Channel Island flights
 

Now that Flybe have pulled out, will anyone else be operating the Jersey flights this Summer?

Will Travelsmith have a charter programme in place again, or are we ending a tradition dating back some 60 years?

Having obseved some of last year's comings and goings, the passenger numbers seemed pretty good, so I would have thought there was still a market for the Channel Islands from Southend, particularly amongst the older generation, who are in abundance in SEN's catchment area.

Cheers
Southender



Continuation of: http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...225383&page=13

The Saturday flight to Jersey is available to book on the Flybe website and with a number of Jersey tour operators. The flight arrives in Southend at 14:40 and departs at 15:20, which is a similar schedule as last summer. I know Flybe has dropped Luton from Jersey but not Southend.

According to just published stats. SEN received 72 diversions/planned movements on the 21st Dec.

This is noted as a record in the airport's history.

Well done and a credit to all the staff involved.

Tilwood

Do you know where a list of those movements is available? I would be very interested to see the details.

I echo your praise of the SEN staff - it's a pity other airfields such as BOH and MSE didn't seem prepared to rise to the challenge in the way the SEN people did.

Expressflight,

I have sent you a private message, and yes the SEN staff did
well, I was there for part of the day. It was really something, and
even the terminal coped!!

Now that 2006 has been and gone.. How did 2006 at SEN compare with 2005?
Any news for 2007?
Manston seems to be the most talked.... squabbled about airport in the South East on the forum at the moment.
I notice from NOTAM's the runway is undergoing maintenance on the 11th-14th. . Maybe BRS should take a leaf out of SEN's books. :} :}

Barnaby the Bear

I think SEN had quite a successful 2006. The maintainance companies all
seem to be operating at high capacity. The Ford's German services operated
by Flightline have worked very well, and the Jersey flybe schedule attracted
very high load factors, and is back on for 2007.

The airport's policy of promoting itself as a diversion airport seems to have
paid off, with 72 extra movements on one day just before Christmas when
London City and many other airports were fogged in.

There is also talk of a major fractional operator seeking hanger space, and possibly requiring a completely new hanger.

So things are happening.

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/80/airport...Statistics.pdf

Scroll down for the Southend stats.

RAL must be very disappointed that nothing positive has yet emerged from their efforts to establish meaningful scheduled services at SEN. In 2007 much will depend upon Flybe's decision as to whether or not to establish a hub at SEN, as there seem to be precious few other candidates in the frame.

It will be interesting to see whether RAL's discussions with the CAA concerning possible changes to the runway configuration have a positive outcome. Without any doubt the changes that are under consideration would greatly enhance SEN's potential for scheduled and charter pax services - particularly to southern European holiday destinations.

If the rumour concerning "a major fractional operator" proves true, the establishment of an execjet FBO at SEN would be another important step forward.

Well a nearly 500% increase in pax numbers on the year can't be bad! Albeit
from a rather low base.

Must make SEN the fastest growing airport in the country!! :D

Only if they can keep the controllers!!

To my personal knowledge, there are three Southend controllers in the process of leaving or have left recently!

The SATCO is in trouble with the Airport Owners it seems!

:sad:

ProcATCO

I think that kind of post is neither welcome or helpful.

I am surprised that the moderators have not sought to remove a
post that involves individuals who obviously cannot respond!

It is also factually inaccurate.

I see from the NOTAMS that SEN is closed from 2200 today to 0630 tomorrow, quote 'AD CLSD. NO ATC SERVICES'.

Is this in connection with Barnaby's posting re runway maintenance or staff shortages?

The AD will be closed nightly 2200-0800 due Runway Maint. from 11th until 14th Jan. Overnight closure on 14th will be until 0630 on 15th. As pointed out by Expressflight, it was also closed overnight the 10th.

Are they re surfacing or installing the runway centre line lighting which they have talked about previously ?

I understand that the runway was being retextured (either by grooving or chip sealing I assume) to restore its characteristics to that of a friction-course asphalt runway, this meaning that even in normal precipitation the runway can still exhibit 'Dry' braking characteristics for performance purposes.

Football flights
 

Does anyone have details of yesterday's flight up North, i.e operator, aircraft and destination?

I'm sure whoever it was would appreciate the following comment from one of Southend F.C's players, which appeared in the Echo yesterday.

"Spending five hours or so on a coach does take it out of your legs so hopefully we will see the benefits, but the only problem is the little chartered flights we go on aren't the best.

It's a case of holding your breath for 45 minutes and then hoping you get off at the other end."

Anyway, they obviously made it there and back in their little chartered aircraft without any harm and obtained the right result in the middle.

Cheers

Southender

Atlantic were operating yesterday to LBA. The club were selling seats to supporters and had 24 available according to the SUFC website that all sold out, so I guess they must have been offering the capacity unused by the team and staff. Good way to subsidise costs, they should do it more often!

Any diversions today due wx?

