If Ryanair left Luton it would not be the end of the world. If Ryanair left Stansted for FRatSTN and MAG it would be the end of the world.:}

LTNman it is probably better for us they stay there at STN and frighten any other airline away from even wanting to start routes there. Leaves more opportunity for LTN to grow.

Aena
 

At least there are getting new airlines in and trying to make luton more big in the london market

But AENA are not running the show yet. It can still fall through until fully approved next month. Carpatair are more likely to have approach the airport rather than the other way around.

Is Luton missing out on thin Ireland routes, seem to be doing Ok from Brum?

Was passing on my way from work today, I see LTN new owners have attracted long haul flights from Australia on E135s. Bit cramped ;)

Ireland
 

Pabely, which Ireland routes were you thinking of?

Think Pabely was referring to the Waterford route which is hitting 92% L/F last month from BHX

Ireland
 

A few airports in mind which are not serve at luton
Cork
Shannon
Waterford

runway08 - obviously trying to out do the US on numbers on the ground at one time?

Ireland
 

I'm amazed that no one has yet picked up the Waterford route at Luton. Given how popular it was, there must be a profitable route opportunity for someone surely?

I too wonder why Cork isn't served or Shannon. It's been years since Ryanair operated either route out of Luton. Again, these routes much offer great potential?

And how about Galway?

Is Galway capable of functioning as a commercial passenger airport with 40+ seat aircraft at the moment ?

Galway
 

Could have a 40 seat aircraft daily

Thomson
 

Extra flights for next year
Bodrum Monday
Rhodes Wednesday
Skiathos Friday
Zante Friday

737-8 - I was thinking more that as the Irish Govt has decided to stop the subvention, and the M6 means the drive from Galway to Dublin airport is just 2 hours, the operational capacity of Galway is considerably lower than it used to be. Shannon and Knock seem to have a somewhat greater capacity for handling commercial flights right now.

More Wizz
 

Warsaw up from 20 to 21 weekly from 31.3.14
Vilnius up from 7 to 13 weekly from 30.3.14

Indeed and Dublin Airport and Galway is the best served bus route in Ireland with 50 services each way daily, around 45 of those are express.

Galway Airport will never be viable, anytime soon, RE routes lasted so long because they have the PSO for DUB-GWY air route, 9 out 10 seats were empty per flight on all routes before they left the airport.

Ireland
 

I get why Galway is perhaps a non-starter but Waterford, Cork & Shannon seem obvious choices for regular Luton flights. There must be demand for all three surely?

On a separate point does the extra Thomson flights mean more aircraft based at Luton next year or will it just be the same as before, i.e. 3 aircraft but all spending the entire day on flight to/from Luton only?

Sharm El Sheikh
 

I notice Sharm El Sheikh has been cut to once weekly next year and I think this summer it has flown four times weekly during the peak summer period with Thomson...

I haven't had a chance to look at the timetables yet, but I assuming the freeing up of the Sharm El Sheikh flights will have allowed for these additons to next years Thomson timetable.

A return sector to Sharm must easily be 12-13 hours, so allows them at add almost any European flight they want to replace these...

Cutbacks to flights to Sharm El Sheikh seem to be made across the board from all tour operators for next year. Even though Sharm is not affected by the issues in Egypt, the whole thought of going to Egypt has unsettled many traveller.

I was reading in thhe Trip Advisor forums, that Thomas Cook are merging flights together with Manchester flights calling in at Gatwick to pick up further passengers, and it seems Thomson have cancelled flights to Sharm from Doncaster, Bournmouth and Exeter next year.

I am due to travel with Monarch in December on their new route to Sharm from Luton thats starts in November and waiting to see what haappens to this. If you go to their booking site, they are selling fares at rock bottom prices and hardly any seats have been reserved on the flights yet. WHich t me isn't a good sign.

I wonder if they are now regretting replacing Larnaca now with Sharm? Also be interesting to see if easyJet still continue their six times weekly schedule to Sharm too.

I notice Sharm El Sheikh has been cut to once weekly next year and I think this summer it has flown four times weekly during the peak summer period with Thomson...

I haven't had a chance to look at the timetables yet, but I assuming the freeing up of the Sharm El Sheikh flights will have allowed for these additons to next years Thomson timetable.

TOM have only flown to SSH once per week (Thursday) ex LTN this Summer (and in previous Summers)

As I have already mentioned, two of the additional flights to the TOM program from LTN next Summer are due to there being no "W" pattern flying on Friday or Saturday.