LUTON -8
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Makes me wonder why Ryanair bothers with Luton and why Easyjet bothers with Stansted. Both airlines don't seem to be that committed to either airport.
I was of the opinion that Ryanair was using Luton as a bargaining chip with its negotiations with Stansted but I don't think that has been the case now for some years. With Ryanair's deal with MAG there is not much left on the plate with regards to their Luton operation compared to STN. No doubt if it ever did end Ryanair would find a way to blame Aena but Ryanair flies to 12 Aena airports and as the worlds largest airport operator makes MAG look somewhat small on the world scene.
The same way that MAG has offered deals to fly from the MAG empire the Aena empire is significantly bigger so it might be in Ryanair's interest not to upset the sleeping lion. I don't think they will be too impressed with Ryanair by all but killing off Luton's biggest route and then taking their spoils back to Essex.
Maybe Luton would be better off without Ryanair as they could launch another attack on any Luton route.
I was of the opinion that Ryanair was using Luton as a bargaining chip with its negotiations with Stansted but I don't think that has been the case now for some years. With Ryanair's deal with MAG there is not much left on the plate with regards to their Luton operation compared to STN. No doubt if it ever did end Ryanair would find a way to blame Aena but Ryanair flies to 12 Aena airports and as the worlds largest airport operator makes MAG look somewhat small on the world scene.
The same way that MAG has offered deals to fly from the MAG empire the Aena empire is significantly bigger so it might be in Ryanair's interest not to upset the sleeping lion. I don't think they will be too impressed with Ryanair by all but killing off Luton's biggest route and then taking their spoils back to Essex.
Maybe Luton would be better off without Ryanair as they could launch another attack on any Luton route.
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Better off in the sense it would do nothing but reduce competition and further increase LTNs dependency on EZY and W6... Not sure that will go down to well with one or two folk on here 
I can't see any reason why FR should want to pull out. It would seem the routes they do operate from LTN are profitable (several of which have been going for many years now) and if nothing else it's four less parking stands that EZY could take. I don't see EZY pulling out entirely from STN either any time just yet.
I can't see any reason why FR should want to pull out. It would seem the routes they do operate from LTN are profitable (several of which have been going for many years now) and if nothing else it's four less parking stands that EZY could take. I don't see EZY pulling out entirely from STN either any time just yet.
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Maybe it's a memory thing as I enter my dotage but I can't remember Ryanair announcing any deals with the various Luton operators for maybe 20 years. They did threaten to pull services from Luton in maybe the mid 90's but that was the last deal I can remember. With the exception of last year Luton has had 4 aircraft based at Luton for years.
I don't think Luton has had a particularly warm relationship with Ryanair. Those with long memories will remember Luton nurturing Ryanair when they moved to Luton from Gatwick only to see them move on to Stansted with a sweetheart deal when BAA were looking for an airline to use their nice new but empty terminal.
Even if they had stayed at Luton, Luton was in no position to offer the capacity Ryanair was looking for.
I do seem to remember that one of the reasons for Luton's new terminal build in the late 90's was the promise of more Ryanair routes but they failed to materialise.
I don't think Luton has had a particularly warm relationship with Ryanair. Those with long memories will remember Luton nurturing Ryanair when they moved to Luton from Gatwick only to see them move on to Stansted with a sweetheart deal when BAA were looking for an airline to use their nice new but empty terminal.
Even if they had stayed at Luton, Luton was in no position to offer the capacity Ryanair was looking for.
I do seem to remember that one of the reasons for Luton's new terminal build in the late 90's was the promise of more Ryanair routes but they failed to materialise.
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Now wouldn't Jetblue using their A321LR fleet be a coup! Rumour has it that discussions have taken place recently and the option to transfer onto a connecting flight at one of their hubs would make the operation highly attractive. Maybe a code share with easy to hub into Europe?
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If there wanted to code share with Easyjet, LGW would be the one to go to. LTN offers many E.U destinations with Wizz which aern't offered from the US. Could be best fit. I believe that Boston is the first US location to London. Will have to see cause I have heard this before but LHR was meant to be first choice from the airline.
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JetBlue will never operate from LHR for obvious reasons and it's usually the case when ever a new airline intends to serve London that LHR is always mentioned.
JetBlue have apparently been looking at various options and like any other airline they will be in contact with several airports to see what sort of deal they can make or what suits there needs.
By all account JetBlue have or are supposed to have been in contact with BHX, GLA, LGW, LTN, MAN, STN so there is absolutely no guarantee that LTN is at the top of the list and why should it be especially as either LGW or STN would be a better option for them.
JetBlue have apparently been looking at various options and like any other airline they will be in contact with several airports to see what sort of deal they can make or what suits there needs.
By all account JetBlue have or are supposed to have been in contact with BHX, GLA, LGW, LTN, MAN, STN so there is absolutely no guarantee that LTN is at the top of the list and why should it be especially as either LGW or STN would be a better option for them.
