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In the latest Which? Customer satisfaction survey for longhaul travel Ex the UK, the bottom 3 were, United, American & then BA. Probably more of an influence than the old LHR MAN debate that resurfaced every 6 months or so.
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Surely the prime interest of the North-West economy is to maximise choice for all purposes, business and leisure. I'd have thought there are many world destinations --- US, Canada, Central and S America, S Africa and Australia among them--- where it's in the North West's interest to have via LHR as an option alongside via AMS,CDG,DXB and DUB plus direct where the volume supports it.
Maybe when HS2 turns up that situation might change but until then via LHR remains important. |
Originally Posted by SWBKCB
(Post 9992309)
D_D - apologies - misread your post, thought that was what you were implying!
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Sorry but this just isn't true. It is quicker if your points of origin and destination are near the terminating station. Lots of businesses are closer to the airports. Usually it is much cheaper to fly too. As a regular "by air" fan, I did try the train a few weeks ago (on a Sunday). Never again. At least on the plane you are guaranteed a seat and it is possible to buy food and drink and walk to the lavatory. Try the train on a Sunday (even F class) and compare. Even the nightmare that often is MAN T3 security compared well. Yes you're right, unless you're going city centre to city centre on a weekday, the train isn't quicker. Unlike Ringway, trains from the north do NOT run to Heathrow. Maybe when HS2 turns up that situation might change but until then via LHR remains important. |
A few days ago on this thread there were references to A380 diversions last week due to weather. I would like to know, out of interest, if it is only possible for the A380, in the UK, to be diverted to one of the current four scheduled ops airports, or are there other UK airports that could handle an A380 diversion?
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I know Glasgow can take an A380 as EK have landed a scheduled one previously, also PWK has had a touch & go and STN runway is long enough. This is also why both PWK & STN are used as the counter terror diverts as they can take all aircraft on their runways. It’s having the push back bars, other aircraft movements and the trained staff in place whether they would accept diverts. If Capt needed down ASAP I suspect that will come first and sorting out how to get it back up later comes second.
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Ironic discussion about El Al just a couple of pages back - they are planning a return to MAN next summer, Thu & Sun 737-800 TLV-MAN-TLV services!
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Nice, it’s been a long time coming!
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I hope they don't price themselves out of the market. I would very much like to use them, but the timings and costs need to make sense.
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Originally Posted by FQTLSteve
(Post 9992991)
A few days ago on this thread there were references to A380 diversions last week due to weather. I would like to know, out of interest, if it is only possible for the A380, in the UK, to be diverted to one of the current four scheduled ops airports, or are there other UK airports that could handle an A380 diversion?
However after 45 mins of holding over a snow ravaged BHX, declared a fuel emergency and then was accepted by Manchester. An airport has to be approved by the CAA to accept A380s and I think the only airports that are at present; BHX MAN LHR LGW. Airports have to satisfy wing clearance, runway taxiway and apron strength and Code F fire cover. Which I think has to be at least Cat 9-10 . |
Just to clarify STN satisfies all the CAA mandates pointed out as does PIK as both handle regular B748 service/ops which is itself a Cat 10 a/c.
A BAW A380 visited & parked on the Terminal at STN to demonstrate & satisfy those published requirements . Effective ground handling on stand precludes it. |
Looks like VS have adjusted freq to ATL/MCO next summer.
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Originally Posted by Flightrider
(Post 9993050)
Ironic discussion about El Al just a couple of pages back - they are planning a return to MAN next summer, Thu & Sun 737-800 TLV-MAN-TLV services!
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Dual runway operations over this coming festive period will be everyday except Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
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That's very interesting Nigel, so why was it refused when the only alternative then was LGW? What would have happened if they had refused too would it have had to go BRU/AMS etc.
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They would have done exactly the same declared an emergency and diverted to Manchester anyway.
The crew had pretty much made up their minds where they wanted to go notam or not. |
Originally Posted by canberra97
(Post 9993513)
Great news if it materialises and as you quote very ironic considering that I brought the topic up only last week.
Won’t threaten Easy or indeed the business communities who will continue to route via Zurich and Frankfurt. |
But think, could potentially be easier to get ELAL ‘proper’ via these flights than continuing to attempt the same via a standing start of no Sun’dor flights.
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So, MAG have got their sought after EK service from STN. Wonder if they'll ever get an EMA-DXB?
Is there anything serving STN that could be convinced to give MAN a go? |
Pax wise, the only STN airlines I’m aware of MAN actively trying to court are Pegasus (for SAW) and Air Moldova (for KIV). Pretty much all the others barring the new ones for next year (such as Primera, WOW and Air Mediterranean) already serve MAN.
Pegasus May pay off with 4 weekly SAW applied for, but Air Moldova remain on the wish list. |
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