Congratulation to Postcard and the other NCL controllers who were awarded the CAA General Aviation Safety Award.:ok:






Continuation of: http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=260992&page=17

I would like to add my congrats to MC & his merry men. Well done chaps.
Now about that runway extension.................................!!!

I don't think extending the runway is that far up the list of priorities. A330s regular to SFB and POP, 757s this year to Toronto and Hamilton, TOM and EK launching long haul routes are fully aware of the runway length, it's not a problem. The aircraft calling into MME was MYT's Airbus, but that's now ended after they changed their SOPs. Realistically what will a runway extension give the airport that they cant already do, other than a fully loaded 747 to Asia, which wont happen anyway?

EGNT's rwy....
 

It will not happen, it would have been done by now I guess. I doubt BA will be operating to Hong Kong from Newcastle...

Yes - congrats to all in ATC for the award, well done everybody :D

Will there be a Finnair 752 based at Newcastle this summer? Was asked and didn't know.

Onion Strange, can't comment upon the inhabitants but I would never have called Brize Norton 'Middle East / Central Asia' ;) ;)

Skyman771 please remind me isn't Qatar in the Middle East?
Flights have in the past gone to Basra and Afghanistan as well on a regular basis. Yes some flights do come in and then go out to Brize.

Sure enough, the Smoggies probably go to Basra and Afghanistan for some peace and quiet. Even the drive to the airport is good prep for the infrastructure in their destination.

:}

Have finnair started flying from Newcastle yet? I am sure there was one in a couple of hours ago and its the first i've seen.
Cheers

EGNT the Finnair B757 with winglets you saw was actually operating for the summer onbehalf of XL Airways.

It seems that NCL Airport was in a bit of a meltdown this morning, the first real busy morning of the summer charter season. Baggage belts failed, causing delays to many flights of more than an hour, surely airlines can't be too happy with this happening. It is not just a rare occasion either!!

Baggage Belt
 

I believe the Airport management are dealing with this as a matter of high importance. I understand there was an Hold Baggage Scan machine failure, this has brought about changes in engineering cover being implemented forthwith!
Also this morning's first of the season Monarch A330 brought in the outward ULD's which meant bags were left on the baggage belt by the handling agent causing backlog on the belts.
No airport can promise problems will never happen - it goes with the territory - but at least positive action has been taken today! Believe me the management recognise the cost to their business when things like this happens. So how many other airports are able to react so positively and so quickly when things go wrong?

looks like the AMS is being dropped from May 31st as its no longer bookable.
The KRK now goes at 0600 and back at 1200, which fits in nicely as its been upgraded to 757 which then does the MJV at 1300.
ORK has also been put back onto 737 on a sat as it was origionally op'd by 146, same with the BGO. 146 will operate LGW only for now by the looks of it.

JEt2
 

Slightly worrying about the Jet2 to AMS going from June. I would have thought AMS would have been good for them. KRK frequencies also appear to be reduced EZY must be very happy at that one and I suspect that may go next as can't see two flights per week working.

Rumour on another thread was Jet2 not happy at NCL which when I read it I dismissed as rubbish but in light of this I am now thinking the rumour may have some substance in it. Has anyone spotted any other reduced frequencies from Jet2 at NCL.

Should we expect a heavy reduction in Jet2s NCL operation this winter?

Jet2 ops at NCL have grown very quickly, so some readjustment not surprising. Also, doesn't the extra freight flight start shortly, which if it is to be operated by a Combi probably also requires some changes?

Although the full Jet2 summer schedule is not yet in full swing, I am not surprised at some adjustments to the schedule as aircraft seem under utilised at NCL currently. If the 146 was returned and LGW schedules moved onto the 737 based aircraft there would be alot less gaps in the schedule aircraft plan, which to me would be more profitable. And there is the added bonus of one more parking spot becoming available at NCL!!

AMS is rather disappointing, it appeared to be doing well. KLM must be pleased, but I still see scope for a loco to operate the route, atleast twice a day - maybe something for EZY to consider?

JET 2

As well as the changes mentioned, there are also time changes to Palma, Malaga, London Gatwick,

Jet2
 

Agree with transwede and SWBKCB about some adjustments, but I am concerned as to drop an entire route (12 flights per week) to AMS and the other Jet2 changes are more than simply adjustments.

The time change to Gatwick may be more be beneficial for business users though. However this means the 146 can't be used for Gatwick and Bergen which was happenning at the momen as the time clash, does this mean an aircraft that was not fully utilised in the first place been used even less?

