LUTON -8
Was a much smaller apron capacity in them days.
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Indeed so, I remember it well.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not hankering for the old days. It's just we were discussing Monarch & particularly Britannia, latterly Thomson and how they've sadly reduced their presence at the airport over the years.
As I suggested in an earlier post, Monarch, at least are working to actively increase destinations & frequencies which is good to see. I hope this continues. I think there was rumours of further growth in 2015 with potentially 6 based aircraft? I don't know if that's still on the agenda but would certainly be welcome.
As for Thomson, I just hope they one day realise the real value of Luton to their operations.
Thankfully, easyJet are re-discovering their interest in Luton so there is much to be positive about.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not hankering for the old days. It's just we were discussing Monarch & particularly Britannia, latterly Thomson and how they've sadly reduced their presence at the airport over the years.
As I suggested in an earlier post, Monarch, at least are working to actively increase destinations & frequencies which is good to see. I hope this continues. I think there was rumours of further growth in 2015 with potentially 6 based aircraft? I don't know if that's still on the agenda but would certainly be welcome.
As for Thomson, I just hope they one day realise the real value of Luton to their operations.
Thankfully, easyJet are re-discovering their interest in Luton so there is much to be positive about.
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Loading a supplement onto a Luton flight rather than the equivalent at Gatwick probably means the passenger will incur additional costs to travel to/from Gatwick thus negating the value saved on the flight.
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The supplement must have been a hefty one since the cost of travel for 4 people is pretty expensive.
I confess I don't fully understand the logic of supplements but instead of charging them, how about encouraging people to fly from airports like Luton instead of pushing them towards the biggies like Gatwick. It might help to relieve some congestion there & make life easier for passengers.
I confess I don't fully understand the logic of supplements but instead of charging them, how about encouraging people to fly from airports like Luton instead of pushing them towards the biggies like Gatwick. It might help to relieve some congestion there & make life easier for passengers.
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If you travel by car it is the same cost whether 1 or 5 people travel. Even on a train there are group save tickets.
Anyway this is rather interesting easyJet lassos London Gatwick and Luton airports with long term deals | CAPA - Centre for Aviation
Anyway this is rather interesting easyJet lassos London Gatwick and Luton airports with long term deals | CAPA - Centre for Aviation
but instead of charging them
I've never fully understood why Thomson can't make more of Luton?
There are many issues to consider when choosing to expand an operation at an airport. Its far too simplistic just to assume that an airline can base another couple of aircraft with very little impact to its operation. The cost of recruiting and training additional crews & engineers is a big deal and naturally there is always the Summer/Winter imbalance with the type of flying that TOM does.
Thomson is part of TUI now and a long way from the old BY days. Aircraft are moved around the fleets as required where there is a demand and where the best return for these assets can be achieved.
There are many issues to consider when choosing to expand an operation at an airport. Its far too simplistic just to assume that an airline can base another couple of aircraft with very little impact to its operation. The cost of recruiting and training additional crews & engineers is a big deal and naturally there is always the Summer/Winter imbalance with the type of flying that TOM does.
Thomson is part of TUI now and a long way from the old BY days. Aircraft are moved around the fleets as required where there is a demand and where the best return for these assets can be achieved.
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Britannia for me means a Holiday airline!
As Thomson is directing their attention at other airports and no longer committed to Luton, which I feel is a contributory factor to it’s downward trend in passenger levels (15.5m to now 10.7m passengers since 2005) is it not feasible that they could re-invent the Britannia Airways model exclusively at Luton?
After all, Britannia was synonymous at Luton as is Monarch (who continues to increase passenger levels and therefore generates growth) and it is time for some competition and re-introduction of the ‘vast’ routes (not even Easyjet operate) that Britannia once offered!
I’m a dreamer I know!
After all, Britannia was synonymous at Luton as is Monarch (who continues to increase passenger levels and therefore generates growth) and it is time for some competition and re-introduction of the ‘vast’ routes (not even Easyjet operate) that Britannia once offered!
I’m a dreamer I know!
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According to CAA stats, passenger throughput at Luton previously peaked at 10,173,902 in 2008. Throughput has never reached 15.5 million. Luton is now posting numbers comparable to the 2008 performance.
As for a Thomson Group sub-brand for Luton … I'm afraid that is just a dream. The costs would be prohibitive and the returns doubtful.
As for a Thomson Group sub-brand for Luton … I'm afraid that is just a dream. The costs would be prohibitive and the returns doubtful.
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EZY
20% increase for next summer, will that involve use of Pond or South Stands to park these, when does the Signature redevelopment come on-line?
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Hopefully with, I believe, next summers flights going on sale very soon, we should soon learn more about easyJet's new destinations & frequencies.
If only the Britannia brand could be revived, but sadly I think that's just wishful thinking Lee Baker Street.
If only the Britannia brand could be revived, but sadly I think that's just wishful thinking Lee Baker Street.
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There are daily massive tailbacks from later afternoons into the evenings due to the roadworks around junction 10A. Even though 2 lanes have been maintained from the airport the road used to widen out to 3 lanes on the roundabout by the spur road.
