Southampton-3
I REALLY SHOULDN'T BE HERE
Organic growth is far superior to “throw a load of routes at it and see what sticks.” A company who expands on the basis of using data to figure out where demand is will make better, more informed and hopefully more sustainable investment decisions which ultimately benefits everyone employed by the airlines, airport and the ancillary businesses linked to both.
Also, what is the opportunity cost of taking those aircraft off other routes? If an airline was to show up tomorrow with ten airframes and forty routes you need to question what has this company been doing with their assets that they feel confident that trying them in an untested market is likely to give them more return than what they have been currently generating.
Additionally there is a lot of work that needs to be done around schedule to make sure that the aircraft are being used in an efficient manner. Arrival and departure slots, especially at holiday destinations during peak season are very valuable to a company and need to utilised to the company’s maximum benefit. To give capacity to these destinations ex SOU means that a company has had to reduce capacity on an existing route or apply for additional slots. Airlines do lots of market research before launching a route but the proof of the pudding is in the eating and if demand is high and yield is strong then it would be reasonable to expect more long term investment and growth.
Also, what is the opportunity cost of taking those aircraft off other routes? If an airline was to show up tomorrow with ten airframes and forty routes you need to question what has this company been doing with their assets that they feel confident that trying them in an untested market is likely to give them more return than what they have been currently generating.
Additionally there is a lot of work that needs to be done around schedule to make sure that the aircraft are being used in an efficient manner. Arrival and departure slots, especially at holiday destinations during peak season are very valuable to a company and need to utilised to the company’s maximum benefit. To give capacity to these destinations ex SOU means that a company has had to reduce capacity on an existing route or apply for additional slots. Airlines do lots of market research before launching a route but the proof of the pudding is in the eating and if demand is high and yield is strong then it would be reasonable to expect more long term investment and growth.
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The impatience on here is really something.
here is a question, does the runway extension mean SOU is instantly ready for a large increase in routes and larger aircraft? Or do all other facilities need time to be upgraded first? We have had the work to the stands after the runway extension, maybe next is the security areas? Maybe the third party that serves the aircraft is waiting on new equipment to serve more larger aircraft at once? Maybe the terminal extension is needed? Etc etc. I’m sure low cost operators have a list of requirements before they move in.
It’s going to be gradual growth whilst those things are dealt with.
I see Jet2 have just ordered a load more A320Ns….
here is a question, does the runway extension mean SOU is instantly ready for a large increase in routes and larger aircraft? Or do all other facilities need time to be upgraded first? We have had the work to the stands after the runway extension, maybe next is the security areas? Maybe the third party that serves the aircraft is waiting on new equipment to serve more larger aircraft at once? Maybe the terminal extension is needed? Etc etc. I’m sure low cost operators have a list of requirements before they move in.
It’s going to be gradual growth whilst those things are dealt with.
I see Jet2 have just ordered a load more A320Ns….
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Yeah, low cost operators are renown for demanding a lot of requirements before they move in. Usually it's a shed and a runway long enough.....
The issue with the patience aspect is Southampton's operators are losing millions of pounds a year and are on their latest accounts as saying there is a material concern to their ongoing viability.
The new routes may well be coming soon, but they need to be as the airport needs to return to pre pandemic numbers sooner rather than later.
The issue with the patience aspect is Southampton's operators are losing millions of pounds a year and are on their latest accounts as saying there is a material concern to their ongoing viability.
The new routes may well be coming soon, but they need to be as the airport needs to return to pre pandemic numbers sooner rather than later.
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Yeah, low cost operators are renown for demanding a lot of requirements before they move in. Usually it's a shed and a runway long enough.....
The issue with the patience aspect is Southampton's operators are losing millions of pounds a year and are on their latest accounts as saying there is a material concern to their ongoing viability.
The new routes may well be coming soon, but they need to be as the airport needs to return to pre pandemic numbers sooner rather than later.
The issue with the patience aspect is Southampton's operators are losing millions of pounds a year and are on their latest accounts as saying there is a material concern to their ongoing viability.
The new routes may well be coming soon, but they need to be as the airport needs to return to pre pandemic numbers sooner rather than later.
Yeah, low cost operators are renown for demanding a lot of requirements before they move in. Usually it's a shed and a runway long enough.....
The issue with the patience aspect is Southampton's operators are losing millions of pounds a year and are on their latest accounts as saying there is a material concern to their ongoing viability.
The new routes may well be coming soon, but they need to be as the airport needs to return to pre pandemic numbers sooner rather than later.
The issue with the patience aspect is Southampton's operators are losing millions of pounds a year and are on their latest accounts as saying there is a material concern to their ongoing viability.
The new routes may well be coming soon, but they need to be as the airport needs to return to pre pandemic numbers sooner rather than later.
