NEWCASTLE - 8

[ATNotts]

Profitable after one season though, not a chance

Inclined to agree. However the problem today is that the business world is so impatient for results that allowing a route a full 2 years to evolve just doesn't seem to cut the mustard anymore.

Still, UA (and CO before them) seem to have a better track record than most in giving routes a fair chance to perform.

[SWBKCB]

Airport chiefs welcome moves to cut air fares from Heathrow to Newcastle - Chronicle Live (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/airport-chiefs-welcome-moves-cut-9000072)

Another move from LHR to get regional support for a 3rd runway.

[BAladdy]

Last August UA operated 2 757's daily from EDI to EWR with a average load factor of 83%. It will be interesting to see how the introduction of the NCL-EWR flight impacts on the loads on the EDI-EWR route.

[HH6702]

We will never know what the target loads are needed to make money.

However like any business not many will make money in the first year.
normally they make a loss year 1 breakeven in year 2 and make a profit in year 3!

If they were happy with sales as stated in the papers then I don't think we have anything to worry about. People are paying the higher fares to fly from local airport.
If the route wasn't selling it would have been pulled or flight prices massively reduced before now.
Remember thomsons pulled there new route after 2 months of it being on sale and people haven't moaned about that

I would say expected loads wise
Year 1 70%+
Year 2 80%+
Year 3 90%+ any daily flights

Airport and United won't be expecting high loads in year 1.........
also people will also be using up there air miles with other airlines first before swapping over

Let's just give the route a chance instead of the bashing of it before its started!!

[Joe Curry]

Last August UA operated 2 757's daily from EDI to EWR with a average load factor of 83%. It will be interesting to see how the introduction of the NCL-EWR flight impacts on the loads on the EDI-EWR route.

Or, how EDI-JFK and EDI-EWR impacts on the introduction of NCL-EWR?

[SWBKCB]

There's no show without punch...

UA will have their expectations for the route and doubt they'll be sharing them with anyone, so everything else is just guessing.

[BAladdy]

Or, how EDI-JFK and EDI-EWR impacts on the introduction of NCL-EWR?

I think EDI-JFK and the NCL-EWR will both impact on UA's EDI-EWR service.

[LiamNCL]

Lets see how it goes hopefully it performs well , Cant see why United would start something up they dont see meeting their first year expectation

[handler]

Hi Guys, I am looking for updated list "who handles who at NCL" any assistance very much appreciated.

[nclops]

At moment Aviator handle Easyjet, Eastern, Flybe, BMI regional and Onur Air. Everything else is handled by Swissport. Private jets and executive handling etc all go through Samson Aviation.

[EK77WNCL]

Sitting bored and a thought popped into my head...

Please don't misunderstand what I'm asking, this isn't a pipe dream post,

If EK were to take NCL up to the next step it's pretty much set in stone that it would be a frequency increase rather than the kerfuffle involved in upgrading NCL to accept daily A380's....

Anyway, from a "maximising connecting potential" point of view is there any likelihood EK would look at a split schedule i.e daily noon arrival, x4 weekly evening arrival and x3 weekly morning arrival? We're very slowly creeping up to the magic 20-25,000 mark in some months and I reckon they'll be looking out to see what they can do with us because the rest of their UK airports have just had their latest booster and I think we could maybe see 11 weekly within the next 3 years, on something A330/A340/77L sized

[handler]

Many Thanks nclops

[LiamNCL]

I reckon it will be 2017 at earliest and it will be a evening flight on a 777 , Doubt it will be earlier on a airframe that will be phased out soon and it wont be timed differentley on certain days

[HH6702]

When will it be 10 years for EK at NCL 2018??

Maybe a timed increase of flights then??

[EK77WNCL]

EK do make big jumps so another daily evening flight wouldn't surprise me but... I think it would be massive overkill for the first year or 2. 77L could have been an option but they seem pretty busy at the minute, if only the A330's were getting refurbished, I think they'll be around for about another 5 years. Emirates still haven't placed their purported order for a new "regional" aircraft, A333/A339, A359/10 and 789/10 were supposed to be in the running. I'm rooting for the A339 (few A338's would be nice to)

1st September 2017 is 10 years, hoping they might announce something and maybe send the big bugger in on the noon flight like they did at Glasgow.

[GrahamK]

Given that they are averaging 75% loads on the 77W now, I'd suggest any further schedule increase would be happening as a minimum in 2017, not any earlier, depending how the route grows over the next 2 years

[LiamNCL]

Could Emirates realistically send a A380 for a special one off though ?

[GrahamK]

The airport would need a temporary licence from the CAA and borrow some firefighters, but I suppose it could in theory be done. Not sure about whether the runway woul place weight restrictions but it would never be anywhere close to MTOW anyway

[N707ZS]

What about turning areas?

[GrahamK]

I think I'm right in stating that the A380 is a bit shorter than the 77W.

[LiamNCL]

You never know really what Emirates will do , They sent the A380 to BHX and GLA as one off flights. We will have to see what they do on 1st Sepetember 2017 *10 Year* flight

[HH6702]

Hi

I know i will get shot by saying 2016!!!! however Thomson, Thomas Cook and Jet2 etc should start to load there flights on sale within the next 2 weeks.

Any rumours yet of what we may see new from NCL??

[LiamNCL]

Hi

I know i will get shot by saying 2016!!!! however Thomson, Thomas Cook and Jet2 etc should start to load there flights on sale within the next 2 weeks.

Any rumours yet of what we may see new from NCL??

No rumours but a Third A321 instead of the leased A320 wouldnt go a miss from TCX

[BFS BHD]

Thomson Airways release their Summer 2016 flights on 23rd April.

Thomas Cook release theirs on 30th April.

Not sure on Jet2 but ill say very soon possibly this week. :)

[GrahamK]

Extra flights to Cancun with TOM for Summer 2016, nothing else appears to be new from NCL

[EK77WNCL]

How do you mean extra flights? Increase in weekly frequency or extended period of operation?

Fingers crossed for something... Wonder TOM or TCX will be brave enough to base another frame... And who. I don't think 3 A321's is that far fetched really... Although 2 A321's and 1 753 (Condor) would be my inner pipe dreamer's wet dream

I think 2016 will be very very similar to 2015 but maybe just with even less appropriately timed Easyjet flights. Jet2 not made anymore promises for 8 aircraft yet?

[GrahamK]

The way it sounds is an extra frequency, but we shall see

[GrahamK]

Something seriously wrong with the CAA provisional stats this month....NCL-DXB showing over 35,500! :suspect:

[HH6702]

Is long haul not already on sale?

[fl dutchman]

Think there are some other dubious figures in these provisional stats. Not just Dubai.

[EK77WNCL]

- Heathrow up by 7,000 pax (18%) Possible?
- NCL-STN missing
- BFS down 6,000 (33%) hope not!
- SOU up 2000 (28%) hope so!
- 128% up on Brussels... Again hope so but doubtful
- 1000pax (54%) up on Copenhagen?
- 5000pax (45%) up on Paris??? (including over 1000 on charters? What charters?)
- Dusseldorf up over 1000 plus 500 on mystery charters...
- Cork's first increase and Dublin up by 9000 passengers...
- Malta and Definitely Amsterdam looking too enthusiastic!
- Going to give up here... They are almost all wrong by my reckoning!!!

Mind you... 32565 pax on the EK flight (2790 were charters) gives us 123% load factors based on 2 class 77W... Do you think that's enough for an upgrade yet? ;)

Someone gone done f*cked up...

[HH6702]

Thomson press release States extra flights to Cancun

Let's hope it's 2x weekly for the whole summer season!!

Doesn't mention NCL for any short haul routes but let's see if there is any increases when they go on sale..

Remember a lot of the increases planned for this summer haven't happened

[tigertanaka]

I need to go to a meeting in Essex in a couple of weeks and thought it would be an ideal opportunity to try the NCL-STN route.

However, I hadn't realised how bad the flight times are:

Depart NCL 08:45, arrive STN 10:05
Depart STN 16:10, arrive NCL 17:25

To make the return flight you need to be back at STN not much after 15:00 which gives only a 5 hour working window. Presumably day return pax are not FlyBe's target market for this route otherwise there would be a much bigger gap between the flights.

