LUTON -8
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There are signs just before the entrance to the long term car park saying that works will start on 24th April for 4 weeks. Does anyone know what they are? Hopefully they are finally resurfacing the road, as there are some deep potholes around there.
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Luton has done very well attracting the poundland shopper passengers, probably too well but its new retail units are also going for high spending passengers with four distinct zones in the departure lounge– Luxury, Affordable Luxury, High Street and Food & Beverage. I can't see the Luxury zone doing too well but we will have to wait and see.
The short term car park was also meant to be fully resurfaced but it seems that idea has been abandoned despite new kerbing going in with new white lines passing through pot holes and patched surfaces.
The fact that the replacement drop off zone and a new multistory car park are now planned to occupy the short term car park might have been one of the reasons the resurfacing might not happen but it is ironic that part of the only fully completed section by the south stands is set to become a builders construction village for the new rail link so will be closed to the public.
The worst of the pot holes have been removed with strips of tarmac laid but it still looks a complete mess and seems to be a bit of a bodge.
There are signs just before the entrance to the long term car park saying that works will start on 24th April for 4 weeks.
The fact that the replacement drop off zone and a new multistory car park are now planned to occupy the short term car park might have been one of the reasons the resurfacing might not happen but it is ironic that part of the only fully completed section by the south stands is set to become a builders construction village for the new rail link so will be closed to the public.
The worst of the pot holes have been removed with strips of tarmac laid but it still looks a complete mess and seems to be a bit of a bodge.
Last edited by LTNman; 23rd Apr 2017 at 17:57.
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I hope that signage is good leading into this area?
I will do a photo update when the traffic light junction to the mid term opens and the CTA roundabout fully opens. At the moment the shuttle bus stop has been moved into the goods in area by the old terminal so a concrete base can be laid for the bus to park on. Also the rear of the bus station maneuvering area is being raised to the same height as the roundabout.
Still no signs of the missing section of new build terminal actually being built some 17 months after the bus station was moved. That missing section is key to the whole redevelopment, as the existing ground floor retail units will move into that new area. The space released will then allow the security area to be expanded.
Also the landside waiting area for arrivals will be able to move into the new build which will then allow more baggage belts in an expanded luggage area to be built.
On the first floor the missing section of the new departure lounge can then be started so there is still at least 12 to 18 months work left on the terminal before it is fully finished. I am thinking more likely to be 18 months than 12 months.
Last edited by LTNman; 24th Apr 2017 at 05:38.
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Somebody mentioned the Sochi flights a little while ago for the Russian F1 Grand Prix, well there is a TUI Netherlands B767-300 this morning and a Titan A321 tomorrow morning. if I get any more information I will let you know for those who are interested.
From Travel Mole:
Luton reaches 15 million mark
Luton Airport has reached a new milestone after handling 15 million passengers in the past 12 months.
More than 1.2 million passengers flew through Luton in March, 15.7% more than the same period last year, marking three years of continuous growth.
The airport is currently investing in a redevelopment scheme to increase capacity to 18 million in the next three years.
Repeating his call for the airport to get four fast trains an hour to London to further assist its expansion, CEO Nick Barton said: "Fifteen million passengers over 12 months is a significant milestone for us. We're doing our bit to meet passenger demand and we hope the government and train operators will do their bit by introducing more fast trains to Luton."
Luton reaches 15 million mark
Luton Airport has reached a new milestone after handling 15 million passengers in the past 12 months.
More than 1.2 million passengers flew through Luton in March, 15.7% more than the same period last year, marking three years of continuous growth.
The airport is currently investing in a redevelopment scheme to increase capacity to 18 million in the next three years.
Repeating his call for the airport to get four fast trains an hour to London to further assist its expansion, CEO Nick Barton said: "Fifteen million passengers over 12 months is a significant milestone for us. We're doing our bit to meet passenger demand and we hope the government and train operators will do their bit by introducing more fast trains to Luton."
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I am one of those people living in the LTN catchment area and have decided to fly from other airports - notably Heathrow and Gatwick. An EZY flight to ARN is my first try in 18 months next Monday...
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Sorry, I would not call 16 million passengers good news when the terminal capacity is only around 12 million passengers. I would call it a disaster for the airports already tarnished image.
Good news will be the removal of all roadworks from either side of the tunnel, the opening up of more bus bays, a new taxi rank and the completion of the drop off zone by its final extension under the footbridge and its missing section of top layer of tarmac in the coming weeks. It remains to be seen if any improvement to the traffic flow appears when all the work is finished during the morning peak.
The opening up of one of the new entrances will mark the first section of the new build to open plus a section of canopy. I would think this will happen in the summer.
The existing departure lounge will fully reopen around June, which together with the moved duty free shop, will modestly increase the public areas.
New stands for use by the terminal are already increasing the night stopping capacity with more to follow in June.
