NEWCASTLE - 8 [Archive] - Page 30

VentureGo

16th Feb 2016, 13:07

Link:

Monday interview: David Laws, chief executive of Newcastle International Airport - Chronicle Live (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/monday-interview-david-laws-chief-10885389)

Extract from above:

"In a dream world, New York would become an all-year round service and Emirates would announce double daily flights to mark the tenth anniversary – but David also has his sights set on introducing another leisure destination, while also keeping one eye on destinations like China and Turkey
He said: “Compare us to other airports and our scheduled operators are incredible. You’ve got all the main game players in town - KLM, British Airways, Air France, everyone is here, but what goes against us is the fact our population isn’t as big as the likes of Manchester or Liverpool. We have to make it worth the airlines’ while.

“In time, one hub to look at is China. And what will make this possible is the technology of the aircraft, which has changed in the last two years at Newcastle. In my opinion, it’s true what they say about the Dreamliner cutting down jet lag.

“There’s a leisure destination I’m determined we’ll get - it’s on the cusp because of aircraft performance. That’s Vegas. That’ll be for leisure, not scheduled, but we think Las Vegas will really appeal to a lot of people. We don’t think we’d have a problem selling it!

Marra123

16th Feb 2016, 13:08

Thomas Cook Dalaman flights cancelled for the Summer season on Thursday and Friday departures.

EK77WNCL

16th Feb 2016, 15:08

I'm sorry but Dave and I are on the exact same wavelength like... I'll have his job after!

SWBKCB

16th Feb 2016, 15:09

I'll have his job after!

Might be a good idea for you to read the rest of the article... :ok:

LiamNCL

16th Feb 2016, 15:23

They've done SSH before but it can turn into a bit of a nightmare regarding duty times and can often result in an unscheduled night stop.

My bad for not making it clear , i was refering to Jet2 giving Iceland a go

Vegas - Can see Thomas Cook trying this in the near future as we are probably the last place they havent tried long haul from

LiamNCL

16th Feb 2016, 18:41

Thomas Cook Dalaman flights cancelled for the Summer season on Thursday and Friday departures.

Wednesday & Saturdays are only once a fortnight aswell ! Most trips on Avions A320 which is a massive decrease

Travel Agent

16th Feb 2016, 19:05

No suprise on the Dalaman front, there has been a massive downturn due to the bad press about Syria. People do not realise how far some of the resorts are from the border.... Having said that the refugees have used some of the beaches near the tourist resorts to set sail for Greece...

LiamNCL

16th Feb 2016, 19:10

I understand the resorts are some distance from the border but with a weak border to start with and British people being a big target you can see why people are put off

NickBarnes

16th Feb 2016, 19:18

I understand the resorts are some distance from the border but with a weak border to start with and British people being a big target you can see why people are put off

Think I read that TUI said they are 40% down on bookings as whole for Turkey as well, but can understand why there is such a downturn in passengers

HH6702

16th Feb 2016, 21:44

Is TCX flying the planes elsewhere instead or is aircraft sitting on ground for downtime

LiamNCL

17th Feb 2016, 05:00

Is TCX flying the planes elsewhere instead or is aircraft sitting on ground for downtime

Be off elsewhere i would imagine the summer plans will be altered soon

SWBKCB

19th Feb 2016, 04:55

Newcastle International Airport to add 1,600 car parking spaces as development takes off - Chronicle Live (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-international-airport-add-1600-10912874)

N707ZS

19th Feb 2016, 05:38

Like the Jet 2 advert:E
Jet2 announce return of direct Newcastle to New York winter holiday packages - Chronicle Live (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/jet2-announce-return-direct-newcastle-10912404)

ash666

20th Feb 2016, 08:15

EZY6465 to Geneva today.

Does anyone know where it comes in from?

SWBKCB

20th Feb 2016, 08:28

Belfast - just passing Carlisle inbound at 09.25

ash666

20th Feb 2016, 09:10

Thanks for that 😊

GrahamK

21st Feb 2016, 07:41

Heathrow +4%
Belfast City +2%
Belfast Int +18%
Bristol +11%
Exeter -2%
Southampton +20%

Brussels -9%
Copenhagen +21%
Paris CDG -1%
Dusseldorf +22%
Dublin +4%
Amsterdam -4% (MME-AMS shows a 9% increase :ouch: )
Alicante +82%
Barcelona -7%
Malaga +15%
Geneva +15%
Dubai +3%

12month figs: 4.55m +0.9%, so the minimal increase continues,

SWBKCB

21st Feb 2016, 08:04

The problem with the month on month stats is that the numbers of pax/flights are often so low that events like weather can have a big impact e.g. the 9% increase at MME is about 600 pax, couple of more days of dodgy weather in 2015 than 2016?

Interesting also to compare the two KL/AF partner airlines at NCL - KL seem to be able to flex easily, i.e. they have operated a number of 739's this week but also a number of EMB's on 737 flts, whereas the AF only seems to change from the 146 due to tech issues.

Are CDG loads less volatile, AF less flexible or does the arrangement with CityJet get in the way?

skyhawk1

21st Feb 2016, 12:35

Balkan have added extra Friday morning flight NCL - BOJ for Aug 0935 - 1035. Also got ski flights to SOF until Apr for winter 16/17 instead of finishing at end of Feb.

EK77WNCL

21st Feb 2016, 13:49

AMS decrease is likely the loss of EZY from the route (was it March 2015 or something? Maybe May) which considering we've lost something in the order of 5,000 seats per month due to them dropping NCL-AMS, KLM has performed impresively, especially when there was growth at the end of 2015, bigger boost for KLM that the statistics suggest, hoping the 739's become a regular thing, either that or another daily flight or two when the new E175's come in

Jamesair

21st Feb 2016, 15:33

Winter routes operating in Jan 2015 i.e. Gatwick (7,700 Pax) Sharm-el-sheik and Enfidha have been lost this year which has a drag effect on growth for Jan 16. Thanks to Ryanair, Alicante has had an 82% increase in pax over last year.

NCL-TRC

21st Feb 2016, 17:41

The reason NCL doesn't see larger AF aircraft on a regular basis is that Cityjet are an independent airline operating on the behalf of AF, they have their own crews on their own schedules, with just three flights a day there's only really potential for AF to throw something like an A320 into the mix on one of the three flights without causing Cityjet operational headaches, as the other two flights will have an impact on operations the following day because of crew and aircraft rotation. Remember that the only aircaft in the WX fleet is the Avro.

KLM on the other hand have the flexibility to upgrade the 737-700 to an -800 or a -900 or vice versa as needs dictate, they have a larger fleet and more flights a day which helps too. That said when something is scheduled as a 737 it's very rarely downgraded to an Embraer, and if it does happen it's usually months in advance.

SWBKCB

21st Feb 2016, 17:47

But aren't all the Winter KLM flights scheduled as 737's, and EMB's frequently turn up?

NCL-TRC

21st Feb 2016, 18:01

No, the recent E190 rotations on the lunchtime flight and over the weekends were all scheduled as KLC flights for at least a month before hand, probably as there tends to be a bit of a lull after Christmas, however we are now back to 737 ops for the most part. I believe the only scheduled E190 flight from now on is the 963/964 rotation on a Saturday.

Like I said Above, swapping aircraft around at short notice can cause massive operational headaches and is only done as a last resort, especially when KLM (737) and KLC (E90/F70) are actually separate companies.

HH6702

21st Feb 2016, 19:13

Well Alicante shown 82% increase just shows that the north east is shouting out for more seats

Firstly well done Ryanair
Let's hope Malaga is the same when that starts

There is room for Ryanair even if do need to improve customer service

VentureGo

21st Feb 2016, 19:14

Large 4 engine cargo Antalov? came in this afternoon around 2.40pm - Didn't get close look but seemed to have Kuwait (possibly UAE) flag on tail. Could this be for De la Rue or other heavy cargo.

CentreFix25

21st Feb 2016, 21:11

Cant go wrong with bucket and spade from NCL, I recon RYR on the Palma next.

HH6702

21st Feb 2016, 21:31

I'm thinking FARO next for Ryanair as its more of a year round place
PMI AND IBZ for the summer maybe even TFS,ACE as these 2 would be year round

With the bfs loading looks like that is another flight normally full and rumours of Ryanair doing BFS-NCL this winter maybe we can see a few other routes too.

Hamburg is a Ryanair base from November be nice to see NCL-HAM

VentureGo

22nd Feb 2016, 10:18

Just checked flights with Eurowings to Dusseldorf for 14th April to 21st April from NCL and Edinburgh . Surprised to see huge price difference: From NCL return is £189 compared to £59 return from Edinburgh. Similar price differentials on other dates.

https://www.eurowings.com/en.html

Jamesair

22nd Feb 2016, 16:25

I think you may have misread the fares...The discounted fare NCL - DUS using those dates is £159.98 (discounted) and EDI - DUS is £109.98 (discounted) i.e. using Debit Card.

Still a differential of £50 though in EDI favour.

VentureGo

22nd Feb 2016, 17:17

Fares were as I stated when I checked. Play around with the dates from Edinburgh and you may find the £59 return fare (especially on dates when A320 is planned to operate, I found quite a few days matching to show the £59 return) These are on the Lowest fare ("Basic")- No such fares ex NCL

I think you may be looking at the intermediate "Smart" fare

Just checked 14th - 21st April now and it is showing £29.99 Outbound and £39.99 Inbound - Total Return Fare £69.98

Geekie

22nd Feb 2016, 21:35

Large 4 engine cargo Antalov? came in this afternoon around 2.40pm - Didn't get close look but seemed to have Kuwait (possibly UAE) flag on tail. Could this be for De la Rue or other heavy cargo.

I think I spotted it going out again at around 4:40pm today. Could be wrong, though.

VentureGo

23rd Feb 2016, 12:18

Still parked on apron at 11.30am today (unless this is another) Caught first part of reg "KAF" suggesting it to be Kuwait Air Force/Govt. Could it therefore be a Boeing C-17A (although it is painted white with some (red?)waistline marking. (Although I didn't get a great look)

Beatts

23rd Feb 2016, 22:05

Hey everyone, its a Kuwait Air Force C-17A KAF343 in for De La Rue.

10 DME ARC

24th Feb 2016, 10:48

KAF C17 doing a money cargo flight that according to previous post;

cargo flights
Think you will find most of these "special" flights go out of Robin Hood and Stansted.
Newcastle. Not able to handle...

Mmmmmmm!

HeartyMeatballs

24th Feb 2016, 11:22

http://www.kappit.com/img/pics/79191517edihb.jpg

highwideandugly

24th Feb 2016, 16:25

Go on ...have to respond....the only flights Newcastle get ARE the aforementioned .

Do you all not think it's strange that these ARE the only type of this flight handled...surely the company does more than one country?

Jordanian AF IL 76. Stansted
Iranian 747 through Doncaster mmmmmmm !!! now I wonder what they were doing?
Newcastle used to regularly have flights all over,Africa,Phillipeans even Norway..not now!:confused:

SWBKCB

24th Feb 2016, 16:32

No main deck wide-body freighter capability. I think that's the point being made. Far fewer narrow body freighters around.

N707ZS

24th Feb 2016, 19:15

High ground on the 07 end doesn't favour cargo aircraft either. Heard a tale that one of the Kuwait 747s had to wait until the wind turned back in favour of a 07 departure.

highwideandugly

25th Feb 2016, 06:59

Could be right /probably right about the cargo handling capability.
As the airport has way below national airport passenger growth at the moment and has been for a few years,you would think they would invest in other business,especially the potential for freight on their doorstep?or are they happy for it all to go elsewhere?
Hangerage is also pretty appaling for an airport like that??

Me thinks all the eggs in one basket syndrome and if APD does disappear from Scotland then other avenues of income will be needed?:confused:

10 DME ARC

25th Feb 2016, 10:59

Due to EU monopoly regulation's the airport cannot invest in handling equipment which is what is needed I believe, handling agents have to own the equipment! The airport used to have this equipment but had to sell to a handling agent who I will not name who promptly sold it onwards away from airport!!
But at least Kuwait still comes here as could of the IL76, only wide body freight aircraft are effected! Saying this my info is a few years out of date so??

VentureGo

25th Feb 2016, 13:39

highwideandugly (http://www.pprune.org/members/230376-highwideandugly) wrote:
As the airport has way below national airport passenger growth at the moment and has been for a few yearsWhere should Newcastle be in terms of Passenger volumes, if growth had been in line with the national average, given your statement on previous post.
I know NCL is still well below the 2007 passenger volumes of nearly 6 million, despite gaining Emirates, United and LCCs.
Guess losses have been daily Braathens to SVG,OSL & BGO, Reduced charters, Used to have more than 1 operator to Orlando, Transat to Toronto, TCX to Goa (India).
Still, with the additions I'm surprised NCL has not restored volumes back to pre recession levels, if not surpassed and grown much further given Emirates etc...

toon22

25th Feb 2016, 14:15

For NCL's lack of growth, I'd suggest the following can account for most of the problem: Reduction of the easyJet based fleet. That has meant that routes like CDG,AMS and CPH which should each have been generating >50k passengers annually are absent. Then no LGW - that's 100k plus, and BRS being strangled by a poor schedule.
TUI and TC switching flying from three rotations per day e.g PMI, REU + IBZ to two rotation programmes e.g HER + TFS as the LCC's took their Western Med routes.
It's the 'bread and butter' services that have cost us. Forget United, that's just a dot on the map -'no bigger than SOU in passenger terms. Transat to YYZ was a loss of prestige only.
Why have BRS, EDI and now GLA grown faster. Simple - get a Ryanair base.

Tflyer

25th Feb 2016, 14:54

I guess we should be grateful for the routes we have now to EWR & DXB. As well as other destinations that we didn't serve previously.

I recall years ago in the summer months we had operations not just from TOM & TCX. But also Excel Airways, Air Scandic, Flyjet etc. (Albeit at different times) Then we also had far more operators coming in from overseas, such as Onur Air (didn't they send the A300 every Sunday for a season?) Freebird, Pegasus, Spanair, Iberworld, Air Europa, Eurocypria, Helios, South Atlantic Airways at one point? Islandflug, MD Airlines, Volar/LTE, Monarch (weekly charters to SFB/POP/CUN at one point). Probably missed lots of others off too. I know many of them are no longer around.

I guess much of the work has been taken up by other carriers expanding, Jet2 increasing its size at NCL. It's a shame that we haven't had much in terms of expansion from our legacy based carriers. But we can hope for the future.

Beatts

25th Feb 2016, 14:55

Its not looking to good on the cargo front for Newcastle. DHL who are based next to EK skycargo have just shut up shop due to it being cheaper to run from Leeds. They dealt with all business' freight from Leeds upwards and every night that went over to Emirates for the next days flight. Not the best news and will definitely effect loads.

SWBKCB

25th Feb 2016, 15:37

Why have BRS, EDI and now GLA grown faster. Simple - get a Ryanair base.

Why have they got a RYR base? Simple - it's the economy - the North East second only to Cornwall in terms of low income.

Look at how the EZY bases at NCL and BRS have developed.

especially the potential for freight on their doorstep?

Freight not growing? has anybody told EK? Freight doesn't just go on freighters...

SWBKCB

25th Feb 2016, 16:30

Ministers hint at action to protect Newcastle Airport in George Osborne's Budget - Chronicle Live (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/ministers-hint-action-protect-newcastle-10946819)

SWBKCB

25th Feb 2016, 17:36

Apologies to Toon22 for only picking up on his Ryanair base point - the rest of his post is spot on.

A couple of other points for the stagnation in pax numbers - the replacement of 757's by 738/321's - same number of units, fewer seats, and as well as the loss of LGW, the significant reduction in STN.

The foreign charter carriers might be colourful, but they don't deliver much in terms of volume.

On the plus side - EK, UA, EIR, BA, AF, SN, KL, LH, SK ain't a bad rollcall.

highwideandugly

25th Feb 2016, 18:07

Toon22 spot on...my discussion point is why?? All other major airport players in the top 15(say) are growing at a much faster rate?
I appreciate the population/wealth spread..however as a small example..t the majority of friends I have don't fly from DTV or Newcastle but other adjacent airports..again Why!??
Something is fundamentally wrong?
Freight,ancillary and pleasure/leisure is another problem I don't know the answer to.
SWBKCB..Brs and Ncl easy jet bases growing..don't think you are right with the Newcastle bit?
Freight not growing? Yes it is thanks to EK. My discussion point was with dedicated freighters.

Most of the airlines mentioned in the other posts which don't operate now have been taken over by UK airlines as a niche developed?

SWBKCB

25th Feb 2016, 18:23

My point about EZY was that the NCL and BRS bases were at one point very similar in size and types of routes but have gone in different directions - BRS has expanded considerably and NCL has contracted and focused on sun routes. Why? look at the relative economic indicators of the two regions - it's as simple as that. Fewer people with the disposable income to spend on air travel and then the laws of supply and demand kick.

The North East is a small, relatively poor market. NCL does well in the circumstances, particularly in connecting the region to the hubs and the rest of the world.

Most of the foreign carriers have gone as the based carriers have expanded - e.g. Thomas Cook would have been at one time two TCX with some foreign operators and is now two TCX and a smaller leased in a/c. Look at the TOM Verona over the last couple of years - used to be TOM a/c but another use is found for that and so it's been operated from the other end instead. They might come back as the based airlines expand and find themselves needing more flights but not enough to justify another based unit

HH6702

25th Feb 2016, 19:33

Some interesting points being made.

Big difference between BRS & NCL is the growth in the LCC market.
Both FR and EZY but I think EZY have been grown because of FR there and also bigger area that BRS covers

However do BRS have as many HUB airlines like we do?
BA, KLM, AF, LH, SN , UA and EK??
Could explain a part of it.

The other problem is NCL used to be one of the best places for the smaller tour operators which have been bought or bust

Golden sun
Kosmar
Libra holidays

These had based aircraft at ncl 3 units I believe at one stage

Then the others got hold of them or merged

Airtours and Thomas cook (JMC) became TCX and we lost aircraft
Thomson and first choice become TUI again lost aircraft

I just think the choice of routes to sun and city break places needs to improve and I'm sure Ryanair may kick start this off

Winter 2016/7
Alicante and Malaga still not on sale after October
Reasons???? Become a based aircraft route???

March 1st (Tuesday press conference at BFS )
Rumours of them starting this route

Also hoping that they start the following also

FARO
Hamburg
Lisbon
Bilbao

P.s
Flew easyjet Monday and arrived back today from Alicante
Both flights were full odd seats spare so no wonder Ryanair have moved in on the route. If easyjet are willing to grow ncl another airline will try and I bet they make the money on the routes too

skyhawk1

25th Feb 2016, 19:36

Think part of the downturn in numbers is more to do with the Tour Companies than the airport. Few years back you would have Thomson, First Choice, Sunworld, Sunset, Airtours, Aspro, Cosmos etc to name a few, others I can't remember, all fighting each other for business and trying to fill seats so plenty of late deals around. Now only 2 main ops TUI and T. Cook. Fewer flights, fewer options, less choice, not as many deals so prices stay quite high which the tour companies want. TCX had 4 x 757 based at one time and nearly went bust. Drop capacity but sell at higher cost or as a previous post states it's down to supply and demand. With the problems in Turkey and Egypt and flights getting cancelled would not expect them to go else where until other flights are filled up.

N707ZS

25th Feb 2016, 19:37

Are the folk of Bristol better off than the folk of Newcastle and the surrounding area.

MerchantVenturer

25th Feb 2016, 19:44

However do BRS have as many HUB airlines like we do?
BA, KLM, AF, LH, SN , UA and EK??
Could explain a part of it.

BRS has KLM to AMS (4 x daily); Brussels Airlines (op by bmi regional) to BRU (3 x daily); bmi regional with LH code share to FRA (3 x daily) and to MUC (2 x daily); Aer Lingus Regional (Stobart) to DUB (up to 3 x daily). Most are of lesser frequency at weekends.

AF pulled out of their CDG route a few years ago and Continental ceased Newark in 2010 after five and a half years.

BRS is too close to LHR for an air route to be viable, hence no BA.

SWBKCB

25th Feb 2016, 19:51

Are the folk of Bristol better off than the folk of Newcastle and the surrounding area.

In every category except number of Premier League footballers... :ok:

fl dutchman

25th Feb 2016, 19:57

I believe one of the reasons for lack of growth at NCL is the huge increase in flights available from EDI.

Once upon a time when EDI was a BAA airport flights were quite limited. They seemed reluctant to allow LCC in. For this reason passengers in Scotland and the borders would use NCL as it had a greater choice than EDI at that time especially the charters.

However I dont think there are many destinations available from NCL now that are not available from EDI. Of course there are also many more destinations available now from EDI than from NCL.

Look at the Easyjet and Jet 2 expansion up there. I think there would have been much more expansion at NCL if BAA still owned EDI. However they dont and the situation will only get worse if APD is reduced over the border.

VentureGo

25th Feb 2016, 20:15

Point being made on original post was that Newcastle were achieving nearly 6 million passengers in 2006/7. Other airports seem to have recovered to at least these pre recession volumes. Newcastle have had the advantage of Emirates and Jet2 since then bringing extra volumes yet NCL still lag behind in terms of growth, even though there has been some population growth.

Is there much migration of passengers traveling from EDI, LBA & MAN? - I know of a number of people who book LS from LBA due to much cheaper fares. I have family members flying out to Orlando in October from Manchester on Virgin due to Travel Agent recommendation & price/availability. Edinburgh pricing on some schedules are much cheaper than NCL (example Eurowings to DUS less than half price v NCL in April)

Are exact figures of passengers from the region who fly from other airports outside the region available or known?

Newcastle may be charging airlines higher rates, and discouraging a heavy imbalance of LCC (especially FR) to Full Service and Charter Tour companies to maintain greater margin for a more profitable airport business.- Just a thought! - I remember reading some while back Newcastle had expected to grow to 9-10 million by 2018

N707ZS

25th Feb 2016, 21:24

Are the folk of Bristol better off than the folk of Newcastle and the surrounding area. In every category except number of Premier League footballers... :ok:

Ah yes, but they will be playing against each other next season:}

KNIEVEL77

27th Feb 2016, 14:17

There a great video just been posted on YouTube of the Kuwait C17 taxi and take off.

EK77WNCL

27th Feb 2016, 15:29

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJRQv44pKdo&feature=youtu.be
Aforementioned C17 takeoff video, probably one of the longest runs I've seen from NCL

I'm quietly hoping FR do open up an NCL base at some point soon, and I hope it pushes EZY to do something because I'm sure they will lose ground to FR if they don't react quickly. i.e if FR go up against them on PMI, FAO, TFS etc. jumping in on MXP before Ryanair do the same - BGY worked before so I'm sure it would work again.

FR, BFS-NCL might make EZY lose a couple of thousand passengers and hopefully make them think "sh*t, they could do the same with BRS" and maybe introduce a real schedule, still yet to think of someone who ONLY wants morning flights on Monday and Saturday. Why they can't just do even x13 weekly is completely beyond me, especially when they're filling up with the crap times! I reckon we'll lose BE to BHD though, although that's been on it's last legs for months

I'm hoping there's interesting times ahead for NCL, our share of UK growth must be on it's way, somewhere, I don't know where MAN/GLA/EDI etc. are all getting it from

SWBKCB

27th Feb 2016, 15:48

BGY worked before so I'm sure it would work again

What's this comment based on? The fact that it was dropped and not picked up by anybody else suggests otherwise.

Re BRS - already a RYR base at BRS, so they could be on it now?

EK77WNCL

27th Feb 2016, 16:33

I was under the impression NCL-BGY was swapped out for MAN-BGY, from the little I remember loads were good, and NCL-MXP is likely to be a lot more attractive, at least it actually lands in Milan at the other end

If FR do well on BFS-NCL as well as DUB-NCL, I'm sure BRS-NCL would at least be a passing consideration, especially if they can out-schedule EZY

SWBKCB

27th Feb 2016, 16:42

"under the impression", "likely" and "I'm sure"?? :=

Might be a good idea not to state impressions/guesses as fact? :ok:

hatters united

27th Feb 2016, 17:48

" from the little I remember loads were good"
How many times do "spotters" need telling, it is not all about load factor, what matters most is the "yield"

tigertanaka

27th Feb 2016, 18:42

In the absence of published yield data I guess load factor is the only data that people can use to support their points on here. Unless of course other posters want to share their better knowledge of ex-UK airline yields.

Whist yield is the key measure, LCCs do not fly half empty planes so IMO load factor has its place on this forum.

SWBKCB

27th Feb 2016, 19:48

Yes - but how about facts about loads and not just speculation? :)

VentureGo

27th Feb 2016, 21:54

"My Opinion" - I believe EDI & MAN are benefiting from lower fares, and as a result migrating passengers from Newcastle's capture area. Travel agents are not promoting NCL, especially for long haul, promoting departures to Orlando, rest of USA and East from Manchester.
I don't think Newcastle Airport Management have encouraged Ultra LCC's due to perceived threat to full service carriers and resulting drop in profit margins to the Airport. Until they have maximized full potential from higher paying carriers, will they take a risk and incentivise more Low cost carrier routes. (Just look what FR do when they don't get their own way, and feel they have the airport "over a barrel")
However, I feel Travel Agents should be heavily incentivised to promote NCL, matching those incentive payments from EDI & MAN especially. This may seem expensive, but can be most effective in the long run, despite low early returns to justify in the short term.

Surprised FRA and ZRH are not offered from LH and SWR (or Helvetica) by now. Berlin is much more popular now, since the days of EZY to SXF.

OSL, SVG, & BGO would also work as low cost volume route. - It/They was/were successful with Braathens on a daily basis at higher fare rates than today's typical LCCs - Maybe Norwegian?! (Wilderoe on SVG were just far too expensive)

EK77WNCL

27th Feb 2016, 23:05

Load factor means a lot more for LCC's than full service

50% for an LCC will probably never make them a profit especially on longer routes but for full service on a premium heavy route, 50% might cover them quite nicely

I've done a little digging and Ryanair operated NCL-BGY until March 2008? Don't know when they started though, but in 2005 they carried 76,091 (correct to assume this is March-December?), 2006 was a disappointing 49,870 and 2007 (again, not full year) 38,580, did flight times change? I did see complaints on tripadvisor that the BGY arrival was 00:15... Not amazing I'm sure you'll agree.

Also, what routes have we lost? Routes like Luxor, Thessaloniki, Goa? Punta Cana? Banjul? Talk of TOM operating to Taba and did EZY fly NCL-ATH? Why haven't these routs ever made a comeback (discount Egypt for the time being, ditto Banjul due to ebola scares) Others like Berlin, Budapest, Milan, Toulouse etc. I mean 9,982 pax to Thessaloniki in summer 2007, x1 weekly 757 doesn't exactly look dire. Neither does 80,000 pax to Berlin (2005) and 75,000 to Budapest (2005)

Another thing I wanted to pick up on is that Wizzair carried 18080 pax MME-WAW between July-December 2007 and 21,579 between January-September 2008... 14 months, 39659 pax. A very crude calculation, x3 weekly (x12 monthly) flights over 14 months gives about 65.6% load factor, on a route that was never given a chance to mature, surely they can do something from Newcastle...

SWBKCB

28th Feb 2016, 05:51

Michael O'Leary visited Newcastle on 25/11/2004 to launch the Bergamo route. A couple of quotes are still relevant:

Mr O'Leary said he wants to introduce a second flight on the Bergamo route as soon as possible, and also revealed that the firm is looking at launching more flights from Newcastle to Stockholm or Barcelona, despite easyJet already running this route. Mr O'Leary said: "This new destination at Newcastle is a way of testing how big we think Newcastle can be. It is a way of testing the water to see if Newcastle works as a business for us. Let's get three or four routes in there first and take it from there."

"Newcastle would have to keep beating off competition from 100 other European airports for routes and Newcastle is not the only source of our growth."

Why haven't these routs ever made a comeback

Wild guess - possibly because they weren't profitable and smart airlines don't throw good money after bad?

VickersVicount

28th Feb 2016, 08:30

It may not be that they 'were not profitable' , the more likely scenario is something elsewhere was more profitable.
Id forget Taba, Banjul, Athens and Goa however. Very few are launching 4hr+ low cost/charters from smaller regionals.

SWBKCB

28th Feb 2016, 08:37

It may not be that they 'were not profitable' , the more likely scenario is something elsewhere was more profitable.

Two sides of the same coin :) Lets just call them "marginal" :ok:

HH6702

28th Feb 2016, 08:54

Hi

I think with the routes that we have lost Milan, Berlin, Budapest etc were all the same reason. The airline either Easyjet or Ryanair changed the flight times to late evening so i believe that was the main reason for the drop in numbers.

Newcastle agree will have to bid for these new routes. Problem i see is that the airport wont waver airport charges or discount just to get a route with ryanair as they dont want to be seen as someone who can be later held to ranson if ryanair want more discount.

Perfect for ryanair if they can do the same as ALC and AGP with the times. there is plenty of room for ryanair to pitch up with 10+ aircraft in the summer months between 10-3pm to a whole range of city and sun places.

warsaw from DTV good point im surprised they didnt just move up the road to us as you have stated the route got used so why not try to keep those pax and move the flight up the road maybe airport charges again???

Remember we dont want major growth then nothing.
steady growth year on year would be perfect.

lets see what happens this week.

has easyjet put winter flights on sale yet from ncl??
maybe ryanair holding off to see how easyjet plan ncl for winter 2016.

ive heard that LTN-CPH route isnt on sale by either of them yet as both of them increased it to around 4 flights each per day

could be a factor for BFS

SWBKCB

28th Feb 2016, 09:09

I think with the routes that we have lost Milan, Berlin, Budapest etc were all the same reason. The airline either Easyjet or Ryanair changed the flight times to late evening so i believe that was the main reason for the drop in numbers.

So EZY and RYR have grown from nothing to be the largest airlines in Europe by cannibalizing successful routes? :eek: Believe me, if these routes had performed they would have been jumping in with both boots - EZY and RYR have chopped and changed enough routes from NCL over the years that I would imagine they have a pretty good idea what works from NCL and what doesn't. :ugh:

HeartyMeatballs

28th Feb 2016, 09:18

Again. Let's be careful what we wish for. NCL-BFS is not the same as LTN-CPH. There will be no long term dual fight like LTNCPH.

For a season it'll be great, lots of flights, lots of cheap seats. Eventually U2 will likely cut the frequencies or withdraw completely along with BE. When FR realise that 189 is too much to be sending 3/4 times a day accross to NCL it will be reduced or cut. Net gain for NCL long term? Zero? Something little above zero?

There's nothing to stop BE operating day returns to BFS each and every day or BMIr doing the same to BRS. Or even FR from BRS. In a free and open market, none of them have chosen to do so. Let's face it, LS are not short of planes sat doing diddly squat all day in the winter, they could also choose to do some domestics or Ireland routes. They don't. That says a lot to me.

A base may be great. HHN looked to be a huge success story, up to 10 craft, 20 planned, now down to 5.

Then let's look at our friends in Lappeenranta. A bright future ahead, big plans, FR were going to do all sorts. Now? Not even a single schedule passenger flight goes there.

Just next door, Tampere. Again, a bright future ahead of it. A new €3,000,000 terminal opened and FR withdrew all services. A few token services return this summer.

It'll look great than they can come in to NCL, open a base, announce thousands of new 'jobs' then miraculously not make a single person redundant when they do eventually shut or downsize the base.

FR will bring lower prices and greater choice for the short term. Then when U2/BE/TCX/LS shut or downsize their bases, and you're left with just FR or no FR, where will you be then?

Good luck for your FR base when/if it comes to the toon. I've a feeling you're going to need it.

SWBKCB

28th Feb 2016, 09:25

Agreed - NCL-BFS isn't a cash cow for EZY (just look at the prices) it's just a nice v. short route to fill up the schedule.

Let's face it, LS are not short of planes sat doing diddly squat all day in the winter, they could also choose to do some domestics or Ireland routes. They don't. That says a lot to me.
and those they did do, they've dropped.

EK77WNCL

28th Feb 2016, 16:05

I just don't think LS have the right cost base or flexibility to routes like that, all their domestics have slowly dwindled and apart from LBA-DUS, LBA-AMS and their spattering of Paris flights (massive tourist destination - pretty hard not to fill!) all their short haul has gone

Shame to see how EZY has fallen at NCL though. KRK and PRG are prime examples of how LS and EZY's business models and "ability" differ

HH6702

2nd Mar 2016, 11:23

My guess for Ryanair is updated to be TFS AND ACE!

BFS BHD

2nd Mar 2016, 13:54

Welcome to Ryanair! (http://corporate.ryanair.com/news/news/160302-ryanair-launches-newcastle-winter-2016-schedule-doubles-traffic/?market=en)

EK77WNCL

2nd Mar 2016, 14:52

I reckon TFS, ACE, FAO, PMI will come along alongside (hopefully) new routes like HAM, maybe BGY or wherever else they might think of, Oslo worth another shot?

Could they try something a bit more exotic, Sicily, Morocco, Athens? I'm sure that might p*ss easyjet off if they took away most viable monopoly routes

Geekie

2nd Mar 2016, 21:20

There's a bit of space left on the new routes placard in the photo on Ryanair's website. Photoshopped out until BFS is announced tomorrow??

N707ZS

2nd Mar 2016, 22:08

EK77WNCL

2nd Mar 2016, 22:56

Of course not but if it takes competition to get all our incumbents to try something new and maybe... You know, grow. Then I'm all for it

Ryanair are the last airline I'd want to be honest, I'm still signed up to "boycot Ryanair" from a few years ago but they've turned themselves around and they're giving us a real chance, so I'm willing to give them a chance too. As I've been saying it's about time NCL got it's share

I'm more hoping Ryanair acts as a kick in the arse for easyjet, lets face it I doubt (if ever) Ryanair would give us anything more than a 2/3 aircraft base tops, but I really don't think 4/5 are unfeasible for easyjet if they really want to

HH6702

3rd Mar 2016, 10:00

No BFS so far

Well looks like BFS have gained the following that we didnt which were

Berlin
Kakrow
Milan

All the above been or currently being served... maybe these routes will be next ones for NCL for summer 2017?

HeartyMeatballs

3rd Mar 2016, 10:23

New routes, as expected nothing new certainly nothing 'exotic'.

New
Lanzarote
Tenerife
Malaga

Increased
Alicante
Dublin

bigchrisfgb

3rd Mar 2016, 12:56

Does anyone think direct flights to Canada will return sometime in the future?

I heard that in the 80's there was a weekly 747 service, and only a few years ago Air Transat did regular flights (with a pickup-drop off service at Exeter). I find it hard to believe that demand has declined so bad that a weekly service isn't viable, even if it was only seasonal.

EK77WNCL

3rd Mar 2016, 14:48

Although I'd love to think Air Transat would re-start flights to Toronto with their A310/A330 and pair us up maybe with Exeter again or with Bristol or Belfast... I think Westjet might be our only hope, if any on a 737 via St Johns

SWBKCB

3rd Mar 2016, 16:03

Yes - the market has changed that much since the 1980's.

pallan

3rd Mar 2016, 17:01

HH6702

3rd Mar 2016, 20:53

Many people saying that Ryanair entering the market more at ncl will be bad news.

Just been looking at TFS for example
Easyjet not on sale yet for Winter 2016/7 which will be giving Ryanair a little head start. if easyjet keep to the same days then this is good news for the passenger as it gives a better choice of days to fly to TFS.

Ryanair (Tuesday and Friday)
Easyjet (Wedbesday and Saturday)

The airport is working with all airlines to be able to offer the passengers who use NCL to offer these routes on as many different days as possible.

If Easyjet cant make NCL work (profit wise) with more than 3 aircraft year round then this option for passengers will only happen if all the airlines can work along side each other.

Fair enough they are both on ALC and AGP together but there is room for them all.

Im for one happy of the extra choice and hopefully a cheaper flight from the winter

LiamNCL

3rd Mar 2016, 22:02

I remember a couple of weeks ago some discussion about Turkey reductions because of bookings being down

My family have just booked with TCX to AYT 31/7-10/08 - anyone think it's likely either of these could be cancelled or have TCX made the final changes to the timetable now?

Also both scheduled to be on the A321 at the minute... hope it stays like that!

Antalya i think is fine with it only being 2x Weekly . The problem was daily TCX to DLM which is down to 4/5 on alternate weeks with most trips on the A320. Friday nights canx Dalaman A321 will now operate to Bourgas. Also worthy to note Bodrum is on the A320 this season

KNIEVEL77

6th Mar 2016, 07:26

Does anyone know why Easyjet 6400 took off this morning heading north west, got to just south of the M8 in Scotland then returned to Newcastle and is just about to land ?

SWBKCB

6th Mar 2016, 07:39

Fear of flying experience flight

Newcastle fearless flyer course | Fearless Flyer (http://fearlessflyer.easyjet.com/course/newcastle.php)

KNIEVEL77

6th Mar 2016, 07:42

Yeah thanks, that did cross my mind but so early in the morning?

SWBKCB

6th Mar 2016, 07:50

Aircraft availability

HeartyMeatballs

6th Mar 2016, 08:06

SWBKCB

6th Mar 2016, 08:13

As much as it pains some people on here Sunday is a very busy day for U2 at NCL and all aircraft have full schedules for the day ahead and therefore it's the only time available and today alone they will carry 3500 to or from the airport.

^^^ and similarly all aircraft were busy yesterday when the first part of the course was held (all three not getting back to base until after 22.00). Suppose it's all part of the experience, getting up at silly o'clock to get an early flight out! :ok:

LiamNCL

6th Mar 2016, 16:07

^^^ and similarly all aircraft were busy yesterday when the first part of the course was held (all three not getting back to base until after 22.00). Suppose it's all part of the experience, getting up at silly o'clock to get an early flight out! :ok:

That 3 month old A320 didnt get home until the early hours :ok:

Jamesair

8th Mar 2016, 20:42

Jet 2 have announced that NCL - IBZ will have an extended season with flights starting in April and ending in October.

apaul

8th Mar 2016, 22:50

Flights to Paphos have also been extended. Jet2 are flying a few weeks longer and Thomson are flying all through next winter. This year there was a three month pause.

HH6702

8th Mar 2016, 23:07

Maybe Ryanair coming in have made the rest of them wake up a little then

I was expecting Ryanair to add paphos for next winter

EK77WNCL

9th Mar 2016, 01:44

I have always wondered why sometimes NCL's flights seem to end a few weeks before other airports and/or have some form of winter break in flights, particularly Cyprus was one of them, where most other airports seemed to have at least some XXX-PFO flights between October-March

Good on you Jet2 and Thomson, thank you!

SWBKCB

9th Mar 2016, 05:55

I have always wondered why sometimes NCL's flights seem to end a few weeks before other airports

Just a guess, but maybe the airlines look at the data and work out that this is the most effective programme for them based on the level of demand on the region? :ok:

Jamesair

9th Mar 2016, 09:13

Other Jet 2 news....Chambery will be withdrawn this year but Funchal (Madeira) becomes a year round route.

HH6702

9th Mar 2016, 09:58

Fab news for Funchal year round.
Thomson don't offer winter to Funchal?

There seems to be loads of announcements lately.

Wonder if we will see AGA instead of NBE for summer 2017??
Also if we will see Cape Verde from NCL?

TCX have started to advertise summer 2017 holidays on sale soon and it states new dest and more local airport departure points so hopefully ncl will see some of them.

Beatts

9th Mar 2016, 12:39

Where did you get the info about the Chambery drop? Is this just a NCL drop or over the whole bored?

SWBKCB

9th Mar 2016, 15:30

Where did you get the info about the Chambery drop? Is this just a NCL drop or over the whole bored?

According to the Jet2 thread, Chambery has been dropped completely from all departure points

Jamesair

9th Mar 2016, 15:35

Where did you get the info about the Chambery drop? Is this just a NCL drop or over the whole bored?

It seems to be a general dropping of the destination by Jet2, I gather it is because of operational problems, diversions/delays etc. Grenoble is going to be offered as an alternative from certain airports.

EK77WNCL

9th Mar 2016, 18:39

Glad to see Funchal going year round, looks like Jet2 are stepping up a bit, here's hoping the Friday flight gets reinstated for the summer. It's also good to see that both Jet2 and Thomson have grown on the FNC route, which must show the strength of their respective brands, including Jet2 holidays

Onwards and upwards! 10 days to Vueling!

SWBKCB

9th Mar 2016, 18:44

A re-balancing following the reductions of NBE, SSH and Turkey?

LiamNCL

9th Mar 2016, 19:54

TCX have cancelled all summer holidays to SSH so we should see a different Monday afternoon flight for the Summer

Beatts

9th Mar 2016, 20:02

Ah I see cheers for the info guys.

Currently regarding Monday replacements im seeing;
Mon 17:30 - Dalaman
Mon 15:55 - Lanzarote

Would be interesting to see if that's added too.

HH6702

9th Mar 2016, 22:20

TCX ACE Monday flight been on sale for a few months now.

Looks like flybe are too pull off the Belfast route.
Strong rumours on the Liverpool thread that Ryanair are to start bfs to Liverpool and ncl this winter.

Maybe we are still to get more from Ryanair then ?

LiamNCL

9th Mar 2016, 22:45

ACE monday was already part of the summer schedule , DLM Monday is on A320

EK77WNCL

9th Mar 2016, 22:55

I'm not surprised NCL-BHD is going the distance to be honest, passenger numbers have been going through the floor for the past few months/years. In fact Flybe would seem to have managed to prolapse completely at NCL

VentureGo

10th Mar 2016, 08:27

Although it was reported Wilderoe had withdrawn from Newcastle last month, today flights WF386 SVG-NCL (Arr 10am)& WF387 NCL-SVG (Dep) 10.25am) are operating today (FR24)
Is this continuing?

Edit: Not showing on Newcastle Airport Departure/Arrivals page - Maybe a mistake uploaded on FR24?

Also showing as bookable on certain dates as direct on Wilderoe website Example Outbound 18/3 Return 20/3. Showing at £150 return direct fare - SK 3074? as flight no. out and WF384 return.

nclops

10th Mar 2016, 09:13

Definitely no flight today, the route finished on 21st Feb although they did say there would still be a few flights over Easter.

HH6702

10th Mar 2016, 12:55

Flybe has confirmed NCL/BHD to end 30th June

VentureGo

10th Mar 2016, 13:57

What's the source of terminating this route.

On line timetable shows flights through October 2016.
Flybe Timetable (http://www.flybe.com/timetableClassic/timetable.jsp?selDep=NCL&selDest=BHD)

Online booking tool for ALL BE flights only currently goes to end June. - So unable to book any BE flights after that date at present - Wonder if this has led to confusion? Can't find separate statement confirming route ending.

EDIT: Just found link on Flybe thread: http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/europe/flybe-announces-belfast-city-newcastle-flight-cancelation/

Jamesair

11th Mar 2016, 16:02

Although it is very encouraging to see news of expansion at NCL, all of this is to destinations already served. What concerns me is the loss of several destinations which will be no longer be served i.e. Gatwick, Stansted, Stavanger and now Belfast City and soon Chambery.

Heathrow, ( from the end of this month to become a monopoly route) will be the only airport served in the London area and I'm sure that Easyjet and possible future Ryanair operations to Belfast Int. are squeezing out Flybe. Stavanger should be replaced by Oslo (a city with less dependence on oil traffic and with a chance of more 2-way tourist traffic).

Just random thoughts on how things seem to be going.

HH6702

11th Mar 2016, 16:25

I think Stavanger is coming back from June ?

However the train travel is so cheap now and where people used to go to London for meetings they now pick up the phone.
It's a changing world but agree with what you say worry about one airline per route

Jamesair

11th Mar 2016, 16:33

I hope you are right....would that be Wideroe or Eastern? or maybe SAS

Geekie

11th Mar 2016, 17:18

I fly to Belfast regularly and the FlyBe flights have terrible flight times, with prices much higher than those of easyJet. Even though BFS is further away from the city, I go there 9 times out of 10, rather than to BHD. Its demise is sad, but completely expected.

Sam Chipperfield

11th Mar 2016, 17:20

Stavanger will not come back it simply wasnt making enough Money Oslo would be the only place in Norway but i think Ryanair dropped that aswell as it was profitless so i cant see Norway coming back im suprised maybe Stockholm?

VentureGo

12th Mar 2016, 14:33

Are Traffic figures for 2015 available yet for Newcastle? Wiki pages only up to date for 2014: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcastle_Airport#Traffic_figures
Some Other airports have been updated for end 2015, showing growth etc.. per sector, destination, passengers, freight, movements etc...
Is someone able to do same for NCL?

EI-BUD

12th Mar 2016, 14:41

Sam,

Oslo has been around for some time before, it's too thin to warrant a 738. But would a q400 be a good niche 4 times per week for Flybe... Purely speculative on my part but I'm guessing there probably is core level of demand, hence, ability to charge realistic fares...?

Sam Chipperfield

12th Mar 2016, 15:03

I think it would but i dont think Wideroe would do it or FlyBe, Maybe SAS, or Norwegian or even BMI? Didnt Ryanair go to Torp and was Unsuccessful?

SWBKCB

12th Mar 2016, 15:04

Sound of hollow laughter - wasn't Scandinavia (and Germany) on the list of targets for the last big Flybe expansion from Newcastle? Mid 2000's?

From memory Ryanair have done both Torp and Rygge

Stats for last year should be available on the CAA website

VentureGo

12th Mar 2016, 15:12

Oslo has been around for some time before, it's too think to warrant a 738. But would a q400 be a good niche 4 times per week for Flybe... Purely speculative on my party but I'm guessing there probably is core level of demand, hence, ability to charge realistic fares...? Braathens (Now part of SAS) operated daily except Saturday,service mainly operated by 737-500, but occasionally larger 737s to Bergen via Stavanger.
A separate daily, except Saturday service was operated to Oslo, also using B737-500 aircraft. These services were competitively priced in competition with the Ferry services to Norway.

Edit:
Service for 95/96 Winter season showing departure times was:
(From Newcastle Airport Winter Timetable 95/96)

Bergen (via SVG) 12345 -- BU574 10.25 B737
Bergen (via SVG) ----- - 7 BU578 19.45 B737

Oslo 12345 - - BU568 18.05 B737
Oslo ----- - 7 BU564 12.15 B737

Apparently Ferry services ended due to competition from Low Cost Flights (although by this time it was Ryanair, who operated briefly)

Braathens were a full service airline, with very reasonable fares. A lot of traffic came from Norway to Newcastle for shopping. I remember a Tax Refund desk being available for Norwegians returning home.
I guess this service / services may be a success for Norwegian or possibly EasyJet if marketed correctly.

SWBKCB

12th Mar 2016, 15:17

Braathens dropped the routes in 2001. Jet2 also operated Bergen in the mid 2000's. Ferries don't run anymore, either.

Jamesair

12th Mar 2016, 15:38

It's a very sad state of affairs with, seemingly no connections at all between the North East and Norway either by air or sea.

There used to be vibrant trading and tourism connections between the two. I can't believe that there is absolutely no demand for either.

Sam Chipperfield

12th Mar 2016, 15:44

Yeah i think Norway will be off NCL's Radar for a While i think they will concentrate on other Cities in Europe

SWBKCB

12th Mar 2016, 15:55

Braathens were a full service airline, with very reasonable fares. A lot of traffic came from Norway to Newcastle for shopping. I remember a Tax Refund desk being available for Norwegians returning home.
I guess this service / services may be a success for Norwegian or possibly EasyJet if marketed correctly.

This quote is from May 2004 - guess Easy have looked and decided against it.

A spokesman for easyJet has said: "After opening up routes to Denmark from Newcastle, we are keen to open up the rest of Scandinavia. Representatives of easyJet have been talking to representatives of the airports and governments of the countries being considered, as well as tourist boards as low-cost airlines have a huge impact on tourism in the countries they serve. EasyJet is experiencing 25pc year-on-year growth, and flew 24 million passengers last year. We expect to have the new routes flying from British airports, including Newcastle to Sweden, Norway and Finland, within the next 12 months. We invested heavily in services from Newcastle, and we were unsure to begin with how they would be received. However, we have not been disappointed and the response has surpassed our expectations."

Suppose we'll get the usual comments about EZY having no imagination, not supporting NCL, pinching NCL's lunch money in the playground... :ugh:

HeartyMeatballs

12th Mar 2016, 16:49

Yes, the easyBashers I'll be along soon. The market is very different these days. The ties between the NE and Scandinavia are sadly not as strong as they once were, which is a great shame.

Scandinavia hasn't worked for U2 apart from CPH and token presence in in Stockholm and Tallinn. Bergen was started from London and didn't work out.

Smaller airports throughout Scandinavia have been promised the world by a certain LCC only to be left disappointed. Scandinavia is a tough nut to crack, even for the locals. Making money out of the place isn't that easy due to takes and high airport charges.

U2 don't have the space resources at NCL to try anything new.

Jamesair

12th Mar 2016, 17:02

At least Copenhagen seems to be working well for SAS, so it's not all bad news

EK77WNCL

12th Mar 2016, 23:28

Do you reckon CPH could go 2 daily? Or maybe see the A319 more often?

Mentioning Germany, could DUS ever go back 2 daily?

I hope Norway makes a speedy return to Newcastle, I'd have thought 4 weekly NCL-OSL by NAS on a 738 would be feasible, as well as x6 weekly NCL-SVG-BGO with Bmir (midday, inside NCL-FRA x13 weekly)?

Unless NAS did x2 NCL-OSL, x2 NCL-SVG-OSL, x2 NCL-BGO-OSL?

Or perhaps x3 weekly NCL-OSL, x1 weekly NCL-SVG-OSL and NCL-BGO-OSL, x2 weekly NCL-SVG-BGO

SWBKCB

13th Mar 2016, 06:51

I think further discussion should be moved to the "Route Speculation" thread.

Travel Agent

13th Mar 2016, 07:54

Dan-Air used to do a daily lunchtime flight from Newcastle - Stavanger - Bergan - Newcastle, which I used twice in the 80's and also a daily rotation to Oslo at around the same time. When BA took them over in 1992 the route passed on to Braathens.

Markets change, although the Norweigans used to fly or take the ferry and did shopping trips to the Metrocentre or Northumberland Street and stock up. I guess with the arrival of Norweigan they have so much more choice nowadays...

LiamNCL

13th Mar 2016, 07:57

Does Norway really have that pull ? A more realistic route would simply be KEF in Iceland

chris1001

13th Mar 2016, 09:50

Surprised Lufthansa haven't got a daily service to Munich. I have to drive regularly to Manchester where they have three flights a day often using A321 so big demand. Far more connections from MUC than DUS plus it's the gateway to the Alps and opens up so many ski resorts in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy and very popular in summer too. A flag carrier will always have a much bigger chance of success than a loco on a route like this. EasyJet could work due to It's brand presence at both NCL/MUC and focus on business pax but Jet2 would would only generate outbound tourist pax.

Heathrow Harry

13th Mar 2016, 09:52

As I think a few people have mentioned NCL - Bergen /Stavangar was mainly used by NORWEGIANS - not Brits

Norway is still unbelievably expensive from a Brit view but the difference is less and Norwegians have more cash in hand.

The shipping/fishing/oil work has pretty much died out on Tyneside so what you are left with is minimal business passengers anda small number of well heeled tourists = not attractive enough

Jamesair

16th Mar 2016, 23:38

FEBRUARY STATS

Highlights for the month:-

PARIS........................11,389 + 8%
DUSSELDORF............. 2887 + 20%
DUBLIN......... 16,809 + 11%
AMSTERDAM....... 27,237 + 2%
ALICANTE........... 14,859 + 64%
BARCELONA....... 5272 + 18%
PRAGUE........ 1635 + 23%
KRAKOW........ 1689 + 27%
MALTA............ 2174 + 9%
BRUSSELS...... 1802 - 4%
CORK........ 526 - 51%
FARO......... 2429 - 3%
STAVANGER........ 519 - 39%
DUBAI..... 18,597 NO CHANGE ...UP 2 PAX ON THE PREVIOUS FEB FIGURE

HEATHROW....... 38,699 + 2%
BELFAST INT..... 20,936 + 17%
ISLE OF MAN.... 263 + 6%
SOUTHAMPTON.... 9299 + 19%
BRISTOL....... 14,825 + 19%
ABERDEEN..... 1269 - 39%
EXETER....... 2185 - 18%
BELFAST CITY...... 1210 - 6%
STANSTED.......... 723

EK77WNCL

17th Mar 2016, 00:54

Good job it was a leap year or EK would have gone down! That, and the fact that Glasgow lost about 1,500 passengers vs 2015, really really does not fill me with any kind of hope or confidence regarding EY and QR at EDI, and that's before EY go daily again in the summer

People say Emirates is bad but some of the fares EY and QR have been offering are quite frankly ridiculous and extremely anti-competitive

EDIT: Anyway, booked up for a weekend in Malaga, 7-10 April flying with Ryanair, should be nice, and it just shows "build it and they will come" especially when it's £180 cheaper than the nearest option... Although for anyone after a good deal, £109 NCL-FAO, LS, 01/04-04/04 is not to be sniffed at

ash666

20th Mar 2016, 06:57

I see NCL gets no better.
Flew in yesterday and the task of getting some steps to the rear door of the EZY plane proved too much of a challenge.

Then into a baggage hall in darkness until the carousel started moving. Is the airport so penny pinching that they have to save on lighting in between baggage deliveries? Is certainly gives a very bad impression.

And how long was the wait for the skis to be delivered? Some one asked about the delay only to be told they only had a couple of carts(?) available due to outgoing flights.

It all seems like they are trying to run an operation with far too few staff.

10 DME ARC

20th Mar 2016, 12:03

Ash
Lights well not sure but every thing else would be handling agent and so Easyjet!
The airport cannot directly control every thing and its years since it was involved with ground handling!!

ash666

20th Mar 2016, 12:07

All the passengers really think about is their experience, not who is to blame.

It just doesn't leave a good impression when there is only one arrival which lands at 3pm and you don't leave the baggage hall until 4pm.

Heathrow Harry

20th Mar 2016, 17:08

agreed - they really need to do better

Jamesair

20th Mar 2016, 17:43

New Winter route to GRENOBLE , 1 weekly, starts December .

EK77WNCL

20th Mar 2016, 20:07

Grenoble is a nice addition, glad we still have skiing from Jet2 after Chambery's going

Anyone know if we still get the Bulgaria Air A319 in on Saturday afternoons?

Travel Agent

20th Mar 2016, 22:50

Looks like the Bulgaria flights to Sofia are to be operated by Jet2 next year (possible charter) currently down as SAT NCL-SOF LS2143 1515/2040 return LS2144 2125/2325

Matt4

23rd Mar 2016, 18:42

Sas have flown in one of their a319 tonight this must be because of all the cancellations recently

GrahamK

25th Mar 2016, 08:34

Some changes for the summer, Air Europa and Evelop both operating Palma flights for TOM, and Smartwings operating an extra peak season Las Palmas for TOM.

S17 for TCX see's the return of Paphos, Palma increased to daily, Antalya reduced to weekly and Dalaman reduced to 4 x weekly. Bodrum appears to be dropped.

LiamNCL

25th Mar 2016, 12:24

Thomas Cook REU X2 Weekly from May

EK77WNCL

25th Mar 2016, 16:20

Do we still have Alba star operating Verona for Thomson? If we do that's 5 weekly flights operated by outsourced carriers, surely A/C 4 must be somewhere in the back of their mind, even if that was leased in ala TCX

skyhawk1

25th Mar 2016, 17:20

[QUOTE=EK77WNCL;9322755]Do we still have Alba star operating Verona for Thomson? If we do that's 5 weekly flights operated by outsourced carriers, surely A/C 4 must be somewhere in the back of their mind, even if that was leased in ala TCX[/QUOTE
Verona flights Ops on TOM aircraft this summer

HH6702

25th Mar 2016, 18:15

Is TCX on sale now ?

sunshine79

25th Mar 2016, 18:34

S17 is on sale in a week or two but some holidays are already loaded to book

HH6702

25th Mar 2016, 19:24

On the TCX tread someone has posted the operating days for each route per airport

LiamNCL

25th Mar 2016, 22:02

TCX S17

Mon- ACE/MAH/DLM/PMI/SSH/CFU
Tue- IBZ/MAH/HER/PMI/TFS/PFO
Wed- AYT/LCA/FUR/PMI/REU/RHO
Thu- ACE/LCA/DLM/PMI/KGS/ZTH
Fri- BOJ/MAH/DLM/PMI/TFS/CFU
Sat- IBZ/LCA/DLM/PMI/TFS/JTR
Sun-EFL/LPA/DLM/PMI/TFS/ZTH/REU

LiamNCL

26th Mar 2016, 07:14

TUI Netherlands 737 PH-TFF operating this mornings TOM1628 to PMI

pallan

26th Mar 2016, 12:21

On the subject of TCX, I got bored the other day (and wanted to see where my a/c would be coming in from before AYT) and did this spreadsheet of their flights this summer

Pretty sure I must have missed a couple of A321 flights off the list but the A320 is certainly looking busy.

Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet (http://imgur.com/kin0mHr)

HH6702

26th Mar 2016, 12:28

Good spreadsheet...
A321's are a little quieter as they should have been doing SSH/HRG/NBE all have been dropped but not all have been covered with something else

LiamNCL

26th Mar 2016, 13:16

Spreadsheet update

A321 +REU MON 14:00-20:10

A320 -LCA THUR
A321 +LCA THUR

A320 -BOJ FRI
A321 +BOJ FRI

Which gives the A321 2 flights per day

Beatts

28th Mar 2016, 08:28

G-BYGC B744 diverted in from Heathrow this morning due to storm Katie. With BHX and MAN already taken many ac including 3 A380s at MAN she decided to head straight up after one attempt. Positioned back down at around 0920.

HH6702

28th Mar 2016, 15:18

Thomson Summer 2017 Long Haul

Looks like both Cancun and Orlando will have weekly flights and also a fortnightly flight.
So a slight increase to Orlando for 2017

pallan

29th Mar 2016, 14:01

Updated thanks to corrections from those above.

Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet (http://imgur.com/s7ZorMf)

Seems a much even spread of flights among aircraft.

It's probably far too early, but does anyone know which A321's will be based up at NCL for the season? I note TCX have just had a new delivery and are due another within the next week or so - hoping for the new ones for my flight to AYT!

LiamNCL

29th Mar 2016, 16:50

Its impossible to tell as aircraft are never based at one place they are constantly rotated through the bases. Have a look at the 2 A321 based here a few days before you go and it more than likely be one of them

Somewhere through the summer 1 or 2 of the factory new ones will pass through

HH6702

31st Mar 2016, 18:54

Jet2 expands it winter program 2016/7

Jet2 is starting some of its flights end of March instead of May.

Extra flights also to other destinations

LiamNCL

31st Mar 2016, 19:39

Jet2 is starting some of its flights end of March instead of May.

Thomas Cook are doing this aswell , Flew to PMI Yesterday when it was supposed to start in May

EK77WNCL

1st Apr 2016, 00:52

I know IBZ has a few more from LS and FNC is going year round, what else is happening?

TSR2

1st Apr 2016, 05:08

what else is happening?

TCX to wet lease a B744 during July and August due to unprecedented demand for seats to various Spanish destinations.

VentureGo

1st Apr 2016, 08:36

TCX to wet lease a B744 during July and August due to unprecedented demand for seats to various Spanish destinations.

Good Date to announce this! well done.

LiamNCL

3rd Apr 2016, 17:27

Currently 3 LS 738s here how many more will be here for the silly season is it 1 or 2 more ? Sure someone mentioned a 5x 738 base this Summer

EK77WNCL

3rd Apr 2016, 20:02

Is it 5/3 or 4/4 for S16?

Or actually... When does A/C 8 come in? Wondering if it's only June-September that we'll have 8 because that's when, for example, TFS goes 5 weekly (733 on Wednesdays)

HH6702

3rd Apr 2016, 21:55

Jet2 is only 7 aircraft this summer??

EK77WNCL

4th Apr 2016, 00:01

Crrap silly me... We were 6 last year weren't we... Yeah 7 sorry! My mistake

LiamNCL

4th Apr 2016, 05:44

So is it 4x738 3x733 or 5/2 ?

GrahamK

4th Apr 2016, 07:18

2 x 733 and 5 x 738

HH6702

4th Apr 2016, 08:17

So the 2 X 733 are only here for the mail contract.
Slight increase in seats for this summer then.

Anyone know when the mail contract ends?
I guess when it does we will see the 733 leave

Chesty Morgan

4th Apr 2016, 08:37

Only one of the 300s is a QC. The other is a standard job.

The mail contract is negotiated every year (or every other, can't remember). IMO it won't be here for too much longer.

Beatts

4th Apr 2016, 11:38

Having the 733s around longer really depends on whether Jet2 will rebid as you say either this year or next. There not the best to have up here as they can only do routes like PRG due to the weight (an extra 2 tons even without any pax) And making sure they are back in time without delay at the base can sometimes out weigh any profit too.

Chesty Morgan

4th Apr 2016, 12:36

Certainly the QCs are limiting but the standard 300, especially with winglets, will get to the Canaries and Funchal.

Chesty Morgan

4th Apr 2016, 12:37

...and, apparently, Dalaman :(

LiamNCL

4th Apr 2016, 16:54

LS flying NCL - DLM on a 733 this season ? Turkeys really took a hit

HH6702

4th Apr 2016, 17:38

Thomas Cook are busy uploading holidays for Summer 2017 on website.

Currently shown NCL as a departure to the following but no details
Mexico
Barbados
Malta
Italy

Other diffs from this year are ( will contiune to edit.... Season on some routes now May-Oct!!

Tenerife 4x weekly (3 this summer)
Lanzorte 3x weekly (3 this summer)
Palma 6x weekly (5 this summer)
Ibiza 2x weekly (2 this summer)
PAPHOS 1x weekly NEW **
Laranca 3x weekly (3 this summer)
Dalaman 3x weekly (5 this summer)
Bodrum **dropped**
Antayla 1x weekly (2 this summer)
Reus 2x weekly (2 this summer)
Mahon 2x weekly (2 this summer)

Greece and bulagia all the same as this year..

Sam Chipperfield

4th Apr 2016, 18:14

Looks like from October The Dusseldorf Flight Mon-Fri Will Be An A319 And Sunday Will Be An A320

HH6702

4th Apr 2016, 18:28

Good news for Eurowings.

However ive heard that the system gets uploaded as A319/20 then changes later...
Hope so as the CRJ/s are leaving soon

skyhawk1

4th Apr 2016, 20:26

Jet 2 position in aircraft from Edinburgh goes to pmi and back then positions back to Edi on wed and Thurs for the summer. Strange planning when they have an aircraft on the ground on weds.
MT daily PMI and DLM goes 4 x weekly s17.
JEWEL IN THE CROWN cease trading so Pegasus flight may be cancelled for s17 as they were using it. Some one else may use it though.
Anyone know what is operating TOM DLM on a Monday for s17.

skyhawk1

4th Apr 2016, 20:29

Sorry meant to say s16 for pegasus/jewel in the crown. Fat fingers for typing

LiamNCL

4th Apr 2016, 20:38

MT S17 has PMI as Daily doesnt it ?

skyhawk1

4th Apr 2016, 20:44

MT S17 has PMI as Daily doesnt it ?

Yeah planned daily which could be good for cheeky short breaks

HH6702

4th Apr 2016, 21:58

Planned but website not bringing up the Sunday flight as of tonight so that's why I've said 6x weekly but someone has said and posted a letter from TCX of daily

Travel Agent

5th Apr 2016, 10:20

Thomas Cook are doing LEI next summer.

TheLambtonWorm

5th Apr 2016, 11:19

Good news for Eurowings.

However ive heard that the system gets uploaded as A319/20 then changes later...
Hope so as the CRJ/s are leaving soon

Just checked my booking for December and the seat plan is 3-3.

EK77WNCL

6th Apr 2016, 03:25

Be interesting to see if anything comes of Mexico and Barbados especially re TCX, would be nice to see long haul from them. Still 3 A/C for S17 though I assume, all growth coming from decreases in Turkey and Egypt. I'm very happy about Almeria though, I was wondering if Jet2 would go for it or not but glad someone has, it's a pretty safe yet relatively niche destination and I hope it'll do well for them, most importantly though, it's NOT currently served! Very unusual to see a NEW route! I thought the airlines were only out there to steal eachother's market share, dump capacity and destroy margins

Couple of rumours flying about, long haul from TCX, Cape Verde and more from Thomson, although I reckon Costa Rica, Aruba, Thailand, Mauritius are a server error

Feasibly I'd say TCX could come in on Cancun and not effect TOM too much (year round mabe?), as well as Barbados as TOM is only cruise traffic. TOM long haul I think Puerto Vallarta, Cuba and Dominican could be sustained, Jamaica might be too much scheduled, probably best just sticking to cruise traffic. Didn't Mr Laws say he'd love to see Las Vegas charters as one of his personal goals though?

Widebodies on short haul would be nice to see ;) slow and steady wins the race though... NCL is certainly taking it slow, but they're making money and doing it sustainably which is what's important.

Early yet but I'd set viable 2017 goals as:
- Return of United, maybe daily March-October
- Emirates 2nd daily from 1st September
- City routes from Ryanair, and maybe announcement of a base W17/S18
- Long haul from Thomas cook (if these rumours are to be believed), maybe LAS charter too?
- Something new or exciting from Thomson, Cape Verde/Morocco/Pacific Mexico/Dominican (again)
- A/C 8 from Jet2

Personal wishlist, however unlikely:
- Turkish 4/5 weekly to Istanbul on an A32x/737
- A/C 4 from Easyjet, new routes i.e Milan, Munich, Berlin, Mykonos, Catania, Venice
- STN from Ryanair
- Another loco, specifically Wizzair, I'm determined they'll come at some point and regret not doing it earlier!
- A/C 4 from TOM and or TCX

Eurowings going CRJ-A32x leaves only SAS with the CRJ's, any chance they might go 737 or something? 736 was in the other day and CPH is profitable by all accounts, would they consider Oslo? A greater Star Alliance presence at NCL would probably help a lot of Star airlines along a little bit, but we lack a link to their main hub (Frankfurt) so there's little hope there until Frankfurt comes on line... Which looks like probably never

That's all my thought processes exhausted! Now to wait and see how much (or little, as history has taught us) of this materialises :rolleyes::ok::ugh:

Travel Agent

6th Apr 2016, 07:51

Would be very suprised to see any long haul from TCX, their policy is to have MAN as main L/H hub, with a few from Gatwick, Glasgow and Stansted, their long haul programme has been on sale for a few months now so unless they have some more A330's coming I would not hold out much hope as the current ones are fully utilised. Antigua, Barbados and St Lucia were all launched year round twice a week but soon dropped to winter only from Manchester, so again unlikely from NCL (before other larger catchment areas).

Thomson would be more likely to add BHX & GLA before Newcastle, Costa Rica has only just been re-introduced from MAN & LGW and is a very "new" destination. Cuba is a small part of their programme and they only do Varedero which can be more than Mexico.

We can live in hope though, stranger things have happened - I remember in the early 90's Caledonian introduced Goa from NCL for Inspirations Holidays using a A320 - stopped about 4 times!

mockingjay

6th Apr 2016, 07:52

I would bet money on saying EZY won't put a 4th plane in. The only way they'll increase the route portfolio is chopping frequencies or getting GVA/NCE/BFS/BRS/BCN based planes to operate their respective rotations freeing up a NCL plane. BFS is now 18 a week and they're all operated by NCL based planes from what I gather. Or they could start a new route from a base on mainland Europe - VCE/NAP could work. I'm surprised AMS didn't come back. They need to put effort into EasyJet Holidays and make a success of it like Jet2 holidays who feel like a real tour operator whereas easyjetholidays just seems like a flight and hotel portal and not a tour operator.

Beatts

6th Apr 2016, 12:01

Regarding more AC, TCX are getting another 330 around April 2017. There current leased 330s are Stansted and Glasgow this year.

HH6702

6th Apr 2016, 13:59

TCX

NCL-LEI mondays (1x weekly)

MT1764/65 leaves 0945 returns 1700

Just took monday as an example the S17 needs still only 3 aircraft

EK77WNCL

6th Apr 2016, 14:28

I hope they're doing Almeria with the A320, straight after it arrives at about 08:30 from Zante, because otherwise that kind of schedule makes it feel like they're just trying to fly the aircraft for the sake of flying it, one flight in the middle of the day during summer, especially when it's not a medium/long haul flight like TFS/DLM/SSH. I do believe there may be a circa 18:00 departure to Turkey on the A320 though, which makes that schedule a lot more understandable and palatable... I'd hate to think one of their shiny new A321's was only doing 1 rotation to mainland spain on one day of the week during peak summer

LiamNCL

6th Apr 2016, 15:41

TCX Monday S17

LEI A320
CFU A321
DLM A320
PMI A321
SSH A321
ACE A321

SSH will be dropped IMO wont be the demmand to justify even a weekly service from NCL especially as alot of people will be booking next years holidays this year , far too much uncertainty surrounding SSH

Geekie

7th Apr 2016, 07:30

Is there any more noise being made about further FR announcements from NCL?

It would be good to see them branching out to some of the Eastern European destinations from Newcastle. Maybe even taking on LS on the Prague route - the non-term-time prices to Prague are ridiculous at the moment!

HH6702

7th Apr 2016, 08:20

Won't be until the low cost carriers put summer 2017 on sale which won't be till end of summer

fl dutchman

7th Apr 2016, 20:19

Heathrow Harry

8th Apr 2016, 11:44

I doubt there's much call for First out of NCL TBH

Skipness One Foxtrot

8th Apr 2016, 11:48

I doubt there's much call for First out of NCL TBH
We all said that about GLA. You live and learn, but NCL is sold as a 2 class, the odd aircraft substitution means 3 class B777s occasionally appear.

Beatts

8th Apr 2016, 18:55

THOMSON Dubai cruise flight dates (787);

DUBAI WORLD CITY 26-12-16 Monday flight
DUBAI WORLD CITY 30-01-17 Monday flight

ihadcontrol

8th Apr 2016, 20:08

Anyone know why flybe Southampton is diverting?
Guessing ops reasons but know someone on the flight

VentureGo

9th Apr 2016, 12:19

Danish Air Transport DX6123 is showing as a planned Arrival for Tomorrow Sunday 10th April - Arriving from Madrid Barajas at 11.25 am - Airbus A320

Is this a "one-off" charter?

Source: FR24 and Newcastle Airport website Arrival page.

VentureGo

10th Apr 2016, 08:44

DAT arriving as DX6123 from Madrid (OY-RUS A320) at 11.25 this morning, is due to Depart NCL at 7pm this evening as DX6124 to Billund via Copenhagen.

EK77WNCL

10th Apr 2016, 23:28

Just flew NCL-AGP-NCL with Ryanair, out Thursday, came back today, both flights packed, probably 95%+ LF

Fares were very reasonable and most passengers had just gone Thursday-Sunday like us, including a stag do and hen do of about 20 each who were on both our flights... The stag didn't seem mind the early start and were just as jolly, I think the hen do (much like myself) underestimated the effects of drinking until the early hours and spent most of the flight back concentrating on trying not to die

Quite impressed with Ryanair really, very friendly and quite comfortable, hope to use them again at some point from NCL, maybe somewhere more exotic that we can't get to yet. For anyone who hasn't been to Malaga though, beautiful city and I would highly recommend it, very pleasant 18-24 degrees as well

LandingConfig

11th Apr 2016, 00:46

I see the last 21 flights including today, NCL-DXB have been on 2 class a/c. Only 3 of the last 31 flights have been on 3 class aircraft. Is that good?
Certainly more seats available. Perhaps its because of Easter?
NCL is scheduled as 2-class. The odd 3-class will probably be due to lack of available 2-class aircraft, or even, in some cases, days where the flight is quieter and less seats are required.

SWBKCB

11th Apr 2016, 14:52

Newcastle Airport boss announces decision to stand down after 37 years of service - Chronicle Live (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-airport-boss-announces-decision-11169744)

highwideandugly

11th Apr 2016, 17:28

Ek77wncl.....go on...you're never tooooo Young!!

HH6702

11th Apr 2016, 17:49

I may apply my goal will be to extend the runway to bring in a380!!

EK77WNCL

11th Apr 2016, 17:51

Haha! Nice one, I didn't think he'd go so early, quite sad really, he'll be missed and I hope they find a suitable successor! It appears that he'll still have a role at the airport though so hopefully not too much change at once. I'd love to meet the bloke but never been lucky enough to bump into him around NCL

HeartyMeatballs

11th Apr 2016, 17:53

I'm going to be the new CEO. And I'm going to tell EasyJet that unless they get 11 abreast A380 High Density models and run at least four daily returns every single day to Bristol then I'm not going to let them fly here no more. Period.

HH6702

11th Apr 2016, 18:01

Ha ha I love all this lets see how many pages of crap we can post ha ha.

But truthfully I'm surprised at the timing.
He was just saying he would love to see Las vagas charter flights and the United going year round and double daily Emirates along with a few more...

So what's changed??
Has NCL not growing quickly enough and he been pushed a little?
Not happy that Ryanair are the key for growth??

Good luck to him and his new role within the group he will be missed just let's hope that the new person isn't all Ryanair and low cost only as that could cause problems in the years ahead !!!!

highwideandugly

11th Apr 2016, 19:03

quite sad really, he'll be missed...yep you're right there...

skyman771

11th Apr 2016, 21:32

Hmmmm, a lot of investment in infrastructure of late, with inside of departure lounge making up a significant contribution.
Unsure if this this will produce forecast revenues to cover this additional investment. Some bespoke cafe's etc should imho do very well, however walk through duty free may struggle.......................
I wonder what pax levels were forecast, always thought that sub 5M was seen as a problem & that was prior to all new investment.
Got to say that as it currently stands it certainly adds to the pax experience, & in design goes a lot further in directing pax into revenue producing area's which are now always in your face.

Jamesair

11th Apr 2016, 21:58

I have always understood that 5m pax per annum is the figure where airlines start to take notice of your airport.

Sorry to see Dave go, he has done a good job. It will be interesting to see who will apply to take over. I hope they take care when drawing up the new contract (remembering a previous very expensive incident). I hope the mix is maintained although a bit more Ryanair would probably take the airport past 5M.

EK77WNCL

13th Apr 2016, 11:04

What is the airport's terminal capacity by the way? How many passengers could we handle? I'd have thought maybe around the 7 million mark would start to become too much

I hope the new person in charge is cautious with Ryanair and keeping the balance of thirds that the airport kind of prides itself on, high density routes that could do with a bit of reasonably priced competition, along with new markets where they can have the monopoly and create demand for themselves are fine. So we're talking ALC, TFS and to an extent AGP and ACE. PMI would be fine, as would FAO probably and maybe IBZ. On the cities front Riga, Budapest, Warsaw, Hamburg might do nicely, I'd like to see Valencia personally and leisure maybe Chania? Wildcard Athens... To be honest there are other airlines I'd rather see on Venice, Milan, Madrid, Lisbon and Berlin but if we got desperate I suppose Ryanair wouldn't really struggle to do it. But it starts getting dicey if they went for places like Rome, Malta, Krakow, Prague, Pisa and Belfast (As rumoured) because that's when they start to piss off Jet2 and Easyjet big time, they fall out with the airport, the airport "falls in" with Ryanair and we might end up with 5, 6, 7 mppa but then we end up in a similar position to airports like Liverpoop... And I for one don't want to be there. Again, all we can do is see really... I do agree it would be interesting to see why he's left now though

Those A380's would look lovely in easyjet's livery though... But I doubt bristol could handle them :ok: