NEWCASTLE - 8 [Archive] - Page 31

Jet2_738

14th Apr 2016, 09:34

Update on G-GDFC

Exited the hold at NCL, now diverteing to MAN. Unknown what the problem is, but LS545 is showing departure time out of MAN at 1300z according to the Jet2 Live Flight Arrivals: (Look at Lanzarote Arrivals) https://reservations.jet2.com/Jet2.Reservations.Web.Portal/flightdelays.aspx#contentstatusresult

Best Guess is technical problem. Its burned fuel and maintaining 10,000ft. MAN has the longer runway, and will have an operational a/c on the ground to put the pax onto

VentureGo

14th Apr 2016, 09:46

G-GDFW has just flown into NCL from MAN - This seems to be for delayed LS523 to Murcia which should have departed at 08.45 (Now estimating a 11.35 departure)

G-GDFC does indeed seem to be heading now for MAN maintaining 10,000ft currently over West Yorkshire

Not the best day for Jet2 at Newcastle.

Edit: - G-GDFU to ALC did return to stand and is now showing a delayed 1300 departure time.

LiamNCL

14th Apr 2016, 12:21

LS545 left MAN at 13:11 as EXS545A 757 G-LSAC

KNIEVEL77

14th Apr 2016, 12:28

LS545
The problem was that the landing gear would not retract after take off.
The reason that it took up the hold was so that the crew could contact their company for advice as to whether to return to Newcastle or divert elsewhere.

SWBKCB

14th Apr 2016, 19:27

Still no news on easyjet winter 2016/7

Announced today

Also, can't find this story anywhere else???

This city gets a worse deal on holidays than anywhere else - Mirror Online (http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/city-gets-worse-deal-holidays-7747546)

EK77WNCL

15th Apr 2016, 01:29

SWBKCB, finally someone that agrees about the new easyjet livery

I really hope we don't see them ditch... But if they must insist on sitting there with their thumbs up their arses then good riddance... But it worries me that if they do leave, we'll lose routes like Geneva, Nice etc. with no-one to replace them (not in the same way anyway, x2 weekly flights from Jet2 isn't the same) and the selection of EU city routes from NCL is dire as it is anyway. Then we could lose Bristol as well, I don't know if Ryanair would go for it or not.

I've said it before and I'll keep on saying it... If I was easyjet I would be:
- Sorting out the scheduling on key routes like BRS/BFS from NCL, offer times people want! Nobody wants to land in Bristol at 21:30 on a Wednesday night! Then maybe if Ryanair does start NCL-BFS, people will pick EZY because 1. They've been in the market for years, 2. Their NCL based timings are better than FR's BFS based timings
- Be flexible, be proactive, offer something new:
----- Too much competition from VY to BCN? Cut 2 weekly frequencies, start 2 weekly Lisbon.
----- NCL crew too expensive on PMI runs? Transfer daily NCL-PMI to daily PMI-NCL, start x4 weekly Milan, x3 weekly Munich.
----- Ryanair eating into your AGP/ALC profits too much (because they're half the price, more customer orientated and offer pretty much the same hard product... But with 2 hand luggages?)? Cut x2 AGP, x2 ALC, give us x1 weekly Mykonos, x3 weekly Berlin/Venice
----- While you're at it, give a bit more outsourcing a go and see if you can shove in x2/3 Isle of Man runs

Obviously it's more complicated than my slightly frustrated tongue in cheek response above and would require a lot more shuffling around than I made out, but I wonder if we can pull up any old articles where they tell us how "dedicated" they are to NCL? Perhaps, or how they feel confident about the base? We have more to offer them? That kind of stuff

I know to most people we're a little deprived outstation with nothing to offer anyone... :rolleyes: but I think all we need is a chance, Ryanair is starting to give us that, but they don't fly to the right airports (yet) and have been known to mess markets up a bit on occasion

Fingers crossed... Easyjet aren't really who they used to be, all about London and going head to head with anyone and everyone. It's a sad state really, try and make your own market instead of stealing other people's

mockingjay

15th Apr 2016, 08:17

EZY will always have a very different portfolio to holiday airlines such as LS/TOM/TCX. They don't have an in house holiday operator like they other three. EasyJet Holidays is just not pushed the same. Ryanair will only serve NCL similarly to EZY and that is relatively high frequency busy sun destinations. There will be nowhere exotic for either EZY or FR.

