It was nice while it lasted?!!
 

Heard today that Austrian are about to hand back their slot requests for the proposed 3 x daily to Vienna. It always was a bit of a no hoper,- from zero to three a day, were they MAD? :confused:
Also, and straight in the face of the M.E.N. Announcement a couple of days ago, is that Kenyan Airways have cancelled their request for slots on the proposed Man - Paris - Nairobi service. I wonder what else the M.E.N. have got wrong?? :{ :rolleyes:

That's why I used the word "other" - implying LPL was already in the list. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

The MEN press release - well we've never seen one of those, beefing up a fantasy schedule, have we? Well, not since this time last year anyway.

Fact is, the place is expensive, dirty, complicated, congested, badly laid out due to piecemeal development, and badly managed, so any clean-sheet, green-field low-cost airport is going to do well against it as the customers (remember them, MAN?) use all their skills and tools to find the best airport that suits them, even if it means travelling a bit further.

KQ
 

Yes, that's what I hear as well - slots have been returned.

Can also confirm that the OS have been released.

It was always interesting over the years to see how BD use to regularly apply for multi-flights per day to Toulouse and then never use them. Of course as you know they are now coming off the route completely. What will they do with Brussels?

Well less than a week before the slot return deadline and it will be very interesting to see what else (if anything) is returned.

Terminal development plans................
 

I trust the mods will permit this bit of 'cut and paste' as it gives an indication of the planned development work scheduled for the near future. :)
"Ongoing Development
With traffic forecast to double to circa 42 million passengers per annum by 2015, we recognise the need to accommodate this demand in the most economic manner.
Terminals Immigration Hall upgrade
This is a project which is being rolled-out across all three terminals, but in the first instance at T1 and T2. This forms part of the renewal process and replacing of old equiptment across the whole of the arrivals process. The first phase of this project will involve introducing new immigration desks, flooring and screens within the immigration halls.
Terminal 1 Retail Project
This exciting multi-million pound project will totally transform the retail offering within Terminal 1, whilst providing a new purpose built main security check-point. The project will deliver an enhanced food and beverage offer located above the existing departures lounge and create an expanded duty-free and retail experience bringing the majority of shops into an airside location by making the T1 concourse airside. An new expanded security facility with space for up to 14 x-rays will be created on a new floor above the ground level check-in.
Terminal 1 Pier C Re-flooring
This project to be delivered Winter 06/07 will replace the carpet on Pier C with new flooring, so enhancing the customer experience.
Terminal 3 Baggage Sortation Enhancements
This multi-phased project will be delivered over the next two years to improve outbound baggage sortation infrastructure and in so doing provide a more robust system of delivering baggage from check-in to baggage make-up. The project involves linking currently separate T3 baggage sortation systems together and a host of other infrastructure changes aimed at delivering greater capacity and reliability to the system. In tandem the number of CUSS check-in machines will be increased by adding CUSS machines at T3 landside arrivals. Conveniently situated adjacent to the main drop-off zone, this facility will feature new CUSS units, a new bag drop desk and collector-belt into the baggage sortation system."

:confused: I think "Cut & Paste" apptly describes these innovative ideas of MA's management team to help the Airport handle 40m + passengers !!?
Why does it have to be accomadated in the 'Most economic' manner'? Yes economic consdierations have to be taken into account, but once again it appears that its the 'Strap a Portakabin on and that'll cure all the problems' approach to terminal capacity.
Come on MA, how about building a new building, or due to economics, extend PROPERLY the buildings you have i.e. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. (Terminal 1 is no-hoper - it's got more levels than a quarry, and about as much water in it when it rains!)
However I am glad to hear that the many shades of ****e patchwork that they refer to as a carpet in Pier C is being replaced. Just taking it up and leaving a concrete floor, would enhance the customers experience and also the staff that work there, IMHO.:oh:
Next step replace the Patchwork taxiway system - more iron plates than iron plate making factory:rolleyes:

Taxiway repairs
 

Does the work that has been undertaken for the last few months not go some way to remedying the problem?

"circa 42 million passengers by 2015..."

It saddens me to say that I just cannot see passenger throughput being anywhere near that level. They need to add 19 million passengers a year within 8 years - no chance. I think they'll be lucky to hit 30 million by 2015.