As far as I know, just a KLM F50 and a BACon RJ100 diverted to SEN yesterday.

Any diversions to SEN today with all the snow

Diverts
 

Excel Coaches have been contracted in to serve 27 air-diverts into SEN.

Odd thing is, I have been listening for most of day, and there has been no radio traffic whatsoever! Several aircraft movements, but not a word, and ATIS is "out of service".

I see that they also upgraded to RFF Category 6 for the day in anticipation of diversions.

Smart move.

Oh dear - now we have a committee!
 

The Echo reports that a new task force to work on the future of Southend Airport has been set up between Southend Council and Rochford District Council to work together on a new joint policy for its development.

Some quotes from the Southend Councillor responsible for development

"I think it is important the two authorities will now be working together on plans for improving the airport and expanding its services"

"It is all about jobs and prosperity and this has been a long time coming"

"There will be disagreements between us but I welcome this as a positive step forward for Southend"

For the first time we are working together with Rochford to achieve a joint strategy on the airport"

Have we heard all this before, is the current strategy of the airport operators now out of the window and are we back to another period of indecision whilst the committee ponders once every month or quarter.

Would not expect any reports in the near future, bearing in mind Southend Council's track record. The pier is in worse condition now than when it burned down 30 years ago, the Seafront has still not been restored following the landslides of some years ago, Priory Park road widening has died a death, the High Steet and new bus station are disasters.... the list goes on.

Cheers, but with little optimism

Southender

Not very encouraging, is it?

Let's just hope there's not lots of sub-committees too!

Actually this could be quite a useful move despite (and I should know) the shambolic way that Southend Council ran the airport for so many years. RAL have issued a Press Release on the SEN website welcoming the move and specifically pointing out that it will help in the realisation of the rail interchange. It has been Rochford District Council's objection to the car park being built on Green Belt land that has delayed this aspect of the airport's development, so perhaps agreement between the parties will now be forthcoming.

A seperate Press Release welcomes the arrival of Alastair Welch as SEN's new Managing Director. He is, apparently, ex BAA Stansted and at 39 years of age perhaps has the drive to push the agenda forward. Let's hope so.

Here`s some local news from tonights local paper, the "Evening Echo"

Airport rapped for failure to take off
Southend Airport has been criticised for not actively attracting enough passenger flights.
Southend councillor Graham Longley claimed the airport was being run like an "MoT garage" as it is used as an aircraft servicing base.
Mr Longley (Lib Dem, Blenheim Park) tore into the airport's operators when its progress came up for discussion during a meeting of the council's environmental and economic scrutiny committee.
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Southend Council and Rochford District Council are now looking to work more closely together to help promote the airport, which straddles both areas.
Mr Longley said the airport could have done more to attract passenger flights which would have boosted the local economy.
He said: "They operate the airport as an MoT garage. I don't believe they ever had a real interest in attracting passenger flights to the airport.
"I would like to see it take off. I think the operators live in cloud cuckoo land."
Town clerk Rob Tinlin said although it might seem not much was happening at the moment, there was a lot of activity going on behind the scenes.
He said: "It's a bit like a duck on the water. It might look like there is nothing happening, but there is a hell of a lot of paddling going on underneath."
Melvyn Day (Con, St Luke's) said: "I also feel some frustration about the lack of action at the airport. It has stagnated for many years. I haven't seen much movement. I would like to see this duck paddling its feet quicker and taking off."
Mark Flewitt (Con, St Laurence) said the council and the public should support the airport.
He said: "It should be an economic frontrunner for this town. Don't knock it when it tries to grow."
Council leader Murray Foster added: "It's one of the key employment areas for this town. I remain optimistic. I am aware the airport has received approaches from companies. They take time to evolve. They are commercially sensitive.
"I hope by 2010 we will see something in terms of increased activity."
Alistair Welch, managing director of Southend Airport, said: "We work very closely with the council in marketing the airport to new airlines.
"We would like to see a great offer of passenger flights. We are working very hard to achieve this.
"We are already working with a number of airlines who say they are interested in passenger flights from the airport."
Mr Welch said people shouldn't dismiss the importance of companies using the airport for maintenance.
He said: "Maintenance is a huge industry. We are one of the biggest employers in the area based on that alone."

New boss pledges a bright future Southend Airport has a new boss at the controls.
Alastair Welch joined the airport as managing director this month following the departure of Bruce Campbell, who has left to pursue other opportunities.
He comes from Stansted Airport, where he played a key role in its development.
Mr Welch's his first job will be to ensure the airport is on track to maximise opportunities from the 2012 London Olympics.
He said: "It's a great time to be joining Southend, as we enter a critical stage in our development.
"I have two challenges. The first is operating the current airport effectively and making it as good an experience as it can be for those who use the place.
"Most people don't realise how busy the airport is. It is one of the biggest maintenance centres in the country and supports a significant number of organisations.
"The second is, frankly, to see what we can do to develop the airport and the services it can offer over the months and years to give the local community the chance to fly to other places."
Mr Welch, 39, was trained initially as an engineer, but later turned his hand to accountancy.
His career started with small and medium-sized businesses, and he later moved into the field of aviation.
For the past 11 years, he has worked for BAA at Heathrow and Stansted, in the fields of terminal management and development. His last job there was general terminal manager.
The airport is seen by local authorities as a key element in encouraging people to invest in the area.
One of the airport's most immediate wishes is for a railway station with six services an hour to Liverpool Street.
Permission has been granted by Rochford District Council, but the development is currently stalled because of wrangles over the proposed car park, which is on green belt land.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Comments anyone :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

The engineering side must bring in lots of operators who would otherwise be unaware of the facilities on offer.

Typical blinkered Councillor.

Surely looking at the bigger picture, this is good for SEN. Everybody wants the same thing. At last people in the now joint council wants to push SEN forward and realise this asset.
The comments by some councillors may be ill educated as far as the aerodrome authority are concerned, but a good kick from all quarters maybe just the ticket.
Lets hope green belt and planning issues will be resolved more quickly in the future now that the council are being agressive towards airport development. :}

It's just unfortunate that the very councillors who are fulminating about
the lack of airlines are the very same ones who voted against
the moving of the church by a few yards.

Thus stopping the airport being able to utilise the full runway length, and therefore making it less attractive to certain carriers.

Cause and effect, a bit beyond the thought processes of our elected
representatives obviously.

I agree entirely with B-the-B.

Apart from Councillor Longley (whose comments will surely be seen as ridiculous) all the other Councillors quoted were supportive of the airport and this, together with the establishment of the joint Southend/Rochford committee should mean that everyone is kicking towards the same goal.
Presure is likely to fall upon Rochford to reach agreement on the use of the Green Belt land (which RAL already own) for the railway station Parkway.

Unfortunately with Southend there is an ever ending struggle. People on the one hand are complaining that there are no flights operated from the airport even when the airport operated the Jersey flight. But having worked at the airport I know first hand the second something anything bigger than a PA28 lands the poor staff on the end of the phone are barraged by phone calls virtually the entire OAP population of Rochford, Southend and goodness knows where else demanding that the flights into the airport be stopped because its waking up their cat from its midday nap. Then theres always been the sore point of the church which restricts the declared distances on the airfield.
Its a shame because the airport has a great deal of potential and I agree with previous posts the establishment of an airline operating there would help no end. Maybe then they could update the solitary two checkin desks that they have there...
Just my 2p's worth anyway

They have updated the check-in area and have put new flooring in. I to agree with you dispite the eternal optimists. It will be interesting to see how the new airport GM (ex BAA STN) gets on as I cannot see who can possibly be prepared to fly from there until major changes are made to the terminal (as you state) and there is a proper commitment to a new terminal (not the fairy storys). As a S-o-S resident the council have little or no interest in the airport despite aimless press releases like that previously reported. Sadly even the flying clubs are no way near as active as they were a couple of years ago and I assume this down to costs and lately althouth there have been a number of cosmetic improvements the place looks deolate for the vast majority of the time. I hope I am proved wrong.

For once I agree with HZ123 and the dithering over the terminal situation has to stop.
With the delays which the station parkway has encountered coutesy of Rochford Council, they should have gone ahead this winter with the extension/refurbishment of the existing terminal so that they were in a position now to welcome any incoming airline with an acceptable facility. That would give them a breathing space to decide whether or not pax traffic was likely to justify the construction costs of the new terminal/station.
I believe that Alastair Welch was terminal manager at STN so I assume he has definite ideas on the subject. One would assume that he was given certain assurances by RAL with regard to investment etc. so perhaps we shall now see some progress. Mind you, for how long have we been saying that?

Well looking at the airport again today I can see numerous diversions from LCY, the kind of days when the staff at the airport shine time after time, its just makes you wonder is SEN for the short time destined to be a good alternate when LCY STN and LTN are fogged out and little more?

Runway blocked earlier this morning at LCY apparently - nothing serious, just burst tyres reportedly.

I think the answer to your question is probably "yes", but with the diversions mainly being from LCY rather than STN or LTN due to the limiting runway length at SEN.

Normally the diversion airfield is chosen because of engineering support.

Generally, BRT and SWR go to STN and KLM to LHR. VLM prob go for SEN as they ned little support... and is cheaper and less of a delay.

I thought SEN was KLM's preferred LCY alternate.
I can't see there is any shortage of engineering support for BRT's 146/RJs at SEN either. It'll be interesting to see what turned up today.

I see from the Notams that Twy B is closed due to parked aircraft until later today, so I think we can assume that a fair number of diversions were received from LCY today.

From noises overhead, I would say a lot have come in today - not one of them visible to me though, blast it!