Not sure about the completion date for the taxiway extension to 08, as it will need connecting to the runway with planned airport closures in December and next January looking like the dates but when finished the airports runway rate will increase.
The starting of taxiway Foxtrot in the coming weeks.
The starting by the end of the year of the new mass transit system to Parkway.
Good news will be the removal of all roadworks from either side of the tunnel, the opening up of more bus bays, a new taxi rank and the completion of the drop off zone by its final extension under the footbridge and its missing section of top layer of tarmac in the coming weeks. It remains to be seen if any improvement to the traffic flow appears when all the work is finished during the morning peak.
The opening up of one of the new entrances will mark the first section of the new build to open plus a section of canopy. I would think this will happen in the summer.
The existing departure lounge will fully reopen around June, which together with the moved duty free shop, will modestly increase the public areas.
New stands for use by the terminal are already increasing the night stopping capacity with more to follow in June.
Not sure about the completion date for the taxiway extension to 08, as it will need connecting to the runway with planned airport closures in December and next January looking like the dates but when finished the airports runway rate will increase.
The starting of taxiway Foxtrot in the coming weeks.
The starting by the end of the year of the new mass transit system to Parkway.
Try being positive!
A few years ago you laughed me off for suggesting that LTN had every right to be the UK's 5th busiest airport and here we are with that scenario!
I told you that EasyJet would double it's fleet from 15 A/C and again you suggested I was talking rubbish but here we are and they now have 23 A/C based at LTN with three years to bring just an extra 7 A/C on line!
When I suggested a couple of years ago the airports growth would be the eastern side no one listened! But trust me, LTN's growth will be based on the eastern side without penetrating its perimeter fence!
You state that LTN attracts 'pound shop customers' well factually I am more M&S, but irrelevant of that, I just like you can be considered 'old school' and I like to fly with a sense of nostalgic!
LTN Airport in my view and I state as someone with 35 years experience as a flyer and as someone who has experienced every other London Airport-has a fantastic future not yet realized!
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LTNMan,
I view the airport from the eyes of the passenger so this is worth a read. Now tell them to be positive.
http://www.airlinequality.com/airpor...luton-airport/
Luton has been the 5th busiest airport since 2014, before that it was neck and neck with Edinburgh for many years so if that is the case you have a good memory then because I don't remember laughing you off.
I don't remember that either but again if that is the case you could be right and I could be wrong
Being positive the mass transit system is facing in the right direction. With a pending second parallel taxiway being built next to Delta both the taxiways could be dug up in turn for a cut and cover tunnel.
Being negative the long term car park is built on a council tip which would need to be dug out. They are not my words but from a council planner who said that while buildings can be built on the tip with piled foundations you can't do that with an apron. The car park is not that big to support a second terminal and new aprons plus its own road network and car park. I can't say it won't happen as it is the only land available inside the airport boundary but if it was to happen now is the time to announce it as Luton could be full in a couple of years.
The alternative is a satellite terminal linked to the main terminal. That would mean more passengers in the existing terminal and more cars entering the CTA. I just can't see that happening.
Most here are more interested in new routes and hopefully more airlines than the state of the infrastructure and overcrowding which is fine if that is all they are interested in. Maybe I take a unique approach to Luton having links to the airport over many years. Because of this I have wide eyes and I see what is going on and the short cuts the airport takes to save a bob or two. Mainly they are little things that make a subconscious difference. Much of it is to do with the finish and the type of materials of the final product and the overall customer experience. Some of it is to do with poor design decisions that will hopefully be corrected.
There are plenty of things to look forward to. The completion of the mass transit system and hopefully 4 non stop trains an hour from London will be a game changer but with 18 million passengers probably already using Luton by the time it opens we will have to see how much of a game changer it becomes. If there is spare capacity full fare airlines might like the quick access and ease of passage to London and beyond compared to Stansted but Luton will have nothing else to offer them which full fare passengers would expect from an airport like airbridges.
Yes the airport is heaving, it has been incredibly successful and I have seen nothing like it at Luton before but the airport could do so much better if it tried just a little bit harder, which is why I will always speak out if something is not quite right, as well as heap praise when good things happen.
Now here is that link again and why Luton must try harder. http://www.airlinequality.com/airpor...luton-airport/
Try being positive!
http://www.airlinequality.com/airpor...luton-airport/
A few years ago you laughed me off for suggesting that LTN had every right to be the UK's 5th busiest airport and here we are with that scenario!
I told you that EasyJet would double it's fleet from 15 A/C and again you suggested I was talking rubbish but here we are and they now have 23 A/C based at LTN with three years to bring just an extra 7 A/C on line!
When I suggested a couple of years ago the airports growth would be the eastern side no one listened! But trust me, LTN's growth will be based on the eastern side without penetrating its perimeter fence!
