Southampton-3
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Southampton
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: London Whipsnade Wildlife Park
Posts: 5,039
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Extended the runway and now up for sale? https://www.travelmole.com/news/four...y-up-for-sale/
Sotonsean states that the coaches are operated on on behalf of the cruise companies. Any flights would presumably be the same - it may be that EZY flights from BFS and GLA are largely prebooked in the same way.
For MAN the advantages of the coaches - the ability of the coach to pick up at various places en route, and avoid a separate coach from SOU to the cruise terminal - may outweigh the faster flight.
What would be interesting would be flights bringing cruise passengers from the continent but Brexit may have ruined that.
For MAN the advantages of the coaches - the ability of the coach to pick up at various places en route, and avoid a separate coach from SOU to the cruise terminal - may outweigh the faster flight.
What would be interesting would be flights bringing cruise passengers from the continent but Brexit may have ruined that.
Prior to the collapse of Flybe and BMI, the former German routes were fairly popular with cruise traffic.
Passengers from mainland Europe travelling to the Port of Southampton to join their cruise tend to use LGW and LHR and transfer by coach direct to the port's cruise terminals.
If only there were better options direct from mainland Europe to Southampton Airport.
With the majority of the ship crews originating from the east, the crew changes can be quite intensive. The majority of them travel via LGW and LHR, usually with Emirates. There are also times when members of crew also use the KLM flight from Southampton.
Bit of nostalgia regarding previous cruise ship charters.
Way back in May 1980 Norwegian Cruise Line had two charter flights into Southampton Airport in connection with their latest ship at the time the elegant SS NORWAY.
The two flights consisted of a Braathens SAFE Boeing 737-200 and a Nor Fly Convair 580, both flights were from Oslo.
In the June of 1980 Cunard had two charter flights to Southampton Airport connecting with a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Elizabeth 2.
The two flights consisted of a Sterling Airways Caravelle from Copenhagen and a Transavia Boeing 737-200 from Amsterdam.
On a slightly humorous note, an American passenger once asked me if Southampton had an airport after she had seen a plane in the air.
That passenger was taking the coach transfer to LHR to connect with a flight to the USA.
After I had informed her that Southampton did indeed have an airport her immediate question was "can you fly to New York from Southampton".
If only 😪
Cruise passengers seem to carry a lot more luggage than airline passengers.
If you book a fly-cruise the free baggage allowance isn't great.
well I've only done a little cruising but I've delivered and collected various friends from the dockside - and everyone seems to have at least 50kg of stuff!
It's all the ball gowns and DJ's I guess on the smart boats and the survival kit on the expedition boats
It's all the ball gowns and DJ's I guess on the smart boats and the survival kit on the expedition boats
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sounds interesting’cruising’ and picking people up on the dockside lol.😜🙄😱!
Southampton docks? Really I don't think so................ 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Waters edge
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In other news
Reuters reporting that AGS, the owners of Aberdeen, Glasgow & Southampton Airport are expected to sell these airports in 2024. GIP also selling out of EDI apparently.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/deal...ls-2023-12-01/
FF
https://www.reuters.com/markets/deal...ls-2023-12-01/
FF
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Southampton
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
[QUOTE=Flitefone;11550105]Reuters reporting that AGS, the owners of Aberdeen, Glasgow & Southampton Airport are expected to sell these airports in 2024. GIP also selling out of EDI apparently.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/heathrow-stake-sale-opens-door-resurgence-airport-deals-202
OTE]
Would this be good for the airport,or is the airport going down the Southend road?
https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/heathrow-stake-sale-opens-door-resurgence-airport-deals-202
OTE]
Would this be good for the airport,or is the airport going down the Southend road?
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
[QUOTE=RW20;11550143]
Oh dear lord, you honestly think SOU is currently going down the same road as SEN?
Reuters reporting that AGS, the owners of Aberdeen, Glasgow & Southampton Airport are expected to sell these airports in 2024. GIP also selling out of EDI apparently.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/heathrow-stake-sale-opens-door-resurgence-airport-deals-202
OTE]
Would this be good for the airport,or is the airport going down the Southend road?
https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/heathrow-stake-sale-opens-door-resurgence-airport-deals-202
OTE]
Would this be good for the airport,or is the airport going down the Southend road?
Last edited by SKOJB; 2nd Dec 2023 at 18:24.
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: South
Age: 44
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some usual ill informed comments on here. The summer sees 4-5 cruise ships in a day some of which hold 5,000 passengers plus 800 crew. So yeah a lot more than the fool who was suggesting it’s a small operation on some days. In fact there were 2 ships in the other day and it’s December!
The MAN route certainly didn’t see 200k annual passengers because of cruise ship passengers though. I reckon it would still see close to those numbers with a reliable service, certainly if it’s low cost fairs.
As to those still bringing up the ridiculous argument about loyalty to the incumbent carriers, remember this goes both ways and airlines will pull out of an airport if it doesn’t suit them. Also SOU put a numbers vid up and as of now passengers are at 670k for the year. If you genuinely think LM with their tiny little 50 seater jets are of value to SOU think again. As I’ve said before if LM had invested in larger aircraft to operate the SOU routes then perhaps there could be some sympathy but in reality they are just making hay when the sun shines.
Even the so called bulletproof reliable KLM are cancelling flights often including both flights today which is absolutely disgusting. I have no sympathy for these airlines when EZY push them out of all their routes. Competition is key. When a much more limited operation down the road is currently attracting more passengers it’s time for change.
The MAN route certainly didn’t see 200k annual passengers because of cruise ship passengers though. I reckon it would still see close to those numbers with a reliable service, certainly if it’s low cost fairs.
