LUTON - 5

[LTNman]

Continuation of: http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?p=3007259#post3007259

I have heard that the Luton Flying Club building is going to be knocked down:{

[pabely]

I have heard that the Luton Flying Club building is going to be knocked down:{

Does that include the Bar as well, quite a bit a space there with the Hanger? Oh the lost youth walking about the Piper's & Cessna's and the later year's catching a late night drink with the hossie girls:)

[RE72]

The RE base at LTN is to close early january.

LTN - IOM will finish.

All other routes will remain.

[Daft bat]

With the Police helicopter moving to Henlow, does that mean that as Henlow has no lights, it will no longer operate 24*7, or can they operater without lights ??
They have had to purchase portable lighting that have to be put out on a daily basis by the crew.They are cleared for landings at night into unlit locations but for safety reasons they have gone for the portable lighting option. Apparently RAF Henlow have been brilliant in helping keep the Police flying by bending over backwards to find a temporary accommodation till their permanent base is completed. This is of course because of the short notice they were given to vacate the airport.:=

[LTNman]

The RE base at LTN is to close early january.

LTN - IOM will finish.

All other routes will remain.


I think this is Luton’s oldest or second oldest continuously operated route. With IOM – Heathrow services being ended sometime ago and IOM – Stansted being cut back to around 2 flights a week I would have thought this route would have been a money spinner.

[Buster the Bear]

Maybe Flybe can resurrect the ex BACON route?

[andyafc]

Easy starting new route to Ibiza this summer, any news bout the newquay and lorient routes with arann?

[en2r]

Newquay could possibly be operated by a Cork based aircraft on a W pattern. However Lorient is unlikely since Aer Arann announced the timetables for the French routes last week and Luton wasn't mentioned

[Powerjet1]

Newquay could possibly be operated by a Cork based aircraft on a W pattern. However Lorient is unlikely since Aer Arann announced the timetables for the French routes last week and Luton wasn't mentioned

Had an email from Aer Arran on 1st December, saying that the Luton - Lorient route would be released at the end of December, so hopefully that has not changed.

[Buster the Bear]

The Luton Flying Club are advertising 'closing down parties' for the years end, so maybe it is going to be demolished?

Had my first date there 23 years ago with a girl that is now my wife :eek:

[LTNman]

I hear that Monarch will be introducing a Luton Larnaca service from next May.

[San Expiry]

Buster. Just why do you think BACon and now Arran have dumped the route:hmm:

[PAXboy]

My guess on the closing of the IOM route is that, since it started, both STN and LCY have had routes opened. Also, many routes from IOM to places like MAN and LPL have started that allow pax to link to European and other tourist routes.

There is an absolute finite capacity of traffic to/fro IOM and all starters have found that you cannot expand the traffic. When it was Manx that was running almost all the routes, then they could gain economies of scale. Unfortunately, BA wanted another four pairs of EGLL slots and bought the company. Then it was only a matter of time before they shucked off the rest. (and that's the polite way of spelling it. :oh: )

Aer Arran made a good start at picking up the LTN traffic but I think that the traffic had already been dispersed to the new routes. Looking at IOM web site destinations (ignoring Ireland North and South) there are 12 other destinations in England and Scotland, as well as LTN. When the LTN~IOM route opened I doubt that there were half that. (I sit to be corrected)

Incidentally, this is all my own view from using the route since it opened and observing the IOM as a regular visitor. I have no stats to back up my hunches, so criticise and put up facts as ye may! For myself, I am very cross that the route is closing as I have used it up to four times a year since it started.

[pabely]

PAXBoy: All I can say is I'm livid. :{ Still waiting and answer from RE. I had been checking prices well into Summer 2007 for my business commute and they suggest bookings were Ok. Oh well last time with them this week. Euromanx must be happy.

[Buster the Bear]

Back in the days when the 146 operated 3 return flights from the Isle of Man into Heathrow (then this operation moved to Gatwick) and the single daily return flight into Luton, the loads and one must assume the yields, were very strong considering that the Luton-Isle of Man service was at once stage the only BA route operating from this Bedfordshire airport (Cityflyer came and went during this period so did the Kerry/Belfast service). Perhaps one can look at BA taking over Manx to the gradual decline in volume and yield over a period of time? Whatever the reason, now there is now no North London daily connection to the Isle of Man which surely cannot be good news for the Island? Travellers must get to Gatwick or London City, or even drive up to Birmingham.

Monarch to Larnaca, good news if true?

[Powerjet1]

Monarch to Larnaca, good news if true?

Agreed. Hope this would be more than a one or two flights a week, bearing in mind that Helios/Ajet was operating a daily service(twice daily some fridays) before their demise.

Monarch's four aircraft, when it arrives in May, is fully utilised, so where a Cyprus flight would come from, i'm not sure. The only spare capacity would be for an overnight op, which would be the least favourable option from a pax point of view. A 'W' from somewhere else maybe.

[Buster the Bear]

HM Government give the 'Thumbs Up' to Luton Borough Council and the local economy.

http://www.sopo.org/cgi-bin/news.cgi?action=full_story_SOPO&id=69392&unpub=false&strt=&act=search_SOPO&term=&keyword_bool=&websiteId=2

[ebenezer]

HM Government give the 'Thumbs Up' to Luton Borough Council and the local economy
No mention of course, about the economic benefits of having a major international airport on your doorstep (which costs you nothing to run). Still, the way that the Council is behaving, in 10 or-so years time it'll probably no longer have a local airport that can be described as "major" and "international". Still, Eagle Flight Training and the Luton Flying Club will be able to re-establish themselves and spend all day circuit bashing to their heart's content on an empty runway :hmm: :rolleyes:

[LTNman]

Agreed. Hope this would be more than a one or two flights a week, bearing in mind that Helios/Ajet was operating a daily service(twice daily some fridays) before their demise.
Monarch's four aircraft, when it arrives in May, is fully utilised, so where a Cyprus flight would come from, i'm not sure. The only spare capacity would be for an overnight op, which would be the least favourable option from a pax point of view. A 'W' from somewhere else maybe.


There will allegedly be three flights a week to Lanaca but to operate those three flights two other existing services will be dropped with a W pattern aircraft introduced, meaning that 5 Monarch aircraft will fly into Luton on one day of the week.

[Buster the Bear]

I understand that Ryanair achieved a 73% load factor for their route to Malta in November. Was this their first full month of operation? If it was, considering November is hardly a prime time for tourists to visit the island, not a bad start eh?

Kind of proves that folk want to fly from Luton if the price is right and flights are available.

So what is the real reason for Arann closing the Luton base? Which alternative airport gave them a better deal, or which region gave them a greater subsidy? There are so many destinations a Flybe/Arann type operation could fill with a sub 100 seater, a number of regional French destinations for instance. Arann crews based recently at Luton must be rather hacked off at their managements indecision.

TUI seem to be suggesting a more 'basket' type of approach to the traditional package tour, where you now select flights, accommodation etc separately allowing you to pick and choose. Therefore potentially more growth from Luton as their operation has gradually been increasing of late?

[CAP493]

http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/airport/p...ov2006ver2.pdf says that Manx 2 carried just 838 passengers on its IOM/Stansted service in November whereas Aer Arran carried 2000 on its IOM/Luton route.
Buster asks So what is the real reason for Aer Arran closing the Luton base? Perhaps someone from the Airline involved can answer the question, because even to the casual observer it looks like a pretty dumb commercial decision, even if the tourist market for the Isle of Man is pretty flat.
:ugh: :{ :rolleyes:

[Buster the Bear]

I guess this spell the end of Arann to Liege....Ha Ha Ha Ha (as if it ever started)! Oh well, there is always BMI Regional to Brussels!

I see that Waterford offered them a better deal?

[LTNman]

Next Silverjet routes will allegedly be Luton - Chicago, Luton – Dubai and Luton – Johannesburg. Not sure if the South African route would be direct or via Dubai.

Can a Silverjet 767 fly this route direct and if it can is LTN's 2160m runway long enough?

[Buster the Bear]

These B767's regularly flew with over 290 passengers, even taking into consideration the extra weight of the luxury seats, 190 passengers is an awful lot of fuel and as I have said many times, I have flown from Luton direct to Orlando on one of these B767's twice before with well over 250 passengers (9.5 hour sector).

[Buster the Bear]

I see Ryanair have announced a 4 x weekly London to Brussels service, as they already fly from Stansted, is this from Luton?

[VanBosh]

They dont fly from STN. the new service is a 4 weekly service from STN. I reckon it's a strange choice tbh.

[Buster the Bear]

Oh of course, they flew there from Stansted several times per day, then pulled the route over subsidies (I think)?

[CAP493]

I see Ryanair have announced a 4 x weekly London to Brussels service
With Eurostar services due to start from the revamped St Pancras next year, why would anyone in their right mind start a scheduled service to Brussels (presumably Charleroi) from Luton or Stansted given that travellers will be able to connect directly into the new St Pancras International from Kings Cross (trains from Cambridge and parts of Stansted's catchment area) via a subway, as well as from Luton's catchment area via Midland Mainline or First Capital Connect.

And I'd give easyJet's Luton to Paris service in its present form, only until the Spring of 2008...

:confused: :uhoh: :eek:

[bacardi walla]

Next Silverjet routes will allegedly be Luton - Chicago, Luton – Dubai and Luton – Johannesburg. Not sure if the South African route would be direct or via Dubai.

Why would they fly via DXB to JNB :eek:

[CAP493]

Why would they fly via DXB to JNB?
Quite!
Many many years ago, BOAC (aaahhh....) used to tech stop in Rome out of London to SA, which would be a reasonable choice if a 767-200 needs to tech stop (which it probably does) operating from LTN to JNB.

[chrism20]

With Eurostar services due to start from the revamped St Pancras next year, why would anyone in their right mind start a scheduled service to Brussels (presumably Charleroi) from Luton or Stansted given that travellers will be able to connect directly into the new St Pancras International from Kings Cross (trains from Cambridge and parts of Stansted's catchment area) via a subway, as well as from Luton's catchment area via Midland Mainline or First Capital Connect.

And I'd give easyJet's Luton to Paris service in its present form, only until the Spring of 2008...

