Why a lack of locos at ABZ?

[Richard Taylor]

Can't recall if I have asked the question before on here, apologies if I have.

Reading recently about the EZY expansion out of GLA & EDI (plus the recent routes out of INV) makes we wonder why ABZ has so few loco routes.

Currently:

EZY to LTN; RYR to DUB; MON (Sch) to AGP.

With GSM also (apparently) stating they will not fly from ABZ in 2006, get the impression that ABZ is the last airport in the world that locos would want to fly from/to.

With the affluence up here, seems strange that nobody wants to take the plunge.

I'm not advocating expansion the likes of LPL & STN have seen (we just don't have the catchment area) but surely ABZ could support a FEW more loco routes??

Is it really down to BAA charges? If so, why are RYR & EZY flying out of ABZ at all?

Is it runway length? This has been alluded to by the likes of RYR & GSM as one reason.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

Cheers.

[aeulad]

WRONG! Humberside is the last airport locos want to fly from:{

Regards

Mike

[Rooster_mk1]

Hey Richard.

I just can't imagine what destinations any new locos/ or the existing ones would select as 'new' routes from Aberdeen...... (i can't even think of any while i'm typing).

Is there really a demand here for new Locos? i think that may be the reason they are staying away. Just a thought.

R:ok:

[Devonair]

Perhaps a few new domestic routes? I know Flybe have pulled the NWI route before it got of the ground but I'm sure SOU and EXT would work from ABZ.

[Rooster_mk1]

Devonair,

You might be right about new domestic routes. To be honest i have always thought that RYR would benefit from picking up the ABZ-STN route considering the operation that they have down there but what do i know.

The Flybe NWI route always struck me as strange given that both Eastern & Bmi operate the route at present, plus it is more of a business route than loco in my opinion.

R:ok:

[Richard Taylor]

Rooster:

YEAH, it's a stupid thread !! :{

Should know better ! :O

Guess we'll have to rely on T3/X9 & BD (Reg) for further expansion.

More high fares...:hmm:

[airhumberside]

I dont think Flye axing ABZ-NWI before it starts in a good signal about BE expansion from ABZ in the short term.

[Doors to Automatic]

The reasons are essentially to do with ABZ's location compared to other UK airports and the popular destinations served by loco's.

It's also a lot to do with the economics of locos and the need to utilise aircraft optimally - ideally for 8 sectors per day each of 90 minutes or so.

Usually this is achieved by flying a mixture of short sectors (40-60 mins) and longer sectors (up to 2 hrs). In most UK regional airports this entails a mix of domestics and Med destinations with possibly a few city-break destinations thrown in.

In ABZ's case many of the domestic points are served by aircraft based elsewhere and the international points are 30-40 mins further away making scheduling based aircraft efficiently difficult.

There is also the issue of the oddity of passenger behaviour with respect to prices. A passenger travelling say to PMI will want to pay broadly the same regardless of point of origin so if you are an airline looking for a base, BOH or BRS would make far more sense than ABZ which is almost an hour further away but will not enjoy a significantly higher yield.

[charterguy]

Richard Taylor posted:
With the affluence up here, seems strange that nobody wants to take the plunge.
You said it. With the affluence in ABZ, who needs a loco ? Locos are for deprived areas such as Merseyside and Essex :D :D :D
Long live the full fare, all frills carriers !!!
CG