn't need cutting, the grass cutters will be allocated another task, and overall, ground staff will encompass a number of roles.
It also saves the council a lot of employer costs, which should eventually mean a better return for the council tax payers, which probably includes you.
I accept that with the exception of a few specialist trades (such as ATCOs), it will also mean that employees at the base level will lose out in the long term, but that is a risk that exists in almost every industry these days.
If that's what it takes to keep the aiport going, so be it, there will always be a ready supply of people willing to take those posts.
Niknak ... But the point I am trying to make is that no one looks after your asset and runs it more economically than yourself. It may well be that after running the numbers a third party operator is the best deal but neither of us I suspect are privy to that information.
In any event the whole future of the airport rests not on this but on what other revenue streams the Council can derive from its asset. It will never cover running costs from Ryanair, Air Southwest and Skybus alone so will either have to develop extra aviation related income or make up for it by developing the property itself to make return.
There is potential but for sure it will not be easy, but it could be done.
If not there is always Culdrose, Truro, Perranporth.....
In any event the whole future of the airport rests not on this but on what other revenue streams the Council can derive from its asset. It will never cover running costs from Ryanair, Air Southwest and Skybus alone so will either have to develop extra aviation related income or make up for it by developing the property itself to make return.
There is potential but for sure it will not be easy, but it could be done.
If not there is always Culdrose, Truro, Perranporth.....
Join Date: Feb 2009
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NEWQUAY
I haven't heard anything of note re Newquay for ages. Given the amount of funds that have gone in to the airport and Cornwall Council's present budget problems plus the pull out by Ryanair, how does this affect the set up? I read a comment not so long ago by the newish Chief Exec suggesting that the Council might well sell the set up in due course.
Cornwall needs the airport and I wish it well but these, I imagine are tough times for the airport management. As we tend to put it down this way, whos on ?
Cornwall needs the airport and I wish it well but these, I imagine are tough times for the airport management. As we tend to put it down this way, whos on ?
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Who's on....?
Newquay airport is never really going to do anything in all honesty is it...?
Seasonbal visits by party people.....thats about your lot to hope for really.
or close it down and save money - probably the better option
Newquay airport is never really going to do anything in all honesty is it...?
Seasonbal visits by party people.....thats about your lot to hope for really.
or close it down and save money - probably the better option
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Sheffield
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Would it be sensible to shut down Plymouth and concentrate on Newquay? As far as I'm aware, developing Plymouth is not possible and having three minnow airports in the far South West just dilutes their strength.
One would hope the new council and 'non exec director' who has actually run an airport before are now doing an audit as to why the facility is 'laaking like a baasket'. Bottom line is though only new businesses and facilities will make it viable and I am not referring to more scheduled flights.
Closing Plymouth would have no significant effect on Newquay.
Derelicte - what is the third minnow airport then?
Closing Plymouth would have no significant effect on Newquay.
Derelicte - what is the third minnow airport then?
Join Date: Nov 2005
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This will come back to bite CC on the backside big style.They were the ones who held a gun to the RAFs head asking for more civil slots and when the RAF refused and elected to pull out of St Mawgan they thought they could take it on and make it a go. Councils and airports have never been a marriage made in heaven.
Last edited by footster; 29th Dec 2009 at 21:33.
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I haven't heard anything of note re Newquay for ages.
This is the most exciting thing to happen in the South West since the publication of Sutton Harbour's last set of accounts..........
Join Date: Oct 2007
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well lets just see what the new year brings as things pick up in the world economy.
i wouldnt be too surprised to see SZ expand the current fleet and route offering, perhaps a couple of extra dash's and i could see a year round route to Germany, Paris and Amsterdam operating NQY-PLH-xxx and i cant see any reason why if FR dont come back on the STN route why SZ couldnt pick it up.
EW- will be back for summer 2010 to operate for Lufthansa to DUS and i wouldnt be too surprised to see the frequency increased and maybe FRA added in due course as Cornwall is a popular destination for German visitors.
BE- well who knows, the one nightstopping aircraft will operate LGW x3 daily and EDI daily
everything at WW is up in the air currently so i wouldnt expect to see too much extra from them.
i expect that at some stage we could see INV, ABZ and BHX from either SZ or BE but like i say it will depend on the financial situation!
Cargo and maybe some aircraft support work could well help with movements in the long term, i know currently the airfield is used to store several aircraft. i dont honestly think that things at NQY are quite as bad as people are making out!
CS
i wouldnt be too surprised to see SZ expand the current fleet and route offering, perhaps a couple of extra dash's and i could see a year round route to Germany, Paris and Amsterdam operating NQY-PLH-xxx and i cant see any reason why if FR dont come back on the STN route why SZ couldnt pick it up.
EW- will be back for summer 2010 to operate for Lufthansa to DUS and i wouldnt be too surprised to see the frequency increased and maybe FRA added in due course as Cornwall is a popular destination for German visitors.
BE- well who knows, the one nightstopping aircraft will operate LGW x3 daily and EDI daily
everything at WW is up in the air currently so i wouldnt expect to see too much extra from them.
i expect that at some stage we could see INV, ABZ and BHX from either SZ or BE but like i say it will depend on the financial situation!
Cargo and maybe some aircraft support work could well help with movements in the long term, i know currently the airfield is used to store several aircraft. i dont honestly think that things at NQY are quite as bad as people are making out!
CS
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Thanks Drink Up Thee Cider - a tasty morsel but will Newquay Airport give the Cornwall Council charge payers indegestion ? I agree with earlier comments that new routes will not solve the financial problems but diversification will take time. Have the Council got the time, the money and the will power ? Let's hope so.