LUTON -8
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I was just thinking how many more new services can Wizz add, haven't they run out of options, as they do serve nearly all of the Eastern European airports. The latest routes that have been announced to remote airports like Suceava and Olsztyn-Mazury proves this. Apart from increasing frequency on exisiting routes, are there any other new viable additions left?
Perhaps Nis in Serbia ? Maybe a 1x weekly at a weekend to Balaton ? Open up competition with BA to Tirana ? Could Mostar in Bosnia be an option (also has Catholic pilgrims) ? Finnair charge high fares from Tartu in Estonia - room for another airline ?
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Wizz routes
Besides the ones mentioned here are some more: Maribor in Slovenia; Plovdiv and Gorna in Bulgaria; Satu Mare in Romania; Tuzla and Banja Luka in Bosnia; Osijek, Pula and Rijeka in Croatia; Gyor-Per and Pecs Pogany in Hungary and finally Tallinn and Tartu in Estonia (Wizz do not fly to Estonia for some reason). As you can see there are still a large number of opportunities Eastern Europe is a big place.
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Weekly redevelopment update
With the aid of 2 cranes work continues at a pace in the construction of the multistorey car park. With the railings being fitted now it is looking like the car park will offer some good views as long as the side walls are not fully clad later on but I doubt that will be the case as I can’t see any spare fixing holes.
The link bridge and cores are being built by Whitemountain who are building the new road layout, bus station and drop off area while the multistory car park is being built by Buckingham Group Contracting. At some point the two buildings will be joined. The car park contract is costing Ł8 million and when finished will be longer than the easyjet HQ.
The link bridge from the short term car park is being clad this week. The southern side facing the runway has a solid wall while the terminal side is being fitted with opaque flexible plastic which will let the light in but offer no views. The plastic is similar to what is found on conservatory roofs. I think this is a shame as everyone likes a view as they walk.
It is also starting to become clear that there are some big differences from the artist impressions of the structures going up in the materials being used.
Curbing is being fitted in the new drop off zone. Bizarrely even though the area is relatively flat the curbing for the pedestrian Island, which sits between the two lanes, is at different heights. This is similar to what was initially fitted to the old overflow drop off area many years ago until it was realised before opening that luggage trollies, buggies etc could roll into the road so it had to be then rebuilt flat. I wonder if they are making the same mistake again?
A boring machine is drilling holes for the foundations of the canopy next to the temporary entrance. Also the roof panels that covered the old entrance are being removed.
More hoardings have gone up in the main terminal. This time around the old easyjet help desk area and by the old entrances as seen in the background. If my plan is still correct this space will end up being 4 ticket desks where easyjet was and a retail unit opposite the entrance. This will be the first of several new retail outlets that will continue into the terminal extension.
The link bridge and cores are being built by Whitemountain who are building the new road layout, bus station and drop off area while the multistory car park is being built by Buckingham Group Contracting. At some point the two buildings will be joined. The car park contract is costing Ł8 million and when finished will be longer than the easyjet HQ.
The link bridge from the short term car park is being clad this week. The southern side facing the runway has a solid wall while the terminal side is being fitted with opaque flexible plastic which will let the light in but offer no views. The plastic is similar to what is found on conservatory roofs. I think this is a shame as everyone likes a view as they walk.
It is also starting to become clear that there are some big differences from the artist impressions of the structures going up in the materials being used.
Curbing is being fitted in the new drop off zone. Bizarrely even though the area is relatively flat the curbing for the pedestrian Island, which sits between the two lanes, is at different heights. This is similar to what was initially fitted to the old overflow drop off area many years ago until it was realised before opening that luggage trollies, buggies etc could roll into the road so it had to be then rebuilt flat. I wonder if they are making the same mistake again?
A boring machine is drilling holes for the foundations of the canopy next to the temporary entrance. Also the roof panels that covered the old entrance are being removed.
