Southampton-2

[Musket90]

Originally Posted by Red Four

Does this upgrade plan confer the standard 240m length Runway End Safety Areas at each end? If not, what will the length of the RESAs be?

The minimum length requirement for a RESA is 90m. If the 240m recommended length is not achieved then according to CAP168 and EASA regs a safety assessment needs to be submitted to CAA.

[Albert Hall]

Eastern

So they've just stopped Newcastle at basically a day's notice? Woke up this morning, flew the last flight today and decided that enough was enough? That must be one of the fastest exits in history if so. Either there must be quite a few p***ed off passengers or they had next to no forward bookings - I'm not sure which is the lesser of the evils.

If something is losing money then no-one can't afford to sit with it nowadays. But abrupt route cuts like that don't build customer confidence in what's supposed to be your new home market. Wow.

[SKOJB]

Let’s be honest the usual suspects on here are always bashing the airport. Things may not be ideal but in this current world nothing much is and let’s face it, the airport is doing darn sight better in any recovery when compared to the likes of SEN etc. It’s suggested that the A320 with the extension will be limited to PMI, ALC and the like, I say perfect and suspect this is exactly what the airport are hoping for along with a few French regionals and European cities which will give the airport a secure future. Of course this depends like every other airport on a post Covid recovery, of which I have no doubt will come about but in the meantime the ride will be slightly bumpy. SOU are however pushing ahead quite rightly with the planning application in order to maximise all future opportunities and revenues and I am very confident that they shall succeed in the near future!

[Atlantic Explorer]

Originally Posted by Albert Hall

So they've just stopped Newcastle at basically a day's notice? Woke up this morning, flew the last flight today and decided that enough was enough? That must be one of the fastest exits in history if so. Either there must be quite a few p***ed off passengers or they had next to no forward bookings - I'm not sure which is the lesser of the evils.

If something is losing money then no-one can't afford to sit with it nowadays. But abrupt route cuts like that don't build customer confidence in what's supposed to be your new home market. Wow.

Indeed, although Eastern’s previous history with SOU isn’t exactly rosy is it.

[PintofDoom]

Originally Posted by Atlantic Explorer

Indeed, although Eastern’s previous history with SOU isn’t exactly rosy is it.

This is Easterns management style to a tee. And they wondered why so little pilots and CC opted for transfers to the SOU base as this is Easterns 6th attempt from memory.

As a side note more CC have been made redundant at the LBA and NCL bases unless they are rated on the E170.

[SWBKCB]

So they've just stopped Newcastle at basically a day's notice? Woke up this morning, flew the last flight today and decided that enough was enough? That must be one of the fastest exits in history if so. Either there must be quite a few p***ed off passengers or they had next to no forward bookings - I'm not sure which is the lesser of the evils.

Hadn't the EZE SOU-NCL schedule just gone to 2 a day on Monday?

[Wycombe]

Hadn't the EZE SOU-NCL schedule just gone to 2 a day on Monday?

It was supposed to I think, but don't think it actually did. LOG is 2x daily now though, during the week.

[Red Four]

Originally Posted by Musket90

The minimum length requirement for a RESA is 90m. If the 240m recommended length is not achieved then according to CAP168 and EASA regs a safety assessment needs to be submitted to CAA.

Thanks yes I realised that. Do you know what the new RESA lengths will be under this extension plan?

[Buster the Bear]

The amount of debt all airlines are taking on from governments or via deferred repayments on leased aircraft which must be paid back with interest, the days of cheap airfares have mostly gone. The airlines that emerge past Covid-19 will be mostly free from the aforementioned. Should Southampton not expand to take the A320/737Max, the real estate is worth more than the long term profit for the landlord. Can Southampton carve out a niche? Ask me that in 6 months time. I certainly hope that it does, but relying on businesses to pay more and more to send staff, when Zoom/Teams can replace a lot of air journeys will certainly be challenged. Airports will simply have to hike charges. Not good news for consumers.

[davidjohnson6]

The value of the land occupied by SOU is, I agree, likely more valuable than SOU's future profits. However, the change of use of the land would mean a decrease in the value of land all over Southampton and south Hampshire and damage to the associated economy. This decrease in value would perhaps be larger than what AGS are missing out on from a major land sale
It is in the interest of local Govt to refuse permission for a change of use while the airport seems to be self-sustaining or at least able to survive on its reserves

[BAladdy]

Blue Island have postponed the launch of flights to DUB and MAN. Flights are now planned to start 29th March.

