Flybe
 

I learned today from an impeccable source that negotiations are still ongoing with Flybe, but that there is an operational 'issue' with the EMB-195.

I can only assume this to be TODA or LDA being insufficient at SEN to allow MTOW operations of the aircraft.

Does anyone have the 195's performance figures to hand to check this? I have seen those for the 190 and that seems OK, but obviously the 195 is somewhat larger.

Embraer`s site states ...

Takeoff Field Length, ISA, MTOW7,386ft2,251m Takeoff Field Length, ISA, SL, TOW for 500nm4,892ft1,491m

Landing Field Length, SL, MLW4,708ft1,435m

And someone please correct me if i am wrong but i think Southend has 1605m runway length?

Jamie

It doe's, but thats total runway length.

06 TORA 1459 TODA 1544 ASDA 1459 LDA1285
24 TORA 1531 TODA 1591 ASDA 1546 LDA1399

Is that enough?

Anyway, I hope it works out for Southend. :}

Flybe EMB-195
 

Thanks for those figures Jamie.

Phew! It's a bit of a ground-hugger isn't it?

Hard to think of another 120-seater that needs that length of TODA.

I hate to think what it needs on an ISA-plus day with a ground temp of around 30C say. Even ops out of SOU will be at RTOWs as their TODA is only some 1,800 metres.

I can't really see how SEN can accomodate the 195 realistically, although I had always assumed that Flybe would operate just with Q400s on their planned route network ex SEN. Perhaps their plans are more ambitious than I thought.

My source also says that negotiations are going on with other regionals with a view to commencement of services in Spring 2007. Anyone any ideas who these other operators might be?

Now chaps without being negative as I have been accused of over the terminal and the other lack of facilities; we now come to another crunch issue what aircraft can actually service the airfield anyway. It seems to me that offering LOCO services on a dash 8 may not be a viable option. Lets face it SEN is not likely to become another LCY. I hope I am proved wrong.

repaints
 

Latest repaint is 737-300 for ARIKAIR, Wings of Nigeria.
Name on nose is AUGUSTINE. At present it carries reg. number N354UA

Neither Arik was painted at Southend. Both arrived from the US in full 'Arik' colours. Currently on maintenance with ATC.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Vulcan at Southend it will be performing a power run down the runway tomorrow (Saturday).

The public are invited to attend this special occasion and there will (probably) be an opportunity to visit the cockpit.

Sorry this is short notice - it's in my local rag, dated Weds., and only just delivered by sloppy kids!

Nuts working again... :ugh: I thought they had run last weekend? :confused:

Knowing the YA, that's entirely possible!

Terminal Extension
 

Rochford District Council have called for an Environmental Impact Assessment in respect of the effects of increased road traffic generated by the proposal.

This will obviously delay their decision-making process.

That`s interesting, did that come from the RDC website??

If so do you have a link?

It can get a little busy around the "Airport" roundabout at weekends, trouble is everyones trying to get to McDonalds & Argoose!

Jamie

Jamie,

Yes it's from the RDC website.

I cannot post a link but if you Google Rochford District Council and follow the links on their website vto Planning Appications, then click on Enter Public Access at the bottom of that page. Then enter 06/00546 in the application number field, that will take you to it.

And if they reject the proposal? Then what? :ugh:

I suppose it that were to happen RAL would need to appeal the decision.

I don't think there's anything particularly sinister in requiring an EIA, but merely that RDC think it appropriate that one is provided. After all, they have already approved the new terminal plans for which (I assume) an EIA was required.

I see that the Fordair Cologne route generated some 3,600 'pax' during July and the Flybe Jersey route 700 plus. Small fry by most standards, but at least it's a start I suppose.

Rochford District Council has to be seen to go through 'due process', after all it is an elected public authority.

Southend is a small but significant player in the planned runway
capacity requirement within the South East. I do not think that the
Government would allow it's future to be completely compromised
by local politics.

However RAL does have a growing credibility problem locally and perhaps
within the industry. Having fought hard to obtain planning permission for
a new terminal and railway station, made the necessary CAA RESA
modifications, and publically forecast the announcement of new scheduled
services, little seems to have happened.

The runway length is a constraint, but no more than Guernsey, or London
City, both of which operate very commercially within their limitations.

Let us hope that some positive news will be forthcoming to add
to the successful Ford operation.

There certainly is an element of frustration building up within the local community, with word going around recently that 'only' Spanish and Portugese holiday destinations are likely to be on offer. I assume this may be linked with the EMB-195 situation, although it is starting to look as if even those destinations might not be practical with that aircraft.
I am surprised that the Q400 is totally ruled out to serve those destinations - surely it has the range and a reasonable capacity. Does anyone know the relative block times on, say, SEN-PMI for the two aircraft?

One thing is certain, and that is that RAL could not be trying harder to attract scheduled operators - I know that from my recent contacts with them - and they know that summer 2007 is the crunch time. If no services are in place by then, the credibility of their plans must be in doubt.

There is definitely no question of going ahead with construction of the new terminal/train station without a certain level of scheduled services being in place, of that I am sure.

As always, it is the classic 'chicken and egg' situation.

I would disagree with Tilewood that any comparisons can be made with London City and Guernsey - the former has a unique situation and a huge, high yield business traffic-base on its doorstep sufficient to make it economical for operators to tailor their equipment to the runway constraints, while the latter, being an island with large tourist and business traffic potential, means operators have no other option but use it. I agree that both cases do illustrate that SEN's runway is suitable for the viable operation of certain aircraft types, but it simply does not have the imperatives that LCY and GCI enjoy.

Southend further delayed
 

It's disappointing to see yet another delay in the Airport's plan to become successful again.

I can't quite see what Rochford Council is going to achieve with it's environmental impact review, as whatever happens road traffic in the area is going to increase, whether the Airport is allowed to expand or the whole lot closed down and concreted over with thousands of new homes and factories. Only by leaving the whole site as an open space would there be no impact on the local environment, and we all know that's not going to happen.

Regarding potential routes, I've always thought of Spain and Portugal as being ideal destinations from Southend, given the number of villa owners/timeshare holders/ retired people who live within the Airport's catchment area, which I see extending as far west as Romford and East London. I think this type of passenger should initially be the target of the Airports aspirations before trying to lure the mass holiday market.

In view of this, I have long thought Flightline should try operating services out of Southend to the Med with their 146's, and perhaps now the Ford contract seems to be going smoothly, who knows if they might be considering expanding their scheduled service activity.

Cheers

Southender

But what about the plans for the extension to the existing terminal? Will that go ahead regardless? Surely to some extent, its better to start investing in the infrastructure in order to prove the airports commitment to provide for the airlines 'when' they start. However small at first?

:8

I have to say i was in the terminal yesterday and it was quite busy, no flights (PAX) but the Cafe area was packed and quite a few people about, so at least its not deserted when there are no movements.:}