Southampton-3
As far as I am aware, the situation at SOU is not as bad as most people imagine and shouldn't preclude a low-cost based operator in the future. The answer lies in the hands of the airport because, unless I am wrong (and I may well be!), the night period is designated as being from 23:00 to 06:00, or to 07:30 on Sunday mornings. The airport is permitted to operate 10 scheduled night flights per month, but not more than 100 in any 12 month period.
So therefore, it is up to the airport management to ensure that provision is made for a skeleton staff to be on-site to cope with these situations as and when they occur. Paying overtime/drafting people in occasionally at short notice must surely be better in the long-term than the reputational damage caused by a diversion.
If 175 passengers share their story of the horrendous nightmare of trying to get back to their car at SOU's car park from Gatwick in the wee small hours to a dozen or more friends/relatives/colleagues, with those disrupted on the beginning of their journeys doing likewise, those people will also say 'don't book from Southampton, a friend of mine did that and they were stranded at Gatwick in the middle of the night'.
I had exactly this experience in 2018 flying into SOU on a very late BE operated flight from Skiathos, we were all set to divert to Exeter but at the last minute the decision was taken to allow landing at Southampton at around 00.45. I appreciate that a lot of people had to stay on to deal with the flight, control tower, ramp staff, fire cover, baggage handlers, security, border enforcement, long-stay car park bus driver to name but a few, but the goodwill generated went a long way.
It may be on this occasion that EZY needed to divert to Gatwick and the diversion was unavoidable, but SOU really needs to go all-out to show a positive 'can-do' attitude and look after its airline customers and their passengers. The airport has such amazing potential.
So therefore, it is up to the airport management to ensure that provision is made for a skeleton staff to be on-site to cope with these situations as and when they occur. Paying overtime/drafting people in occasionally at short notice must surely be better in the long-term than the reputational damage caused by a diversion.
If 175 passengers share their story of the horrendous nightmare of trying to get back to their car at SOU's car park from Gatwick in the wee small hours to a dozen or more friends/relatives/colleagues, with those disrupted on the beginning of their journeys doing likewise, those people will also say 'don't book from Southampton, a friend of mine did that and they were stranded at Gatwick in the middle of the night'.
I had exactly this experience in 2018 flying into SOU on a very late BE operated flight from Skiathos, we were all set to divert to Exeter but at the last minute the decision was taken to allow landing at Southampton at around 00.45. I appreciate that a lot of people had to stay on to deal with the flight, control tower, ramp staff, fire cover, baggage handlers, security, border enforcement, long-stay car park bus driver to name but a few, but the goodwill generated went a long way.
It may be on this occasion that EZY needed to divert to Gatwick and the diversion was unavoidable, but SOU really needs to go all-out to show a positive 'can-do' attitude and look after its airline customers and their passengers. The airport has such amazing potential.
SOU is doing just fine and its operating hours are in line with lots of big airports as I have listed numerous times. That can be put to bed.
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Obviously saying stuff like SOU is a part time airport is not a sensible or constructive thing to say.
Last edited by LTNman; 24th May 2024 at 17:47.
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Have you changed your occupation by any chance 🤔
plus also a Palma charter BA4507 for TUI Holidays.
There is a Palma cancellation this morning. BA2903.
No idea why, sorry.
Ahh, I was only thinking Easyjet. Thanks for the reminder about BA who don’t give a reason for the cancellation.
i hope no one from the cancelled Easyjet flight had rebooked on this one.
i hope no one from the cancelled Easyjet flight had rebooked on this one.
Last edited by LTNman; 26th May 2024 at 07:17.
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Tonight is from/to Alicante.
Palma & Glasgow tomorrow.
Most flights are on the A319, but some were A320.
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From BOH EXT and BRS > today and Monday nothing available...
But hey, it's Whitsun Hols.
From LGW > nothing today, there are seats tomorrow on EZY and BA, and from LHR tomorrow on BA
Edit: I was quite surprised BACF had no spare rescue plane to fly in to SOU for the Palma this morning, but of course LCY base is closed for a time on SAT and SUN. Hey Ho.
BA won’t pay for EZY as no agreement with the airline , Swissport at SOU will tell them to go on the App and re book via various options or try and speak to the “ next available agent “
most likely BA from LGW & LHR then claim back any transport , hotels etc
This was cancelled last night so most people would have received an email and told not to go to the airport
most likely BA from LGW & LHR then claim back any transport , hotels etc
This was cancelled last night so most people would have received an email and told not to go to the airport
You can rebook yourself on EZY SOU to Palma and send the bill into BA -
They will pay, plus cover any HOTAC, meal and transport costs you may have suffered.
Correct, they won't rebook you on EZY, but they will pay up if you make your own arrangements.
Plus of course the EU 261 Compo kicks in too.
They will pay, plus cover any HOTAC, meal and transport costs you may have suffered.
Correct, they won't rebook you on EZY, but they will pay up if you make your own arrangements.
Plus of course the EU 261 Compo kicks in too.
You can rebook yourself on EZY SOU to Palma and send the bill into BA -
They will pay, plus cover any HOTAC, meal and transport costs you may have suffered.
Correct, they won't rebook you on EZY, but they will pay up if you make your own arrangements.
Plus of course the EU 261 Compo kicks in too.
They will pay, plus cover any HOTAC, meal and transport costs you may have suffered.
Correct, they won't rebook you on EZY, but they will pay up if you make your own arrangements.
Plus of course the EU 261 Compo kicks in too.
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Last edited by DC3 Dave; 26th May 2024 at 11:52.
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