Eastern Airways are suspending flights to Leeds Bradford from 2nd October to 4th January. There planned W20 schedule:

Aberdeen
5 x Weekly via MME. Operates Weekdays/
Belfast City
10 x Weekly. Operates 2 x Daily ATR72 Monday to Friday & Daily J41 on Sunday
Dublin
12 x Weekly ATR72. Operates 2 x Daily Mon-Fri & Daily Sat/Sun
Leeds Bradford
Resumes 4th January - 10 x Weekly J41. Operates 2 x Daily Mon-Thu & Daily Fri/Sun
Manchester
Until 31st December - 6 x Weekly ATR72. Operates Daily Sun-Fri.
From 3rd January - 16 x Weekly ATR72. Operates 3 x Daily Mon-Fri & Daily Sun
Teeside
6 x Weekly J41. Operates Daily Sunday to Friday. Flights on Sundays operate via BHD.

[RW20]

As Coronivirus takes hold this Winter the airport will struggle to survive,BOU has other back up on site industries to support it . Even with reduced airside activities it will come through the crisis and be an airport still.It's debatable if Southampton will be still functioning this time on 12 months time if the Coronivrus continues unabated.

[SWBKCB]

Is there a special algorithim on Pprune which takes the second 'S' out of Teesside?

And BOU is presumably Bournemouth? Is there an assumption here that the back up industries will not be as impacted as the airlines? Given the current situation, speculating who might crash first is a bit unedifying (but not unexpected)

[Fly757X]

Maybe I'm a little detached but I'm not really getting the whole "struggle to survive" carry on. Sure it will be a quiet airfield but SOU isn't an isolated issue and as far as I'm concerned SOU has done really well when it comes to emerging in a post-BEE world when compared to other airfields, probably only behind BHD. There is plenty of airports around the UK which even in normal times would kill for a schedule such as the one presented.

I'll admit, I'm not particularly clued in on the operation of airports in this region of the UK. However with the already announced schedules for S21 surely one can only be optimistic for the future? There is plenty other airports (much smaller at that) out there in a much more precarious position when it comes W20/21. My sympathies are with folk at the airport as I'm sure it must be a worrying time. However if we can all get over W20/21 with the correct and rightful support from the government, I can only envisage a time in the future, whether that be 6 or 12 months ahead when our regionals are in a more balanced place than even before the pandemic when it comes to domestic connectivity.

[rog747]

SOU is in serious trouble

Originally Posted by Fly757X

Maybe I'm a little detached but I'm not really getting the whole "struggle to survive" carry on. Sure it will be a quiet airfield but SOU isn't an isolated issue and as far as I'm concerned SOU has done really well when it comes to emerging in a post-BEE world when compared to other airfields, probably only behind BHD. There is plenty of airports around the UK which even in normal times would kill for a schedule such as the one presented.

I'll admit, I'm not particularly clued in on the operation of airports in this region of the UK. However with the already announced schedules for S21 surely one can only be optimistic for the future? There is plenty other airports (much smaller at that) out there in a much more precarious position when it comes W20/21. My sympathies are with folk at the airport as I'm sure it must be a worrying time. However if we can all get over W20/21 with the correct and rightful support from the government, I can only envisage a time in the future, whether that be 6 or 12 months ahead when our regionals are in a more balanced place than even before the pandemic when it comes to domestic connectivity.

Today from the SOU Ops Director speaking on their FB pages -

''We are fighting for survival, we are a failing business, since the loss of Flybe, and now Covid.
We have a real threat that the airport may have to close''......

This is really sad - and frankly what else can they do?

Here is a link to his statements and the FB post https://www.southamptonairport.com/r...=&utm_content=

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=786920115184602

I fully support using SOU where I can, both now and in the past, but sadly since Covid any attempt to try and fly using the airport and booking the likes of Eastern have been untenable for me unfortunately.
I do hope they get through this but it is not looking good.

Just seen this posted on the EXT thread -
Meanwhile in reality, a funding package worth nearly £1m designed to ensure Exeter Airport can avoid the worst case scenario of closure has been unanimously backed at East Devon District Council cabinet meeting Wednesday night.

