Some positive news for the LTN forum, which seems to be home to the most depressing airport thread on this forum at the moment!

easyJet have added some new routes for Summer 2021, so I think this quashes an earlier rumour that the airline were planning to close their LTN base, which I never doubted anyway:
- Sharm El Shiekh (Twice Weekly)
- Hurghada (Weekly)
- Santorini (Twice Weekly June to September)
- Preveza (Twice Weekly June to September)
- Larnaca (Twice Weekly)

Source:EasyJet holidays adds 10 routes for summer 2021 - Travel Weekly

I think that will make Hurghada the longest scheduled route from the airport at 2457 miles.

It was mentioned in the news a few weeks ago tour operators were seeing a big jump in holiday bookings as more people were being vaccinated and the desire to travel for many, can't come soon enough. These new routes must come of the back of this.

Santorini isn't exactly a new route, as I flew Wizz and easyJet on the route last October, but it disappeared as a destination this year until now, when previously only Gatwick flights where bookable. Highly recommend a visit there, before all the cruise ships start invading the island again!

I wonder if Wizz will react and possibly add Sharm El Sheikh, they are operating the route out Cardiff, which is the first time the airline has ever flown to Sharm.

Just a few days left to comment on the airport's planning application https://planning.luton.gov.uk/online...=QMRHGXKGFQH00

Would be good to see some more support!

I can't help wondering which EZY routes will be cut or reduced to permit these new services.

avidspotter

No one needs to bother writing in for or against the application as the airport owner is the planning authority for planning applications related to its own airport. Something that other U.K. airports would like to have including Bristol, Leeds Bradford, Stansted and Southampton who are all struggling with planning applications. No such problems here in Luton.

Manx

Yep fine although I have not posted on this thread for a month, which is why it now goes for days without any news even though there is much to report including construction updates that I have now abandoned, as even those updates brings out criticism about breaking lockdown even though I never have so I can't be bothered .

One piece of news that I will share seeing I am posting is that the government bailout of the Council has strings attached that will not go down too well regarding the airport. Remember that the Council has lent its airport company around half a billion pounds that LLAL can't pay back to the Council so the Council has lent LLAL a further £83m to help pay the interest payments on the loans that were borrowed from the Council, as well as a cost overspend on the Dart.

The offending passage from the government is below, which sounds to me that the Council might have to sell part of the airport off or sell off the loans. If they sell the loans and they can't be repaid by LLAL the Council would lose the airport to the lender of the loans.

There are further issues about the planning authority for the airport being the owner of the airport. Yes it has been noticed. It would be better for the Council to turn down the planning application from the airport operator to demonstrate that they can separate the conflict of interest but I doubt they will.

I will pop back once in a while. Bye for now

Myself and others are interested in your insights. Please don't be put off by a few naysayers from giving us the benefit of your "inside track".

That's a clause and a half......

Not beyond the realms of fantasy to suggest that the airport may have to be sold off. The towns folk would then lose out on what was a regular and large source of income from THEIR airport.

Anyway, good news if you like trains. London Luton Airport welcomes new direct rail service | Airport Business

Cuts to front line services are being announced by the council with the closures of children centres whilst they bail out the airport for millions and millions.

I know none of us had a crystal ball and would have struggled to have foreseen the devastating impact 2020 and Covid would have had on aviation but, even still, the optics aren't great.

Nice picture of the train in the Buster link except that is not the train. The trains to be used are old flat nosed commuter trains that used to serve Southend Airport. The existing intercity EM trains are much more posher so while the service will double the comfort level will half.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_360

There is no way the airport should be sold off at the current point in time. A hedge or sovereign wealth fund would be able to come in and buy it for a fraction of the normal value. Yes the finances are not good at present, but no ones is - it is by far the biggest asset the town has. Can't help thinking there is some politicking at play.

Worth pointing out that the "airport" per se has not received a penny from the council. The loans are for LBC's airport company and nothing has been used to fund the operation.

Dannyboy39

So it's OK to make profits in the good times, but when the bad times come somebody else pays?

Ltnman might have now stopped posting regularly as he has the huff but boy does he make up for it in a single post that is a bombshell and that has generated nine replies . Where does he get his information from as this document is not in the public arena? If he had not posted a quote we would be none the wiser.

Avidspotter wrote "Worth pointing out that the "airport" per se has not received a penny from the council. The loans are for LBC's airport company and nothing has been used to fund the operation"

Is that meant to be a good or a bad thing? Large debts and nothing to show for it. Didn't Ltnman once say that the airport company has had to borrow new money from the council to pay the interest payments on its debts to the council while public services and jobs have had to be slashed. When it gets that bad it shouldn't need the government to tell them to untie the knot.

Good question! I imagine he found the information from that top secret Government website gov.uk:https://assets.publishing.service.go...1__signed_.pdf

On your other question, I wasn't passing judgement, just pointing out that none of this cash has actually gone to support those affected at the airport...

Good to see you back LTNman......Your input on this forum is much valued and those who choose to take offence should not be able stifle the debate on some very important issues...

https://www.air101.co.uk/2021/02/fly...o/fMxO+(Air101)

Blue Air anticipating going double daily on Heathrow-Bucharest from the start of Summer scheds.

It was 50 years ago today when the UK changed to decimal currency and Luton was the major hub airport for the transfer of old and new money being transported by a variety of aircraft. I did have a movements list but it seems to have gone AWOL A mixture DC-3s, Piper Navajos and HS748 were used if my memory serves me correctly. I know this is nostalgic but thought it might be a change from recent posts.

southside bobby

According to their online summer timetable, Blue Air will be offering double daily Heathrow, plus 11x per week LTN-Bucharest and 11x per week LTN-Bacau. At present, Bacau is Luton's busiest route!