EDINBURGH - 2

[EK77WNCL]

I must say I'm blown away by (and rather jealous of) the growth that EDI has had in recent months and years, as well as airports like GLA, MAN and BHX. Not that I'm wishing the bubble to burst or anything but I wonder how sustainable it is... And when NCL might get it's share!

Kudos to EDI (and GLA) though, phenomenal growth, I wonder how it's all come about and how much more is left. I keep thinking perhaps that the longer London waits for another runway/airport, the better the regions do?

[GoEDI]

Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways in Europe analysed

EDI is the only destination in Europe served by both EY and QR but not EK.
We've seen time and time again airlines are like sheep when it comes to protecting their market share, which in EK's case at GLA is currently starting to show the effects of competition at EDI.
So given EK's competitive nature it should come as no surprise if they do choose to launch EDI in the short-medium term. It'll be as much a strategic decision as anything IMO.
Will it lead to a bloodbath? Quite possibly, but I can't see that being a major concern to an airline that is flying 6 A380s a day to LHR alone against significant competition! Time will tell...

[willy wombat]

While I appreciate that the 'enthusiasts' are desperate to see as many airlines as possible at EDI, as a regular passenger through EDI I wish the owners would concentrate on improving the passenger experience rather than continuing to squeeze a quart into a pint pot. I can see that a lot of work has been done on the terminal but it is not keeping pace with the passenger growth. N

[A350Saltire]

Originally Posted by willy wombat

While I appreciate that the 'enthusiasts' are desperate to see as many airlines as possible at EDI, as a regular passenger through EDI I wish the owners would concentrate on improving the passenger experience rather than continuing to squeeze a quart into a pint pot. I can see that a lot of work has been done on the terminal but it is not keeping pace with the passenger growth. N

Totally agree. They urgently need a much larger check-in hall, increased terminal floor space and more stands - particularly those connected to immigration.

Gordon Dewar spoke of urgently needing to modernise the airport when launching the May 2016 growth figures so lets hope something substantial is in the pipeline.

[gopaisleygo]

Fantastic destination menu from EDI and here's hoping EK arriving soon too but Saltire is correct, landside and check in is woeful and airport needs much much more investment. Great to see both doing well.

[4eyed anorak]

Positive growth again for Edinburgh!

May 16 May 15 Change %

Domestic 448,815 451,154 - 0.5 %

International 662,562 572,859 + 15.7 %

Total 1,111,377 1,024,013 + 8.5 %


Regards 4ea

P.s Still no C.A.A. figures released since March! Progress eh?

[Sk1schoolsam]

Originally Posted by willy wombat

While I appreciate that the 'enthusiasts' are desperate to see as many airlines as possible at EDI, as a regular passenger through EDI I wish the owners would concentrate on improving the passenger experience rather than continuing to squeeze a quart into a pint pot. I can see that a lot of work has been done on the terminal but it is not keeping pace with the passenger growth. N

Don't disagree with the terminal expansion sentiment, however the reality is that the terminal needs a complete rebuild to increase size and capacity considerably and I don't see the land or the money from the owner being made available. (Still waiting to here when the next proposed stage of redevelopment will kick off!! Any clues?) Don't know how much more tinkering with the current buildings can be done or what could be achieved of any significance. Envy the mega million investment into new terminals at Manchester.

We "enthusiasts" and regular users of the airport are rightly keen to see future route development: roll on Norwegian (when they get there 737 Max and available 788....don't think it will be in time for next spring summer) and the fabled promised China links ( if these ever happen??). Also improvements (more flights) to established links like Zurich and Berlin to improve buisness links and tourism would be welcome.

However I personally think ther is a zero chance of EK coming to Edinburgh.

[nighthawk117]

Don't disagree with the terminal expansion sentiment, however the reality is that the terminal needs a complete rebuild to increase size and capacity considerably and I don't see the land or the money from the owner being made available. (Still waiting to here when the next proposed stage of redevelopment will kick off!! Any clues?) Don't know how much more tinkering with the current buildings can be done or what could be achieved of any significance. Envy the mega million investment into new terminals at Manchester.

Why do you feel a rebuild is needed? There is plenty of room between the current terminal and the South East pier for expansion. Even the South East pier can be expanded if needed.

We are far from needing a new terminal, and given the recent investment in the international arrivals area and new security area, it's pretty clear there are currently no plans for one.

Given the amount of growth this year however, and if the Emirates / Chinese rumours are true, I'd expect an announcement shortly regarding further expansion in order to be ready for next summer.

[Skipness One Echo]

Disagree, the passenger flow with the bolt ons to the 1977 structure are convoluted and the place is just too busy. There's only so many add ons you can do before it breaks down. See LHR pre T5 and now MAN then compare with LHR T5/T2 and BHX post rebuild. Even GLA used to put L1011s in Gate 1 with three wide bodies at the end of the old intl pier. Possible? Yes. Good customer experience? Hell no.

Time to rebuild.

Compared to some German or Swiss airports, the UK just hasn't a clue.

[edi_local]

Originally Posted by Skipness One Echo

Compared to some German or Swiss airports, the UK just hasn't a clue.

I couldn't agree more. Those countries have invested in their airports though, big and small in order to provide a high level of service for both the passengers and the airline customers themselves. The UK has treated air travel as an inconvenience, you just have to look at the political mess that follows whenever someone mentions expansion or a new runway.

