NEWCASTLE - 8

[GrahamK]

I've got a feeling that NCL may yet see another 737 based from Jet2 next year...

[Jamesair]

I'm inclined to agreee, Graham.

Jet 2 could well adjust these (advance) frequencies in the light of future bookings or reviewing how each route has performed this summer. They will probably be planning to introduce a few new destinations next summer, which will probably need another aircraft.

[GrahamK]

Given how strong the Jet2 and jet2Holidays brand is in the area now, I would imagine any possible new destinations would include Larnaca, Antalya, Kos and perhaps Zakynthos.
Could we also perhaps see Berlin or Budapest joing the scene?

[VentureGo]

Here we go again!! Comments on news re New York direct routes. Doesn't look like NCL to NYC for a while yet. but why not via Dublin with Aer Lingus Regional (Pre-clearance of Border controls) arriving USA as domestic arrival, saving those long Queues! or even via Iceland with a new Newcastle-Keflavik Icelandair service. Nice stopovers and inbound Icelandic traffic into Newcastle (Shoppers and Revellers!.)

[SWBKCB]

No mention of New York in this story, but Dubai double daily in three years!?!


Firms reap rewards from Newcastle to Dubai air link - Today's News - News - JournalLive (http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2012/06/16/firms-reap-rewards-from-newcastle-to-dubai-air-link-61634-31194363/)

[Hipennine]

Priceless journalism:

"The flights, which launched in 2007, now carry around 80,000 passengers a year with 11.5m tonnes of cargo imported and exported in their hold"

Do the maths !

Followed by:

"With a new, much larger, £186m Airbus 777-300ER serving Newcastle International nearly 24 hours a day from September, firms have been encouraged to grasp the opportunity for international trade."

Does that mean that there's an Airbus branded 777 continuosly taking off and landing ?

[SLFLurker]

Here we go again!! Comments on news re New York direct routes. Doesn't look like NCL to NYC for a while yet. but why not via Dublin with Aer Lingus Regional (Pre-clearance of Border controls) arriving USA as domestic arrival, saving those long Queues! or even via Iceland with a new Newcastle-Keflavik Icelandair service. Nice stopovers and inbound Icelandic traffic into Newcastle (Shoppers and Revellers!.)

Flew Ncl - NYC via DUB back in the late nineties - brilliant way to reach the States. Got off the plane at DUB, didn't have to transfer terminals, went straight to the gate and joined the line for Immigration. Had a lovely relaxed flight and our luggage was first off at JFK. (Got some very nasty stares from FC passengers) Out of the terminal in ten minutes from landing.

[VentureGo]

Way to go!!
Ideally with Aer Lingus Regional NCL-DUB for connecting & ticketing (also avoiding APD)

[Ringwayman]

Going off the HMRC website:
"If two or more international flights are connected, it is the final destination of the connected flight which determines the duty liability. If two or more international flights are not connected, then the duty liability is determined by the last destination which is not followed by a connected flight. Therefore a passenger whose ultimate destination is in a destination band with a higher rate will be liable to the lower rate of duty if he stops en route at a destination in a lower rate country for longer than 24 hours."

They determine "connected flights" as being less than 24 hours apart. Therefore doing your NCL-DUB-JFK same day transfer will attract the APD for routing through to JFK if I've understoood it correctly?

[TSR2]

They determine "connected flights" as being less than 24 hours apart. Therefore doing your NCL-DUB-JFK same day transfer will attract the APD for routing through to JFK if I've understoood it correctly?

Yes, absolutely correct Ringwayman.

[Fairdealfrank]

Quote: "They determine "connected flights" as being less than 24 hours apart. Therefore doing your NCL-DUB-JFK same day transfer will attract the APD for routing through to JFK if I've understoood it correctly?"

Quote: "Yes, absolutely correct Ringwayman. "

So, if time permits, 24 hours in wonderful Dublin courtesy of HMG?

[HH6702]

Airport website timetables and winter 2012/13 uploaded

nothing new

[VentureGo]

Article from the Newcastle Journal:
"AIRPORT chiefs have welcomed news that the Government has commissioned research into varying air passenger duty on a regional basis. The news emerged during a meeting yesterday between bosses from Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley airports with Treasury minister Chloe Smith. It was arranged and attended by Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson and his Newcastle North colleague Catherine McKinnell.

The research, planned to be published this summer, will consider the potential impact of a regional Air Passenger Duty (APD) rate, as well as devolving the power to set the tax north of the border to the Scottish Government. The Journal’s A Tax Too Far campaign has highlighted fears about the impact that APD has on the region – with warnings it is acting as an economic brake on the region and that handing powers to Scotland would give it an unfair advantage."

Government orders research into regional rate for air passenger duty - Today's News - News - JournalLive (http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2012/06/19/government-orders-research-into-regional-rate-for-air-passenger-duty-61634-31211410/#ixzz1yE5dRFYa)

[0811pm]

Just Been on the Jet 2 website, and Pula in Croatia has been added as a destination from Newcastle ( no dates yet have been loaded) Is this a mistake??

Cheers

[0811pm]

Just been on Jet 2 Website and Pula in Croatia has been loaded up as a destination from Newcastle. (No dates yet have been loaded) Is this a mistake or are Jet 2 added more from Newcastle??

Cheers

[fl dutchman]

Could be announced next week. Was always popular from NCL in the past. Dubrovnik up to 2x weekly for 2013, Prague down to 2x weekly from 3, Venice also down from 3 to 2x weekly.

Dont think any more aircraft coming to the base, perhaps a reshuffle of some routes for 2013??

[0811pm]

Shame was expecting another aircraft to be based for 2013, but an change in destination for NCL is all good!! Would like to see something different than the bucket and spade routes.

Cheers for reply FL.

[Jamesair]

PULA has now disappeared from the destinations list from NCL but of course it may appear again later when new routes for 2013 are announced.

LHR... It was noted in an earlier post that BA had reduced M-F frequencies to 5 daily...this has been changed to 6 daily but all operated with A319 aircraft.

[CabinCrewe]

Its well recognised that the default in the BA timetable is A319. All flights will unlikely operate just with A319.

[fl dutchman]

The frequency has been reduced by one rotation per day from last Friday( 5 weekday, 3 Sats, 4 Suns) for about 4 weeks. Then it goes back to 6 per weekday, 4 Sats, 5 Suns, except for a week in Sept when it reduces again. The official reason is to do with the olympic games! apparantly other LHR domestics are similarily affected.

For the coming winter its currently 6 daily inc Sat,with 5 on Sundays.

However next Summer from the end of March its currently showing as down to 5 Weekdays, 3 Sats and 4 Suns for the whole summer!! producing some very long connection times at LHR especially at weekends. Lets hope its not finalised.

[GrahamK]

Figures from Newcastle now in.

Brussels -4%
Paris CDG +4%
Dusseldorf +45%
Dublin +5%
Amsterdam +6%
Stavanger -1%
Dubai -12%
Gatwick -20%
Heathrow +9%
Aberdeen +13%
Belfast City -11%
Belfast Int +8%
Birmingham +10%
Bristol -1%
Cardiff -3%

Overall:
4.3m pax per rolling year.

Many of the charter destinations showing a large drop - I suppose a lot of this can be attributed to TCX using A320s rather than 757s on a lot of flights. Sanford and Sharm El Sheikh were both showing strong growth, but it looks like Exeter provides more of the pax to Toronto than Newcastle

[Flyit Pointit Sortit]

Paris CDG up 4%

must be the perfect time for us (EZY) to stop flying that route then:ugh::ugh::ugh:

[Jamesair]

It would be interesting to know the traffic split to CDG between Air France and Easyjet. The fact that Air France are using larger aircraft may have influenced the decision.

DUBAI...down 12%...seems to have been pretty general with BHX down 17%

[SWBKCB]

New terminal extension opened today (although Radio Newcastle have been calling it the 'new terminal' all day...)

Newcastle Airport - (http://www.newcastleairport.com/Newsroom/Press/TransportMinisterOpensNewcastleAirportTerminalDevelopment.ht m)

[ash666]

“These new improvements will bring real benefits for passengers – increasing the number of lanes to screen hand luggage ahead of entry into the departure lounge."

