Long Haul expansion
 

ThreeAlpha - as someone who has worked as a Business Analyst in the Airline industry for a number of years I have to agree with alot of the details in your post.

I don't see the arrival of Emirates as evidence that NCL is about to see a long haul boom. As things stand at present NCL has a few gaps in its destinations but the majority of these are short haul routes. The one main long haul destination that NCL has not got and should have is a regular sheduled servie to New York. However given the high profile pull out of American Airlines last year it will be a few years before we see another US legacy carrier (Delta or Continental) showing an interest in NCL. Open Skies does not help Newcastle ambitions to get a New York link either as any spare capacity is going to head the way of the likes of London, Paris, Madrid etc.

As has been said before Newcastles best chance of a New York link may well lie with a low cost operator eg Zoom or Jet2 . Other than this destination though I can't see any other long haul desitination working

I think NYC with anything other than a full service airline offering connections will be less than ideal.

The two EU destinations that I think could really help Newcastle abd more to the point, local passengers, would be Frankfurt and Madrid to connect into two more major hubs.

Disappointing that we've not seen anything from Lufthansa or Iberia in that regard to date.

When Iberia don't even serve Manchester-Madrid, there is no real hope of any Newcastle-Madrid service. To even suggest that they should be doing it is a pipe-dream in its most blatant form!

As is NYC, but we can dream !

andrewmcharlton - why is NYC a pipe dream - unless you have some data to back up your claim this is clearly a destination where demand from Ncl exists.

I am also at a loss to understand why a loco operator would be less than ideal especially as it looks like its a case of when rather than if Jet2 start this route up.

Madrid is route that would work from NCL however it will never happen with Iberia. May well be one for Ryanair or Easyjet in the future.

I don't dispute the demand.

A loco operating it will have some success for those wanting to visit the Greater NYC area but without through ticketing and access to further afield it will never achieve its potential.

The idea of a loco without that will still mean that most of the business pax to the USA would likely go with the recognised carriers.

I have no doubt it could work but I am sure they would rather see Continetal or Delta pick it up than a loco, as once someone is on the route it seems unlikely anyone will compete.

We don't seem to have heard much noise about the chances of it which I suppose could mean anything.

Ofcourse, I'd rather see a loco than No- Co but it could limit its potential.

Is everything ready for tomorrows first long haul scheduled service?

Anyone know why TCX and RE are having problems tonight? Delays are starting to get very frequent at NCL, can't be good for league tables and such....?

Just to let people know that Runway 25 is in use thsi morning, arriving from the east just incase anyone is wishing to pop up and see it. Although the wind is light, so this may be subject to change.

Regards

Ek35 - A6-ekq A332
 

From a BHX local and one-time user of EK from my local, best wishes for the Newcastle Dubai Service.

Per acarsd A6-EKQ is about 35 minutes out.

Pete

Emirates
 

Best of luck with the route :ok:

Emirates
 

Just saw A6-EKQ A330-200 arrive to the full water cannon salute ...

heard the rumours about the welcome party but wasn't sure they would actually go ahead with it

very impressive !!!

Transwede, Gate 25 and 26 were getting decorated all of last night for them full press conference in 26 both gates painted.

As for TCX LK had a problem yesterday morning delayeing her run to TFS not getting away till 5pm when we were just starting to check in the bourgas which got away at 02.35am. Thus delaying this mornings parma.

Emirates
 

Took my three kids along to the Coach Lane corner at the 25 threshold to see the EK arrive today. Great to see so many people there and especially so many families. My wife, who considers "plane spotting" to be a purely male preserve, preferred to stay at home and read the paper. She did, however, helpfully convey over the phone to us while we waited the estimated arrival time from Ceefax.

Responses on being asked if they liked seeing the A330 land at Newcastle included: (Son no. 1 aged 8) "It was just like a plane landing." (Son no. 2 aged 6) "No." (Daughter aged 4, stretching arms wide) "It was t--h--i--s big." Well, I enjoyed it; and the water cannon salute. Hope the pax enjoyed it too.

Going by those responses, I'd say all 3 have a future in aviation, ConstantFlyer! :ok:

Yep, i went to the end of coach lane too altohugh i stood away from the crowd in the middle of the field.

Wanted to get some good pics, not to be interferred with by peoples heads.

I thought that the water canon salute was excellent, although the departure was delayed by 20mins or so.

Regards

Only because it had a slot, sector restriction in Poland.
:)

Great to hear it went smoothly, anybody have any pics?

Yeah, ive got loads of pics but im not sure if i can post them on here. If anyone wants a look, please PM me.

Regards

Crowds,a field, coach lane !:sad: you'd have all been better off in the beer garden, at the Moor House!, glorious weather, & at 2 miles from touchdown a EK35 provided a wonderful sight. Interestingly the oldest of the 29 though you would not have known. Congratulations to all involved & here's to many more wonderful lunch times! ;)