SOUTHEND 5
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BCN cutbacks
I am sure EZY have their reasons to reduce the number of flights next year to BCN, but it's another kick in the gut for SEN. Maybe, and only maybe, Stobarts are trying to persuade them to operate to new destinations, and therefore must find the gaps in the scheduling by cutting back.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Makes you wonder how committed easyjet is to SEN but it can't be said that they have not tried a selection of routes. What does their winter programme look like compared to last year when on some days there was next to nothing?
Join Date: Sep 2012
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Not sure about the whole winter but I too, following on from Expressflight's comment, see 47 flights p/w in March 2016 compared to 52 last winter (although SXF ends 22FEB).
By June 2016 I notice there's no days with 3x AMS, is that a reduction or was that the case this year?
Also, judging by a current gap in the schedule for a Monday in June, I'm going to hazard a guess at CDG or IOM as the possible SXF replacement. Either one could fit beautifully between the MAH and VCE flights.
By June 2016 I notice there's no days with 3x AMS, is that a reduction or was that the case this year?
Also, judging by a current gap in the schedule for a Monday in June, I'm going to hazard a guess at CDG or IOM as the possible SXF replacement. Either one could fit beautifully between the MAH and VCE flights.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Forget IOM, Easyjet has already found that domestic routes don't bring in the yields at Southend. While it is natural for people here to concentrate on passenger numbers it is the all important yield and the profit or loss each route brings to the airline that focuses minds.
It could be argued that by reducing the frequency of some routes actually protects that route from being withdrawn but if passenger numbers drop in proportion to the reduction in service because passengers are only chasing the cheaper fares then that presents a problem.
It could be argued that by reducing the frequency of some routes actually protects that route from being withdrawn but if passenger numbers drop in proportion to the reduction in service because passengers are only chasing the cheaper fares then that presents a problem.
FRatSTN
Basically the AMS frequencies are reduced in the summer months to accommodate additional 'sun' flights so 2016 is no different to this year in that regard.
There is indeed a gap of about 4hrs50min at 12:30 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday so certainly room for a relatively close destination to be added, although I cannot really see IOM or CDG being that destination. That is the only unused slot in the programme so a fourth aircraft would be needed (or a w-pattern on a non-based aircraft) before additional destinations could be added.
Basically the AMS frequencies are reduced in the summer months to accommodate additional 'sun' flights so 2016 is no different to this year in that regard.
There is indeed a gap of about 4hrs50min at 12:30 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday so certainly room for a relatively close destination to be added, although I cannot really see IOM or CDG being that destination. That is the only unused slot in the programme so a fourth aircraft would be needed (or a w-pattern on a non-based aircraft) before additional destinations could be added.
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Adria
Adria have announced they will not operate the route through winter 15/16, but are 'satisfied' that the route will return in spring next year, with the possibility of additional frequencies. Apparently their projections for winter operations would have resulted in a loss.
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I'm sure that they are right, on both counts. I've been surprised, but pleased, by the high load factor on this route. Hopefully it will encourage some other niche routes to be tried.
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Ops Director vacancy
I hear on the grapevine that the Ops Director has been shall we say ............... asked to leave !!
All change ...................... again. Its like musical chairs
Interesting to see who is now the accountable manager with the experience as required by the CAA. Perhaps they will fill the position with a Stobart truck driver.
All change ...................... again. Its like musical chairs
Interesting to see who is now the accountable manager with the experience as required by the CAA. Perhaps they will fill the position with a Stobart truck driver.
Join Date: Aug 2014
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I see there is speculation that the based Stobart aircraft could be off to IOM.
I don't know about the availability of the Stobart fleet, but I've had the thought that the above scenario could see the reintroduction of EIR? DUB-SEN-DUB-SEN-RNS-SEN-DUB-SEN-DUB is just about possible in a day. Caen and Groningen would go.
I don't see RNS operated by EIR as much of an issue as they already fly there.
Is this plausible? Any other thoughts on the future?
I don't know about the availability of the Stobart fleet, but I've had the thought that the above scenario could see the reintroduction of EIR? DUB-SEN-DUB-SEN-RNS-SEN-DUB-SEN-DUB is just about possible in a day. Caen and Groningen would go.
I don't see RNS operated by EIR as much of an issue as they already fly there.
Is this plausible? Any other thoughts on the future?
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As Manston found out airport owners who run aircraft out of their own airport to stimulate business can come unstuck. Stobart has found it a real struggle to make a success out of its airlines Southend operation and only set up a base at Southend before it had secured easyjet as a tenant.
I wonder if Easyjet had arrived earlier whether Stobart would have got into the airline business but with Easyjet seeming to be for at least the mid term committed to Southend whether the desire to keep open their single aircraft operation into Southend is still there?
I wonder if Easyjet had arrived earlier whether Stobart would have got into the airline business but with Easyjet seeming to be for at least the mid term committed to Southend whether the desire to keep open their single aircraft operation into Southend is still there?
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I wouldn't class Stobart in the same category as MSE/EU Jet. The SEN operation is/was much more modest and realistic for a start, not to mention SEN's better location and stronger catchment.
We don't have access to the financials, but pax wise DUB and RNS have done quite well and Groningen seems to tick along. Some routes not so well, but I would maintain the theory of a regional operation flying routes unsuited to large aircraft and therefore other London airports was sound. I do think though that they made some errors in route choices.
