SOUTHEND - 4
On the subject of the SEN terminal closing at night, I wonder just how many people would actually arrive on the last train from London and then 'camp out' in order to catch their 0630+ flight. If it's a substantial number then perhaps they will rethink their night closure policy. The train situation doesn't seem any nearer resolution and I agree entirely that it must impact on the airport's attractiveness to some degree. Likewise the addition of coach services would be useful but the current traffic levels probably don't make that commercially attractive.
It will be very interesting to see if the new routes to Berlin and Krakov succeed as they represent the second phase of easyJet's SEN operation. Certainly the recommencement of expansion at STN by easyJet cannot be particularly good news for SEN in terms of the likelihood of additional aircraft being added to the base, but surely LTN will be the most likely loser in this new situation.
It will be very interesting to see if the new routes to Berlin and Krakov succeed as they represent the second phase of easyJet's SEN operation. Certainly the recommencement of expansion at STN by easyJet cannot be particularly good news for SEN in terms of the likelihood of additional aircraft being added to the base, but surely LTN will be the most likely loser in this new situation.
Express - have a look at The Guide to Sleeping in Airports
Some of the comments from about 10 years ago may have been from me...
Some of the comments from about 10 years ago may have been from me...
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SEN/EZY future
Nobody really knows what the future holds for the SEN base unless you actually work at EasyJet. I highly doubt that they would have spent all that time and money on creating a base if they were not fully committed to it, and the 10 year contract demonstrates this. Personally I feel that no EZY growth at SEN for the next few years or so won't hurt it, but merely consolidate its position, and perhaps it will encourage other airlines to come in, making the airport more diverse and less dependent on EZY for the majority of its traffic. Let's be honest here, a 4 aircraft base in just over a year is some achievement and the range of destinations are pretty good and attracting pax! I would put money on the EZY representative they send on Monday at least indirectly mentioning their future position at SEN to try and stop us lot from worrying.
Last edited by tws123; 13th Jun 2013 at 19:18.
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I would have thought no airline is going to commit to a 10 year deal with a new untried base without a cancellation clause built in if things don’t go to plan. 10 years is a very long time if losses are being made.
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The company I work for recently advised employees travelling between Berlin and London to start using EZY from/to SEN as it offers the fastest office-office speed.
I guess that’s predominantly down to the small simple terminal, trains every 15 minutes and probably a lot less holding. I really see the advantage of SEN for Central London business travellers. Getting from LGW and LHR into central London takes a lot of time, involves a lot of walking, quing, waiting and the express rail services are a rip off. London City is fine but flight prices are several notches higher and you’re packed into the terminal and then those little departure “rooms” like sardines. The DLR is slow and sometimes even goes backwards! LTN and STN are all-round poor for business travellers IMO.
I guess that’s predominantly down to the small simple terminal, trains every 15 minutes and probably a lot less holding. I really see the advantage of SEN for Central London business travellers. Getting from LGW and LHR into central London takes a lot of time, involves a lot of walking, quing, waiting and the express rail services are a rip off. London City is fine but flight prices are several notches higher and you’re packed into the terminal and then those little departure “rooms” like sardines. The DLR is slow and sometimes even goes backwards! LTN and STN are all-round poor for business travellers IMO.
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flight_mode.
So Southend is London's best Businessman’s airport? I don’t think so
I don't think even Southend Airport would see itself as a businessman’s airport. Also one flight a day is not an ideal situation for office to office travel particularly when it is a lunch time departure from Southend thus wrecking most of the business day with travel. While Southend indeed does have a simple terminal it also has the longest rail travel time to London with a train service that stops at every station as it heads to the capital.
So Southend is London's best Businessman’s airport? I don’t think so
I don't think even Southend Airport would see itself as a businessman’s airport. Also one flight a day is not an ideal situation for office to office travel particularly when it is a lunch time departure from Southend thus wrecking most of the business day with travel. While Southend indeed does have a simple terminal it also has the longest rail travel time to London with a train service that stops at every station as it heads to the capital.
Last edited by Pain in the R's; 14th Jun 2013 at 21:20.
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Pain in the Rs....
I think we are all getting a bit fed up with your negative views on SEN...maybe you are LTNman in disguise.........change the record please.
I think we are all getting a bit fed up with your negative views on SEN...maybe you are LTNman in disguise.........change the record please.
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Even with the runway extension Southend is only 'niche'. Without the huge revenue streams of terminal shopping and car parking, the airport has to make money. Anyone know the actual detail of the 10 year deal? Are orangeJet obliged to grow the business?
The 'niche' factor will be removed once H.M.S. Great Britain sails into good digit growth. By then MAG, AENA, GIP & Ferrovial will have invested mega cash into the 5 London airports in preparation for the 'up turn'.
Unless Stobart are 'home and hosed', thier shareholders will be demanding answers as to the huge investment for the size of the company and no dividend from the airport operation. Madness is Carlisle!
Stobart moved in whilst Stansted future was in doubt due to H.M. Govt ruling that they must be rid of Gatwick and now Stansted.
MAG and GIP have cash to burn, so you need a Flybe type based operation and other lo-co A319, 737-700 operators to sign up quickly.
No use having a railway station if it is not 24/7 to London.
The 'niche' factor will be removed once H.M.S. Great Britain sails into good digit growth. By then MAG, AENA, GIP & Ferrovial will have invested mega cash into the 5 London airports in preparation for the 'up turn'.
