Ncl
 

Continuing my crusade to raise awareness of Newcastle, I have heard that BACX are expanding here by basing a third aircraft, namely a J41. Not sure what its going to operate though. This a/c is in addition to Dash 8 and another J41, though there are concerns that the Dash will go south, as the number in the BACX fleet is being drastically reduced.

GO have also been dropping hints of a possible expansion, being quoted as saying 'they are looking at a new bas to open every year, the north of england featuring heavily in their plans!' :p :D :rolleyes:

Any info on CRJ's or ERJ's coming to Ncl ex BA? How is the new BE service doing to IOM/BHD. Please tell me that those awful vomit buckets are being gotten rid of in Ncl.. i.e the d8 and j41/31.. or whatever the hell they are. Absolutely dreadful.

Based on the performance of the 41's at LBA recently, the merits of having an extra one based up there are dubious to say the least. Any cancellations tomorrow from BA will make it 7 days in a row where they have cancelled flights ex LBA due to technical issues with the a/c.

Re the north of england as a likely base for a low-cost carrier - absolutely. The success of LPL in the North West in particular should highlight the huge potential to the East of the Pennines to any potential airlines. IMHO, Teesside has as much to offer as any airport in this region as its low-cost footprint would extend as far north as NCL and as far south as South Yorks, with North & West Yorks tucked in the middle - a significant catchment area. Add to that the fact that the airport authority will no doubt be falling over themselves to offer discounts / incentives and the potential is there for something to happen.

682

No BACX are not getting rid of those awful vomit buckets at NCL. Infact the D8 is a pretty comfortable aircraft and is servicing the NCL-DUB very well. I do have to say that the J41 used to BHX and CWL is not the nicest of aircraft, as both passengers and crew have said on a number of occasions. However I believe it is extremely profitable, and that is the main thing. Maybe when the routes are developed such as those from NCL to BHX/CWL/DUB a ERJ145 may be called for - but that is another spot of dreaming!

With regards to the J41 suffering tech difficulties, BACX were dealt another blow on Monday evening when a Groundstar tow tug bashed the wing of a 41 on the ground in NCL. Today has been the first day that BHX flights have resumed.

And the low cost thing in the Northeast, I firmly believe GO are coming to NCL soon to operate leisure routes to the likes of BCN/AGP/NCE etc.

Sorry but the BHx today were Cancelled, certainly the mid afternoon ones were along with yesterdays. As for the D8 to Dublin....bring back the EI F50 and weekend BAe 146...all is forgiven. At least the F50 could handle moderate headwinds and not be thrown about like a wet hankie on a kamikazee mission. Since they took over the route the need for the thrill of Disneyland has evaporated and all one needs is a same day return NCl/DUB on a D8 with a healthy wind. Its the best way of Dieting.

You might 'firmly believe it' toontartcart, but I suspect that at the end of the day that you've as much idea as the rest of us - unless of course you work for the airline in quesiton.

Interestingly, the two UK bases that Go have opened outside of Stansted so far, have been at airports which at the time of the announcement had no existing service by the airline (BRS & EMA). This would suggest that an existing service e.g. NCL-STN or BFS-STN, is no guarantee that a full base will automatically follow. Nor of course, does it preclude such a development.

Also, I think that the market opportunity for a low-cost carrier is the North of England e.g. Yorkshire, Humberside, Tesside and Tyneside, as opposed to just the North East. Logically, a carrier would look to maximise this opportunity by basing itself in a central location in this region. The problem with NCL is that you wouldn't get the Yorkshire & Humberside market. Similarly the problem with LBA is that you wouldn't get the NCL market. At Teesside you've got a fighting chance of getting both in addition to the local catchment area. Add to that the bargins to be had in terms of landing fees and its got to be a strong contender.

We'll just have to wait n see, I suppose.

682

Shortage of parking and narrow taxyways at MME (requiring backtracking for B737/A321) are two negative factors here, but you never know......

At a rough guess, another J41 at NCL would operate either a beefed-up CWL service (unlikely) or a beefed up ABZ service with an early morning northbound to ABZ and late evening southbound. The BA schedule on NCL-ABZ for NCL originating passengers is awful. It could also take over the NCL-ORK for which the DH8 is a bit big, releasing the DH8 for a fourth daily NCL-DUB. Just a thought!

Anyone know how the NCL-DUS route is doing?

The Lufthansa, Eurowings operated NCL-DUS schedule is doing very well at the moment. The flight is often very full, but usually, particularly at weekends with leisure orientated passengers. Maybe if the timings were improved, more tailored to the business traveller the service would be booming. I wouldn't be surprised if LH added extra NCL services in the distant future. Considering how many pax travel to germany via the likes of AMS/CDG/BRU/LON I would think Its worth a try.

Also there is still no sign of the Eastern Airways NCL/MAN service commencing?

And can we stop knocking the BACX Dash 8. It really is quite a nice aircraft, ideal for NCL/DUB. More to the point the crews who operate this service are some of the most friendliest and polite crew I have ever met.

Airlines are trying to build a secure future at NCL, somewhere which has often been overlooked, though I'm not quite sure what BA are doing using a 737 4xdaily on the LGW run. It is rarely over half full. Bring on a ERJ145 of BACX and up frequency to 5 or 6 times a day. The scheduled scene at NCL is steadily being developed and on the charter front there is to be some interesting movements this summer. The range of flights being offered from NCL, both scheduled and charter are gradually expanding, with a couple of destinations being added every year, this year its Venice. The range of services at NCL is improving so lets see what the future holds??? :confused:

Isnt the NCL-LGW route done by a mix of RJ100s and 737s?

ToonTartCart-The crews on the D8 are THE best i've seen or talked to in the whole of the BA 'family' including longhaul. They are the most approachable and most honest if something happens to the respective flights. They could really teach a lesson to some longhaul crews.

St Crispin I totally, whole heartedly agree with you 110%. Its a shame that the rumour looks as though its true - the Dash is leaving NCL, to be replaced by that lovely, passenger friendly, comfortable J41!

P.S Have we met in this life? :D

TTC,

I'm very sad to hear that the Dash is leaving NCL. It has been a good performer over the years, and considering that there has never been any company engineering in NCL, has done very well under the watchful eye of the BA Engineers. A good job has been done by all.

It is even more dissapointing to hear that the management plan to replace the Dash with that awful J41. Unfortunately BACX management (all departments) are all pulling in different directions, with Waterside pulling differently again.

Until BA get their own management team in, things wont improve. It is due to the Isle of Man mentallity. Which no-one can deny, considering that almost 90% of the BACX management team are all ex BRAL/Manx. Anyway, S&S will sort that out, and if they can't see it coming, they should go back to school and learn how to read. It is glaringly obvious.

NCL is a good base, infact, a very good base. All the ex Brymon guys are so very hard working, and therefore the main reason that it has remained a successful base. It is only the management that has let NCL down. Quick reminder, they pulled off the CDG route because they did'nt know how to compete with GILL, and then the same with CPH/BFS.

Keep up the good work, and hopefully when the new management are in place, they will have the forsight to bring in a reliable fleet, that can serve NCL and the surrounding communities, in a way that the J41 can't.

Good Luck to you all,

Bring back Gill
 

As a one-time local of NCL I enjoy toontartcart's efforts to keep the Toon in the news.

BUT.....replacing Dash 8's with Sodastreams? That is, erm, backwards at best. Embraers, yes, I can even see the benefit in ATP's (more seats an more noise), but surely the BRAL/CX management should be looking to get rid of J41's?

Where are the Dash 8's at NCL going?

Any more news on this MAN operation?

Bring back Gill Air, all is forgiven!


WT

Replacing the DH8 with a JS41 is a joke. The Dublin runs at 70% load factors with a Dash, so say good bye to pax with a 41. I have heard a rumour BE were thinking about doing the Dublin, so will this become another route dumped by BA?
Another rumour a few months back had GO thinking about the Dublin, so who Knows.

One thing for certain BA putting J41's on the route is as good as giving it up!:o

p.s The J41 is doing some DUB this summer on a Saturday while the Dash goes to JER ?? So is some one just putting 2+2=96?

Bring back Gill
 

Anyone know how well the DUB route did with both Gill Airways and Brymon on it?

WT

Just to clarify a few things. Apparantly the BACX Dash 8 is leaving NCL to go Southampton for use on Channel Islands service. This movement, at a rough guess ties in with Size and Shape which is due to be announced on Wednesday with a few nasty surprises in store! Due to a few more D8's being returned to the lessors, the management want a common fleet at NCL, hence the J41! However apparantly it won't just be a couple of 41's, but about 5 by the end of the year.

I totally agree with those of you who say that if the DUB goes on a J41, passengers will be lost. Take yesterday for example, there was not a spare seat on any flight, making a total of 300 pax! Not something the 41 could achieve? The DUB however did pretty well when Gill were about, though its doing better now.

A few other things which I suspect will be announced on wednesday is that BACX are abandoning the onboard club europe service, 2 bases are to close, with other bases including NCL and LBA to increase services?

And World Traveller the Eastern Airways NCL/MAN flights are showing on the Newcastle Airport Summer 2002 Programme, but other than that have heard nothing more! :confused:

Any other News from the land of the Toon Army? :D

Does anyone know if having all these J41's at Newcastle will generate any positions for skippers...?