Unlike the upgrade of Airport Way which took 3 years instead of 18 months and where it was a struggle to see anyone doing anything progress on this upgrade is impressive.
No gain without some pain but there is a lot of pain at the moment.
Unlike the upgrade of Airport Way which took 3 years instead of 18 months and where it was a struggle to see anyone doing anything progress on this upgrade is impressive.
No gain without some pain but there is a lot of pain at the moment.
If only the Britannia brand could be revived, but sadly I think that's just wishful thinking Lee Baker Street.
Definitely wishful thinking I'm afraid! Bear in mind TUI is headquartered in Germany!
Thomson have actually increased Summer capacity at LTN since B737-800's have been based here. After the withdrawal of the 737-200 fleet in 1993, the Summer contingent was two 757's for many years. More recently we have seen one 757 and two 737-800's. Remember too that in the heyday of 737-200 operations, at least a quarter of the flying was MOD charters to Germany etc.
Thomson have been around for a long time and know the business very well. Much of the operation is geared around big change-over days at resort airports which allows an efficient use of coaches and reps etc. Simply adding additional random flights to certain destinations doesn't always work but its common to see extra PMI & IBZ night flights in the peak months added to the program each year if the demand is there.
Definitely wishful thinking I'm afraid! Bear in mind TUI is headquartered in Germany!
Thomson have actually increased Summer capacity at LTN since B737-800's have been based here. After the withdrawal of the 737-200 fleet in 1993, the Summer contingent was two 757's for many years. More recently we have seen one 757 and two 737-800's. Remember too that in the heyday of 737-200 operations, at least a quarter of the flying was MOD charters to Germany etc.
Thomson have been around for a long time and know the business very well. Much of the operation is geared around big change-over days at resort airports which allows an efficient use of coaches and reps etc. Simply adding additional random flights to certain destinations doesn't always work but its common to see extra PMI & IBZ night flights in the peak months added to the program each year if the demand is there.
Reported in AIN..
Landmark Launches European FBO Expansion
Landmark Aviation made its entry into the UK business aviation market in a big way with yesterday’s announcement that it acquired RSS Jet Centre, which operated the former Ocean Sky FBOs at London Luton, Manchester and Glasgow Prestwick International Airports. The Houston-based company, which now operates 57 FBOs (including eight under license) mostly in North America, has had a presence in France since 2006, and currently has bases at 10 airports in Europe. This includes a facility at Paris Le Bourget, where a new $4.1 million terminal is set to open. “We are excited to expand our operations into the United Kingdom,” said Landmark president and CEO Dan Bucaro. “This acquisition increases our presence in Europe, and is representative of our commitment to the strategic growth of our network.” The addition of the Luton FBO puts the company in competition there with Signature Flight Support and Harrods Aviation, while its Manchester facility is one of two providers on the field and offers flight planning, passenger and crew lounges, as well as hangar and office space. At Prestwick, well placed for access to some of Scotland’s best golf courses, Landmark will also be one of two FBOs on the field.
Landmark Launches European FBO Expansion
Landmark Aviation made its entry into the UK business aviation market in a big way with yesterday’s announcement that it acquired RSS Jet Centre, which operated the former Ocean Sky FBOs at London Luton, Manchester and Glasgow Prestwick International Airports. The Houston-based company, which now operates 57 FBOs (including eight under license) mostly in North America, has had a presence in France since 2006, and currently has bases at 10 airports in Europe. This includes a facility at Paris Le Bourget, where a new $4.1 million terminal is set to open. “We are excited to expand our operations into the United Kingdom,” said Landmark president and CEO Dan Bucaro. “This acquisition increases our presence in Europe, and is representative of our commitment to the strategic growth of our network.” The addition of the Luton FBO puts the company in competition there with Signature Flight Support and Harrods Aviation, while its Manchester facility is one of two providers on the field and offers flight planning, passenger and crew lounges, as well as hangar and office space. At Prestwick, well placed for access to some of Scotland’s best golf courses, Landmark will also be one of two FBOs on the field.
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Re Thomson, when it was just 757's making up the Luton fleet weren't they used exclusively at Luton whereas now the 2 737's and single 757 often fly out of Luton first thing & don't return until late at night, so perhaps not such an increase in capacity?
Although I seem to recall it being mentioned that there will be more daytime flights this summer, meaning less W pattern operations??
Although I seem to recall it being mentioned that there will be more daytime flights this summer, meaning less W pattern operations??
The TOM "W" patterns in past years have only occurred on two days per week using one aircraft. Typically its been LTN-CFU-NWI-CFU-LTN on Friday and LTN-IBZ-NWI-IBZ-LTN on Saturdays.
I haven't studied the program for this summer but understand there is only one "W" per week plus the addition of a JSI rotation on Fridays using a 757 (a new destination)
I haven't studied the program for this summer but understand there is only one "W" per week plus the addition of a JSI rotation on Fridays using a 757 (a new destination)
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TOM at Luton
To be fair to Thomson, Luton isn't doing too bad this summer and is a continuation of same number of aircraft as previous years...