[VentureGo]

High flying Boro has announced that Leeds Bradford Airport is now the ‘Official Airport’ of the club.

Boro kick off two-year Leeds Bradford Airport deal with exclusive offers for fans - Gazette Live (http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/business/business-news/boro-leeds-bradford-official-airport-9068011)

[EK77WNCL]

Little bit of a kick in the teeth for the North East's two airports, but I doubt this will really have much effect on the general trend of which airports passengers want to use.

Congrats LBA anyway, it's a canny little airport

[skyman771]

The championship club MFC deal with LBA is basically irrelevant as it is purely a marketing exercise to give away / sell discount flights.
Or from an other perspective then aren't LBA not making use of such marketing promtion with the Chamionship & League One clubs in their own back yard?

The question that should be raised from this is perhaps what marketing initiatives are in place for NCL given that there are two (current :() premier clubs much closer the the form of NCL & SAFC...............?

Is it perhaps that LBA has a much greater need through lack of demand to offload freebies than NCL? :E

[Travel Agent]

Looks like the extra Cancun flight is fortnightly, although it does not give start / end dates for Summer 16

[Jamesair]

There is also an additional weekly flight to Naples by Thomson/First Choice

[Ph1l1pncl]

Do you think that Wizz Air would be a good fit at NCL? They have recently announced some routes to Aberdeen and Bristol and Belfast etc and the frequency is usually pretty low 2/3 per week etc. We are lacking in routes to Eastern Europe, I was just in Budapest last week and it would be so much easier to be able to fly from NCL. Did Easyjet used to do that route in the past? Jet2 fly to Budapest from their other bases so maybe that could be a a future city break route for their holiday operation like the Prague route but I do think some main Eastern European cities on a lower frequency may work.

[LiamNCL]

Im not sure of demand but would like to see a connection to Iceland

[SWBKCB]

Do you think that Wizz Air would be a good fit at NCL?

No - not the inward demand

Budapest - did Easyjet used to do that route in the past?

Yes, and didn't Jet2 fly to Budapest as well? If so, there's your clue!

[highwideandugly]

seems like nothing 'out of the ordinary' will ever work from Newcastle or Teesside it's pretty much a desert in this part of the UK!

Just give us Alicante and Palma!

Schedules compared to others areas are pretty poor...never mind the choice..go via Amsterdam!!

So much for routes conferences!!

[SWBKCB]

Not so much a desert, just one of the poorest areas of the country.

New York, Dubai, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dusseldorf, Geneva, Copenhagen ain't too shabby for the size of the city.

[Jamesair]

CAA STATISTICS

The International stats for March were updated 21/3 but the NCL figures are still mainly inaccurate to many destinations.

[VentureGo]

In response to an earlier post from someone querying the possibility of A380 operating (maybe a one-off to celebrate 10 years of Emirates etc..), Newcastle Airport state in their Masterplan they will not be able to operate A380s due to operational constraints

(from Annex C FAQs in Masterplan - Page 38) http://www.newcastleairport.com/Media/masterplan-and-development/newcastle-airport-masterplan-june-2014-lr.pdf

What is the largest aircraft you expect to operate from the airport? Will there be larger aircraft operating from the airport?

Towards the end of the masterplan period we expect to accommodate more frequent larger aircraft, to facilitate long haul destinations. However, the type of aircraft will be similar to the largest aircraft currently operating from the airport, which is the B777. As new aircraft are introduced to the flying schedule we always encourage airlines to operate the most environmentally friendly aircraft.

Due to operational constraints we will not be able to operate the likes of an A380 which are the largest aircraft currently operating in the UK

[HH6702]

Ok here's the news

Naples 2x weekly
Monday flight added which replaces the LPA
LPA flight now shows TBA

Cancun 2x weekly
New flight added on Wednesdays

Palma flight on a Thursday is to be operated by AEA!

That's all for now

[mockingjay]

I think Eastern Europe has been 'done' and just doesn't seem as popular as it once was. Been a long time since I've seen anyone I know head East for a stag/hen weekend. It was once a cheap weekend away but that is no longer the case.

I think Wizz could work but mainly on the point of serving people from Eastern Europe to commute to and from home, along with additional tourist from here visiting there.

I think NCL does very well in terms of the amount of destinations. People seem to think it warrants direct flights to literally everywhere with an airstrip, but that simply will not work. As it stands airline ops seem right sized for NCL with good choice of destinations. There are half a dozen network carriers serving NCL with thousands of destinations one stop via their hub if you do want somewhere 'out of the ordinary'.

[ash666]

Apologies if I've missed it but I don't think we are getting a Dreamliner, are we?

""Meanwhile, additional flights to Cancun, Mexico on the Dreamliner will be offered from both Newcastle and Glasgow. The fortnightly summer 2016 service to Mexico from Newcastle will be complement by additional seats in existing markets, including an additional weekly flight to Naples, Italy.""

Thomson Holidays Boosts UK Leisure Offering for Summer 2016 :: Routesonline (http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/248514/thomson-holidays-boosts-uk-leisure-offering-for-summer-2016/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=the-hub&utm_campaign=the-hub-EU)

[fl dutchman]

The Dreamliner will operate the weekly Orlando and Mexico this summer (2015) and next (2016). The additional Dreamliner fortnightly to Mexico is for next summer 2016.

So yes you are getting a Dreamliner, 2 days per week now, rising to 3 days every other week in 2016.

[ash666]

Wow!
I just wish I wanted to go to Orlando or Mexico......

[pallan]

We got the Dreamliner in S14 too AFAIK - not a new thing?:confused:

[highwideandugly]

Hibernating me thinks!!:confused:

[EK77WNCL]

Was ash666 not referring to us maybe getting a based/part based 787? That was the way I understood it because it's been a regular since this time last year

[ash666]

Nope, just my ignorance :ugh:

[LiamNCL]

TCX621P just positioned from Shannon without any info on FR24 , Anyone know if thats the A320 from Avion ?

[SWBKCB]

Yes, it was.

[HH6702]

Yes, it was.

LY-VEK ex Cyprus airways

Not LY-LEM which was our expected machine this summer

[LiamNCL]

Thought it might have been :ok: are we expecting the rest of the summer fleet this week

[NCL-TRC]

Should have our full complement of 3 TOM 73Hs and 2 TCX A32Bs plus the Leased A320 in the next couple of weeks.

[LiamNCL]

Indefinite delay on tonights TCX6815 from Hurghada

[CabinCrewe]

oh no. Im not sure ill get much sleep now.

[VentureGo]

Tonight's KL1451 has been diverted into NCL en route to Aberdeen - Seems to have been a last minute diverted emergency (Flightpath on FR24 shows flight above 38000 ft passing Hartlepool then sharp decent and turn into NCL approach

[LiamNCL]

Back on its way to Aberdeen now

[Falcon900LX]

Given that the Airport has local council ownership, which is lets face it, labour. I can guarantee (like they did in in their party election broadcast) that nothing will happen given that they have absolutely no drive to change their ways. I think if the local councils were to change to in my opinion to the conservatives maybe they would encourage the airport to attract new visitors.

Just a thought.

[HH6702]

Looks a slight increase to routes greece

Zante x2 weekly
Rhodes x2 weekly
Crete x 2 weekly

good start

[SWBKCB]

Given that the Airport has local council ownership, which is lets face it, labour. I can guarantee (like they did in in their party election broadcast) that nothing will happen given that they have absolutely no drive to change their ways. I think if the local councils were to change to in my opinion to the conservatives maybe they would encourage the airport to attract new visitors.

Would you like to back this up with any facts or evidence?

[N707ZS]

And if it was UKIP we would ban all flights from Europe!!

[GrahamK]

Murcia decreased to 2 x weekly for S16, Las Palmas increased to 2 x weekly.
Alicante increased to 12 x weekly, Lanzarote incrased to 3 x weekly, Reus increased to 3 x weekly, Tenerife increased to 5 x weekly,

[Kev 1]

Additional aircraft added for next summer, hence the increased frequencies. Plan is 3xB733 & 4xB738 for Summer 2016.

