Manchester-2

[Betablockeruk]

Also worth noting a HiFly A345 positioned in last night to work a TUI flight, that was another stand taken. Then you consider MAN has a number of stands U/S due to the construction, and a taxiway OOA for rebuilding works, I see no reason to grumble about the past few days, they did a bloody good job!

With all the reasons not to accept, I'm actually amazed what MAN did yesterday.

Massive respect!

The NOTAM was perfectly the correct thing to do and forced others to accept ie the 0300 BGI-BHX Thomson went to LGW.

[LAX_LHR]

Currently 2 of the 4 easyjet NEO based at MAN. UZHA and UZHC.

[Seljuk22]

Is there any update regarding the (rumored) EZY expansion in summer 2018? How many aircraft will be based? Up to 17 or 14 or 12?

[Turtle controller]

If by next summer you mean 2018 then there seems to be no growth. Next Summer 2019 EZY growth is impossible to anticipate. Slots for based aircraft doing typical short haul flying are at a premium. They were granted some of the slots freed up by Monarch, but failed to use them. They will have to reapply. If nobody else applies for extras they will get them. However, there are criteria applied to slots being granted. Their Failiure to use them this year will count against future allocations and may mean other airlines get them. Therefore, no matter how committed they are to an increase it may be out of their hands. Many feel that this years application was a gambit to deter other operators. This (if true) won’t work twice.

[Betablockeruk]

This isn't a grumble, just puzzled.

In the midst of snowmagedon MAN took over 20 BHX & LCY diversions; yesterday MAN took 10 diversions from a fog bound LBA.

This morning LBA has turned away 6 (from arrival boards) and nothing came to MAN. Even the morning DUB-LBA Stobart went to BHX - this flight diverts to MAN that many times that it should be on our schedule just in case!

So, what's the policy? Or is MAN just having a well earned breather?

[Curious Pax]

I can’t give you a definitive answer, but would hazard a guess that MAN Monday mornings are a lot busier than Friday nights or Sundays.

[Mr Mac]

The 96ER
Re your comment on "Double Decker carriers" re de icing. Was with them last night, due out 20.35 off blocks 21.10 into DXB 08.05 15min late. Did speak to CSD who said they were not aware of any special treatment re de ice, though did comment as others have done of the exposed nature of some old MAN equipment. Off to bed now.
Kind regards
Mr Mac

[The96er]

Re your comment on "Double Decker carriers" re de icing. Was with them last night, due out 20.35 off blocks 21.10 into DXB 08.05 15min late. Did speak to CSD who said they were not aware of any special treatment re de ice, though did comment as others have done of the exposed nature of some old MAN equipment. Off to bed now.
Kind regards
Mr Mac

The comment was in reference to when the airport assumes control of de-icing. I was on shift once when the whole Flybe early morning wave eventually got cancelled after waiting several hours for de-icing. The Emirates that landed after the Flybe's was well taken care of. The total number of pax involved would of been equal to that of the A380. There are other instances of that happening too, Wheelchair provision being another example to the detriment of other airlines.

[FFMAN]

Originally Posted by Betablockeruk

This isn't a grumble, just puzzled.

In the midst of snowmagedon MAN took over 20 BHX & LCY diversions; yesterday MAN took 10 diversions from a fog bound LBA.

So, what's the policy? Or is MAN just having a well earned breather?

Having landed midweek in the morning, and taxied round to Stand 26, it staggers me how any additional flights could have been handled. The entire airfield seemed rammed with aircraft including a sizeable contingent of wide-bodies bulking it right out. This was BEFORE any diversions were accepted.
It's clear ramp space is at a premium with the T2 works underway - where would those 'lost' 9 Monarch aircraft have ever got to park?

[Suzeman]

Originally Posted by Betablockeruk

This isn't a grumble, just puzzled.

In the midst of snowmagedon MAN took over 20 BHX & LCY diversions; yesterday MAN took 10 diversions from a fog bound LBA.

This morning LBA has turned away 6 (from arrival boards) and nothing came to MAN. Even the morning DUB-LBA Stobart went to BHX - this flight diverts to MAN that many times that it should be on our schedule just in case!

So, what's the policy? Or is MAN just having a well earned breather?

I fail to see why you get so exercised by all this every time when you think diversions should come to MAN and they don't.

Where an airline chooses to divert to is dependent on a huge number of factors and every occasion is unique. If you have ever sat in an airline or airport operations centre, you will know that there are so many things to consider. Been there and done that.

Yesterday quite a few LBA diversions, particularly Jet2, ended up elsewhere; DSA, LPL and EMA to name but three. What would have happened if they all had come to MAN and then something had closed the airport? Just one of the factors you think about - there are of course loads more.

At this late hour, this morning's LBA arrivals have disappeared off their boards but from FR24, I can see a couple of flights on FR24 that went to HUY and DSA. You should also be asking why the EI flight did not go to one of these or even LPL.

In the event, I believe MAN did a sterling job in the last week of not only keeping their own operations going in dreadful conditions, but accepting diversions too with all the additional work load that causes. But at some stage you have to shut up shop for diversions to ensure that you can safely handle your own traffic which must take priority - apart from emergencies of course.

Add to this the complications caused by easterly operations and taxiway closures and it appears, says he from the comfort of his armchair, that it was a good all round team effort.

[Mr Mac]

The 96er
Thank you for the up date and information. If they get preferential treatment when the airport takes over de icing operations, maybe they do it on the basis of how much they get paid per aircraft, which in the case of LOCO (not sure if FLYBE is in that class) is very little. My wife used to be involved in a large world wide airport group at quite a senior level, and I am quite aware how little this is. Maybe the MAN management looks on it that way, I for sure do not know and neither did the people I spoke to at EK, though I agree airport operations would perhaps not be in their area of expertise. As you work there maybe ask at source ?

Kind regards
Mr Mac

[750XL]

maybe they do it on the basis of how much they get paid per aircraft

All service providers at the airport (whether it be catering, fuelling, cleaning, de-icing, baggage handling, PRM assistance) prioritise airlines in order of who shouts the loudest, which is why the likes Singapore, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar etc very rarely get service delays compared to those airlines with no management staff on station.

It's much easier to delay an Air Transat and send a 'sorry' email then have to deal with 5+ Emirates managers hassling you over the phone and face to face in the next meeting

[wools]

750xl Would not get away with that excuse with Air Transat who do have reps on the Airport. Also would not want to upset one of the GHA's largest customers in Canada.


Not right but those that shout the largest do have an advantage.

[750XL]

Originally Posted by wools

750xl Would not get away with that excuse with Air Transat who do have reps on the Airport

The TS reps (who aren't actually TS staff) aren't comparable to reps for the likes of SQ, QR, EK etc in my opinion. Purely a turnaround based presence, airport meetings etc aren't attended and delays are passed straight to TS staff in head office

[Dobbo_Dobbo]

India

Sounds like this is progressing. Nothing concrete...

https://blueswandaily.com/virgin-atlantic-set-to-head-east-out-of-manchester-to-support-its-international-partners/

[BTNH]

Could it be that DNATA have a few question to answer over there performance over the last 2 weeks ( missed bags and so on)?

[zed3]

Just to change the topic a little. Yesterday we drove over to stay at the MAN airport Hilton. We had a concert to attend in Bramhall at 1930. The hotel was fine but the signage at the airport is abysmal. Before moving abroad, I lived near to and thereafter have flown into MAN frequently, so know the area well. However, leaving the hotel and entering the 'system' at 1845 for a 15 minute drive, at the most, one was confronted, among all the road works, with signs for terminals 1,2,and 3, parkings 1- infinity but no directions for the major roads in the area. Following 'exit' painted on the road... seemingly, a while ago... we ended up on the M56 going in the totally wrong direction. After hopefully taking a 'Cheadle Royal' direction sign we headed off to Manchester on the wrong side of the road we wanted... (opposite direction to Cheadle Royal... the old hospital) with no possible exit and 'no u-turn' signs at every opportunity. Ending up in Didsbury and knowing where I was I was able to do a 180 at the lights and backtrack. How do visitors handling a hire car with the steering wheel on the wrong side cope? How do UK visitors cope? Where do they get these managers from... I would assume they are paid for this incompetence. Luckily I know the area and place names and was able to extract myself and make the appointment on time... just!
Why is the dear old UK so hopeless in these simple matters? Harrumph.

[roverman]

Originally Posted by zed3

Just to change the topic a little. Yesterday we drove over to stay at the MAN airport Hilton. We had a concert to attend in Bramhall at 1930. The hotel was fine but the signage at the airport is abysmal. Before moving abroad, I lived near to and thereafter have flown into MAN frequently, so know the area well. However, leaving the hotel and entering the 'system' at 1845 for a 15 minute drive, at the most, one was confronted, among all the road works, with signs for terminals 1,2,and 3, parkings 1- infinity but no directions for the major roads in the area. Following 'exit' painted on the road... seemingly, a while ago... we ended up on the M56 going in the totally wrong direction. After hopefully taking a 'Cheadle Royal' direction sign we headed off to Manchester on the wrong side of the road we wanted... (opposite direction to Cheadle Royal... the old hospital) with no possible exit and 'no u-turn' signs at every opportunity. Ending up in Didsbury and knowing where I was I was able to do a 180 at the lights and backtrack. How do visitors handling a hire car with the steering wheel on the wrong side cope? How do UK visitors cope? Where do they get these managers from... I would assume they are paid for this incompetence. Luckily I know the area and place names and was able to extract myself and make the appointment on time... just!
Why is the dear old UK so hopeless in these simple matters? Harrumph.

Right now there is an unprecedented and probably unique perfect storm of road works around the airport which is confusing the hell out of everyone including those like me who encounter them every day. We have MAN-TP (the redevelopment of Terminal 2), Airport City North, Airport City West, the Terminal 1 petrol station redevelopment, and the A555 relief road all concurrent. It has been nightmare-ish but I think the worst is now over, certainly Airport City West road improvements seen now to be substantially complete. You were unlucky to hit these at the perihelion.

[brown1950]

Originally Posted by BTNH

Could it be that DNATA have a few question to answer over there performance over the last 2 weeks ( missed backs and so on)?

What do DNATA have to answer to ?

[BTNH]

Try Lufthansa for a start.