Airports want the LCC’s because, whilst they may not have the prestige of a hub carrier flying to their hub, they do bring volume and destinations. With that in mind, the LCC can be fairly picky and demanding.
LCC's fill the car parks, the bars and the duty free's - that's where the money is made by the airport owners
and a lot of LCC traffic means you can run a full revenue generating operation almost 24/7 - people sitting there from 04:00 waiting for the curfew to end at 06:00 for example.
A few LCC flights isn't nearly as useful- see Doncaster
and a lot of LCC traffic means you can run a full revenue generating operation almost 24/7 - people sitting there from 04:00 waiting for the curfew to end at 06:00 for example.
A few LCC flights isn't nearly as useful- see Doncaster
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I agree they can drive hard commercial deals but my point was more about I don't think they're fussed about terminal expansions, security numbers etc. We've all flown with certain airlines, orange, pink and blue, where the airport is completely lacking in that department.
LCC's fill the car parks, the bars and the duty free's - that's where the money is made by the airport owners
and a lot of LCC traffic means you can run a full revenue generating operation almost 24/7 - people sitting there from 04:00 waiting for the curfew to end at 06:00 for example.
A few LCC flights isn't nearly as useful- see Doncaster
and a lot of LCC traffic means you can run a full revenue generating operation almost 24/7 - people sitting there from 04:00 waiting for the curfew to end at 06:00 for example.
A few LCC flights isn't nearly as useful- see Doncaster
Doncaster isn't really a good example is it. At the end they only had TUI and before that Wizz as well. The airport was very reliant on LCCs and IT flights. SOU currently has eight airlines serving the airport, of which one is only an LCC. SOU is also a very important airport within the UK domestic scene whereas Doncaster wasn't. Two totally different airports serving totally different markets. If SOU had the same runway length and terminal size as Doncaster, it would without doubt be a far busier airport than it currently is, with or without a based LCC.
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SOU-PMI 2024 flight cancellation.
Having booked twice in 2024 with BA regional to fly SOU - PMI - SOU have just received text saying flights from SOU cancelled. Very disappointed. Anyone have any updates/news?
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SOU - PMI 2024 flight cancellation
Ref my post 2430 - getting my head around it now. My MAY 2024 booking with BA regional SOU - PMI - SOU still okay however 28 SEPT 2024 out & 5 OCT 2024 back now canx. BA programme from SOU to PMI now seems to end mid SEPT 2024. Same airfare ticket price to rebook however hotel price an additional £285 for bringing holiday forward 2 weeks! Annoying to say the least.
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At present still operating a Sunday service although Sat and 2nd Sun have been dropped. Would imagine EZY possibly coming in with a summer schedule to PMI has made BA utilise their airframe elsewhere!
Last edited by SKOJB; 26th Nov 2023 at 14:49.
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When you use the BA App the drop down menu has London for LGW and LGW. You have to either search or type Southampton as a departure airport. The App doesn't make it easy for anyone looking for flights from Southampton. I should imagine that the majority of the travelling public are totally unware of the fact that BA offer a limited number of flights from Southampton.
But in saying that it's an absolute shame to see BA go from 13 destinations down to four in 2024. BA in my opinion are a good fit for Southampton, it's just a pity that they never took it seriously. But then again I can often be at LHR T5 within n hour of leaving my front door.
I'm not a huge fan of easyJet but I have travelled with them on several occasions over the years. They have certainly improved as an airline since my first flight with them back in 2003. If easyJet offered more destinations from Southampton with a good schedule I would be more willing to use them especially if BCN was eventually announced.
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Unfortunately BA we’re never going to hang around once the runway extension was complete. Prior to this their planes were suited to the shorter runway but now with the likes of easyjet adding routes, they are never going to be able to compete and will instead retrench back to LCY and other weekend charter work around the U.K.
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Its very disappointing to see BA reduce their services from SOU but not surprising to be honest
BA as we all know were only ever going to operate until something better came along , look at BRS , STN and BHX operations in the past years
Crewing and hotac was a massive problem and always will be when they operate away from home bases , the cost etc ( as previously discussed )
Alicante and Limoges has also been removed from the booking engine
TUI are still using BA to Palma but with revised flight times now
Would imagine that BA have second guessed EasyJet are lurking and have done the honerable thing and withdrawn
BA as we all know were only ever going to operate until something better came along , look at BRS , STN and BHX operations in the past years
Crewing and hotac was a massive problem and always will be when they operate away from home bases , the cost etc ( as previously discussed )
Alicante and Limoges has also been removed from the booking engine
TUI are still using BA to Palma but with revised flight times now
Would imagine that BA have second guessed EasyJet are lurking and have done the honerable thing and withdrawn
Last edited by MARKEYD; 26th Nov 2023 at 23:13.