:confused: :uhoh: :eek:


Cost - Everytime I cost a trip like the above Eurostar is extortion

[LTNman]

The Flying Club opens its doors for the last time on December 31st. I have been told that the ground that the building sits on will become a Harrods aircraft stand, which implies that maybe the 2 hangers next door to it and the Chiltern Air Support portocabins could also disappear and become stands. Also it would seem that all the existing tenants in hangar 129, which will become the new Harrods terminal also have to be out of that building by December 31st

Silverjet are moving into part of Britannia Airways former HQ opposite the flying club so that building is safe.

According to a Monarch pilot Monarch are eyeing up new routes to the Eastern Med from Luton.

[toledoashley]

Have had a whisper that SilverJet will be doing travel agent fam trips from February.

[22/04]

Notice Monarch have 2 A320 AND 1 A321 this winter instead of 2 757s and a 320 last winter and Faro is only operating arouund Christmas and from Feb. Is this in the light of experience from last winter- there must be reduced pax as a result.

I now Ltn will see an extra aircraft next summer but what will the mix be? will those 757s return?

[Mr @ Spotty M]

22/04
Plan "A" at the moment is no, plan is 2 A320s and 2 A321s.
However if the Cyprus flights happen, then we might see a B757 for a few flights.
Most of the B757 are going to be Gatwick based.:ok:

[Buster the Bear]

XL Airways UK (JN/London Gatwick) will as expected base two ex-Ajet B737-800s in Cyprus to replace flights previously operated by Ajet.

[Powerjet1]

XL Airways UK (JN/London Gatwick) will as expected base two ex-Ajet B737-800s in Cyprus to replace flights previously operated by Ajet.

Would a LTN service rise from the ashes as a result of the above. XL only have the odd charter from LTN, or would they bypass LTN, leaving it to MON, who we know are considering a Cyprus option.

Below is a small piece from LADCAN.

Government review of progress on the White Paper:

Continuing Blight

Referring to the options for expansion in the Airport's draft Master Plan published in October 2005, the review (14 December) says: "Luton Airport has continued to explore these options in conjunction with its freeholder, Luton Borough Council. In spring 2007, it intends to publish an interim master plan indicating development plans for the existing airport estate up to 2015. This is expected to be followed by a final master plan which will outline longer-term plans for growth beyond 2015."

And so it goes on. What development can really take place on the existing site, not much; and we all know the probs associated with extending the concession period with LBC.

[PAXboy]

chrism20Cost - Everytime I cost a trip like the above Eurostar is extortion[ate]Yes and likely to remain so. These are four of the main reasons for it being so.

Eurostar have very few routes and cannot cross support in the way that airlines can.
Their vehicles are made specifically for them and are not available to buy second hand or purchased through a variety of dealers but only direct from the manufacturer and in very small numbers.
They have to pay for their tracks for every inch of the route. Airlines only have to pay for their 'tracks' when the a/c is standing on them. The moment they rotate, that particular cost vanishes.
Terminals in the centre of cities and that have been built specifically for them and most of the costs cannot be shared with anyone else.

[Buster the Bear]

"They have to pay for their tracks for every inch of the route. Airlines only have to pay for their 'tracks' when the a/c is standing on them. The moment they rotate, that particular cost vanishes"........The airlines have to pay ATC route charges levied by the respective country overflown.

I was told a while back that Excel, now XL.com would be taking over the Cyprus-Luton route once airframes and crew were available (Feb/March 2007), I have heard nothing yet to contradict this, but as we all know, this is a rumour network.

[TartinTon]

According to Travelmole monarch are to start 4 flights a week LTNLCA from 26March :ok:

[Powerjet1]

Yep. Monarch have announced it on their website today- LTN-LCA. Flights operate M, T, W, Sat.

[fx-85ms]

so how many aircraft will Monarch have at each of their bases from the next summer season?

[Buster the Bear]

Have they dropped any existing planned flights to operate this route?

[LTNman]

Based on 3 flights a week and not the announced 4, Tenerife was being reduced by 2 flights a week and Las Palmas by one flight a week.

[Mr @ Spotty M]

All LCA flights by A321, so looks as if flights are being reduced from other routes, remember they operated a Wed flight this summer as a charter (B757).
That gives only two more flights a week and the fourth during peak times.:ok:

[LTNman]

So what do you make of this then? http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5060438.html

[Powerjet1]

Same story in the Scotsman re EDI, with a 30 min change in LTN. What are Silverjet suggesting, pax use an easy shuttle from GLA & EDI to connect with the New York flight

[ebenezer]

Silverjet are suggesting pax use an easy shuttle from GLA & EDI to connect with the New York flightA great idea and as far as 'interlining' is concerned, something that LTN desperately lacks which is partly why so many of its services have in the past, failed after the initial six or-so months: there's never sufficient 'terminating' passengers. However, it's doubtful that this is true 'interlining' i.e. GLA and EDI pax will presumably have to collect all hold baggage and then check-in again. Given that Silverjet will be using a separate dedicated part of the terminal complex, it's doubtful that 30 minutes will be sufficient time to complete the procedure.
Even if 'interlining' is offered, the question then arises as to whether LTN's baggage handling equipment and procedures are able to cater for this type of sophisticated intra-terminal baggage transfer operation.

Still, if LTN wants to join the ranks of the elite 'big boys', then it's management also needs to start thinking and acting 'big'...

[Buster the Bear]

I thought that Luton management are acting 'big' now by banning wide bodies beyond Alpha 8 inbound to the apron (they now have to close down and be towed onto stand creating untold delays). I guess the 747 that parked on 15L a few years back was the variable geometry version!

Very odd, that Edinburgh SilverJet story?

[PAXboy]

BusterThe airlines have to pay ATC route charges levied by the respective country overflown.Sure, thanks for reminding me. The problem for the railways is that they have to pay for the tracks - even when they are not using them! Their cost of acquisiton for the new Eurostar line into St.Pancras has been horrendous with compulsory purchase and specialise tracks to be laid that, as I say, no one else can share.

It is ironic that much of the justification for Eurostar was the cost of travel from London to Paris and Brussels. Then along came the LoCos and now Eurostar is the expensive one.

[Powerjet1]

The loss of daily flights to Cyprus by Helios/Ajet, a 70% reduction in the IOM services, and reduced flights by ryanair, resulted in the first drop in terminal pax for many months. Flights were down 6.2% to 5662. Prov monthly figs for Nov show LTN had 635,930 pax, down 2.4% on Nov 05. The 12 month rolling figures were up 3.9% to 9.41m.

[Buster the Bear]

Were there more easyJet airframes based during Nov 2006 compared to Nov 2005, surely there were also more Wizz flights during the comparable months?

[londonmet]

There will allegedly be three flights a week to Lanaca but to operate those three flights two other existing services will be dropped with a W pattern aircraft introduced, meaning that 5 Monarch aircraft will fly into Luton on one day of the week.

Forgive me....

What's a W pattern?

L Met

[Sky Wave]

londonmet.

An example of the W

Luton - Paris - Birmingham - Paris to Luton.

SW

[Daft bat]

Heard that the Police helicopter left Luton for the last time tonight. Also that harrods have pulled out of developing the hanger that the olice have just vacated, anybody heard if this is a fact and if so why ?

[22/04]

Yes Wizz and possibly EZY are up, but ZB are down on last winter- I keep looking and finding things missing (Faro s for example) and a 321 and a 320 have replaced two 757s and at least one a/c sits on the ground more. May not affect pax too badly as a friend flew to Faro last Xmas on lightly loaded ZB flights though. Also some TOM flights have gone - Monastir? is a second 757 comnig when ski flights start or are we having a winter with one 757 and the 733? And FCA seem to be doing less than last year. And FR Marracech and Malta muust mean fewer rotations and fewer pax.

Would expect Luton to be at risk of being down all winter. Maybe Silverjet will lift?

[gilesdavies]

I understand that Ryanair achieved a 73% load factor for their route to Malta in November. Was this their first full month of operation? If it was, considering November is hardly a prime time for tourists to visit the island, not a bad start eh?


I flew the route for a five day get away at the end of November, both flights were very good sellers... On the return flight (MLA-LTN)on the 28th November, was only two spare seats on the aircraft.

There was probably more Maltese than Brits travelling on the flight. About 60% of Malta Airports traffic is UK flights and with Malta having very close links to the UK and a reasonably large Maltese population the route is a no brainer.

With there been no other LCC competition on the route, Ryanair are going to have no problems filling the planes. But dont expect many more new routes from MLA...

With Malta Airport having very high landing fees in comparison to other European airports, the Maltese governement decided to heavily subsidise airport fees in order to attract the LCC market to the island. But the government very cleverly only decided to offer subsidised routes to LCC's if the route did not duplicate a route already operated by Air Malta to protect their own interests. As Air Malta already operate to the London market from LHR, LGW and STN. Ryanair were only allowed to operate the route from LTN in order to receive the subsidy.

[Powerjet1]

XL Airways UK (JN/London Gatwick) will as expected base two ex-Ajet B737-800s in Cyprus to replace flights previously operated by Ajet.

For the last few days there has been a daily XL flight at LTN from/to Larnaca. Is this just a charter over the Xmas period, to cover the void left by Helios/Ajet ?

[Buster the Bear]

My understanding was that XL would cover the peak period flights which should have been operated by Ajet and had really good bookings for the Xmas period. Flights would stop in the new year then resume in the spring.

[King Pong]

I thought that Luton management are acting 'big' now by banning wide bodies beyond Alpha 8 inbound to the apron (they now have to close down and be towed onto stand creating untold delays). I guess the 747 that parked on 15L a few years back was the variable geometry version!
Very odd, that Edinburgh SilverJet story?

So what is the thinking behind that decision then?

[LTNman]

Standby for a nightmare!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:
Thought the traffic congestion could not get any worse well think again. The new bridge by the approach lights to 08 is being installed in January which according to the councils website means the complete closure for 4 days of the A505 between Vauxhall Way and Gypsy Lane from Friday 12th January to Monday 15th January. The road is also closed from 10pm Christmas Eve to the 27th for a new bridge to be installed over the railway line.

[Powerjet1]

Aer Arrann seems to have been the only airline at LTN to have suffered in the last few days because of the fog. Whilst all the other airlines have operated normally, AA seems to have had massive proplems. With all flights sold out, many flights have been cancelled because of their inability to operate in such conditions. In fairness, AA seem to have tried very hard to help the hundreds of pax affected, by arranging coach transfers to other airports, jet sub-charters from LTN to DUB, then coach to either GWY or WAT. Unfortunately, some of these were also cancelled.