But will they be staffed?
-------
"This enhanced area is equipped with the latest in security screening technology to ensure that the customers pass though this stage of their journey as swiftly and comfortably as possible.”

So will it still be laptops out, boots and belts off........?

[GrahamK]

Pula now announced with Jet2. 1 x weekly (Tues afternoons) from 1st July to 8th September

[Jamesair]

The timetable has been updated with

Krakow 3 x weekly....as per 2012
Cork 2 x weekly....1 down on 2012
Toulouse....not yet showing for 2013

[GrahamK]

I'd say Toulouse has probably been dropped unfortunately.

Malaga now showing daily, Murcia showing up to 5 x weekly.

[0811pm]

A few routes have an increase for 2013, menorca is now 3 weekly, Faro is daily, Ibiza is 5 weekly aswell as the ones mentioned above.

Hope they bring more new routes soon.

[Jamesair]

The current situation for summer 13 frequencies against summer 12 seems to be...excluding unchanged frequencies.

CORK -1
DUBROVNIK + 1
FARO + 1
IBIZA +1
PALMA +1
MALAGA + 1
MAHON + 1
MURCIA - 2
PRAGUE - 1
VENICE - 1
PULA...new route 1

net gain of 2 weekly frequencies so far.

[Jamesair]

Travel Daily News report that Jet 2 have announced new routes from Belfast/Edinburgh/Leeds Bradford/Manchester/East Midlands and NEWCASTLE TO MONTENEGRO for summer next summer.

[0811pm]

Montenegro flights are to Dubrovnik

[GrahamK]

Gatwick -17%
Heathrow +1%
Brussels -10%
Paris CDG +21%
Dusseldorf +2%
Dublin +5%
Amsterdam +10%
Dubai +2%

Overall:
4.33m rolling 12 months, -1.3%

[HH6702]

Just seen on tcx tread that ncl will be a 3 aircraft base for next summer.
2 x 757 and 1 xA320

Which routes are flights have we lost does anybody know?
Hoping it's just an error as that will be a big drop for us

Unless JET2 will be doing some of there flying for tcx group
And we are going to see aircraft 7 arrive?

[Jamesair]

A few more stats on the scheduled bucket and spade routes

MALTA 2750 +27%
ALICANTE 20,587 + 37%
MALAGA 17,269 + 18%
PALMA 21,314 + 13%
DALAMAN 4,360 + 32%
MAHON 2730 + 24%

[GrahamK]

Going down to 3 a/c, probably wont be that big a drop for NCL, as the 4th a/c does a lot of "w" flying into other airports, from the likes of Antalya, Dalaman and Palma. NCL would probably end up only losing 8 flight s a week or something

[SWBKCB]

What's going on here? Doesn't seem to be the best time to be asking LA's for additional capital.

North East councils' loan will fund Newcastle Airport deal - Today's News - News - JournalLive (http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2012/07/17/north-east-councils-loan-will-fund-newcastle-airport-deal-61634-31410147/)

[fl dutchman]

I see the Newcastle- Birmingham route has stopped until 3 September. I know Eastern normally scale back routes in the summer but is it normal for such a long period as this.

[OldManJoe]

£298 million debt. Ouch, that's going to hurt the LA7's coffers and folks are going to start asking questions.

[Robert G Mugabe]

But a New York route will solve the problem

[HH6702]

Watch out for news on jet2 and Thomson !!

[deltahotel9]

Any clues? TOM 1x757 3x738, LS 1 extra 733?

[fl dutchman]

Summer 2013 schedules have now been amended back to 6 returns Mon- Fri, 5 on Sun and 4 on Sats, same as this Summer.
Winter 2012/2013 is 6 returns daily ex Sun when its 5.
Good news.

[jensdad]

Jamesair, just to get some context on June's 'bucket and spade' pax figures, are they compared to May 2012 or to June last year?
Cheers

[Jamesair]

All the figures are percentage increases against June 2011. Interestingly, in most cases the figures on IT operations only showed a fall.

I realise that Jet 2 figures would include Jet 2 Holidays and Olympic Holidays so skewing the figures a bit, but healthy nevertheless.

[Jamesair]

One further statistic for June 2012

Pax Total 483,043 up 2.3% on June 2011

[VentureGo]

Busiest airports in the United Kingdom by total passenger traffic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busiest_airports_in_the_United_Kingdom_by_total_passenger_tr affic)

Interesting figures from 2007 to Present. Newcastle overtaken by East Midlands & Liverpool - Other Airports have seen some recent growth!

[CentreFix25]

Interesting to see that only 2 of the top 16 are not showing growth and Newcastle is one of them. A post further up the thread says the rolling 12 months to June passenger figures are down 1.3%.

Can this solely be blamed on the economy, is the North East doing significantly worse than the rest of the UK or are there any other contributing factors.

I note that in this time Leeds/Bradford has managed to attract Ryanair and Monarch into basing aircraft at the home of Jet2.

[Jamesair]

Here are some figures for year ending 2009/2010 and 2011

2009 2010 2011

Domestic pax 1,414,367 1,253,780 1,184,903
International 1,869,550 1,876,017 1,911,743
IT 1,304,377 1,221,094 1,256,735


The continuing decline in Domestic pax, the loss of STN certainly didn't help. IT pax declined in 2010 and started to recover in 2011. The star performer is International routes which are consistently increasing pax numbers each year.

Various factors could be mentioned, loss of IT tour operators, EZY cutting a/c from 5 to 3 and using smaller aircraft, partly offset by Jet increasing based a/c.

Failure to attract new operators,

statistics are taken from the airport website.

[Tflyer]

Any idea on the news from Thomson HH6702? Picking up the work from the 1 less TCX aircraft next summer that currently does some of the TOM work?

[HH6702]

Tflyer

Thomsons timetable is shown 4 based aircraft on some days.
Heard that ncl is to be all 737-800 from may 2013 so maybe to pick up the diffence in seats and nothing to do with tcx!

Hopefully may get a new route or two!!

[Tflyer]

HH6702

I've just gone through the timetable for S13 & I only see 3 based aircraft everyday apart from Mon & Tues where the 763 comes in for the SFB & CUN.

That's right TOM will be an all 738 base from May 1st 2013 as all flight deck at NCL go from the 756 go over to 737.

[Jamesair]

Excluding the 763 a/c and adding in Verona and Salzburg flights, I found a need for 4 a/c on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday so far.

[Kev 1]

Looking through the timetable, there are extra flights on those days but these are operated by TCX (Skiathos, Bourgas, Kefalonia etc.) and Jet2 (Dalaman) and can only see the need for 3 x TOM aircraft (all to be B738) - excluding the Florida/Mexico flights with a B763 on Monday & Tuesdays.

[GrahamK]

Looks like LH are reducing DUS to 1 x Daily during th winter, although all flights are scheduled to be opped by the CR9. The morning flight seems to have been dropped.

Surprising considering the huge growth on this route over the last year or so.

[ash666]

Can't see this mentioned so far.
FANCY SOMETHING NEW? | easyJet.com (http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/newroutes_july2012.html?utm_source=Easyjet_EN_Newsletter_270 712_M_IslandsFD&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=)

NCL-Tel Aviv from 1st Nov
NCL- AMS from 13th Dec.

[apaul]

Tel Aviv would be new, but it's from Manchester not NCL.

[ash666]

oops- I thought I only spotted AMS when I first looked!! Early morning!

[Jamesair]

It looks like farewell to that unprouncable destination in Poland, another thread advises that OLT have filed for bankruptcy.

[VentureGo]

Where are the new routes? Other airports are overtaking Newcastle in terms of Passenger volumes and percentage growth. Shouldn't efforts be made now to attract a volume service from, for example Norwegian Air Shuttle considering their rapid expansion, or SAS to re-establish former Braathens routes to Oslo, Stavanger & Bergen. Also potential routes to Copenhagen & Stockholm. Other european services to Berlin, Frankfurt, Zurich & Milan. A regular direct service to New York seems to be fading, although interlining via Dublin (pre US Clearance with Aer Lingus) or Reykjavik (Icelandair) would benefit our region, with possible inward tourism incentrives. I know this is an ongoing topic of controversy but the Airport needs to grow, at least to maintain our position versus EMA, LPL, LBA etc.. but hopefully also to establish the region and city as a premier destination location and maximise the potential of services to and from our region.

