Luton-10
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After one month and one day since the great fire of Luton Airport, it seems that the idea of removing all the cars from the roof of the car park has been abandoned due to the state of the roof. I would imagine demolishing the structure is going to be a slow painful process that would be quicker if all the cars were actually burnt out. With many fuel tanks and EV batteries intact a dropped piece of steel or concrete could set off another fire within the depths of the building.
The car park has had a painful history being closed in the past for structural issues and not being required due to Covid. I think it has only had one full year of operation out of 4.
The car park has had a painful history being closed in the past for structural issues and not being required due to Covid. I think it has only had one full year of operation out of 4.
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EasyJet HQ
Back in 2019/20 just before Covid hit , followed by the slump in air travel, EJ had put in a planning Application for a new HQ on part of the Vauxhall car park.
Does anybody know if that Application was approved and did they ever purchase the land.
I know that you don’t need to own land to apply for planning but just curious if as things pick up again in the aviation sector they might resurrect the plan.
Does anybody know if that Application was approved and did they ever purchase the land.
I know that you don’t need to own land to apply for planning but just curious if as things pick up again in the aviation sector they might resurrect the plan.
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They certainly setup a separate company call Easyjet HQ Developments Limited as a vehicle for this but I don't believe any formal land purchase/lease or planning application was made.
With alot of the operations now no longer in Hangar 89, in other offices around the town, there currently is not a great need for the vanity project to go ahead.
I think it will now need a change of CEO for the project to move forwards again.
With alot of the operations now no longer in Hangar 89, in other offices around the town, there currently is not a great need for the vanity project to go ahead.
I think it will now need a change of CEO for the project to move forwards again.
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They own the land next to the shell petrol station, which was the site of the new HQ but covid got in the way. The building was going to be orange and was approved as far as I know, as I saw the planning application.
Last edited by LTNman; 11th Nov 2023 at 11:18.
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Today for one day only LTNman has become LGWman. It has come as a shock how good and spacious Gatwick is compared to Luton that has become a master of squeezing people through the front door. If I lived in London I know where I would be heading for and where I would be avoiding.
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You should probably revisit in July or August, this month along with February are much quieter.
Just wait for approval of the duel Northern runway simultaneous operation and 75m passengers.
Just wait for approval of the duel Northern runway simultaneous operation and 75m passengers.
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I think Gatwick’s capacity is around 45m split between 2 terminals so let’s say 22.5m each. Luton now 19m. Each terminal must be at least twice the size of Luton’s terminal. Quart into a pint pot comes to mind.
Last edited by LTNman; 11th Nov 2023 at 14:46.
Of course LGW is not as hemmed in as LTN and does have space to grow two terminals into. Let's see how LTN T2 if and when it gets built copes. Also LGW & STN does have tha ability to take T777 and A380 size a/c
I have noted previously how easy it is to transit these airports compared to LTN
LTN is unfortunately my closest and cheapest London Airport but would not be my Airport of choice . Swings and roundabouts ..etc
I have noted previously how easy it is to transit these airports compared to LTN
LTN is unfortunately my closest and cheapest London Airport but would not be my Airport of choice . Swings and roundabouts ..etc
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Luton gets some temporary infrastructre.
The same at the other end of the tunnel.
It runs short though.
A new footpath is being created to cut the narrow corner off.
The pick and drop off has been reversed and is now a complete dogs dinner, as it is really difficult to find the car that has come to collect you. No covered walkway here either.
Back inside the CTA with the closed off one way system and darkened MSCP2. The predictable ryebridge signs are up.
The same at the other end of the tunnel.
It runs short though.
A new footpath is being created to cut the narrow corner off.
The pick and drop off has been reversed and is now a complete dogs dinner, as it is really difficult to find the car that has come to collect you. No covered walkway here either.
Back inside the CTA with the closed off one way system and darkened MSCP2. The predictable ryebridge signs are up.
Last edited by LTNman; 11th Nov 2023 at 18:19.
