LUTON -8
Emirates?
I've heard from close sources at the airport that emirates are launching a daily a330 service from April '15.
It's a bit like deciding to serve LBA and EMA, which seam extremely unlikely propositions as well.
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Wigmore luton
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Emirates
I agree, it was hard to believe when I was being told, but the new owners are trying to bring in more routes to places in the Middle East, a route to Erbil has been launched and they want to get routes with Qatar etc, but these aren't really on the radar ATM. Also, emirates are close to launching the route because they are geting rid of the a330 in 2022 so it would be a shorter term route anyway.
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: A place you do not know
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sounds good if true but does anyone know when atlasjet will start selling the route from April and onwards and there have said there want a direct from LTN To AYT
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not saying that it won't happen, but what would be the financial rationale for opening a service to Luton when they already extensively serve LHR, not an hour away, twice daily to BHX, only 90 minutes away?
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also, emirates are close to launching the route because they are geting rid
of the a330 in 2022 so it would be a shorter term route anyway
of the a330 in 2022 so it would be a shorter term route anyway
Are you saying Emirates are opening LTN, with the view to closing/moving the route when the A330's go?
Apart from perhaps the aim to push a competitor off a route (such as AA at STN), or a seasonal one, not many airlines open a route with the aim to close it on a defined date?
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: London Whipsnade Wildlife Park
Posts: 5,038
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Silverjet area of the old terminal could be converted to a luxury lounge. 787s are coming which would be ideal from Luton. Rumours have been lurking for years, there is also a ready made market in town to use the connections!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not only "in town". Hitchin, Milton Keynes would provide a market for onward connections to Asia and Africa. Lots of Somalis here!. And North London, especially Harrow etc. And I for one, frequent business traveller to India would consider business class via DXB instead of LHR. So better catchment than Stansted.
Runway length not a problem for A332, 772 or 787.
Can LTN accept 773/77W? Infrastructure not runway length the issue.
Runway length not a problem for A332, 772 or 787.
Can LTN accept 773/77W? Infrastructure not runway length the issue.
Last edited by 22/04; 13th Aug 2014 at 12:51. Reason: spelling
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 792
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Emirates
As Buster says this has been doing the rounds for a while.
In the short term I just can't see this happening.
Many reasons why!
MAG at STN want long haul and are more set up to take advantage if the opportunity came up. longer runway , revamped terminal.
I can see LTN getting the opportunity later but they need to get their act together re business class passengers.A decent , expanded lounge would be a start.Maybe this is part of the terminal expansion but haven't noticed it.
Then there is the air bridge option.
Still think the one advantage LTN does have is catchment Area so you never know one day it might happen.
In the short term I just can't see this happening.
Many reasons why!
MAG at STN want long haul and are more set up to take advantage if the opportunity came up. longer runway , revamped terminal.
I can see LTN getting the opportunity later but they need to get their act together re business class passengers.A decent , expanded lounge would be a start.Maybe this is part of the terminal expansion but haven't noticed it.
Then there is the air bridge option.
Still think the one advantage LTN does have is catchment Area so you never know one day it might happen.
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Wigmore luton
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Emirates
According to the source, this route is meant to be an icebreaker and a short term route to gauge uptake and to see if more routes to the Middle East, as part of AENA's expansion plans would be viable. I was told that if the route is popular, then it would be extended time wise, but obviously if the a330's are being scrapped in 2022, the scope is there to close the route if it isn't successful, or add to it if it is.
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: London
Posts: 837
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Let's assume for a moment that Emirates does launch a Luton route & it's a success. What happens in 2022 when the A330's leave, do they have another aircraft type that could be used?
Who can tell what will happen in 2022 about any airline for that matter. Just get the business while you can and let aircraft development take care of restricted performance/range from Luton runway.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southampton
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EKG
Come on now everyone let's get a reality check, we all know that Emirates will not be operating from Luton and the ridiculous suggestion that Emirates will fly the route on a short term basis is pure laughable especially considering the 330s will be gone by 1922.
This suggestion by Wigmore is just pure rumour nothing else and you shouldn't take to much notice of what you hear from others.
If any new route by Emirates was announced I am 100% certain it will from STN and definitely NOT LTN.
This suggestion by Wigmore is just pure rumour nothing else and you shouldn't take to much notice of what you hear from others.
If any new route by Emirates was announced I am 100% certain it will from STN and definitely NOT LTN.
a route to Erbil has been launched
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: London
Posts: 837
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
or 2022 even but I take your point canberra97, its fanciful to think that an airline would contemplate a route with a view to it running a few years then stopping. Whilst I'm sure the airport would love to have Emirates I think it's highly unlikely to happen. There seems little business logic to operate from 3 London airports when Heathrow and Gatwick are already so well served by them
I'm suspicious of this rumour too, particularly of the idea of a "temporary" route. However, Emirates have 777X on order from 2021, so aircraft type need not be a deterrent as El Al already operate 772s regularly into LTN.
The catchment area of LTN is far more attractive than that of STN, particularly considering the connections that EK passengers will make to access their final destinations. There is a population of between 1 and 2 million within 30 miles of Luton - excluding London - and many have Commonwealth links.
It's not so unfeasible for an airline with huge aspirations to operate from three London Airports - EZY operate from five, BA from three, Ryanair from three and TOM, who know more about UK catchments than most, offer flights from four.
All EK flights are to DXB with a view to onward connections, so they will want links to as much European catchment area as possible, and they want to stay ahead of their competitors. They have no competitors between LHR and BHX, but that's a big gap to tap in to.
So this rumour is not quite as far-fetched as it may initially appear. I'm still not holding my breath though.
The catchment area of LTN is far more attractive than that of STN, particularly considering the connections that EK passengers will make to access their final destinations. There is a population of between 1 and 2 million within 30 miles of Luton - excluding London - and many have Commonwealth links.
It's not so unfeasible for an airline with huge aspirations to operate from three London Airports - EZY operate from five, BA from three, Ryanair from three and TOM, who know more about UK catchments than most, offer flights from four.
All EK flights are to DXB with a view to onward connections, so they will want links to as much European catchment area as possible, and they want to stay ahead of their competitors. They have no competitors between LHR and BHX, but that's a big gap to tap in to.
So this rumour is not quite as far-fetched as it may initially appear. I'm still not holding my breath though.
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Essex
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The catchment area of LTN is far more attractive than that of STN
For example in North and East London, obviously Essex and all of Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire (essentially the whole of East Anglia), STN will be the closest major airport. Then there's sizable areas in Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and even parts of Kent despite some of these areas being maybe 2+ hours away. Put all that together and you have a very large catchment area.
LTN's catchment area is much more diluted by other airports. Once you go further north into Northamps BHX and EMA become better options. Go only a little further east you get STN, south you get LHR and LGW and heading west, once you reach Oxfordshire BHX and LHR become better due to better links via the M40 motorway.
LTN is only really the closest airport in North, possibly parts of West London, Bedfordshire and parts of Bucks, Herts and Northamps. Anywhere beyond that and other airports become preferable.
Yes the immediate area around LTN is undoubtedly more developed but I would say STN is preferable for a larger geographical area. As a result I don't really see any major advantage LTN has in terms of catchment area over STN.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: 35,000ft
Posts: 983
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FRatSTN
You are fighting a losing battle with the LTN folk who will argue black is white in defence of their favourite airfield.
Leave them be to get on with their daily debate of pipe dreams, you're wasting your breath. I'm surprised you've not figured this out by now.
You are fighting a losing battle with the LTN folk who will argue black is white in defence of their favourite airfield.
Leave them be to get on with their daily debate of pipe dreams, you're wasting your breath. I'm surprised you've not figured this out by now.