But won't be...

Not in the immediate future, because the available budget is being spent on other things, but the Scottish Government's long-term infrastructure plan includes a target to significantly improve rail journey times to Aberdeen and Inverness from the central belt. Unless the budget is increased to fund a high-speed rail connection (which would cost a fortune), it'll likely be an incremental programme of improvements over decades. One of the ideas under consideration is a new line from Inverkeithing to Halbeath to enable long-distance trains to bypass the twisty section along the Fife coast. Although currently undefined, it may follow the M90 from Ferrytoll to Halbeath using a couple of bridges across the intervening valleys and may include reinstating the fast line through Cowdenbeath (currently a golf course).

Still a big gap between York and the border.

But that's a pretty straight and flat line York - Berwick IIRC - a big bend at Durham (oooo see the Cathedral) and one a bit north of Newcastle (?Morpeth?)

When I've used it its been the Edinborough - Berwick bit that has been slow - a bit like the GWR beyond Plymouth

Has anyone any detail on the aircraft and operator which took Aberdeen FC to Tblisi?

It was a Maleth Aero B733

SAS have put on an A320neo on the CPH flight this evening. SAS 1521/22 has also seen a few A319 of late in lieu of the usual CRJ900.

Reported in Portuguese press that FR are to close their FAO base in Jan 2020.

Presumably that will mean the end of their ABZ-FAO route despite its seemingly strong performance since inception?

Unless the base is taken over by Malta Air.

LM001 NCL 07:00 ABZ 07:50 x567
LM543 NCL 11:10 ABZ 12:05 x567
LM005 NCL 14:40 ABZ 15:30 5
LM007 NCL 18:00 ABZ 18:50 x67
LM007 NCL 18:15 ABZ 19:05 7

LM002 ABZ 08:20 NCL 09:10 x567
LM546 ABZ 15:40 NCL 16:35 x567
LM006 ABZ 16:00 NCL 16:50 5
LM008 ABZ 16:45 NCL 17:35 7
LM008 ABZ 19:20 NCL 20:10 x67

Loganair have made adjustments to there schedule from NCL to ABZ from 27OCT19. The current early afternoon departures from NCL will be replaced with a new late morning departure, with the return departure from ABZ only retimed slightly. (Changes shown in red)

Although there has not yet been any official info. It looks as if the change has been made to allow Loganair to offer a new 4 x weekly ABZ-NCL-BRU service as the retimed services have been allocated flight numbers currently used for NCL-BRU flights

Ironically BMIR tried a BRU link direct from ABZ with the ER3/4 (can't recall which) many years ago. Didn't last too long but it was, as now, a lunchtime departure. Interesting to see, if marketed properly, whether a one-stop will be any more successful.

Puts me in mind a wee bit of the days when Air UK routed the AMS service via EDI and BA operated a CDG-GLA-ABZ link, both way back in the 80s with short 1-11s.

I am that old! :O

well if the choice is changing at LHR it'll succeed - on the other hand if you can get to AMS it's a 60 second walk to a fast train south............

Fair play to Logie for making a go of ABZ as a base for them. I hope they succeed - no doubt there will be bumps in the runway & a bit turbulence on the way but they'll be ready for that I'm sure.

Anyone recall Coast Air A/S? They were the last to fly HAUABZ in the 90s with J31 & latterly ATR42 before they shifted the Norway end to BGO.

Helimed 79
 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla...tland-49636158
EC135 to be based at ABZ, 4yr contract with Babcock so presume it will be based with them on the east side.

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/...year-in-a-row/
Think it's fair to say the MD isn't exactly impressed!
Steve Szalay, managing director of Aberdeen International Airport, said: “Whilst all feedback is welcome, we’re not going to lose any sleep whatsoever over a survey based on feedback from just 48 people (0.002% of our annual passenger numbers) and which couldn’t get enough respondents to provide a rating for all of the categories.
“The survey is months out of date and in no way tallies with the hugely positive feedback we’re receiving from the tens of thousands of passengers who are traveling through our doors on a weekly basis."

West Atlantic
 

Looks like two 737s now at ABZ daystopping to operate the evening freighters.

734 for DHL, and in place of an ATP a 733 for Royal Mail(??)

Seems to be a permanent change.

Plus of course the Loganair Saab 340, for now.