[johnnychips]

Is there any particular reason why the Newcastle area should warrant enhanced services to Scandinavia, in the way that Aberdeen has for the oil industry; and I suppose Middlesbrough and Humberside have to Amsterdam?

[ConstantFlyer]

johnnychips

Yes, lots of historic and trade links to Scandinavia. Newcastle has close links with Norway, especially Bergen, the citizens of which send Newcastle a Christmas tree each year. The King of Norway visited recently. Sweden and Norway and Denmark all have honorary consuls in the city who are involved in economic development and fostering trade links. A local trade delegation was recently in Sweden, and the Swedish consul is chairman of 'International Newcastle', which builds community and cultural as well as trade ties.

However, over the years these close connections have failed to sufficiently support as many air links as the city and surrounding areas would have liked. The strong Pound is currently also inhibiting inward traffic and the weak Euro is encouraging outward passengers to head to the Eurozone instead.

Of the potential airlines, Norwegian is expanding rapidly on routes from Scandinavia. However, they already serve Edinburgh and Manchester. SAS is in the mist of a cost-cutting programme. Wideroe seems to be doing OK, though is part of the SAS group. Ryanair will do what it wants. Flybe's only routes between the UK and Norway are from Newcastle and from Kirkwall & Shetland, both into Bergen. Jet2 offered Newcastle-Bergen for a while too, but no longer. Eastern continue to do Stavanger alongside Wideroe.

The Newcastle-Copenhagen route was popular with business travellers, but the demise of Cimber and SAS's position make it unlikely it will return soon, I fear. A service of some sort to Sweden would be good, particularly Southern Sweden, which is most closely linked to the city and surrounding area in terms of trade and business.

[SWBKCB]

SAS to re-establish former Braathens routes to Oslo, Stavanger & Bergen. Also potential routes to Copenhagen & Stockholm.

Note the phrase 'former Braathens routes' - BA tried Oslo and Copenhagen - SAS and Cimber tried CPH also. RYR have also tried Norway.

Other european services to Berlin, Frankfurt, Zurich & Milan.

EZY have tried SXF and RYR Milan (well, BGY so might not count...). Decent links to hubs such as LHR, AMS, CDG, DXB (certainly compared to EMA, LPL, LBA) probably count against us when airlines are looking at other european business based destinations.

A regular direct service to New York seems to be fading, although interlining via Dublin (pre US Clearance with Aer Lingus)

Been tried by EI previously and would be up against a double daily RYR.

or Reykjavik (Icelandair)

Demand to fill a 757??

Also, don't forget the current economic situation and a relatively small hinterland - MME might be declining but EDI and LBA are expanding either side.

[Jamesair]

Noted Graham

It seems odd that the morning flight has been dropped rather than reverting back to a midday single flight.

Summer 2013 shows the twice daily service restored.

[VentureGo]

Departure board showing a Tuesday 31st August departure to Kuwait. Flight no. KU4104. Any ideas what this flight is?

[sunshine79]

I think you mean 31st July. Kuwait is normally a money (notes) run

[magicninja]

We had an Emergency landing at newcastle today. RAF jet hit by lightening with wing damage. Clicky link below

Emergancy landing At Newcastle airport - Lightening damage - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXaTNrWYkdU)

[GrahamK]

The Kuwait flight is back on the usual A300, after using the A343 last time.

[Jamesair]

There's a question about a NCL - PSA flight on the Jet2 thread, if anyone knows the answer.

[0811pm]

Is Jet 2 basing more aircraft next summer?? Just on a wednesday morning 7 aircraft is required for flights to, Palma, Alicante, Crete, Faro, Paphos, Malaga and Pisa??

Cheers

Sorry Guys Crete is on a tuesday............still only 6 aircraft:ugh:

[Jamesair]

You are not wrong ...you have missed out Rhodes 0900

[HH6702]

Rumours been going around for weeks now that jet2 plan for next summer is 8 based aircraft. This also depends on if they can get there hands on some second hand 737-800!!!

Also rumours of a 4th based aircraft from TOM!!

Id expect we will see more routes added by end of year

[EI-BUD]

Been tried by EI previously and would be up against a double daily RYR.




AerLingus Regional/Aer Arann would be the vehicle to make this work. A320 too big, but ATR would do the trick. Similar to BRS DUB. I wouldnt be at all surprised if this is added when the new ATR's arrive in the fleet. A reasonable frequency coupled with T2 @DUB and US PreClearance should be a winning formula.

EI-BUD

[VentureGo]

Seems to be incident at Newcastle (Jet2 problem - see Jet2 Thread) Now Thomas Cook flight 6023ex TFS is in holding pattern over Coast - East of Newcastle Airport

[GrahamK]

Its gone all quiet in here recently...

Anyway, selected July provisional stats:

Gatwick -15%
Heathrow -3%
Belfast City -13%
Belfast Int +11%
Birmingham -56%
Bristol +5%
Brussels -14%
Paris CDG +13%
Dusseldorf +1%
Cork +12%
Dublin +2%
Amsterdam +6%
Bergen +50%
Stavanger +32%
Prague +50%
Krakow +38%
Dubai -11%

Airport 4.33m pax for the rolling 12 months, down by 1.2%

[CabinCrewe]

Dubai not looking good. Is the GLA 2nd flight pulling pax away ? Presumably the 777 is still on course despite this ?

[Jamesair]

Using the airports own statistics pax figures for the airport for July 2012 are 3080 up on July 2011.

Domestic pax for July 2012 are 99,181 down from 101,445
Intern't'l pax for July 2012 are 249,062 up from 224,004
IT pax for July 2012 are 172,972 down from 192,754
"Other" px for July 2012 are 1069 up from 1001

International pax numbers are making good progress, it seems to be IT numbers and to a lesser extent Domestic numbers that are holding the airport back. New routes seem to be badly needed to boost numbers again.

I note the fall again in Dubai numbers but once again NCL is not alone with BHX down 17%.

[N707ZS]

How much freight does the Dubai flight carry?

[HH6702]

Hi

Can i say we say this every year about this route!!!!
MAY-JULY is the quiet time the figures are always lower for MOST Uk airports!!!

come aug-sept th figures will rise again...

Cargo makes the money for EK and that rises each month...
no need to worry at all about this route....

Roll on 1st sept daily 777 and a better plane for the northeast passengers!!

[Skipness One Echo]

come aug-sept th figures will rise again...
That does ignore the fact that BHX and NCL are seeing year on year falls with EK whereas others are not. Added capacity at MAN and GLA may explain this.

[EI-BUD]

Belfast Int +11%



Quite a number of flights by A320 now and so often full!

[GrahamK]

I see there has been yet another incident of a laser pen being shone into the cockpit of a NCL inbound, this time a 737 over the Washington area.

When will these idiots learn? :ugh::ugh:

[Flyer70]

Newcastle voted No 2 in Skyscanner survey for the friendliest airports in the UK, Edinburgh came top, Luton voted rudest.

[Jamesair]

I haven't noticed a flight to Athens on the boards ready for the match tomorrow.

Did they fly out of Newcastle?

[SWBKCB]

Yes - went out on a GainJet B.733 this morning. Operated from apron G.

SX-VIP-NCL-22-08-2012 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/swbkcb/7839047010/in/photostream)

[Jamesair]

Thats a good start to the programme.....Athens come to NCL for next Thursday's game. At least a boost to the airports traffic figures.

[Jamesair]

London heathrow..........38,709....ba
amsterdam..................25,209....klm
palma.........................22,094....ezy/jet2
alicante......................21,601....ezy/jet2
malaga.......................17,779....ezy/jet2
paris cdg....................17,353....af/ezy
belfast int...................16,572....ezy
faro...........................15,554....ezy/jet2
bristol........................13,972....ezy
dubai.........................13,896....emirates


STATS....CAA

[heslop2006]

Not long to go now until the EK 777 :D

[anthbower1234]

Is Wifi an option inside departures?