Those with established in house tour operators will try the newer routes but it will only be once a week and highly seasonal. That's not really what EZY or FR are about. Yes there are some low frequency seasonal routes however they provide year round services at a time when LS pretty much shut down. In fact on some days in winter, EZY is the only airline with any based aircraft operating ANY flights.

EZY will never be more than 3 based aircraft. The base is fairly busy and some of the aircraft we extremely high utilisation. A recent article mentioned above claims that NCL commands some higher fares. Coupled with above average onboard spend, it could very well be that NCL provides great ROCE.

They could operate AMS, OPO, LIS, VCE, NAP, HAM, TLS, LYS or they could have done FCO when it existed. The fact that they didn't suggests that the NCL base can support holiday flights but will struggle with anything city related. However if/when EZY open ACE/AGP/FAO then I do believe NCL/GLA/LPL/BFS could be at risk. They could then cover FAO/PMI/AGP/ACE/NCE/GVA/BFS/BRS/BCN from their respective bases - this could well be the plan.

If I was NCL I'd be making sure they were happy. I wouldn't want to loose the parking charges for 1095 aircraft nights per year, nor would I want to loose the car parking for all of the EZY employees as EZY actually pay for these. FR will bring pax but they won't bring me those charges? They certainly won't bring new routes that for sure - they'll just galvanised ready made markets that are already operated by the based airlines.

Also if EZY left after 12+ years it wouldn't send a great message to the airlines after flyBE also recently went, LS are practically summer only and the other two airline bring just 3 aircraft each. Would I want to open an aircraft base there given that track record? Probably not.

HH6702

15th Apr 2016, 09:21

I believe that FR won't be sun routes only but we will have to wait and see.
Easyjet makes a lot of money from ncl due to the lack of competition.
Easyjet will have to make sure the times and prices are better than the others

MerchantVenturer

15th Apr 2016, 10:36

Nobody wants to land in Bristol at 21:30 on a Wednesday night!

People returning home to Bristol might.

When easyJet used to operate 3 x daily (4 x daily for a while) I used the service several times.

Taking one year as an example, my 2006 timetable shows 3 x daily Monday to Friday and Sunday with one rotation on Saturdays, with all rotations operated by NCL-based aircraft.

There were departures from NCL at 0700, 1600 and 1925 with the return services getting back into NCL at 0935, 1830 and 2155.

I agree about the disappointing timings and frequencies of the current timetable with midweek particularly poorly served (this timetable has been in place now for a year or two and next winter seems no better) but one has to accept that easyJet knows what it's doing and has decided that better options lie in other directions.

Heathrow Harry

15th Apr 2016, 11:46

Hmmm - I've arrived back in Bristol at 22:00 and been home near Bracknell by 23:30 - the M5/M4 is empty at that time of night and you don't even have to break the speed limit

pallan

15th Apr 2016, 16:28

Echoing what MerchantVenturer says, I think it needs to be understood by some that EZY know what they are doing.

They aren't some amateur airline; they will have 10s if not 100s of people employed in revenue management and route planning alone who will be extremely specialist and excellent at their jobs (and probably very well paid as a result).

You may not think that people want to land into BRS late at night but the route obviously works for EZY otherwise they would have pulled it or attempted to arrange the flight timings by now - 2/3 years of the same schedule suggests it works for them! If it didn't work it would have been changed after 1, maximum 2 years.

I, for one, of course would love to see as many new routes as possible from NCL but I'm sure airlines have done their sums on some of the ones suggested - yes, they might be able to fill the plane, but at a profitable price?
Just my 2 cents...

SWBKCB

15th Apr 2016, 16:32

I think it needs to be understood by some that EZY know what they are doing.