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Surely it would have been better to have turned MSCP1 into a pick up and set down area, with the short stay moved to the mid term car park and connected to the terminal by shuttle bus?
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MSCP1 is operating using a temporary entrance and exit cut into the side of the building. It works fine as a car park but would be even more torturous as a drop off area with people being dropped off on the dual carriageway or car park users trying to park on the upper levels via a drop off area. Also to gain access cars now have to travel via the roundabout for the bus station and taxi rank.
There are no easy solutions but all of this mess is of the airports own making by sweating the asset to the extreme, building on the cheap to the minimum standards required and not fitting any fire suppression systems not only in the MSCP’s in but much of the terminal.
On a separate note I noticed that the people using Gatwick were of a higher order compared to some of the great unwashed using Luton. I can’t imagine running battles inside the departure lounge at Gatwick or the masses attacking the airline counters, which has happened at Luton.
There are no easy solutions but all of this mess is of the airports own making by sweating the asset to the extreme, building on the cheap to the minimum standards required and not fitting any fire suppression systems not only in the MSCP’s in but much of the terminal.
On a separate note I noticed that the people using Gatwick were of a higher order compared to some of the great unwashed using Luton. I can’t imagine running battles inside the departure lounge at Gatwick or the masses attacking the airline counters, which has happened at Luton.
Last edited by LTNman; 12th Nov 2023 at 06:24.
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What was far better at Luton was the new Dart compared to the inter terminal Gatwick ride that has seen much better days. That ride is free though rather than £9.80 return.
Yesterday’s Dart ride still feeling brand new despite the out of reach cobwebs.
Last edited by LTNman; 12th Nov 2023 at 05:50.
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MSCP1 is operating using a temporary entrance and exit cut into the side of the building. It works fine as a car park but would be even more torturous as a drop off area with people being dropped off on the dual carriageway or car park users trying to park on the upper levels via a drop off area. Also to gain access cars now have to travel via the roundabout for the bus station and taxi rank.
There are no easy solutions but all of this mess is of the airports own making by sweating the asset to the extreme, building on the cheap to the minimum standards required and not fitting any fire suppression systems not only in the MSCP’s in but much of the terminal.
On a separate note I noticed that the people using Gatwick were of a higher order compared to some of the great unwashed using Luton. I can’t imagine running battles inside the departure lounge at Gatwick or the masses attacking the airline counters, which has happened at Luton.
There are no easy solutions but all of this mess is of the airports own making by sweating the asset to the extreme, building on the cheap to the minimum standards required and not fitting any fire suppression systems not only in the MSCP’s in but much of the terminal.
On a separate note I noticed that the people using Gatwick were of a higher order compared to some of the great unwashed using Luton. I can’t imagine running battles inside the departure lounge at Gatwick or the masses attacking the airline counters, which has happened at Luton.
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I too have seen poor behaviour at Gatwick. With a very much bigger police presence though, this normally fizzles out very quickly.
Remember Gatwick North Terminal was built from 1983 when still under BAA Public ownership and money flowed to grand designs.
The same can be said of Stansted which was an underused Palace at the time.
Luton though, being too successful, constantly has suffered from no long term planning and a band aid across infrastructure. Hey Ho, it's history now.
Either way, even if T2 is knocked back, don't expect 21.5m (I am expecting that to come) to be the last of it.
Remember Gatwick North Terminal was built from 1983 when still under BAA Public ownership and money flowed to grand designs.
The same can be said of Stansted which was an underused Palace at the time.
Luton though, being too successful, constantly has suffered from no long term planning and a band aid across infrastructure. Hey Ho, it's history now.
Either way, even if T2 is knocked back, don't expect 21.5m (I am expecting that to come) to be the last of it.
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21.5m is already a figure too far and demonstrates that the customer experience is at the bottom of their list of priorities. So what’s next, installing narrower free seating or removing the seating altogether so the terminal becomes standing room only unless the passenger eats or drinks?
