Luton-10
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The plan is to increase passengers to 19m without any alterations as the airport operator has discovered that people only had to sit on the floor for around 16 hours a day in 2019. This new total will add a couple of hours to what is seen as spare capacity although sitting on the floor is a danger when the airport is overcrowded.. Is Luton the most overcrowded airport in the UK in normal times?
Last edited by LTNman; 20th Jun 2021 at 18:47.
Some good pics here - I just about remember the 1970s terminal when it was just the 10 gates. It looks far worse now than it was in 1999 when it moved across to the new building.
In terms of overcrowding in the departure lounge yes, but LGW isn't far off and is far far worse for airfield and air traffic congestion.
In terms of overcrowding in the departure lounge yes, but LGW isn't far off and is far far worse for airfield and air traffic congestion.
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Not only overcrowding in departures but at passport control as well.
The terminal is a collection of many extensions and reworks going back close to 60 years as the original terminal is still in use today leaving many compromises and substandard features.
When the new terminal opened in 1999 the upstairs departure lounge remained closed for a few years but eventually opened to passengers in maybe 2002 as demand increased. Departing passengers were linked to the original terminal via exiting walkways to stands 9 and under on the main apron. Many of these stands had staircases that were meant to be served from the old terminal from the opposite direction meaning the staircases then and still today face the wrong way, as passengers have to now do a 180 degree turn to get to the gate.
Photo shows the walkway before it was connected to the new terminal. Passengers then approached the gates from the right but now approach from the left.
The terminal is a collection of many extensions and reworks going back close to 60 years as the original terminal is still in use today leaving many compromises and substandard features.
When the new terminal opened in 1999 the upstairs departure lounge remained closed for a few years but eventually opened to passengers in maybe 2002 as demand increased. Departing passengers were linked to the original terminal via exiting walkways to stands 9 and under on the main apron. Many of these stands had staircases that were meant to be served from the old terminal from the opposite direction meaning the staircases then and still today face the wrong way, as passengers have to now do a 180 degree turn to get to the gate.
Photo shows the walkway before it was connected to the new terminal. Passengers then approached the gates from the right but now approach from the left.
Last edited by LTNman; 22nd Jun 2021 at 04:43.
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With the announcements today that IAG want BA to focus on Heathrow and seemingly abandon Gatwick and easyJet handing 300 slot pairs to Ryanair at Stansted, any fanciful thoughts of a second Tinminal must be finally over! Frankly if I was LBC and Luton airport, I'd be wondering when the exodus starts! Bi-annual bin collections start next year for local residents.
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Yet Jozsef Varadi expects 2022 to be back to pre-covid levels so unless BA get forced to return slots at LGW they are not going anywhere, also on record saying no diluted capacity at Luton even if they get what they want at LGW, if anything more opportunities for sunshine routes at Luton if some of the trunk routes next return to same capacity.
EZY though may jump at any opportunities.
EZY though may jump at any opportunities.
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At least BB & LTNman acknowledge reality to an extent...
Services for the good taxpayers & residents of Luton are going to be decimated by the implosion at LTN.
Government overlook for bailing out the airport will place "special measures" on whoever is running the day to day ops with no capital expenditure unless it proves & provides a return for local taxpayers in the here & now.
Services for the good taxpayers & residents of Luton are going to be decimated by the implosion at LTN.
Government overlook for bailing out the airport will place "special measures" on whoever is running the day to day ops with no capital expenditure unless it proves & provides a return for local taxpayers in the here & now.
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Just my thoughts that might be completely wrong.
Luton will initially recover quite quickly next year due to its short haul network and pent up demand.
The application for 19m has more to do with the great fear that Wizz will expand at Gatwick at the expense of Luton so this application is to keep Wizz sweet.
Wizz will still try to open a big base at Gatwick, as Luton is seen as a poor alternative to Gatwick.
Despite more normal times returning LLAL will battle for survival as it has sunk under debt. The interest payments to the Council range up to 12%.
The Council will lose control of LLAL.
LLAOL will be negotiating to either take over LLAL or to extend their franchise without it going out to tender for a substantial period.
The Dart will run at a loss.
The Council will be placed in special measures due to its loans to its airport and no airport dividends will be paid for years to come.
The DCO application for 32m passengers will be turned down by the government principally as the airport is not a strategic airport for the nation or London. Also because Stansted has been given the green light to expand this takes away Luton’s growth potential and need to expand.
Luton will initially recover quite quickly next year due to its short haul network and pent up demand.
The application for 19m has more to do with the great fear that Wizz will expand at Gatwick at the expense of Luton so this application is to keep Wizz sweet.
Wizz will still try to open a big base at Gatwick, as Luton is seen as a poor alternative to Gatwick.
Despite more normal times returning LLAL will battle for survival as it has sunk under debt. The interest payments to the Council range up to 12%.
The Council will lose control of LLAL.
LLAOL will be negotiating to either take over LLAL or to extend their franchise without it going out to tender for a substantial period.
The Dart will run at a loss.
The Council will be placed in special measures due to its loans to its airport and no airport dividends will be paid for years to come.
The DCO application for 32m passengers will be turned down by the government principally as the airport is not a strategic airport for the nation or London. Also because Stansted has been given the green light to expand this takes away Luton’s growth potential and need to expand.
Last edited by LTNman; 22nd Jun 2021 at 15:15.
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Dannyboy39
Then last summer, the winter, the spring, then this summer again according to Varadi. Crying down on airlines taking government money, then taking some. Doing the kamikaze run in Norway. Firing 20% of the employees and now being unable to fly even half of the fleet when some of the demand is back (grab popcorn to watch July-August with no standby crew whatsoever). Treating crew like &#@ä and paying them peanuts so that they can leave in flocks now when there is a tiny bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Getting refused by the majority of the fired crew when offered to return. Moving the existing crew to keep the sinking bases afloat causing even more discontent. Calling all in on the holiday flights this summer, adding a s.load of those from every base while the demand is still not there or the passenger movement is still limited (just look at the prices). Advertising con gran voce that Wizz will be the structural winner of the pandemic. Well it does not look that way to me.
Then last summer, the winter, the spring, then this summer again according to Varadi. Crying down on airlines taking government money, then taking some. Doing the kamikaze run in Norway. Firing 20% of the employees and now being unable to fly even half of the fleet when some of the demand is back (grab popcorn to watch July-August with no standby crew whatsoever). Treating crew like &#@ä and paying them peanuts so that they can leave in flocks now when there is a tiny bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Getting refused by the majority of the fired crew when offered to return. Moving the existing crew to keep the sinking bases afloat causing even more discontent. Calling all in on the holiday flights this summer, adding a s.load of those from every base while the demand is still not there or the passenger movement is still limited (just look at the prices). Advertising con gran voce that Wizz will be the structural winner of the pandemic. Well it does not look that way to me.
Last edited by TBSC; 22nd Jun 2021 at 14:20.
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LTNman you share a lot of personal views that I disagree with. However and as an example, let’s consider the following: Airport ‘growth’ Comparison for the period of the beginning of 2014 until the end of 2019, which is as follows- LHR +10.2%. LGW +22.3 %. STN +40.9%. and LTN 73.8%. As a result LTN has proved not to be a “Poor Alternative” as you state but one that has the potential to be the UK’s Third Airport! Let the exciting times begin…
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Lee Baker Street
Or alternatively, over the same time frame Stansted increased their pax numbers by over 8 million, as did Gatwick, whereas Luton only managed 7.7m.
Can spin it anyway you want, I guess.
Or alternatively, over the same time frame Stansted increased their pax numbers by over 8 million, as did Gatwick, whereas Luton only managed 7.7m.
Can spin it anyway you want, I guess.
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That is one for the bean counters, I assume LTN still makes money for them and if they give up the slots they will get hoovered up by someone else anyhow.
STN is not convenient for everyone, certainly if coming from Bucks direction. Remember the M1 is still the primary route for most pax.
STN is not convenient for everyone, certainly if coming from Bucks direction. Remember the M1 is still the primary route for most pax.
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what do you mean, Stansted is not convenient for anyone it’s very close to becoming the UKs 3rd busiest Airport and has just got permission to expand to 43 million passengers a year, so must be convenient to a lot people than you think.
But seriously I don’t think Ryanair will pull out of Luton, having your foot in any “London” Airport is a good thing and can be used as a tool to fight of competition on routes from competitors.
But seriously I don’t think Ryanair will pull out of Luton, having your foot in any “London” Airport is a good thing and can be used as a tool to fight of competition on routes from competitors.