SOUTHEND - 4

[vulcanised]

Come on Stobarts - do the right thing!

Don't you think they've invested enough for now?

[tayair6]

yes. I think they invest enough .it is very unfortunately this time of year .

[asdf1234]

Quote:
Come on Stobarts - do the right thing!
Don't you think they've invested enough for now?

Er....no, otherwise I wouldn't have said it.

It would be nice for the local airport to reinvest some of their profits back into the community and what better way than to support the airshow. So far all the investment has been to generate future profits for Stobarts. The locals put up with the disruption such as increased traffic congestions and increased noise pollution so it seems this would be a good PR move by Stobarts.

Just an idea.

[vulcanised]

investment has been to generate future profits

Exactly. With much emphasis on the future which is some time away. I expect it will receive consideration when the time is right, although many locals have been suggesting the show had had it's day some time ago.

[Barling Magna]

SEN's little passenger terminal was overwhelmed yesterday by diversions from LCY. Once the extension is completed this shouldn't happen again.

[Expressflight]

They actually stopped accepting further LCY diversions yesterday evening. At one point six diverted aircraft arrived within a 30 minute period apparently.

Although there is unlikely to be terminal congestion once the terminal is doubled in size on these occasions, the five additional aircraft stands are already in use and these were all full last night. That will become the limiting factor in future when diversions occur.

[Throat]

re-funding an airshow, I'am sure they have better things to worry about.

Stobart closes chilled foods operation | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk

[Barling Magna]

Thanks for that link. Yes, challenging times for Stobart. I was struck by the following line from the article:

"Stobart said it was in talks with European airlines about bringing new routes to the airport."

They seem to say this in every press release. If true, I wonder which airlines they are in discussion with? Hopefully it is someone we've heard of rather than any more fantasy start-ups........

[Expressflight]

They seem to say this in every press release

You've probably answered your own question.

I don't know of anything definite in the pipeline at the moment.

[Barling Magna]

.... nothing to come from JOIN ?

[Pain in the R's]

With new owners at Stansted I would think that they will be keen to nip Southend expansion in the bud and could offer deals to keep airlines out of Southend.

[Expressflight]

..... nothing to come from JOIN ?

Not if what I heard yesterday is true.

[tws123]

Couldn't they operate SEN - WAT? That's a small regional route.
In a broader sense though are Join! actually getting somewhere even if not SEN related just yet?

[Barling Magna]

With new owners at Stansted I would think that they will be keen to nip Southend expansion in the bud and could offer deals to keep airlines out of Southend.

I doubt that MAG will be too worried about a competitor whose ambition is to reach only 2 million pax per year. They'll focus more on LTN and LGW I'd have thought.

[FRatSTN]

I doubt that MAG will be too worried about a competitor whose ambition is to reach only 2 million pax per year. They'll focus more on LTN and LGW I'd have thought.

Primarily yes, but most of what is at Southend now was orignally at Stansted and MAG will probably be quite eager to get it back.

[pwalhx]

Surely though as SEN is proving to be successful the routes will stay so STN may wish them in addition to rather instead off

[rowly6339]

Does the airport make much from diversion's seeing as there have been a few lately?

[Pain in the R's]

I doubt that MAG will be too worried about a competitor whose ambition is to reach only 2 million pax per year. They'll focus more on LTN and LGW I'd have thought.

Just look at London City and how that has grown on a very small footprint. When a target starts to be reached a new target is set. It happens at all airports. If and when 2 million passengers is reached at Southend do you really think that will be it? MAG will see Southend as a source of passengers in its catchment area. New routes and airlines that might have come to Southend with Stansted owned by BAA might not now and no one here will be any of the wiser.

[Barling Magna]

Yes I do think 2 million pax will be the limit, at least for a couple of decades or so. There's a limit to the number of movements imposed on SEN and the site is too restricted for much further expansion. Local opposition to further expansion would be too strong. Stobart's stated aim throughout has been to emulate Southampton Airport; their business plan is built on 2 million pax and I don't think they are going to extend themselves beyond that. 2 million pax is still a distant target at the minute and I can't see SEN attracting many more than that anyway. It's a niche airport - a minor part of the London airports scene - whilst STN has the potential to be massive if only they can sort out one or two logistical problems.

[Expressflight]

PitR's

Under current EU legislation I believe 2 mppa is the maximum throughput which permits the airport operator to keep all its services, such as handling, in-house. Above that figure these have to be opened up to competition. I cannot see Stobart happily relinquishing its control over such matters if its attitude to off-airport car parking companies is anything to go by. The extended terminal should be able to cope with some 2 mppa, but it's very difficult to see where extra terminal and stand capacity could be added due to the physical constraints of the site.

rowly6339

SEN obviously does gain extra revenue from diversions, but this would be a minor element of an airport's overall income. I'm sure they enjoy diverted pax sampling the service that SEN can offer as an alternative.