[EK77WNCL]

Is that Jet2 sorted for next year then? Can't be can it... Net increase of 6 weekly flights so far with one extra aircraft we must be getting something else later on, there's room there for 3/4 new routes and a few more frequencies. Shame about Murcia, used to have almost daily 757's at one point, what happened?

Are we 3 733 and 3 738 this year? I'd like to see some growth on city routes if they're performing well. Obligatory "I still miss the 757's" comment but if it increases load factors, profits and frequencies it's all good

[Jamesair]

JET 2 SUMMER 16

More changes : latest

ALICANTE ....13 up from 11
GRAN CANARIA....2 up from 1
ARRECIFE....3 up from 2
PALMA......12 up from 11
MURCIA....2 down from 4
REUS.....3 up from 2
RHODES.....2 up from 1
TENERIFE....5 up from 4
ZAKINTHOS....2 up from 1

[LiamNCL]

Im somewhat not missing the 757s at all , The new TCX A321s are absolutley fantastic aircraft and well worthy of replacing the 757

[CabinCrewe]

another Murcia reduction.. ? wonder if there is something in the new airport theory

[TSR2]

Shame about Murcia, used to have almost daily 757's at one point, what happened?


Maybe it's the uncertainty of San Javier's future with respect to the new Corvera Airport although the trend over the past twelve months or so is more flights to Alicante at the expense of Murcia.

[EK77WNCL]

I'm not sure, but EZY pulled out of the NCL-MJV route as well so I don't know... Maybe just traffic decline, surely the new airport shouldn't have that much effect... If they've operated the flights this year what should change? If they have to move to the new airport, move to the new airport. Been done on a much larger scale elsewhere without disruption

Glad to see more growth, but point taken about the 757's (From a customer perspective) but LS' whole fleet has standardised interiors. As long as the frequency increases match the capacity lost when they went 757-738 It's all good, A32x/737 are the future :'(

[LiamNCL]

Im really not struck on the 738 but i was really impressed with the A321 & with the A321LR on the drawing board i think the 752 has a very close successor

[EK77WNCL]

I still vote A322!!!

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z160/keesje_pics/AirbusA321A322NEOStretch757.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z160/keesje_pics/AirbusA322NEOconcept_zps13d00dcd.jpg


Back on topic - Thank you Jet2 :)

[N707ZS]

Interesting to see no one ever talks about flights to Almeria an area with a great number of British home owners. Has Newcastle ever tried a flight there?

[GrahamK]

Jet2 done it for a year along with Valencia

[EK77WNCL]

I was thinking that yesterday! Because I'm sure Almería (or I might be thinking of Valencia) were part of Jet2's original compliment from Newcastle when they first started flights from here... It's a shame though because I'd like to see more of the smaller Spanish cities on our route map. Off to visit FTE Jerez in July and I'm looking forward to seeing "that side" of the costas Cádiz, San Fernando, Seville, Jérez etc.

With Jet2's new Jet2 holidays spinoff "jet2 citybreaks" I'm hoping some smaller cities might make a return, Spain's the kind of place a few weekly flights would work to most cities.

Edit: Graham beat me to it while I fannied on (without success) looking for some kind of proof

[Jamesair]

I was in Valencia last week and had a conducted tour of the city by a friend who lives there. Huge city (3rd city of Spain), stunning new modern architecture, interesting old city and beaches on the edge of the city. The Jet2 service was a bit premature, the authorities are now trying to promote the city as a weekend break destination.

Maybe the right time for Jet 2 to reconsider it as a destination.

[HH6702]

The above is now on line

[LEEDS APPROACH]

I'll be very interested to see how this route does. In fairly accurate terms it uses the 2.6 million population of the North East. When this population has been used up on the route very very few people will come from outside of the NE to use the route as there will be no need. I don't think I am being too controversial to say it will be touch and go?

[HH6702]

New York is doing good with the expectations of both the airport and the airline happy
First flight is shown 82% full and 3 weeks left to go
The following 2 weeks most flights over 60%.

You will find that most business people will be booking now for these flights.
Not many leisure people as these would have already booked.

It's not looking to bad to be honest I'm sure it will be back next year!!!!!

The Americans seem to like to book up the front more as more business seats sold ewr-ncl than ncl-ewr!!


One thing we will never know is the cargo carried and also the volume of onward pax

[LiamNCL]

LY-VEK Avion A320 holding at 10,000 FT , Any reason why ?

Edit - Diverting elsewhere now

[SWBKCB]

New York


I'll be very interested to see how this route does. In fairly accurate terms it uses the 2.6 million population of the North East. When this population has been used up on the route very very few people will come from outside of the NE to use the route as there will be no need. I don't think I am being too controversial to say it will be touch and go?

I would imagine exactly the same comments were made just before Emirates launched (I'd have said the same myself!). Here's hoping for the same result!

[Skipness One Echo]

The Americans seem to like to book up the front more as more business seats sold ewr-ncl than ncl-ewr!!
Sounds more like fewer free upgrades given from the UK end tbh... Unless you suggest Americans prefer one way in one class then something tighter for the way home (!)

[adfly]

Well if you are going to upgrade in one direction it would make sense for it to be the eastbound one where it is an overnight flight.

[Falcon900LX]

I still vote A322!!!

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...Stretch757.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps13d00dcd.jpg


On one of the illustrations it states "Wings for Lift and Fuel" Airbus may want to rethink that one, they might just be pushing the boat out too far!

[Ph1l1pncl]

I'm not sure if anyone posted already but the CAA provisional statistics were changed again on the 7th and is now showing the NCL-DXB route has 21,305 passengers for the month.

[EK77WNCL]

Those figures look a lot mor realistic, LHR, AMS, DXB and CDG impressed... There's still something very wrong with leisure traffic at NCL though!

[pallan]

Ryanair introducing 3x weekly Alicante flight starting 27th October according to @TheHUBRoutes.

Never saw Ryanair expanding in Newcastle so hopefully this will last!

[EK77WNCL]

Not bad news but I thought they might be a bit more adventurous... I'm sure this one will work for them, pretty hard not to really hahahaha

Could this lead to more? Maybe?

[SWBKCB]

Have they not done Alicante before?

[GrahamK]

Not from NCL no. Might have tried it from DTV IIRC though.

[EK77WNCL]

Yeah they had MME-ALC and MME-DUB definitely, maybe more

NCL has had Shannon, Rygge, Bergamo and Girona as far as I remember. Why were the routes (more specifically Bergamo and Girona) pulled because I was sure they were performing quite well. I don't remember Shannon I just know it happened, but Rygge.. I remember but don't know anything about how it was supposed to be performing

[HH6702]

flights on Tuesday's and Thursdays and I'm guessing a Saturday?

Some reports say it's malaga and not Alicante however on the mobile app it shows flight departs ncl at 1740..

[Jamesair]

FR Alicante.....Tu. dep 1740....Th. dep 1155...Sa. dep 1155

[tigertanaka]

Good to see FR expanding, even if it is just a winter route. ALC is a bit predictable but the yields must be good - I was looking at Jet2 for a weekend early October for NCL-ALC and it was £460 return each - I paid less than this to go to JFK over Easter!

[LiamNCL]

I could not justify paying that kind of money to travel to that kind of place with Jet2 , Some of their pricing is becoming greed motivated , I wish someone like Ryanair would come challenge them on a few more routes year round

[skyman771]

United NCL - EWR
Interesting to note that rock bottom prices are being offered for round trips in second half of August as per airport website from £537 return. Would appear to be a wide choice of dates.
Great deal for the consumer given offer covers school holidays.
Unsure as to how well this bodes for a return next year though :(

[VickersVicount]

mm, could just be promotional efforts but yes I agree I don't think I've ever seen such low fares for peak summer NYC. Similar dates from GLA etc are often over 1/3 more expensive despite better connection alternatives. Far to early to be passing judgement and was always going to be at the marginal end IMO. Interesting to see how it pans out.

