SOUTHEND - 4
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Essex
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Yes, indeed. That's quite straightforward; I'd read your earlier post and didn't feel it needed saying in this context since it was obvious. No reason why it can't work with higher fares though (they are only £30 or so at the moment), and a route which has been operating for less than a year having an average LF of 83 should surely be attractive to some operator - better timings would help; currently the weekday flights leave SEN at 1935 and leave EDI at 2115. With Royal Bank of Scotland having a large presence in Southend you might expect an early morning departure and mid-evening arrival to attract business traffic. Although those are the most popular timings, of course, SEN-EDI would surely be profitable given a fair chance......
One of the difficulties of reviving EDI when easyJet come off the route next month is finding an airline in a position to operate it effectively. As has been said it needs an early morning departure from either EDI or SEN with a second rotation in the evening. Effectively that means using an aircraft based at either EDI or SEN and then utilising that aircraft elsewhere during the day from either airport.
I understand that Cityjet are not interested and Flybe won't want to dilute their upcoming LCY-EDI service so perhaps someone can suggest an airline, with the right size aircraft, which may be suitable. I'm sure SEN are looking hard to find one.
I understand that Cityjet are not interested and Flybe won't want to dilute their upcoming LCY-EDI service so perhaps someone can suggest an airline, with the right size aircraft, which may be suitable. I'm sure SEN are looking hard to find one.
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Yes, difficult. No obvious candidates if CityJet aren't interested. Maybe Jota could purchase an F100? Or Stobart Air, maybe....? Or maybe BMI Regional could run an EMB145 throughout the day to EDI and..... er .... somewhere else....
I know.
I'll get my coat......
I know.
I'll get my coat......
Join Date: Jun 2011
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Route advertising
The airport has been advertising the new routes on LBC radio, plus adverts have been appearing in foreign newspapers. Flybe were also promoting the Newquay route today outside Liverpool Street Station.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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So how is Southend doing in the Biz Jet market?
I found this but but it seems to be a rubbish story.
The flight paths of London?s little airports - London Life - Life & Style - London Evening Standard
THE ONLY WAY IS SOUTHEND
The one thing the Private Jet community agree about this Essex airport is: “It’s really cheap.” This airport is for private jet passengers “who’ve not paid for it themselves”, says one Mayfair dweller who only flies Gulfstream. “It’s for Z-list celebrities who’ve managed to squeeze the right to fly by private jet into their promo contract, and the advertising company wants to make sure it’s as cheap as possible.”
Look out for a froth of soap stars and once-decent footballers. The terminal, adds our frequent flier, is “slightly better than a nice waiting room but not much”.
Stobart Group, the company famous for its lorries, bought Southend airport in 2008; now it’s taking the Sports Direct and Tesco approach to private flights: pile ’em high, flog slots cheap.
Flying down to Nice would cost £10,000 from London City and about £8,000 from Northholt or Farnborough, but you might get a flight for £5,000 from Southend. “You might have to accept that your plane’s not going to turn up until 30 minutes before you depart, though — it’s the Ryanair of the PJ world,” says Twidell.
I found this but but it seems to be a rubbish story.
The flight paths of London?s little airports - London Life - Life & Style - London Evening Standard
THE ONLY WAY IS SOUTHEND
The one thing the Private Jet community agree about this Essex airport is: “It’s really cheap.” This airport is for private jet passengers “who’ve not paid for it themselves”, says one Mayfair dweller who only flies Gulfstream. “It’s for Z-list celebrities who’ve managed to squeeze the right to fly by private jet into their promo contract, and the advertising company wants to make sure it’s as cheap as possible.”
Look out for a froth of soap stars and once-decent footballers. The terminal, adds our frequent flier, is “slightly better than a nice waiting room but not much”.
Stobart Group, the company famous for its lorries, bought Southend airport in 2008; now it’s taking the Sports Direct and Tesco approach to private flights: pile ’em high, flog slots cheap.
Flying down to Nice would cost £10,000 from London City and about £8,000 from Northholt or Farnborough, but you might get a flight for £5,000 from Southend. “You might have to accept that your plane’s not going to turn up until 30 minutes before you depart, though — it’s the Ryanair of the PJ world,” says Twidell.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Leeds, UK & Cork, Ireland
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I suppose the problem with EDI and Belfast is that there is neither an obvious brand for RE to operate under or other airline to enter the routes. flyBe clearly have no interest in allowing their brand to be used on domestic routes in competition with their new LCY routes. RE could use the Aer Lingus brand to BHD, but it wouldn't make much sense to EDI, which is presumably why they have franchised with BE in the first place.
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That 75 will be lots of press and pr people and it won't be sustained at those sorts of numbers.
But even still it's a nice route to have available and demand was proven by U2 last year just a shame not sufficient demand to fill the airbus.
Good luck to flybe with the route.
cs
But even still it's a nice route to have available and demand was proven by U2 last year just a shame not sufficient demand to fill the airbus.
Good luck to flybe with the route.
cs
Join Date: Dec 2011
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I don't buy that lots of those 75 were press/PR. A few perhaps from local rags but not many.
The problem last year wasn't the numbers flying at the weekend, it was filling the weekday services. But nevertheless, today's numbers bode well.
The problem last year wasn't the numbers flying at the weekend, it was filling the weekday services. But nevertheless, today's numbers bode well.
I agree that there will not have been many Press or PR people among those pax numbers.
It isn't a ground-breaking new route, but a return of a seasonal summer service, so it's not that surprising that loads were good on its first Saturday of operation. Still a very good start to Flybe's return to SEN after a number of years.
It isn't a ground-breaking new route, but a return of a seasonal summer service, so it's not that surprising that loads were good on its first Saturday of operation. Still a very good start to Flybe's return to SEN after a number of years.
Join Date: Mar 2013
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Jolly good to see that - according to the Flybe website - the Southend - Newquay flight this Saturday (24 May) is a sell-out. True - it is a Bank Holiday weekend - but still a very fine start.