Unless Stobart are 'home and hosed', thier shareholders will be demanding answers as to the huge investment for the size of the company and no dividend from the airport operation. Madness is Carlisle!
Stobart moved in whilst Stansted future was in doubt due to H.M. Govt ruling that they must be rid of Gatwick and now Stansted.
MAG and GIP have cash to burn, so you need a Flybe type based operation and other lo-co A319, 737-700 operators to sign up quickly.
No use having a railway station if it is not 24/7 to London.
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It is still early days for Southend. No one would have believed Southend would be where it is today say 5 years ago. 
Southend is clearly the dark horse of the pack when it comes to London airports but it does have one hand tied behind its back with its runway limitations, opening hours and transport links. So far it hasn’t stopped Southend’s growth but it has to be a drawback when airlines compare Southend to Stansted under MAG.
Southend is clearly the dark horse of the pack when it comes to London airports but it does have one hand tied behind its back with its runway limitations, opening hours and transport links. So far it hasn’t stopped Southend’s growth but it has to be a drawback when airlines compare Southend to Stansted under MAG.
Last edited by Pain in the R's; 14th Jun 2013 at 22:05.
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Pain in the Rs
Southend is definitely not London's best Businessman’s airport – but it has the potential to serve a few key business routes really well. EZY are also business friendly with their Flexi fare.
Southend is definitely not London's best Businessman’s airport – but it has the potential to serve a few key business routes really well. EZY are also business friendly with their Flexi fare.
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Pain in the R's and Buster are both largely right. But I'm sure Stobart are playing a long game on SEN - most unusual in today's business world, I agree. They must realise it will take many years to recoup their investment, but the group has a broad portfolio and can cope with one or two longer term prospects provided their core logistics brand remains a cash cow. They certainly had the courage to invest during a recession and they deserve praise for that. SEN is never going to compete seriously with the other London airports (except maybe LCY), but I'm pretty confident that SEN will achieve what they seek, successful airports make money. I'm a bit more worried about Stobart's investment in Aer Arann though - even successful airlines struggle to make much money.........
Buster
I doubt that anyone will be able to supply you with details of the deal EZY have negotiated with SEN, but I would assume that it includes a commitment by them to meet specific staged traffic levels over time. No doubt though there is also a suitable escape clause within the 10 year agreement should things turn sour. It's worth bearing in mind that the 4th based aircraft has come in 12 months ahead of plan, which would suggest they are seriously happy with the way things are progressing.
Pain in the Rs
Neither flight_mode or anyone else seems to have suggested that SEN is "London's best Businessman's airport" so I don't really understand your comment. Certainly when I've flown to BFS or AMS there are plenty of suits on board and I've heard numerous positive comments from them about using SEN. It's certainly the most pleasant and speediest London airport I've ever experienced for business travel, and I've used them all many times. I do agree with your remark about flight timings and frequency but they probably suit enough business travellers to produce the necessary numbers.
I've used the train service to London a couple of times and the extra journey time really wasn't noticeable. It's the lack of space for leisure pax suitcases that is more of a problem I would suggest.
Being something of a 'niche' airport I would think SEN is most likely to attract niche airlines/routes and I know for a fact that considerable interest was generated at last month's Routes Europe conference. Don't forget that the terminal was running at capacity at peak times last year and will do so again this Summer, so until 2014 when the terminal extension is completed it would be unrealistic to expect a rush of new airlines or routes.
I doubt that anyone will be able to supply you with details of the deal EZY have negotiated with SEN, but I would assume that it includes a commitment by them to meet specific staged traffic levels over time. No doubt though there is also a suitable escape clause within the 10 year agreement should things turn sour. It's worth bearing in mind that the 4th based aircraft has come in 12 months ahead of plan, which would suggest they are seriously happy with the way things are progressing.
Pain in the Rs
Neither flight_mode or anyone else seems to have suggested that SEN is "London's best Businessman's airport" so I don't really understand your comment. Certainly when I've flown to BFS or AMS there are plenty of suits on board and I've heard numerous positive comments from them about using SEN. It's certainly the most pleasant and speediest London airport I've ever experienced for business travel, and I've used them all many times. I do agree with your remark about flight timings and frequency but they probably suit enough business travellers to produce the necessary numbers.
I've used the train service to London a couple of times and the extra journey time really wasn't noticeable. It's the lack of space for leisure pax suitcases that is more of a problem I would suggest.
Being something of a 'niche' airport I would think SEN is most likely to attract niche airlines/routes and I know for a fact that considerable interest was generated at last month's Routes Europe conference. Don't forget that the terminal was running at capacity at peak times last year and will do so again this Summer, so until 2014 when the terminal extension is completed it would be unrealistic to expect a rush of new airlines or routes.
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Expressflight is absolutely correct. Don't expect a big rush until all the expansion programs for the new enlarged terminal are completed, and prospective customers have been able to come and view prior to making a decision if SEN is suitable for their new operations.
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SEN is very good as a niche alternative to other London area airports. It may work for some business travellers, but not for most. I like it, but couldn't survive on it.
True.
Untrue.
Originally Posted by Pain in the R's
Also one flight a day is not an ideal situation for office to office travel particularly when it is a lunch time departure from Southend thus wrecking most of the business day with travel.
Originally Posted by Pain in the R's
it also has the longest rail travel time to London with a train service that stops at every station as it heads to the capital.