I do think EDI could do with a new terminal, of course, but there is no way it could be done easily within the current airfield space. They will have to work with what they have now and that means starting off by greatly expanding and improving the SE pier and essentially making that the new terminal it always should have been. Once that is up and running properly with wide body stands, airbridges, new immigration and even check in halls then the 1970s part of the building can also be worked on and expanded. Of course so much needs done to just keep up with the demand they had about 10 years ago that it's a mammoth task and one which will cause huge disruption for at least another decade. One thing is for sure though, they need to do a lot more than just that woeful new international arrivals hall. That is a disgrace to EDI. It looks like a cow shed and is no where near big enough. The fact passengers have to walk outside, exposed to the elements both before and after entering the hall is a farce.

[A350Saltire]

Originally Posted by edi_local

One thing is for sure though, they need to do a lot more than just that woeful new international arrivals hall. That is a disgrace to EDI. It looks like a cow shed and is no where near big enough. The fact passengers have to walk outside, exposed to the elements both before and after entering the hall is a farce.

Isn't this arrivals hall a temporary solution until the new bigger permanent structure is constructed?

Agree though that this needs to be started soon along with the transformation of the south-east pier into a proper international facility with a sufficient number of wide body stands etc.

[edi_local]

Originally Posted by A350Saltire

Isn't this arrivals hall a temporary solution until the new bigger permanent structure is constructed?

Yes it is and it really shows, but temporary doesn't need to mean amature. Sadly they have really gone down the cheapest route and it really lets the airport down. To not even have a fully covered path allowing passengers to be protected from aircraft to kerbside is really quite pathetic to be honest. It would cost hardly anything to do this.

[Heathrow Harry]

well for years ABZ had a nice covered walkway all the way up to the Car hire park whereas those waiting for a taxi (say a 737 load) had a glorified suburban bus shelter that held about 8 people

[frontcheck]

Re temporary structures, there are portakabins airside that were meant to be temporary and they are still being used over 16 years later LOL

[Porrohman]

If runway 12/30 is permanently closed, a domestic and/or LoCo terminal could be built adjacent to the new Edinburgh Gateway Station and the tram depot. This would free up space in the existing terminal to allow remodeling.

There is also a considerable amount of space in the vicinity of the former RAF Turnhouse that could be developed. In addition, if the long-term carpark is relocated and the adjacent hangers are demolished, there's a lot of potential space for expansion in that area. Finally, there is plenty scope to extend the terminal towards the SE pier.

EDI could greatly improve and expand its facilities in various ways without needing to acquire land from the RHAS. The rapid growth in passenger numbers and routes is good news and will surely justify the continuing expansion of facilities.

[edi_local]

Those hangars you speak of are in use though, aren't they? For the fire service, maintenance, de-icing equipment etc I agree there is no need to acquire more land right now, they have a lot to play with. The focus needs to be on improving and greatly expanding what they have, not gaining more land.

A big expansion of the SE Pier with new widebody stands is about the only way they could go. Start off by building a new area and slowly link it back to the main terminal, improving the current pier next and then working back towards the main terminal, which would really have to be demolished and rebuilt bit by bit. With a new terminal operating where the SE Pier currently is, they would probably just about be able to get away with using existing stands on the main terminal building as remote by coaching from the new and improved terminal for a few years and eventually the whole building could be up to the same, modern standard. New check in halls are needed, not just pop up machines and moving bags around in wheeled cages.

I believe the portacabins are used solely by the border force, possibly as admin offices or temporary holding cells until the people can be allowed entry or sent back. The fact there are still portacabins there is a bit of a shambles and in all honesty I'd rather see that whole area turned into a terminal extension with proper gate rooms and jetty served stands which feed into a bigger immigration hall. That would negate the need for that stupid corridor used for international arrivals at present, which causes more harm than good. The portacabins could be relocated elsewhere in one of the other areas where the airport grounds have lots of unused space. I have a feeling though that border force would veto any attempt to remove those portacabins, sadly.

[Porrohman]

The equipment stored in one of the the hangers could just as easily be stored elsewhere in the vicinity of the airfield if needs must. I'm not sure what's in the former Lowland Aero Services / Ferranti hangar these days.

One of the impediments to development at EDI was resolving the drainage arrangements. There was a proposal to re-route the Gogar Burn to the east of the airfield which was seen as a prerequisite to developing the SE pier, terminal extension and associated aprons and taxiways.

A revised drainage scheme is needed soon in order to comply with environmental regulations but the minutes of the Consultative Committee meetings haven't made much mention of this recently.

[Heathrow Harry]

"EDI could greatly improve and expand its facilities in various ways without needing to acquire land from the RHAS"

That is fine if you're happy to be a pure airport operating company but they all want to build office parks/shopping "experiences"/apartments these days - more money/bonuses in it TBH

[theredbarron]

I suspect that any development plans will be put on hold as a result of Brexit, at least until such time as the owners and airlines see what impact there is on flights to/from the EU. An immediate effect of course will be the hit on outbound holiday routes due to the now ever decreasing value of the pound, although of course this might be balanced by increases in inbound tourism. Then there is the possible impact on carriers, particularly Ryanair and EasyJet, of the UK being forced out of the European Air Services Agreement. It is indeed only one small part of a can of worms which has been opened, none of which not even BoJo anticipated by the looks of it.

[VickersVicount]

All the Euro free movement will become hesitant I suspect but this may be offset buy value of pound