LUTON -8
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Heads up!
Recently (i.e. as of yesterday) El Al started leasing a B763 from Privilege Style for use on various routes over the summer. Presumably this is to fill in some gaps left by the new B763 TLV-BOS route. This a/c is due in LTN on various dates throughout July and August:
http://www.elal.com/SiteCollectionDo...2015-ENG-2.pdf
Don't know yet if the cabin crew is PS or El Al. I assume the former.
I've noticed a bit of a decline in seat capacity from LTN compared with this time last year. All 737 - no widebodies. Pleased to see the reason is perhaps lack of airframes rather than lack of pax.
Recently (i.e. as of yesterday) El Al started leasing a B763 from Privilege Style for use on various routes over the summer. Presumably this is to fill in some gaps left by the new B763 TLV-BOS route. This a/c is due in LTN on various dates throughout July and August:
http://www.elal.com/SiteCollectionDo...2015-ENG-2.pdf
Don't know yet if the cabin crew is PS or El Al. I assume the former.
I've noticed a bit of a decline in seat capacity from LTN compared with this time last year. All 737 - no widebodies. Pleased to see the reason is perhaps lack of airframes rather than lack of pax.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
At some point the number of business aircraft Luton can handle will have to drop.
Signatures new replacement apron is full. They are still using both hangars that were meant to have been knocked down by now. Stands 16 and 17 which goes back to the airport next August is often full and on Monday 8 biz jets were parked back on the south stands which again goes back to airline use.
Of course there is nothing stopping Signature from still using stands 16 and 17 plus the south stands when they are available but if Luton's expansion plans work out as planned there will be a lack of concrete in only a short time. The Harrods and Landmark aprons also often seem to be full with a general lack of parking.
Going back to Signature I wonder what is going on there. They got planning permission in August 2012 and even acknowledge in their latest application that they are losing market share due to the state of their old facilities yet even now they keep submitting new applications as another one has gone in for May with the following comment.
Well they don't seem minor to me after I plodded through them.
Signatures new replacement apron is full. They are still using both hangars that were meant to have been knocked down by now. Stands 16 and 17 which goes back to the airport next August is often full and on Monday 8 biz jets were parked back on the south stands which again goes back to airline use.
Of course there is nothing stopping Signature from still using stands 16 and 17 plus the south stands when they are available but if Luton's expansion plans work out as planned there will be a lack of concrete in only a short time. The Harrods and Landmark aprons also often seem to be full with a general lack of parking.
Going back to Signature I wonder what is going on there. They got planning permission in August 2012 and even acknowledge in their latest application that they are losing market share due to the state of their old facilities yet even now they keep submitting new applications as another one has gone in for May with the following comment.
Following granting of planning permission, it became apparent that building out
the scheme as approved would not be possible with various minor changes
required, in order to ensure that the proposal is deliverable.
the scheme as approved would not be possible with various minor changes
required, in order to ensure that the proposal is deliverable.
Last edited by LTNman; 16th Jun 2015 at 21:33.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: -
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What is Luton doing to attract all this growth?
Don't get me wrong, I am not here to bash the airport, but reading the comments on here and from some of my friends who have used the airport in recent weeks, it doesn't sound the pleasant of facility's to be used at the moment.
With 11 million passengers using the existing facility, forgetting the current work on site, the terminal would be stretched. Now with them taking large parts of the terminal out of use, it is going to make it even more difficult.
I am just surprised to see the recent flock of new routes and airlines launching from the airport. I would have thought with the current stretched terminal and passenger experience being strained, passenger numbers would be plateauing, just to serve the exisiting routes and new business would not have come until after the expansion has been completed.
With 11 million passengers using the existing facility, forgetting the current work on site, the terminal would be stretched. Now with them taking large parts of the terminal out of use, it is going to make it even more difficult.
I am just surprised to see the recent flock of new routes and airlines launching from the airport. I would have thought with the current stretched terminal and passenger experience being strained, passenger numbers would be plateauing, just to serve the exisiting routes and new business would not have come until after the expansion has been completed.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have to remember that Luton came bottom of the Which passenger survey and that was with a 15% lower passenger count and before a large chunk of the ground floor was closed off with much more to come.
No gain without pain but Luton seems keen to pick up every passenger possible regardless of whether they can cope.
Anyone had a look at the short, midterm and long term car parks recently? They are all looking somewhat full and it is still only the second week in June.
Southend on the other hand, which is the UK's favorite airport seems tempting to even me and offers a level of service that Luton can only dream about. I have to say if I was running an airline that could use Southend's runway I would be thinking hard about putting new routes through Luton with that little gem sitting there underused.
No gain without pain but Luton seems keen to pick up every passenger possible regardless of whether they can cope.
Anyone had a look at the short, midterm and long term car parks recently? They are all looking somewhat full and it is still only the second week in June.
Southend on the other hand, which is the UK's favorite airport seems tempting to even me and offers a level of service that Luton can only dream about. I have to say if I was running an airline that could use Southend's runway I would be thinking hard about putting new routes through Luton with that little gem sitting there underused.
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Under my cap
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It just proves how completely meaningless that Which? report actually was, I am not saying that the results they got were wrong - just that they were obviously not measuring the things that really matter.
I suspect if Which? tried to measure "the countries favourite Motorways" the M1, M6, M4, M25 (etc) would obviously come bottom.