So how is this acceptable? When this was taken the cap was 18m. Anyone remember when the terminal was built and it was claimed the capacity was just 5m. Luton is by far one of the UK’s worst airports yet many here want to see more passengers.
So how is this acceptable? When this was taken the cap was 18m. Anyone remember when the terminal was built and it was claimed the capacity was just 5m. Luton is by far one of the UK’s worst airports yet many here want to see more passengers.
Last edited by LTNman; 12th Nov 2023 at 19:07.
Why is 21.5m too far, and why is giving everybody comfy seating so important ? If you want a luxurious flight experience from the UK to Poland, then Lufthansa or LOT can help from Heathrow, but with a change of flight it will take at least 2 hours longer and they will charge heavily for the privilege. For many of the people flying to/from Luton, the important thing is to be able to see family regularly in a safe, time-efficient and low cost way. If it means 30 minutes walking around the shops, then so be it. Many of the people flying from Luton are NOT wealthy - cost is looked at carefully before booking. Getting to the destination safely, quickly and cheaply is important - sitting in a big armchair at Luton generally is not... those who insist on an armchair can pay for lounge access. (Clue - most don't pay for lounge access and prefer to save the money.) Gatwick has far more acreage for a terminal than Luton... or would you like to sacrifice more green space like Winch Hill for better seating in the terminal ?
Similiarly people in London during rush hour usually choose 30 mins standing on the tube, compared to 60 mins in a taxi... the cheaper ride is GOOD ENOUGH given the price options available. I repeat - a company needs to focus on what is GOOD ENOUGH for the bulk of its customers - eg airlines and passengers for LTN, while providing more luxurious features (eg a lounge) to the few who are willing to pay extra. Ryanair nearly went bust in the early days while offering frills and bending over backwards to keep everyone happy - then MOL changed the strategy and the rest is history. I don't think many people want to go back to the expensive and very constrained days of airlines in the 1980s.
Similiarly people in London during rush hour usually choose 30 mins standing on the tube, compared to 60 mins in a taxi... the cheaper ride is GOOD ENOUGH given the price options available. I repeat - a company needs to focus on what is GOOD ENOUGH for the bulk of its customers - eg airlines and passengers for LTN, while providing more luxurious features (eg a lounge) to the few who are willing to pay extra. Ryanair nearly went bust in the early days while offering frills and bending over backwards to keep everyone happy - then MOL changed the strategy and the rest is history. I don't think many people want to go back to the expensive and very constrained days of airlines in the 1980s.
Last edited by davidjohnson6; 12th Nov 2023 at 19:23.
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I've asked before but I don't recall an answer. Doesn't any building like an airport terminal have a limit on the number of people allowed inside, set by the Fire Brigade? Anyone know what that is?
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21.5m is already a figure too far and demonstrates that the customer experience is at the bottom of their list of priorities. So what’s next, installing narrower free seating or removing the seating altogether so the terminal becomes standing room only unless the passenger eats or drinks.
So how is this acceptable? When this was taken the cap was 18m. Anyone remember when the terminal was built and it was claimed the capacity was just 5m. Luton is by far one of the UK’s worst airports yet many here want to see more passengers.
So how is this acceptable? When this was taken the cap was 18m. Anyone remember when the terminal was built and it was claimed the capacity was just 5m. Luton is by far one of the UK’s worst airports yet many here want to see more passengers.
Air travel is now for the masses at rock bottom prices vs years ago.
If you want a guaranteed seat in departures fly from Southend- while you can.
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A race to the bottom then. If T2 does get permission why even build a terminal, as a nice unheated marquee will do with a few outside portaloos if it knocks a few quid off the ticket price.
As a society we should be raising the game not accepting ever worsening conditions set by greedy companies as the new normal in various aspects of our lives.
As a society we should be raising the game not accepting ever worsening conditions set by greedy companies as the new normal in various aspects of our lives.