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I also can't see the appeal of Luton. Stansted would be a natural choice if they could not get into Gatwick. That could change next year when Luton is a bit more finished but even then Stansted will always have the better facilities.
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JetBlue will never operate from LHR for obvious reason
Given b^ build a hub and operate out of super congested JFK and also that LHR is currently planned to get a third runway (waiiiit!) and easyJet have also expressed interest in moving in en masse should that happen..... I would be rather surprised if Jetblue start off at Luton. It's against the flow of that business model IMHO.
So expect them at Luton any day now (!)
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Performance may be an issue at LTN.
However the current Monarch A321's that use to operate to Sharm El Sheikh had no issues operating from current runway, on a full flight...
While this is about 600 miles shorter journey than Boston, the current JetBlue A321 only operate with between 159-190 seats (depending if they operate with Mint Class), while Monarch's hold 220 seats, so it probably balances out.
Also the A32x NEOs will have larger, more powerful engines, so in theory performance will be improved. (?)
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Out of Luton, working for Monarch, we used to sometimes tanker fuel to Sharm on a good day but on a wet, low pressure day (particularly if below 10'C or hot) then there could be limitations, the NEO's improved fuel consumption would reduce these limitations. The Configuration of Monarch A321's is 214 seats. The A321 wing rather than the engines tends to be the limiting factor on the A321. Flights to Boston would also require a significant amount of extra weight in te form of "ETOPS" fuel.
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I'm sure that the JetBlue rumour is nothing other than someone getting over excited on A.net and posting their own personal pipe dream and claiming it to be a 'rumour'. There's been no mention anywhere that JetBlue are planning anything USA-Luton. I've seen articles talking transatlantic long-haul but no specific mention of Luton.
I could go on there and post that Concorde could be returning to service to operate Blackpool to Barbados daily. It's all just a load of cr@p if you ask me to get people talking about it.
No substance what so ever.
I could go on there and post that Concorde could be returning to service to operate Blackpool to Barbados daily. It's all just a load of cr@p if you ask me to get people talking about it.
No substance what so ever.
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So what sort of customer experience could Luton offer JetBlue this year? I might be a supporter of Luton but I still have my eyes open and the truth is the place is grim.
Luton would only be in with a chance if Jetblue could not get into another London airport and Luton offered zero fees
Luton would only be in with a chance if Jetblue could not get into another London airport and Luton offered zero fees
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This would be for summer 2018 but can't see it. Having held talks with LTN and maybe shown the future photos make them believe there be going to a top airport
. The airport will be a different aiport in 2018 compared to this year. Shops will open, new pier will open, maybe the terminal extension will open and extended security.
. The airport will be a different aiport in 2018 compared to this year. Shops will open, new pier will open, maybe the terminal extension will open and extended security.
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Small things can make a big difference to customer perceptions but the airport management have a different mind set to me about what is acceptable.
Now would be the perfect time to resurface the short term car park before the summer rush begins. The outer kerbing is in place but the drainage would have to be worked on before the resurfacing could take place. The section by the south stands has been finished to a high standard for I guess a year but the rest of the car park is in a real state so it would either have to be completely closed or split into sections to be worked on.
I am not even sure now it will be actually completely resurfaced. The worst potholed sections between parking bays have had a fresh layer of tarmac laid and the airports love affair with gravel has been confirmed with fresh supplies rolled close to what was the temporary exit route for more parking bays. It's a cheap bodge but better than it was a few days ago. The question is will this just be left now or is this just a temporary repair for a few months?
I think extending security will be one of the last jobs to be finished. The new extension has to be completed first before all the existing retail units are moved into it. Once they are gone security can be extended but I really can't see that happening before the end of the year at the earliest and probably not until early next year.
Now would be the perfect time to resurface the short term car park before the summer rush begins. The outer kerbing is in place but the drainage would have to be worked on before the resurfacing could take place. The section by the south stands has been finished to a high standard for I guess a year but the rest of the car park is in a real state so it would either have to be completely closed or split into sections to be worked on.
I am not even sure now it will be actually completely resurfaced. The worst potholed sections between parking bays have had a fresh layer of tarmac laid and the airports love affair with gravel has been confirmed with fresh supplies rolled close to what was the temporary exit route for more parking bays. It's a cheap bodge but better than it was a few days ago. The question is will this just be left now or is this just a temporary repair for a few months?
The airport will be a different aiport in 2018 compared to this year. Shops will open, new pier will open, maybe the terminal extension will open and extended security.
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Next rumour and with substance is a 'flag' carrier closing their operation at Heathrow, selling their slots and moving to Luton. I am not going to name the airline, but it is European.
Buster - assuming the rumour comes to fruition, perhaps one of the following airlines might be a suitable candidate ?
Air Malta
Air Serbia
Bulgaria Air
Croatia Airlines
TAROM
Air Malta
Air Serbia
Bulgaria Air
Croatia Airlines
TAROM