[GAXLN]

Yes, purchase a coffee or similar from one of the catering outlets ask for a code and you get something like 30 minutes wi-fi access.

[anthbower1234]

Cheers pal

[GrahamK]

Bulgaria Air 733 inbound, I presume this is bringing the Greek football team in?

Has the airport got any celebrations planned for saturday and the inaugarak EK 77W service?

[SLFLurker]

NCL was very, very quiet when I flew from there (to LHR) on Thursday (23/8) lunchtime...

And very quiet when I flew back on Sunday night .....

[GAXLN]

SLFLurker - and your point is what exactly as I am puzzled? What are you comparing it to? MME? Same time last year? LHR? - GAXLN

[Flyit Pointit Sortit]

Hi all, my best mate is flying the first EK777 into NCL on sat, he has just had a brief from the company as they are planning a Water Canon reception. I can't remember seeing a spectators gallery recently. Is there one at the airport? I remember that there used to be one on the roof but that was a long time ago when I flew into NCL doing my PPL qualifying cross country.

My guess is that as there is no money to be made, sorry I meant that as it is a security risk - that the balcony no longer exists. He was planning to wave to people who had come to watch, but doesn't know where they are going to be??

I guess the people coming to watch will be southside, at Samson. Any Advice??

Cheers

FPS

[SLFLurker]

Gaxln - it just surprised me that was all. I just assumed that it would be busier with charters etc.

The plane back from LHR was full to the brim.

[GAXLN]

SLFLurker - depends on the day of week as to whether its busy as charters depart/return at varying times. First thing in the morning it's certainly buzzing. Hope you enjoyed your visit. GAXLN.

[Heathrow Harry]

It always seem s quiet 11:00 - 15:00

[HH6702]

Hi

Looks like EDI is getting 2 extra aircraft for Summer 2013 and MAN is getting at least 1 but more likey 2 aircraft....

Lets hope these are new aircraft that are joining the fleet and NOT aircraft from another base i.e NCL????

Was hoping that EZY may make NCL a 4 aircraft base again but this looks very unlikey.... Well lets hope that we turn to an all A320 base instead??

[skyman771]

Not heard anything that indicates any planned EZY expansion at NCL for 2013. May be quite a bit of movement as to based aircrew though.

[fa2fi]

Skyman, care to elaborate about air crew movement? Three FOs moving to pastures new is all that I'm aware of.

[GrahamK]

A6-ECZ inbound to NCL as the first 77W.

Newcastle United have been drawn with Bordeaux, Club Brugge and Maritimo. Don't know how much extra traffic that'll bring however.

[Jamesair]

All contributions to flights and numbers are welcome at this stage.

I hope someone posts a photo of the first Emirates regular 777-300 flight today. Quite a milestone for the airport.

[Sam Chipperfield]

Got A Few But Can't Upload Them I'm Afraid, The 777 Dwarfed All The Other Aircraft On The Other Stands

[GAXLN]

Not sure if this will work but try this from Airport's Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/NCLairport/media/slideshow?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitpic.com%2Fapxd2w) account

[JKKne]

The local paper's website has a video piece too showing the water cannon salute and take off.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news//tm_headline=emirates-boeing-777-lands-at-newcastle-airport-video%26method=full%26objectid=31745021%26siteid=72703-name_page.html

[GrahamK]

380 pax on the first inbound, not too bad.

[10 DME ARC]

I am on 035 tomorrow only about 12 free seats in Y on seating plan!! Upgrade pleaaasseeee.........:)

[ash666]

I got a couple of pix of today's flight, click twice to blow up(the picture that is.....)
Emirates 777 pictures by yankamolarout - Photobucket (http://s588.photobucket.com/albums/ss327/yankamolarout/Emirates%20777/)

[Jamesair]

Thanks guys for the pics, video, interviews....much appreciated... 428 seats and 20 tonnes of freight each way, every day, will make a huge difference.

[VentureGo]

New Statesman - The third runway is lazy thinking by those who should know better (http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/politics/2012/09/third-runway-lazy-thinking-those-who-should-know-better)

Excerpt reads:
"In addition, we need to encourage a shift from air to rail wherever possible. Every week, there are 78 flights to Brussels, 94 to Manchester, 37 to Newcastle, and 95 to Paris. All of these, and many others, can be reached easily by train. With a better high speed rail network, they will be easier still"

Photo in article shows plane flying below power lines!! (from Heathrow thread)

[N707ZS]

There phone lines and he's way above! If they can get the train time to just over an hour and then it might be worth it!

[SWBKCB]

"In addition, we need to encourage a shift from air to rail wherever possible. Every week, there are 78 flights to Brussels, 94 to Manchester, 37 to Newcastle, and 95 to Paris. All of these, and many others, can be reached easily by train. With a better high speed rail network, they will be easier still"

Said a spokesman for Emirates, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa etc...

Does nobody stop and think why Emirates are offering over 400 seats every day out of Newcastle? If LHR had been developed properly (and that includes the tax!), how many of those would have been going via LHR?

Also, doesn't he realise that London Airport and Central London are two separate destinations?

[Ph1l1pncl]

I am not sure if anyone has looked but I was just on BA's website to check the prices of flights for a conference that I am attending in December and the first flight of the day from Newcastle does not leave until 8am with an arrival into London at 9:15am. These times are not very business friendly or have the times always been more later in the winter months? In the summer are they relying more on transfer passengers to holiday destinations that is why the flight time is at 6:55am?

On a different note it's great to see that the 777 has started flight ops from Newcastle, however I was slightly disappointed from various video footage that I have seen that the water cannon salute provided by the airport fire service, that both fire engines were on the same side as each other. Surely they are supposed to form an archway for the plane to go under?

[GrahamK]

With FlyBe apparently axing ABZ-LGW, can we expect the NCL route to go the same way?

[SWBKCB]

If BA add extra capacity to LHR and CFE introduce a LCY, they might do...

[Jamesair]

Eastern Airways have announced an expansion of its NCL - ABZ route with an increase from 4 to 5 daily (on weekdays) from 1st October.

EMB 145 aircraft will be used on peak services. This will give an increase of 1,700 seats a month on the route

[Jamesair]

Saturdays NQY flight diverted into BHX after in-flight engine shutdown.

[Jamesair]

sorry...info taken from Flybe thread

[Jamesair]

Lufthansa timetable for summer 2013 shows the Dusseldorf route remaining at the reduced frequency of 1 daily midday flight albeit operated by a CRJ 900 a/c.

[Travel Agent]

Anyone know why the Dalaman flight due in tonight has been diverted? I have family on it, two of whom need to get connecting flights first thing tomorrow back home.

TCX6567 23:35 DALAMAN FLIGHT DIVERTED MANCHESTER

[CentreFix25]

They've diverted the plane 3 hours before it's due at it's destination, my bet is they need the plane to operate a flight out of Manchester...

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2011/12/22/geordie-holidaymakers-end-up-in-manchester-72703-29996921/

Interesting to see if they're told any fibs!

[CentreFix25]

Further to that it does seem that Thomas Cook are having problems at Manchester this evening, take your pick at which flight it's going to operate...

T1 TCX2074 14:10 Naples Estimated Sat 15 Sep 00:15
T1 TCX2464 19:50 Heraklion Departing Sat 15 Sep 00:55
T1 TCX2436 22:35 Corfu Estimated Sat 15 Sep 00:30

Aircraft in question is G-FCLJ, interesting to see where it is at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning!

[Travel Agent]

Cheers for that.... lets just hope they get back to the north east before the check in for the EZY flight to Malaga tommorrow

[SWBKCB]

Further to that it does seem that Thomas Cook are having problems at Manchester this evening, take your pick at which flight it's going to operate...

T1 TCX2074 14:10 Naples Estimated Sat 15 Sep 00:15
T1 TCX2464 19:50 Heraklion Departing Sat 15 Sep 00:55
T1 TCX2436 22:35 Corfu Estimated Sat 15 Sep 00:30

Aircraft in question is G-FCLJ, interesting to see where it is at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning!

At 06.20 G-FCLJ is climbing out of Heraklion.