As to those still bringing up the ridiculous argument about loyalty to the incumbent carriers, remember this goes both ways and airlines will pull out of an airport if it doesn’t suit them. Also SOU put a numbers vid up and as of now passengers are at 670k for the year. If you genuinely think LM with their tiny little 50 seater jets are of value to SOU think again. As I’ve said before if LM had invested in larger aircraft to operate the SOU routes then perhaps there could be some sympathy but in reality they are just making hay when the sun shines.
Even the so called bulletproof reliable KLM are cancelling flights often including both flights today which is absolutely disgusting. I have no sympathy for these airlines when EZY push them out of all their routes. Competition is key. When a much more limited operation down the road is currently attracting more passengers it’s time for change.
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: .
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Loganair accounted for just under a third of Southampton's total pax figures from last year.
I don't think the airport will share you attitude in being so entirely dismissive of them.
I don't think the airport will share you attitude in being so entirely dismissive of them.
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: South
Age: 44
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I seem to recall that most of Flybe’s profitable routes were from SOU so I’m sure Logan are doing very well out of them at the moment so let’s not feel sorry for them.
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: On the road
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
[QUOTE=Rivet Joint;11550682 I seem to recall that most of Flybe’s profitable routes were from SOU so I’m sure Logan are doing very well out of them at the moment so let’s not feel sorry for them.[/QUOTE]
Garbage. Most profitable routes were from BHX. SOUMAN was a profitable route, however.
Garbage. Most profitable routes were from BHX. SOUMAN was a profitable route, however.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Dorset
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rivet Joint - what a load of utter nonsense.
I have to presume that my earlier comments about Port of Southampton are those you’re referring to. There are indeed lots of days, especially on summer weekends, when there are four or five vessels on turnaround and throughput of 10-20k passengers. There are lots of other days when there are no port turnarounds scheduled. It’s a very “lumpy”
demand pattern to fit air services and if you had done any research before spouting off, you’d see it for yourself.
As to Flybe and Loganair: well, Flybe went bust (twice) for a reason. Loganair is still here after however many decades it is. It was not good for Southampton to have 90% of its business with one airline and the airport is now far better placed with a mix of airlines including Aer Lingus, KLM, Loganair, Blue Islands and Aurigny. Although smaller and still needing to grow, the airport is far more robust as a result.
Loganair presumably do not want to repeat the mistakes that Flybe made and who can blame them. If you don’t like it, that’s fine but comments about slot sitting are also nonsense - how can you “slot sit” at airports which are not slot coordinated?
I have to presume that my earlier comments about Port of Southampton are those you’re referring to. There are indeed lots of days, especially on summer weekends, when there are four or five vessels on turnaround and throughput of 10-20k passengers. There are lots of other days when there are no port turnarounds scheduled. It’s a very “lumpy”
demand pattern to fit air services and if you had done any research before spouting off, you’d see it for yourself.
As to Flybe and Loganair: well, Flybe went bust (twice) for a reason. Loganair is still here after however many decades it is. It was not good for Southampton to have 90% of its business with one airline and the airport is now far better placed with a mix of airlines including Aer Lingus, KLM, Loganair, Blue Islands and Aurigny. Although smaller and still needing to grow, the airport is far more robust as a result.
Loganair presumably do not want to repeat the mistakes that Flybe made and who can blame them. If you don’t like it, that’s fine but comments about slot sitting are also nonsense - how can you “slot sit” at airports which are not slot coordinated?
Loganair are the classic example of what it takes to survive as a regional airline in the Uk - the number of competitors that they've had over time shows that.
Lets be honest - SOU is lucky to have them - the place would be pretty sparse otherwise.
The alternatives are LCA's - and they are ruthless at cost control and market. They will come if and when it suits them - not the airport.
Lets be honest - SOU is lucky to have them - the place would be pretty sparse otherwise.
The alternatives are LCA's - and they are ruthless at cost control and market. They will come if and when it suits them - not the airport.
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: UK
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A little patience and reality is needed from many of the thread posters on here but it’s great to see the airport bouncing back strongly and will continue to do so I am certain now the runway extension is in place. SOU for too long was overly reliant on one airline and with the mix of airlines now operating (big and small), it looks to have a good future, even with whispers of an imminent sale. Let’s not forget as per my previous posting that pax numbers are likely to hit 1m by 2024 end, a great milestone from the depths of despair with BE/Covid back in 2020. The airport has come a long way in a relatively short space of time and will most likely look different again within the next 12 months!
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: .
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Southern Alliance, I think that's a very measured response and one I do agree with, especially the call for patience.
However, even with patience I can't escape the feeling next summer's offering feels underwhelming. Southampton didn't build the runway extension so easy could go head to head on domestic routes, especially when there was nothing technically stopping them doing it before the extension was built.
Easyjet have showed the slimmest of enthusiasm so far for the airport in terms of operating the much sought after Sun routes. By way of comparison, SeanM1997 has announced Ryanair will open Norwich routes to Malta, Faro and Alicante next summer. A quick calculation shows they will offer more seats on those sun routes then easyjet are offering at Southampton to PMI, Alicante and Faro.
However, even with patience I can't escape the feeling next summer's offering feels underwhelming. Southampton didn't build the runway extension so easy could go head to head on domestic routes, especially when there was nothing technically stopping them doing it before the extension was built.
Easyjet have showed the slimmest of enthusiasm so far for the airport in terms of operating the much sought after Sun routes. By way of comparison, SeanM1997 has announced Ryanair will open Norwich routes to Malta, Faro and Alicante next summer. A quick calculation shows they will offer more seats on those sun routes then easyjet are offering at Southampton to PMI, Alicante and Faro.