Derry/Londonderry-3
 

More emergency funding for the airport. Whilst I wholeheartedly support CoDA, I hope they have devised some kind of post-Covid plan (and with the various vaccines proving their efficacy, we can start looking forward to this) to help bolster and boost the route network. I appreciate that will be a tricky thing to do in the current climate.

https://www.derrystrabane.com/Counci...comed-for-CODA

Good to see government at long last seeing the need to support our airports. Hope same support will apply to BHD and BFS

BBC coverage
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northe...-west-55005084

I think Bhd and Ldy have both had support, I'm not sure that Bfs has had any. Not sure why Bfs has had no support.

It sounds as if BFS will be in line for some shortly too. :ok:

An unelected Councillor is calling for the airport to be closed in response to the new covid strain

I'd be surprised if that were to come about as LM have already changed their schedule to reflect what they had during the last peak (6x Weekly) with altered times this time about to support essential business travel.

It's certainly been a hectic week I'm sure for all involved at the airport. I'm not sure if this is related to what the previous poster mentioned but this was published there:

https://www.derrynow.com/news/news/5...y-airport.html

With the airport essentially running at 20% of its usual numbers, I:d ideally like to see some sort of compromise scenario.

As mentioned the Councillor involved was co-opted and wants to make a name for himself

Back to the negotiation table: https://www.derryjournal.com/lifesty...rector-3086289

Further to this a short interview was given from the manager too about the operation during the pandemic: https://www.derryjournal.com/lifesty...frazer-3086231

LDY-LPL is being increased to 4x weekly for S21 with the extra flight operating in late afternoon every Sunday. Not on sale at present but the times are visible.

CAA stats for November 2020:

LDY movements:

248 (2020) = -55%

554 (2019)

Passenger Numbers:

5,580 (2020) = -69%

18,005 (2019)

Passengers per route:

- EDINBURGH (EDI) = 1,859 = -58%
- GLASGOW (GLA) = 14 = -69%
- LIVERPOOL (LPL) = 2,237 = -43%
- LONDON (STN) = 1,470 = -54% (When compared to SEN during NOV 2019)

Load Factors:

- EDINBURGH (EDI) = 41%
- GLASGOW (GLA) = 15%
- LIVERPOOL (LPL) = 42%
- LONDON (STN) = 53%



CAA stats for December 2020:

LDY movements:

158 (2020) = -61%

404 (2019)

Passenger Numbers:

5,964 (2020) = -68%

18,419 (2019)

Passengers per route:

- EDINBURGH (EDI) = 1,527 = -79%
- LIVERPOOL (LPL) = 2,550 = -55%
- LONDON (STN) = ~1,848 = -46% (When compared to SEN during NOV 2019)

Load Factors:

- EDINBURGH (EDI) = 37%
- LIVERPOOL (LPL) = 56%
- LONDON (STN) = 48%



I have preliminary figures for the full year, just need them confirmed. I think given the challenges presented this year, these stats really aren't as bad as we would've all feared. I'd like to think an improvement across the board will begin to come to light over the coming months towards the start of summer and all being well, those improvements will be permanent. Stay safe!

Being reported that Ryanair is canning all UK domestic routes. I assume this includes. LDY-EDI and LDY-LPL. While flights are still listed in their website, they are no longer bookable.

Not good at all. I think everyone thought that this would eventually sorted one way or another in fairness.

Every cloud has a silver lining with LDY. Let’s hope this is no exception.

Looks like Edinburgh and Liverpool to City of Derry has been cut from Ryanair, i wounder would loganair will be interested in taking over these 2 routes

Good start on recovering, albeit we didn’t expect it would be a last minute Brexit technicality.

Whilst the capacity won’t be returning to FR levels anytime soon it’s brilliant to see these coming online at some level. The daily service will prove viable I’m sure and it’s good to see GLA being increased to 7x weekly as well. Crucial that LPL is starting before the summer to in my eyes.

Its does beg the question if anything else could be a possibility now too. With smaller capacities on existing routes, could it reopen the likes of MAN without the tough competition from FR on LPL and could EDI potentially make a reappearance now that even despite GLA’s increase, the capacity to the central belt will still be hugely suppressed. The Midlands/Jersey were touted too when LM’s MD came across for the 40 anniversary of themselves at the airport, not saying these are a direct possibility but hopefully this is the start of a growth period too rather than a recovery. It’s going to take a lot more ER4s operating daily to make back the previous throughput which seems to be the only important aspect to local Joe on the street discussing the airports viability. Obviously again it’ll take further investment in the airport through an extra based frame or a rework of schedules but stranger things have happened in the last year. Much much stranger at that! :}

Strong rumours circulating that the LDY-STN flights will transfer to LHR at the end of May. Impressive, but given the record low traffic numbers at LHR, I’d imagine there are slots to be had.

I think it's more fact than rumours at this stage. Be interesting to see if it code shares. If so could be big boost for North West.

Announcement due any day I am informed. LDY showing as a departure point on BA.com - however not sure if this was the case previously with connections via GLA or if it's a positive sign that will be a BA codeshare which if correct is a huge plus for the airport and region

It was indeed listed over on ba.com however it was completely unusable as no matter what combination you’d input through GLA it would bring back nothing. Here’s hoping there will be a BA codeshare as it would truly mean the world to a region like the NW.

LHR
 

Looks like the LDY slots have disappeared from the Heathrow T2 arrivals/departures for May and June. Still visible from 1st July on. Some indication of their intentions would be helpful. Worth noting that the entry point fare from T2 to IOM or Teeside is around £79, reflecting high operating costs from LHR. This would not sell well in the LDY market, which prefers the current £39 starting point (but would really like Ryanair much more).

Loganair W21/22
 

Loganair’s winter 2021/2020 schedule was published today and is roughly as follows:

STN 13x Weekly (Single service on a Saturday.)
LPL 7x Weekly
GLA 5x Weekly (Doesn’t operate on Wednesdays or Saturdays.)

No real surprises however it’s good to see LPL is maintaining its summer frequency which was set to be reduced after August to 6x weekly. STN is still showing after it’s much rumoured switch to LHR however it is important to note that starting fares have risen from their previous ~£40 starting fare to ~£75 which is inline with their other offerings into LHR. Most services remain operated by the local crews apart from 2x of the GLA rotations. Always a platform to hopefully build upon with better times and frequencies down the line all being well.