[CentreFix25]

TCX6238 06:10 PALMA CHECK-IN 33-35 DELAYED 13:20
TCX6402 06:10 IBIZA CHECK-IN 38-39 DELAYED 14:30

One of these NCL delays must be knock on effect.

[SWBKCB]

...and the other due to one of our based 320's positioning to LGW this morning

[GrahamK]

August provisional figures:
Gatwick -14%
Heathrow +2%
Brussels -16%
Paris CDG +18%
Dusseldorf +9%
Dublin +4%
Amsterdam +4%
Stavanger +14%
Dubai +1%

[GrahamK]

Transavia B738 brought in to op the IBZ. Not sure whats operating the Palma however

[nclops]

PMI was operated by 757 GWJAN. ALC is been operated by MD83 of Medallion Air.

[Seljuk22]

The Emirates Effect

The Emirates Effect - The Economic Impact of Air Services :: Routesonline (http://www.routesonline.com/news/36/the-hub/162495/the-emirates-effect-the-economic-impact-of-air-services/)

[SWBKCB]

According to sources, the initial loads on the first two 777-300ER flights into Newcastle provide positive reading. The September 1, 2012 flight was fully-booked but arrived minus around 40 passengers who missed the connection in Dubai due to bad weather, while the September 2, 2102 flight was operated by a full aircraft configured in a higher-density arrangement with seating for 442 passengers. In fact, with eight infants onboard the jet arrived with 450 onboard, the largest ever passenger load to arrive at Newcastle International on a single aircraft.

Although I understand it's sold as a high-density route, most of the first couple of weeks flights have actually been low-density configured a/c (i.e. more high value seats) - no idea if this is a good or bad thing, permanent or temporary!

Also, being a pedant, haven't Corsair using their high density B.747's carried 500+ on football charters?

[OltonPete]

Quite surprised that only three 428/442 seat aircraft thus far for NCL although BHX has suffered the same but on a smaller scale with about 3 out of 32 flights this month downgraded (seat wise).

Dublin on the other hand has seen at least four two class aircraft this month and it seems that as ever EK are being flexible with their fleet.

September traditionally has been a good month for Emirates and I was a little surprised at the BHX downgrades and even more so at NCL but it is early days and I remember BHX's second flight having some terrible figures although it did start it the low season (like Glasgow's) which did seem odd at the time but I am sure they had their reasons.

Early days and hopefully it will all turn out okay.

Pete

[CabinCrewe]

My only surprise was that they proceeded with upgrade to 777 in the first place. Was doing just OK with the smaller A330.

[Jamesair]

A few changes in the top 10 positions for August scheduled routes, with Dublin overtaking Bristol. (July position shown in brackets)

HEATHROW.....41,067 (1)
AMSTERDAM...24,242 (2)
ALICANTE.......21,969 (4)
PALMA...........21,887 (3)
MALAGA.........17,921 (5)
BELFAST(INT).16,459 (7)
PARIS(CDG)....16,356 (6)
FARO.............15,382 (8)
DUBLIN...........14,271 (-)
DUBAI............13,207 (10)


Stats courtesy of CAA

[ash666]

Just back after a week away. Can someone tell me why they spent money on moving the xray machines from East-West to North-South and still only have 3 out of 6 working? The queue when I went out zig-zagged back to where the boarding cards get checked.
What is the point? Really, what is the point???

[jerboy]

Agreed ash, it looks much prettier now, however the queue length has remained pretty much the same.

No point in expanding if you ain't expanding the number of staff. On the plus side the NCL security staff are a more friendly breed than at other airports.

[deltahotel9]

You are clearly unlucky or a jinx Ash, last twice I have been through all but one of the lanes were open, 7am and 3pm. I'm not sure the queues are any shorter mind but because of the way they have changed the lanes around it gives the illusion the queue is shorter. Took no more than 10-15mins to get through and that was with what seemed like every other passenger setting the alarm off, when will people learn?

[ash666]

I should say, though, that passport control was much better coming back, every desk manned.
Out of curiosity, before I went I had a look at the "book lounge" section on the airport's website to see what they would charge but it said that it was closed at the time I wanted. At the airport I had a look and it was open as usual. Not that I went in; it's one of the worst lounges out there, not even a plate of cornflakes for the early flights.

[SWBKCB]

What is the point? Really, what is the point???

Selling fast track tickets?

[ash666]

I think you are right and I certainly won't be bullied into buying them.

[ash666]

and what was going on with Jet2 at 4.30pm last night? One check-in desk open for all flights. The queue was huge.

[nclops]

You sure it was Jet2?? They don't have any departures after 1600 on a Thursday?!

[ash666]

it seemed to be heading towards a Jet2 desk, near the EZY desks over towards the right. I'd just got off a Jet2 plane.

[Jamesair]

An interview on "routes on line" said that NCL would play a part in BMI Regional plans, likely from Summer 2013.

[KNIEVEL77]

Has anyone any idea if the long awaited Viewing Point is going to happen?

It seems to be quite sometime since this was discussed between the Airport Police and Enthusiasts but no concrete news since!

[chris1001]

Made a return trip on the Emirates last week. Older aircraft on the way out with old style business seats and cabin interior but newer aircraft on the way back. I Reckon 85% full on way out and full to capacity on way back.

Baggage carousel clearly could not cope with a fully laden 777. Took an hour to get bags off with many bags jamming on the conveyor ramp up to the baggage belt.

I reckon many pax must have kicked off at drop off point as we only had to pay £1 to exit despite being there for over an hour. Rightly so!

[ash666]

It's not as if they didn't know it was going to happen, the carousels couldn't cope before.

[Robert G Mugabe]

When the emirates arrives passport control is backed up down the stairs.

Carousel can't cope.

Round exit doors get jammed.

You buggers want a New York flight when the airport infrastructure cannot cope with a single 777.

[ash666]

It can barely cope with a 50 seat Canadair.

[highwideandugly]

i to came back from a quick dubai trip...passport control took i guess 20 mins less at newcastle than dubai.trip(bus) from aircraft to taxi just over 1hour .25 mins at dubai..approx 30 mins at newcastle. 42c waiting for sweaty taxi for 10 mins at dubai..less than 1 min at newcastle .bags on corousel on passing though immig. at newcastle 5 min walk at dubai and 5 min wait for bags.

so i guess you pays your money..you takes your chance..methinks EK should move their hub to newcastle based on that!!!:)

stop whingeing and enjoy..you could be like us at DTV and still loose your bags even from aberdeen!!

[Earlyriser]

Reason the bag reclaim belt is jammed up at the moment is because the inbound EK is full of Non EU students, often 250+ a flight at the moment takes longer to get them through border control! Should be back to normal soon! It's no the airports fault that the Emirates often lands amongst returning charter flights! Just the way it is!!

[fl dutchman]

Perhaps I am the only one, however I always have a good experience at NCL. Yes it can be busy at times in the search area on departure and at the immigration on arrival but I cant remember having to wait too long at either.

In general the staff especially in departures are pleasant and helpfull.

In comparison with many other airports throughout the world NCL is very good.

Try getting into many USA airports as quickly. Was at LAX last week, it took about 30 mins to get through passport control then another 30mins or so to get through customs after the bags arrived, and thats one of the better airports.

Nowhere is perfect of course. You dont realise what a good little airport you have.

("it can barley cope with a 50 seat Canadair"). Absolute rubbish!

[Jamesair]

Very good to hear that the loads seem to be justifying the switch to the 777-300. It will be interesting to see the Sept. traffic figures. Is the freight increasing too?

Nobody want to speculate what the BMI Regional route announcement due in November might be?

[ash666]

("it can barley cope with a 50 seat Canadair"). Absolute rubbish!
---

Probably right, better make that a Cessna!

Anyone else noticed security's complete inability to detect fluids in hand luggage?

[Ringwayman]

Bear in mind that EK have increased capacity by between 30% and 60% depending on the 777 layouts that they use- that increase in loads could have been comfortably been carried in the A330s that previously operated (I reckon it equates 75%/76% seat load factor based on the 278 seat version of the A330).

Has there been any general discounting of EK fares from Newcastle since the arrival of the 777s? This route was hardly in need of increase in capacity unlike a lot of the other regional UK routes, so I imagine the greatest driver would be cargo carrying capability.