Being negative the long term car park is built on a council tip which would need to be dug out. They are not my words but from a council planner who said that while buildings can be built on the tip with piled foundations you can't do that with an apron. The car park is not that big to support a second terminal and new aprons plus its own road network and car park. I can't say it won't happen as it is the only land available inside the airport boundary but if it was to happen now is the time to announce it as Luton could be full in a couple of years.
The alternative is a satellite terminal linked to the main terminal. That would mean more passengers in the existing terminal and more cars entering the CTA. I just can't see that happening.
LTN Airport in my view and I state as someone with 35 years experience as a flyer and as someone who has experienced every other London Airport-has a fantastic future not yet realized!
There are plenty of things to look forward to. The completion of the mass transit system and hopefully 4 non stop trains an hour from London will be a game changer but with 18 million passengers probably already using Luton by the time it opens we will have to see how much of a game changer it becomes. If there is spare capacity full fare airlines might like the quick access and ease of passage to London and beyond compared to Stansted but Luton will have nothing else to offer them which full fare passengers would expect from an airport like airbridges.
Yes the airport is heaving, it has been incredibly successful and I have seen nothing like it at Luton before but the airport could do so much better if it tried just a little bit harder, which is why I will always speak out if something is not quite right, as well as heap praise when good things happen.
Now here is that link again and why Luton must try harder. http://www.airlinequality.com/airpor...luton-airport/
Last edited by LTNman; 24th Apr 2017 at 22:16.
LGS - looks like Luton-Vigo operates 2x per week (Wed/Thurs and Sun) from 12 July to 24 September. The Iberia website uses code LON rather than LTN. Websites for some online travel agencies do not have the route available for sale
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I have been reading the last airport master plan which was published in 2012 and is the bases for the existing redevelopment.
Clearly they need to speak to Lee Baker Street who thinks differently
So the airport does state that by a bit of jiggery-pokery they were able to squeeze another 2 million passengers through the airport than first thought possable.
This is an interesting statement as in 2011 the airport had a capacity of 9.6 million passengers then by doing nothing it became 12 million passengers.
The prediction in 2012 for passenger numbers for this year was 12.1 million while the actual number of 15 million was not meant to have happened until 2023.
This might explain why the airport was somewhat relaxed in starting the redevelopment.
In our previous draft masterplan document, we proposed to expand the Airport to a capacity of 15-16mppa and we felt at the time that this represented a maximum figure for airport capacity within the existing site. However, following an extension to our concession with LLAL, a review of feedback received during both our and LLAL’s consultation exercises, a review of our own proposals and those of LLAL, and a process of detailed modelling, environmental assessment and design iteration we are confident that an 18 mppa capacity airport can be achieved within the existing Airport boundary
So the airport does state that by a bit of jiggery-pokery they were able to squeeze another 2 million passengers through the airport than first thought possable.
The Airport is built on 245 hectares of land. The two airports closest in passenger throughput to Luton, Birmingham and Edinburgh, have 330 and 367 hectares respectively.
The number of passengers that can be accommodated by this increase in capacity is up to 18 mppa, compared with the 2011 level of 9.6 mppa.
The prediction in 2012 for passenger numbers for this year was 12.1 million while the actual number of 15 million was not meant to have happened until 2023.
This might explain why the airport was somewhat relaxed in starting the redevelopment.
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Aena's only international airport operation, at Luton airport, saw commercial income gain 14.7%, as a result of a growth in traffic and the pricing strategies implemented, as well as a jump food and beverages and specialty shop income (+16.0% together), driven by increased passenger traffic. The opening of the walkthrough shop in June 2016 and improved conditions of commercial contracts also saw Luton excel from a commercial perspective. Total Q1 2017 revenue went up 1% to €41.9m
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Flew out of LTN this weekend for the first time in ages. Departure was a very poor passenger experience. Security was the usual rubbish experience with long standing in queues. Long yomp through the building to get to departure gate. Called too early for the EZY flight meant that 150 people were left standing in a corridor and on stairs in hot conditions for 30-45 minutes. Would not recommend.
Arrivals on the other hand was a completely different experience. Short walk to baggage area. Baggage arrived in less than 15 minutes. Short walk and out of the terminal less than 30 mins after touching down.
Is it really so difficult to make departures a reasonable experience? We all recognise the need for security checks but after that an airport needs to make sure that there are enough spaces for people to sit at the gate area. Even when you are "making things better for the passenger" by turning the departure experience into a building site theme park it's surely not too difficult to put in temporary seating?
I won't be using it again for a few years (if ever) given a choice
Arrivals on the other hand was a completely different experience. Short walk to baggage area. Baggage arrived in less than 15 minutes. Short walk and out of the terminal less than 30 mins after touching down.
Is it really so difficult to make departures a reasonable experience? We all recognise the need for security checks but after that an airport needs to make sure that there are enough spaces for people to sit at the gate area. Even when you are "making things better for the passenger" by turning the departure experience into a building site theme park it's surely not too difficult to put in temporary seating?
I won't be using it again for a few years (if ever) given a choice