Well maybe if they all move away we can level the hangars and build a bazillion more stands for executive jets. Just kidding of course, Would make more money that way though no? hehe

It is certainly the case that numerous airlines have started ops at Luton and diversified away as they have grown. I suspect that is inevitable - there simply isn't enough traffic (or space) at LTN for 38 Monarch aircraft, 48 (ish) Thomson, and 200 plus EZY!

It suggests Luton's a good place to start up though. (forgetting Court Line and Debonair)

Thompsons and many other IT companies deliberately reduce demand at Luton and other airports in the southeast to push up demand at Gatwick by charging such high supplements when comparing comparable flight times.

While those local to Luton will often pay the supplements many others will head south and save a few hundred pounds. As already mentioned a while ago a neighbour of mine who lives not a mile from Luton flew from Gatwick to save a small fortune.

Hampton by Hilton opens at Parkway Station
 

They charge customers £12 to use their car park.

Market forces & matching supply and demand...It goes on everywhere (not just in aviation!:eek:).....Thomson (no p!) have no problem selling their program from LTN so they are hardly reducing demand!!:}:}

Being a big user of TUI Thomson flights from Luton, they must average >90% all the time. I'm sure if they based another frame they would have no problem filling it - is it just the travel agent arm discounts LGW?

Hampton by Hilton, Luton Airport Parkway
 

If that's for a fortnight, I'll have some!

I would think it is per day or maybe an hour!

One of the iconic voices in the tower will sign off for the last time after lunch today. Well done Mr Bust!

I'm also sure TOM would have no problem selling the program for another LTN based aircraft. However, like every other airline, the company will always fly aircraft from bases which will give the best overall return. Other factors to be considered include based crew numbers (and the difference between the summer/winter program), engineering cover and airport/handling costs.

Historically, TOM has actually kept the same overall summer capacity at LTN since the 737-200 was retired back in the early 90's. At that time around six aircraft were based (two of which were kept busy on the MOD charters to Germany which ceased when the type was withdrawn) From then on, two 757's were based (with a 767 occasionally swapping or operating MCO flights etc) More recently, its been a mix of one 757 and two 737's in the summer giving a greater range of destinations.

Mr Bust
 

All the best Mr. Bust - your clear and concise transmissions will be very much missed.

Will you be taking up "spotting" like our mutual friend ... despite all his denials?:rolleyes:

OLY1B

I will be seeking advice from Mr Bear on the subject of spotting.

Seriously, thank you to everyone over the many years, both those that listen and more importantly those that I have attempted to 'control' for putting up with my ramblings!

LB..a happy and healthy retirement and whatever you plan to do make sure you enjoy yourself.

Here, here to that.

Me a spotter! In denial! I will book the hotel tomorrow night on Mr Bust's credit card!

AirBlue......it is gonna happen!

Anyway, off to torture Stanley just a bit more and get some tips on how to get a blue rinse from an ole dear I know! Maybe it should be HairBlue!

The air is often blue in our household.

When does work start on the expansion?
 

Hi Guys,

Was dropping a family member off at the airport this morning. Not been there in a few months...

Was surprised to see no work has commenced on the front of the terminal, as I thought they were filling in the gap where the buses drop off. Also the same drop off zone and layout has not changed.

I thought all the work was due to be complete by the start of next summers timetable???

That only gives them four to five months to get the taxiways and terminal extended, new parking spaces and a multi-storey built. Call me cynical, but I think getting all that done, in that timeframe is near impossible, unless they temporarily close the airport for a few months.

They haven't put in the planning application yet, although I think that is imminent. From memory, I don't think any major work is due to start until the autumn next year and that is obviously assuming planning approval is not held up

Ohhh sorry, your completely right...

I don't know where in my head that came from, was a little premature in my thoughts!

Must be the 4am start that did that to me!

Turkish Cargo are operating into Luton twice a week. These are on different days and times to MNG

http://wwwdownload.thy.com/kargo/pdf...ummer_2012.pdf

MNG AIRLINES - SERVICES

Thats likely to translate into some more widebodies for the airport as they operate A310's and A330's for their freight flights... :)

If only this translated into passenger flights... Turkish Airlines are turning into the new Emirates, flying from a number of UK airports to their Istanbul hub and offering worldwide connections to Africa, Middle East and Asia.

Probably a pipe dream, but would be great if is happened and they would probably be the most likely carrier to offer this sort of service from Luton, as unlike the other Middle Eastern carriers they use 737's, A320's and A321's on their UK to Istanbul services and makes it far easier to fill than a widebodied aircraft.

Anyway, I'll keep dreaming! :zzz:

Looking at those timings, the NIMBYs arent going to be pleased to hear an A310 coming over at that time!!

Turkish Airlines would be a good fit for Luton, it would complement their services from other London airports and as El Al has shown you can run scheduled from multiple London airports.
Additionally it would be a Star Alliance member which might help in building some more routes from other members.

TK
 

I could maybe see I daily 737/8 or A319/20 from them at most, don't forget they have 4(?) flights per day from LHR already, with some on A330's plus 2 738/A321's from LGW. Its also worth pointing out that much of the North London traffic to Turkey seems to prefer STN seen as they have twice daily flights with Pegasus plus some of their more holiday oriented ones, along with EZY and TOM/TCX. Although what with STN having lost TK and also Atlasjet from January, who knows!

With a 05:15 departure time could it be that Luton was the only London airport that would accept them as Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted are night flight regulated?

Tour Companies prefer Gatwick!
 

I thought I would look up a holiday at random (identical for three departure airports) for a family of 4 staying on the same dates and identical hotel and same airline, I discovered the following prices:

STN- £2832.00
LGW- £2580.00
LTN- £2412.00

Thats a difference from the cheapest to most expensive of £420.00 making Luton a far better option!

Yes but what about the times of the flights?

Unless things have changed over the last couple of years this is quite rare. Just thumb the supplements section of the brochures usually shows large differences but maybe the holiday companies have woken up to the Low cost carriers taking away their business.

Good point, but at least it is a cheaper option which may be a more cost effective choice overall for many people.

There are lots of potential variables that affect tour operators' pricing. Such as:

- same day of the week, same time
- same date
- based airline, in-house airline, competing airline
- scheduled, loco or charter flight

There may also be local variables ('Vauxhall fortnight'), or variables only affecting certain destinations, so a wider sample size is needed to make a fair comparison.

It might also be that the Stansted flights are selling very well and are quite full, whereas the Luton ones are not

Just to throw the cat amongst the pigeons!

Well that's one way of looking at it except I don't think the likes of Thomson follow the low cost airlines pricing model.

Maybe the Essex farmers have money to burn.

I think you will find all LTN flights on TOM are >90% full, perhaps other factors at play here, what departure times (may have released more capacity as MON have) and what suppliments have been added?
Anyhow you seem happy with the price so enjoy your family holiday!

I have yet to decide if we go to Tunisa?
LTN £3,834 or STN £3,918

Then we were considering Madeira:
LGW 3,596 or Luton £3,320

I guess the point I am making is that by no means is flying from Gatwick or Stansted necessary cheaper.

The above were random destinations with the same airline on the same day and exact accommodation.

Admittedly I do not have the time to check the flight times though admit prefer mid morning departures but either way I have flown after midnight so don't mind either way.

Luton was once the UK's busiest holiday airport-I would like to see the current airport management 'grab' this traffic back, because it is still out there as Gatwick demonstrates.

The first proper snow of this winter has arrived at Luton this morning. 400m visibility in moderate snow. Airport closed for snow clearance.

No surprise, the forecast last night was a dusting, well had about 1 in or more and the roads are deadly. :=
Just given up on my drive into work at the airport, l bet the roads to the airport are near impossible to drive on, hills are not good in snow. :{
Good luck to anyone trying to get to and from the airport this morning. :ok:

Luton is open now

The same old story again and again and again. It's winter. It' snowing. It's slippery. Locals never heard of winter tires. The horrible (160 m elevation) "hill" at LTN can not be reached by car. Airport is closed for 2 cm of snow. When it's declared "open" no one can land as none of the first wave flights departed and there are no stands available. 8 Wizz flights diverted (5 to BHX, 1 to LGW, 1 to LPL, 1 to BRU (!). The same old story again and again and again each year.

You thought Luton had problems have you seen the number of flights cancelled at Stansted this morning! I think some of the Wizz did a splash and dash at other airports but notice that three outbound flights were cancelled.

I dont think it was necessarily the airports fault for the closures today, it was more due to the lack of warning and the amount of snow which seemed to catch out the weather forecasters and therefore the airports suffered. Ryanair have always been quick to cancel flights, so a bit harsh to blame Stansted for amount of cancellations. Would rather be delayed a couple than trying to slow down on a slippery runway! I gather SOU was closed for a short time this morning as well.