Methinks the journalist hasn't spent much time verifying the statements he/she was given !

Actually, it is true that DTV is currently no worse off than other airports similar in size as illustrated in the 'league table' published in this month's Airliner World.

MME is 28th out of 58 airfields above NQY, BLK, NWI and HUY. However, this was based on 2008 so will not take into account the loss of bmi and GSM.

The lounge was open today, but apparently no-one knows what is happening after this week....

There were no newspapers, but they had been allowed to get tea, coffee etc. so I assume bmi are still paying for it.

Security reckoned it was a busy day because there was a charter flight as well to Alicante!

Now if carrying a laptop through Teesside, you have to put the power supply through separately as well - didn't have to do that in AMS or DTW. I don't have a problem with it but where's the bloody consistency.

Comments on latest "spin"
Note this comment appears tp relate to "Peel Airports" as a group & not DTV as an individual entity, which now perhaps finds itself at the sharp end.
Though note Peel's assurances :-
Love this one from "Pikey":-
The way I read this is that the requirement to extract more from fewer pax is the way forward. Curiously should such practices as fast lane security payment at DTV be implented then one actually needs pax in first case to cause the back log & hence demand (alternate:- insufficient security personel :E)... good for PR & attracting pax ?:ugh:

Kerry is quoted as saying that the loss of passengers is merely a " blip ". Perhaps this may be one of her more memorable and last quotes.

When will airports get back to basics? The customer is the airline, not the passenger. Loosing this focus has generated some of the problems that now face MME. Passengers choose a flight operated by an airline from an airport, not an airport then the airline and then the flight. Only when faced with a choice of airports with similar pricing and schedules do passengers actively choose airports.

So what can MME do to make it better for airlines? Just off the top of my head they could reduce their costs by paying attention to fuel pricing, simplify turnaround arrangements (eg. not having to use tugs), providing "proper" information on snow clearance times, having more pleasant security personnel, sorting out boarding and disembarkation arrangements etc.

However, ATC are a delight to deal with and other aerodromes will learn a great deal from these people.

PM

errr such as?????

Could it be that ATC are grateful to speak to anyone and so are extra pleasant to keep you on the air.

Press article today
 

Edited extract from today’s ‘Northern Echo’ following a meeting of the DTVA Consultative Committee yesterday.

‘’According to sources, rumours circulating in North- East business communities suggest the Peel Group is considering the future of its aviation division, Peel Airports.

Mr Lang, group airports director for Peel Airports, admitted that falling passenger numbers because of the recession, coupled with issues such as increases in airport passenger duty (APD) and proposed radio spectrum usage charges, meant business was “very difficult”.
He also revealed that a proposed law change meant the airport could soon be charged £300,000 a year for policing.

However, Mr Lang told committee members that Peel had “long-term plans” for the airport.
Although bmi is only one of several carriers to axe flights from the airport in recent months, Mr Lang said services would be found to replace them.

He said: “We take the knocks, but our long-term plan is still to continue with our investment programme and to deliver a modern airport for the region.”

Anyone heard anything relating to the validity of the ‘rumour’ in the first para, which perhaps wouldn’t be a surprise given the current financial circumstances, although I accept that ‘considering the future of its aviation division’ has numerous possible interpretations?

Is your source still predicting an announcment - the suspense is killing me!

and what's happening with the bmibaby case? Wasn't it a week long case a month ago?! :suspect:

I seem to remember Peel creating Sheffield Airport (company) and charged the earth for everything making it unfeasible... Perhaps Peel may retain the development land at its airports and lease/sell the airside operations to someone who actualy has experience in running airports? There should be no reason why DTV, DSA or LPL would close they just need expertise to make them into something which will make them profitable in the future, perhaps setting their sights lower will help initialy.

Looks like they cannot run a glide slope nevermind an airport. How many airports do you get this situation, "oh its broken" ring the accounts department. With the out of use glideslope on 05 they have lost flights does the accounts see that!

At the moment they cannot even get a landrover fixed fire 5.

Good News?
 

Where is it ? I hear you say.
There are several scenarios here.
1.The information was wrong.
b. Imminent has a flexible meaning.
3.Whatever was going to happen has gone t**s up at the last moment.
d. The good news was what Hughie was hinting at in post 2074. The airport is becoming uneconomic and despite all efforts by Peel unfortunately...........!

It does seem strange that whatever misfortune happens at Teesside , it is never the airports fault. Economic downturn , increased charges at Dublin/Heathrow, restructuring by airlines etc etc. I hear Downing Street are short of a spin doctor. Hughie fits the bill perfectly as well as both jobs ending in 12 months.

Aircraft Parking ?
 

There seems to be a market for parking stored aircraft at the moment, with Netjets and others parking up proportions of their fleets according to the bizjet forum. Why not use that hangar space and unused apron to good advantage, its money for old jets isn't it ?

Unfortunately the hanger space isn't there hanger 1 has two helis, junk and the MT section at the back with access needed up the middle.
Hanger 2 airside has cargo equipment in it. Hanger 3 light aircraft.
Only 4 is empty but is landside.

You may laugh but apron parking is short. The main has no storage area, West can get full with light visitors, East has FRA and the Cessna from the club only leaving 13 for bizz visitors.

The South side is now cut off for aviation by the new fence. The locals will be happy to know the new engine running area seems to be in the Charle turn off loop so lots of noise for Middleton. I presume you now have to phone Liverpool to complain now the information desk has gone:}

Lets not get carried away, these are all in effect seperate assets of a company that is experiencing very hard times. There is no suggestion that at least one of these is capable of being sold off as a going concern, there has certainly been a considerable amount of money invested in aggregate over the years even if not at DTV....:ugh:

Complain... moi ? :p

Its been very quiet recently actually, the last notable event was the RF interference and free sterilisation as the AWACS did its missed approach directly overhead with presumably all its gear operating :hmm: ... or maybe they were looking for me :eek:

Looks like Flybe have announced a 3x daily LBA-LGW route with a Dash 8 being based at Leeds, therefore my prediction has come at least partly true - they've replaced bmi and we'll look like t:mad:ts when we can't (I say partly true because I guess there's still time for us yet?)

No LBA based aircraft. 1st and 2nd flight with a LGW based aircraft and last flight of the day will probably be a w pattern from another airport