[JKKne]

Perhaps I am the only one, however I always have a good experience at NCL. Yes it can be busy at times in the search area on departure and at the immigration on arrival but I cant remember having to wait too long at either.

In general the staff especially in departures are pleasant and helpfull.

In comparison with many other airports throughout the world NCL is very good.

Try getting into many USA airports as quickly. get through passport control then another 30mins or so to get through customs after the bags arrived, and thats one of the better airports.

Newcastle does get it right sometimes but it as you say a good small airport.

I don't have a huge issue departure-wise. Most of the hold ups are caused by the bucket and spade travellers wearing 34 different belts and carrying assorted liquids etc

I've yet to have a good arrival experience, although the Border Force Frustrated CIA Officers have improved, even occasionally raising a small smile along with lowered waitng times, the baggage process is atrocious.

I've accounted my experience a few times on the thread but if more than 1 aircraft arrives its absolute chaos, of course I don't expect charter flights to be unloaded and bags within 10 minutes but its regular 1 hour waits with different carousels in use each time.

Even domestic arrivals are useless, it's almost forgotten at times.

I've relayed concerns to the airport each time and even had an apologetic phone call and vouchers, but what I want, is consistency. If fldutchman can have a great arrivals experience, why can't/shouldn't everyone.

[Montreal-Dubai]

Yup FL Dutchman, I totally agree. I always have effortless transits through Newcastle Airport, and cannot understand some of these other situations of poor service. I too think they may be jinxed, but aside from that it must happen as no where is perfect, but not all the time.

Most of my trips this year have been to the likes of DUS with LH, Paris with AF etc etc, so easy check ins, quick baggage reclaim, and I am impressed with both the new search area and the enlarged border control. I even came back from Cyrpus on a Thomson charter and was expecting a long wait for bags etc etc, purely through comments on this forum!! It couldnt have been further from the truth!! All pax deplaned promptly, ease of movement through border control, and very little wait for bags. Everyone was through and landside within 35 mins which is pretty damn good, and we werent the only arrival. Im off on the EK 777 in November so I will be interested to see how Newcastle performs, but really I am fairly confident. If there are issues then hey-ho, I will note them and give feedback, but goodness me, you want to see the shambles of other much bigger facilities around the world. Paris CDG immigration has not been good this year and Montreal Trudeau?? Well, you might aswell take a book to read for Passport Control here. I for one like what we have at Newcastle. :D

[heslop2006]

Arriving back to NCL on Friday myself I must say that despite the fact it was 5:30am the entire time there was a hold up in passport control having only 2 people on the desks for a flight from the US and then baggage taking 35 minutes (excluding the time it took for the belt to start) it wasn't as efficient as i've experienced in the past where i've got of an aircraft to find all the bags going round the belt and out the airport in 20 minutes of landing ...

[ash666]

The good thing about the EK flight, if they still do it this way, is that they check your passport and boarding card at the entrance to the gate lounge so that when the flight is called everyone just has to walk on. It must help get the flight away on time and should be adopted at the other gates.

[_ShIfTy_]

The closed gate method is used at other gates as well Ash. We are currently running trials on the BA flights to speed up boarding times.

It does depend on what gate you have though, and how many other flights are going out from gates next to yours. Sometimes you can't guarantee a secure gate and therefore can't do a closed gate.

Regards

Shifty

[ash666]

shifty
Thanks for the reply.
I can see that people coming and going(toilets, etc) would be a problem.
And after I posted I wondered if it really did speed boarding as there is a limit as to how fast people can get on a plane, especially as the large family in row 1 seem to think the aisle is a particularly good place to completely re-arrange all their hand luggage.

[SWBKCB]

But this must be a more expensive approach, as it requires staff to be manning the gate for longer?

Also, agree with ash point about boarding - on the LHR flight often after clearing the boarding pass queue you just join a queue halfway down the airbridge to get on the plane.

Strict boarding by seat row number would be a better approach (but you still have to negate the numpty factor).

[_ShIfTy_]

Yup I agree with all your points. It doesn't really require any extra staff though. The gate staff should always arrive before the passengers anyway. And with the likes of Thomas cook only calling the flight down to the gate at -35 it doesn't give you a lot of time to board 230 pax

The main reason I like closed gates is because it give the dispatcher a good idea of how many passengers he is missing earlier. This is crucial when you don't have much time to locate or offload them.

[Currock Base]

The closed gate for BA is a terrible idea. It causes queues in the corridor and stops differentiation of product for the gold card holders etc. You should hear the comments in the Exec Lounge and see the thread on Flyertalk.

[SWBKCB]

I was wondering about the impact on the lounge - when I was last using it, it seemed to be normally practice for nobody to leave until boarding had started. Similarly staff only seemed to turn up at the gate when they were getting ready to board.

I agree though that a closed gate makes life easier for the dispatcher - many moons ago, seemed to spend half a shift convincing pax that just because you're still in the queue for duty free, your flight wasn't going to wait for you and they really should go to the gate right now!

[SWBKCB]

BBC News - Newcastle Airport loses case over £8m paid to directors (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-19802386)

[N707ZS]

Wonder how much the high court battle cost and what might of happened if they had won?

Don't think it would of wiped the wopping morgage out.:eek:

[Jamesair]

I thought it would end in tears. :{ I wondered why the other Board Members hadn't queried it.

[lexoncd]

Michael O'leary complains about his salary of €1.42m and you know what after reading about this farcical situation involving John Parkin former chief exec at Newcastle airport he has a valid point. Ok so Newcastle airport have lost their case but a CEO negotiating 2% of a refinancing deal is obscene and then he gets a further 2m "out of court settlement".. Watch out LBA you have been warned!!

[skyman771]

... and the blame lies ..................

Law firm Eversheds cleared in Newcastle Airport bonuses case - Today's News - News - JournalLive (http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2012/10/03/law-firm-eversheds-cleared-in-newcastle-airport-bonuses-case-61634-31953752/)

It is ironic to note what other national business a certain person was involved with over the same time period 2005-05 :E
Ruth Sunderland: The Rock should tell PwC its number's up | Business | The Observer (http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/dec/09/northernrock.creditcrunch)

[Jamesair]

Flybe has published its timetable up to 14th July 2013, not many changes with Belfast City 12 wkly, Bergen 3 wkly, Exeter daily, Jersey 4 wkly, down from 5, Gatwick 19 wkly, Southampton 18 wkly. Limoge and Newquay are not shown yet probably because they may start after 14th july......no new routes as yet.

[j636]

EK to change from a B777-300ER to a B777-200 from 9 October

[GrahamK]

Still showing as a 77W on the EK website?

[Sam Chipperfield]

It Will Remain A 777-300 As Emirates Are Phasing Out The 200 Series, They Will All Be A350s, A380 And 777-300s Soon

[SLFLurker]

I was on the 20.15 BA service to LHR last night and we were delayed take off because of the emergency return of the (I presume) the 20.00 EZY to BRS.

Escorted back by fire engines and when we passed the plane, the fire trucks were still around it.

Just curious - but does anyone have any idea regarding the reason for the return?

[nclops]

Suspected bird strike on departure leading to an engine problem was what I heard!

[SLFLurker]

Thanks! I was just curious. :)

[Jamesair]

re my Flybe post (3179)....most seasonal flights will probably be added to the timetables in November so all is not yet lost in respect of Newquay and Limoges.

[Sam Chipperfield]

Notice Emirates Are Using 777-200 And 300 On The Dubai Route

[fl dutchman]

Emirates.
Yes there using 777-200 and 777-200LR on some Mon and Tue flights I think over the next couple of weeks or so. Then its back to all 777-300ER.?
Dont know why. Operational reasons as they say?

Ryanair.
Dublin reducing to once daily from November, except Fri and Sun where it stays twice daily.

[N707ZS]

Thats 100 seats less per flight if the Emirates web site is right.

[CabinCrewe]

and perhaps more suited to the loads ?

[SWBKCB]

Ryanair.
Dublin reducing to once daily from November, except Fri and Sun where it stays twice daily.

Did this last winter as well?

[fl dutchman]

The changes in aircraft type seem to be pre planned and are reflected in the booking system. So obviously they will only sell the seats available for that aircraft type presumably factoring in there overbooking policy whatever that is.