Here is a post from the Thomson forum giving details of how the fleet is deployed this summer:
You have the large regional bases like Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham...
Then Luton seems to fit into the second tier category of Thomson bases, with three aircraft based at these airport. That being East Midlands, Luton and Newcastle.
The only difference with these other two bases is, they have a 787 deployed there on one or two days a week to cover the long haul routes. BUT on the positive side these airports only have 738's based there, while Luton has a mix of the 757 and 737.
We also need to bare in mind Luton a few years back use to have an A320 based at the airport from both First Choice and Airtours. First Choice have been swallowed up by Thomson and Airtours are now part of Thomas Cook. Thomson now sells seats to both these companies on their flights, if you look at the Thomas Cook brochure, Thomson is widely used from the airport and not just to a few major destinations.
It is one of the only UK airports Thomas Cook are using Thomson metal to fly passengers on their behalf. So makes me wonder if the charter traffic from Luton is quite weak and if Thomson could sustain the routes they do if it wasn't for Thomas Cook also helping to fill their aircraft?
As mentioned above Luton only really ever had one A320 of both Airtours and First Choice deployed at the airport, while these former airlines deployed larger and more aircraft at their other regional bases. So backs up my theory that maybe Luton has always been a difficult airport for charter airlines to operate from, in the last 10-15 years.
Here is a post from the Thomson forum giving details of how the fleet is deployed this summer:
BFS: 1 x 738
BHX: 2 x 738, 3 x 752, 1 x 788 (Fri-Sun)
BOH: 1 x 738
BRS: 2 x 752
CWL: 2 x 738
DSA: 2 x 738
DUB: 1 x 738
EMA: 3 x 738, 1 x 788 (Wed-Thu)
EDI: 1 x 738
EXT: 1 x 738
GLA: 2 x 752, 1 x 788 (Fri-Sat)
LBA: 1 x 738
LGW: 7 x 738, 4 x 752, 1 x 763, 3 x 788 (2 Fri-Sun)
LTN: 2 x 738, 1 x 752
STN: 2 x 738
MAN: 6 x 738, 2 x 752, 3 x 763, 2 x 788
NCL: 3 x 738, 1 x 788 (Mon-Tue)
BHX: 2 x 738, 3 x 752, 1 x 788 (Fri-Sun)
BOH: 1 x 738
BRS: 2 x 752
CWL: 2 x 738
DSA: 2 x 738
DUB: 1 x 738
EMA: 3 x 738, 1 x 788 (Wed-Thu)
EDI: 1 x 738
EXT: 1 x 738
GLA: 2 x 752, 1 x 788 (Fri-Sat)
LBA: 1 x 738
LGW: 7 x 738, 4 x 752, 1 x 763, 3 x 788 (2 Fri-Sun)
LTN: 2 x 738, 1 x 752
STN: 2 x 738
MAN: 6 x 738, 2 x 752, 3 x 763, 2 x 788
NCL: 3 x 738, 1 x 788 (Mon-Tue)
Then Luton seems to fit into the second tier category of Thomson bases, with three aircraft based at these airport. That being East Midlands, Luton and Newcastle.
The only difference with these other two bases is, they have a 787 deployed there on one or two days a week to cover the long haul routes. BUT on the positive side these airports only have 738's based there, while Luton has a mix of the 757 and 737.
We also need to bare in mind Luton a few years back use to have an A320 based at the airport from both First Choice and Airtours. First Choice have been swallowed up by Thomson and Airtours are now part of Thomas Cook. Thomson now sells seats to both these companies on their flights, if you look at the Thomas Cook brochure, Thomson is widely used from the airport and not just to a few major destinations.
It is one of the only UK airports Thomas Cook are using Thomson metal to fly passengers on their behalf. So makes me wonder if the charter traffic from Luton is quite weak and if Thomson could sustain the routes they do if it wasn't for Thomas Cook also helping to fill their aircraft?
As mentioned above Luton only really ever had one A320 of both Airtours and First Choice deployed at the airport, while these former airlines deployed larger and more aircraft at their other regional bases. So backs up my theory that maybe Luton has always been a difficult airport for charter airlines to operate from, in the last 10-15 years.
Last edited by gilesdavies; 4th Apr 2014 at 16:37. Reason: Added a little more to my post
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I had no idea there was any linkage between Thomson & Thomas Cook. I assumed the latter either used Monarch or simply didn't offer Luton since it doesn't base an aircraft at the airport.
Charter traffic has obviously taken a massive hit over recent years against fierce competition from the LCC's.
Didn't Thomson at Luton try a scheduled option in addition to their charter flights a few years back with routes like JER & PRG, I wonder why that didn't work out?
Charter traffic has obviously taken a massive hit over recent years against fierce competition from the LCC's.
Didn't Thomson at Luton try a scheduled option in addition to their charter flights a few years back with routes like JER & PRG, I wonder why that didn't work out?