[HH6702]

The lowest I've seen has been £469!

I was looking only 2 days ago and most flights for August were shown £849rtn
August looking at the seat map isn't too bad there is some flights over 60% full.

Pick a date and have a look at Belfast snd Glasgow flights and you won't see much difference

Still very early to see how the route will fully do but I think from what I've heard
From people in the airport and reps they are happy with it so far.

Most of the dates that were £469 are now £679 if not more so.

Looking at the seat maps it seems that Friday's and Sunday's flights outbound need a push

[LiamNCL]

we will have to just wait and see , No route is ever established after one summer but if United dont want to let it grow then thats a shame

[GrahamK]

Heathrow: 43582 +7%
Stansted: 4379 ( 3859 on FlyBe, the remainder on the Titan charters operated for Newcastle vs Spurs)
Aberdeen: 1682 -36%
Belfast City: 2428 +1%
Belfast Int: 17314 +4%
Bristol: 14166 -7%
Exeter: 3052
Southampton: 9013 +10%

Brussels: 2547 +35%
Copenhagen: 1769 flat
Paris CDG: 12295 +1%
Dusseldorf: 3130 +2%
Cork: 1600 +9%
Dublin: 17166 +8%
Amsterdam: 35341 +11%
Stavanger: 1219 -34%
Dubai: 19812 -2%

12 month running total: 4.53m +2.2%

[fl dutchman]

15% of all United destinations from NCL via New York. I think its for the entire period the flight is running. ( e mail received today )

[GrahamK]

You have to book by the end of May though. Pretty sure they do these offers at most of their UK airports from time to time

[VickersVicount]

15% is very generous. As a regular United / *A TA flyer, it's not something I've seen on a new as yet unstarted route. Very good offer not to be ignored- should fill up those empty cabins- even if it's just for the Mickey Mousers.

[SWBKCB]

An extra a/c from Jet2 but no new destinations

Airline Jet2 increases Newcastle Airport flights (From The Northern Echo) (http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/news/12964665.Airline_Jet2_increases_Newcastle_Airport_flights/)

[ash666]

Just can't get enough of those bucket and spade destination......

[LiamNCL]

An extra a/c from Jet2 but no new destinations

Airline Jet2 increases Newcastle Airport flights (From The Northern Echo) (http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/news/12964665.Airline_Jet2_increases_Newcastle_Airport_flights/)

Another 737-800

[SWBKCB]

Just can't get enough of those bucket and spade destination......

and the problem with that is? Would you like them to fly to "sexier" places where they wouldn't make money?

[ash666]

There has been a lot of variety in my lifetime, but not much now.
Berlin....Budapest....Pula.....


Maybe it's just the reputation Geordies have, sitting on a beach drinking pints of beer, smoking their tabs, eating chips while going red as a beetroot.
And that's just the women.

[SWBKCB]

Pretty patronising, doesn't reflect the geordies I know - Jet2 are out to make money, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[ash666]

I didn't say it's what Geordies are like, I said it's the reputation we have.

Wasn't Belin a very busy route? Budapest?
Prague was the busiest route ?EZY? did and they still dumped it.

[mockingjay]

I don't see how PRG was the busiest route EZY did. It was only done a few times a week. PRG and places like it are low yielding. They don't spend onboard and when Eastern Europe was a la mode for stags and hens there were frequent issues onboard.

Eastern Europe isn't as cheap as it once were. People can drink just as cheap somewhere hotter and safer too.

The portfolio of routes suits the airport and there are many network carriers for those few who do want somewhere a bit more off the beaten track.

[ash666]

Many??? From NCL??

[mockingjay]

You can hub via EWR/DUB/LHR/BRU/AMS/CDG/DUS. More than enough for an airport the size of NCL.

Do list these non 'bucket and spade routes' that you seem to think NCL can support.

You've conveniently ignored my question about your proclamation that PRG was one of EZY's busiest routes. Do explain oh fountain of knowledge.

[ash666]

Yes, via a hub which I hate. I often go to LHR on the train to get 1 long flight.
Especially with AMS having a well-deserved reputation for losing luggage. I'm using them in June with KLM (after I swore years ago to never use them again after double booking my seat and - literally- laughed in my face when I complained).
Not to mention the infamous NCL security. Do I really have to take things like headphone leads out my hand luggage to be inspected????

[mockingjay]

I commute from NCL and use the airport every week. I find security absolutely fine. I even leave my phone and tablet charger in my bags and haven't been asked to remove them once.

But, you're saying NCL needs more routes, but then say you avoid flying from there? How does that work?

I think people need to appreciate what they've got. And that's a small but well equipped airport that is being modernised with a wide range of direct destinations, little bit of long haul, many one stop connections available that does very well considering large part of the catchment area is either fairly sparsely populated or sea.

[nonfrequentflyer_NCL]

Good old ash666, nothing like a bit of generalisation for an entire region (almost bordering on a form of racism).

Really though I suspect NCL doesn't miss his £'ss. Continue to whichever hub you use, we'll continue to support local business.

[ash666]

People here really do get 0/10 for comprehension.
For the last time, I said it is our reputation not what is really here.
For a single flight of course I would use NCL, it is a financial nonsense not to.

I have ALWAYS been asked at NCL security about my phone. So you are lying when they ask you (and you WILL have been) and then criticise me?

[mockingjay]

If you actually read what people post instead of frantically tapping away to try and shoot people down you will note I say I NEVER take it out my phone charger unless specifically asked. In the last few weeks that's included NCL/BRS/SOU/LBA/TLS. The only place that asked for it to be taken out was LGW.

Lying has nothing to do about it. Chargers are chargers and not electronic equipment per se. It then gets scanned and can be clearly seen and nobody has ever challenged it. So if you take out your headphone leads out its most likely been of your own doing.

Making stuff up when there's people who work at NCL or use it a lot just doesn't work mate.

[ash666]

I even leave my phone and tablet charger in my bags and haven't been asked to remove them once.
----

To me that read your phone plus, separately, your tablet charger.

[ash666]

So if you take out your headphone leads out its most likely been of your own doing.
----------------

Wrong again. I was specifically asked to after the machine along with the most ridiculous of other not-really-electrical things. Spare SD cards FFS!!! A different sim card!!!! The headphones themselves, FFS and MANY other things. I asked this jobsworth how long this level of security had been going on for and he said 2 years. I asked him why it hadn't happened before to me and, not surprisingly, he had no answer.

[BAladdy]

BA have made updates to there W15 schedule. They will add a additional daily frequency from the start of the W15 schedule. BA will operate 9 flights on a Monday and Saturday and 8 flight during the rest of the week.

[ash666]

Good to hear and glad the demand is there.

Also pleased that immigration/passport control is much better than it used to be though still surprised that there is no toilet before the carousels.

[HH6702]

Jet2 have added the following Xmas specials again to the following


Berlin, vienna, corpenhagen

[SWBKCB]

Profit, revenue and passenger numbers up at Newcastle International Airport - The Journal (http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/profit-revenue-passenger-numbers-up-9337427)

Passenger numbers grew by 2% on the previous year, and revenues increased by 3%. These increases supported growth in EBITDA of 5% to £32.9m and in operating profit of 8% to £22.5m.

NIAL Group says it believes 2015 passengers numbers will remain static, though it would continue to work closely with its airline partners to stimulate growth in the future.

[EK77WNCL]

Jet2 has 29 destinations for summer 2016... I swear we've had 29 destinations for the last 3 years or something, we've lost about 5 routes or more though.

Surprised they haven't gone for Kefalonia or Kos, and there is a devastatingly sad void in France, Northern Italy, Northern Croatia, Hungary etc.

EDIT: Any info on the HOP! flight due out to Perpignan at 18:30?

[CabinCrewe]

Cant see many operators adding KGS. It will be an offshore immigrant rescue island shortly making their misery and overcrowing less appealing even to the bargain bucket n spaders.