They aren't some amateur airline;

You obviously weren't in BCN a couple of weeks ago - they were doing a bloody good impression...

mockingjay

15th Apr 2016, 16:52

Wait, is it my afternoon G&T or are my eyes deceiving me or what? Is it the same people asking for 'exotic' destinations whilst moaning that there's no day returns possible on the Bristol? A nice place it may be, exotic it most certainly isn't!

deltahotel9

15th Apr 2016, 17:20

Of course EZY know what they are doing, but what you need to accept is that what is good for them if not necessarily good for NCL. They mess around with the schedules because the aircraft can make more money elsewhere, they might well fly a popular route from NCL but if they think they can get a higher yield from MAN, LGW etc. they will fly that instead. Since the argument with Stelios over expansion they can't increase the fleet size so need to get the most out of what they have, hence the worry that the opening of a new base in PMI will see planes removed from NCL, they need to come from somewhere.

fa2fi

15th Apr 2016, 17:30

U2 are are able to grow the fleet. The business is set up in a way that it can grow and it can contract fairly quickly if needs be. Right now it is growing at a steady, sustainable rate with new aircraft joining regularly. The A319s are staying longer and aren't being removed as quickly as they once were, and so the fleet is growing. However if 9/11 II happens, or another recession hits then the fleet can shrink to adapt to the market through lease returns or selling A319s. Allegiant and Volotea being just some of the destination for U2's older aircraft. Brexit could also be a trigger for contraction or slowed growth. I don't have thefigures but it's all listed somewhere on one of the annual reports.

pallan

15th Apr 2016, 17:38

EZY can and are expanding their fleet...?

As per Wiki, they currently have over 180 aircraft on order. Some of these will be replacements, some will be expansion.

The simple fact of the matter is that if they could make the massive profits which some on here seem to think they can, then they could expand at NCL but they are choosing not to. These are facts - they aren't capacity restricted; so far, this year alone they have had 9 deliveries.

Edit: Just seen fa2fi's post which is very similar, apologies for my slight repetition. I do remember reading something about them having very flexible options depending on economic increase/decline if anyone has the link?

mockingjay

15th Apr 2016, 18:49

What about Eastern. Could they not make a daily return possible with a triangle operating CWL/BRS. I can't imagine the loads are great to CWL. How about a NCL-CWL-BRS-NCL on a morning another in the evening. Assuming a 0645 departure, you'd arrive in CWL at 0745 and BRS 0830, and in the city centre by 0915 onwards.

On an evening a late afternoon departure could work. It would help increase Eastern's utilisation. What about sending the BHX on to BRS on a W pattern or operating it as a triangle.

EK77WNCL

15th Apr 2016, 22:18

But what good would that be for 90% of the 150/200-odd thousand pax on NCL-BRS every year? With EZY you can do NCL-BRS-NCL, 40 minutes, £60... I'm not suggesting Easyjet would ditc the route for Eastern but if they did the only affordable way to get to the southwest (without a car) would be megabus. Eastern would probably easily be £300+ and the train is rarely far off!!!

I know Easyjet make more money elsewhere... And that's what's so frustrating, because airports like NCL always end up second best. Money makes the world go round, and that means some people lose out, and other people get more than their fair share

Mockingjay, yes because easyjet cover 2 market segments at Newcastle, business and leisure. And while there is plenty of capacity to sun destinations (understandable, us geordies love our sun) they wouldn't necessarily NEED easyjet on the route, but they make money so good on them. Business though is really losing out in my opinion, we've gone from 3+ daily BFS, STN, BRS to 12 weekly Bristol and a bloody confusing x18-ish weekly Belfast... Cheers for the 4 flights on a Friday and Sunday afternoon...

What will happen will happen, I'd rather easyjet keep the route and spend an extra night in a hotel in Bristol when I travel down there than to lose it

I know I annoy some of you, I just get quite frustrated that I feel we aren't seen as being a credible base (or so it seems) after all the hope we once had in EZY and they supposedly once had in us

mockingjay

16th Apr 2016, 06:05

You've got APD to thank for that. £26 for every return flight. BRS has viable alternatives and it's shrunk considerably. STN ahead viable alternatives and has gone from four daily to zero. BFS doesn't have a viable alternative. People don't want to spend hours on a ferry, then a rickety old expensive train. So there is a fare premium that people will happily pay for the BFS run. BRS/STN are very different.

