SOUTHEND - 4
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Essex
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If they had come to SEN back in 2011 they might well have gained useful yields which might have helped them avoid their current plight. It beats me why they bought those E195s and disposed of Dash-8s which seemed more economical and just as effective on short range routes. But hey, what do I know? Terrible news for those losing their jobs, and a real shame to boot.
Wasn't the Jersey basically a charter for a tour op. (Jersey Travel?) with the spare seats sold off (and similar to many other such flights op by BE from airports without a JER schedule). If so, nothing particularly half-hearted.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Suffolk, Diss, UK
Age: 50
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Of course Flybe may have looked at flying from Southend but found that it may have not been viable for them to operate from it, and as said with the restructuring now I don't think they ever will. the time has been and gone if they were going to operate services from Southend
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Hither and Thither
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flybe had good opportunity to reap value from Southend in 2005/6 onwards, but the subsequent ordering of the E-195 and then the process of digesting the take-over of BACON seemed to derail this.
To quote part of a Flybe press release from the time (2 December 2004, on announcing the 'scheduling' of the weekly Jersey flight):
"Mike Rutter, Sales and Marketing Director, flybe., commented: ‘There is considerable potential for expansion here at Southend, as we have done at other domestic airports. In the future, we will be looking to offer similar services to those that we have recently launched at Norwich and Leeds.”
Still, Flybe's loss of interest gave EZY a clean sweep at the airport when the time came with the extended runway, and the rest as they say is history.
To quote part of a Flybe press release from the time (2 December 2004, on announcing the 'scheduling' of the weekly Jersey flight):
"Mike Rutter, Sales and Marketing Director, flybe., commented: ‘There is considerable potential for expansion here at Southend, as we have done at other domestic airports. In the future, we will be looking to offer similar services to those that we have recently launched at Norwich and Leeds.”
Still, Flybe's loss of interest gave EZY a clean sweep at the airport when the time came with the extended runway, and the rest as they say is history.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 2,782
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If SEN was showing positive results on the sole JER route BE would have been interested. Simples. All the indicators to date would show that SEN doing well on sun routes, and a few city destinations added in. Loads have been superb on the sun routes and the domestics a flop. BFS being pulled and EDI not breaking any delph. I'd say the timing for flybe given their fare structure is not right. If I were in their shoes I wouldn't have touched it. That said , I think the airport is great, quick and convenient though I'd say hasn't captured much in the way of business travellers apart maybe from AMS route...
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Essex
Posts: 800
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I remember correctly there were calls to extend the Crossrail project to Southend Victoria. They certainly could do it, but I doubt they will, not until Southend Airport is operating at 5 million ppa or so.
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ESSEX
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Extending it to southend airport will merely mean running the trains on the current line. The fast trains from Liverpool st stop st all stations from billericay onwards. There won't be any time savings. Unless the smash two new tracks in all the way fromshenfield. Not much room for that
Flybe was not and is not in a position to gamble on SEN. They have enough financial problems and need to consolidate rather than expand. SEN does not fit in with that strategy. EZY on the other hand are in a financial position that allows them to take a punt on SEN and if it does not work they will be able to redeploy the aircraft elsewhere.
Last edited by 10002level; 24th Nov 2013 at 20:06.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Essex
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The deal runs until 2022, but there may well be break clauses on either side of the agreement. So far load factors look most encouraging on the leisure routes and Amsterdam, with Edinburgh growing well. Belfast and Newquay have struggled except at the height of the summer.
So far, so good.
So far, so good.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TFS
So far, 114 booked on the inaugural easyJet flight to TFS starting next month. Will be interesting to watch how this route performs, I hope it's a successful winter sun route for the region.
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
also they are flying with A320 ..... that will be interesting despite was told it can't be use at SEN ..... seem have permission from CAA ? as i was told different story which one is accurate....
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Billericay, Essex
Age: 35
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I believe they are slightly restricted in the number of seats they can sell. Also it will be winter only but they seem to believe that it's still worth while plus should hopefully be a proving ground for other routes of similar length.
also they are flying with A320 ..... that will be interesting despite was told it can't be use at SEN