Today, AA now seem to have some 16 plus flights into and out of LTN to try and get everyone home for Xmas, and clear the backlog. Will it happen, hopefully yes, but a word of praise for their efforts is worth noting.

[Alloy]

Aer Arran delays, are their ATR's CAT I or II, most other operators out of Luton (737NG/A320/1/319/A300etc.) are CAT 3A or CAT3B.

[flyerz111]

Good to see Arann are even operating extra LTN-IOM flights today too to clear the backlog - how many other airlines would do that just two weeks before they pull off a route. Cynical observers would have expected them to just look after their Galway and Waterford-bound passengers.
They may not be perfect, but they have a heart. Well done Arann!

[ebenezer]

Thought the traffic congestion could not get any worse well think again...Wait until they close Airport Way for four weeks and afterwards, Percival Way for another four weeks - to construct a new road junction at the 'Ibis Roundabout' that'll enable the new approach road to connect up.

This is scheduled from late January until just before Easter - what a nightmare scenario. As usual, LBC blames LLAO and LLAO says it's nothing whatsoever to do with LTN but instead, it's down to the 'highway' authority.

Personally, I think it's so so daft that it's just got to be down to some idiot lurking in the Luton Town Hall.
:ugh: :mad:

[gilesdavies]

Good to see Arann are even operating extra LTN-IOM flights today too to clear the backlog - how many other airlines would do that just two weeks before they pull off a route. Cynical observers would have expected them to just look after their Galway and Waterford-bound passengers.
They may not be perfect, but they have a heart. Well done Arann!

Extract from the departures board on LTN's website at 9pm Saturday night...

RE887P Isle Of Man 19:30 19:30 Cancelled
RE508 Galway 20:00 21:00 Estimated 21:00
:=

[Buster the Bear]

Surely what Arann are offering just good old fashioned customer service, something the airline industry was once very good at. When an airline pulls out all the stops to look after their passengers in this day and age, it seems to run at odds with the 'norm'?

BLIMEY, getting to and from the airport will be a challenge during the road works, hopefully the end result will be enhanced accessibility?

[King Pong]

Wait until they close Airport Way for four weeks and afterwards, Percival Way for another four weeks - to construct a new road junction at the 'Ibis Roundabout' that'll enable the new approach road to connect up.
This is scheduled from late January until just before Easter - what a nightmare scenario. As usual, LBC blames LLAO and LLAO says it's nothing whatsoever to do with LTN but instead, it's down to the 'highway' authority.
Personally, I think it's so so daft that it's just got to be down to some idiot lurking in the Luton Town Hall.
:ugh: :mad:


Timed nicely to coincide with the maiden flight of Silverjet’s new service to New York

[vintage ATCO]

Surely what Arann are offering just good old fashioned customer service, something the airline industry was once very good at. When an airline pulls out all the stops to look after their passengers in this day and age, it seems to run at odds with the 'norm'?

At one time we had six Arann ATRs on the ground this afternoon.

[LTNman]

The airport is closed to all traffic from 17:30 on Christmas day to 05:30 Boxing day as there will be no ATS cover.

[vintage ATCO]

Oh yes there will be! That is not the reason for the closure.

[LTNman]

Oh yes there will be! That is not the reason for the closure.

Notam lie then

AGA : Q)EGTT/QFALC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5152N00022W005
FROM 06/12/25 17:30 TO 06/12/26 05:30 A3213/06
E)AD CLSD/NOT AVBL AS DIVERSION. ATS NOT AVBL

[ebenezer]

Notam lie then
No it doesn't. Because Luton is closed from 1730 25th Dec to 0530 26th Dec, there won't be any ATS available from the tower. Whether or not Luton approach at West Drayton stays open is quite another matter. It's rumoured that the Notam wasn't issued by Nats anywway, but by the airport's new operations manager when he decided to close the airport in the evening and overnight.

[vintage ATCO]

The NOTAM says ATS is not available because the aerodrome is closed, not the other way round. Read what it says, not what you think it says.

[flyerz111]

At one time we had six Arann ATRs on the ground this afternoon.That's almost half the total fleet - I wonder is that a record for the most they have every had parked together given that their overall fleet is spread out at bases across Ireland and the UK?

I see RE884P to Coventry on the Luton Departures tonight, presumably an Air Atlantic ATR helping them out today going back to base?

[LTNman]

The NOTAM says ATS is not available because the aerodrome is closed, not the other way round. Read what it says, not what you think it says.
No big deal.....:zzz: :zzz: :zzz: ...Wonder what Santa is going to put down your chimney tonight??...Ho Ho Ho
http://www.noradsanta.org/index.php

[Pain in the R's]

From the airports website:

Closure of terminal from Monday 25th December PM to Tuesday 26th December AM.
Owing to a much reduced flight program with effect from 1730 hrs Monday 25th December through to 0200 hrs Tuesday 26th December 2006 London Luton Airport will be closed to the public.
Normal access of the terminal building and other airport facilities will resume at 0200 hrs.

Very good seeing that the airports one and only scheduled arrival is not planned to arrive until 17:50:D

[PAXboy]

ebenezerAs usual, LBC blames LLAO and LLAO says it's nothing whatsoever to do with LTN but instead, it's down to the 'highway' authority. Personally, I think it's so so daft that it's just got to be down to some idiot lurking in the Luton Town Hall.Actually, I think that what we have here is just a very fine example of 21st Century Britain.

Our public services have been deliberately fragmented in the name of all sorts of expediency but mainly cash. When LBC blames LLAO and they blame the dustbin men - they are all correct because no one is in charge any more. Everyone has their own patch and has to interact with everyone else but independently of everyone else. No one wants to take on the role of cordinating because then you wil have to pay more money and face the law suits when it goes wrong.

Central govt from Thatcher onwards has set about fragmenting public service. Any time you get fed up of looking at the mess the airports of the country are in, look at the NHS or education and ask - Just who is in charge? The answer is everybody and that meanst nobody.

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

ebenezer

the airport's new operations manager when he decided to close the airport in the evening and overnight.

Ah yes ... the new Operations Manager ... ruffling a few feathers already. Gather he's the one responsible for the recent decision for all widebodies to be tugged to/from A8. Bet SilverJet are pleased!

Also the on/off/on/off marshalling of aircraft by FBO's and handling agents will be starting for certain very soon. And all of this to cut LLAO costs

[jetsetwilly]

ebenezer

Also the on/off/on/off marshalling of aircraft by FBO's and handling agents will be starting for certain very soon. And all of this to cut LLAO costs

Does that mean we will get some of them Star Wars type thingys to wave about?!?!?:} :} :}
I'll have a red one please!


JSW.

[LTNman]

ebenezer
.
Ah yes ... the new Operations Manager ... ruffling a few feathers already. Gather he's the one responsible for the recent decision for all widebodies to be tugged to/from A8. Bet SilverJet are pleased!

Yes but why? Luton has been handling widebodies for around 35 year with no problems.

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

I am led to believe that all these operational changes are to reduce LLAO's insurance premium.:confused:

[LTNman]

Heard it had something to do with CAA dispensation, which the airport forgot to renew. Now it has lapsed it has gone for good. The insurance premiums has more to do with the handling agents who are going to take over responsibility for marshalling

[vintage ATCO]

Heard it had something to do with CAA dispensation, which the airport forgot to renew.

Doesn't work like that. Not true.

[LTNman]

I am led to believe that all these operational changes are to reduce LLAO's insurance premium.:confused:
Why is that then? Why is the issue with only the main apron? They used to park Tristar’s on stand 5ish and the terminal stands would park Monarch 757’s, now all the terminal stands seem to be limited to 737 size of aircraft as they can squeeze more aircraft in so it can’t have anything to do with wingtip clearance as a wide body taxis surely?

[ebenezer]

Ah yes ... the new Operations Manager ... ruffling a few feathers already.
Also responsible for implementing a ban on all overnight high-power engine running unless the aircraft is due our carrying pax on the first rotation (didn't seem to consider aircraft that might be AOG but needed for the first pax rotation out of say, Stansted, Birmingham or Gatwick!)
...so it can’t have anything to do with wingtip clearance as a wide body taxis surely?Bug**r all to do with CAA dispensations or anything else vaguely connected with practicalities. It's all down to the new LLAO man not liking the available wingtip clearance for wide-body (not B757s which aren't wide body) aircraft types taxiing via Alpha to/from the Main Apron stands. Apparently he doesn't think there's enough even though the taxiway strip complies and alway has complied with the necessary CAA criteria. A well-placed 'mole' tells me that it took over a quarter of an hour to get a ThomsonFly B767 out from stand 15 just before Christmas, during which time the taxiway was completely blocked. Might be an OK way to run a small regional airport in West Yorkshire - but it's hardly an efficient way to run London's fourth...

:hmm: :rolleyes: :=

[toledoashley]

FlyBE has disappeared off the booking engine for JER next summer - too much competition from TOMfly? Would have liked to have seen them expand at LTN to NCL/MAN/BHD/JER/GCI/IOM etc

[GBALU53]

Attn toledoashley.

The Jersey-Luton-Jersey summer service is still showing on Flybe timetable for 2007.

The service is Saturdays only from the 5th May 2007 to the 29th Sept 2007does this help or do you know a bit more and that they will not operate this service all be it one day a week against the Tommy flights of every day next year??

[CAP493]

It took over a quarter of an hour to get a ThomsonFly B767 out from stand 15
This is essentially correct (it also took 25 minutes to tow a Kuwaiti A310 inbound to Stand 16 earlier this month) but the reasons for the length of time this took should be understood (the delay with the inbound A310 was allegedly, because the tow-bar or shear pin broke). As for the Boeing 767, firstly, because it was positioning to BHX and so empty and thus light, the flight crew were not willing to complete engine start until the tug had disengaged. Secondly, neither the ground crew nor the flight crew appeared to know precisely where the taxiing restriction applies and in consequence, the tug disengaged too soon and had to be re-connected so that it could tow the aircraft beyond i.e. south of, Alpha 8.

Whilst this may or may not be the way to run a major London airport (it's up to others to judge, but certainly, AENA's management is not exactly an amateur or inexperienced in this regard) the fact is that if flight crew and based ground crew don't know precisely what they're supposed to do (inadequate or poor briefing or documentation?), then it's inevitable that the procedure is going to take longer than expected. Similarly, if tow bars or shear pins break, this again is going to delay things and cause 'traffic jams'.

