Luton-10

[pabely]

Definitely a target, the Saudis are pushing vast sums af money into this resort project. Whilst Egypt holidays are rising in price next year they will want to tap into this market. I can see this pencilled in already from Luton & Gatwick by Wizzair. TUI used to do Marsa Alam (from LGW) with 738s which is a bit further.

[davidjohnson6]

If a UK passport holder wants to visit Saudia Arabia right now, they need to pay approx £125 for a visa combined with compulsory insurance - enough to dissuade many from visiting. Yes, Saudi Arabia can easily grant exemptions for special regions, similiar to the way Sharm el Sheikh is visa exempt for Brits... but the Saudis have not changed their entry rules yet. Egypt charges Brits just US$25 for a go-anywhere-touristy visa.
I imagine the Saudis will wait to see how the World Cup goes in Qatar next month before deciding what to do on visa policy. Saudi Arabia is a little more conservative than Dubai

[LTNman]

Surprised no one has mentioned the Muslim religion as a reason to travel including visits to Makkah and Madinah.

[pabely]

I don't think the Noem new resort will have must to do with religion as they are talking about allowing alcohol so more like a separate region where normal Saudi citizens are very restricted in entry.

[pabely]

So LHR maybe using the 100,000 limit again this Christmas, a few extra for Luton? SEN won't be able to help this time as are they letting the ground crews go once EZY finish it's current programme?.

[davidjohnson6]

Does LTN really want a handful of extra flights for a short period of time when it's likely to be running at or very close to capacity ?

[LTNman]

Nowhere near capacity. Why do you think there are so many biz jets at Luton when they were pushed out in the past?

[pabely]

Originally Posted by davidjohnson6

Does LTN really want a handful of extra flights for a short period of time when it's likely to be running at or very close to capacity ?

Plenty of slots available in the Winter, not so much in Summer which is why BizJets often get refused slots. There is demand but no runway capacity in Summer.
Obviously wouldn't see Blue Air back with extras but maybe the likes of Sky Express if they cannot keep to approved LHR slot.

[pabely]

Not wanting to get into a political discussion but new Transport Secretary Mark Harper is on record saying he wants UK Transport to work for whole UK and that is for International travel as well which has to be a positive thing for Luton Airport.
Supply where there is demand comes to mind.

[BA318]

Originally Posted by pabely

Not wanting to get into a political discussion but new Transport Secretary Mark Harper is on record saying he wants UK Transport to work for whole UK and that is for International travel as well which has to be a positive thing for Luton Airport.
Supply where there is demand comes to mind.

Isn’t it just a meaningless political statement? It’s not like a transport Secretary is going to say “I only want transport to work for London Heathrow”.

[Spanish eyes]

This poses the question why 2 government departments both decided to call in the planning permission for expansion.

(Edit) I am watching the BBC news main story on climate change. Maybe that is another reason.

[Spanish eyes]

Originally Posted by LTNman

I have been playing around with the East Midland Trains booking engine. A non stop train from Luton Airport Parkway to St Pancras can be purchased for as little as £2.60 each way, or £5.20 return, which is a revelation.

£5.20 for a return trip of 46 minutes between London and LAP vs £9.80 for a total 6 minute Dart trip from LAP to the terminal and back. In reality I doubt any passenger would pre book a particular train as travel times through Luton is so unpredictable.

[pabely]

Originally Posted by davidjohnson6

Does LTN really want a handful of extra flights for a short period of time when it's likely to be running at or very close to capacity ?

ANEA reported Luton is 71.0% of 2019 levels between Jan & Sept 2022.

[LGS6753]

Originally Posted by pabely

ANEA reported Luton is 71.0% of 2019 levels between Jan & Sept 2022.

So I can't help wondering why slot applications were rejected when I understand the slots are restricted due to the 18 million pax cap.

[pabely]

Originally Posted by LGS6753

So I can't help wondering why slot applications were rejected when I understand the slots are restricted due to the 18 million pax cap.

If everyone had used all their slots they were allocated they would be back to 100%. ACL would not reallocate them, just in case and each has value.

[Spanish eyes]

Not used due to a lack of demand.

[pabely]

Originally Posted by Spanish eyes

Not used due to a lack of demand.

Well of course not used fully. Freedom of travel was not around during early part of the year. Spain has only dropped all restrictions 6 days ago. Nobody has ever suggested 2022 will be like 2019. I doubt next year will be either but that will be more down to cash in people's pockets. All trips will be more expensive next year which will subdue demand.

[D7666]

A321XLR
Ask a silly question.
If Wizz are looking east, as they say they are, is there much in the way of potential routes that in view of the current situation needing to take a longer route avoiding Russian (and Ukraine) airspace that would benefit from the XLR range ?
Although methinks non of that affects Luton ? (Yet.)

[Spanish eyes]

Originally Posted by pabely

If everyone had used all their slots they were allocated they would be back to 100%. .

You have just undermined your own statement.

[Dannyboy39]

Originally Posted by D7666

A321XLR
Ask a silly question.
If Wizz are looking east, as they say they are, is there much in the way of potential routes that in view of the current situation needing to take a longer route avoiding Russian (and Ukraine) airspace that would benefit from the XLR range ?
Although methinks non of that affects Luton ? (Yet.)

No. If they’re aiming for AUH or JED, they will just follow the same routes as the pre-existing routes to these countries, for the former over Central Europe and down over Turkey and Iraq.