LUTON -8

[LGS6753]

Since the Channel Islands are not "open skies" the authorities have to decide on awarding a licence. It seems unlikely that they would authorize two carriers on a new route.

[Lee Baker Street]

Blue Islands

Do not forget that Blue Islands now has an agreement with Flybe.

Could Flybe be the instigator of this possible new route?

As Luton is a London airport it should be striving to commence more domestic routes and increase services on those already active!

Is it viable to re-connect LTN to LBA and MAN and IOM and even possibly DND?

Eastern Airways is an airline that comes to mind when connecting the UK!

[davidjohnson6]

Lee - what advantage would an airline have over a train for routes like Luton-Manchester and Luton-Leeds bearing in mind the proximity of Watford Junction and Stevenage stations (never mind Euston or King's Cross) ?
Luton-Isle of Man might have a better chance though...

[kcockayne]

Strikes me that neither airline will make a profit on this route, whether they fly the route exclusively or in combination. The demand just is not there.

[wallp]

Originally Posted by kcockayne

Strikes me that neither airline will make a profit on this route, whether they fly the route exclusively or in combination. The demand just is not there.

Why this sudden flurry of interest in the Channel Islands again - what has made these routes attractive once more I wonder?

I'd love to see Isle of Man return too but question is who would take the route on? I can only think of easyJet.

[robbieh]

Originally Posted by wallp

Why this sudden flurry of interest in the Channel Islands again - what has made these routes attractive once more I wonder?

I'd love to see Isle of Man return too but question is who would take the route on? I can only think of easyJet.

Easyjet will not fill two London routes to the Isle of Man with Airbus aircraft. It would only work if they moved from Gatwick but that wouldn't be well received on the island where residents desire for a highly unlikely Heathrow return (for ego reasons as much as anything else) and accept Gatwick as a next best alternative. The majority of Flybe flights to Stansted were under half full so the route was pulled within a year. The flights to London City need to be underwritten by island-based businesses to be maintained. Gatwick and City are sufficient for a cold and wet island in the middle of the Irish Sea where there's little tourism outside of TT these days and business travel is already covered. Manchester also now takes care of a large percentage of the long haul needs for Isle of Man residents - the London market doesn't have any/much potential for expansion from IoM.

[Powerjet1]

The Blue Islands application seems almost identical to that of Aurigny, with a start date of 26 March 2017, three or four times a week, summer only.

[wallp]

Originally Posted by Powerjet1

The Blue Islands application seems almost identical to that of Aurigny, with a start date of 26 March 2017, three or four times a week, summer only.

Didn't Flybe a while back apply for a LTN-GCI licence but haven't operated it?

Doesn't make sense for Aurigny & Blue Islands to operate the route - did Aurigny get their licence?

[Powerjet1]

Yes, Flybe did have a licence a while back but never used it. As far as the Aurigny application, it appears to remain just that, with no licence being approved as yet.

[lutonboi]

Wizz

Sibiu to be increased to 5 x weekly

New destination

Suceava 4 x weekly from August

[Powerjet1]

It may be that Aurigny are withdrawing their application and Blue Islands are taking their place.

[wallp]

Originally Posted by Powerjet1

Yes, Flybe did have a licence a while back but never used it. As far as the Aurigny application, it appears to remain just that, with no licence being approved as yet.

How long does it take to approve a licence? Maybe Blue Islands is replacing Aurigny?

[Powerjet1]

As rumoured, Thomas Cook Airlines flights for S17, from LTN to MAH, IBZ & CFU, have started to appear on their website. All operated on W patterns.

[robbie1973]

Originally Posted by Powerjet1

As rumoured, Thomas Cook Airlines flights for S17, from LTN to MAH, IBZ & CFU, have started to appear on their website. All operated on W patterns.

Can you provide a link because I can't seem to find anything ?

[Powerjet1]

No really re advertising rules. Just google Thomas Cook holidays.

[robbie1973]

Originally Posted by Powerjet1

No really re advertising rules. Just google Thomas Cook holidays.

Found it !

Ibiza flight starts 05/05/17 with 1 X weekly, Menorca starts 06/05/17 with 1 X weekly and Corfu starts on 07/05/17 with 1 weekly and it states "operated by Thomas Cook airlines"

[LGS6753]

Airline Route now showing the Vueling Florence services.

