SOUTHEND 5

[canberra97]

Isn't Turkey pushing it a bit far from the SEN runway??

[Neile1]

Well if Ezy can do TFS they could probably make it, may need to block a few seats (as I think they have for TFS). Though is TFS still on their list?

Sorry not sure what 06/24 is in feet now. I'm used to dealing with ageing 757's or brand spanking new A321's.

[Tagron]

The great circle distance SEN-TFS is 1611 nautical miles. It has been reported that the flights are undersold by ten seats, though whether this figure is a flat figure an average or a minimum or maximum has not been revealed. But taking it at its face value and using it as a template an increase of 10 pax using the same parameters as the EZY SEN-TFS implies a maximum full payload range of (very) roughly 1450 nms for a CFM-powered A320 from the SEN runway.

By comparison, the distances to the easyJet Turkish resort destinations are: Izmir 1366,Bodrum 1427, Dalaman 1488, Antalya 1548. I don’t know how easyJet do their schedule planning but generally it is common practice to use more favourable cruise winds for an eastbound sector than a sector to the south west such as TFS, so the fuel requirements may be better for the Turkish destinations for this reason.

The big question is over the runway performance. SEN-TFS is a winter operation, mid-September to end April. The Turkish resorts are a summer market. The comparison only works if similar take off conditions can be assumed. So to replicate the highest value of the winter schedule surface temperatures there would need to be an early morning departure, say 0700. Even then, we just don’t know the parameters easyJet use, and the early departure conditions on occasions could still be too limiting. Any risk of higher temperatures would quickly erode the payload/range performance.

By way of example the difference between the ISA+15 performance figures compared with those for ISA on a SEN-length runway represents a loss of a few hundred miles range or a fair number of pax. Interestingly the CFM56 A320 appears to offer better performance from short runways at low ambient temperatures compared with the IAE aircraft.

I was tempted to dismiss all this as more pprune-generated useless speculation, but the fact is there have been rumours a few months ago from a different source of a Turkish operation from SEN. I can well imagine that easyJet have evaluated the possibilities and perhaps that is all there is to it. We shall see.

[8674planes]

So could Easyjet just use the new A320's with Sharklets to some Turkish destinations if they wanted to? I've heard that they have a slightly longer range and shorter takeoff distance over the older A320's.

[Neile1]

Thanks for that,looks like you know what you are talking about.

I understand another operator used EZY for a number of their flights last year, but "an other" operator trumped them.

I just want to see more operators use SEN. I still think there would be the demand for flights to Turkey, ideally 2 per week - odd durations are great money spinners.

I agree that Turkey is a summer destination. All except one resort that is - so an opportunity is definitely there. Though W15 is a fair way off!

[Pain in the R's]

I thought it was only a couple of months ago that easyjet could not even get to Spain from Southend without a fuel stop. I think this issue lasted the best part of a week. It was reported here at the time that it was "unusual weather conditions". Surely it is better not to operate at the aircraft's performance limits for Southend and to just go to airports it can easily get to without performance issues apart from the odd day.

[tws123]

On SEN's routeshop page it lists Lanzarote, Dalaman and Antalya as potential destinations. Surely they would not put that down if they didn't think it was possible? It just requires the right equipment and airline to do so.

I hope someone like Jet2 (who showed previous interest in using SEN) could start some sun routes. Also Monarch are closing their EMA base next March so they have spare aircraft available for 2015. SEN have registered to attend the World Routes event in Chicago coming up so hopefully some good news can come from that.

[Pain in the R's]

As tws123 states it just requires the right equipment and airline to do so but I don't think that airline would be easyjet.

[Neile1]

Don't bank on Monarch, they are going through a large re-structure. A UK carrier would have to consider the issues and costs involved in positioning flights unless they base an aircraft at SEN.

[SARF]

I think sarfend will need to wait for the next generation of airbus/boeing short haul planes to be made, before it realises its full pan European potential.

[tayair6]

A320-NEO would fair better than theirs present Aircraft ?

[Cyrano]

An existing-generation A319 with high-thrust engines would do fine - the problem is that not so many carriers operate that model. (Atlantic Airways in the Faroes is one example.)

[Expressflight]

It will be interesting to see the SEN route network when easyJet put their Summer 2015 programme on sale in a few weeks' time. I get the feeling that consolidation may be the order of the day, with the network remaining much the same as this year except for KRK and possibly JER being dropped. That would presumably mean that SEN would be a three aircraft base next year; it already operates less than a four aircraft programme as the SXF service sees that aircraft being used to other destinations from SFX during the day before it returns to SEN in the late evening. I cannot see any rationale for adding a Turkish destination from SEN but it could happen I suppose although it would mean an A320, preferably with sharklets, being available.

During the latter part of last winter an A320 was SEN-based and operated two or three rotations per day to existing destinations in addition to the twice weekly TFS run. The extra capacity was sold for these flights so it was a useful way of increasing revenue on existing routes. I wonder if they will do something similar this winter.

If JER was dropped it could prove a useful addition to the Flybe/Stobart Air network and I'm sure that there are a number of European airports who have been knocking on Stobart's door in the hope of being added to its list of destinations. This winter already sees the two aircraft fleet fully utilised so a third aircraft might perhaps be added for Summer 2015 with one or two new destinations added.

[Musket90]

Also bear in mind that due to proximity of Southend to the congested London airspace the great circle route to destinations like TFS cannot initially be followed therefore probably adding more distance. Added to that ATC initially may not be able to climb the aircraft quickly to the desired level until clear of all the other London traffic therefore increasing the fuel burn which in turn affects the take-off weight.

[Neile1]

It's all a bit doom and gloom isn't it? Well new routes are needed and I can't think of a new carrier from Western Europe likely to take up the cause.

[Expressflight]

I don't see it as "doom and gloom" and who knows what irons are in the fire with other operators within Western Europe; any number of whom could be candidates.

SEN should have its own controlled airspace in place by next summer, presumably with SIDs also promulgated, so I really don't see that it is disadvantaged regarding departures to southern European destinations viz a vis other LON airports.

Incidentally, the Jota 146-200 G-SMLA was delivered to SEN from MSE yesterday after carrying out its C of A airtest.

[AirportPlanner1]

The loads on the reduced service to Jersey have been pretty good though, so not sure they would drop it?

[Expressflight]

But yield on JER doesn't look too great to me.

[EssexMan61]

Well - some good news!! The Southend Airport MD is quoted in this week's local freebie "Yellow Advertiser" newspaper as saying that SEN is investing heavily in new bar / restaurant facilities and hope to have these open in early 2015. Presumably this applies to the large boarded-off area in the airside Terminal extension?


That does seem like a jolly long time to wait but - a nice new bar / restaurant will - whenever they open - be an excellent addition to the current facilities. Hopefully even if it is NOT actually a Wetherspoons - it will follow the Wetherspoons model.

[Neile1]

Oh good, a new bar. Bound to get new carriers just queuing up to stake their claim. Not!