What's painfully clear is that any regular number of wide-body movements to/from the Main Apron at LTN (say, one or more movements per hour) in either direction is going to severly affect the airport's handling capacity especially at peak times, and this will inevitably have a significant impact on runway utilisation simply because aircraft that are 'boxed in' won't be able to get out there quickly enough.
:8

[LTNman]

No mention of it on the notams

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

All of the Luton NOTAMS seem to have gone from the NATS Pre-Briefing Website!!!

[vintage ATCO]

No NOTAMs current then.

[Buster the Bear]

http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=247467

[King Pong]

Ryanair also cancelled the first departures of the day on all four of their aircraft on Boxing Day from Luton.

[Buster the Bear]

Ryanair also cancelled the first departures of the day on all four of their aircraft on Boxing Day from Luton.
SHOCKING........Bring back Ciao Fly, they were a far more reliable airline!

[Powerjet1]

Attn toledoashley.
The Jersey-Luton-Jersey summer service is still showing on Flybe timetable for 2007.
The service is Saturdays only from the 5th May 2007 to the 29th Sept 2007does this help or do you know a bit more and that they will not operate this service all be it one day a week against the Tommy flights of every day next year??

The route is definately pulled. My mother-in-law, who had a JER-LTN booked for May, has been advised by Flybe that she will be receiving a full refund within the next few days. Booked instead with Thomson at about half the price. Hope the daily flight works out for them.

[Buster the Bear]

http://www.maltastar.com/pages/msFullArt.asp?an=8786

[LGS6753]

Could this "mystery" have anything to do with the new requirement under EU:yuk: law to pay compensation?

Just a thought...

[Powerjet1]

Ryanair also cancelled the first departures of the day on all four of their aircraft on Boxing Day from Luton.

Same on New Years Day.

[Charlie Roy]

Ryanair also cancelled the first departures of the day on all four of their aircraft on Boxing Day from Luton.

Ryanair operate limited schedules every year from all bases on December 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st and January 1st.

It's not correct to say that Ryanair "cancelled" flights on these days, but it's true that Tuesday December 26th for example was not a typical Tuesday regarding Ryanair operations.

So Malta airport arrival and departure screens were showing their "Tuesday screens". It was incorrect to show "Cancelled" next to the Ryanair flights but I suppose their software or screen space did not allow the comment "Exceptionally not scheduled to operate this Tuesday".

The Malta Star article seems to be based on the screens at the airport. I'd like them to actually find a passenger who booked a flight from Luton to Malta or vice versa for December 26th.

[Buster the Bear]

Since when have Virgin Rail operated from Luton?

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30400-13559684,00.html?f=rss

[IB4138]

Stagecoach East has relaunched the Virgin Trains rail feeder service connecting Luton Airport and Milton Keynes Central. per Buses Magazine January 2007 issue.
The "VT99" service serves Luton Station as well in both directions, uses 6 new wheelchair accessible coaches operating in Virgin livery. It is an hourly service from circa 06.00 to 22.00 daily.

[toledoashley]

I have to say that I love the idea - the only problem being would an aircraft be able to take off for a LTNKUL sector - or would this operate from LHR with EZY providing a feeder service.

A Virgin/Easy/Air Asia alliance makes sence for econ passengers - especially as MH are in trouble at the moment, but waht about premium passengers on VS?

Could this be a beginning for more VS alliances - B9 anyone?

[egnxema]

Have watched a few "Airline" episodes on Sky Travel over the holidays. Really old series with launch routes from BFS and still using the old terminals at LTN and LPL

Regarding LTN, the checkin area in the old terminal - is that now part o fthe departure lounge? Or is it the area being refurbed for Silverjet?

[LTNman]

Virgin liveried busses have been running a hourly service from the airport to Milton Keynes railway station for years. The airport is a destination on the Virgin trains website.

[IB4138]

That's why it's a relaunch!

[PAXboy]

toledoashleyA Virgin/Easy/Air Asia alliance makes sence for econ passengers - especially as MH are in trouble at the moment, but waht about premium passengers on VS?This is an LCC project. If people want to pay VS premium prices, they will not be using this alliance.

[Buster the Bear]

The press article says that Sir Stelios met with the proposed consortium, and not easyJet.

A bus link to Milton Keynes is a very tenuous method to assume this consortium will use Luton?

[LTNman]

So where have all the Luton posters gone or is there just no news about? I have heard that Variglog are going to operate a weekly general cargo service into Luton using MD11’s starting Mid January. Initially the service will run only for a few weeks but there is a hope that this could be the start of something more permanent.

[Buster the Bear]

A regular MD-11! I wonder who will park it?

[Charlie Roy]

Rumours on other forums suggest that Easyjet are planning to launch Luton - Brussels.

Source: Luchtzak (http://www.luchtzak.be)

[Powerjet1]

With Eurostar due to start a few miles down the track from St.Pancras in November, Brussels will only be 1hr 50 mins from London, so would there really be sufficient demand for a Brussels service from LTN by easy. When you factor in check-in times, travel to/from the airport, flight times etc, the train will win every time.

I appreciate that easy currently operate a 4 x daily from LTN to CDG but the long-term viability of this route must be doubtfull once the eurostar ops start in St.Panc.

[airhumberside]

So where have all the Luton posters gone or is there just no news about? I have heard that Variglog are going to operate a weekly general cargo service into Luton using MD11’s starting Mid January. Initially the service will run only for a few weeks but there is a hope that this could be the start of something more permanent.
I thought VarigLog had a Saturday LHR flight? Is that flight affected?

[LTNman]

airhumberside

According to my contact in cargo the answer is apparently yes, as the airline is changing the day of its arrival so it can’t get into Heathrow. Would have thought it would have been better going into Stansted or even Manston as there is more room and longer runways.
Its flying on to somewhere in Europe, but I am not sure where, so won’t be flying back direct to South America, which is probably why Luton's runway is acceptable.

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

Remember Variglog have operated through Luton on a number of occasions during the annual importation of nags (sorry polo ponies) so it's not as if Luton is an unknown quantity. All previous flights have then gone on to Frankfurt-Main.

Buster - agree ... parking could be interesting!!!!:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[CAP493]

Buster - agree ... parking could be interesting!!!!
Probably be parked on Stand 21 or 22, 42 or 48.

One thing's certain - it won't be parked on any of the stands on or taxi through, the Main Apron!

:{

On a different topic - the Chiltern Air Support Unit - interestingly, one of their concerns about operating from Henlow was its lack of bad-weather/all-weather facilities, landing aids, etc. Well, during the recent extensive period of Home-Counties fog, the police heli was seen operating into and out of Henlow on several occasions, whilst Luton was sitting in a 250 metres fog with everyone doing Cat. 3b approaches.

So it seems, Henlow does offer some advantages...

:hmm:

[LGS6753]

On at least one previous visit, the Variglog MD-11 parked at the Cargo Terminal, so stands 3x are perhaps most likely?

[airhumberside]

So could VarigLog be going back to LHR at some point as you mention the flight could be just for a few weeks?

[LTNman]

airhumberside
First 4 flights confirmed.:ok: might be the last 4 flights.:( Time will tell.

[LTNman]

Minutes at http://www.llacc.com/CurrentMeeting.asp

Minutes include this nightmare:

Works continue with the East Luton Corridor programme. Work to remodel the roundabout at the Ibis Hotel has seen some extensive excavation works whilst attempting to keep the existing roadway open. At present, there were 2 proposed options available to the airport: Option A could take 6-7 months to complete but this would allow Airport Way and Percival Way to remain open. The alternative Option B, would mean the closure of Airport Way completely for 3 to 4 weeks and diversions would be routed via Frank Lester Way and Percival Way. Once this work has been carried out and Airport Way reopened, Percival Way would be closed for 4 to 6 weeks to complete the works.

So is Luton going for option A or B?

Looking at the airports website it could well be B

Extensive roadworks on the approach to London Luton Airport
04 January 2007

Important passenger information

Major roadworks are scheduled on the M1 motorway and the main approach to the airport during the months of January, February, and March 2007 - both will affect access to London Luton Airport. Passengers are advised to expect delays for the duration of these works and are strongly advised to leave additional travel time to get to London Luton Airport.

So why does the new roundabout need to be at a different level to the existing road network? :(

It’s going to be one hell of a journey to get from the Car hire centre/ long term carpark to the terminal.

[PAXboy]

The short-sharp is always preferable, in my view. Better to have BIG disruption to LESS people for a shorter time. Generally, the Brits do it the other way around and so manage in pi$$ off more people. I suspect that it is better for the contractor to do it over an extended period of time as they can charge more money.

[Buster the Bear]

Provisional November 2006 statistics from the CAA show:
Nov 2006 compared to Nov 2005, ATM’s down 6.1%, but on a rolling year up 5.9%. Terminal passengers during November 2006 down 2.4% compared to Nov 2005, but up 3.9% on a rolling year. 9.4 million passengers passed through the tinminal (rolling year).

Break down Nov 2006 compared to Nov 2005: Glasgow -7.9%, Edinburgh +3.2%, Inverness +1.6%, Isle of Man -4.4%, Aberdeen -2%, Paris CDG +19%, Nice -13%, Nimes -14%, Berlin -10%, Bremen +18%, Dortmund +6%, Gibraltar +37%, Athens +3%, Knock +26%, Dublin -11%, Kerry +9%, Waterford -3%, Bergamo -13%, Rome -12%, Turin -43%, Amsterdam -17%, Faro +2%, Alicante +20, Barcelona 1%, Gerona +8%, Madrid -2%, Mahon -8%, Malaga -15%, Murcia -12%, Palma +4%, Reus -11%, Lanzarote +15%, Fuerteventura -43%, Las Palmas -6%, Tenerife +23%, Basle -2%, Geneva -25%, Budapest -4%, Karakow 15%, Poznan 39%, Warcaw 14%, Sharm ES 12%.

[compton3bravo]

Good news about Varig-Log, let us hope it is a success. I would imagine that Aviance as the handling company will have the responsibility of making sure that the aircraft is parked correctly on the cargo apron.
Just a quick note about the road works – I think you will find that the new roundabout near the two hotels is to be realigned. Road improvements have to be done sometimes, people have complained about the poor road network around the airport for years, now they moan that it is going to take them a few minutes longer to get to and from the terminal – typical of the British nation!
I witnessed a coach from Bristol on Sunday morning bringing passengers from that airport to Luton to connect for an easyJet flight – now that’s something to complain about!
Regarding Brussels – I think it could work providing that the timings are correct and the prices competitive. I believe no loc cost operator from the UK flies to Brussels National at this time as I think easyJet would not fly to Charleroi but I may be wrong – it won’t be the first time!

[Charlie Roy]

compton3bravo

Easyjet were in negotiations first with Brussels National BRU (recently officially renamed to "Brussels Airport (http://www.brusselsairport.be/en/news/newsItems/202159)" simply). Those negotiations fell through.

Then (somewhat surprisingly) Easyjet engaged in serious negotiations with Charleroi Brussels South CRL. They seemed to be going somewhere, or maybe it was just a tactic, but eitherway at the last minute Easyjet nonetheless struck a deal with BRU :E

Your assertion that "no loc cost operator from the UK flies to Brussels National at this time" is essentially true. However BMI often offer fares of 1 EUR to London Heathrow LHR!!! And fairly competitve fares to East Midlands, Leeds and Edinburgh if you book early enough....

[pabely]

I wonder with the positive figures EZY seem to have to Paris via CAA stats above, they feel there is money to be made from Brussels also - at least until Eurostar arrives in London (proper).

[ClearLand08]

easy have 4 rotations to Paris this winter from Luton, versus just 3 last winter - so that will have driven the increase. Although, based on the numbers the load factor seems to be around 58%, which doesn't seem too great.

Those November pax numbers are interesting, with many of the more established easy destinations showing decline. However, some of the newer routes seem to be doing well, notably Istanbul (84% loads) and Lisbon (86% loads). Looking at the summer timetable I see easy have added a second daily flight to Lisbon.

Other changes in Summer 07 versus last year are Dortmund up to 3x daily (from 2x), Bratislava dropped, Amsterdam down to 4x daily (from 5x), and the new overnight to Ibiza. So net-net I make it 144 daily easy flights for Summer 07 versus 142 for Summer 06 operating with the same number of 17 based aircraft.

[jetsetwilly]

I witnessed a coach from Bristol on Sunday morning bringing passengers from that airport to Luton to connect for an easyJet flight – now that’s something to complain about!
What's to complain about?
JSW.

[compton3bravo]

jetsetwilly

A 2-21/2 hour drive from Bristol to Luton along the M4-M25-M1 and then having to check in and go through security etc. before even getting anywhere near an aircraft especially if your are going for a short break or business trip.

[vintage ATCO]

Indeed. They could have just said "The flight's cancelled. Have a nice day." :rolleyes:

[22/04]

I'm sure this has been said. If you were on a short break EZY might have offered refund/vouchers. Thet may have judged that to be a bridge too far. But they did try to get everyone to where they wanted to go. Safely.

Somewhere down the line BRS fouled up. I guess EZY have picked up significant cost because they decided not to operate. They may try to reclaim some of this from BRS - that's a matter for the courts.

Bottom line. I'd rather be on a bus for 2 hours or not go than be in hosptial or worse because an aeroplane got broken on a marginal/unsafe runway.

It's better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there wishing you were down here

[en2r]

Indeed. They could have just said "The flight's cancelled. Have a nice day." :rolleyes:
You're obviously quoting Ryanair

[compton3bravo]

I'm sure this has been said. If you were on a short break EZY might have offered refund/vouchers. Thet may have judged that to be a bridge too far. But they did try to get everyone to where they wanted to go. Safely.
Somewhere down the line BRS fouled up. I guess EZY have picked up significant cost because they decided not to operate. They may try to reclaim some of this from BRS - that's a matter for the courts.
Bottom line. I'd rather be on a bus for 2 hours or not go than be in hosptial or worse because an aeroplane got broken on a marginal/unsafe runway.
It's better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there wishing you were down here
Couldn’t agree more. Through my own experiences I am sure easyJet would have given the option of travelling to Luton or a refund. I shudder to think of the consequences if an aircraft had slewed off the runway at Bristol due to the runway conditions.

[Buster the Bear]

I understand that the local Dry Cleaner was kept rather busy prior to the decision to suspend flights last weekend!

[jetsetwilly]

jetsetwilly
A 2-21/2 hour drive from Bristol to Luton along the M4-M25-M1 and then having to check in and go through security etc. before even getting anywhere near an aircraft especially if your are going for a short break or business trip.
I was just wondering how the topic went from 'Airport Roundabout' to 'complaining about easyJet' in one post?:confused:
JSW.

[egnxema]

Jetsetwilly
Great nickname, in fact - I think it would be a great name for an airline. Has the fun and naughtiness associated with Virgin Atlantic when they set up.
Might be an urban myth, but I think Sir RB want to call Economy 'RiffRaff Class' to go along with 'Upper Class'.
Just think of all the marketing fun and one liners you could have with "Jetsetwilly"
:ok:

And as is the current custom for naming your aircraft.....Jetsetwilly (the airline) would go for:-

Weewillywinky
Willy Wonka
Fat Willy
Willy Nilly

[Buster the Bear]

So is chaos predicted when Percy Way closes?

The only name and nose art to consider for a jet airliner is quite simply.......


Buster the Bear

[LTNman]

So is chaos predicted when Percy Way closes?
Buster the Bear
It’s going to be hell on earth as the local residents and airport users all battle to get to and from the M1 and A505 in the morning and evening rush hour. Of course this is going to coincide with the launch of the new Silverjet service to New York. Now with the launch only a couple of weeks away it is touch and go whether their terminal is going to be actually finished.

[Buster the Bear]

Oh my goodness, I have just visited Luton for the first time in a while, you arrive at the roundabout opposite the tinminal, you look left and.....the horizon is ORANGE.

Tacky, cheap and nasty, unlike the silver of their very close neighbours. Anyway, for my next visit to Luton I have bought an essential item!

http://www.heavyglare.com/WESC/Animals/The-Brown-Bear.jpg

[LGS6753]

The last LTN-IOM has operated:{.

A-jet's demise has meant the cessation of Larnaca and Paphos:{ . But Monarch will pick up Larnaca in summer:ok:

FlyBe's Jersey won't restart in May:{ .

Aer Arran's based unit has gone, together with Lorient and Newquay:{ .

Next week Wizz start Bucharest:ok: .

The week after Silverjet start the first ever scheduled trans-Atlantic flights to EWR :ok: .

The summer will see TOM doing Dubrovnik, Prague and Jersey as well as the old favourites.

EasyJet will be adding Ibiza and probably Brussels.

Monarch will be starting Ibiza and Almeria as well as Larnaca, and increasing Palma rotations from one to nine a week.

Does this amount to good news or bad? It's certainly sad to see Isle of Man end after so long, but really good to see Silverjet - hope they enjoy massive success and follow EWR with Dubai, and other long-haul destinations. In terms of passenger numbers - will the ten million be reached in 2007?

What new destinations will Wizz add - rumour has it that there are a couple more planned?

By this time it's getting late for announcements of new services for summer - unless XL re-start the A-jet services?

[EI-BUD]

I would put my bets on manx2 on operating Luton. I realise that STN has not been the success that they had hoped, such a pity.

Manx2 are watching for opportunities that appear from all operators operating from IOM. The passenger numbers between IOM and LTN were good and it amazes me that Aer Arann have closed the route given that they were flying it on their own. Despite not have a crew base at LTN, why they would not have opted to fly a w pattern via the IOM from Dublin or on one of the many flights to LTN from WAT or GWY! It was only once daily anyway ?

[TightSlot]

Anyway, for my next visit to Luton I have bought an essential item!


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c57/TightSlot/cray5.jpg

[Buster the Bear]

In real life Buster dwarfs that crayon!

Movements for summer 2007 are predicted to be down a small percentage point, but that does not necessarily mean that passengers will be as statistics include the based Copper Chopper and Eagle Flight Training which have moved out.

[ginger_ninja]

...the based Copper Chopper and Eagle Flight Training which have moved out.

I heard the Police Helicopter has moved on to RAF Henlow but does anyone know what's happened to Eagle Flight Training?

[Buster the Bear]

Eagle Flight Training moved to Duxford, but for how long?

RAF Henlow is the official base of the police helicopter.

[ginger_ninja]

Buster - thanks for the info - useful as ever

keep up the good work

[Powerjet1]

The airport seems to have revamped its website, or perhaps "tweaked" would be a more apt phrase.

[CAP493]

The short-sharp is always preferable, in my view. Better to have BIG disruption to LESS people for a shorter time
This may be so but...the impact of reducing access to/from Luton to a single road that's already completely log-jammed in 'rush hour' IMHO will be absolutely catestrophic for LTN's reputation and business.

Departing pax will miss flights (and remember, the lo-co's show no mercy), arriving pax won't be able to 'escape' (and those travelling by rail will miss their trains), other pax won't be able to get from the long-term parking to the terminal, flight and cabin crew will be unable to check in on time and so flights will be delayed and in some cases the last rotations may be cancelled because the flight crews may end up out-of hours, essential staff won't be able to get to work on time even if they leave 30 to 45 minutes early, the air traffic controllers on duty if not relieved on time may go 'out of hours', the emergency services won't be able to get into the airport's central terminal area within their allotted response times, and Silverjet's premium-paying punters will likely never again use LTN.

The whole concept of totally closing Airport Way followed by Percival Way is just a recipe for an unmitigated business disaster.

:{ :{ :{ :{ :mad:

[Buster the Bear]

CAP, this is Luton so really would you expect anything else?

I could make a few bob selling snacks to folk stuck in the traffic jams!

[LTNman]

The A505 (Airport Way) is closed this weekend. The traffic jams were so bad that after trying two different routes I gave up and went home so abandoning my trip to town.

I hate to think how long it was taking to get from the station to the terminal.

[Powerjet1]

LTNman

Is this because the airport slip road flyover bridge is being errected this weekend?

[LTNman]

A few weeks ago I thought that the bridge was being erected this weekend but as of last night the airport side bridge supports was still wrapped in scaffolding and still had the wooden shutters attached as though they still had to pour concrete.

I guess I will find out Sunday when I will make another attempt to get to the M1

[ebenezer]

The A505 (Airport Way) is closed this weekend. The traffic jams were so bad that after trying two different routes I gave up and went home so abandoning my trip to town
Sorry to jump on my soap-box again (:O ) but the road closures planned for the airport access roads and the probable traffic chaos that will result are only part of the problem, which like most things in the locality, go straight back to the incompetents in the Luton Borough Council and to some extent, also in Bedfordshire County Council.