They are not last minute changes and appear to be only on certain days for a short period of time.

I would think its due to aircraft availability not poor loads. However only time will tell us the answer to that.

Ryanair. Didnt realise that happened last winter, thanks.

[OltonPete]

Have loads been affected by the Hajj in a similar way to Ramadan?

This month BHX has seen 11 three class 77W's out of 16 flights and similar at the end of last month.

On checking libhomeradar it appears 13 or the 14 I have listed as two-class are in use with one clearly not as it has not flown for a month.

I have also noticed EK96 Rome has been a two-class for several weeks and this was definitely a three class service with the A380 operating the afternoon.

Boeing have been dispatching 77W's from the factory quite regularly recently and even Airbus delivered two A380's to them last week so they are getting aircraft in but of course some A332's & A343's are due to leave.

I was a little surprised at the speed of the upgrade based on the CAA stats but EK have the yield figures and must have been confident. Maybe the 772ER would have been a better stepping stone but again that is another sub-fleet allegedly on the way out although four are still flying with three in 42/304 configuration.

Pete

[Jamie2k9]

Did this last winter as well?

The current schedule is what operated until the early Jan 2012. It increased to 11 weekly then in March it went 2 daily.

[roverman]

There seems to be fleet rotation going on around the network generally. The morning MAN service has been a B772 several times recently instead of the usual B77W.

[HH6702]

Looks like there is a 200 going into LHR this afternoon instead of the 300

[GrahamK]

I thought there was performance issuses with the 772ERs from NCL, hence the upgrade straight to the 77W?

Anyhow, 772ER A6-EML on it's way in today, so I suppose we will find out.

[Earlyriser]

I thought there was performance issues too! However yesterday's flight was operated by a 777-200LR, seems like it coped well with landing and take off, we'll from a rookie point of view!

[BoeingGTi]

just out of interest, what performance implications would a 772 experience a W would not? less thrust capabilities?

[skyman771]

The field performance of all variants of the 777 are available from the boeing website. The characteristics on a matrix of field height & temp variations are reflected on some very interesting graphs.
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/airports/acaps/7772sec3.pdf
The above link will enable you to extract some of the detail, there are other pdf's for basis 772's
Quick review & noting NCL's conditions approach those of "std day" data & 7,650ft, then it would suggest that :-
772 tow is c.543,000 / mtow 545,000,
772LR tow c.685,000 / mtow 766,000 &
773 c.545,000 / mtow 660,000.
obviously this is basic data, but would suggest to me that a 772LR & 772 could take off without compromise to pax & frieght, with ample fuel for NCL-DXB sector.
Other types then there are definite compromises, possibly greater on 300 versions.
It has to be noted that should temp rise by 20 degrees or more & there are obviously compromises all round. Though this is not too regular in NE England.

[gh1990]

Easyjet App showing Newcastle to Jersey as a new route. Currently unavailable to book but Easyjet forum speculating that new routes could be bookable by end of the week. Watch this space . . .

[BoeingGTi]

Thanks Skyman interesting reading... think its back to 773 today... nice variation if you ask me. I work just under the approach end to 25 and knew something didnt seen quite right when I seen it come in the other day :ooh:

Wonder if EK operate that type into any other fields with a shorter runway than ours ? :confused:

[VentureGo]

Easyjet: New Jersey Route?
Easyjet App showing Newcastle to Jersey as a new route. Currently unavailable to book but Easyjet forum speculating that new routes could be bookable by end of the week. Watch this space . . .

When will Newcastle get some New routes? Recent announcements from EZY to AMS & JER are destinations already served - Guess Easyjet are restricted by the size of their Newcastle Fleet based aircraft, being only 3 aircraft making Newcastle Easyjet's smallest UK base. Even Bristol has Berlin & Copenhagen (both destinations, which would do well from Newcastle). Jet2 have strong presence, but schedules are restrictive for short breaks and pricey in comparison to EZY.

[Jamesair]

Wait for next months announcement from BMI Regional who are including NCL in their new route plans for summer 2013

[fl dutchman]

Easyjet route confirmed, TUE and SAT from March

Wonder if Flybe survive with the competition. They have reduced frequency on the route to 4 weekly from 5 (summer 2013) before this announcement.

[10 DME ARC]

Jet2 have strong presence, but schedules are restrictive for short breaks and pricey in comparison to EZY

Funny my last three return trips with J2 was because they were cheaper than Easy!;)

[macuser]

Just searched Flybe site for the random dates 14-18 May 2013. Return trip NCL-JER-NCL without hold baggage is £110. EZY should be able to better that methinks.

[SWBKCB]

Even Bristol has Berlin & Copenhagen (both destinations, which would do well from Newcastle).

Even though they've been tried and dropped from NCL before - amazing, really, how EZY have managed to get so big!

[skyman771]

SWCKCB
Even though they've been tried and dropped from NCL before

You must have a better memory than me, no problem with Copenhagen, but Berlin eludes me, was it a Loco product, how long did it last & was it direct ??

[Travel Agent]

Berlin was Easyjet for a good two or three years not long after they started if memory serves

[SWBKCB]

EZY have done both CPH (along with others including BA and SAS) and SXF

Latest news - easyJet plc (http://corporate.easyjet.com/media/latest-news/news-year-2003/11-12-03-en.aspx)

Latest news - easyJet plc (http://corporate.easyjet.com/media/latest-news/news-year-2003/05-11-03-en.aspx)

Can't remember exactly when SXF was dropped - although I do know my son was booked on it and got re-directed to LPL (come to think of it, I was booked BA NCL-CPH when they dropped that...)

[Jamesair]

CPN has come and gone many, many times...the most optimistic operator was SAS who did 3 x daily on the route for a period, I think carrying over 3,500 pax monthly. I think Jet 2 had a go once.

I would like to see CPN and Berlin return though. In better times, good business and short break destinations.

[ash666]

from Routesonline
easyJet Offers Channel Island Connection from Newcastle :: Routesonline (http://www.routesonline.com/news/36/the-hub/165287/easyjet-offers-channel-island-connection-from-newcastle/?utm_source=the-hub&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=the-hub-EU)

[JonnyH]

Just seen two planes have landed from Paphos into NCL.

First was supposedly Glasgow bound - any reason why? EX158 and LS516.

[CabinCrewe]

The GLA Paphos flight albeit late has arrived.... in GLA.

[SWBKCB]

Yes - but it landed in Newcastle first then departed onwards to GLA as EXS158A, so the question remains...

[flybar]

Shortage of fuel at Scottish Airports - widely reported everywhere!!
Plenty of fuel at Newcastle!

[HH6702]

Holiday company lowcostholidays are adding new direct flights from Newcastle for next summer

Using air explore and small planet airlines weekly flights are as follows

AXE Tuesday to TFS
AXE Thursday to ACE
AXE Saturday to ALC

LLC Thursday and Sunday to PMI

OHY is also doing a Saturday flight to dalaman

[GrahamK]

September provisional stats:

Gatwick -17%
Heathrow -3%
Brussels -12%
Paris CDG +14%
Dusseldorf FLAT
Dublin +13%
Amsterdam +4%
Dubai +14%

[HH6702]

Are those figures compared to sept 2011 or aug 2012?

[GrahamK]

Compared to September 11th.

October will be interesting given the number of 77L flights there have been. Any idea when normal service resumes on the 77W?

[heslop2006]

Don't know if I'm behind on times but FlyBe are showing Paris CDG in their list of their online timetable from NCL starting April 2013 listed...

Other destinations listed were Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bergen, Exeter, Jersey, Gatwick and Southampton which I believe are all routes from NCL now...?

Is CDG new? Or have I missed something ... :confused:

[BAladdy]

BE's CDG is a codeshare with AF. Flights operated by Cityjet on behalf of AF.

[heslop2006]

thanks BAladdy :)

[HH6702]

hi

ive founds these flights on travelrepublic website. it shows flight numbers but no flight codes.. im guessing these are linked to the above airlines???