Airlines often drop routes that dont make them any money! its obvious!
Passenger figures on the AMS were low - very often about the 60 mark, sometimes not even that. There will now be 3x 737 and 2x 757
The reduction in freq on the KRK is only becuase they have upped the operated aircraft to a 757. Jet2 have dropped various routes in the past, as have easy and ryanair as well as EVERY other airline going, its what you have to do to keep your business going, I wouldnt worry about Jet2 leaving NCL, there are so many strong rumours of long haul ex NCL and chater destinations like SSH PFO and LPA so i wouldnt expect to see them going anywhere soon.

Jamesair - not to sure about the time changes you mentioned, AGP n PMI are not changing, however 1015 LGW is moving to early afternoon which should be better.

Jet2
 

crewboi83 - re your comment on 3 x 737 and 2 x757 does this mean the 146 is going? Not sure the KRK move is a good one, for city destinations its frequencies folks want, it now means if you want to go on a short city break then Jet2 aint the airline to use with two flights a week and Jet2 are simply gifting EZY these passengers. I hope not but suspect KRK will be next to get the chop from NCL.

The same happened to EZY in respect of Berlin. The passenger figures dropped when they started messing around with the frequencies and then the route was cut.

I was hoping that Jet2 were going to give EZY a run for their money from NCL, looks doubtful now.

The time changes are taken from the timetable pages on the Jet 2 website.

jet2 / easyjet
 

so is the 146 going?

anybody know what the plans are for winter I hope jet2 do ssh,lpa,ace,lca!

pisa and mahon being dropped again for winter

easyjet keeping krk for winter and what is rep
acing mahon

jet2 holidays
 

not sure about the rumours of jet2 leaving, however remember at other bases last winter they did reduce frequencies, could happen again this year! Cant really see them being as busy with the destinations they have at mo, in winter aswell! I heard flyjet where going to be operating some flights in the winter for Jet2 Holidays instead of with xl/freedom flight, and doing some of there longer flights e.g. to SSH, LPA, ACE, not sure whether this is true, but could see it happening if Jet2 are struggling, stress 'IF'.
I hope we do see a success from Jet2, however i do think it would be more beneficial to look at long-haul destinations from NCL, fair enough there are plenty of short - haul destinations which would benefit NCL and pax wishing to try something new. there are only so many malaga, alicante and palma flights needed out of NCL. Hopefully thomsonfly will take the lead and we will see more charters/ loco carriers offering something different to NCL rather than the same old same summer after summer! :rolleyes:

The first GSM Hamilton service seems to have got off to a good start with the arrival 4hrs 13' late. Just the thing to attract future bookings and confidence in the airline and its timekeeping.

Re GSM I presume that the delay on the YHM was predictable. Earlier postings on another site had indicated that the trips for the two earlier 'crossing' via BHX & EDI were both carrying an inherent 4 hour delay. I felt that this service when announced, with it's unusual format of a differing daily UK 'stopover' on route was potentially under resourced if the 752 was to go 'tech'. Hopefully the delivery of the second Icelandic 752 may ease matters, though I note that the 'YHM Front' is not the only one that is currently giving them problems:hmm:

Yes 146 is being exchanged for MD80 which will be based in BLK
NCL currently has LO and LX, LA will join them once its back from C check.
KRK was always busy flights before the sat was added, so cant really see it effecting the loads, sat wouldnt really effect the city breakers as they usuall got fri to mon, or mon to fri.
Jet2 are giving easyjet a good run for their money on PMI and AGP, and still the KRK as well, the KRK is busy as usual with few empty seats IF ANY!
PMI and AGP are slowly increasing, like all new routes they need time to establish first, but Jet2 are gettin average loads of 150 pax for april on the PMI/AGP which isnt bad as these are pax that would have travelled with EZY anyway... and with the addition of Jet2holidays.com the flights are looking busy for summer.
I cant see FJE operating for Jet2 really... the idea is to have passengers added to their own flights to fill them, and how will FJE operate these when their 757s will be flying around for DHL supposidly.
It was the other way around i heard, Jet2 operating for xl but still a rumour.
Think is with adding new routes, you have to go where the pax are.... yes it looks nice on the arrivals board to have routes all over europe, but not if no one is using them, i do agree that we should have more to the likes of germany, naples, madrid, lisbon and a few more.... but you go where the pax are dont u?!
Dont know where to rumour of Jet2 leaving NCL came from but i cant see that - not unless things go seriously wrong, i think theyd have a reduiction in based units and flights before closing the base. Also regarding time changes, again I have AGP PMI etc etc at the same times on my roster, just KRK LGW being time changed

crewboi83 it is nice to see Jet2 concentrating efforts at making a damn good go at NCL, with revised frequencies and greater use of their own aircraft. I have to agree that I cannot see Jet2 leaving NCL any time soon, maybe exchanging summer routes for ski flights etc to maximise pax appeal and maximise profits etc, but that is probably about all.

