Prestwick-Belfast was the shortest trip on FR route until it was pulled, an amazing 82m direct. I don't know if LDY is further than that or not.

VLC-IBZ is also very short, about the same as PIK-LDY.

I've heard before that the actual flying time of the PIK-LDY route can be done in less than 20 minutes if it's a north-westerly departure out of PIK and a westerly arrival into LDY, like it is usually. However this would make the flight back much longer.

I've also heard that they still manage to serve tea, coffee, cold drinks, food and snacks as well as duty free and scratch cards on this flight!!!

FR probably schedule it on the assumption of the longest track miles, (ie. south-easterly departure from PIK and easterly arrival in LDY). This flight often tends to be quite early and I've seen this route get back into PIK the best part of an hour ahead of schedule before and that's probably why.

I used to use the PIK-BHD service fairly regularly up until it was withdrawn. It was always cheaper to use that than use EZY or BE from EDI/GLA/DND, the half price train travel to PIK from anywhere in Scotland helped too!

Quite often the CC would just make an announcement saying if anyone wanted to purchase anything then just press the call button. The short flying time meant it was pretty much pointless on a full flight to even try and go down the aisle as by the time they got half way down, it would be time to reverse, pack it all away again and get ready for landing. I clocked it once as being 45 minutes from door closing in PIK to me leaving the terminal at BHD (never took a bag with me).

There was (still is?) a locally operated bus that leaves after the last train - about 1am and runs to Glasgow and Edinburgh before returning in time for 5am check-in. Info on the PIK website when I last used it in 2011.

I was also a regular on BHD-PIK until its cessation. Quickest was 21 min runway to runway. At the end it was operated by the BHD crew as part of one of the only six sector shifts Ryanair operated: BHD-STN-BHD-LPL-BHD-PIK-BHD.

any more news? Last I heard was that there is only one interested party and they are not very enthusiastic about buying. Would Infratil close the gates and walk away?

"Not very enthusiastic"?!? Sounds just like INFRATIL!! :ugh:

There was (still is?) a locally operated bus that leaves after the last train - about 1am and runs to Glasgow and Edinburgh before returning in time for 5am check-in.

It might be a good idea if such a bus existed. In fact the bus is scheduled to leave at 2359 - despite the fact that there are flights timed to arrive at 2355.

It is an effective way to ensure that people arriving from elsewhere decide to use another airport.

Rumour Control tells me that a bid has been submitted today? Anyone know?

Bid
 

GCE, word on the street is that it's a consortium with big plans for the future. Apparently the first change will be the "Pure Dead Brilliant" sign;)

I`ll second that.:D

Beat me to it.... I`ll Third That! :D

PS....."I`ll take that bloody sign down for them for FREE!" :rolleyes:

Let's not get carried away just yet, but hopefully it is true. The consortium is going to need more than just big plans, at the very least they're going to need big pockets (filled with folding money) and a snazzy new slogan to go with the big plans. But fingers crossed this is the beginning of the end of Infratils ownership...

nothing comming through from the powers that be at the airport so far..

I really think everyone of use would volunteer to get rid of that awfull slogan and put PIK back to Scotlands Airport -

"nothing coming through from the powers that be at the airport so far.."

Doesn`t surprise me, Infratil are not exactly forthcoming about much......:ugh: If there is a deal being done it won`t be announced until everything is concrete!

normally they leak like anything..

Maybe this one`s watertight which suggests no leaks! What Prestwick needs is..

1. A terminal the same size, design as Inverness.
2. An Aircraft recycling service, studies suggest between 500 & 700 aircraft across Europe alone will need to be scrapped this year.
3. Ryanair should think about how they make their money, and pay their way a bit more. (Never going to happen!)
4. An owner with money, passion, oh and gives a !!!!!!
5. Passenger numbers may be up, still needs Infratil out! (seems any sale is moving at Infratil`s speed - slow!)

I'm beginning to wonder if a bid has actually been received, surely Infratil would have made an announcement if one (or more) had been received.

Hopefully, i'm just being pessimistic, and that one has gone in and been bound by a confidentiality clause until finalised

The boneyard idea is a really good one. The 777-300ER has pretty much killed the 747 now you will see their numbers decline rapidly .Not a great climate to work outside year round though. At the moment it is snowy and baltic cold.:ok::ugh::=

The bus to Glasgow and Edinburgh actually leaves at 00:30 when there are later arrivals such as those at 23:55. The website shows it as 23:59 in order to ensure that anyone who pre-books books for the correct day.

Titan 752 doing touch and goes today, surely the best looking aircraft ever and an amazing Titan colour scheme. Maybe could start a rumour, Titan opening new routes from EGPK for tour operator!!!! :=