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Would they really move back though? They've been at LTN since 2008/9 and seem to be fairly happy there. IIRC, they've even sent the 772 over to LTN over the last few years during the summer season, so the demand definitely must be there, especially with W6 and U2 now also on the same route. That said, a move back to STN would surely make sense, given Arkia are pulling out, and with U2 only seasonal. From a passenger stand point, it would probably be a welcome change too (e.g. satellite 1 refurb, jet bridges, escape lounge for business class passengers). Will definitely be one to watch- would be nice if this happens, in fact it appears that EL AL have actually been reducing their frequencies at LTN recently (presumably in response to the competition from W6 and U2), so does this strengthen the case of a move back to STN? I guess we will find out soon.
Join Date: Jan 2004
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When ELAL operated to Stansted previously I heard there was an issue about who pays for the cost of the extra security, eg police and this may have resulted in the decision to move the flights to Luton. Maybe the security cost issue at STN has been resolved.
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LTN is just a short drive up the M1 for many Jews and is a far better location than Heathrow. Also direct rail links not that I have ever seen an Orthodox Jew catch the train. I thought El Al moved from Stansted due to better access at Luton but now they might have issues adding extra flights to the the airports seat cap who knows what could happen.
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From what I understand EL AL was successful at Stansted and even used it as a stop over for flight to New York. I personally wouldn’t be surprised to see them return to Stansted, same reason as others have mentioned and they can use wide-bodies more often and fill them up. If I’m right a full B772 couldn’t depart from Luton’s runway. Apologies if I’m wrong.
Also when the Tel Aviv flights by Arkia do operate its EL AL staff doing the extra security checks. Though this doesn’t have anything to do with EL AL return. In regards to Arkia they mostly had good passenger loads when operating previously and the easyJet figures and always quite high to.
In regards to Egypt Air I doubt it would be the passenger side, it’s likely to be the Cargo. They’ve operated before and where meant to begin regular service previously and didn’t. Either one would be a nice addition.
Also when the Tel Aviv flights by Arkia do operate its EL AL staff doing the extra security checks. Though this doesn’t have anything to do with EL AL return. In regards to Arkia they mostly had good passenger loads when operating previously and the easyJet figures and always quite high to.
In regards to Egypt Air I doubt it would be the passenger side, it’s likely to be the Cargo. They’ve operated before and where meant to begin regular service previously and didn’t. Either one would be a nice addition.
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Going back to that changeover to LTN, STN was so close to keeping the upgraded daily service that it even went on sale for a couple of days. This is certainly a credible rumour
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No different to EZY who I believe operate there and back same day. Crews go much further such as HRG/SSH so there must be some other reason?
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Apparently EZY won't be releasing winter schedule for either STN or SEN. I do hope this is not true (as I will be affected) but in reality how tenable is EZY's position, especially at STN.
It is EZY's policy to be either no 1 or 2 or not really bother but with LS growing and STN getting busier with other airlines EZY does seem to be losing its importance at STN.
It is EZY's policy to be either no 1 or 2 or not really bother but with LS growing and STN getting busier with other airlines EZY does seem to be losing its importance at STN.
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Apparently EZY won't be releasing winter schedule for either STN or SEN. I do hope this is not true (as I will be affected) but in reality how tenable is EZY's position, especially at STN.
It is EZY's policy to be either no 1 or 2 or not really bother but with LS growing and STN getting busier with other airlines EZY does seem to be losing its importance at STN.
It is EZY's policy to be either no 1 or 2 or not really bother but with LS growing and STN getting busier with other airlines EZY does seem to be losing its importance at STN.
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there are a lot of complexities about operating to Israel which I wont go into for obvious reasons and that makes it an expensive airport to operate from and it may well be that Ryanair have decided its not worth the effort.
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Even if EZY were to shut STN over the winter, and that's a big if, they'd surely not drop the likes of AMS, BFS, EDI, GLA, GVA and just serve from the other end - those routes alone make up the bulk of their winter schedules from STN now anyway.
It is a bit of a strange case though. They've had very little appetit to grow at STN for many years yet they still hold 7 highly valuable first wave slots - you would've thought if there was no strategic importance of STN they would've sold them off for significant value. The problem always comes down to though where else could they expand in the south-east without further airline restructures, mergers or failures? The reality is there will be more to come and will be opportunites to hoover up additional desirable slots at LGW or LTN - but STN is still a contender for growth if required.
SEN, they seem to have found the right balance of routes but you can't ignore the added competiton from FR - I'm not sure to be honest EZY ever expected FR would show up at SEN. Is there room for both? - Answer is I think yes given capacity constraints at other London airports, but EZY rarely like to engage in hardcore price wars with FR, W6 etc. and will instead reduce/shift their network to higher yielding opportunites. Other issue for SEN is the fact that airlines are probably paying next to nothing - which is fine until such a time Stobart realise they need to invest in future facilities.
It is a bit of a strange case though. They've had very little appetit to grow at STN for many years yet they still hold 7 highly valuable first wave slots - you would've thought if there was no strategic importance of STN they would've sold them off for significant value. The problem always comes down to though where else could they expand in the south-east without further airline restructures, mergers or failures? The reality is there will be more to come and will be opportunites to hoover up additional desirable slots at LGW or LTN - but STN is still a contender for growth if required.
SEN, they seem to have found the right balance of routes but you can't ignore the added competiton from FR - I'm not sure to be honest EZY ever expected FR would show up at SEN. Is there room for both? - Answer is I think yes given capacity constraints at other London airports, but EZY rarely like to engage in hardcore price wars with FR, W6 etc. and will instead reduce/shift their network to higher yielding opportunites. Other issue for SEN is the fact that airlines are probably paying next to nothing - which is fine until such a time Stobart realise they need to invest in future facilities.
