SOUTHEND 5

[tws123]

I suppose having the flexibility to switch aircraft on demand allows them to keep costs down, improve load factors and increase yield?

[Expressflight]

Stobart/Flybe Winter Timetable

The Winter Timetable up to 31/1/17 is now shown on the Flybe website and is very similar to this winter for CFR, GRQ and RNS with a few additions over the Christmas/New Year period. CFR looks set to take a mid-winter break again after 8/1/17 and the morning RNS departs at 07:40, a little later than currently. Equipment is currently shown as being ATR72.

[good egg]

Originally Posted by Expressflight

asdf1234

The growing number of airlines which choose SEN as their primary LCY diversion does indicate its increasing acceptance as a LON airport and the latest addition to that list previously hadn't considered SEN.

Not sure I agree with you here. Suspect it's more likely to do with the inability of London airports to accept diversions during Low Visibility a Operations. The advantage SEN has over LCY is lower operating minima (not so steep approach, not so limited regards approach lighting, etc.)
"Normal" diversions might look for EGSS, EGGW, EGKK and possibly EGLL but spaces at these airports are extremely limited during LVO so airlines will look to use whatever is convenient and nearby. CAT III would offer so much more as an alternate but I'm guessing the infrastructure at SEN couldn't support it?

[AdamThePassenger]

Originally Posted by tws123

I suppose having the flexibility to switch aircraft on demand allows them to keep costs down, improve load factors and increase yield?

I suppose having the flexibility to switch aircraft on demand allows them to keep costs down, improve load factors and increase yield?

It does seem to help them, yes. I imagine it would be an ATR 42 now but EI-CBK is away for maintenance so EI-EHH is needed for Donegal flights. When CBK is back EHH can go to SEN.

The Winter Timetable up to 31/1/17 is now shown on the Flybe website and is very similar to this winter for CFR, GRQ and RNS with a few additions over the Christmas/New Year period. CFR looks set to take a mid-winter break again after 8/1/17 and the morning RNS departs at 07:40, a little later than currently. Equipment is currently shown as being ATR72.

I wonder if it will stay as a 72 or will be changed to a 42 later on.


Any more news about the Sea Air flights?

Adam

[Expressflight]

good egg

You seem to be making the assumion that all LCY diversions take place during times of Low Visibility Procedures elsewhere but that is not the case. Indeed, they probably comprise less than 50% with the majority being as a result of crosswinds/windshear, ATC congestion/delays (as was the case just two days ago), aircraft tech problems precluding the use of LCY's runway, fuel shortage and LCY security alerts etc..

In all those cases the same airlines use SEN as when LVPs are in operation at other LON airports.

You are correct in guessing that SEN's runway cannot physically be upgraded to CAT III ILS status.

[tayair6]

CIII
BUT I'm guessing the infrastructure at SEN couldn't support it? Can you tell me why is that ?

[cumbrianboy]

SEN can only be a CAT I airport because primarily the runway width (min for cat II+ ops is 45m, SEN is 37m) and largely the church is in the ILS critical area.

In addition, the current approach lights mean a slightly higher minima even for CAT I, the minima at the moment is 750m but minimum for a CAT I it usually 550m.

That said, over the winter there's very little call for anything better than CAT I so i don't think it's such a major issue.

[tayair6]

Thank. I guess it was something to do with the church and width of Runway.

[mikkie4]

What I cant get my head around is that our runway like every other runway has 2 sides,ok so we cant make it wider on one side because of the church,but there is plenty of land on the other side.The extra 10mtrs that would be needed to accomadate larger planes/change CATT would make no difference to the airport,would it be cost effective to change all the lighting/ils and other systems if they were to widen the runway just to get larger planes at SEN? I know it won:t help with the length of the runway so it looks like we are stuck with nothing bigger than an A320
i

[cumbrianboy]

It's not just the physical width of the runway it's also the area around the runway has to be clear and protected for a higher category of ILS in order to protect and guarantee the integrity of the localiser beams. Not only the side of the runway but also in a 'fan' shape off either end -at southend this is problematic due to the road, close proximity of houses etc, the airport buildings and taxiway layouts not to mention obstacles in the departure and arrival protected area.

For an airport that has been affected by fog on maybe 3 or 4 days this winter, even if it was possible (which in my opinion it could be possible at extortionate cost, but not in the least practical or logistically feasible) why bother?!

Gatwick struggles to compete with heathrow for long haul and as for stansted ... So, Southend is in it's market best and needs to focus on what it can do well, IMO - short haul point to point, regional scheduled, training and maintenace with GA/business aviation as well.

[mikkie4]

cumbrianboy

thanks for the answer,makes it a lot clearer

[good egg]

Originally Posted by Expressflight

good egg

You seem to be making the assumion that all LCY diversions take place during times of Low Visibility Procedures elsewhere but that is not the case. Indeed, they probably comprise less than 50% with the majority being as a result of crosswinds/windshear, ATC congestion/delays (as was the case just two days ago), aircraft tech problems precluding the use of LCY's runway, fuel shortage and LCY security alerts etc..

In all those cases the same airlines use SEN as when LVPs are in operation at other LON airports.

Fair point but probably due to proximity of LCY, ability to bus passengers relatively quickly, reposition quickly back to LCY when situation is resolved (or operate outbound from SEN) and stand/ground handling availability.

I think it's a great thing that SEN has that diversion capability - it does seem to deal well in those situations (although I've never actually been there to witness it).

I don't think it signals SEN's acceptance as a LON airport (certainly not for LCY's traffic/passenger profile) but SEN is a good alternate during exceptional circumstances (as long as it's not fogged out).

It's acceptance as a LON airport isn't borne out by its scheduled traffic movements - whether that will change with potentially better train connections (as someone alluded to earlier) remains to be seen.

[maliyahsdad2]

Some news from the Airport this morning -
We’re pleased to announce we’ve now got more options for passengers travelling to and from London Southend Airport early in the morning and late at night, thanks to the launch of a new daily coach service with National Express.

The new service starts on Monday 21 March 2016.

The coach will leave the airport at 11.45pm and call at Stratford Bus & Rail Station (Stop L, Great Eastern Road) and Liverpool Street Station (Bishopsgate, Stop G) before arriving at Victoria Coach Station at 1.25am.

Coming back, the coach leaves Victoria Coach Station at 3.15am, stopping at Liverpool Street Station (Bishopsgate, Stop G) and Stratford Bus & Rail Station (Stop L, Great Eastern Road) before arriving at London Southend Airport at 5.10am.

Tickets can be bought online here Coach & Bus Travel | National Express Coaches or you can buy them in the London Southend Terminal from the Money Corp Bureau in the Arrivals area.

[tws123]

Coaches

That is some really positive news, and the great thing is as demand increase more times can be added when required. Very useful addition to make with the Routes Europe event coming up in April (which SEN will be attending).

[Barling Magna]

At last! At bloomin' last!

[JTSB]

A potentially significant development, especially with a national coach operator like National Express. You'd hope there's scope there for an expansion of the service of it proves popular, and maybe it will put pressure on the rail operator to lay on a couple of earlier and later trains too?

[mikkie4]

coach service

Great news ,just what is needed, shame it leaves at 11.45.1/2 hour later would have been better to allow for late arrivals

[tayair6]

Originally Posted by JTSB

A potentially significant development, especially with a national coach operator like National Express. You'd hope there's scope there for an expansion of the service of it proves popular, and maybe it will put pressure on the rail operator to lay on a couple of earlier and later trains too?

About the trains
It will look good when crossrails is open. The timetable might change and stopped at Shenfield good for National coaches pick up point to Southend or from Southend. We have to wait a see in 2018.

[mikkie4]

coach service

£10.00 each way, good value for money

[tws123]

Sea Air

Well some interesting developments from Sea Air coming out today. Firstly Maleth-Aero are seeking applicants for B737 crew for a Southend (charter) base. Boeing 737 Senior & Junior Cabin Crew - London Southend (UK) or Paderborn-Lippstadt (GERMANY)-Latest Pilot Jobs-Latest Pilot Jobs.
There is also an improved webpage SEA AIR TOURIST AND TRAVEL LIMITED - Flugplan - Abflughäfen und Zielflughäfen von PADERBORN, ALMERIA, PULA, , IBIZA, PALMA DE MALLORCA

SEN-Osijek is adjusted to start on the 12 May 2016 (2x weekly until June, then 1x weekly) > return flight £155.73 - currently bookable from 12 May to 27 October
SEN-Munich is new and proposed to start on the 9 May 2016 (daily) > return flight £147.95 - currently bookable from 9 May to 29 October

Schedule: (Daily)
SEN (07:30) > MUC (10:00)
MUC (10:45) > SEN (11:15)

(Thursday)
SEN (7:30) > OSI (12:00)
OSI (12:45) > SEN (15:00)

(Sunday)
SEN (15:00) > OSI (19:30)
OSI (20:15) > SEN (22:30)

Guess we'll see if this is legitimate and announced by the airport.