[LTNman]

Just threats to influence the planners regarding a longer runway. In fact they could spend the money on the runway and not get the aircraft that would actually need the extra length so making a bad situation worse.

[SKOJB]

Originally Posted by LTNman

Just threats to influence the planners regarding a longer runway. In fact they could spend the money on the runway and not get the aircraft that would actually need the extra length so making a bad situation worse.

Those marketing agencies are damn good!

[Rivet Joint]

Originally Posted by Fly757X

Maybe I'm a little detached but I'm not really getting the whole "struggle to survive" carry on. Sure it will be a quiet airfield but SOU isn't an isolated issue and as far as I'm concerned SOU has done really well when it comes to emerging in a post-BEE world when compared to other airfields, probably only behind BHD. There is plenty of airports around the UK which even in normal times would kill for a schedule such as the one presented.

I'll admit, I'm not particularly clued in on the operation of airports in this region of the UK. However with the already announced schedules for S21 surely one can only be optimistic for the future? There is plenty other airports (much smaller at that) out there in a much more precarious position when it comes W20/21. My sympathies are with folk at the airport as I'm sure it must be a worrying time. However if we can all get over W20/21 with the correct and rightful support from the government, I can only envisage a time in the future, whether that be 6 or 12 months ahead when our regionals are in a more balanced place than even before the pandemic when it comes to domestic connectivity.

Nice to see a a balanced and intelligent post on here for a change. To give you a heads up this thread has long since been infected by a couple of resident trolls who seem to revel in the fact that hundreds of families livelihoods are hanging in the balance at the moment and even worse wishing their demise is around the corner. There are definitely grounds for one individual to be banned by the mods but unfortunately no action so far (does anyone else think it's ironic that he has named himself after a runway at the airport that he spews nothing but hate about?). At the very least this thread should come with a disclaimer pinned to the top warning well meaning people not to fall into the trolls traps.

Its very simple, the music has stopped and everything is currently on hold, not just in this country, but around the world. Just as it did after 9/11 and the various other financial crashes that have happened since then. All the money that was sloshing around before covid hasn't disappeared, its just being held onto until covid is under control. It is honestly a waste of breath discussing any individual airport's current status as they are all in the same boat. Routes are constantly going to be chopping and changing to work around what are very fluid travel restrictions. Lets keep ignoring the trolls and start being a bit more positive, things can only get better and SOU going forward with the investment should be grounds for much positive discussion.

As for the quotes coming out of the management, there is also a quote confirming that £15m is set aside and ready to be spent on the extension. I think its safe to say that SOU is financially secure. Even if the current operator decided to call it quits someone else would come along to keep it running as an airport. The various local authorities would also resist all attempts for it to be used as anything else. Look at the hardly needed and long dormant Manston airport's recent goings on for a start.

[rog747]

I honestly think the crisis with our UK aviation, not just here at SOU, (and now it seems also at EXT) is cataclysmic, and many folk, even on here simply do not realise the dire scale and graveness of state of the Industry and perhaps some have maybe had a couple of Merlots, so see it all rather rose-tinted.

Who would have thought what has happened to BA & VS shedding 1000's of staff and scores of airframes grounded and may never fly again , and now we have Easy Jet of all of the 'giants' hanging on by a thread for its own survival. It's awful.
I have half a dozen BA friends all with over 30-40 years service all now on the heap.
One is now working on the Toll Booth at the Sandbanks Ferry - what a change from flying 747's for 41 years but he loves it.


Oh when it all goes back to 'normal in 6 or 12 months time...
Really? will it? - Sorry,
I cannot foresee a time when we go back to flying normally before the cash runs out for some - be it the airline, the businesses, or the airport...Then what.

Don't shoot messengers, I think SOU has been brave enough to announce today a major wake up call that our Industry and local infrastructure is heading just one way unless we get out of this Covid nightmare somehow.
I am pro SOU/BOH & EXT all local to me, but this is a very weird time & totally unprecedented in our times.

[LTNman]

It is harder to kill off an airport like SOU than an airline as the physical asset will remain for a new owner who will come in without the debts of the previous owner. Yes airlines have and will fail but the same people will form new airlines out of the ashes of the failed airlines. Looking forward 2 or 3 years might seem like a long time but in a few years time looking back to these dark days won’t seem as bad.