The fact is that over the years, massive housing development was permitted in the area just northwest of the Airport with (as usual) no improvements to the road infrastructure. Therefore, every weekday morning and evening, scores of hapless commuters try to negotiate the local roads including Percival Way as the morning exodus and evening return home takes place.
The result is a local gridlock that sweeps up Airport passengers and staff alike. The so-called 'improvements' to the grandly-named "East Luton Corridor" will do bu**er all to address this traffic problem (access to/from the Airport to/from the A505 and A1[M] will remain unchanged) and so passengers, staff and local residents will continue to suffer.

The temporary road closures planned to enable the Ibis roundabout to be modified will lead to MASSIVE gridlock in rush hours and will probably result in a large number of Luton's passengers vowing never again to fly from there.
The local Council is so stupid that it just can't grasp the reality of the
situation, but it will when the receipts it takes from LLAO dramatically fall away...
:hmm::yuk:

[Mr @ Spotty M]

The latest l have heard is that Airport Way will stay open but Percival Way will be closed at the Airport Way roundabout, at the end of Jan.
Meaning no entry into Percival Way from Airport Way, only entry into Percival Way will be from Airport Approach Road.
Oh what fun it is going to be over the next few months, mainly for most of the employees based at Luton Airport.
On a second note, the roads to the M1 were not closed last night around 10pm, as they were in the morning.:{

[Buster the Bear]

Malta. Passenger movements to or from Luton during December, where Ryanair flies from, totalled 8,000, arriving and leaving on 56 flights.

Works commence on the 15th, Percy way closed form the end of the month. Scheduled completion May. Last I heard, contingency for various scenarios (car parking, etc) still to be determined.

If you park your car in the long term behind Harrods, it has been agreed that a bus will collect you and ferry you across to Stansted. This trip is deemed to be quicker than joining the horrendous tailbacks into the Luton tinminal area.

As for staff access, the YMCA and Salvation Army have agreed to construct 'tent villages' to accommodate folk unable to leave the airport site.

[Powerjet1]

Wizz commence their 3 x weekly Luton-Bucharest service tomorrow. This will increase to 4 x weekly from 4 June.

[CAP493]

The latest l have heard is that Airport Way will stay open but Percival Way will be closed at the Airport Way roundabout, at the end of Jan.

If this is true and it's the only road closure associated with the works on the Ibis Roundabout, this is a slight mitigation in that the local residents who use Percival Way as a 'rat run' during rush hours will be denied this route and so will be forced to use Vauxhall Way. This at least means that pax leaving the Airport via Airport Way in the morning won't have to contend with the back-up of traffic that the local rat-runners invariably cause in the morning rush hour. In the evening, the reverse will be true.

However, just how anyone gets between the terminal and the long-term car park in less than the time it takes to fly from Luton to Amsterdam remains to be seen.

:hmm: :rolleyes:

[LTNman]

Don’t forget the car hire pick up and return parking area. It wasn’t that long ago that it was a two minute walk from the terminal.

So Mr Traveller arrives at Luton at around 3:45pm. He spends the next hour waiting in a queue at passport control and for his luggage. He gets out of the terminal at 4:45 but has just missed the car hire bus so waits for the next one. As the service only runs every 30 minutes he has quite a wait.

At 5:15pm his bus sets off for the car hire centre but even before he has passed through the tunnel he is caught up in a queue of traffic, much of it caused by airport workers who have finished work. He then spends 45 minutes on the bus as it crawls down the hill and queues all the way along Vauxhall Way finally arriving at the car hire centre at 6:00. He is processed in only 10 minutes and sets off in his car at 6:10.

He is immediately faced with another queue of traffic as workers who finish at 6 and can’t now get down the hill by the Ibis head along local roads to get onto the A505. The A505 is still running at a crawl due to the single lane exit at the roundabout at Gypsy Lane due to the roadwork’s. Once past Gypsy Land there is soon another queue as for the next 9 weeks the entry slip road from Capability Green heading for Luton is closed. This means all traffic from Capability Green now has to use the M1 Junction 10 roundabout.

As for the M1 :yuk: Total time from arriving at Luton to reaching the M1 queue, say 3 hours.

[Buster the Bear]

http://www.shephard.co.uk/Rotorhub/Default.aspx?Action=745115149&ID=b201528c-021b-4165-8785-8519ff776227

[Powerjet1]

Dec pax were a shade up at 659,567, while the rolling 12 months to 31 Dec came out at 9.41m, up 3.1%. To break the 10m barrier in 2007 would require an annual increase of pax of about 6.3%. Is this feasible given all the current problems LTN is experiencing with infrastructure, the concession argument with LBC etc.

[BanjoBob]

[quote=LTNman;3068812]Don’t forget the car hire pick up and return parking area. It wasn’t that long ago that it was a two minute walk from the terminal.

I totally agree with you that it may take a lond time but look at it this way.
If you get stuck in a queue at the bottom of airport hill you are still going to complain come on be fair

[King Pong]

http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/references/newsdesk/hot%20topics/east%20luton%20corridor%20(elc)/roadworks/Roadworks%20information



Future works


No access to Airport Way from Percival Way. Percival Way will be closed at junction of Prentice Way. Percival Way will be open for access only. Access to hotel will be maintained via Prentice Way. For further details see the notice attached below

"Closure from Friday 02 February for a period upto four
months" :eek:

[LTNman]

The first of the Variglog MD11 flights is due in this afternoon after the flight that was due in last Monday was cancelled.

[Powerjet1]

It would seem that Aer Arran are increasing flights into LTN from both GWY & WAT, to three a day, on a Sun, Mon & Fri, starting on 25 June. Twice daily on other days.

A daily, early morning dep to LTN, at 0715, from WAT, will be possible from May.

[Charlie Roy]

Wizzair announced their first route to Stansted today: Katowice daily from the end of May.

Should Luton be worried?

[Buster the Bear]

Should Luton be worried?

I think that Luton Borough Council should be!

[Powerjet1]

Well, at least until the end of Oct the Luton-Katowice continues twice daily, with early morning & evening departures. The STN flights are in the middle of the day.

As to what happens from the start of the winter schedule who knows, but I would be very surprised to see Wizz up sticks & decamp totally to STN, especially as ryanair have made it well known of their intention to exploit Poland and the surrounding areas, which will no doubt happen ex STN.

[toledoashley]

Think they are trying to stem the growth of FR from STN, rather than moving from LTN. Might be a good move -both EZY/FR have bases at both and Centralwings fly to LGW and STN

[Charlie Roy]

Well Ryanair are also probably going to launch Stansted to Katowice in 2007 so it will be interesting to see how Wizz survive on the route...

http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/1464354,10,1,0,120,686,item.html
Ryanair, which estimates to have captured 26% of the low-cost market in Poland last year, currently operates from eight airports but plans to begin flights from Warsaw and is negotiating with Katowice airport to begin operations there, too.

[red17]

At the moment IOM - LTN idn't served by a carrier, does anybody know if anything is in the plannng or not.

[Buster the Bear]

I fully expect Air Berlin to announce flights from Luton soon.....Well in my dreams anyway!

[ebenezer]

Wizzair announced their first route to Stansted today: Katowice daily from the end of May. Should Luton be worried?
Not initially - Wizzair has probably assessed that a proportion of its LTN-originating pax either come from or go to, Stansted's catchment area and so it's just "testing the water". The peak-time slots that Wizzair uses at LTN just aren't currently available at Stansted.
But...longer-term who knows? Two years until road access into and out of LTN is partially improved is a long time in which to p**s off the punters, and all too often, LTN is used by 'start-ups' that either go bust (insufficient space here to list every example since 1990...) or having got going with a knock-down introductory rate at LTN then move either completely or mainly to Stansted, Gatwick, Coventry, etc., etc., as business improves and they're faced with the end of the 'special offer deal' at LTN.
I think that Luton Borough Council should be!
In your dreams - LBC doesn't think, doesn't know, doesn't understand, doesn't...:rolleyes:

[EI-BUD]

I think what is going on here is Wizzair are sending polite message to LTN airport management. Perhaps they are negotiating lowering costs at LTN with a view to expansion at the airport? Any thoughts on that ?

They are crazy going over to STN , Ryanair will respond more than likely.

It will be nice to see another operator @ STN in any case!

[LTNman]

The A505 Airport Way closes tonight at 10pm until Monday so the steelwork of the new road bridge can be put into postion.

[Buster the Bear]

I guess LBC could always revert to this!
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/7613/c150gasuexg2.jpg
(No idea of the year, a Bell 47 in the hangar with Helicopter Services sign on the left)

[Halcyon Days]

About the same year as this reckon! This can be seen in the background to the right of G-ASUE.
This was taken in 1966 Note what look like allotments in the background!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b67/Maybee123/WV624ProvostLTN1966.jpg

[Buster the Bear]

Maybe this is LBC's cunning plan, to seriously go 'green' and turn the airport back into allotments, then they could levy a £1.43 charge for every carrot seed planted and a fresh one pulled from the ground? In line with the Borough Council's current thinking, cabbages would be 'tax free'!

[CAP493]

Perhaps they are negotiating lowering costs at LTN with a view to expansion at the airport?
Highly unlikely as Wizzair already has a long-term fixed-price contract with LLAO and the 'new' Spanish owners are not, it appears, willing to see any more 'loss leader' arrangements at LTN as the drive is now to maximise the return on their investment at LTN (i.e. the purchase of LLAO from TBI plus funding for any improvements or devlopments).

[22/04]

Working out in India at present so out of touch. Are Silverjet 767s now gracing the tarmc daily?

[Powerjet1]

22/04

Well one is. First flight was last Thursday and operates daily. Second aircraft due in a few weeks. Lots of info on website.

