Newcastle-9

[Plane.Silly]

Jet2 operated the route from 2012-2014. Probably dropped it to make better money on other routes.

Skip forward to now though, and they have their 'city break' product. My moneys on Jet2 to bring it back for S19 (too late for S18 now)

[EK77WNCL]

If we ever get the 8th based Jet2 frame, which has been about 3 years in the making, I would hope that we would see routes like Budapest, Pula and Venice come back online. Perhaps the addition of Kefalonia and Kos to the Jet2 holidays portfolio, they are glaring omissions.
I don't think 2/3 weekly Paris/Amsterdam flights would go amiss either, but I think as a budget offering against AF/KL... EZY/FR would have the competitive edge on pricing and schedule. Just as I feel EZY would be best suited to VCE (as opposed to LS - VCE or FR - TSF) and FR or W6 best suited to Budapest, based on the demographic of the routes.
Conversely, I feel Jet2 would be best suited to Vienna with their city break packages.

This isn't to say that any other combination wouldn't work. But some operators are definitely better suited to operating a route successfully

[LiamNCL]

Would be nice of TUI to add Iceland to the winter destinations like they do even at EMA.

[EK77WNCL]

I would think we might see it eventually, being rolled out slowly. Originally MAN/LGW, introduced from EMA last winter and BRS is the lucky subject this coming season.

Logically, it would follow that Newcastle would be up there with Birmingham, Glasgow and Luton as the next contenders

[jensdad]

I'm prepared to be proved wrong, but I think it's either now or never for KEF from NCL. There's a finite market for short trips to Iceland, and I feel it'll get to a stage, sooner rather than later, where everyone who wants to go has been and it'll settle back down to GLA/EDI, MAN and LON. If the Icelandic tourist people could convince people that a three night stay in Reykjavik, a Golden Circle tour and a dip in the Blue Lagoon doesn't mean you have 'done Iceland' they might get more life out of the UK market, but out of the dozens of people I know who have been to Iceland, only three have been more than 50 miles from Reykjavik.

[EK77WNCL]

I am inclined to agree, the bubble will burst at some point (With any luck anyway, I desperately hope it will settle down, the place will be completely overrun with tourists and ruin a lot of the charm)

It could go either way, grow like Dublin, Rome, Venice etc. as a short haul, short break destination from the UK/US.. But I suspect that the climate, economy and (I assume) relative lack of entertainment/cultural opportunities when compared to the likes of other major EU cities might preclude them from reaching this level of regular sustained tourism.

I think it'll be boom and bust, and level out. If we haven't missed the boat already, the next 2/3 years is critical. I see our options narrowing somewhat. If Ryanair were to enter the market, however. I see things panning out differently.

I do find it interesting that the charter back in January was to Akureyri...

[jensdad]

I'm totally with you in the hope that it calms down soon. I feel a bit hypocritical saying that as I enjoyed a fantastic holiday there in 2010 but, in my humble opinion, a nation with a smaller population than Newcastle just can't support current levels of visitors without permanent damage to its culture and identity.
Anyway, I'm getting into more complex matters here... back to Newcastle

[EK77WNCL]

Iceland is high up there on my list to visit, but I've been put off waiting for a direct flight from NCL. If there isn't one in the next few years, I'll have to troop up to EDI, down to MAN or through one of the hubs. I hope the country isn't overrun. As you say, I doubt they can support it. Looking at the new US/Canada routes starting this year into KEF, I'm not holding out much hope to be honest. I think there's still a few years growth in it yet

[SWBKCB]

CAA stats for 2017

apt ty_t_pax ly_t_pax pc_change
HEATHROW * 491,597 499,479 -1.58
ALICANTE * 379,433 340,357 11.48
AMSTERDAM * 367,002 363,690 0.91
PALMA DE MALLORCA * 325,697 257,176 26.64
DUBLIN * 264,398 232,538 13.70
MALAGA * 263,658 238,845 10.39
BELFAST INTERNATIONAL * 259,775 250,418 3.74
TENERIFE * 248,007 215,583 15.04
DUBAI * 237,856 231,047 2.95
FARO * 172,240 121,000 42.35
BRISTOL * 169,962 164,595 3.26
ARRECIFE * 157,788 113,133 39.47
PARIS (CDG) * 148,184 148,784 -0.40
SOUTHAMPTON * 130,256 117,767 10.60
IBIZA * 82,950 79,462 4.39
BARCELONA * 77,244 98,753 -21.78
DALAMAN * 76,095 78,001 -2.44
LAS PALMAS * 69,424 62,178 11.65
REUS * 62,137 60,539 2.64
PAPHOS * 57,906 50,092 15.60
FUERTEVENTURA * 57,459 44,708 28.52
GENEVA * 56,850 68,226 -16.67
LARNACA * 48,546 45,600 6.46
CORFU * 48,267 45,743 5.52
RHODES * 48,219 45,663 5.60
MAHON * 47,815 42,546 12.38
DUSSELDORF * 46,103 41,630 10.74
EXETER * 42,731 39,713 7.60
MALTA * 42,565 35,239 20.79
ZAKINTHOS * 42,118 42,227 -0.26
BERLIN (SCHONEFELD) * 40,848 6,986 484.71
GIRONA * 38,848 10,067 285.89
ANTALYA * 36,629 31,607 15.89
BURGAS * 36,628 28,222 29.79
HERAKLION * 35,088 31,987 9.69
WROCLAW * 32,931 5,022 555.73
WARSAW * 32,105 4,962 547.02
GDANSK * 27,182 4,697 478.71
KRAKOW * 27,171 27,196 -0.09
MADRID * 26,088 95 27361.05
PRAGUE * 25,451 26,194 -2.84
BRUSSELS * 24,038 19,431 23.71
CANCUN * 23,876 24,326 -1.85
JERSEY * 23,804 23,674 0.55
SANFORD * 23,073 17,435 32.34
NICE * 23,071 21,387 7.87
NAPLES * 18,290 18,405 -0.62
KOS * 18,243 17,835 2.29
ROME (FIUMICINO) * 16,951 17,744 -4.47
MURCIA SAN JAVIER * 16,772 19,355 -13.35
FUNCHAL * 15,929 19,579 -18.64
VERONA * 13,893 14,255 -2.54
CARDIFF WALES * 13,855 13,664 1.40
COPENHAGEN * 13,590 22,371 -39.25
DUBROVNIK * 13,452 19,590 -31.33
KEFALLINIA * 12,523 13,087 -4.31
ALMERIA * 12,383 0 0.00
CORK * 12,195 16,400 -25.64
HURGHADA * 11,796 0 0.00
ABERDEEN * 11,410 8,925 27.84
PISA * 10,476 10,159 3.12
STAVANGER * 10,004 6,587 51.87
SKIATHOS * 8,857 7,846 12.89
THIRA (SANTORINI) * 8,704 8,036 8.31
SALZBURG * 7,887 8,903 -11.41
SPLIT * 6,688 6,699 -0.16
INNSBRUCK * 4,537 4,506 0.69
GRENOBLE * 3,852 160 2307.50
BELFAST CITY * 3,633 9,911 -63.34
TURIN * 3,571 3,252 9.81
ISLE OF MAN * 3,463 4,191 -17.37
NEW YORK (NEWARK) * 3,303 20,497 -83.89
SOFIA * 3,125 2,598 20.28
BRIDGETOWN * 2,728 2,816 -3.13
KITTILA * 2,616 3,009 -13.06
NEWQUAY * 2,038 1,922 6.00
ROVANIEMI * 1,672 1,258 32.91
TARBES-LOURDES INTERNATIONAL * 1,023 1,102 -7.17
DUBAI (WORLD CENTRAL) * 865 291 197.25
IVALO * 712 1,035 -31.21
BERGEN * 514 427 20.37
ENONTEKIO * 376 378 -0.53
VIENNA * 361 515 -29.90
FRANKFURT MAIN * 302 0 0.00
LIVERPOOL (JOHN LENNON) * 298 406 -26.60
TROMSOE * 288 280 2.86
MUNICH * 287 289 -0.69
BORDEAUX * 262 0 0.00
BOURNEMOUTH * 241 327 -26.30
GATWICK * 232 349 -33.52
MANCHESTER * 232 391 -40.66
BIRMINGHAM * 191 3,612 -94.71
VENICE * 184 656 -71.95
PERPIGNAN * 179 185 -3.24
ROME (CIAMPINO) * 179 0 0.00
VILNIUS * 179 0 0.00
NORWICH * 170 255 -33.33
LEEDS BRADFORD * 168 21 700.00
KEFLAVIK * 142 106 33.96
KIRUNA * 130 310 -58.06
ATHENS * 126 0 0.00
Unknown * 119 69 72.46
EAST MIDLANDS INTERNATIONAL * 119 549 -78.32
HELSINKI * 112 0 0.00
BILLUND * 93 95 -2.11
BRAUNSCHWEIG * 92 0 0.00
EDINBURGH * 82 129 -36.43
FARNBOROUGH * 80 92 -13.04
OXFORD (KIDLINGTON) * 80 0 0.00
GLASGOW * 76 0 0.00
HUMBERSIDE * 54 103 -47.57
STOCKHOLM (ARLANDA) * 53 14 278.57
DURHAM TEES VALLEY * 41 85 -51.76
STOCKHOLM (BROMMA) * 30 0 0.00
ANTWERP * 0 88 -100.00
LIEGE * 0 6 -100.00
BRIVE-LA-GAILLARDE * 0 80 -100.00
CHAMBERY * 0 3,767 -100.00
LILLE * 0 39 -100.00
LYON * 0 39 -100.00
TOULOUSE (BLAGNAC) * 0 148 -100.00
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN * 0 36 -100.00
HAMBURG * 0 330 -100.00
STUTTGART * 0 104 -100.00
GENOA * 0 674 -100.00
MAASTRICHT * 0 55 -100.00
BODRUM (MILAS) * 0 17,251 -100.00
BEIRUT * 0 178 -100.00
HALIFAX INT * 0 39 -100.00
MONTEGO BAY * 0 2,275 -100.00
LUTON * 0 379 -100.00
SOUTHEND * 0 85 -100.00
STANSTED * 0 1,790 -100.00
BIGGIN HILL * 0 40 -100.00
Total * 5,296,221 4,801,054

[VentureGo]

Interesting figures. - I would say quite a few routes are governed by Capacity rather than Demand and therefore more capacity on some routes e.g. LHR, AMS, CDG, GVA, BCN IOM,NYC (any), MCO, DXB and all Scandinavian e.g. CPH, OSL, BGN, SVG - All have potential for growth, and if exploited could grow Newcastle way past record 2007 pax. volumes. Potential I would see Conservatively as 7-8m pax. p.a. - Then at this level, NCL would attract further Direct long range services.

Makes me wonder if NCL have an optimum Marketing team in place.

N.E.C.A. (NEXUS + County Durham & Northumberland) could also promote better (comfortable express) transport links to Newcastle Airport via public transport (Local Trains, All Bus Operators (GNE, ANE, SNE, and METRO) with extended Nexus zonal ticketing. - Currently outside Tyne&Wear - taxis are cheaper!

OK - NCL may never rival Manchester as regional hub but I'm sure, with a professional approach NCL could come close to doubling current custom.

[Jamesair]

With Lufthansa closing its Dusseldorf base on the 28th October 2018, I wonder what effect this will have on the Eurowings Dusseldorf service. Is there much interline traffic or is it mainly point to point?

[ash666]

It sounds like NCL, among others, are still using that God-awful phrase, "for operational reasons" for when passengers are kept waiting for several hours.
Why doesn't the government ban the use of that phrase?

It only makes the passengers feel like they are being fobbed off and treated like 5th class citizens and they feel annoyed and irritated.

Airports will be amazed at how accepting pax will be if they give honest reasons for delays like the is terrible weather at the other airport and the incoming flight can't get here.

Is there some reason why they brush passengers aside so insultingly?

[SWBKCB]

Is there some reason why they brush passengers aside so insultingly?

Quite often it can be because you just don't know - delays can be very fluid situations, and Murphy's law is quite often in full swing. I've worked flights (in the dim and distant past) where the departure/arrival time of a flight has changed every five minutes for different reasons.

And if the airport doesn't know, it's because the airline (or their agent!) hasn't told them.

re DUS - is it not just changing from a LH to an EWG base, so not much impact?

[ash666]

Originally Posted by SWBKCB

Quite often it can be because you just don't know - delays can be very fluid situations, and Murphy's law is quite often in full swing. I've worked flights (in the dim and distant past) where the departure/arrival time of a flight has changed every five minutes for different reasons.

And if the airport doesn't know, it's because the airline (or their agent!) hasn't told them.

re DUS - is it not just changing from a LH to an EWG base, so not much impact?

But they will know the basic reason, ie bad weather elsewhere and don't know when it will improve, and passengers will accept this and know it is out of the airport's/airline's control.

[HH6702]

Isn't long haul flights at DUS just transferring to EUROWINGS so no change really just all low cost

[NorthEasterner]

Regarding 'Operational Reasons' excuse, airlines don't contact right away with reason that's causing the delay. They simply relay a message saying such and such flight is delayed until XX time. At a later stage the airline will inform the ground handling agent with the reason for the delay such as crewing etc. This will be passed onto the passengers using internal communication such as tannoy or face to face. Airports will rarely list the reason of every delay or cancellation. There is no need to publicize the reason on airport website etc because those who do need to know such as passengers will be informed where appropriate. Another thing is that operational reasons covers a wide range of scenarios such as knock on delays in aircraft schedule, crewing, aircraft changes. Passengers may find this complex to understand and therefore easier to just say operational reasons.

[ash666]

Originally Posted by NorthEasterner

Regarding 'Operational Reasons' excuse, airlines don't contact right away with reason that's causing the delay. They simply relay a message saying such and such flight is delayed until XX time. At a later stage the airline will inform the ground handling agent with the reason for the delay such as crewing etc. This will be passed onto the passengers using internal communication such as tannoy or face to face. Airports will rarely list the reason of every delay or cancellation. There is no need to publicize the reason on airport website etc because those who do need to know such as passengers will be informed where appropriate. Another thing is that operational reasons covers a wide range of scenarios such as knock on delays in aircraft schedule, crewing, aircraft changes. Passengers may find this complex to understand and therefore easier to just say operational reasons.

I'm afraid that is just another excuse for passengers being treated like 5th class creatures.

[bigjim99]

Well I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if the kids at Swissport NCL didn't have a clue what was causing delays....and even if they did, half of them wouldn't care to pass it onto pax. Probably one of the most frustrating turn arounds in the UK which has only got worse with the demise of Menzies.

[Ph1l1pncl]

Originally Posted by bigjim99

Well I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if the kids at Swissport NCL didn't have a clue what was causing delays....and even if they did, half of them wouldn't care to pass it onto pax. Probably one of the most frustrating turn arounds in the UK which has only got worse with the demise of Menzies.

In what way is it frustrating having a turnaround in Newcastle?

After Aviator left the UK market I did think another handling agent would move into Newcastle. DNATA as a potential, they could handle Emirates and a few others, it’s never good having a monopoly as it leads to poor service, and now airlines in Newcastle have to either put up with poorer service, accept higher charges or leave the airport or self handle as they don’t have anyone else to go too. Jet2 seem to be self handling under the wing in more airports now. Definitely, Leeds, Manchester, East Midlands, Birmingham and Stansted, potentially Glasgow too. So, maybe they will go in house for Newcastle next.

[SWBKCB]

I'm afraid that is just another excuse for passengers being treated like 5th class creatures.

Airlines and pax get what they pay for.