PS is all this growth at Luton in the existing peak hours or is it that other, previously quieter, parts of the day are getting busier? - that makes a big difference to wether an airport is "full" or not.
I suspect if Which? tried to measure "the countries favourite Motorways" the M1, M6, M4, M25 (etc) would obviously come bottom.
PS is all this growth at Luton in the existing peak hours or is it that other, previously quieter, parts of the day are getting busier? - that makes a big difference to wether an airport is "full" or not.
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Luton
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Random thought but I'd love a webcam or three at Luton. I guess there's no real point to them apart from enthusiast interest of course. There are a few dotted around and some really good ones in mainland Europe but doesn't seem a popular concept at UK airports.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Funny you should mention webcams as I suggested that only last week to the airport.
29 departures tomorrow between 6 and 7.30 and only 3 of those are Wizz
29 departures tomorrow between 6 and 7.30 and only 3 of those are Wizz
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Luton
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ah would be great, nothing like your own airport. I wonder why the airports that do have them thought it a good idea. Or they just have enough of a budget to give things a go. LAX and AMS are two off the top of my head. Gdansk is my favourite for the streaming and variety of shots though the airport doesn't have much at all going on really.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Earth
Age: 34
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why are people celebrating increased passenger numbers? I operated from Luton for 5 days this week and the whole airport is not fit for purpose in every department. In fact, it's a total embarrassment from the bottom to the top.
For every passenger above what the infrastructure is designed to handle, the experience becomes even more unpleasant, for both passengers and us poor souls who have to endure it to earn a living.
For every passenger above what the infrastructure is designed to handle, the experience becomes even more unpleasant, for both passengers and us poor souls who have to endure it to earn a living.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why are people celebrating increased passenger numbers?
PS is all this growth at Luton in the existing peak hours or is it that other, previously quieter, parts of the day are getting busier? - that makes a big difference to whether an airport is "full" or not.
The airport seems to be getting new pinch points, ie the closure of the short term car park because it is full comes to mind, which is new for this year. But without doubt the number one complaint about Luton is the drop off charge and those complaining are not even the passengers. The following is the latest comment which came in yesterday.
Congratulations Luton airport! I didn't think it was possible but you managed it - you've managed to make me think even less of you! Two pounds fifty for someone to drop people off at the terminal, minimum charge! (Or you know, dump them in mid term parking and let them catch a bus). Zero benefit to anyone but yourselves - you've found a way to nickel and dime even the people that *aren't* traveling - impressive stuff! Keep up the sterling work and I'll keep trying find anyway possible to not put business through your terrible, terrible airport.
Ladies toilets in arrivals are disgusting. As is the £2 charge to use a trolley! Not the 'welcome to the UK', our visitors should be getting.
London Luton Airport Hi Kate, thank you for your message I have raised the cleaning issue with the team responsible for the terminal, the pictures you sent fall well below our expected standards so thank you for bringing it to our attnetion. Kind regards, Jackie
London Luton Airport Hi Kate, thank you for your message I have raised the cleaning issue with the team responsible for the terminal, the pictures you sent fall well below our expected standards so thank you for bringing it to our attnetion. Kind regards, Jackie
Last edited by LTNman; 17th Jun 2015 at 06:12.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: southern spain
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think some of the credit for the additional services and consequently passengers must be down to the new management (Aena) in actually going out and trying to get new routes etc. instead of waiting for them to come to Luton. A prime example was the number of charters for the European Rugby Final last month with practically all the flights operating to/from Luton with the exception of a couple into Gatwick and none at Stansted. What a difference from the European Cup Final in 2013 when Luton din´t get a single commercial passenger charter.
Looks like two more one-off charters to today - Luxair and Volotea in the´´not so busy period´´!
Looks like two more one-off charters to today - Luxair and Volotea in the´´not so busy period´´!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is there a likely completion date for the multi storey carpark yet
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: London Whipsnade Wildlife Park
Posts: 5,038
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wonder if these orders will replace all of their A320's and more importantly can all of Luton's stands take an A321? I can think of at least 2 that probably won't but there could be more. Also the gate holding areas could do with being made bigger to avoid more queuing passengers on staircases as they wait to board.
Can't see any reason why in the next 5 years Luton won't be handling 15 million passengers per year.
Can't see any reason why in the next 5 years Luton won't be handling 15 million passengers per year.
Last edited by LTNman; 18th Jun 2015 at 11:25.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: -
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The wingspan of all the A320 family is the same size and this would be the main issue, but in this instance should not cause an issue.
239 seats on an A321 sounds painful! All the current models hold a maximum of 220.
239 seats on an A321 sounds painful! All the current models hold a maximum of 220.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The easyJet car park in front of the tower is to close on the 30th June. The new site of the contractors village perhaps?
Now I wonder if this is the car park that is closing or maybe both are?
Last edited by LTNman; 18th Jun 2015 at 20:50.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: southern spain
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I see Constanta has joined the list of destinations operated by Wizz. Wonder when Plovdiv - the second largest city in Bulgaria and a well known destination for ski lovers - will join the Wizzair network although Ryanair do have a presence. We will just have to wait and see.
It's not the wingspan of the 321s that are the issue for stand allocation, it's the length. I don't think they will fit on 60 or 61 and possibly not 1R. I'm sure someone in the know can confirm.