More hoardings have gone up in the main terminal. This time around the old easyjet help desk area and by the old entrances as seen in the background. If my plan is still correct this space will end up being 4 ticket desks where easyjet was and a retail unit opposite the entrance. This will be the first of several new retail outlets that will continue into the terminal extension.
Last edited by LTNman; 22nd Apr 2016 at 16:40.
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The progress seems to be moving quite quickly which is very good, especially with the multi-story car park. Shame about the tacky plastic being used, but what do you expect from Luton Airport quite frankly. How is the dualling of the airport road going and and have they started to map out the new road layout and start work? Also how is Signature's new FBO going and when will it be completed. Exciting times for Luton Airport at the moment, but all this work will not be good for the passenger experience.
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Not much going on with the dueling outside the CTA, thus the lack of any photos in recent weeks, just a wide avenue of flattened mud as the last signs of the modular drainage has been covered up.
Work continues at a slow pace on the new road to the fire station, again not worthy of a photo yet.
I will provide a photo next week of Signature, as it continues to be clad but there are still quite a few holes in the structure. Signature is meant to open in November.
Agree it is not a great experience for passengers at the moment as it really is a case of whatever direction you choose to look there is some sort of building work taking place as there are cranes, diggers and contractors crawling around everywhere.
The airport might be spending Ł110 million but there are signs of skimping on materials. The off-the-shelf walkway from the terminal, as seen at Tesco's is a good example and is nothing like the classy artist impressions. I think the best description when it is all finished will be adequate and basic rather than luxury but Luton is not going for the higher market.
I think the defining image of Luton will be how the new canopy looks. I fear it might end up looking like an enormous bus shelter rather than the curved elegant structure they have depicted in their press releases.
Work continues at a slow pace on the new road to the fire station, again not worthy of a photo yet.
I will provide a photo next week of Signature, as it continues to be clad but there are still quite a few holes in the structure. Signature is meant to open in November.
Agree it is not a great experience for passengers at the moment as it really is a case of whatever direction you choose to look there is some sort of building work taking place as there are cranes, diggers and contractors crawling around everywhere.
The airport might be spending Ł110 million but there are signs of skimping on materials. The off-the-shelf walkway from the terminal, as seen at Tesco's is a good example and is nothing like the classy artist impressions. I think the best description when it is all finished will be adequate and basic rather than luxury but Luton is not going for the higher market.
I think the defining image of Luton will be how the new canopy looks. I fear it might end up looking like an enormous bus shelter rather than the curved elegant structure they have depicted in their press releases.
Last edited by LTNman; 22nd Apr 2016 at 16:54.
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The forth daily frequency of LTN-OTP is showing on system for later in the year and seems like they are intending to re-instate it.
I would imagine, they have grabbed this slot at LGW at short notice and as they probably haven't got spare equipment due to the summer timetable already in full swing, they have had to forfeit the LTN rotation for the short term.
Once new Airbus arrive later in the year, it can then be flown again.
Below screen shot taken at 6pm tonight.
I would imagine, they have grabbed this slot at LGW at short notice and as they probably haven't got spare equipment due to the summer timetable already in full swing, they have had to forfeit the LTN rotation for the short term.
Once new Airbus arrive later in the year, it can then be flown again.
Below screen shot taken at 6pm tonight.
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LTNman
Thanks for the updates.
i think you are right about the kerbing, it is bizarre.Maybe you should have a quiet word with the contractor or send an e mail to the Airport before it does get embarrassing.
i think the last set of photos in a year or so should be--
what we thought we were getting and what we got.
Never trust artist impressions, what about the new pier!!
Love the premium seating in your last photo though-obviously the red zone is the place to be.
Thanks for the updates.
i think you are right about the kerbing, it is bizarre.Maybe you should have a quiet word with the contractor or send an e mail to the Airport before it does get embarrassing.
i think the last set of photos in a year or so should be--
what we thought we were getting and what we got.
Never trust artist impressions, what about the new pier!!
Love the premium seating in your last photo though-obviously the red zone is the place to be.
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I have had a quiet word in the past about perceived issues like the fact that wheelchair uses can't use most of the bus bays but their view is we know best even though I have the photos of the test run before the bus station opened.
As for the centre Island, I find it hard to believe it won't be corrected but we will have to wait and see.
As for the centre Island, I find it hard to believe it won't be corrected but we will have to wait and see.
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compton
Pécs is not functioning as a commercial airport (and is too small for an A-320) while Győr is too close to BUD (60 mins on road and only slightly more by train). The next logical option in Hungary would be Sármellék(-Balaton) IMHO.
Not considering the distance from existing Wizz destinations a lot more EE airports could be added to the list: Podgorica, Tivat, Mostar, Maribor, Rijeka, Osijek, Ostrava, Rzeszow, Krakow, Lodz (again), Pula, Zadar, Sarajevo, Bratislava, Lviv, Odessa, Pardubice, Karlovy Vary, Tirana, Pristina etc etc.
Gyor-Per and Pecs Pogany in Hungary
Not considering the distance from existing Wizz destinations a lot more EE airports could be added to the list: Podgorica, Tivat, Mostar, Maribor, Rijeka, Osijek, Ostrava, Rzeszow, Krakow, Lodz (again), Pula, Zadar, Sarajevo, Bratislava, Lviv, Odessa, Pardubice, Karlovy Vary, Tirana, Pristina etc etc.
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I think the A321neo would be able to fly that far, but not the standard A321. Either way, it would probably require a runway extension for LTN, as the A321neo will have a slightly shorter range than the 757-200WL currently on the New York route.
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Wizzair
Looks like TBSC is correct. I'm sure Wizz will know where bookings are coming from via Postcodes, I'm sure more fluid to LGW might occur if they can get the slots. Luton will still remain the hot spot for new routes though.
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LTN man
Your comments about the cross fall of the pedestrian island are well spotted. The cross fall may be a design error or a mistake by the setting out engineer. We will probably never know. My view on the photograph is the position of the lamp column. I, like you, are surprised at the lack of activity on the dualling of the approach road. April is the time to start all earthworks with some gusto. Even if it rains now the soil will dry. A good time to start all taxiway works. Will we see any action in the very near future ?
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That lamp post is from the original short term car park and I believe it hasn't been removed yet. The same thing happened in the new bus station as they even tarmacked around an old one that was located in the middle of the bus maneuvering area before it was eventually removed. No doubt there is a good reason why it hasn't been removed yet.
I will call in at Whitemountain's portocabin's tomorrow armed with my photo and see what reaction I get to it!
I will call in at Whitemountain's portocabin's tomorrow armed with my photo and see what reaction I get to it!
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Interesting to see Wizz open operations into LGW. Given their dominance at LTN and the lack of significant swathes of slots at LGW it's hard to imagine that anything other than prime routes like OTP, BUD and WAW might feature any time soon from LGW and will presumably be in addition to rather than in place of LTN flights
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Those Monarch Gatwick slots could be up for grabs one day. There was a time many years ago that Easyjet dipped their toe in the Gatwick market. Who is to say what would happen if Gatwick got a second runway but by the time that happens Luton would probably be full again so would it really matter?
Where Luton scores is its ability to land a dozen Wizz aircraft in around 40 minutes at peak times giving Wizz the ability to swap aircraft about and get them in for maintenance.
Where Luton scores is its ability to land a dozen Wizz aircraft in around 40 minutes at peak times giving Wizz the ability to swap aircraft about and get them in for maintenance.
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Luton has also more defined waves as well, which makes this easier - only really Stansted would be able to offer the capacity in London for Wizz to move and I don't really see that happening.
Also, EasyJet have stated they are not interested in Eastern Europe - so that opens a market south of the river (Bucharest, Warsaw, Belgrade etc should be targets)
Also, EasyJet have stated they are not interested in Eastern Europe - so that opens a market south of the river (Bucharest, Warsaw, Belgrade etc should be targets)