A rather odd series of flights - non-peak season, not regular times or days:

VY6194 FLR1235 – 1350LTN 319 02MAY16
VY6194 FLR0705 – 0820LTN 319 28MAY16
VY6194 FLR1020 – 1135LTN 319 29MAY16
VY6194 FLR1130 – 1245LTN 319 30MAY16
VY6194 FLR1640 – 1755LTN 319 03JUN16
VY6194 FLR1140 – 1255LTN 319 04JUN16
VY6194 FLR1135 – 1250LTN 319 06JUN16
VY6236 FLR1130 – 1245LTN 319 13JUN16
VY6286 FLR0945 – 1100LTN 319 14JUN16
VY6236 FLR1555 – 1710LTN 319 16JUN16
VY6236 FLR0940 – 1055LTN 319 17JUN16
VY6195 LTN1435 – 1745FLR 319 02MAY16
VY6195 LTN0900 – 1210FLR 319 28MAY16
VY6195 LTN1215 – 1525FLR 319 29MAY16
VY6195 LTN1325 – 1635FLR 319 30MAY16
VY6195 LTN1835 – 2145FLR 319 03JUN16
VY6195 LTN1335 – 1645FLR 319 04JUN16
VY6195 LTN1330 – 1640FLR 319 06JUN16
VY6209 LTN1325 – 1635FLR 319 13JUN16
VY6285 LTN1145 – 1455FLR 319 14JUN16
VY6209 LTN1750 – 2100FLR 319 16JUN16
VY6209 LTN1135 – 1445FLR 319 17JUN16

[robbie1973]

Originally Posted by LGS6753

Airline Route now showing the Vueling Florence services.

A rather odd series of flights - non-peak season, not regular times or days:

VY6194 FLR1235 – 1350LTN 319 02MAY16
VY6194 FLR0705 – 0820LTN 319 28MAY16
VY6194 FLR1020 – 1135LTN 319 29MAY16
VY6194 FLR1130 – 1245LTN 319 30MAY16
VY6194 FLR1640 – 1755LTN 319 03JUN16
VY6194 FLR1140 – 1255LTN 319 04JUN16
VY6194 FLR1135 – 1250LTN 319 06JUN16
VY6236 FLR1130 – 1245LTN 319 13JUN16
VY6286 FLR0945 – 1100LTN 319 14JUN16
VY6236 FLR1555 – 1710LTN 319 16JUN16
VY6236 FLR0940 – 1055LTN 319 17JUN16
VY6195 LTN1435 – 1745FLR 319 02MAY16
VY6195 LTN0900 – 1210FLR 319 28MAY16
VY6195 LTN1215 – 1525FLR 319 29MAY16
VY6195 LTN1325 – 1635FLR 319 30MAY16
VY6195 LTN1835 – 2145FLR 319 03JUN16
VY6195 LTN1335 – 1645FLR 319 04JUN16
VY6195 LTN1330 – 1640FLR 319 06JUN16
VY6209 LTN1325 – 1635FLR 319 13JUN16
VY6285 LTN1145 – 1455FLR 319 14JUN16
VY6209 LTN1750 – 2100FLR 319 16JUN16
VY6209 LTN1135 – 1445FLR 319 17JUN16

Yes I saw these earlier and thought it was rather odd !

[Lee Baker Street]

It has to be said...

LTN once had a successful connection to LBA and I am sure many remember the airline.

I myself flew from LTN to Manchester on a scheduled flight and recall it being at least three quarters full.

However it is becoming amazing how the current airport management keep pulling in new airlines and destinations.

I used to think 18 MPPA by 2020 was not viable but this management team keeps astounding me and no doubt another 2 or 3 new airlines will no doubt be announced this year and many more routes announced after completion of the airports 'first' investment next year...

[LGS6753]

2017 certainly has all the makings of an even busier year than this one. TCX with three flights a week is on the cards, and a Guernsey link looks likely with either Aurigny or Blue Islands.

I anticipate further growth from Wizz, EZY and Vueling in addition to others.

The current spate of new operators seems to have followed AENA's involvement - I wonder if that is a coincidence?