Thu 01-August-2013
15:55 / 20:15 (4 hours 20 minutes) 1444
Newcastle - Arrecife (Lanzarote)

Thu 08-August-2013
21:15 / 01:25 (4 hours 10 minutes) 1445
Arrecife (Lanzarote) - Newcastle

Sat 03-August-2013
07:50 / 11:45 (2 hours 55 minutes) 1642
Newcastle - Alicante (Costa Blanca)

Sat 10-August-2013
12:45 / 14:40 (2 hours 55 minutes) 1643
Alicante (Costa Blanca) - Newcastle

Sun 04-August-2013
21:40 / 01:20 (2 hours 40 minutes) 1790
Newcastle - Palma (Majorca)

Sun 11-August-2013
01:25 / 03:15 (2 hours 50 minutes) 1683
Palma (Majorca) - Newcastle

Sat 03-August-2013
06:30 / 10:10 (2 hours 40 minutes) 1628
Newcastle - Palma (Majorca)

Sat 10-August-2013
11:10 / 13:00 (2 hours 50 minutes) 1629
Palma (Majorca) - Newcastle

Any ideas people

[sam1993]

All of the above flights you have posted are operated by Thomson. Nothing to do with Lowcostholidays and Air Explore / Small Planet.

[SWBKCB]

Something afoot on re-financing, or just formulating responses to the recent court case shambles?


'Secret meetings' over future of Newcastle airport slammed (From The Northern Echo) (http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/durham/10002096._Secret_meetings__over_future_of_Newcastle_airport_ slammed/)

[SWBKCB]

AMP Capital Set To Be New Owner of Newcastle Airport - Source | 4-Traders (http://www.4-traders.com/KOEBENHAVNS-LUFTHAV-1412948/news/AMP-Capital-Set-To-Be-New-Owner-of-Newcastle-Airport-Source-15426480/)


Investment Management | Managed Funds | Asset Management | Property | Infrastructure | AMP Capital Australia (http://www.ampcapital.com.au/)

[SWBKCB]

Bit more detail in today's Journal. Only previous airport experience seems to be with Melbourne and Launceston - Australia's 13th busiest airport...


Newcastle Airport debt slashed as partner revealed - Today's News - News - JournalLive (http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news//tm_headline=newcastle-airport-debt-slashed-as-partner-revealed%26method=full%26objectid=32112955%26siteid=61634-name_page.html)

[N707ZS]

But taxpayers will still have to shoulder a £68m burden facing six of the seven local authorities – South Tyneside, Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, Northumberland and Durham – who are collectively known as LA7 and own 51% of the operation.


Not good news for the locals when budgets are being cut.

[10 DME ARC]

But taxpayers will still have to shoulder a £68m burden facing six of the seven local authorities – South Tyneside, Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, Northumberland and Durham – who are collectively known as LA7 and own 51% of the operation.


Shame - But these same councils/taxpayers were only too happy to take money from the sale of 49%, the dividends paid just about every year since the shares were given to them and the eventual full payment taken from the airport refinancing!! Councillors from these councils were on the renumeration committee who gave JP over £7M!!
The money boom years were just that a 'boom' and have gone - taxpayers/councils from all these area's have taken much much more from the airport over the years!!

[Sam Chipperfield]

Looks Like Now The Wednesday Flight Is A 200 And The Rest Is 300 Series 777, Noticed Another Jet Air Fly 737 In This Morning, Anybody Know Why?

[COBHC]

Saw on flightradar yesterday A6-MMM a B744 from Dubai Air Wing come into Newcastle. Does anyone know why its in, and if its still in?

Ill be travelling up to Newcastle for a few days tomorrow so I'd like to see it if its still in.

Cheers, Max

[Jamesair]

Normally to do with the shooting season on the moors

[johnnychips]

Normally to do with the shooting season on the moors

This is an aviation thread, and the word comes from Latin ave 'bird', so I feel justified in asking what they are shooting. Hasn't the 'Glorious Twelfth' for grouse well gone?

[SWBKCB]

Grouse season ends on 10 December.

[N707ZS]

Plenty of pesants up there to shoot think that season lasts until February.

[Jamesair]

I'm hoping you mean pheasants :rolleyes:

[N707ZS]

Of course taking the Phiss!:}

[macuser]

See post 2584, it's an annual event!

[Jamesair]

LONDON HEATHROW.....42,655 (1)
AMSTERDAM...............25,001 (2)
PALMA.......................20,364 (4)
ALICANTE...................19,399 (3)
PARIS........................16,698 (7)
DUBAI........................16,581 (10)
MALAGA.....................16,576 (5)
BELFAST (INTL)...........15,211 (6)
FARO.........................13,453 (8)
DUBLIN.......................13,165 (9)

Quite a number of changes, mainly Dubai up to 6 from 10. Interestingly, Amsterdam and Paris are still showing healthy increases in pax numbers.

stats CAA

[EKCH2730]

SAS returns to NCL from the 4th of February next year. There will be one daily flight (evening rotation) operated by CRJ200 (from Cimber A/S).

Good news to see a direct link between CPH and NCL again.

[Jamesair]

Thats the best news I've heard for a long time.

[magicninja]

Where did you hear this from. On the SAS website you can not book a flight yet?

[GAXLN]

Reservations for the Newcastle-Copenhagen route will be available from 15 November on SAS website.

[Travel Agent]

Monarch have pulled NCL-SFB & CWL-SFB for next summer due to lack of sales

[MARKEYD]

Are Air Transat operating to Toronto again for next summer via Exeter , they always seem to leave it till late in the day before announcing anything , nothing bookable on the web site at the moment

[Richard Taylor]

SAS returns to NCL from the 4th of February next year. There will be one daily flight (evening rotation) operated by CRJ200 (from Cimber A/S).

Good news to see a direct link between CPH and NCL again.

It is, so long as SAS don't go under before then, if you've seen the recent postings on the SAS thread.

[EKCH2730]

It is, so long as SAS don't go under before then, if you've seen the recent postings on the SAS thread.

Believe me - They won't go under... :cool:

I think you can be pretty sure to see SAS online at NCL in February!

[simonwa]

How many aircraft are based at Newcastle this winter? There appears to be huge gaps in the timetable where planes are sat doing nothing for many hours. For example today one aircraft comes in from Belfast at 0920 and another from Bristol at 0950 but the next EZY departure isn't until 1525 to Alicante. It also appears that Paris is stopping in November but the new replacement Amsterdam route isn't starting until December.

I know EZY have just announced Jersey from NCL but what is the long term future for EZY at Newcastle? Having planes sat around for nearly 6 hours per day surely isn't good. Are there any more routes planned?

[Heathrow Harry]

seems wasteful - I can remember Ryanair finding they had a similar situation at Stansted a few years back and looked around for a short route that they could be pretty sure wouldn't suffer delays to fill the time in and came up with Esbjerg mid -afternoon- God knows how we larfed!!!

Of course there were enough Danish pig farmers & their wives who fancied a quick trip to London rather than a long drive to Copenhagen to get some pretty good loads............ aircraft utilised, bank balance increased, more happy customers.......

You'd have thought it was worth sticking in a flight to somewhere in NW Europe just to see what happens

[GrahamK]

When do the Geneva flights start?

[Kev 1]

Geneva & Amsterdam start mid-December which will fill most of the gaps in the current schedule.

[JonnyH]

Agreed, the same can be said for the likes of TOM, TCX and LS. There is some days where there is an early morning flight, to Alicante for example, and once they've arrived back mid-afternoon there is no flights for the rest of the day.

It does seem very strange.

I have also noticed in the last week with EZY random flights going in and out of NCL. One arrived from Aberdeen and one the other day from Birmingham, I think it was. Another also departed for MAN. I don't know whether they're moving around to position them for different flights but does seem very weird especially for an airline like EZY to be doing that.

[SWBKCB]

Why is it strange - the winter is always a lot slower than the summer for the charter airlines.

And think you might be confusing EasyJet (EZY) with Eastern (EZE)

[HH6702]

Im sure that it is better for an airline to have the aircraft sitting on the ground just doing 1 flight a day at a profit than having the aircraft up all day doing different flights empty and then operating at a loss?????

remember Jet2 own most of there aircraft so no lease fees!!

[Jamesair]

You can now read all about the new route on "Routes-on-line."