I now live in Sydney, but pass through Manchester about once or twice per year - normally through T3 on the BA LHR service, but occasionally T1. I have to say that both terminals are fairly terrible when compared to other major airports that I pass through. It's not a good first impression for visitors to Manchester. Twenty years ago when Gil was running the show, I was extremely proud of my airport, but sadly not any longer.

Manchester Exile

Scottie, have you seen how much there is still to do? It's a loosing battle I'm afraid due to the past neglect that occurred on a large scale. To answer your question, "it has a little", but a soon as one piece is repaired another somewhere deteriorates faster. Also have you seen how long it takes to repair one piece of this system? Months pass by with the same old work going on. Didn't they completely relay a runway at Atlanta recently in a month and half, by working around the clock. Our lot seem to packup when it gets dark, which in winter doesn't give much of a working day! Taxiway Alpha is in a really bad way opposite the AVP and down to link AE. What needs to be done is to drive a new taxiway straight through the AVP parallel to the present one, for the whole length, to the Alpha link at 06L. Alas it appears there is not the will or forsight within MA to do this, as it's not a revenue earner!!
Have you ever seen such a mishmash in the parking of light aircraft and Executive jets? Taton parking area - ****e, Rompa area - ****e again, NEA far far too small - grass parking area WHAT A JOKE !!! Still I think that sums up the present leadership and has done for some considerable time:ugh:

KQ have definitely scrapped their plans for a Nairobi service and have returned their slots, along with Austrian Airlines.

Air Blue are apparently looking at either A330 direct services if they can get the aircraft, or if not then have heard they are looking at Manchester - Ankara - Islamabad with A321s with possible 5th freedom between Ankara and MAN.

No safari
 

I'm afraid that it has just been confirmed that Kenya Airways have pulled their MAN slots for this Summer, at least. No safari.

Re BA Sale Ex Manchester
 

Anyone noticed that there are some great offer's now on at the rather desperate great BA giveaway !

well there are if you you live within 30 miles of London...that is !

Put in Manchester and select North America or Europe and every single offer take you via LHR or LGW !

They really are a shoddy P**s P**r oufit !

Saudi to start 22nd June
 

On sale through the GDS is SV121/122 Jeddah/Manchester.

Flight arrives 1130 and departs 1400 Monday/Friday.

Good news.

Scottie Dog

great,does it bit stop at GVA.
also will that be a B777?

also will that be a B777?

yes

Roadworks continue
 

Looks as if the 'roadworks' are scheduled to continue for quite sometime.

Taxiway Delta now closed around Stopbar D8. Stands 205-208C all closed and 231-233. Also taxiway Papa closed. Work continues until 30th April.

As one controller has said, that makes Terminal 2 a heck of a big cul-de-sac. :{

Scottie Dog

Globespan announce twice weekly service to Johannesburg, starting November 2007. Flights already on sale.

CUSS machines
 

Could somebody tell me how the CUSS machines work at Manchester? We had them installed a few months ago at EMA, as apparently they were surplus to the requirements of MAN, and they're gradually being used more often. The area of contention is the handling agents. At EMA, Servisair are expected to provide a bag drop, for these machines, despite not wanting to use them, and it appearing the same way for the airlines. Do customer airlines/handling agents pay for them at MAN? Also who staffs them? At the moment the airport are using information desk staff at EMA for the CUSS machines.

Manchester Terminals
 

Having been a life long fan of Manchester Airport (if I can't fly from MAN" I'm not going") I am both saddened and embarrassed :\ to admit that the place looks faded. I recently flew out of Birmingham and was more than impressed by the modern terminal facilities although, even at a peak times the traffic flow was noticeably less than MAN. Despite local regional competion (not to mention Whitehall bureaucracy) Manchester still has huge potential but it may fail to attract the travelling public unless it is committed to a significant investment in vastly improved terminals.

Shocking News! Source of MAN's problems found!..
 

Geoffrey Muirhead CBE


Nuff said!


Sir George Cayley

Bmi return Brussels slots
 

Bmi had proposed to operate a 3 times daily service to Brussels, but they have now returned the slots. Does that remind you of the Toulouse slots from over the last few years - all talk and no action?
:ugh: