BLACKPOOL

[dada]

nothing? must be something. what are this city hopper lot like?

[airhumberside]

There was an article in airliner world a month ago or so.

Ryanair start Gerona service soon

[dada]

is that the lot then?

[nickmanl]

Virgin Atlantic are starting services to Sydney, New York and Chicago in July next year using A340-600s. see link, www.imboredandneedsomefunavaition.com

Seriously though, wouldn't of thought much would be happening at Blackpool. Your best bet is Ryanair announcing more flights there in the future as they need to put those shiny new aircraft somewhere. Maybe Frankfurth Hahn and possibly more flights to Spain if your really lucky?

[airhumberside]

What about Milan Bergamo or Rome CIA

[nickmanl]

Not to sure if Rome or Milan would work as it would threaten the current Liverpool market which already has to compete with Manchester.

[dada]

i think airhumberside may have been joeking

[we_never_change]

Any expansion from that little airline with the Pa31?

WNC :p

[airhumberside]

Actually I was being serious. Dont forget that Blackpool - Gerona will compete with LPL - Gerona.

I dont think both BGY and CIA would work though

[dada]

SO WHY GO TO BLK WHEN YOU CAN GO TO LPL THEN?

[airhumberside]

I don't know but the point aout Gerona was in relation to nikmanl's comments

[dada]

so what exactly are ypu saying humbugside

[airhumberside]

Would Blackpool to Bergamo or Rome work on Ryanair, bearing in mind these two routes are served from Liverpool and so is Gerona, which is also served from Blackpool

[smoky]

BLK nothing? - not quite
Apparently planning permission has been applied for a 2nd terminal to accomodate all the millionaire gamblers and showgirls flying in from london and paris once the Vegas of the north is up and running.
There has been a story running for weeks in the FTimes about share price increase in companies selling olive oil, apparently hoteliers and diner (cafes + chippy's) owners in blackpool have been factfinding in nevada casinos and in the first blackpool forum of tourism chiefs held in the back of dave's chippy next to the karaoke bar on market street, they have come to the conclusion that if they are to keep up with forecasts for a new era of diner in the area they must do away with cooking with lard and using margarine....

[055166k]

You can already fly to hundreds of destinations from Blackpool. The sensible option is to fly people to a hub-and-spoke airport such as Stansted or Dublin, and if you pick up passenger traffic for those destinations as well, so much the better. Ryanair are not a charity organisation.
As for the PA31 operation I wish them well, but the choice of aircraft leaves absolutely no flexibility, even a Trislander makes better sense. Does it operate with some kind of subsidy?
Another Blackpool problem for inbound passengers is the lack of decent 21st century standard accommodation in any reasonable volume.....thousands of awful little boarding house/hotels just don't cut it any more.....you need affordable quality and plenty of it.
The state that the Vulcan got into due to years of neglect was a good illustration of the overall Blackpool problem. My best suggestion is to invest in a runway extension of at least 500 metres and provide either a turning loop or parallel taxiway for R/W 28......drag the airfield out of the Dakota-strip era.

[BPL321]

Hello,

Thought I would participate in this topic.

I get the impression a lot of people are taking the mick out of BLK
airport which I do find a little unfair. Not that it will ever become a LHR but didn't that start off with just a few tents? (not that BLK has still got them mind you!!)

Anyway, apparently City Hoppers are going to announce more new routes soon. Thats what they were quoted has saying anyway. I think they want another 7 or 8 routes, domestic and to Europe.

Britannia operate weekly 757s to spain, Air 2000 weekly 757 and A320/1 to spain and Air Europa 737s to Tenerife. So its not just Ryanair who use the runway at BLK. There have also been a marked increase in one of charter destinations using a variety of airlines from BLK. I think in the last few weeks there has been Lapland, Prague, Salzburg and plenty more planned.

FlyKeen continue to fly to IOM and BHD, perhaps they will introduce new routes and yes the PA31 crew are still knocking about between BLK and IOM.

I think BLK needs more in the way of charter destinations(not one offs) and maybe a new operator to increase presence at the airport. Its been Tenerife and Alicante for a few years now, only during the winter months though. I'm sure if MAN can support the usual 15/20 Palma flights each day during the summer BLK can manage 1!!

Other happenings I guess would be a steady stream of biz jets
and light a/c traffic.

Well thats my take on this topic for now. Anyone else got 'hot off the press' news?

cheers

[Nakata77]

I HAVE A QUESTION

what about the runway at BLK??? Surely Ryanair won't be able to use 800's to GRO fully laden from 1800m's???

Do they plan to lengthen it?

[BPL321]

BLK already have plans to increase the runway length. when the issue first arose last year, now was the time when work was going to start(or plan to) but nothing as yet. The airport has hinted again about its plans to extend the rwy. When I do not know.

Also plans to either extend existing terminal or build a new one.

Ryanair already use 738s on the Stansted route which by the look of it always seems pretty full.

[dada]

bpl321

taking the mick out of blk ? it does that itself. all talk and little action me suspects of that city hopper lot. ryanair are great for the consumer, but how much is blk making out of them? very little i suspect, and the more routes they operate from places like blk, the less thay'll end up paying.

new terminal - why? the curent one was only built a few years ago - what's up with it - the previous one lasted from the war and handled upwards of terminal passenger numbers comparible to todays yearly totals.

runway extension - why ain't it happened then ?

do you work there bpl321 or fly an airbus?

[faq]

Who owns Blackpool Airport and can you buy shares in the controlling company?

[BPL321]

dada,

I know what your saying but don't have a go at me.

The point I'm trying to get across is under the new owners we
should atleast give BLK a chance. I completely agree with what you say. Under council ownership the airport was a joke. They must be the only council I know that wanted an airport but didn't.If you see what I mean. A joke like the rest of blackpool.

The point you make about profit BLK gets from FR. Well if you could swap BLK for LPL tomorrow I'm sure you would. LPL is pretty much full of low cost ops so why is BLK any different. Or stansted for that matter. I don't see people thinking LPL or Stansted are a joke.

Regarding the runway and terminal extensions. That is the news I have heard. I don't make it up and they were not my ideas.

I believe FR wanted the rwy ext. But in agreement with you. At BLK it will be a case of when. 10yrs down the line I guess after FR have pulled out because of the lack of action.

I personally think the terminal does need extending. You can't really move if you have 2 737s in at once. I do think the bigger terminal would also entice other operators to BLK. An airline will also be concerned about the smooth transition for its pax through an airport, not just in-flight and rwy lengths.

[eal401]

new terminal - why? the curent one was only built a few years ago - what's up with it
My understanding is that the terminal layout is not adequate enough and would need major re-working. Not my opinion, but that of an airport planner in my office.

[garethjk22]

I seem to remember similar scathing comments about LPL a few years back ... now look, a 5 million passenger a year airport next year.

The truth is BLK has a good future, you are right, it';s not LHR but then is that such a bad thing?

Fact is BLK has several things LPL and MAN do not. First it has Blackpool ... like it or loath it (arguments exist for both camps) it s a major UK tourist attraction, with theme park, beaches, golf and soon casinos ... all generating significant volumes of inbound traffic.

Then, it is the closest airport to the Lake district by at least 40 minutes (after many many nights on the M6 ... trust me!)... a very strong inbound tourist destination and it is only 5 minutes from a good (and quiet by comparison) motorway connection.

O, and did we mention that is is the closest airport for around 2 million people in the North West .. so there is the outbound market!

There will always be some people who scath the airport and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I thik it is fair to say there is room for significant growth at BLK.

Now, who would go to BLK when they can go to LPL ... well who would drive for nearly 2 hours when you can drive for one, the car parking is cheaper and the fact is, it is so easy to use.

The airport will always compete with LPL and MAN and every other airport with a road to it, but I think it is very unfair and unjustified to just dismiss the place!

Now everyone knows (current owners included) that the airport needs work, but then go back and look at any airport at BLK's stage of development and find me one that didn't need development ...

GJK22

[BPL321]

Glad someone is in agreement with me.

If Blackpool(town) turned itself around because lets be fair here, it does need a serious makeover then I think you would be looking at a serious increase in inbound traffic. It certainly has good road connections. Has anyone noticed the train station practically on BLKs doorstep. I was only saying the other day that this train station, if given a serious makeover and made to feel inviting would also provide a good link for outbound pax. You don't have to be in the catchment area to use BLK. The price and variety of routes would decide that. These are all ideas but with all of them you can see the huge potential. It just needs someone to make them reality.

I would certainly give it a good 2 or 3 years and see where the airport, transport links and town are at then. I certainly wouldn't knock the airport at this stage when it has only just been taken over. What do people think was going to happen, a daily BA JFK route??

As long as you can physically see progress, remain informed(if you are local) and continue to increase the marketing aspect of the airport function then you can't ask for more.

[055166k]

Fly in on RYR quite often.....you get off the plane, walk into the terminal and week after week I have to smile when I see the piece of card stuck on the wall with a hand-drawn arrow pointing to Exit.
If you ever use the VIP lounge for the morning flight there will be no tea or coffee, and expect a generous amount of the previous evenings dirty crockery. If you want to join the modern age you need a bit more quality control.
If a standard is needed.....look at Southampton, not bad at all.
If you doubt the wisdom of extra runway length....study Bournemouth movements before and after the investment.
True, aircraft can get in and out, but perhaps they don't want to blow their engines and/or take a load penalty
Operators with little aeroplanes will never be able to offer the sort of fares that will stimulate business in the Fylde catchment area.....punters will merely drive to Liverpool or Manchester....the clever ones will use RYR to hub-and-spoke....OK so you have to wait around for a connection......how much is your time worth in money terms?

Anyone remember the Merchantman/Argosy paper flights some years back...one of those movements brought in revenue equivalent to a whole busy day of tiddlers.

By the way...Girona is not that far so no problem...Stansted is just a short hop....but before considering movement increases, imagine this:-
Two 737's startup with two on final at 4 miles and 15 miles respectively......how long before the second outbound 737 can taxi.....where to....and when will it finally get airborne....assuming there are no light aircraft in the circuit?
For new services...consider Scotland....the Scottish Parliament has a war chest of £millions to stimulate new routes. [Illegal under European law but no-one seems to bother, and incredible to comprehend when South of Watford there are Draconian plans to curb growth in aviation....not-so-joined-up Government!!!!!]

[BPL321]

055166k, bad BLK experience then? :)

If I were you I would email that comment direct to the airport, it sounds awful. I find the hand drawn arrow funny, well terrible. They need to get there backsides into gear by the sounds of it. I will probably get shouted at for this but most, if not all the staff there I think worked at BLK when the council owned it so I assume they worked for the council. What I mean is the civil service, councils etc are not exactly fast when adapting to change. Ive had a few run in's with the council and trust me they do take there time. They found it more of an issue to decide what change of seating should go into the Blackpool council chamber rather than help local people. I will say no more on that.

Ive always said BLK needs a parallel taxiway for 10/28 or to make better use of the taxiways they have got. If you look on an old airport map a taxiway did used to feed the start of 28( i think).
It causes problems now with light a/c so I agree a 737 with engines running for 20minutes while 2 others land is not going to go down well with the company that owns the plane.

[ClickRich]

The state that the Vulcan got into due to years of neglect was a good illustration of the overall Blackpool problem
I think that's a bit unfair. The Vulcan was owned by an engineering business next door, not the airport operator. I agree with the posters who are accepting that CityHopper have only just stepped in. Let's see what they can do. These are exciting times for Blackpool.

I've already rec'd my first ever invite to a conference in Blackpool. I know it's popular for the leading British political parties, but this is an aviation one. There are HUGE hotels in Blackpool so watch those conference organisers snap up the deals and the traffic flow into the airport.

You might well find that the recent attempts to remove the Vulcan (did the auction on eBay successfully sell it in the end?) are due to a renewed effort to tidy the place up.

The CityHopper influence could be at play already.

[eal401]

The Vulcan has been bought by a pub landlord in Greater Manchester for £15k. Unfortunately, he has to find another £25K to move it!!

Both BPL321 and 055166k make good points reflecting both side of the coin. As BPL says BLK has great potential but as 055166k shows, work is still to be done.

[airhumberside]

If Blackpool(town) turned itself around because lets be fair here, it does need a serious makeover then I think you would be looking at a serious increase in inbound traffic. It certainly has good road connections. Has anyone noticed the train station practically on BLKs doorstep. I was only saying the other day that this train station, if given a serious makeover and made to feel inviting would also provide a good link for outbound pax. You don't have to be in the catchment area to use BLK. The price and variety of routes would decide that. These are all ideas but with all of them you can see the huge potential. It just needs someone to make them reality.
The problem with the station is that only local services stop there so its not exactly a quick journey. Also it is useless for going to Central Blackpool. But at least the trains go to Preston, Blackburn, Burnley which is probably a key target market.

Why don't they divert some buses to the airport terminal and market them as airport buses to help inbound passengers?

[garethjk22]

Has anyone said it doesn't need work doing to it?

As for the handdrawn arrow, anyone used LPL recently? Or LHR or LGW and STN or LTN or any other airport ... I am not defending the airport, but they all do it from time to time ... and it annoys the hell out of me too, but be serious, when booking a slight are you or anyone seriously going to say well Iwont go from BLK because they've got a hand written sign in arrivals? ....

Runway and taxiway? Do they need a parallel ... CVT manages quite well with a base of 4 737's and only 1 entry/exit off the runway, and BLK can be modified in it's taxi patterns to give several entrances / exits of the runway if my memory serves me well.

Yes the runway needs extending, no argument their but it is sufficient for now.

However the point I really want to make is the ludicrous remark about the route development funding. It is not illegal. Never has been illegal and no one has ever insinuated it is illegal. If it was so illegal, howcome the North West Development Agency has just set up a similar fund for the North West? Route dev. funding (RDF)is a key component in regenerating a region and has long term benefits to the region, as a regional economy you will always compete with London and always loose. Even the holy Manchester struggles with its long haul services, especially when it comes to filling the front of the craft. It is high time the NW had something to compete with!

Anyway, back to Blackpool, the airport has everything going for it. As a group of professionals you should look beyond the current and look to the potential. yes the airport needs work, the terminal is tired and in todays market not the nicest of experiences, the airfield needs a little work, but like I said, they are all very easy problems to fix, the fact remains the airport gives access to a lucrative market with a strong source of both inbound and outbound passengers ... watch this space is my final word on the issue.

[BPL321]

Regarding the train station near the airport. Only a few weeks ago local news reported the possibility that this very route would be scrapped. they must be mad. I agree with comments which say the line doesn't run directly into Blackpool but from a point of view of pax outbound from BLK from around the NW this is not such good news. If anything they should be improving it. The train station idea I feel is a great concept and would be popular with pax flying from BLK. Trouble is no marketing. The station is called ' Squires Gate'.For a start I would re name to Blackpool Airport. Its easy if you are local but if you travel from further afield it is not so easy to identify the station you need. Maybe introduce a shuttle bus service to/from the station to the airport during times when certain flights are due at the airport(initially).

A bus service used to stop at/on the airport but I don't think it does now. If I am right, that again is a step back.

[airhumberside]

Shutting the line will not happen - The railways may be in some trouble but things aren't that bad. Cuts yes, closures no

Renaming the station would be a good idea. If not a bus to the airport - perhaps a few signs directing people to the airport at least

[BPL321]

airhumberside

Only going off what the TV reported.

[dada]

as ali g once said, i has heard both sides of the argument and me don't understand either of them. could anybody recap for and against the argument that the airport is crap ?
respect

[dada]

here me now - as you not undersood what i as said?

[As I See It]

Slightly off topic, but did anyone hear the sonic booms this afternoon, shook the whole of the Fylde coast by all accounts. I put it down to the Tornado that was tootling round in the overhead after lunch.

[Niaga Dessip]

Apparently Typhoon testing out of Warton.

Cheers, N.D. :p

[Ballymoss]

Former My Travel Group Aviation Chairman Mike Lee has joined a
management buy-out team to purchase BLK based Flykeen. Must think there's some mileage in this but, what happened to his proposed LPL based MD80 LOCO operation?

[Nakata77]

Smoky - love ya comment m8! (FR will have to link BOH with BLK to transport all the blue-rinses to spend their dosh in the casinos)

as for Ryanair's stansted route, has this gone down to only one daily? It wouldn't surprise me as loads were worse than STN-Derry and yet they cut back Derry.

[BPL321]

Hello,

Is that right regarding BLK to stansted. Its news to me if they have gone to 1 daily. Ive always read that the route had healthy load factors even during the winter months so it would come as a surprise.Especially since FRs new Barcelona route they recently announced starts in March.I just wouldnt have thought they would pull flights at the same time as introducing new routes at BLK. A larger airport maybe but not BLK. Meaning they would be very cautious at a small airport.(if that makes sense). But then again only BLK can pull surprises like that so if anyone has anymore to add it would be intresting to find out whats going on.Any new routes/inside info would make better reading tho!!!

[Niaga Dessip]

Not true. Stansted flights remain twice daily on weekdays, once a day at weekends. Otherwise I know nothing.:p
Regards,
ND

[Nakata77]

so why does BLK website only display morning departures? They dont show any evening flights.

BOH had PIK dropped back to one daily from two and then added GRO

[BPL321]

Nakata77, I think the simple answer is because the BLK website is a bit of a joke. Just by looking at it I wouldn't say it was that attractive. Looks more like the information it has is just plonked onto a background with no thought to image and marketing. I complained a long time ago(few years now) to the person who designs the site. I remember complaining that the site was never updated and looked tacky. Didn't get much of a response but your query does not surprise me.

If you look on the home page and to the right where they try to
say how good the airport is and why we should use it, it just looks a mess. Written on 'word' and copied over very quickly.

Another thing. It took BLK weeks to put the new Girona FR service onto the website and even now its not exactly advertising itself well. All we do have is the same story about 'birds' that has been on for months. I thinik their a victim of their own creation in some ways.

I know I sound harsh but I'm sure others will agree that BLK needs to get its act together and quick.

Oh and another thing. If I rememebr right, its either FR to Dublin or Stansted. If you look at the timetable on the website I'm sure it says there are 2 flights within a few hours of eachother on there.With the same flight number.Whats that all about?

[Nakata77]

BPL321

I agree with every word you said. But it could be a case of limted - or non-existant - manpower. They definately need to expand their marketing team if they are going to make a success of Barcelona Girona and any further routes for example.

[BPL321]

It could be a case of staffing problems but I doubt it. I know BLK have X amount of staff and with such long periods between flights on any given day I'm sure someone could come up with something more up to date and freindly in terms of a website.

I'm glad someone agrees with me. I don't like being harsh when I am a supporter of the airport but sometimes these people need a good kicking. Not that they would listen to me anyway.

Obviously FR do their bit in terms of marketing through their own website but I'm surprised FR have not said to BLK that they want to see more advertsing for this Girona route on BLKs website.

I think BLK are onto a good thing at the mo but it could go as quick as it came if BLK dont do there part. I don't mean to offend anyone and I have said this before. BLK staff remind me of civi staff. They take so long doing the simplist of things. A board with a sign saying Ryanair fly to bla bla bla on Squires Gate Lane is not good enough.

Rant over.Someone else take over now.:confused:

[barry lloyd]

I believe there is a town in the south of England with an airport. It too has a seaside/casinos/boarding-guest houses in abundance, and rail links, drunken revellers at weekends, and a runway not dissimilar to that of BLK. Similar operation too, in terms of flights operating, i.e. charter and a few local scheduled flights. Haven't noticed anyone taking the mickey out Southend!

[garethjk22]

People need something to have a go at ... makes them feel better about themselves. It is Blackpool at the moment, it'll be somewhere else next week. This forum is full of negativity and cynicism. It's a shame, but I guess that's the way of the world on pprune.

However, as for Blackpool, what I want to know is all the people who have a go at it, and instantly dismiss it, when did you last go, when did you last talk to someone in Preston, or Lancaster, or Blackburn or Blackpool and ask them what they think about their friendly little airport, with competitive parking, an uncongested motorway leading to it? They all prefer it to Manchester and Liverpool!

Yes the airport needs more flights, yes the marketing needs bringing up to speed, and yes work needs to be done on the terminal .. but all that is in hand and changes will be seen over the coming months.

So, instead of the negativity, why don't 'we' as a community start to support our regional airports ... just for once, you should try it, you might even enjoy the experience!

[BPL321]

Gareth. I take your comments on board but trust me I'm not saying these things just to make myself feel better. If I was going to do that I would certainly come up with something more interesting than BLK.

In reply to your Q about who I have spoken to in the area.It happens to be quite a few people.Some are in agreement with me and the others still didn't know you could fly from BLK so that brings me back to exactly what I have said in previous posts.

When was the last time I was at the airport? I live 5 minutes away and I have always tried to go once a week for a look round but sometimes work commitments get in the way.

I'm glad you agree about the need for new routes and better marketing its the fact that you say its all about to change. The new owners have been there a little while now and in my opinion should be making BLK more public than what they have. I'm not talking new routes, its not that easy but I do mean marketing.

One thing that I did find funny recently while I remember was the fact that the travel show that was on last weekend was advertised in the paper as LPL being the sponsor. I dont know all the facts before you have a go but if you take it on face value do you not think an intelligent idea would be to have BLK sponsor it since its a few miles down the road.Not LPL who has pretty much nothing to do with BLK. Maybe it wasn't suggested to BLK management hey.

I do agree with you that as a community we need to support BLK but I don't beleive in hiding away thinking everything will sort itself out. ie BLK will not get anywhere just by sitting and doing very little.Very much like the football club but thats a different story.

Bet you didnt know BLK turned down a well known lo-co carrier before they set up shop at LPL!!! That is not what I call forward thinking.This was a good few years ago. Could not agree on landing fees I believe but I'm sure there could have been more to it.

[garethjk22]

The new owners have only been in residence for a few months which is not a long time ... beleive me!

The travel show was sponsored by LPL because that is who the organisers asked first, nothing to do with the airport.

The point about marketing is important. I think it is important to remember that the art of marketing is as much about timing as it is the content. At the moment, if BLK spent a huge amouont of money on marketing it would a better opportunity later WHEN the airport has more routes to offer ... there are many many elements at play here ... and whilst it can be frustraing form the outside, you need to give the new owners a little bit of trust and be patient.

That is my view anyway!

[Nakata77]

well lets safely assume gareth works at the airport, and that he has it all in control.

I'm sure all airports could do more to advertise but then again BLK will never be in a position to aggressively market in the same way LPL does. Same goes for BOH v SOU.

The airlines at Regional airports know this and they have to advertise more heavily than normal, unless they feel bookings are going VERY well in which case minimal advertising is necessary.

[SantaUK]

Hi,

Just thought I'd stick my two penneth in...

First off....Ryanair!

There are 2 stansted flights a day...I saw the second one about 2 hours ago do a very imaginative left turn on its initial climb...quite a sight...!

BLK must be losing money on them being there...a serious amount.

They do not pay BLK anything for the use of the airport...i.e. no landing fee's, handling fee's, fuel, etc.

A new terminal is planned for the western side of the airport, behind where the Vulcan is. The plans include the demolition of the new GA hangar which only went up late last year under the previous administration.

All The Best!

[BPL321]

I had to laugh today, went on the BLK website and its had a few cosmetic changes. I wonder if that had anything to do with my previous posts ranting on about the look of the website??

Anyway, just wondering if anyone has any news or rumours in the new year for BLK? There must be somebody who knows something now were into Feb lol

I would like to ask something. I keep seeing adverts in the press for flights/hols to spain(not Girona). These are due to dept in May/june and pos July if I remember right. Is this a continuation of the winter charter series from one of the operators? Its been bugging me.

Also, On the website it has the FR924/5 to/fro DUB has having 2 daily flights on a Mon and Sun. Is this right?

Anyone know of anything new happening with BNWA or KeenAir?

I think instead of my Qs on Spain and FR I should have just asked does anyone have any news lol

[rufus.t.firefly]

expect the re-hashing of the existing terminal to start in the non to distant future....... to cope with the expected rush of Girona
pax ......

[LTNman]

The terminal needs a good coat of antirust paint and someone to plaster a few walls.

[silverhawk]

Why don't you guys take the time to phone the " forward planning" department. See what comes up!

[garethjk22]

New website will be launched towards end of march. What we have will have to do intil then.

Terminal reconfiguration works will start soon for completion mid summer.

Like I have said before, the management are all too aware of the issues, and like I have said before, could we not be a little more positive and look to the future rather than constantly knocking what will be a golden opportunity for air travel over the coming years.

[goodbye flykeen]

A2B Airlines, any news, rumour is the FlyKeen bunch are aquiring 2x Shorts 360 first to be delivered to Blackpool March 1, second three months later ?
BAC Express are supposed to be the lessee, thought they sold out to Air Contactors

[g0kmt]

Me, I wish I could fly to Belfast from Blackpool instead of Liverpool by the likes of Ryanair or Easyjet. I HATE the drive to Liverpool!

I wonder if that will ever be possible. I can live in hope ;)

[BPL321]

New route was announced today(4/3/05) to Varna Bulgaria.

The route is to operate every Thursday dep BLK 07.30 using a Balkan Airways A320. Route starts next month and lasts till Oct 27th.

[airhumberside]

Isnt that Blackpools first regular summer season charter flight? Good news for BLK

[BPL321]

Very good news for BLK.

Hope the PAX loads are good. Will hopefully lead to other routes.
Just 1 thing that worried me when I found out today is the lack of marketing. I thought a summer series would have been advertised long before now. A lot of people may have already booked their summer hols. BLK website says nothing about it either. Not the best start to attract people in my opinion. Hopefully its not a rushed thing and the route does well.

Sounds like the FR Girona route is really doing well. Had a look the other night and the flight looked very busy.

I was waitng on news from Thomsonfly re BLK but that seems to have died down a bit but generally it looks like the airport is heading in the right direction.

Oh yes it is BLKs 1st proper charter series for the summer in a long while.

They used to have a weekly Palma summer series but Thomson pulled that due to low pax. How they coouldnt fill 1 plane a week to Palma is anyones guess when you look in the summer at MANs 20 a day to Palma.

BLK are getting a lot more in 1 off charters these days to several euro destinations but I would definately like to see a Pamla series
and maybe something to Greece. The usual summer destinations really. I\'m sure if they tried again the outcome would be different this time.

[dada]

......but if they did a pmi, would those going to gro consider it instead, thereby diluting the gro success?

[BPL321]

Doesnt seem to have that effect at MAN.

I think what people want is a choice in where they go. If BLK did PMI only then people would have to make a choice whether they really want to go to PMI or just because BLK offers the flights. I just think potential pax in the area want choice hence why most of us have the wonderful jolly at 4am to catch a flight from MAN.

Definately a step in the right direction.

BLK website now shows a very basic advert for Bulgaria albeit a week later than when the paper mentioned it.

[mcdonnellluke]

Hello
As a matter of intrest what equipment are FlyKeen currently using between Blackpool-IOM-BHD? Are they still using the Bandit or have they now started using the newly delivered Shorts 360? BTW, are they any cabin crew on FlyKeen flights? Also I am a bit curious about BNWA-they use Navajos as far as I am aware of-what is it like being on a scheduled flight on a 10 seater-must be a bit of an experience-what are there loads/fares like?
Luke

[BPL321]

I think Flykeen are using the S360. Not sure if they are still using the bandit but I would guess so.

Re BNWA. Joke springs to mind. If you see their website you will notice they have not had any news in the last year almost. Thats progression for you. Hopefully Flykeen(or A2B airways?) will make them move aside and grow themselves into a well run and establised company. In answer to your Q though. Ive been on a Navajo and they are very load, small and not the best for comfort but if its a quick hop anyway I'm sure you could put up with it.

[Nobend]

BPL321 you do have a somewhat jaundiced view of BNWA please explain

[BPL321]

Quite simply put, that company owe me £1000s from several
years ago so I get a little cheesed off when they still use the same trading name(comed!) they carry on like nothing has happened and I'm still paying off debts with nothing to show. Hopefully that makes my reasoning a little clearer.

(sorry to all who read this as this thread relates to BLK Happenings and not BNWA/Comed - just answering a Q)

[weeman]

Hear BNWA have offered to sell their BPL/IOM route to Flykeen

[BPL321]

Really. I didn't think the route was big enough for
2 companies anyway. FlyKeen will be pleased. Well that depends on the price. Watch you dont get ripped off Flykeen! Hopefully they will expand their operation. Anyone anymore news re Flykeen/A2B?

Has anyone booked on the new Varna flights yet? I'm curious to see how busy this route will be.

[BPL321]

New Route.

Airtours/MyTravel have announced their first route from Blackpool
to Tenerife this morning. Flights will be every Tuesday morning
throughout winter through to April.

This is great news but will be in competition with another airline
who also fly to Tenerife during winter. I personally would have liked to have seen a completely new destination like Lanzarote. Still this is excellent news for BLK. Hopefully Airtours will offer
summer programmes from 2006 which is what BLK need.

[rufus.t.firefly]

Well done to Blackpool then , I'd heard that Lanzarote might still be in the offing with another carrier !!!!...hope thats not on a tuesday morning as well .........the place will be busting at the
seams.

Why companies can't offer flights in summer is a mystery .......

Anyway it's not more ramp space thats needed ... more car park's
would be beneficial

[BPL321]

Another carrier for Lanzarote hey. Things are going well then for BLK. Wonder who that could be. We already have BY/FCA/AEA and now Airtours. Lets throw a bit of Monarch or ThomasCook in there. Great news which ever way you look at it.

Yes I agree. Bit of a grey area regarding summer flights when I would imagine more people go away in the summer months. Perhaps its the 30C Sunny BLK climate that is now keeping people here lol. Having said that next week there is the start of a new summer service through to Oct to Varna from BLK. I was told once that most of the hoteliers here in BLK go away in the winter for obvious reasons but this wouldnt apply to the entire catchment area. Hopefully things will change.

I'm hoping FR will start another route too. I would have thought Dublin would have been increased to a 2 daily by now. Maybe this is next with FR. I do believe these DUB flights are full most of the time.

[BPL321]

Another new route from BLK!

Balkan Holidays have today announced a weekly friday service to
Bourgas starting next May. As it reads it will mean next summer up until now will have 2 destinations in Bulgaria served weekly.1 on tuesday(unless it changes from this year) and the new route which is on Fridays. great news.

[airhumberside]

Balkan Holidays have certainly found themselves a niche at Blackpool. Great news

[ALLMCC]

Have noticed Flykeen are using a Twin Jet Beech 19 on their routes over the past week or so. Also their flight prefix has now changed from FK to 2B - could the A2B announcement be coming soon?

[BPL321]

Good point. Forgot all about the A2B rumours. Still nothing when you search on the net though. I believe the Shed they were using as gone somewhere. I thought the plans were for 2 sheds?? Perhaps the current a/c is a tempo measure. Watch this space I guess.

[g0kmt]

Anyone know anything about the supposed flights on Sunday EGJJ - EGNH - EGJJ? Blackpool Airport web site shows BA flight numbers but nothing on the BA web site.

[rufus.t.firefly]

That's the summer only BPL - Jersey mega expensive holiday flight isn't it ! Dash 8's or ATR equipment.

[BPL321]

Yes it is. BA been running this sunday only service for years now. you can book through a local to BLK travel company but I noticed they were expensive holidays.Still, it depends on where you want to go I suppose.

BA a year or two ago used a EMB145(if Ive got that right) for the summer but were now back to Dash 8s. Its a well established summer route but I'd like to see perhaps another channel isle summer series as well as jersey.

[Dash-7 lover]

FYI

BA4247C JER 0925Z BLK1105Z
BA4248C BLK1140Z JER1320Z

DASH-8 A/C OPS MAN-JER-BLK-JER-MAN

[BPL321]

A2B announced 2xdaily BLK-AMS flights with new(to the airline) jet a/c. I put a more details post in the A2B topic but decided i'd mention it in here too.

Sorry forgot to ask. This Book2go travel Co who started flights to Varna a few weeks ago...have they canx the flights or something? I check a website to see whats been happening and the A320 which did appear once doesnt appear to be returning every thursday. If they did that was short and sweet. I did notice they were unhappy about Balkan Holidays starting flights to Bourgas next summer but wouldnt have thought that was a reason to pull 2005.

[rufus.t.firefly]

Yes , some local twaddle about the tour operator book 2 go , not happy that Blakan will be operating next year. Mind you I'd have thought that if book 2 go had made a proper conserted effort they could have secured a market for next year if succesful. The flight would have been to two different destinations anyway.

Better to have a go at all than just give up. Mind you the flights didn't appear to be that full. Mind you as ever with Blackpool services crap marketing , not enough advertising beforehand.

[BPL321]

Oh well atleast I know.Completely agree. Think I mentioned this when Varna was 1st announced - too little time to market it. BLK certainly do pick'em lol. I honestly thought they would have given it more than a week rather than getting out of their pram over it though.

[Don Mercer]

blackpool are dong very well at moment! Daily flight to Girona is packed! Daley flights to aberdeen start next week.monarch are moving in in september.Amsterdam starts in september also.

[BPL321]

Monarch at BLK? I must have missed something. What are Monarch intending to do? I know Airtours are starting flights for Winter 04/05.

I still notice that the BLK official website mentions nothing about A2B and nothing about CityStars new route. This is rediculous. How on earth are they to make a go of these new routes without the airport throwing their weight behind it. I'm sure if it was MAN or LPL they would have a big sign on their websites to get peoples attention. They will only have themselves to blame if it goes belly up, like past ventures.

[rufus.t.firefly]

Well at least they seem to be cracking on with more car parking
..... they aren't even advertising that fact ...mind you at the prices they charge I'm not surprised.

[garethjk22]

Well, from what i can see the website mentions A2B, and City Star. It also has pre bookable car parking (whichis a lot cheaper than on airport and MAN and LPL I add!)

Looks incredibly professional actually ..... :)

[rufus.t.firefly]

Just seen the updated website , note that the resident information isn't as comprehensive as the old site ..three of the largest commercial residents dont even get a mention that they are located on the airport . JMAX , EMERALD or CHC.


The website is an improvement but some of the content with regard to operators and their facilities needs reviewing for accuracy .

[garethjk22]

And what relevance do CHC and Emerald have to the general public? One provides maintenance, is FLS easyTech (or whatever they are now called) listed on Liverpools site?

CHC provide bespoke services to British Gas and associated companies - not overly relevant to the general public I think.

[BPL321]

Very nice website. Certainly an improvement with lots of info to look at.

Noticed the A2B AMS route has a date set and even got the times(2xdaily). Anyone know what a/c are going to be used? Last heard they were getting jet a/c.

Very exciting times for BLK.

[aeulad]

What is the website address?

Regards

Mike

[rufus.t.firefly]

So the fact that Blackpool may have large and established operators (non public ) on site isn't of interest to joe public then on the website ???

Thought it might have been good to promote that you have
these large and established companies on site and that the
airport provides facilities that supports their specialised type of operations.

Surely they must have some relevant commercial value to the operation of the airport ?

As BPL321 says , nice website ..... I can agree with that , lets not spit our dummies out ...but it doesn't plug the entire sphere of services provided at Blackpool. Isn't the Emerald base at Blackpool a major maintenance facility for a cargo carrier with the one of the largest fleet of 748's (bet you wish it was 757's!). Isn't the helicopter outfit one of , if not the largest worldwide I've been told ?

[dwlpl]

www.blackpoolinternational.com

[Flying Fokker]

Has the ABZ flight started today?

[Richard Taylor]

Any of the Blackpool bods know how many pax were on the inaugural City Star flight ABZ/BLK/ABZ ?

Bookings have been described initially as "slow".

[BPL321]

Following the start of the BLK-ABZ service on monday I was just wondering if someone knew what the pax loads were like at this early stage?

Also very curious as to what a/c type A2B say they are aquiring for the new BLK-AMS route which starts in Sept.

[schaltzie]

It seems to be happening for BLK. I have heard a rumour that Ryanair has a new route to Turin in the winter. Can any one enlighten me.

[BPL321]

Where did you hear about that?

[airhumberside]

Turin isnt even an Ryanair base

[schaltzie]

airhumberside you are right it is not a base but Ryanair fly from Stansted to Turin.

Since my last posting I have been looking at this website

http://www.wolverhamptonbusinessairport.co.uk

which has information about the owners City Hopper airports, who are developing Blackpool, Wolverhampton airport and Biella Airport Italy. This airport is sited between Turin and Milan. I would think City Hopper is looking mainly at the ski season especially as Turin has the winter olympics in February 2006

[BPL321]

Hope FR do start a Turin service but if its for the skiing over winter05/06 then surely there would have to be an announcement asap plus a bit of FR marketing since the winter season is not that far away even though it is the middle of summer!

[smith]

Would have thought a GLA or PIK flight to Blackpool would be good as Blackpool is always full of jocks when I go there!

[TCAS FAN]

schaltzie

Looks like a re-run of Plainstation/Wiggins, "Wolverhampton Business Airport", still really Halfpenny Green, is the very poor man's Manston, and look what has happened to that.

Very restrictive runways (ie less than half the length of Manston's) and road links as bad (if not worse) than Lydd, sorry "London Ashford", what mug(s) have been persuaded to pour money into it? Or is it another case of us, ie Joe taxpayer, funding it through EU grants!

[nick b]

Hi

Just wondering when tickets for the new A2B BLK - AMS route go on sale. Is this service still due to start 26th September or has this start date slipped?
Also very curious as to what a/c type will be used on this route, last I heard the plan was for 50 seat regional turpoprop, Dash 8, ATR etc.

Any idea anyone?

Regards

[rufus.t.firefly]

talk about coincidence , heard a whiff today from a friend in the Blackpool area ( and it is only a whiff so dont read to much into it !!!) that A2B may not now be operating the BPL -AMS service.

If anybody has any concrete info let us all know ...hope the route comes to fruition as it would probably be a good route.

Anybody know how the new ABZ route is doing , hear the load factors have been low , but it's early days yet I suppose.

[Richard Taylor]

Rufus:

I too have heard that early load factors on the ABZ route have been low.

Then again,it's not the first time that businesses up here have screamed for new routes here,there & everywhere from ABZ,but when it comes to the crunch & a route is actually launched,it simply is not supported well enough.

Apparently oil industry interests wanted City Star to start this route,but the route can't service itself without passsengers,nor can it be sustained on the whim of a particular business,to use at its leisure.

[BPL321]

Major announcement due at BLK today.

[BIGGLES02]

Jet2.com opening new base there

[BPL321]

Excellent. A decent carrier to Belfast. Think I'd choose the B737 over the PA31.

[Ballymoss]

Me thinks (nay hopes) Robs Fischer Price airline will soon bite the dust. Please someone move onto the IOM route and end this OVC @50' canx FPL we'll go VFR..........:mad:

Rgds
The Moss:ok:

Edit to add this is a bit of a coup for Space Hopper airports....wonder if it happened without them noticing?:p

[BPL321]

Completely agree about the toy airline but onto more important matters.

Just wondering what peoples opinions are on the apron space at BLK. I know at the moment with the movements BLK has that it is not an immediate problem but with all the expansion going on in recent months would the airport have to consider expanding the curent apron with perhaps a more conservative way of parking a/c? Ive seen what it is like with 2 737s in at once and it doesnt leave a great deal of space.

So if they do expand the apron where would they expand it? I had visions of nose in parking along the length of the existing hangars eg Emerald/Westair etc but just a small problem of where do put these guys? Could it be expanded more towards the control tower?

This must surely become more of an issue in the next few years now Jet2 are actually basing a/c here. One would also assume FR and ZB will plan further expansion now.

Sorry if I'm rabbiting on(trying to work aswell) just wondered what peoples opinions are on this.

ps - Could Euromanx do a Jet2(at Belfast) and push A2B(or whatever its called) off the IOM route?

[rufus.t.firefly]

"Nose in parking alongside existing Emerald/Westair hangar etc"

Spacehoppers wouldn't bother about them , probably just do it and not even think about the existing tenants

[055166k]

Well done Blackpool, marvellous news.
You've got 6 months to work on taxiways and plans to avoid ground gridlock....especially as "slots" will become more of a problem.
Suggest ATC meet with management to work through some ground movement scenarios.......what can you do in 6 months to return maximum benefit.
Regards to you all.

[BPL321]

Easier said than done but I'd scrap RWY25(think thats happening anyway) and put a parallel taxiway in for 10/28 like LPL. Then shift ATC to somewhere near the terminal building and expand the apron southward. Sure they could do that in 6 months if they put their minds to it.lol.

Thought they were expanding the RWY? Not heard anything on that for a long time now.

[Germstone]

Emerald/Westair etc but just a small problem of where do put these guys?

simple increase the landing fees and price of avgas---that sorts the GA problem

as for emerald rumour has it there possibly on the move from blackpool anyway -----probably just waiting for a good offer on the hangar from space hoppers

[dada]

they could have expanded the apron west but they're building houses on that land now. jet 2 where next. place your bets..............
might also spur monarch on to do more before jet2 do