Edinburgh-3

[A350Saltire]

Originally Posted by willy wombat

Regardless of whether it makes sense, this banging on about APD is swimming against the environmentalist tide.

Yes absolutely, I just think there is a sensible compromise solution.

[nighthawk117]

While it would be great if APD was dropped... Edinburgh airport isnt exactly struggling to attract flights. The airports busier than its ever been, despite the extra taxes.

As others have said, with the growing concern for the environment, its very unlikely these charges are going anywhere any time soon. Its quite likely that other countries will add similar taxes in future, so that should start to balance out.

[inOban]

I notice that there were two Boston flights today. I assume that one was a charter linked to the Festival?

[habs_fan]

Originally Posted by inOban

I notice that there were two Boston flights today. I assume that one was a charter linked to the Festival?

yesterdays BOS flight was cancelled due to a pluming fault with the DL 757 after the Aircraft arrived in to EDI.

[Asturias56]

Originally Posted by willy wombat

Regardless of whether it makes sense, this banging on about APD is swimming against the environmentalist tide.

It's nothing to do with environmentalists and everything to do with the need for the Govt to raise cash

And there's no point in banging on about it as there is zero evidence it has any effect on the numbers of people flying

[inOban]

Originally Posted by habs_fan

yesterdays BOS flight was cancelled due to a pluming fault with the DL 757 after the Aircraft arrived in to EDI.

Ah! It was impressive seeing so many a/c flying westwards on flight radar

[CabinCrewe]

Can we presume Hainan might try the Beijing route for a short inbound peak next summer? Though not convinced as even the regular high summer loads have not been anything to write home about this season

[nighthawk117]

Originally Posted by Asturias56

And there's no point in banging on about it as there is zero evidence it has any effect on the numbers of people flying

There's plenty of evidence to suggest people are less likely to fly if ticket prices are higher - it's simple economics.

[CabinCrewe]

usually only generating new traffic and growth. Existing travellers will pay what they've always paid and are not deterred by supplements as we've seen with credit cards, fuel tax in the past. Normally taxes hit the low fare cheapo seats, the others don't care.

[Skipness One Foxtrot]

Yet INV-LHR has done well and gained a night stopper against all expectations because INV has an APD exemption?

[A350Saltire]

There is a place for APD. Having it hindering the development of new Direct international routes from airports like EDI is not it.

This is why Gordon Dewar bangs on about it all the time and is right to do so. It’s his job to do so.

[Asturias56]

Can you point to any scientific evidence that APT affects flights? Other than whining airport and airline bosses?

Far more important is demand and frequency IMHO

[Flightrider]

Yet INV-LHR has done well and gained a night stopper against all expectations because INV has an APD exemption?

I think the APD exemption is only half the story. If what I hear is true, there is rather more "support" for this service than just the exemption from APD which is a matter of public record.

Can you point to any scientific evidence that APT affects flights? Other than whining airport and airline bosses?

The number of domestic air routes has fallen from 244 in 2008 to 190 in 2018, and a further eight have closed since then. The core of this fall has taken place on regional routes (ie outside London) where the number of routes has dropped from 194 to 148 and passenger numbers have fallen by 4% despite overall growth in aviation. The only meaningful train developments in that time have been WCML upgrades which have impacted on the likes of GLA/MAN. The rise in APD levels - and double taxation on domestic return journeys - caused demand to drop. Airlines then had to cut frequency, which further impacted demand, and then the air routes became increasingly unsustainable.

Some of the loss has come from closure of airports like Plymouth, Manston and Blackpool (to regular scheduled services). BOH has lost three of its four domestic links, BRS has lost seven, IOM eight, LBA nine - it's certainly a significant impact.

[SWBKCB]

Is it? Can you prove a link? For example, my organisation which used to be a significant user of domestic flights has banned them on environmental grounds (I know, I know...)

[EIFFS]

Originally Posted by SWBKCB

Is it? Can you prove a link? For example, my organisation which used to be a significant user of domestic flights has banned them on environmental grounds (I know, I know...)

unless you are crossing water be it the Chanel, the Irish Sea or the North Sea then point 2 point unless you are going Scotland to London or further train can be a competitive factor in the decline, no or little security hassle, plenty of room to work or read and you normally start and end at a city centre.

For example you can do Leeds to LGW in around 3:30 minutes by train with one stop at Stevenage, from arriving at LBA car park to getting land side at LGW will be about the same, apart from there are of course no flights to LGW from Leeds, the LHR service is much the same if you are going from central Leeds to central London.

The LHR service probably exists on a few interline flights.

[CabinCrewe]

Nice to see a one-off up-gauge of the seasonal PHL 757 to 763 today with N433AN doing the honours. 40+ empty seats will be a nice surprise for those going back westbound

[Plane mad 134]

Well its that time of year when airlines announce new routes for summer, any ideas on what new routes may be announced?

[inOban]

Given the state of the UK, European and world economy, it would be a brave airline that is launching new routes, particularly from second-tier airports.

[VickersVicount]

Originally Posted by Plane mad 134

Well its that time of year when airlines announce new routes for summer, any ideas on what new routes may be announced?

Lots of short and medium haul big drops in growth in CAA stats for peak July and longer haul probably near saturated, I doubt you'll see much in way of the exciting new routes or ongoing growth you crave.

[A350Saltire]

Whilst I agree that new routes will be few and far between, the performance of EDI’s routes in July were on the whole pretty impressive, particularly long haul.

EK carried 20,248 passengers with a LF of 92%. Every single US route had a LF of 87% or above and there are six daily routes during peak summer (BOS, ORD, JFK, IAD, EWR and PHL) which is impressive.

Good growth from Finnair to HEL, and TK to IST as well.