Brussels

The early morning flight will definately not be operating, leaving the frequency at 1 per day in the evening. Back when Sabena used to operate 4 daily flights, the loads and yields were very good, with many pax transferring onto other SN hub flights out of BRU. Now that it Brussels Airlines, is their a hub for connections to be made? Regardless I think there is a market for 2 daily, am and pm services - times tailored to the business community. Maybe T3 or BE will think of this, who knows as BE's expansion plans are only gradually coming to light? BRU could be next? Wasn't the plan to have 4 based aircraft in NCL?!

T3 NQY

Todays flight is a one off charter!

Terminal

The often mention of rubbish along the fence is interesting, as the airport never seem to do anything about it? There is lots of it and I agree it makes a bad impression to passengers and customer (both current and future) airline customers.

The problems in the charter hall with constant failure of baggage belts in the summer months should hopefully be solved soon, as in the coming weeks the belts will be modified/replaced. Airlines have been informed that the majority of charters will use the old check in area during this short period (where in the crowded 'scheduled' side I don't know, considering most desks are in constant use already!). So fingers crossed, on a friday for example when there is a Monarch, 4 TOM, OHY and TCX aircraft checking in, all should run smoothly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for the comments on connecting pax in STN and NYC, yes some pax do book separate flights, but rely on the NCL-XXX portion to run ontime. Should a carrier with no hub in NYC begin a service, I think the majority of pax would still travel via an existing hub of AMS, LHR etc to reach their point in the US. Don't forget that disocunt or freebies are often a part of the package for connecting flights (where the NCL-XXX sector is heavily discounted).

Why are the airport modifying the bag belts now when its starting to pick up again for the summer! They have had all winter to do it! Checking in charters in the Old hall! Where?? All the desks are in constant use!

because its the NE

The remodelling of the baggage belts in the new terminal will take approximately 11 days so airlines have been informed. How on earth the airport think they will manage to squeeze the small amount of winter charters, plus EK into the old hall during these works is anyones guess!:\

Having said that, the baggage system is in desparate need of maintenence - the airlines should not have to put up with another summer like last, where they were constantly breaking down or unable to cope with the amount of usage. In an ideal world, the amount of check in counters would be increased, but again nowhere for them to go unless the terminal is extended. Monday mornings will chaotic last summer, with pax regularly queuing outside the terminal for TOM/TCX check in.

Simple fact is the airport wont be able to manage getting them all in the Old hall. Roughly 6 Desks are free at any one time at the moment.

Monday Morning this summer is going to be worse!

4 Thomson flys checking in at the same time.
The EK.
Thomas Cook X2
Onur Air x1
Possible XL.

Sick of these retards..
 

Desk closures, Belt refurb.
Don't want to give them any ideas, but, maybe they will close desk 1 - 20 (or wherever the belt break is) then do 20-29 at different times to allow enough desks?

Car Park L (Ponteland)
Really?
Anyone care about this?
I know that some might just keep quiet and park in pax carparks, or overfill short stay. But these spaces might be taken up over summer.

Anyone got any ideas. I thought about murdering someone, probably Laws. But it's probably not worth it, but it would feel good.:ouch:

Sorry to sound nieve but which part is the 'old' hall?

LS will have ORK and PMI check-in early on Mondays, with a mid-morning check-in for AGP and MJV.

............................................................

Sorry but I tried Car Park L today and there's no way I can be bothered to walk that far on an early or late. I shall just park in another car park, especially when car park A is sitting empty!!

SpeedBrakes,

Old hall is everything from the domestic arrivals up to Starbucks containting desks 1-31. EZY get 1-8, LS 11-15, KLM/AF 17-19, BA 20-23 T3 26-27, BE 28-31

Charter hall is desk 32-48, rumour has it the information desk is getting moved at some point to give us more desks.

New car park already causeing some displeasure amongst staff, Shuttle coach staff are suppose to give operational staff the use of the coachs. But the way i see it is what is to stop us parking in the zones a bit closer top the terminal. Plus its going to take god knows how long to empty the old car park with BA, Virgin crew away still and of course the pax who have parked in there.

As pax, I wouldn't mind checking in in the charter hall and getting my luggage labelled and then taking it to the old hall to put on a belt (much like taking the skis to a different area) if that was at all possible.

Short term move should not prove too difficult.

BA can reduce down from 4 desks - they don't need that many with the % of pax using self checkin or on line checkin. Use some 'hand baggage only' desks in the new hall - even if it means splitting check-in for individual carriers and flights. Some common bag drop desks and a bit of sense in opening/close times and you've solved the issue.

If you look back and see the volumes that used to go through the 'old' hall before the extention then it is do-able.

The question is - who within the airport company has the experience and nouse to make it happen?

Hand baggage only in the charter hall would be a good idea for the likes of BA,BE,LS,KL,U2,AF,SN,T3 but who in NCL would have thought of that? :confused:

Wow it's a bit breezy up in NCL at the moment, don't think it was forecast to be as bad as this:

EGNT 261450Z 26044G73KT 9999 7000NW -SHRA SCT030 09/03 Q0989

47 - 54 Strong gale slight structural damage occurs; chimney pots and slates removed
55 - 63 Whole gale trees uprooted; considerable structural damage occurs
64 - 72 Storm very rarely experienced; accompanied by widespread damage
73+ Hurricane devastation occurs


Taken from the Beaufort Wind Scale those gusts are at hurricane levels.:sad:

Where's Michael Fish when you need him? :}

Baggage Belts
 

When are the baggage belt Upgrades taking place. if they happen in the next 2 or 3 weeks and only take 11 days then it wont be too tight. especially on a Monday morning as the volume of flights will not have started yet. If its in the summer then :mad:

Hurricane strength I believe. The gusts are really, really strong.

Totally off topic but just driven home through Fawdon and nearly ran over an old man who was blown across the road in front of me. I stopped just in time and got out to help pick him up and see if he was all right and had difficulty standing up myself. The wind was against the door opening otherwise I think my door would be off the car by now.

Thankfully the old guy was just a bit shaken up with a few cuts (and no doubt bruises) but did not want a fuss (Geordies , eh!) and would not contemplate hospital; after I ran him home he seemed OK but bet he'll be sore in the morning. Thinks I should have got his phone number to give him a bell to see that he's OK

The remodelling / modification of the baggage belts and all the hassle it may cause is obviously going to bennefit everyone in the long term. 11 days of inconvenience should hopefully ensure a trouble free summer!!:)

Are the modifications taking place on level 1 or on level 0?

Groundhand did you not even get offered a biscuit when you took this gentleman home?

Still, thats only a cross-wind component of around 14kts. Wish I had been at work today, would of been fun! :cool:

Not so great for the pax though! :yuk:

I believe the modifications to the baggage system will take place at all levels on the new side of the terminal. Hopefully alot of planning has gone into the 11 day move. It is only a short period of time and would have caused disruption at any point within the winter schedule, however I do think that there will be a struggle for desks. Maybe airlines are willing to reduce the amount of desks from what they normally are entitled too during the short period in order to receive a better service afterwards?! I bet the charter carriers were none too happy during all the 'meltdowns', when some pax waited 2 hours to check in during peak summer periods?

lukeylad where on earth did you hear that the info desk was moving? I can't see that happenig, as the whole purpose of locating the info desk in that position was that it was central to both check in areas. Besides the baggage system would need even more modification to allow extra desks to be placed there and with the space it would probably only create 2/3 desks, which is great, but the busier the airport gets the more are needed unless we stop taking departures during certain periods?!

BA do need to reduce the amount of check in counters they use. They currently occupy, I think 20-24 and for the amount of internet/self service checkin, there is no need to occupy so much space. Or is there???

I think the comment of a monday morning, was towards last summer and the inadequate facilities in the charter hall. Flights unable to use old hall for check in as all desks in use. This summer more pax are predicted to pass through on this day on charters (2 TCX 757, 2 TOM 757, 1 TOM 738, 1 TOM 763, 1 FHY 320, 1 BGH 320) - all flights leaving within 1 hour of each other. Maybe's the badger could cash in and offer snacks to waiting queues?!! (JOKE before anyone starts on me!) :}

Transwede

"BA do need to reduce the amount of check in counters they use. They currently occupy, I think 20-24 and for the amount of internet/self service checkin, there is no need to occupy so much space. Or is there???"

Not on current volumes. They are holding on to space and the airport, as ever, will not challenge them. What other carrier has the amount of desks and floor space they occupy for the number and size of flights?


Did the Airport plan phased extensions before building the current extension? The space is there so it would seem possible without too much disruption to the current facility. It is whether they had the foresight to do it back in whenever (?).
I do recall a battle to get the escalators moved to their current position from their planned position of 'up' at one end and 'down' at the other with a skywalk between. Ah, architects, don't you just love 'em!!

Rare BA on-time arrival and then a plane load of passengers stand around like lemons waiting for somebody to come and open the door to let them out of domestic arrivals. As my old boss would say, "Sloppy and unprofessional, NIA!"