I don't want to open another can of worms over the other Irish routes but it is interesting to note that VLM are not achieving loads that are sunstantially higher than those achieved at SEN. Brand recognition shouldn't be much of an excuse because Aer Arann were small-fry at the London end.
We don't have access to the financials, but pax wise DUB and RNS have done quite well and Groningen seems to tick along. Some routes not so well, but I would maintain the theory of a regional operation flying routes unsuited to large aircraft and therefore other London airports was sound. I do think though that they made some errors in route choices.
I don't want to open another can of worms over the other Irish routes but it is interesting to note that VLM are not achieving loads that are sunstantially higher than those achieved at SEN. Brand recognition shouldn't be much of an excuse because Aer Arann were small-fry at the London end.
SouthendFlyer
Jason Ivey has indeed vacated the post of Operations Director, although the official word is apparently that it was his decision to leave. Jon Horne has been moved sideways from his post of Interim Managing Director to become Chief Operating Officer so I assume he has effectively become Operations Director in Jason's place. I think Jon has the experience to satisfy the CAA for the role of accountable manager in that position.
AirportPlanner1
That's an interesting suggestion but would involve departures at around 0630, 1000 & 1700 from DUB to SEN with flights ex SEN at 0800, 1445 & 1930 to DUB. Alternatively you could have just the 0630 & 1700 from DUB and 1445 & 1930 to DUB and use the aircraft on both, say, SEN-RNS & SEN-GRQ. An interesting discussion point but probably nothing more than that in reality I suspect.
Jason Ivey has indeed vacated the post of Operations Director, although the official word is apparently that it was his decision to leave. Jon Horne has been moved sideways from his post of Interim Managing Director to become Chief Operating Officer so I assume he has effectively become Operations Director in Jason's place. I think Jon has the experience to satisfy the CAA for the role of accountable manager in that position.
AirportPlanner1
That's an interesting suggestion but would involve departures at around 0630, 1000 & 1700 from DUB to SEN with flights ex SEN at 0800, 1445 & 1930 to DUB. Alternatively you could have just the 0630 & 1700 from DUB and 1445 & 1930 to DUB and use the aircraft on both, say, SEN-RNS & SEN-GRQ. An interesting discussion point but probably nothing more than that in reality I suspect.
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Stobart will have all the figures around their SEN-DUB operation and the money (if any) that was made. I am sure if it was such a success that people here claim then they will be itching to milk the cash cow again. If they don't then that will tell a different story. The market for this service will be local only and even then many will be tempted to use Ryanair at Stansted if there is money to be saved.
LTNman
As you say, no one on here knows the economic success or otherwise of the DUB-SEN during its period of operation. I'm not sure if its market was entirely local as it carried over 6,000 pax per month but let's leave that aside.
If I had been advising Stobart I would have drawn their attention to the intangible benefits that the route gave to SEN. Namely a multiple-daily service operated by the Irish national carrier (as far as most passengers were concerned) to a European capital city, and offering genuine through connections to half a dozen US destinations ,thus 'proving' SEN's claim to be a true LON arrival/departure point. It also would be a useful fact to mention in discussions with other potential airline customers. In essence it gave SEN credibility to those that they are trying to convince of the fact.
Maybe the economics were so bad as to outweigh such considerations but I would be surprised if that were the case.
As you say, no one on here knows the economic success or otherwise of the DUB-SEN during its period of operation. I'm not sure if its market was entirely local as it carried over 6,000 pax per month but let's leave that aside.
If I had been advising Stobart I would have drawn their attention to the intangible benefits that the route gave to SEN. Namely a multiple-daily service operated by the Irish national carrier (as far as most passengers were concerned) to a European capital city, and offering genuine through connections to half a dozen US destinations ,thus 'proving' SEN's claim to be a true LON arrival/departure point. It also would be a useful fact to mention in discussions with other potential airline customers. In essence it gave SEN credibility to those that they are trying to convince of the fact.
Maybe the economics were so bad as to outweigh such considerations but I would be surprised if that were the case.
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Express Flight
Just because he is the CEO and ex MD of a couple of airports does not mean he has the experience or knowledge to be the accountable manager is respect of of holding the license to operate as an airfield as required by the CAA. (CAP 700)
The accountable manager is usually held by very senior manager within "Airside"
Just because he is the CEO and ex MD of a couple of airports does not mean he has the experience or knowledge to be the accountable manager is respect of of holding the license to operate as an airfield as required by the CAA. (CAP 700)
The accountable manager is usually held by very senior manager within "Airside"
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Just a final note on DUB, I used it a few times and the market certainly wasn't purely local. Always a good proportion of Irish accents (I know that doesn't prove they live in Ireland), but people heading for the train is a good proxy measure for those heading outside of south-east Essex and there were always a few.
Also for the record I have no vested interest in the route returning - LCY and STN are just as convenient for me.
Also for the record I have no vested interest in the route returning - LCY and STN are just as convenient for me.
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SEN - PARIS CDG FLIGHTS FROM FEB 2016
The Southend Echo website reporting that Easyjet will start flying to Paris CDG from SEN in February 2016.
Easyjet website shows that this new service will generally operate 4 times weekly (afternoon flights) - with some slight variations in days of midweek operation initially.
Jolly good news.
Easyjet website shows that this new service will generally operate 4 times weekly (afternoon flights) - with some slight variations in days of midweek operation initially.
Jolly good news.
Last edited by EssexMan61; 15th Sep 2015 at 06:27.