Thats interesting, I thought the 738 is, as a rule, a poorer performer than the A319/320, is this the benefit of the SFP on FRs newer 737s? Apparently the 320neo is, more or less, unrestricted out of SEN, unlike the A319s - easyJets examples are derated, I understand? Interestingly most of the A319 sales in recent years have been to Chinese airlines operating into high airfields in the Himalayas - a different species of A319 to ehe easyJet examples.

As a matter of interest has LTN ever suffered restrictive RTOWs due to surface temperature? I ask only because although LTN has excellent TODAs of 3,243m, due to its geographical features, it has an TORA/ASDA of 'only' 2,162m on 08. As I say, just curious about it and no hidden agenda.

That is not true. Us folk at Luton can be very critical of LTN and rightly so. I certainly say it how I see it and don't paint a picture of a flower when I see a turd. Many subjects would be no go areas here as it would be seen as picking on Southend but improvements often only come from pressure to do things better.

You will have to dig some out for me then and then compare some of my LTN posts.

Anyway this thread is about Southend and not those that post.

We await to hear a report from Expressflight not that anything can be done about the weather but it will be interesting to hear anyway as Southend hits the summer peak about how the airport is coping and if there is room for improvement.

I'll share my thoughts later regarding my SEN visit yesterday but I have the numbers for the first two FlyOne Chisinau (KIV) flights this week. Inbound to SEN they were 28 and 24 respectively while outbound they were 144 and 144.

Impressive figures for the outbounds I assume a few infants were onboard as its a 132 config on the a319

There was actually 144 + 6 children outward.
Seating is for 144 on A319

Looking at the prices on Flyone's website, demand appears to be there - if you want the next flight from Southend Municipal Airport to Chisinau it will cost you in excess of €600.

It's very early, but it would be nice to think this may be a route that will last more than a season.

Impressive as there are established connections at LTN & STN and the airports own web site doesn't list Southend as a route

​​Ah thank you for some reason I thought it was 132, very good loads!

I found it interesting that Warwick Brady, in a feature on Stobart Group on the the Proactiveinvestors website, is quoted saying that among Stobart's aims was the creation of "a Virgin-branded network to complement our portfolio of airlines at the airport (SEN)". That's the first time I have seen any specific reference to their plans for SEN directly arising from the creation of Connect Airways (the vehicle created for the purchase of Flybe and the embodyment of Stobart Air within that entity).
Hopefully the exact nature this "Virgin-branded network" will become clear before too long.

Have a feeling that's all it will be in the short term, and I'd love to be wrong, but I don't see any dramatic growth directly from Connect.

Stobart have demonstrated that they can attract airlines to SEN, I just think that's the way they will wish to continue to grow the airport, not go down the organic route again.

To be frank, I think there's more chance of Chris Grayling keeping his job as Transport Secretary........ hold on - breaking news - he's been sacked!