If you want to be picky Virgin had links with LTN for years and I would call it UK short haul. Now that has got you thinking lol

The point keeps getting missed that the current funding available is not specific to related to aviation but is available to all companies if you meet the criteria, so what conditions are you expecting? The Air France deal is very much that - a deal tailored specifically for Air France.

Also, is there a list of socially acceptable major British companies available i.e. those that don't have significant foreign shareholdings?

With the press at the airport I would have thought they would have been a bit more on the ball allowing passengers to stand outside the entrance.

https://www.theguardian.com/business...-from-bulgaria

Who on the ball, the airport or the passengers?
Today no-one was managing my isle progress at Tesco or B&Q once I got in!

It will. I'm glad I'm not a Luton Parkway》London commuter anymore every day on Thameslink to London Bridge then tube, shoulder to shoulder on the train and platform. A flight from LLA a couple of times a year would be the least of my worries!

I don't have to think too hard.

I've been on 4 different Viscounts out of Luton to both Dublin and Maastricht under Virgin name.

But either those, or whatever you allude too, are irrelevant to TODAY. Virgin may have had such links with LTN for years, but the word "years" repeats itself as this was all years ago. Indeed, last century was it not ?

I have the joy still of such commuting. I do Parkway to Blackfriars still. Actually it is OK at the moment, or has been OK for the past 5 weeks. Off peak you near get a coach to yourself! Admittedly I have the luxury of being allowed full flexi working so aim to avoid high peaks, but even peak shoulders in past 5 weeks been barely a dozen pax per coach. The District Line that i use from Blackfriars has been OK too for the past 4 weeks, although the first week of lockdown it was hit and miss on maintaining distancing.

Anyway, trains are a bit of a digression.

Lighten up my friend and be safe on your commute. It was a light hearted reply in a world of misery, death and economic meltdown but actually I was not talking about Viscounts, Dublin, Maastricht or even Boeing 727’s or the Virgin 747 that landed at Luton so you have jumped to the wrong conclusion and had a little paddy on the way.

Try again and be happy this time. Virgin at Luton but maybe not since the terminal was expanded but very much this Century. Think about it. I even have the photographic evidence as it was a common sight. I know you will get the answer soon. Lol

When will LBC collapse financially and then the forensic accountants be unleashed? TICK, TOCK..........

A council with big plans but didn’t have the money to pay for them so they borrowed lots of money and still need to borrow lots more money to finish their dream. They could always sell the airport to raise some money to pay off the debts and pay for improvements to Social Services.

Wizz Air 6 New Routes Announced
 

Wizz Air have today announced six new routes:

Faro - From July (4x Weekly)
Corfu - From July (2x Weekly)
Zakynthos - From July (2x Weekly)
Heraklion (Crete) - From July (3x Weekly)
Rhodes - From July (2x Weekly)

Marrakesh - From October (4x Weekly)

I guess these are replacements for the Norwegian routes that seem to have been a big failure (with the exception of Tromso that restarts in December). I notice Turku in Finland has also disappeared too.

Wizz have made quite a few changes to their routes at Luton in the last 12 months

2019 included:
Bari, Bergen, Catania, Kutaisi, Ljubljana, Oslo, Porto, Prague, Stavanger, Tallinn, Turku
Seasonal: Verona

These routes are replaced in 2020 (at least according to the timetable) by
Castellón, Gran Canaria, Moscow–Vnukovo, Saint Petersburg, Tenerife–South, Vienna
Seasonal: Corfu, Faro, Heraklion, Marrakesh, Porto, Rhodes, Zakynthos

I wonder if the airport needs to be concerned with Virgin Atlantic closing operations at Gatwick and with BA threatening to do the same?

Gatwick has always been renowned as being the favourite choice for low cost carriers as the routes seem to be more profitable for the airlines and more bums on seats. Whenever slots become available there is always a rush to grab them!

I can imagine Wizz will be keen to further grow from there and easyJet to strengthen the fortress they currently have in place.

With easyJet delaying the arrival of any new aircraft, would they prefer to reduce operations at another base, so assets can be transferred south of the river?

It was a point I have made and I was condemned for making it.

Virgin have said they intend to keep their Gatwick slots at least for the short term, which won’t best please Gatwick and will be a relief to Luton.

I see there are major concerns about a domestic flight from Belfast to Heathrow operating at capacity with no social distancing. When it comes to Wizz flying farm workers into Luton in a near full aircraft no one is bothered.

Coronavirus: Aer Lingus review after packed flight complaint https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-52539141

The incoming pax on Wizz were coming from rural areas in countries with little virus, and proceeding to farms where they would be living on site, essentially quarantined. And they were given masks. No comparison.

The Aer Lingus story in my opinion is a non-story...

If you choose to travel at the moment, you are basically choosing to take the risk of being unable to social distance. Aer Lingus are the only airline operating between London and Belfast, and it’s inevitable the few seats being made available will sell out.

Looking at the Aer Lingus website many days they are sold out and charging a very handsome price on other days!

Its exactly the same with Wizz Air, you can cross your fingers for an empty flight and hope most people are not travelling, but if the flights full, tough!

Not all passengers were farm workers. So there are no concerns about passengers flying out of Luton from all corners of the country then? I can’t use my local tidy tip due to social distancing concerns but I can fly out on a full Wizz flight to say Portugal and then come back a few days later with no worries?

Why is it? Why am I in lockdown and can’t go to the pub?.

Remember social distancing is not only there to protect the individual who is prepared to take a chance but society in general and the NHS.

I meant its a non-news story, because it is impossible to social distance on an aircraft, unless it is probably flying with no more than 20-30 passengers on board and people boarding the aircraft should be very well aware that it is impossible to be more than 2 metres away from a fellow passenger if they have ever flown before!

I'm not here to discuss with you what the government says you can/can't do in lockdown, but the government has clearly decided to not stop airlines flying aircraft with passengers on.

I wonder if that might change this weekend. A 14 day quarantine period is apparently one option to overcome the lack of social distancing.
Assuming we have some kind of lid on Covid within the UK by that point then domestic flying would I presume be considered a lower risk.

We have to wait for the vision to be outlined by the PM.

The airlines are already kicking off about the idea of a 14 day quarantine. Meanwhile in New Zealand they have almost eliminated Covid 19 in part by closing its borders.

Coronavirus: UK airlines warn quarantine will 'kill air travel' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52523320

At Luton the airport appears to be playing lip service to government social distancing restrictions even with flights spaced hours apart while Wizz doesn’t give a monkeys with just an overnight deep clean and flying full aircraft.

Social distancing won't work on aircraft as the resultant passenger loads are not financially viable.
14 day quarantine will clearly impact travel negatively.
Busy flights (such as the Aer Lingus BHD - LHR flight) will no doubt attract further negative publicity in the media
For those who do want to travel, insurance costs are likely to be prohibitive for many
Whilst some resort areas are looking to restart this summer, it is likely to be domestic tourism first with international tourism later (and probably after the peak summer season.)

My search for some positivity continues but I am not finding anything much to work with right now.

More detail on the inspired or insane news by Wizz today. https://www.travelweekly.co.uk/artic...utes-from-june

Not sure LTN is doing anything differently from other UK airports that continue to operate tbh...

Hmmmm.... :suspect:

Stop the negativity!
 

Why is there so much negativity in this forum about LTN and Wizzair?

Other airlines like Emirates, Qatar, American, Virgin, Aer Lingus and BA are all operating limited schedules into other UK airports, and why is it so bad for Wizzair to re-start operations too, and its not like they are currently operating a full schedule either. They are only a few weeks ahead of other UK airlines.

I think todays news by Wizzair announcing six new routes is a major confidence boost for the airport, and that the airline has faith that Brits will want to travel.

No one is being made to travel and the first of these new routes do not start until July when hopefully Lockdown will be a distant memory and people want to get on with their lives. Nearly all other UK airlines are planning to have restarted operations well before July!

easyJet, Jet2 and TUI have made it clear their summer schedules are recommencing by mid-June and these new WIzz Air routes will just be joining them. If passengers already have holidays booked and the airlines are operating the flights, people will have no choice but to travel or potentially loose thousands on family holidays in the peak summer if they choose not to go.

I am sure the airport and airlines are planning to minimise the risks of travelling as much as possible and will be no worse than other UK airports/airlines. The risks are no worse than travelling by train or bus!

As long as people are healthy and follow guidelines laid down by authorities/airlines I am sure they will be fine.

Because both Wizzair and the airport are putting their own interests first while talking garbage about safety being their top priority.

Luton needs to open at the appropriate time and this doesn’t feel like the appropriate time when none of the UK restrictions have yet to be lifted and we are being told to stay indoors. Council owned libraries shut, sports centres shut, swimming pools shut, community centres shut. Airport open.

What is happening with other airports and airlines is for discussion on other threads but apart from repatriation flights I would stop all flights at the moment.

The comment about people having no choice but to travel on holiday or they will lose their money is a good reason why flights should not take place if people are put at risk particularly the old and medically vulnerable.

Does Luton have the power to close the airport to all airlines purely on health grounds, or is it only Govt that can take that decision ?

Are you talking about Luton Council or the airport operator?

I would think all decisions are made for commercial reasons but seeing councils have closed parks for non compliance they could close the terminal if they wish particularly as it is a council building. They would never do it though, as it would affect their own income.

Number one question for the airport operator is do they reduce the terminals hourly capacity. Without looking it up I think it is around 4,000 passengers an hour. What is a safe amount if more flights start? I am thinking maybe 20% but as photos have shown they cannot handle one flight safely as passengers don’t comply but then the airlines can’t comply either.

Same question would cover all forms of transport including buses and trains.

How do you square the circle of workers, in particular those we need to keep eating? Despite all the claims since 2016 Brits would farm the land, and despite high and rising unemployment and availability, it turns out they can’t. Then you have construction sites etc going back because a. the Government didn’t properly lock down and b. support wasn’t given to self-employed forcing them to fly on a full plane from Belfast, and probably Sofia etc

How did we eat 20 years ago. Plenty of farm jobs if the unemployed are prepared to live in farmer provided accommodation and then pay a chunk of their minimum wage back to the farmer.

It isn’t just farmers, when there are 5 people cleaning a car at a car wash for a grand cost of £6 what are they earning? There is lots of evidence of 10 people sleeping in a 3 bedroom slum rental while we all turn a blind eye. Eastern European’s are being exploited and it is happening all around Europe.

Back to Luton. Easyjet resume on the 18th but will they and to where?

It looks like Easyjet have put their start up date back to 1st June 2020, have checked a few destinations on their web site and all have high lead in fares even for this date.

I think much will depend on the Government advice which may be forthcoming on Sunday.

I have just watched the Transport Select Committee hearing and John Holland Kaye (Heathrow) and Karen Dee (of the AOA) both noted that clear direction was needed in the next few weeks around timescales to avoid the potential for significant job reductions in the airport sector. JHK spoke about a 3 to 5 month window for start up as avoiding this which suggests June may be a bit optimistic. Maybe domestic routes but until there is some wider inter-government plan for opening borders it is very difficult for anyone to plan with any certainty.

School holidays in July and August will focus a few minds but then the Spanish might spoil the party and a potential 2 week quarantine on return to the UK would be the nail in the coffin for 2020.

gilesdavies,
I believe you are incorrect with regards Virgin, as far as l am aware they are no longer flying passenger flights other than UK Gov repatriation flights.
They are flying cargo flights only.
Also l would say from your statement, As long as people are healthy and follow guidelines laid down by authorities/airlines I am sure they will be fine.
How do you know you are healthy?
A good number of people have Covid 19 but don't know they have got it and are as such passing it on by touching many surfaces.

Wizz Air.....
Wizz Air Holdings Plc is plotting a major expansion at London Gatwick airport as rival carriers pull back, paving the way for the Hungarian low-cost carrier to emerge from the travel downturn with a bigger presence in the world’s busiest city for passenger traffic.

Wizz, Europe’s third-biggest discounter, is keen to expand its U.K. business beyond a base at Luton, north of London, if it can get hold of the operating slots, Chief Executive Officer Jozsef Varadi said Wednesday in a phone interview. He said he’d like to turn Gatwick, located south of the capital city, into its second British hub.

The coronavirus crisis, while devastating to travel worldwide, is still providing opportunities for the handful of airlines that have the means and boldness to take risks. Wizz, which has signaled it will press its growth plans during the slump, has risen quickly in Eastern Europe but lags far behind Ryanair Holdings Plc and EasyJet Plc in the U.K. and much of western Europe.

An opening has emerged at Gatwick, where Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. said this week it will pull out and focus on London Heathrow to help ride out the Covid-19 pandemic. British Airways is reportedly looking to do the same, and with Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA, Gatwick’s No. 3 tenant, retrenching to survive the winter, the once full airport could soon have space for new entrants.

“We’ve been looking at Gatwick for a long time and we absolutely have an ambition to build a base there,” Varadi said.

Varadi said any expansion at Gatwick is contingent on being able to secure ownership of operating slots, as he wants to avoid taking over capacity temporarily only to hand it back later.

“We wouldn’t want to lease slots,” Varadi said. “You don’t make an investment in building up a business and the other guy then changes his mind.”

Budapest-based Wizz currently has only a handful of flights into Gatwick, whereas it bases 10 planes at Luton with a further 25 flying in from locations in mainland Europe. Since Gatwick is a bigger airport with a more developed infrastructure, an operation there could be at least that size, the CEO said.

Gatwick’s higher charges might be an obstacle to expansion for a carrier that boasts Europe’s lowest cost base, though those might come down as other airlines depart.

Varadi said he’s also unsure that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will actually surrender takeoff and landing positions. Virgin CEO Shai Weiss said Tuesday the intention is to lease out the slots until the market revives and a return to Gatwick becomes viable.

Wizz sought to establish itself as a force at Gatwick last year, when it was a contender for slots from failed Thomas Cook Group Plc. Those were bought by EasyJet, Gatwick’s biggest operator, while positions vacated by Monarch Airlines in 2017 went to British Airways owner IAG SA after Wizz had bid.

Business at Gatwick was booming before the coronavirus crisis crushed demand and prompted groundings of entire airline fleets. The airport, traditionally a leisure hub, had aspired to snag some of Heathrow’s full-service passengers, with French owner Vinci SA seeking to convert an emergency runway for regular use.

Credit Bloomberg

Luton seems to traditionally grow airlines that move off to LGW - over the years Court Line, Britannia, Monarch, and Easy have all drifted away in that direction for their London traffic. It is possible that Luton will see the biggest passenger fall after Southend in the short term, I think, worst case being only a secondary base for Easy and Wizzair and very little else.

Could this dilute the Luton operation?

They don't seem keen on taking a step back - may be of benefit as the brand becomes better known?

When Easyjet ramped up its Gatwick operations years ago Luton lost ground. It is only in recent years after an agreement that Easyjet increased its presence at Luton probably in part due to not having enough slots at Gatwick.

If Wizz gains enough slots at Gatwick any expansion that would have come Luton’s way will move south of the Thames. Not good for the Council that wants to double passenger numbers with an existing terminal built on the cheap by a franchise holder that was never interested in building quality but just wanted more floor space in the belief that passengers had no choice.

I can't see any loss at Luton, in 2/3 years time things would be back to where they were with slots being prized again. Yes some of their popular routes might get watered down but this will just open up other opportunities in new routes. Test them at Luton and it they work replicate at Gatwick. Wizzair have so many new frames arriving they will need to be based somewhere, unlike EZY they have not switched the taps off for 18 months.