[ebenezer]

This was taken in 1966
Most of Luton's councillors probably believe that LTN's still like this.
It'll be interesting to see what happens at LTN if the LibDems get control of the Council in the May elections. After all, their national policy appears to be that air travel should cease and everyone should holiday by bicycle. However, the local LibDems do at least realise that there's more money to be made in aeroplane passengers than in cyclists. Should make for some interesting local politics - and goodness knows, Luton could do with something interesting.
Are Silverjet 767s now gracing the tarmc daily?
Yes, and averaging around 80 pax per flight. Terminal looks stunning and well-equipped inside but unfortunately, the outside remains standard LTN grot with the usual assortment of winos, druggies, odd characters, dodgy cars, discarded rubbish and disgusting waste bins.
Then there's the nightmare drive into and out of the Airport, not to mention the M1 widening works both of which can just as easily shaft you in a Roller or Merc as in a Fiesta or Kar.
:rolleyes:

[LTNman]

It'll be interesting to see what happens at LTN if the LibDems get control of the Council in the May elections.

Thought they did have control after beating Labour the last time around.

[LTNman]

Wizz are closing their Luton to Ljubljana service from the end of Feb. This is the first time Wizz have closed a service from Luton:(

[SAM-EMA]

Maybe EZY could step in, they already operate the route from Stansted, maybe they could make a go of Luton. What do you guys think?

SAM-EMA

[Powerjet1]

Rumour has it that the extensive roadworks currently taking place to dual carriageway standard into the airport, ie the East Luton Corridor, are progressing ahead of schedule, and could now be complete by mid-december, as opposed to March 2008.

However, four months of hell start next week following the closure of Percival Way to build a new, large roundabout onsite of the exisiting mini-roundabout, just 300yds from the tunnel entrance into the Central Terminal Area.

[Buster the Bear]

Lib Dem's are in control of LBC and who knows post May local elections. As I have said previous, this becomes a crucial period for the airport after the balance of council power has been decided.

[Powerjet1]

XL to start 3 x weekly Larnaca-Luton flights on 6 Feb, using a Larnaca based aircraft.

[Buster the Bear]

I told you, but no one believed me!

[Powerjet1]

But it looks like it is only running until the end of March.

[Buster the Bear]

March! What use is that........and why base a plane in Larnaca for 2 months?

Must be completing the final Ajet programme now XL have spare capacity?

[saggst]

I've been told that the flights are planned throu the summer season aswell

[Powerjet1]

Well, from the XL booking engine, the last flight available is 23 March. Flights into the summer continue from other airports such as EMA. Remember, Monarch start LTN-LCA on 26 March, so would they two wish to go head to head.

I think the LCA based aircraft is being used to start summer flights to DTV, Humberside etc.

[LTNman]

http://www.luton.gov.uk/Media%20Library/Pdf/Environment%20&%20regeneration/Engineering%20&%20Transportation%20/ELC/Roadwork%20Map.pdf

[Powerjet1]

Buster the Bear

You were right after all. XL now have LCA-LTN for the summer. It would seem that the new flights, starting this Monday, continue until the 23 March and then restart again on 1 May, on a twice weekly basis until the end of Oct.

Monarch start LTN-LCA, 3 x weekly on 26 March, increasing to 4 x weekly from May. So, with the two combined services, capacity will be more or less back to those when Alphajet/Helios operated the route.

[ebenezer]

Anyone heard about the security alert on 2nd February involving protestors who got through the airport perimeter fence bringing all flights to a halt? What were they protesting about? Presumably they were they environmentalists?

:confused: :confused:

[Buster the Bear]

Were they delayed passengers trying to gain rapid access to the airport having been delayed in traffic on the M1, eastern by-pass and the airport approach road works?

Ref Helios/Ajet/XL. The story was to ensure that Libra (?) and associated tour operators that used Helios could continue bring folk from Luton into Cyprus?

[LTNman]

I hear that the traffic jams on local roads caused by the closure of Percival Way was the equivalent of a 4 inch snow fall today.

[Eddie Ginley]

LTNman wrote:- " I hear that the traffic jams on local roads caused by the closure of Percival Way was the equivalent of a 4 inch snow fall today".

Well not when I drove into work today at noon.

Traffic running freely in all directions. Given the closure / restricted access of Percival Way, it has to be said that now that there will few if any rat runners coming off the Wigmore Estate / ASDA area, so congestion at the IBIS / Holiday Inn roundabout is likely to be reduced at peaks rather than increased...

Fast Eddie

[King Pong]

Good news indeed if you just need to get to and from the terminal from the M1, not so good if you are travelling east, work along the hanger line, need to get to the long term car park, car hire centre or are using Signature as your handling agent.

While the traffic flows freely at midday it is a different story in the morning and evening rush hours. This weekend sees another closure of the A505 to add to the bad news. I suppose the view to take is that there is no gain without the pain.

[LTNman]

Luton
Heavy Snow 2300 Wed 7 1500 Thu 8
This is the first warning of disruption due to Heavy Snow. The Met Office is expecting a period of heavy snow to develop across Southwest England and much of Wales during Wednesday night and this is expected to extend across the Midlands, London, the Southeast of England and East Anglia during Thursday morning. There is also a risk that the snow will extend into parts of northern England for a time before dying away from all areas during Thursday afternoon. Accumulations of 2-5cm are expected quite widely inland, with 10-15cm possible for parts of the Midlands and Wales. Rain is more likely close to southern coasts where less cold air is expected. The period of snow could cause disruption to travel networks, especially across high level routes and the fact that timing of this event will coincide with the morning rush-hour. This warning will be updated by 1100 tomorrow, Wednesday 7th February 2007.

[Buster the Bear]

Snow at last! Beginning to think it was becoming the Costa Del Whipsnade up here, although it is currently -5!

What happened to all those winters that I grew up in sledging on Dunstable Downs for week after week!

A bit sad that the only real Luton airport news involves the weather and road works!

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

With the wind forecast to swing around tonight, if the cloudbase gets low, then regardless of any snow, not a lot may be able to land as I believe the "08" ILS is still out of action and notamed to be so until 17.00 on Friday.

[Buster the Bear]

The 24 hour TAF states: TEMPO 0612 0200 +SN VV/// (Between 0200 and 0600 temporarily, 200m vis in heavy snow, sky obscured).

I doubt if the crew and passengers will be able to get to the airport with these arctic conditions:eek: !

[Nato 35]

Hey Buster, you sure you got them times right?
35:cool:

[LTNman]

Around 5 years ago we had just an inch of snow in the evening rush hour and it caused chaos. It took around half an hour to get from the bottom of the hill to the Ibis. I made the decision to abandon the vehicle in the Ibis car park and phoned my boss to tell him I was setting off for home on foot and that if he didn’t hear from me by the morning he should call in the huskies. My bosses only concern was that I should not leave the company laptop in the vehicle. I then realised what was worth more to my company.:mad:

Wonder where Silverjet will end up tomorrow as it only takes a few flakes for LTN to be snow closed.

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

The "08" ILS is back up and working - NOTAM withdrawn!:D

[vintage ATCO]

Many people worked very hard to achieve that. :ok:

Now for the snow . . . :sad:

[Buster the Bear]

Now they are saying it will start to snow at 0300, then become heavy 'on and off' from 0600 until 1200! By that time I will resemble a Polar Bear!

http://www.alaskan-adventures.com/Images/Wildlife/bearheadon.jpg

[LTNman]

Starts to snow around 4.15 so LTN is closed until 08.00, now it's 10.00, my guess it will stay closed to at least midday. The first Wizz flight is off to Birmingham.

[Powerjet1]

STN seems to be going the same way, with the first two AB flights diverting.

[DONTTELLTHEPAX]

STN closed also (skynews)

[IB4138]

Luton's web site appears to have a problem:
The Flight information in the table above was last updated at:
00:00 on 30 December 1899
Either that or the history of flight frm Luton is incorrect.

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

Airport website says no flights before 14.00.

[vintage ATCO]

They are hoping for departures now from 1230, and arrivals from 1330.
They have done well.

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

Vintage - very good news ... and on the ILS too!

Glad to hear the snow clearing crews have done well. I notice there is no sign of Buster this morning ... is Whipsnade snowed in completely?

[Buster the Bear]

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8235/ltnuv8.jpg

[Stall-Warner]

The Luton management are pretty savvy when it comes to operational issues - if we say we're going to sort it, we usually do...!

[LTNman]

The death of a man from hypothermia at Luton Airport is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Marek Pasich, 44, was removed from the terminal by Bedfordshire police officers on Saturday 16 January. He fell over outside the building but refused to get in to an ambulance and stayed on a seat outside the terminal. He was still on the seat the following morning and was taken by paramedics to hospital where he died.

Police are asking anyone who saw what happened to come forward.

[ginger_ninja]

He was still on the seat the following morning and was taken by paramedics to hospital where he died.

Hmmm... not strictly true I think

as I understand it, he was pronounced dead at the scene & his body was removed.

It appeared he may have died of hypothermia, however he was ejected from the terminal on the previous day for being 'under the influence' & not having any reason for being there, ie. no ticket etc

Regardless of the circumstances, a very sad way to go :(

[PAXboy]

ginger_ninja as I understand it, he was pronounced dead at the scene & his body was removed.Just a point of fact: A person can only be legally pronounced dead by a doctor. If there was a UK registered doctor at the scene, then that could have happened. Whilst the Paramedics would have been pretty darn sure that he was dead, their responsibiity would be to get him to hospital as soon as possible. It may well have been that he was pronounced dead within five minutes of arrival but that would be recorded as the time and place of his death for legal purposes.

OK, end of nerdy information help line :8

[ginger_ninja]

fair point, thanks for clarifying.

but the point I was making was, he was not 'taken to hospital where he died'
as was originally stated above. That implies he was still alive when he left the airport in the ambulance.

what I meant was, he was dead already & taken to hospital [where he was pronounced dead, presuming a UK registered Doctor had not attended the scene]

sorry if I didn't make that clear

carry on

[Buster the Bear]

I see that Flyglobespan are going to launch a Stansted - Larnaca service going 6 weekly for summer 2007.

[Powerjet1]

XL now have a sat flight bookable on the LTN-LCA route from May, so now 3 x weekly. MON are 3 x weekly from 26 Mar, increasing to 4 from July. This remains at this capacity throughout W07/W08 as well.

MON also have Almeria at 4 x weekly for next winter, continuing on from the summer.

[Buster the Bear]

So when I visit Luton this summer armed with my Ian Allan Civil Aircraft Markings, a ruler, pencil and binoculars, will I witness any new business apart form the few additional routes already announced? I am planning to start off in April and hopefully, traffic permitting arrive in July, subject to road improvements. I anticipate making Caddington in 15 minutes, but beyond this is in the laps of the Highways Agency. The Salvation Army Soup kitchen adjacent to Capability Green might come in handy?

