Simple the presenter is there to take the abuse and flack from pax when there are only 2 passport staff on to land several flights!

Or to sit there for hours on end when a pax is refused entry. Huge drain on a GHA during the busy times having to sit there and do nothing!

Newcastle Aviation Academy
 

From the Chronicle:

Airport chiefs estimate at least 1,500 jobs will be generated by the development as airport-related firms locate their operations at the site. It comes as construction continues on the expansion of Newcastle College’s Aviation Academy, also on the south side of the airport. Due to open this September, the expansion will create a further 1,500 square metres of training space for the delivery of the college’s aviation training programmes, which sees 93% of graduates finding employment in the aviation industry. The development of the academy will see all students trained at the site, rather than at the college’s Rye Hill Campus. Graeme Bell, manager of the Aviation Academy, said: “The expansion of the academy will help us to further develop a highly-skilled workforce of aviation engineers. This can only help to attract airlines and other aviation engineering operators to our partners, Newcastle International Airport. With this will come economic as well as employment benefits – not only for the students but also the region as a whole.”

Skyman, sorry that being a First Officer for an airline and looking out of my cockpit window isn't doing that well in your mind, but it makes me happy and feeds the kids. Say hi to NASA when you get back to work.

As for counting i'll simply ignore that, and wish you a very happy half term.

Tonker,

Wind your neck in a bit and stop the aggression, not needed. Just make the points you want and leave it at that.

I take some of Tonkers points re the number of individuals that will go to an airport to 'see the aeroplanes' - think back to the first Concorde movements when c.10,000 people mobbed the airport to get a look - but most of the planned centres I have seen at airports have good sight of the aprons and are not just for watching take-offs and landings. The hard core spotters will go wherever they can; whether the 'punter' will be enthused only time will tell.

My cynical view of the proposed vistor centre is that NIA want to generated income.
Why?
The airport is saddled with a listed building (the old terminal / flying club - God knows why, but some do-gooders from the councils did this years ago)) and has to maintain it. That costs money.
Independent businesses have not been able to make it pay (how many have tried and failed?; how many stewards have run off with the cash?).
NIA will introduce parking charges at the SS. Aircraft owners/operators, passengers, visitors, students and staff will get caught in this
The extended academy will generate a market for food and drink; as will the visitors.

On a wider note, the take over of Samson may be seen as an effort to improve the woeful security at the SS and have a central security point for people going airside.

Whether or not the marketing skills of the NIA team will be able to generate more business aircraft movements, the developments will be interesting to see; I wish them well.
GH

Wonder if they will charge for entry! Surely they must to be make some sort of profit!

The Die hard spotters who sat in wings then the landside airport bar day in day out cant bring that much in!

More good business for AirSouthwest in June with Newquay at 1,130 pax and Plymouth at 1,976

Yes, the service to the southwest seems to be running ok with passenger numbers healthy- nice to see a new route doing well.

Noticed there have seemed to be a couple extra OHY flights in the past couple of days...anyone know what aircraft operated OHY3418 to Antalya this morning?

Cheers

I've heard a few people mention a direct flight NCL-Barbados next year. Is this right? What sort of aircraft?

I've never heard this rumour. This would be great if it was to come off, and strengthen NCL's long haul route network. Maybe a B767 or A330 split with Man. But with juice at the high price it is............ :(.

There are a few special cruises related flights to Caribbean operating, not sure on a regular service!

That's probably what they are thinking of.

EGNT - The OHY3418 this morning arrived from Stansted (OHY3417) and was a Titan 757.

Does anybody know what the extra flights Thomas Cook are supposed to be putting on later this summer? (to cope with demand)

Not aware of any extra TCX flights starting this summer, do they ahve the aircraft availability with based machines to operate them or are they aircraft positioning from other bases and to operate to what destinations? Didn't think charters were that busy to justify extra flights, could be wrong though!:confused:

it's a news item on the airport website

There's an identical news item about Thomas Cook on the LBA website, which states the same regarding extra flights, and has left people asking same questions. here

Yep, had a glance through TCX website and seem to think its a publicity thing to fill up existing flights - certainly no extras seem to have been added!

Anyone know whats happened with Ql1515 departing to Faro?

It was on last call a few minutes ago, now its showing as Flight Cancelled.