SOUTHEND 5
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I'm not sure how this could be good news for SEN? Cityjet's bread and butter is at LCY and this is where the big £££'s are made. Perhaps they could offer some additional services from SEN a bit similar to how BA Cityflyer do at STN at the weekends? I personally can't see much else.
LTNman
It looks as if Cityjet will be buying Stobart's interest in Propius Holdings/Propius Aircraft Leasing, the company that leases the ATR72-600s to Stobart Air.
The holding company of Stobart Air/Aer Lingus Regional is Everdeal Holdings and Stobart Group own 45% of that company. I have not seen it suggested that Cityjet is buying that interest so Stobart Group would still have an interest in the merged entity. It is for that reason that I suggest Stobart may have some influence within the new entity with respect to SEN operations.
I'm not saying that SEN will benefit from the deal, only that it does remain a possibility.
For what it's worth, which is probably very little, there is a rumour doing the rounds that an announcement will be made in August which will result in SEN having a much busier winter than it did in 2015/16.
It looks as if Cityjet will be buying Stobart's interest in Propius Holdings/Propius Aircraft Leasing, the company that leases the ATR72-600s to Stobart Air.
The holding company of Stobart Air/Aer Lingus Regional is Everdeal Holdings and Stobart Group own 45% of that company. I have not seen it suggested that Cityjet is buying that interest so Stobart Group would still have an interest in the merged entity. It is for that reason that I suggest Stobart may have some influence within the new entity with respect to SEN operations.
I'm not saying that SEN will benefit from the deal, only that it does remain a possibility.
For what it's worth, which is probably very little, there is a rumour doing the rounds that an announcement will be made in August which will result in SEN having a much busier winter than it did in 2015/16.
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I think SEN Air Traffic Controllers will certainly be more busier. They have just posted a vacancy on their website for a new ATC Controller, their main duties will be refuelling aircraft! I wonder if they have spotted it?
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I wouldn't think much of Stobart's negotiating team if they didn't push quite hard for some benefits for SEN from the merger deal.
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LTNman
It looks as if Cityjet will be buying Stobart's interest in Propius Holdings/Propius Aircraft Leasing, the company that leases the ATR72-600s to Stobart Air.
The holding company of Stobart Air/Aer Lingus Regional is Everdeal Holdings and Stobart Group own 45% of that company. I have not seen it suggested that Cityjet is buying that interest so Stobart Group would still have an interest in the merged entity. It is for that reason that I suggest Stobart may have some influence within the new entity with respect to SEN operations.
I'm not saying that SEN will benefit from the deal, only that it does remain a possibility.
For what it's worth, which is probably very little, there is a rumour doing the rounds that an announcement will be made in August which will result in SEN having a much busier winter than it did in 2015/16.
It looks as if Cityjet will be buying Stobart's interest in Propius Holdings/Propius Aircraft Leasing, the company that leases the ATR72-600s to Stobart Air.
The holding company of Stobart Air/Aer Lingus Regional is Everdeal Holdings and Stobart Group own 45% of that company. I have not seen it suggested that Cityjet is buying that interest so Stobart Group would still have an interest in the merged entity. It is for that reason that I suggest Stobart may have some influence within the new entity with respect to SEN operations.
I'm not saying that SEN will benefit from the deal, only that it does remain a possibility.
For what it's worth, which is probably very little, there is a rumour doing the rounds that an announcement will be made in August which will result in SEN having a much busier winter than it did in 2015/16.
The BA/EI LCY seat prices are obsene now. If you look at CityJet their standard seat INCLUDES 23kgs checked baggage option, free seat selection (excl.front), complimentary drinks, sweet or savory snack. Their flight crews are on the ball and polished when it comes to passenger engagement and announcements - up there with Speedbird jocs.
Now compare that to likes of Ryanair, or EI. OK, the initial seat fare is low but at in your seat selection, purchased snack, checked 23kgs out plus back, you're on a par pricewise but the service levels and flight experience then comes into play.
I'm remaining quietly confident the business case SEN helps make for CityJet expansion plans across its business might just be something which could potentially ignite SEN beyond the Squeezie setup. Any thoughts guys - doable?
The Irish Independent is today reporting that Citjyet will, in fact, purchase Stobart Air (Everdeal Holdings) in addition to its purchase of Propius. The purchase price is reported as being 15m Euros for Stobart Air.
LTNman's assertion that it is a take-over rather than a merger seems to be correct and that must lessen the chances of SEN gaining any benefit from the deal.
LTNman's assertion that it is a take-over rather than a merger seems to be correct and that must lessen the chances of SEN gaining any benefit from the deal.
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Makes you wonder what will happen to stobart air. What will IAG do about regional.
Perhaps the time to extend cityflyer or create an in house airline IAG regional. ?
Perhaps the time to extend cityflyer or create an in house airline IAG regional. ?
If Stobart group are future minded about SEN, they will aim to get something out of this. Perhaps Cityjet could transfer a few routes from LCY that are not highly competed for in the London market and more leisure orientated. Though they will be few in number.
I don't see any issue for IAG with regional. They have successful franchises in other places, these fill a space that BA/EI are not necessarily interested in filling. Take Sun Air or indeed Comair, they are successful franchises, clearly on different scales. Iberia have a very long standing arrangement with AirNostrum that feeds their operation at their main base, just as Stobart does at Dublin....
If Stobart group are future minded about SEN, they will aim to get something out of this. Perhaps Cityjet could transfer a few routes from LCY that are not highly competed for in the London market and more leisure orientated. Though they will be few in number.
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With regard to business routes lets not forget that as Skywork found out, passengers did not follow them to Southend from City to make the new route work so it wasn't long before they returned back to City.
City Airport is unique, passengers fly into London City because that is where they want to go and they pay a high price for that convenience. While the experience of using Southend Airport can't be bettered once outside the airport it goes down hill rather fast.
The rail link is using slow commuter stock trains that stop at ever station. Even including first class rail tickets could not convince Skywork passengers that the trek was worth it and like other London airports to get to the likes of Canary Wharf involved a change of trains.
That is going to change though and it won't be doing Southend any favours. In a couple of years Crossrail opens, which brings some of Heathrow's terminals to just a 40 minute journey away from Canary Wharf and importantly with no changing trains using the latest state of the art rolling stock.
I see Southend's future not by trying to grab passengers from London City but from cost conscious passengers who are not too bothered what London Airport they use, which is what they are trying to do now but things will change. Has anyone noticed that on the Crossrail route map Southend Airport is mentioned twice as an onward travel destination? Once up and running Crossrail should make traveling to Southend a better option for more Londoners. Maybe then it will start to takeoff.
City Airport is unique, passengers fly into London City because that is where they want to go and they pay a high price for that convenience. While the experience of using Southend Airport can't be bettered once outside the airport it goes down hill rather fast.
The rail link is using slow commuter stock trains that stop at ever station. Even including first class rail tickets could not convince Skywork passengers that the trek was worth it and like other London airports to get to the likes of Canary Wharf involved a change of trains.
That is going to change though and it won't be doing Southend any favours. In a couple of years Crossrail opens, which brings some of Heathrow's terminals to just a 40 minute journey away from Canary Wharf and importantly with no changing trains using the latest state of the art rolling stock.
I see Southend's future not by trying to grab passengers from London City but from cost conscious passengers who are not too bothered what London Airport they use, which is what they are trying to do now but things will change. Has anyone noticed that on the Crossrail route map Southend Airport is mentioned twice as an onward travel destination? Once up and running Crossrail should make traveling to Southend a better option for more Londoners. Maybe then it will start to takeoff.
Last edited by LTNman; 3rd Jul 2016 at 06:29.
LTNman
I agree with much of what you say but must correct the common misconception that trains from SEN "stop at every station" en route to Liverpool Street. In fact they stop at eight, that is all stations to Shenfield and then Stratford. If you're travelling to stations between Shenfield and Stratford you change at the former. Still far from perfect I know but I can't say I've noticed very much difference in the travel experience on the Stansted Express compared with the train from SEN.
If Stobart Air itself is being sold to Cityjet I do find odd the final lines of the Stobart Goup annual meeting statement as quoted by serko here a few days ago:
"Our airline investment, Stobart Air, carried 353,000 passengers in the three months to 31 May 2016, an increase of nearly 17% and we are considering opportunities with the airline to develop sustainable routes to and from London Southend Airport."
If Stobart are to have no influence on the future course of Stobart Air why would they announce such a plan in their statement?
I agree with much of what you say but must correct the common misconception that trains from SEN "stop at every station" en route to Liverpool Street. In fact they stop at eight, that is all stations to Shenfield and then Stratford. If you're travelling to stations between Shenfield and Stratford you change at the former. Still far from perfect I know but I can't say I've noticed very much difference in the travel experience on the Stansted Express compared with the train from SEN.
If Stobart Air itself is being sold to Cityjet I do find odd the final lines of the Stobart Goup annual meeting statement as quoted by serko here a few days ago:
"Our airline investment, Stobart Air, carried 353,000 passengers in the three months to 31 May 2016, an increase of nearly 17% and we are considering opportunities with the airline to develop sustainable routes to and from London Southend Airport."
If Stobart are to have no influence on the future course of Stobart Air why would they announce such a plan in their statement?
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Crossrail
There are only two airports that stand to gain significantly when Crossrail opens: Heathrow and Southend. SEN will gain as the eastern end of the line opens first. There will be easy step-free interchange with trains to and from Southend and when fully opened the line has direct access not just to the city and docklands, but the west-end as well. LCY will be exposed to increased competition from LHR,also interchange between the DLR and Crossrail will not be great, as they will be on different levels where connection is possible.
None of the above means a queue of airlines begging for a slot at SEN; but it's all good in the medium to long term. LTNman has pointed out that Southend is the only airport with two mentions on the Crossrail map. When printed hundreds of thousands of free maps will be picked up from stations (and airports) by all sorts of travelers in London and beyond.
To me, Crossrail will work in SEN's favour. It has to be remembered that ambitions are modest, currently just aiming for 2.5 million pax. So a 17 billion pound infrastructure project could reasonably bring gains to businesses with good connections to it; gains that would push the airport back in the right direction.
None of the above means a queue of airlines begging for a slot at SEN; but it's all good in the medium to long term. LTNman has pointed out that Southend is the only airport with two mentions on the Crossrail map. When printed hundreds of thousands of free maps will be picked up from stations (and airports) by all sorts of travelers in London and beyond.
To me, Crossrail will work in SEN's favour. It has to be remembered that ambitions are modest, currently just aiming for 2.5 million pax. So a 17 billion pound infrastructure project could reasonably bring gains to businesses with good connections to it; gains that would push the airport back in the right direction.
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Anyone noticed how Southend sits above Stansted at Liverpool Street. Clearly it is in alphabetical order but this is all about mind games with the general public. 
When fully opened it isn't going to do Southend any harm when all those passengers see Southend Airport listed as a destination so it has to be great free publicity.
When fully opened it isn't going to do Southend any harm when all those passengers see Southend Airport listed as a destination so it has to be great free publicity.
Last edited by LTNman; 3rd Jul 2016 at 13:25.
"Our airline investment, Stobart Air, carried 353,000 passengers in the three months to 31 May 2016, an increase of nearly 17% and we are considering opportunities with the airline to develop sustainable routes to and from London Southend Airport."
If Stobart are to have no influence on the future course of Stobart Air why would they announce such a plan in their statement?
If Stobart are to have no influence on the future course of Stobart Air why would they announce such a plan in their statement?
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New Routes
I find myself strangely irritated by the airport's failure to update their website to include Gran Canaria in either the new New Routes or Destinations sections.
Easyjet made the announcement in the middle of last week; they are not Sea Air - caution does not need to be exercised. How much difference does this lack of urgency make? Not a lot, I guess, but come on Southend - how much effort would it take! All these small things add up.
Easyjet made the announcement in the middle of last week; they are not Sea Air - caution does not need to be exercised. How much difference does this lack of urgency make? Not a lot, I guess, but come on Southend - how much effort would it take! All these small things add up.
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Jota Aviation
Some good news concerning Jota Aviation who are now finalising a deal to lease a hangar at the airport.
http://www.avitrader.com/2016/07/04/...nagement-team/
http://www.avitrader.com/2016/07/04/...nagement-team/
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Cityjet at SEN
Cityjet's LCY-Florence route is not having much luck at the moment.
Thursday's inbound WX280 diverted to SEN with a technical emergency and today's outbound WX281 has also ended up at SEN for whatever reason.
Have noticed a number of Cityjet flights here recently, as well as the Antwerp flights of last week, Dublin has also seen an early morning departure and a couple of LCY timed out diversions.
All helps with the passenger numbers and landing fees!!!!
Thursday's inbound WX280 diverted to SEN with a technical emergency and today's outbound WX281 has also ended up at SEN for whatever reason.
Have noticed a number of Cityjet flights here recently, as well as the Antwerp flights of last week, Dublin has also seen an early morning departure and a couple of LCY timed out diversions.
All helps with the passenger numbers and landing fees!!!!