[SWBKCB]

Hop is a charter in connection with the Rugby League at St James Park

[EK77WNCL]

Cheers SWBKCB, and I know it's off topic, CabinCrewe but have any other Greek islands been effected? This is the first I've heard of the situation in Kos but I'd hope it won't effect Rhodes because that's quite a big destination at the minute

[ATNotts]

Cheers SWBKCB, and I know it's off topic, CabinCrewe but have any other Greek islands been effected? This is the first I've heard of the situation in Kos but I'd hope it won't effect Rhodes because that's quite a big destination at the minute

Rhodes is next in the firing line, geographically,but it's twice as far from the Turkish mainland than Kos, and it's the proximity to Turkey that makes Kos the destination of choice. I guess you can probably see Kos from the Turkish coast on a clear day.

[Falcon900LX]

Wrong again. I was specifically asked to after the machine along with the most ridiculous of other not-really-electrical things. Spare SD cards FFS!!! A different sim card!!!! The headphones themselves, FFS and MANY other things. I asked this jobsworth how long this level of security had been going on for and he said 2 years. I asked him why it hadn't happened before to me and, not surprisingly, he had no answer.

Well chap if you act on in public like you do here then I am not surprised they ask you to remove your headphones. Have some decency and don't swear it's a little unnecessary.

Having gone to CFU, AGP and LGW from NCL last year I found the security nothing but a breeze, through under 10 minutes every time.

[ash666]

You seem to think, based on nothing, that I was wearing my headphones.
Wrong, they were in my bag.

[mockingjay]

Based on your attitude I'd say you attract any perceived 'trouble' that you encounter. Headphones can be large and therefore security may have asked you to remove them in order to ensure they could be scanned properly. Protecting the public and keeping my workplace safe and secure is what security are paid to do. Don't like it? Then don't fly.

[ash666]

My attitude??? Based on a complaint about a totally over the top ridiculously officious security man??
If headphones are a big deal why have I never been asked to take them out my bag before over decades of travelling?

I am one of the most laissez faire people you will come across but there are limits and it doesn't help if anyone complains about an aspect of NCL people like you just say it's all down to bad attitude.

[mockingjay]

As mentioned I worked at NCL for a few years as crew and now use the airport every week as a passenger and never have I had any issues. I've had a full search of my bag twice in two years and on both occasions was just to check foodstuffs in my bag. Security is fast and friendly. I've never felt the need to use the fast lane once and have never queued in the normal queue for more than 10 minutes.

You may have travelled for years without the need to remove them but given the size of some headphones I see people wearing I think it's completely feasible for an explosive device to be hidden inside them.

I do not see how asking for you to remove headphones can be classed as over the top.

Re read your posts on here. Ask yourself hand on heart if your attitude is a problem. If you don't think it is then you have issues my friend.

[ash666]

Mockingjay

You have simply taken 1 aspect of my post and used it to criticize the whole thing. Did I complain just because I had to take 'phones out my bag? Not at all, the whole point of my complaint was the whole myriad of things I was asked to take out, SIM cards, tiny thumb drives, spare SD cards, 'phone leads etc etc etc.

0/10 for comprehension.

Enough.

[mockingjay]

I work on an aircraft and I have the right to work on it in safety. Security have the right to search whatever the want in order to ensure airside, and my workplace are sterile. Again, if you don't like it, don't fly.

They must have had good reason to ask you to remove all of the said items. And they have a right to. I do not believe this occurs every time you go though NCL. If it did indeed happen it was likely a one off and wouldn't have been done by the officer just for the craic. There would have been good reason.

If you're anything in real life as you are on here (argumentative, dismissive, immature and just plain rude) then I'm sure your behaviour could be cause for concern.

Bravo I say to the security at NCL and throughout the work who keep me, my colleagues and my customers safe and sound. Long may it continue.

[skyman771]

Pretty amazed at all the comment re security at NCL. From my experience as for the actual screening process it's no better or worse than that of any of the dozen or so airports I been through in the past 12 months.
As for the actual queue's waiting to be screened then they too have been reasonable at c.10 minutes, a lot better than many.
It's invariably a question of timing - peaks & troughs & unfortunately one may on occasions be singled out randomly & asked a question or two as to the contents that you are carrying.
There are also certain areas when flying to that attract a little more intense screening, but hey that's life now in 2015. :ugh:

[ash666]

Thank you Skyman for a balanced post, unlike a certain other who just calls people "argumentative, dismissive, immature and just plain rude" if they dare to have a contrary point of view.

I did actually compliment passport control for improving and a single queue for me works much better than a queue for each desk (everywhere) contrary to what, it would appear, research suggests.
It certainly transformed getting into BKK and my local post office.

If I want to complain about security (everywhere) it would be as much about the eejit pax who wait until they are at the machine before taking off belts, laptops out etc etc. Can't they do that while they are still in the queue??? I do (halo above head) and it is so easy.

[LiamNCL]

What is it they are advertising on the air bridges now ?

[heslop2006]

Granted, I understand the importance of security of that the need to scan items when requested is a fundamental thing, but a quick scenario from personal experience:

Have you ever had a security officer stop you to question why you have medication in your hand luggage even though you have a written letter by a Neurologist Doctor signed and verified? Because I did last year at NCL and it was the only airport last year that was remotely bothered about me having medication in my bag and I was travelling to Taipei via Dubai and Shanghai ... You would think something like that would be more of a question from a major/larger airport but it was from the local.

I'm just curious really.

I would generally say that security has, for me, improved at NCL and I've got through a lot quicker than in the past.

Plus when I was travelling through last month, they recognised who I was, so they didn't ask me to show the letter because they knew I'd have it.

[mockingjay]

Was at UK regional airport a few weeks ago and an elderly gentleman threw a complete wobbler because security asked to look in his bag. It was some sort of medical equipment and he said it happens every single month that he flies. I think it could have been some kind of breathing support device.

I suppose the have to be thorough. Otherwise Mr Terrorist could simply hide his IED inside of medical equipment or in bottles of meds with a fake Doctor's note on NHS letter headed paper. Less than a minute of googling turned up a document whereby I could download it to my machine and type pretty much what I want.

Whilst I sympathised at this gentleman's predicament an extra couple of minutes is hardly worth getting upset over. This when I had my bag completely emptied by security.

Ash666: I call you "argumentative, dismissive, immature and just plain rude" because you come across as all of those things, not because you disagreed with me.

[Lord Spandex Masher]

I've been through a complete wobbler before. I'm not proud and I didn't get her name. :}

[mockingjay]

Probably for the best that you didn't get her name ;-)

[EK77WNCL]

I've just been on and cleaned up the airlines and destinations page NCL's wiki, some bits were a bit out of date and not in alphabetical order. I didn't want to go too OTT putting every single flight on so I stopped at the Jet2 christmas shopping flights. Some possible additions I almost did were Transun's Enontekio and Kiruna flights, and the "santas lapland" flights to Ivalo, but I didn't bother. If anyone with more technical skills than me wants to put them in a separate "charters" table please feel free but I may not personally bother... I'll see how I feel this weekend...

Please take a look, feel free to correct any mistakes I may have made but I've gotten all my information from the airport's timetables and the airline's websites:

Newcastle Airport - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcastle_Airport#Passenger)

[nonfrequentflyer_NCL]

I've been through a complete wobbler before. I'm not proud and I didn't get her name.


Plenty to choose from in Newcastle, chief (dons tin hat)

[GrahamK]

New Jet2 route for S16, Girona 2 x weekly

[ash666]

Just watching a documentary about Frankfurt airport.

Has there ever been a major plane fire at NCL? I can't remember one (I'm pleased to say!)

[CentreFix25]

Don't even think there's been a minor one.

[EK77WNCL]

Good news about Jet2 picking up where Ryanair left off(-ish), wonder if we could be in for anymore, it is an awfully long time away still! Funny they sent an email out last week saying summer 2016 was finalised from Newcastle, evidently not hahahaha

[skyman771]

Ref UA159 NCL-EWR.
Appears from Flightrader24 that occasional flights diverting to LGA, anyone know why ?
Nb same thing re EDI-EWR.
Is this correct or software error with flightradar24 ?