I guess an airport so close to one of the biggest and dynamic cities in the world, must be beating off prospective new airlines and routes with a rather enormous broom?

Or is that broom being used by both ACDL and Luton Borough Council to beat up each other?

When was the last year Luton encountered ZERO or NEGATIVE growth, my guess is 1995 pre the Orange Revolution?

[Simtech]

I guess an airport so close to one of the biggest and dynamic cities in the world
Milton Keynes? :p

[Powerjet1]

Buster
So when I visit Luton this summer armed with my Ian Allan Civil Aircraft Markings, a ruler, pencil and binoculars, will I witness any new business apart form the few additional routes already announced?

Well good question. I recall reading a trade article about November last year, (the name of which escapes me) in which, amongst other things, were comments by the Route Dev guy at Luton. He said that 17 routes were announced for 2006, and he expected at least the same, if not more for 2007These might well include not only more longhaul to the eastern US but also to the Far East. Right!!!!

Well we have had some announcements from existing carriers such as MON & Thomsonfly & Wizz(Bucharest) & that's about it. Of course Silverjet has now launched, but routes from new airlines is not happening, and we all know why.

Routes have also been lost for 2007, such as Bratislava,Stockholm VST, IOM, Lorient & Newquay to name but a few.

On the Silverjet front, for possible expansion, in addition to IAD & JNB which have been mentioned previously, apparently the Caribbean & China are possibles for 2008. No doubt for the Olympics in the case of the later.

So for 2007, well...........

[CAP493]

Or is that broom being used by both ACDL and Luton Borough Council (LBC) to beat up each other?
ACDL is setting some extremely challenging financial targets and spending conditions on LLAO (more so than would have happened had the 'new' 3000-metre runway airport plan been adopted). LBC is is continuing to play hardball and is becoming an impediment to any progress supporting only development of the existing hill-top site (a policy probably based on a review of some Council planning documents drawn up in 1937 :}). To provide any significant improvement to the existing Luton infastructure, further low-cost fixed-price deals with new airlines where the contract price and charges are sufficiently low to beat BAA's cross-subsidised operation at Stansted just don't generate the necessary income for LLAO and thus, for ACDL. So, thanks to LBC's intransigent attitude and short-sighted policy, Luton's recent impressive growth is in danger of stalling and may ultimately, go into to decline. :{ :ugh: :uhoh:

[antilla]

Quote:
ACDL is setting some extremely challenging financial targets and spending conditions on LLAO (more so than would have happened had the 'new' 3000-metre runway airport plan been adopted).


Isn't that the real point at issue? The proposal for a 3,000m runway and a new terminal was too ambitious and would have created a new airport alongside the existing one. More significantly it would have been outside the current concession area, so LBC would lose its £12 million income.

Until someone can resolve that aspect, there doesn't seem to be much prospect of any new agreement. I'm not trying to defend LBC, but it's surely unfair to heap all the blame on them for holding things up.

[ebenezer]

so LBC would lose its £12 million income
You're right. But if the Council carries on like this, it's likely to see its income from the Airport start to dwindle. There's a "break clause" in the Concession Agreement in (I think) 2014 and so ACDL could simply walk away if things don't work out the way it wants. The trouble with the Council is that is doesn't seem able to grasp the basic commercial rule that if a company is to invest heavily in any project, it's got to make sense and that means getting an acceptable return on its investment over a realistic timeframe. Luton's Project 2030 would have done just that which is why it was a definite goer. Pouring the vast sums needed into the existing site just doen't stack up with the remaining length of the Concession term. If it wants a flourishing airport providing local jobs, boosting the local economy and providing a sizeable income for the Town, the Council needs to start thinking 21st Century commercial instead of wallowing in 1970s local government. :rolleyes:

[Buster the Bear]

Provisional Dec 2006 figures:

Number of flights during Dec 2006 was 5850, down 2.3% on Dec 2005 (no Eagle Flight Training & Police Helicopter).

Total tinminal passengers for Dec 2006 was 659,567, up 0.7% year on year.

Rolling yearly total 9414829 passengers.

[Pain in the R's]

After the recent death of a Polish man of Hypothermia outside the terminal a 20 year old American student has died after running across the tarmac and up a flight of stairs to get out of Monday's heavy rain. http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=5%3A30+a.m.+call+told+dad+of+daughter' s+death&articleId=045a781d-9605-4692-9d06-a5d9065ddb1f

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

Newsnight (BBC) just reported LTN closed and diverts sent to STN.

WWW

[fmgc]

BBC ticker says:

Luton Airport evacuated and closed after bomb scare. More soon.

[atmosphere]

Police are examining a suspect car!! Pax terminal evacuated.

[Captain Airclues]

FR3883 landed 10 minutes ago so presumably problem solved.

Airclues

[Memetic]

BBC online is now reporting that a controlled explosion has been carried out.

No Departures, some arrivals unaffected. I am not sure how arriving PAX are being processed with the terminal shut.

[C152_driver]

I am not sure how arriving PAX are being processed with the terminal shut.

Probably about as badly as they are normally. :uhoh:

[LTNman]

Wonder how many days it took airport security to spot the car parked by the terminal? A couple of weeks ago it took all night for them to find a corpse that had laid by the entrance to the terminal.

[Frank Poncherello]

Surely you could see the trees for miles? :}

[wz662]

As one of the Pax finding himself in Stansted What I want to know is why did the Sleazy Jet captain announce to the crago that a similar incident had happened a Gatwick and that airport was closed also?
It was impressive to count five on approach and one on the runway. Well done to all at Stanstead who have to change up a gear.

[BerksFlyer]

I was on MON 075 to Luton. About 45 minutes from landing the captain declared that we would be diverting to Gatwick due to a controlled explosion at Luton, but aircraft due in 10 mins after us were continuing to land at Luton. Bit of a joke really, did it really warrant the closure of the airfield?

[A Very Civil Pilot]

I was on frequency last night (fortunately not going to LTN). LTN inbounds were advised initially that the airport was closed; later this was changed to aircraft could land, but would be unable to disembark passengers; finally again to the airport being closed. This was from Brest ATC and later London Control, over the course of about 20 mins.

Some people elected to continue and I assume sit it out on the ground, others to divert, and one to slow down, wait for up to an hour and then decide.

FWIW my choice would have been to divert and find a parking space on the ground and get the pax away in a bus.

[Buster the Bear]

From Luton, winter services to Almeria and Larnaca (Cyprus) will begin for the first time. To Almeria, flights will depart five times per week; to Larnaca there will be three weekly departures.

The following other routes have increased frequencies from Luton: Alicante (seven per week), Gibraltar (six per week), Malaga (seven per week), and Tenerife (six per week).

[Powerjet1]

The following other routes have increased frequencies from Luton: Alicante (seven per week), Gibraltar (six per week), Malaga (seven per week), and Tenerife (six per week

Tenerife is actually a reduction from 8, this winter, to 6 next. Likewise Lanzarote is down from 3 to 2. All other routes remain at same freq. Obviously Almeria at 5, and Larnaca at 3 are new. So a net increase of 5 overall for W07/08 compared to W06/07.

[Powerjet1]

Pax numbers for Jan were down some 30,000 to 592,125, a 4.8% reduction. The rolling 12 months consequently only shows a 2.2% increase to 9,384,638. These are the worst figures for many months and are likely to be repeated until at least the summer, if not longer.

[Buster the Bear]

-4.8%, reminds me of post Debonair? Was this the last time such appalling monthly passenger figures (compared so far this century) were posted? Mind you, is ACDL income affected by this significant downturn? I bet LBC's is though?

If my income had reduced by such a significant figure, I would be rather alarmed! As I have stated before, hiatus til' post local government elections in May?

If an airport so close to the London conurbation can see such a reduction in passenger figures then either:

overall management of the airport is awful, or

the long term planning and investment are in regression?

All in all, quite sad to see a brilliant asset in decline, well as far as passengers numbers are concerned. Yield and income, well that is something else?

Declining passenger numbers might actually be an increase in income for ACDL, but not for LBC.

Headline passenger figures probably means someone is subsidising this success?

Unlike Stansted, Luton is miles away from overall tinminal, runway and airspace capacity and LBC should be doing more to ensure it utilises the local populations assets more fully?

[LTNman]

If there were a change in the council it would only go from Liberal to Labour. Would that make any difference to the airport?

What happened to the promised improved road layout in the central area and drop off zone? Looks like another budget cut.
:{

[CAP493]

Bit of a joke really, did it really warrant the closure of the airfield?Maybe - best address your question/comment to the local police who's decision it was :confused:
If an airport so close to the London conurbation can see such a reduction in passenger figures then either overall management of the airport is awful, or the long term planning and investment are in regression...The issue is squarely as previously highlighted in this thread: LLAO is no longer 'chasing' loss-leader or ultra low-cost deals with the airlines because these just do not generate the income demanded by ACDL in return for its current and for any future, investment. The real bottom-line figure that matters is profit - not annual pax or annual movements, interesting as these might well be. ACDL would rather see an increase in its net profit by say 15% and accept a 25% drop in pax and movements (in reality of course, this isn't going to happen at somewhere like LTN). The fundamental question is however, whether or not ACDL i.e. Abertis/AENA (which has no significant involvement or experience in servicing the low-cost airline market ["pile 'em high - sell 'em cheap"] which predominately, is what LTN's business model is), will be proved to be correct in pursuing such a radical new strategy at an airport like LTN.

On this issue, the jury's still out...:suspect: :suspect:

[Buster the Bear]

http://www.uk-airport-news.info/luton-airport-news-220207a.htm

[LTNman]

I always thought that the police at the airport were there just for show and did next to nothing. Just after 7/7 I reported to two airport police who were having a cup of tea that a car had been abandoned by the entrance to the tunnel. I have to say that they were just not interested and did bugger all about it.

[ebenezer]

...using cheaper police community support officers (PCSOs).
Doubt that anyone will notice the difference. The most effective measure in stopping illegal car parking in the airport's Central Terminal Area has been the opening of the Silverjet Terminal and the staff deployed in its set down/pick up area to move on the riff-raff that used to loiter there (can't have plebs lowering the tone...) The police were disinterested and frankly, ineffective as far as illegally parked cars, any one of which could have contained an explosive device or a suicide bomber.

No doubt the police involved will now be redeployed to the local roads in an attempt to catch speeding motorists.:hmm: