Luton-10
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: London Whipsnade Wildlife Park
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Well based upon the ever increasing debts and a hope that the new concessionaire in 2030 something will assume them all, until a percentage of the airport owned by the people of the town is sold, you may see bin collections every 10 years
Gatwick need cash, so unless BA pay GIP an amount to cover their absence, those slots will not go unflown during 2022 and beyond. IAG are more concerned that BA use their Heathrow slots and don't lose them. I am sure Wizz, easy and other airlines will find the cash to loosen BA's hold on a fair few..........
Terminal 2 will never happen.
Now add into the equation airport charges increasing, air traffic route charges increasing, oil price rises which might well see $150 per barrel and airlines needing to pay back all the Covid incurred debt, the only way fares are heading is skywards!
Well based upon the ever increasing debts and a hope that the new concessionaire in 2030 something will assume them all, until a percentage of the airport owned by the people of the town is sold, you may see bin collections every 10 years
Gatwick need cash, so unless BA pay GIP an amount to cover their absence, those slots will not go unflown during 2022 and beyond. IAG are more concerned that BA use their Heathrow slots and don't lose them. I am sure Wizz, easy and other airlines will find the cash to loosen BA's hold on a fair few..........
Terminal 2 will never happen.
Now add into the equation airport charges increasing, air traffic route charges increasing, oil price rises which might well see $150 per barrel and airlines needing to pay back all the Covid incurred debt, the only way fares are heading is skywards!
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: UK & Estern Europe
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Does anyone else not think the airport is currently in a very vulnerable position?
While easyJet and Wizz have remained staunchly loyal to LTN, with all the potential slots becoming available at Gatwick from Norwegian, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, we might see a large number of operations switched to the south London airport.
We have to face facts, Gatwick is nearly always the preferred option for airlines operating from London over Luton, airlines can command higher fares, increased loads and greater profitability from there.
Im not in anyway saying we will see the airlines vanish from the Luton, but could potentially see their operations diluted.
While easyJet and Wizz have remained staunchly loyal to LTN, with all the potential slots becoming available at Gatwick from Norwegian, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, we might see a large number of operations switched to the south London airport.
We have to face facts, Gatwick is nearly always the preferred option for airlines operating from London over Luton, airlines can command higher fares, increased loads and greater profitability from there.
Im not in anyway saying we will see the airlines vanish from the Luton, but could potentially see their operations diluted.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Some would say that LLAL aka the Council is reaping the reward for a history of putting its own interests first by ignoring local residents and other communities when it comes to deciding its own planning applications. This gave it confidence to build the Dart with no questions asked to save 2 minutes on the scheduled travel time at a cost of £281m when the exiting Thameslink service cost nothing.
Without DCO approval for airport expansion the Dart will be a white elephant but with DCO approval the Dart will be needed if the airport is expanded. The question then becomes why did LLAL fund the Dart half way to Terminal 2 rather then letting a new concessionaire take on the whole project at their risk rather than the Council taxpayers carrying the risk and who will never get to use it.
We know what the existing concessionaire thought about funding the Dart. They didn’t want to know as they need passengers to arrive by car as they get to keep drop off and car park charges.
Without DCO approval for airport expansion the Dart will be a white elephant but with DCO approval the Dart will be needed if the airport is expanded. The question then becomes why did LLAL fund the Dart half way to Terminal 2 rather then letting a new concessionaire take on the whole project at their risk rather than the Council taxpayers carrying the risk and who will never get to use it.
We know what the existing concessionaire thought about funding the Dart. They didn’t want to know as they need passengers to arrive by car as they get to keep drop off and car park charges.
Last edited by LTNman; 24th Jun 2021 at 15:21.
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Luton
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I think there'll be quite a bit of consolidation on routes and competition between airports will be fierce. It's certainly going to be interesting, but ownership issues aside, I don't think LTN is anymore vulnerable than any other airport, I believe i's currently second or third busiest airport in the UK at the moment (this will of course change). It has a very good catchment for North London and the Midlands including some of the most affluent counties of the UK which are too far to LGW. It also largely serves the short-haul visiting family market, which is likely to pick up sooner than business travel etc.
Join Date: Nov 2001
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For those that live out of the area, some context to the financial concerns of the airport expansion.
https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/po...illors-3269823
https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/po...idered-3266984
https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/po...illors-3269823
https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/po...idered-3266984
Join Date: Jul 2002
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I was watching the scrutiny and finance committee meeting last night for an hour live on YouTube. When it came to the airport and LLAL the cameras were switched off as they went into secret session. The switching off of camera is a scandal. This is a regular occurrence when the airport is now being discussed, as some are petrified the truth will be revealed regarding the true state of the airports finances due to reckless borrowings.
The accountants are alarmed at the prospects of LLAL being loaned new money by the council and are insisting a fire sale of the airport should be considered. This info hasn’t come from the Council but from the accountants.
The accountants are alarmed at the prospects of LLAL being loaned new money by the council and are insisting a fire sale of the airport should be considered. This info hasn’t come from the Council but from the accountants.
Last edited by LTNman; 25th Jun 2021 at 19:19.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Only fully vaccinated Brits will be able to fly from Luton to Malta without 14 days of quarantine, which will reduce demand. Not sure how this would affect families with teenage children but then many families won’t have parents fully vaccinated.
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: EDI, LHR, NQY
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Eh? Malta has just gone on the green list, which is quarantine-free. Demand for MLA has gone through the roof. For exemptions for the fully-vaccinated you're thinking of the amber list, which is most of the world.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Malta has brought out new rules today for the UK so will affect Luton. I wonder how many have booked flights from Luton yesterday who now can’t travel? Wonder what the rules are regarding unvaccinated teenagers. Maybe that would stop the adults going?
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/t...s-b942627.html
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/t...s-b942627.html
In a further blow to British tourists, only those who are fully vaccinated will be allowed into Malta without having to quarantine.
Last edited by LTNman; 25th Jun 2021 at 22:57.
Join Date: Mar 2002
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Very true, although nothing to stop you quarantining at your resort hotel of course! I imagine most of those headling to Malta are of an age where they are double-jabbed, but I see your point about families.
I also wonder how LTN will cope with the border queues on return, given the issues at LHR.
I also wonder how LTN will cope with the border queues on return, given the issues at LHR.
Join Date: Jan 2005
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ITV news reporting a slight change to the proposed new hold away from Huntingdon but nearer St Neot's, is this just a loop south of the NDB rather than north - also the lowest level being 1000ft higher.
I assuming it will be at the RAF Brompton site anyhow?
I assuming it will be at the RAF Brompton site anyhow?
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Council loan to LLAL http://BBC News - Luton Airport loan...herts-57642848
Join Date: Jul 2002
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It's a scandal, the morally bankrupt Council is lending its airport another £119m despite LLAL having no staff while at the same time it is being balled out by the government to save social services.
Yesterday the full executive met where they drew the curtains, locked the doors and switched off the cameras and microphones and went into yet another secret session, as they are determined to hide the true facts from the people of Luton.
Complete rubbish, more to do with Council sensitivities.
Airport loans are now in excess of half a billion pounds yet the build up of debt from nothing will not add a single passenger to the airports existing capacity limit. The dividends to the Council have gone for years to come as yet more loans are being taken out to pay the interest on other loans.
Also more money is being lent to the Dart. Bill to date £281m. The cost of the Dart is calculated at £2.34m per second saved over the existing link or £127,727 per metre.
Luton Airport loaned £119m by council as pandemic measure - BBC News
Yesterday the full executive met where they drew the curtains, locked the doors and switched off the cameras and microphones and went into yet another secret session, as they are determined to hide the true facts from the people of Luton.
Details about the financial support package were not discussed in public at the meeting and Mr Malcolm said they had "no choice" to hear them in private because of commercial sensitivities.
Airport loans are now in excess of half a billion pounds yet the build up of debt from nothing will not add a single passenger to the airports existing capacity limit. The dividends to the Council have gone for years to come as yet more loans are being taken out to pay the interest on other loans.
Also more money is being lent to the Dart. Bill to date £281m. The cost of the Dart is calculated at £2.34m per second saved over the existing link or £127,727 per metre.
Luton Airport loaned £119m by council as pandemic measure - BBC News
Last edited by LTNman; 29th Jun 2021 at 15:37.