[LiamNCL]

Ref UA159 NCL-EWR.
Appears from Flightrader24 that occasional flights diverting to LGA, anyone know why ?
Nb same thing re EDI-EWR.
Is this correct or software error with flightradar24 ?

FR24 glitch its not just UA that its showing diverts for , Ive seen other airlines showing diverts when they havent

[fl dutchman]

I see the winter schedule now released. However no NCL- Belfast City or Stansted. Have they gone?

Exeter reduced to 4 weekly vs the summer schedule.

SOU has gone back to better timings though.

[Jamesair]

I read on the Flybe thread that their Twitter account stated that this is a partial release of the winter timetable.

I suppose Exeter loses the holiday trade to Devon (Torquay etc) in the Winter months. BHD is always at risk of losing pax to BFS.

This months stats for BHD and STN should give us an idea how these routes are performing.....STN has very odd business unfriendly timings.

The Airport winter timetable shows BHD and STN but not Exeter.

[Jamesair]

Do the United EWR flights carry any cargo or is it a pax only operation?

[CabinCrewe]

A small amount of cargo contracts are in place (more inbound than out) and I would imagine this element would be strengthened partic if projected forward pax bookings remain as they are

[EK77WNCL]

How much cargo can the flight take? It'll be nowhere near a 77W and thus probably won't have the same relative positive effect as EK has but will they be stuffing it full of cargo if it lasts? I don't believe the flight is at all payload limited NCL-EWR? Is it?

UA use containers the same as EK?

[NCL-TRC]

757's don't take ULD's, they're bulk loaded.

[Ian Brooks]

757`s take very little cargo and as stated don`t take containers

[nclpilot]

Just taking a look at the UA loads and seems to be very empty in July, particularly from mid July but prices seem to be reasonable. They are filling for the next couple of weeks so wondered if the trend is late booking?

[skyman771]

Recent uptake is possibly due to very competitive pricing.....:(
The longer it takes to confirm a service in 2016, then this whole process is to be repeated & creates it's own problems, particularly when not daily.

[EK77WNCL]

If they're keeping it on for 2016 I'd expect an announcement around September.

Also does anyone know when and why the fixed distance "touchdown zone" markers have been changed at NCL, on 25 at least, see here at 4:53 just after the puff of smoke:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9CYep3A3oA

[LiamNCL]

Todays UA160 turned back to EWR and the flights been cancelled , Anyone know why it turned back

[CentreFix25]

It'll be interesting to find out. It got up to 13000' and turned back, went around the hold a couple of times, then what looks like a low pass over the airfield. It landed the next time around.

UA160 - Flights list - Flightradar24 (http://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/ua160/#687dcf6)

[LiamNCL]

It'll be interesting to find out. It got up to 13000' and turned back, went around the hold a couple of times, then what looks like a low pass over the airfield. It landed the next time around.

UA160 - Flights list - Flightradar24 (http://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/ua160/#687dcf6)

2 lots of 757 passengers to shift then

[CentreFix25]

Assuming it was full.

Seems to be a tech issue - happens to the best of them.

[GrahamK]

All booked onto tomorrows flight I guess, looking at the seat map it seems full enough anyway...

[HH6702]

All this week I've worked out that the loads outbound are over 75% full
I wonder if they will bring a bigger aircraft tomorrow

[CentreFix25]

I would assume they'd already have a 757 crew in the area ready to fly the return; I'm guessing they flew the inbound yesterday.

[Jamesair]

No direct flights shown for tonight ex EWR or from NCL for tomorrow morning at the moment.

[Jamesair]

The NCL - EWR flight for tomorrow is now showing with 151 pax



What is all this I read on the DTV site that KLM are moving their engineering base from NCL to DTV?

[GrahamK]

KLM have an engineering bast at NCL? Since when?

[SWBKCB]

KLM do their own line engineering at most of their UK destinations.

Believe the UA pax were routed out on other airlines - according to the Chronicle

Flight UA159 from Newcastle to New York had been due to carry 137 passengers

[mad_rich]

I was on the EWR-NCL last night (Monday).

Turned up at check in to find they were overbooked and looking for volunteers to go via AMS in exchange for an $800 travel voucher, which I accepted.

I met some NCL pax on the AMS flight. It turns out they had been on the canceled flight on Sunday. Hydraulic failure 20 minutes out of EWR and return for emergency landing. (That was the second plane they'd been on after the first went tech)

-

As it turns out, the AMS light went tech too after 5 hours sitting on the tarmac! Currently in the Ramada at Newark airport, trying again tonight!

There are rumours going around here about a maintenance strike or go slow at United.

[GrahamK]

Heathrow +13%
Stansted 4454
Aberdeen -30%
Belfast City +8%
Belfast Int +11%
Birmingham +28%
Bristol -9%
Cardiff -6%
Exeter 3100
Jersey +4%
Southampton +10%

Brussels +19%
Copenhagen +3%
Paris CDG -7%
Dusseldorf +13%
Cork +2%
Dublin +14%
Amsterdam +14%
Stavanger -36%
Dubai +6%
Newark 1251 52.87% loads?
Sanford +8%
Cancun +48%

Overall 12 months rolling: 4.52m +1.6%

[EK77WNCL]

Logged the EK and UA data in my little black book of aviation Statistics for NCL, felt very good putting my first United data in with what is, essentially a very good load factor for only 7 flights and considering the prices they charge on some of them, most likely very healthy. Emirates minimum load factor was 52.05% (assumes 2 class operation all month... Seldom, if ever true)

If I'm correct in assuming that Flybe serves stansted x2 daily weekdays and x1 weekly on weekends, that's 52 flights, 104 movements. 4454/104 = 42.83 = 42 passengers per flight = 53.85% load factor. Perfectly adequate and with British Airways 13% increase this leaves less than a 2,000 passenger defecit on lost Gatwick pasengers, not too shabby after only 2 months. I still think a business friendly timed LCY route would be better suited to NCL's needs and would complement the STN service which I very much doubt caters for many London bound passengers.

Glad to see Cancun doing well... How did they get so much growth when the flights had high 90's load factors? Longer season, more flights this May? Good to see all our long haul routes doing well, may it continue and hopefully peak the interest of some other carriers. I'd like to see Cuba complement our current selection. Also some of the first increases in a long while on Belfast City, Cork and Birmingham. Brussels had some nice growth, CPH looking healthy, DUB still on the up, pleased to see DUS on it's way back up as well, will they re-time the flights and reinstate the second rotation? I remember pax numbers halved when they cancelled it. Amsterdam growing nicely although I expect there to be a downward trend for the next 12 months with the loss of Easyjet contributing a couple of thousand passengers each month.

The usuals, Bristol decrease (when are EZY going to get their act together with those God awful timings) Aberdeen and Stavanger decrease (oil, shame) and decreases across the board on the vast majority of leisure destinations... Why?!?! Was there a particularly good May last year? I did notice a lot of Jet2's routes didn't start until the last portion of may after 20th, is this later than usual have they had a later start this year? What did surprise me was the Paris decrease, hopefully a one off.

Even the extremely popular Greek islands declined! IIRC Kos was down 30% any growth was slow. Dubrovnik had large increase (170%) due to Thomson, Malta, Antalya, Larnaca, Enfidha and Zante were up a bit, thank you Jet2!

0.2% decrease on May 2014 which was a 6% increase on May 2013... Maybe we did have a good May, the persistent decreases on leisure confuse me greatly but at least the standalone routes like Jet2's and Thomson's city routes appear to be doing well, only routes with competition that aren't doing so well.

[Jamesair]

PARIS....I seem to remember there were one or two cancellations due to strikes in May.

I'm sure someone will confirm or deny this.

[VickersVicount]

Theres no point in comparing like with like snd teying to analyse the statistics for routes like Greek Islands and Cancun etc as they are completely different numbers of flights cw last year and started on different dates. They are statistically not significant.

[GrahamK]

Although SFB and CUN were 767s last May, and 787s this May.

[HH6702]

Anybody know why our TCX flight to FUE diverted to FAO this morning?

Head winds fuel?

[EK77WNCL]

Damn, someone's gone and changed wiki back after my hard work to make it more informative and easier to read :'(

[LiamNCL]

Just been looking at seat maps for some of the UA flights to see how its filling , Tomorrows UA159 is the kind of loads needed to secure a yearly service ! 11 of 16 Business beds sold + only 13 Economy plus seats left , Not a seat to be had at the back 👍

[HH6702]

Yes I've been keeping a daily spreadsheet of it all but I've been told the figures are wrong however we will wait and see

So far for the whole of June we are sitting on around 60% full.


However the paper stated the other day that 137 people had there dreams canx.
However someone at the airport said a lot less than that was booked.
Seat plans are meant to not be right however the loads for May is near to what I made it so wait till next month figures come out

[mockingjay]

AvHerald said that there were 90 people onboard the flight that returned to EWR. Not entirely sure how many crew are onboard but that suggest the passenger numbers were in the low 80s.

[VickersVicount]

Mmm. We always have the-
'its early on in the season'
'its not school holidays yet'
'its all about cargo'
'its Ramadan'
I wouldnt worry about the loads just yet!

[LiamNCL]

Titan 757 inbound with a TCX callsign , Surely that A320 hasnt gone tech !

@Vickers - Sure the loads dont mean alot yet , Just was impressed that the front is selling well too

[nclpilot]

I have been monitoring prices and loads for mid July with a view to a possible trip to visit friends in NYC and the loads don't seem to have changed much in the last few weeks, although the front end now has. Are we seeing late bookings with United? Pricing hasn't changed too much either.

[mockingjay]

I don't know, a trip to the USA is a bit of a big undertaking for a last minute trip. People will make quick trips to the continent at the last minute but I personally don't see a majority if pax being last minute bookers.

I've no idea of the pax profile and the breakdown of those on business or on leisure so I can't be certain and there will always be those who book last minute based on need or work, but I can't see these being in any significant numbers.

[HH6702]

Going by the seat plans of today flight out. At 2330 last night the seat plan showed the seats not bookable (sold hopefully) at 89%

That's good I'm sure all business and economy were sold

[Jamesair]

At 0900 this morning the seatplan showed 161 sold. with just 5 Business and 3 premium unsold.

[fa2fi]

An expensive day for TCX. A Titan 757 and a HiFly A340 in one day. That must have cost a fortune and that's before EU261* claims are taken into account.

*If applicable

[LiamNCL]

An expensive day for TCX. A Titan 757 and a HiFly A340 in one day. That must have cost a fortune and that's before EU261* claims are taken into account.

*If applicable

& to round off today G-ZAPX Diverted to Stansted enroute back from IBZ

[CabinCrewe]

That sounds a bit more like it for CO loads. It needs to be consistent and reliable season long however. All will be revealed at the end of the summer either by stats or availability to book for next summer season

[mockingjay]

CO loads? What does that mean?

[CabinCrewe]

I suspect you already know, but CO was the code for the original Continental/United who operated all the regional 757 EWR ops of course now UA for those who require it.

[mockingjay]

Ok, well it's almost five years since the merger began. It's a United Airlines flight, not a Continental Airlines flight. It is marketed as a United flight and is operated as a United flight. Continental it is not.

[LiamNCL]

Apparently Avions LY-VEK needs a new engine ? Thomas Cook are having a nightmare 8 Hour delay on Antalya now too

[nighthawk117]

It is marketed as a United flight and is operated as a United flight. Continental it is not.
Although the two airlines are merged, flight operations are still not combined. So technically it's still dispatched and operated by former Continental crew, although now employed and working on behalf of United.

[mockingjay]

The last CO flight took was around three years ago and there was much ceremony to mark that occasion. This flight is a United flight. CO and UA came together on a common AOC a good while back. It is United. I can't understand why anyone would refer to a flight introduced by United, marketed and ticket by United, it carries a United flight number and United is written on the side of the jet as Continental. Continental it is not.

[mockingjay]

The route was announced last autumn, by United.

Previous to that Jet2 have done yearly city breaks to JFK for the last few years.

American announced and cancelled the route before starting in the early 00s.

Continental has had no involvement wit NCL to my knowledge.

[VentureGo]

Skipness:
Ooooh you were doing so well but it was introduced by....Continental.

#oops No - You are wrong! Continental have never been involved with Newcastle (although the route is similar in respect of timings and routings of other former Continental routes out of UK & European airports on similar equipment. Continental was well merged into the United Airlines before their involvement with Newcastle. It may well have been an opportunity to expand their network before merging, and may well have been approached at the time of AA s failed start, but the current venture is solely United post merger.

Mockingjay:
Previous to that Jet2 have done yearly city breaks to JFK for the last few years.
Jet2 fly into Newark, New Jersey (EWR) - Not JFK

[Skipness One Echo]

No - You are wrong! Continental have never been involved with Newcastle
Geeez I swear we were on the BFS thread. I need a holiday. Feel free to mock.
I need to stop partying on Sundays :(

[SWBKCB]

Just put the spade down and back away slowly... :ok:

[AerRyan]

How unbelievably petty.
Here in Ireland, I still know people who refer to the local currency as pounds, despite us using Euro for over 10 years!

[highwideandugly]

See Wizz. Just announced flights from Birmingham.Cant believe the NE,s premier !! Airport can't attract them up here.Must now be the only region in the UK without flight s. Oh sorry. Don't want to spoil KLM,LH,EK !! Connections.
There are thousands of East Europeans in the NE and Borders,Yorkshire.

At least DTV gave it a go!:confused:

[CabinCrewe]

#overdramatisation alert
I could list all the medium+ airports in UK without a Wizz service... whether the likes of ABZ lasts is another story..

[northumberlandairway]

I think what Highwideandugly is getting at is that eastern Europe doesn't really get much of a look in in the North East despite there being a sizeable Polish community amongst others. Surely wiz should be looking at the North East for at least one destination two or three times a week.


The demographics seem to be there.

[highwideandugly]

Sorry for pointing out the ble.ding obvious!!!,cabin Crew


This is the here and now..I stated the facts.

Newcastle IS the NE Premier airport
We are the only large region without Wizz flights to a huge market
The airport always use the excuse of upsetting existing customers
There are thousands of East Europeans working in the region(inc S.Scotland and Cumbria)
DTV did have Wizz flights

Never Mind at least we won't upset Continental!:ugh:

[mockingjay]

Indeed we won't saying as Continental operated its last flight several years ago.

With many A321s on order, Wizz will need to fly their fleet somewhere. I wouldn't be surprised if we see them but I do wonder why we've seen little in the way of Eastern European flights apart from a couple of flights to tourist centres. FR have a huge present in the east so I do wonder why it hasn't been done.

MME didn't last. DSA works as there's a huge amount of workers in the fruit and veg industry there. I can't see the yields being anything to write home about. If FR, with their ultra low cost base haven't bothered trying they obviously don't see much money to be made.

[VentureGo]

Not sure what business plan Wizz operate, but if it's like Ryanair's Low Cost operations, wanting everything free from the airport, then maybe Newcastle airport would rather have airlines who are willing to pay fees & charges, as revenue from retail & catering is not fantastic on budget airline flights. Newcastle have been careful to maintain about 1/3rd Business + 1/3rd Leisure (TM/TCX etc) & 1/3rd LCC. They won't want to lose fee paying airlines to ultra low cost carriers who don't pay charges. - Airport needs to make money.
Again I'm not sure if Wizz is a FR style Ultra low cost carrier, but if so, could be a reason it is not being encouraged.

[skyman771]

Not sure what business plan Wizz operate.

Destination selection :- Think it's a bit like playing darts blindfold, would explain why they arrived (& departed!) DTV;)

[SWBKCB]

Suspect it's down to demand. The number of East Europeans in the North East is nowhere near other areas of the country.

[highwideandugly]

Agreed Sw....but surely with a little incentive.....and it wouldn't be much. A few flights per week to a few destinations would be worth a punt??

Hey. EK. and UA. Have proved with a little support what can be achieved!

Why is it NIA. remind me of NUFC. In their restricted and negative outlook?

BORO for the Premierships!!!!

[Heathrow Harry]

A punt???

These are hard headed outfits run by accountants, not a bunch of guys pulling the handle on slot machines

[johnnychips]

DSA works as there's a huge amount of workers in the fruit and veg industry there.

More like low-paid factory and warehouse work.

[mockingjay]

Yes, who still need to get between home and their place of work regardless of their wages.

[GrahamK]

Was that the first ever visit of a 747F to Newcastle last night?

[LiamNCL]

Was that the first ever visit of a 747F to Newcastle last night?

Not sure but it didnt stay long , Departed out before the storms arrived, which diverted only one flight The Jet2 from Rhodes

[N707ZS]

Wonder if the freight flights were car spares due to the problems at Calais?


Kuwait Airways have possibly sent 742Fs on the money flights.

[HH6702]

I've been keeping an eye on the United seat plans on the website and I'm going to make a guess that NCL sold around 4400 seats out of 6929 on offer

This would make a load of around 63.5%

Official figures will be out end of month

[jensdad]

Whose was the 747F?

[Falcon900LX]

Air Cargo Global, my friend who works at Nissan told me they were bringing bespoke parts for their plant expansion.

[EK77WNCL]

Wonder what the An12's were bringing in, 4 in 2 days, 2 today (03/07/15)

Not often you see 2 Antonovs fly over Low Fell, I was creaming allowa

Wonder if there'll be anymore?

[N707ZS]

Must be car parts. Last time DTVA competed for the flights and bagged a couple, I have a nice A3 shot of an IL76 offloading engines on my office wall.

[VickersVicount]

Wonder if UA will be happy with low 60's for a new launch when the other UK routes are currently rammed. Early days

[HH6702]

You can't expect a new route like New York to hit 90+ % in the first few months.

It will take years to grow this route.
Think back to Emirates and the loads compared to this month..


Just hope that UA and NCL can continue to grow this route

[EK77WNCL]

3 An12 and 1 An74 on the ground today... I hope Nissan still need some more parts

[toon22]

Quote from passenger on this morning's New York flight: "If there's 50 passengers, I'm double counting". Not great for July.

[VentureGo]

NCL- EWR
Quote from passenger on this morning's New York flight: "If there's 50 passengers, I'm double counting". Not great for July.If this is true, then maybe not surprising as I've been looking at United's booking tool over the last few weeks and prices for return travel are over £1200, searching various options. Who is going to pay that when you can travel via AMS, CDG or even LHR for a shade over £400.

Here's result from United's website for next Sun/Monday - I assumed with these prices flights were almost Full>

Nonstop flights from 1,384 GBP from
1,384 GBP
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/img/booking/lowest-price.gif Depart:
09:10
Sun., 12 Jul., 2015
Newcastle, England (NCL)
Arrive:
12:00
Sun., 12 Jul., 2015
New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Travel Time:
7 hr 50 mn Distance:
3,334 m Flight: UA159
Aircraft: Boeing 757-200
Fare Class: United Economy (U)
Meal: Lunch
See On-Time Performance

[HH6702]

Will keep saying this

UNITED WILL NEVER BE 100%!!!!!!
It's NOT a CHARTER........


UNITED and EMIRATES are the same

The route will take time to grow and by this I mean YEARS.
Yes the loads aren't good but if you look at the route since it started you will have noticed that Sunday's and Friday flights are the weaker ones.

Overall the route I don't think is too bad
Last month it should have hit early 60% and this month is looking to hit late 60% loads

Does EMIRATES ever get anywhere near 80% full for the month??????

Over the next 2 weeks business class seats are nearly FULL on certain days and that's where the money is made

[toon22]

Believe me, if this route doesn't get to 80% and fast, it will be pulled. The days of airlines giving routes yeas to develop are long gone.

[A350Saltire]

In the end it will come down to UA deciding if they can make more money with that 757 elsewhere or whether they are happy with the returns they are getting flying it between NCL and EWR.

I suspect loads will need to be higher than 60% to see it return next year. I hope UA maintain the link though.

[crewmeal]

In the end it will come down to UA deciding if they can make more money with that 757 elsewhere or whether they are happy with the returns they are getting flying it between NCL and EWR.

I suspect loads will need to be higher than 60% to see it return next year. I hope UA maintain the link though.

BA had a saying when they operated the 767 to JFK from BHX. 'Use it or loose it.' In the end we know what happened there. Bristol is another example of the then Continental flight to Newark being axed. It wasn't sustainable.

I hope councils and the tourism industries in the region can get together and spend some money and time on promoting the route or else it will be curtains.

[deep_south]

It isn't fair to look for cheap prices just a week or so out; if look in August you can easily find fares for £770 which is admittedly not as cheap as via e.g. AMS but not bad for a direct flight.

You pay your money, and make your choice - and United will decide if it is worth it in the long run...

[toon22]

Ref. Today's flight. The passenger is question has a six hour connecting flight on from EWR, and yet the fare was £120 cheaper than had they travelled point-to-point NCL EWR. Don't know how UA do their revenue management but doesn't make too much sense, especially as all the one stop alternatives to NYC were at least £200 cheaper than the direct service. Emirates score because of: better product; at least as cheap as the alternatives AND direct. On this evidence, there's no great premium for direct - not in Y anyway.

[SWBKCB]

Seems to be plenty of overspill (car) parking opened up on the southside recently.

[GrahamK]

If the Fri and Sun flights are the weakest, then that's a real concern, you'd expect them to be busy with folk visiting NYC for the weekend.

Emirates are generally hovering just around the 75-80% mark, though May was very quiet for them.

[SWBKCB]

but if you're not involved in United's revenue management, who knows?

[fl dutchman]

50 seats taken according to seat map for tomorrow. inc 7 in Business class.

[VentureGo]

New York
50 seats taken according to seat map for tomorrow. inc 7 in Business class.
And still they are charging £1384 for an economy return!! Something does not seem correct.

I'm sure they would have sold out at £460 return (comparable to AF/KL etc. although they are via CDG/ AMS but include connecting flight from NCL)

[Falcon900LX]

The United online booking GUI is nothing short of guesstimation f, seats are usually blocked out for loading or last minute purchase yes you can click on them but it's likely the seat is sold or not available. Obviously the closer the time to the flight the more this is likely and it is not on every seat of course.

[LiamNCL]

Thomas Cooks 3x Weekly has been cut to a 1 a week flight , The Sunday flight survives for now.

The monday flight is now
TCX6006 - NCL - ACE
TCX6007 - ACE - NCL

Not sure where the A321 is now heading on Wednesday morning

[nclops]

From the 22nd July it will be going to BOJ on a wednesday morning!

[LiamNCL]

From the 22nd July it will be going to BOJ on a wednesday morning! Thanks for the info , loads look terrible on Sundays too for NBE

[Skipness One Echo]

Will keep saying this

UNITED WILL NEVER BE 100%!!!!!!
It's NOT a CHARTER........


UNITED and EMIRATES are the same

The route will take time to grow and by this I mean YEARS.
Yes the loads aren't good but if you look at the route since it started you will have noticed that Sunday's and Friday flights are the weaker ones.

Overall the route I don't think is too bad
Last month it should have hit early 60% and this month is looking to hit late 60% loads

Does EMIRATES ever get anywhere near 80% full for the month??????

Over the next 2 weeks business class seats are nearly FULL on certain days and that's where the money is made

Those numbers are shockingly low for coming into peak summer transatlantic. On the basis of this load factor, it's a goner, the aircraft can be used more profitably in a stronger market. In regional flying btw, they really need to make money in Economy as business class travel is traditionally weaker, hence the way Virgin out of GLA is shall we say, not cheap.

United and Emirates are not the same.......! By a looong shot.

[GrahamK]

Can't really blame the marketting of the route, as the Airport team and United have been working really hard on that aspect of things, I'd guess that NCL is losing out on folk within the catchment travelling via road/rail to MAN/EDI and GLA still. Try and pull those folk back in and perhaps the flights would be busier.

Mind you, with only 2 flights a week to Las Palmas in the summer, perhaps it's no wonder NYC may not be working...