Where the rumour for FJE operating Jet2 flights has come from is a funny one? A very unlikely pairing, but then again this industry can be surprising. Although both of Flyjets 757 a/c are being returned to the lessor for freighter conversion, I am led to believe that no firm decision on the future of Silverjets charter arm has been made, indeed newer aircraft are possible. The only downside is the cut back in work from the XL group, who FJE are heavily reliant upon at NCL and MAN. Its one for lets wait and see.............:bored:

Judging by the current delay record at GSM I fear that they maybe the wrong airline for NCL and a reliable YHM service, but its only 1 week of the season gone, things can change.:confused:

Any word on how bad the damage is to a thomsonfly 757 at NCL today i hear theres a new hole in it.

While since I had been to NCL, used to be based a few years ago, so back in country and decided to give Mrs S of B a little jolly to Prague with Easy. I have to say I spend a good few days a month travelling through airports and NCL was a dream!
Booked the car into long stay(decent price), we were in the terminal within a few minutes of parking, check in was very fast even though it was busy, thanks Easy. Was dreading security because of the stories on here however even with the WIP it was very quick! I always loved the airside lounge and it is still one of the best in the business, the views still give me goose bumps! Had a coffee and a bun and shopped in ‘duty free’, some good offers on, and then down to the departure gate. Now departure gates are departure gates and the one we used was as good as any most airports in Europe offer! Was in ‘B’ so was on the aircraft in no time and departed on time.
After a few days of R & R it was back to NCL again on time, got bags quickly and within 30min were back on A696 heading north. What more do you want!!! Will be back later in the year booked on Emirates in October, cannot wait.
S of B:ok:

Thomsonfly 757
 

Yeh, fuselage was punctured by a... Gate Gourmet vehicle.... :eek:

Was speaking to the FO, cost a bit in delays... inconvenience.... and just about everything else, and I bet the vehicle driver feeling a bit sick.

Block falls from aircraft
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/6643891.stm

oops......

Do you think the pilot forgot to do a walk round prior to departure:rolleyes:

Concrete form the sky....
 

This is truly mind boggling.

There was something invented called a checklist.... this contains internal AND external checks....

Many factors determine what we do, or don't do - but I cannot understand how this could have happened.

This could easily have involved loss of life or serious injury on the ground. They need to throw the book at this guy.

April pax figures are looking very good with total pax up 5.1% with several airports showing falls for the month.

Krakow is proving to be a good route as is the new Gerona route from Ryanair.
Cork is building nicely as well with 4,290 pax for April.

Still got a lot to learn.

Careful Mr Fearman. You dont know the facts regarding the above!!
The alleged concrete slab may of been out of sight from the tower, depending on runway in use and where the concrete was positioned on the aircraft. :)

Cork & Krakow
 

I think Mr Fearman has just lost his chance of visiting any ATC with a comment like that.

Cork - good to know of the good figures for this route. Had the pleasure in the Brymon days to visit Cork, just hope the novelty doesn't wear off with new and successful routes.

Krakow was always going to be popular, not sure how prices differ between EZY & Jet2, but good to have a choice, and Ryanair will always offer something different from Newcastle.

Any news on the Jet2 long haul rumour?

Been inside Air Traffic Control - yes many times as an Air Cadet - a long time ago. But also as an instructor up to about 12 years ago.

Today's delays
 

Anyone any idea's why all this mornings flights are delayed? See EZY have a few delays and the Onur air is late too.

Yeah - just noticed that too and thought i would come on here to see if anyone knows, as it seems the arrivals are all delayed too.
Regards, EGNT

Talking of delays, then there may be the potential for more chaos on tomorrows GSM excursion to YHM. Today's inbound EDI-STN is currently showing over 10 hours delay & I'm unclear as to how they are to service today's EDI-YHM outbound GSM185................:sad:
Maybe some light however, GSM may be able to get the previously tech Icelandic 757 at YHM available evenings Eastbound. :confused: