LUTON -8

[Boeing737-8]

V
Still bookable on there website where did you get these from

[LAX_LHR]

Still bookable on there website where did you get these from

Flybe press release confirms all the routes cut:

Flybe | Corporate | Media | News archive

the airline can now also confirm that it is withdrawing 30 routes of which 14
normally operate for summer only

Jersey – Luton
Isle of Man - Luton

Given that is both routes gone and a complete pull out from Luton for Flybe, it suggests GCI-LTN is looking less likely.

[whitelighter]

AXA or whatever they are called will need a payback for the large investment and the only way you can do that is make the airport more competative than our Essex neighbour.

Exactly the same sentiment applies in Essex though, with M.A.G and their new Ozzy mates paying even more for Stansted - though at least they own the thing in perpetuity unlike the new 'operators' at Luton. Difficult to throw endless cash at something you only have a finite contract on.

How much space does Luton have to grow without serious cash investment?

[Powerjet1]

So now not even a summer Saturday flight to Jersey. I can't think of any previous years when there has not been some sort of Jersey service in operation. Apart from LHR, Luton will now be the only London airport without some form of connection to the C.I. Flybe's GCI application to LTN must surely now be dead in the water. Could easy step in for say a three/ four times wkly summer service like they had a few years ago. Probably the only realistic chance there is.

[pabely]

Airport Web site needs to drop references to Flybe offering flights to IOM & JER.

[22/04]

The closure of the bases at Jersey and IoM is really the root cause of Flybe's withdrawal- if GCI was not reliant on these bases could it still happen?

[LTNman]

Think we can also kiss goodbye to any thought of a Waterford service.

[wallp]

Flybe

Very sad news indeed that the JER & IOM routes are to be axed. I can't remember a time when there was no link, at least in summer to JER & many years since there was no IOM service. A sad day.

Hard to think who might step in, easyJet perhaps, though if viable surely they wouldn't have exited the JER route a few years back?

If Flybe can't make these routes work, is a GCI route realistically any more likely? I'd have thought it was doubtful, hence perhaps why no more has been heard about it.

I also agree with above comment about Waterford. It simply ain't gonna happen.

[runway08]

Maybe we will see the opening of a new airline that operates smaller props. There seems to be a complete lack of this in England. Some say there are not the markets for it but lets say someone started up at Luton with regional props heading to the likes of Waterford, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey & even Newquay. Surely you could fill a J41 and make it work. Eh who knows.

Also Luton isnt as space constrained as some make out, Yes there would be problems if you wanted to build an extra 3 runways and 100 stands but there is certainly places to expand on the current site. The problem is as we have all mentioned before it is a hugely unorganized mess. Car parks in the wrong place that could be much smaller, Multi storey and tucked off out of the way.

Might I also add, A huge lack of flights at certain times. Whats the point in building tonnes of new stands if the airport doesnt attract any new services? Look at the schedules, Yes it is winter but some days there are over 2 hours between airline flights. Luton is not as full as some people think, It is a "London" airport.. those slots should be filled up.

[davidjohnson6]

Maybe we will see the opening of a new airline that operates smaller props. There seems to be a complete lack of this in England.

UK Flights: Aberdeen, Cardiff, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle Flights | Eastern Airways

[runway08]

Yeah they are kind of who I was "Hinting" at when I mentioned the J41 but they dont seem to like to operate flights down this way.. Might be an opportunity for someone new. Never many new airlines in the UK.

[wallp]

Or Perhaps an opportunity for Blue Islands?

[LTNman]

Waterford

Euroceltic proved how difficult it is to make money out of the Irish market and they went bust in the good days when the Irish and us had money.

[davidjohnson6]

LTNman - there is nothing specifically difficult about the Irish market. Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair seem to do well from Ireland. The problem is that with a relatively small population and 2 significant carrier groups (ie including Aer Arann) there isn't really much room for a 3rd carrier.

Waterford will get a London route when the runway is A319 / B737 capable. Until then, fuggedaboutit

[wallp]

Waterford

Earlier in this thread a contributor stated that "The runway is only been extended by 150 metres to 1585 metres, that is still way too short for 737-800". Is that no longer the case?


If Flybe can make WAT-MAN & WAT-BHX work then there surely is some merit in an airline operating a WAT-LON service?

[runway08]

Blue Islands planes are to large I think they are 50+ ATRs, They sold their jetstreams. I think it should be done with around a 30/35 seater or less. Challenge is to make it worth it "£££".

Euroceltic were operating banged up tatty old fokker 27's, I dont ever remember seeing them advertize the route either. I dont know how any Irish route from Luton could fail, Then again we cant get a Pakistan route and you would think that would be a given.

[Dannyboy39]

Domestic air travel

Regarding there not being many domestic services for smaller ATR-size aircraft - I can't see there being an influx anytime soon. In years to come, increased taxation will try to kill off domestic aviation altogether and force passengers onto trains, even on the core routes. This in turn will force rail fares up rapidly as it will eventually become almost a monopoly.

[Dannyboy39]

Regarding WAT airport - is that definitely the case that the runway is too short?

GIB airport is slightly longer at just over 1800m and B757s, with a heavier fuel load, have operated out of there in the past. Are there not special procedures to operate from shorter runways?

[wallp]

Dannyboy39, you make a reasonable point regarding domestic air travel, which means routes like JER, GCI & IOM have a particular problem given that using the train isn't an option.

Surely there is still a case to be made for such routes from Luton, if they can be correctly priced?

[wallp]

What I do find strange is why Flybe opted to apply for a LTN to GCI route, when presumably at the same time they were planning to ditch their other LTN services. If they can't make IOM & JER work, why would GCI fare any better?