MANCHESTER - 9

[TSR2]

Thanks for the update. Obviously the requirements have changed since I got my passport.

EDIT:
From www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports

'With eyes wide open and free from reflection or glare from glasses'

[Ernest Lanc's]

Thanks for the update. Obviously the requirements have changed since I got my
passport.

I got my last passport in 2006. I got my application knocked back three times because of the photo.

I rang I think it was Liverpool at the time, and they 'advised' me to remove my glasses and that passed my application.

However in 9 years I have aged and the chap at MAN looked at my photo and then me, and asked me to take off my glasses. they he let me through. First time that has happened.

[silverknapper]

So you're complaining that Border Force at Manchester are too thorough now

Go try Liverpool on a busy night. Arriving or departing. I position a lot as part of my job. Have been through there well over a hundred times. And last year I vowed never again. Low cost airport from the minute you turn off the boulevard to the minute you get your bags on the return. Disgusting.

[lfc84]

Landing at MAN T3 on Ryanair from Rome recently it took 30 minutes once we were at the gate to get to landside. Big queue for passport control and I only had hand luggage.

[kieb92]

According to another forum, Air Austral are to send in F-ONOU B773 for repaint at Air Livery. Arrival 17 Nov 18:00 and departs 26 Nov 15:30.

[LAX_LHR]

AA are now using the B767-300 on the JFK run this winter on an ad-hoc basis. This morning was a B767, and a few dates over the next few months are also booked in. This is in advance of a full summer upgrade.


Turkish Airlines are to use the A330 on selected flights over the winter, including 3rd and 4th Jan which sees the A330 used on both daily flights.


Lufthansa Cargo seems to be down to 1 weekly Mondays MD11 this month. Its gradually wound down from 4 weekly, so, I wonder if this service is now on borrowed time. Sad to see MAN's pure cargo flights dwindle down to what will eventually be a daily B757 and daily ATR72 from FedEx.

[LN-KGL]

MAN is one of the UK airports I have flown the most to/from. There has certainly been made changes to the airports over the years - and far from all changes has been to the better. Many of my flights to MAN has been with SAS and it has been very noticable the changes of the quality the ground handler deliver (currently Swissport). I've also flown to/from 43 other UK airports, included BLK. Every airport have their pros and cons. I have my favorite airports/terminals for domestic flights and for international flights and some of them are a pure joy to visit. I will agree with BKS Air Transport - size counts and smaller airports shows a friendlier touch. But there is geographical differences too - unfortunately for the North West, none of its airports are among my favorites.

[Armodeen]

Wasn't there a big mess caused by this when an AA 777 diverting from Heathrow was told MAN wouldn't take him, then they would, and when he was on finals was told there was no fuel available so he went to DUB instead earlier this year?

Sort of. I was listening to their convo on the scanner that night, the AA 777 repeatedly asked for MAN and was denied every time with ATC telling them that MAN had nobody to handle their pax nor any fuel available. Even when the crew came back asking to nightstop they were still told the pax would have to sit on the plane for hours before being disembarked, basically. They were then offered DSA (which didn't work out due to the fire category of the B772), they asked for PIK instead however eventually were offered DUB instead, which they accepted.

Quite a mess all told, they really wanted to come to MAN.

[kieb92]

British Airways A380 diverting to MAN now as BAW282 from Los Angeles. G-XLEF. First visit of BA A380 to MAN. MAN arrival boards due 10.15!!

[ramondicarrera]

I believe the footballer Michael Owen is onboard the A380. He has just tweeted that he wants to get off at Manchester as this is his ultimate destination. Been told that he must stay onboard to travel to Heathrow in order to travel back to Manchester!

[nigel osborne]

What was the issue with LHR,wind perhaps ??

Nigel

[pwalhx]

I see Vueling has announced flights to Belfast, is there a possibility we may hear soon about a summer service from them next year in Manchester?

[BHX5DME]

Vueling press release on their website announcing BHX-BCN

No mention of MAN

[LAX_LHR]

Unfortunately, a rare BHX win over MAN regarding Vueling.

The route to BHX was due to be the MAN route, but BHX offered a better deal.

Seems with a lot of investment to prove its worth, BHX is now coming out fighting for new routes. The battle is about to get interesting.....

[MANFOD]

I seem to recall Air India were lined up for MAN a couple of years ago according to rumours and ended up going to BHX. As long as it doesn't become a habit.

Good to see BA sending their A380 here on diversion. Missed it by 10 minutes as I was on a tram from the airport.

[chinapattern]

Unfortunately, a rare BHX win over MAN regarding Vueling.

Am I missing something? I thought Vueling were launching MAN the end of next month?

[eggc]

Only a short Christmas schedule, is it 3 flights or something ?

An announcement was expected for a scheduled service to follow (aslo LBA was mentioned, which has not been announced either) , which seems to have gone to BHX.

How many airlines fly to BCL from MAN already ?? 3 I think, do we really need 4 ??

[MANFOD]

In terms of BCN, no we don't strictly need it. However, it would also depend on what future growth opportunities Vueling see in the UK and whether, in the event of such further developments from the regions, some routes that would be of interest to MAN may also now go to BHX.

[daynehold]

Diversions

Sort of. I was listening to their convo on the scanner that night, the AA 777 repeatedly asked for MAN and was denied every time with ATC telling them that MAN had nobody to handle their pax nor any fuel available. Even when the crew came back asking to nightstop they were still told the pax would have to sit on the plane for hours before being disembarked, basically. They were then offered DSA (which didn't work out due to the fire category of the B772), they asked for PIK instead however eventually were offered DUB instead, which they accepted.

Quite a mess all told, they really wanted to come to MAN.


There has to be something seriously wrong with the Manchester Airport Management team and their handling agents. Why turn away business and sour potential relationships. Perhaps I'm living in the past but who remembers the days when at this time of year Manchester would be full of diversions - in Autumn 1976 LHR was down because of fog and Man was full with diversions including TWA & Pan Am 747s, B Cal DC 10s, East African VC10s, various BA planes but to name but a few. Of course those were the days when the likes of Peter Hampson and others managed the airport. Now there is a hissy fit if an airline requests to divert to Man (other than on an emergency) and every excuse in the book is used. I am left wondering whether Manchester is running a business or a select "gentleman's club!!!!!!!! Clearly "VISITORS ARE NOT WELCOME"!

[insuindi]

Border Queue

Arrival from HAM this morning, border queue flooded from the Dubai and Montego Bay arrivals. No e-gates. Took >20mins get through EU queue. Always such an enjoyable experience how this country says Welcome to its visitors.