Southend-3
I've used SEN many times, despite not living in Essex. I want SEN to remain a commercial airport not become office space. I wish Southend well. Really, I do. However, based on the past, there's reason to be sceptical on Aeroitalia at Southend.
Advertisement will be key for this one, as most people will automatically go and book Ryanair from Stansted. Hopefully Aeroitalia at least give it time, although they have been a bit chop and change with routes since their launch and still seem a bit up in the air. Hopefully will be a success. Although like many, I'm skeptical how long this lasts.
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Indeed, although they will definitely need an outbound market too for this to be a success. Looks at the minute just the one route for Southend.
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Cutting multiple routes at LHR after less than a month is unusual at best. I've flown with Aeroitalia a few times last year - even on trunk routes like Rome-Milan, aircraft have been very empty. Aeroitalia last year had an extremely high churn rate of routes - made Ryanair look as patient as a saint. They outsource some flying to subsidiary Air Connect - an airline whose last minute flight cancellation rate was extraordinarily high last year, even when the weather was good.
I've used SEN many times, despite not living in Essex. I want SEN to remain a commercial airport not become office space. I wish Southend well. Really, I do. However, based on the past, there's reason to be sceptical on Aeroitalia at Southend.
I've used SEN many times, despite not living in Essex. I want SEN to remain a commercial airport not become office space. I wish Southend well. Really, I do. However, based on the past, there's reason to be sceptical on Aeroitalia at Southend.
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Seems they operate the 738 and would imagine it will be rather dense for this route, could understand more if an E70/90
Last edited by SouthernAlliance; 3rd Jan 2024 at 12:19.
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Wow, did not see this coming at all. Assume the other two routes would be Rome and Comiso given the former obviously is a solid city break destination and the latter lacks a London route since Ryanair stopped.
One thing in Bergamo’s favour is its proximity to Lakes Como and Garda which will be a selling point to Essex’s holidaymakers. A little sceptical of longevity however.
One thing in Bergamo’s favour is its proximity to Lakes Como and Garda which will be a selling point to Essex’s holidaymakers. A little sceptical of longevity however.
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Wow, did not see this coming at all. Assume the other two routes would be Rome and Comiso given the former obviously is a solid city break destination and the latter lacks a London route since Ryanair stopped.
One thing in Bergamo’s favour is its proximity to Lakes Como and Garda which will be a selling point to Essex’s holidaymakers. A little sceptical of longevity however.
One thing in Bergamo’s favour is its proximity to Lakes Como and Garda which will be a selling point to Essex’s holidaymakers. A little sceptical of longevity however.
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Great news for Southend. Bergamo as an example is a great city break destination. The airport is close to Bergamo, I was there this year and loved the place. Let's hope they have some good tactics to land their brand to the catchment that is around SEN and with some luck they'll attract some good London inbound business from Italy.
Start up airline Ascend Airways, fronted by ex Titan Airways MD Alastair Willson son of Titan founder Gene Willson, will station aircraft at SEN as well as previously indicated at LGW. It's expected that initial crew training will also be carried out at SEN. Their first aircraft will be B738-82R-W G-HODL, ex LY-BUS.
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Start up airline Ascend Airways, fronted by ex Titan Airways MD Alastair Willson son of Titan founder Gene Willson, will station aircraft at SEN as well as previously indicated at LGW. It's expected that initial crew training will also be carried out at SEN. Their first aircraft will be B738-82R-W G-HODL, ex LY-BUS.
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All jobs on LinkedIn show LGW based. Is the SEN connection only cheap parking when waiting for next job? Obviously if they get some good contracts, will anything actually run through SEN?
Join Date: Apr 2016
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On a slightly more serious note, On the Ascend website it makes a clear statement: Aircraft based at Gatwick and Southend. It does not state anything about cheap (slightly embarrassing) temporary parking at the latter.
Ascend are also not just offering ACMI services but ad hoc charter capacity as well where this aspect may come more into play.
Last edited by Expressflight; 6th Jan 2024 at 15:53. Reason: rephrasing of sustainability reference.
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This is just a thought and I have no evidence to back it up but their website states that, due to their environmentally friendly credentials, they will suggest possible alternative departure points to clients to avoid unnecessary positioning. If they had operational bases at SEN and LGW that policy would be easier to apply for the LON market.
Ascend are also not just offering ACMI services but ad hoc charter capacity as well where this aspect may come more into play.
Ascend are also not just offering ACMI services but ad hoc charter capacity as well where this aspect may come more into play.
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Whenever an aviation related company talks about the environment, there is always greenwash involved. However companies can try to minimise whatever environmental evils they commit. One should encourage any attempts at doing the right thing when such an option exists, even if profit is the primary motive.