Luton-10

[LTNman]

Luton also has an issue with slots as there isn’t any spare for the summer of 2021. Only DHL got awarded additional slots with everyone else being turned down no doubt due to slot blockers.

A case of airlines having to rearrange what they have to start new services.

[pabely]

Which Wizzair have the luxury of, with some of those x4 daily routes and with an expected slow down of East Europeans just jumping on a plane to work within EU.

[southside bobby]

LTN recorded 105,000 pax in November...

[World Traveller]

LTNman;

I bridge over a railway line will not be built over time; I expect that this section will be built in the adjacent site compound and lifted in to position in one go during a weekend track closure.

[inOban]

Network Rail plan their engineering possessions at least a year in advance, so I'm sure it's in their calendar.

[avidspotter]

Buster the Bear

While I know seating has always been an issue (not enough where needed and too much where it isn't) I have personally on numerous occasions (pre-covid) pointed out to those sitting on the floor the empty seats in front of them, but they have been reluctant to move or appear to lack the courage to ask others to shuffle along or move their possessions to make space...

[LGS6753]

From Travel Mole:
https://www.travelmole.com/news_feat...ews_id=2045330

Confirms November traffic figures, and predicts a low December figure.

[LTNman]

World Traveller

I bridge over a railway line will not be built over time; I expect that this section will be built in the adjacent site compound and lifted in to position in one go during a weekend track closure.

Sorry you have lost me as these photos shows the bridge already straddling the 4 tracks. It was built in sections during the spring and was erected 2 tracks at a time overnight with the middle platforms providing supports. It is now being clad in situ.

This is the first part of a video showing the bridge being built and erected

You Tube

This was taken 7 months ago showing the 6 support columns.


This photo was taken on 27th September.

[highwideandugly]

Could I ask a spotter type question please!

Surfing all the airport sites.....the question..is Farnborough now busier than Luton for biz jet type traffic?
I know Luton held top spot for years?

[pabely]

highwideandugly

Yes I think Farnborough is now. Although FAB is only 07:00 to 22:00 most days it has the room and runway capacity. Alot of the old heavy metal now goes to STN because you can't park a BBJ overnight because all stands are full.
BIG is also making great gains thanks to mutiple good FBOs.
Last summer the FBO tug drivers were kept very busy in unlocking parking puzzles in the hope a client would turn up at agreed time and their plane was ready for them.
The plans to the new 6 pack would have helped but that is on ice now although I think planning was approved.

[pabely]

Sounds about right. I don't know if FAB will be open Xmas Day but LTN will!

[LTNman]

pabely

It wasn’t approved as it never needed planning permission. LLAOL claimed it was part of the planning permission for 18m although no plans ever showed an apron there.

Council policies are directly responsible for the airport losing its number one status for business jet movements at Luton. They were and are only interested in putting passengers through their terminal so LLAOL have implemented those policies by sacrificing business jets by freeing up apron space and by not reserving any slots for business jets during busy periods. Now that Luton is handling only a fraction of passengers through its terminal the damage has already been done.

FBO’s, business jet companies and business jet maintenance were big employers at Luton but as Gulfstream found out when the Council refused requests for land for a new hangar and offices the Council was not interested in promoting business jets, in fact they saw businesses jets as holding the airport back.

Also I can see the day when 3 FBO’s that became 2 becomes 1.

[LTNman]

Good chance that Luton will go into tier 3 next week as Covid cases climbed during the lock down. This would mean the few coffee shops and restaurants that opened and that have seating would have to go to a takeaway service only putting more strain on the terminals limited seating capacity.

Luton's Covid hotspots are the communities that provide all of the airport taxis and with rates as high as 556 per 100,000 it would be a brave soul to catch a taxi from the airports taxi rank except they would not have a clue. The airport did though close the prayer room a few weeks ago due to a lack of social distancing.

[commit aviation]

LTNman

Can't find the information right now but I think you will find that airside food outlets are exempt from the rules.

[LTNman]

Didn’t know that but to be honest I don’t think many have actually reopened.

[Buster the Bear]

As I live very close to one of the new Farnborough RNAV departure routes, I can certainly confirm that Farnborough appears to be thriving. Gulfstream are having no problems filling the vacancies for their new giant hangar.

[pabely]

Just checked and FAB is closed 25/26 and NHT closed for extended holiday period as well so a busier VVIP period for LTN. As for jobs at Gulfstream, thank god for Covid, it was a big issue for them at one point!

[Buster the Bear]

A few made redundant at 2Excel Engineering are heading that way from Lasham.

[pabely]

Almost unnoticed, Wizzairs first flight to Gibraltar from Luton occurred yesterday https://www.chronicle.gi/rock-welcom...ht-from-luton/

[LTNman]

With fares from £13.99 and APD at £13 who is paying who at Luton? During a pandemic Gibraltar is not a country you want to be diverted from unless you have 10 free days. My last trip this year was cancelled but the year before I watched one BA flight end up in Malaga due the wind coming off the rock and it wasn’t even noticeably windy. Great place to visit though in better times.