Jamesair

16th Apr 2016, 12:56

Just been comparing EZY Winter 16/17 with Winter 15/16. Most frequencies are the same with the exceptions of ALICANTE 5 (down from 7) BARCELONA 3 (down from 4) and MALAGA (4 down from 5). This must reflect the entry of Ryanair and Veuling onto these routes. An overall reduction of 4 rotations each way a week, maybe they will introduce another route to use the capacity.

fa2fi

16th Apr 2016, 13:39

Just out of interest. How is EZY compared to TOM/TCX/LS. Have they increased capacity/routes/frequencies. Genuine question. And I don't mean the odd New York weekender or Thomson cruise charters or random charters for other cruise lines. I mean regular scheduled flights. I'm keen to see how they compare.

fl dutchman

16th Apr 2016, 13:53

I think Easyjet to Malta also reduced from 2 to 1 weekly, towards the end of the winter booking period.

EK77WNCL

16th Apr 2016, 16:58

I think APD is pathetic like... £5, even £10 for a return flight I could put up with but the amount the charge is criminal. Can the government not see the damage APD is doing? Especially in the regions (not that they should care, they don't have to worry about us or deal with us too much). When was APD introduced?

Anyway they have Belfast as a prime example that APD devolution is beneficial, and that was thanks to United, to be honest I hope United say the same as they did to the Northern Ireland government and at least get our long haul APD devolved, would certainly get UA in EK's good books.

I don't think EZY's done much, no net increase, but Split was nice of them, and IMO shows they can fill more niche routes, LS didn't seem to be able to make it work but as yet EZY seems happy with it. TCX is the same, no net increase, still waiting in hope that we'll get 3 A321's based one day. TOM... Difficult one, sometimes it seems like they might be toying with some kind of expansion, is it 3 extra weekly flight's they've outsourced to foreign carriers for S16? PMI, LPA and ALC?

Jet2 is the only one who's increased the amount of based A/C, but I'd be willing to say that the amount of seats lost when TOM/TXC/LS went from 757's to 738's still wont have been recovered, even with Ryanair and an extra 738 from LS, that's probably the biggest hit we've taken in recent years. I believe we had 9 757's based in 2011...? And lost 46 seats per aircraft, roughly 184 seats per day over 9 aircraft lost... Not a small amount

Fingers crossed EZY might be looking at other avenues for their 4 weekly slots, see what they come up with, although it might just be for winter, RYR/VY potentially exacerbating the already lower demand

I'd be surprised if Malta was getting cut, Air Malta just left the market and I was under the impression that LS and EZY were doing well

Heathrow Harry

18th Apr 2016, 14:30

I'd like to see evidence that APD is stopping people from flying - numbers are up all over the place except maybe Aberdeen where the problem is oil price and redundancy

KNIEVEL77

18th Apr 2016, 14:33

I travel to Aberdeen every fortnight and HAVE to drive as the return fare is extortionate, no wonder their number aren't up!

fl dutchman

18th Apr 2016, 19:55

I see the first 3 class aircraft for over a month operated the DXB service today. They have been used less and less for a while now. I wonder if this is due to increasing passenger numbers or greater availability of 2 class aircraft.

I realise the flight is sold as a 2 class only, but this is the first time so many 2 class aircraft have been used on this route.

fl dutchman

18th Apr 2016, 20:20

Just been looking at airports own figures that suggests Domestic in March was about 11% down compared with March 2015. However International Scheduled up about 8%.
IT traffic down about 7%.

Overall down by less than 1%. There will be more detail when the CAA stats are released. Hope I have done the sums correctly. Cant remember when easter was in 2015 for comparison.

EK77WNCL

18th Apr 2016, 20:42

IIRC easter was very early last year, so hopefully April more healthy, probably explains EK's use of the high density 77W's

Heathrow Harry, yes I see your point, there is still growth, but would that growth still be there if the oil price hadn't fallen? That might have been a stroke of luck. I think that there is plenty (superficial at least) evidence to support the fact that APD has slowed growth in some cases. I know there's too many if's and but's to say anything for sure but I think we would have seen more growth (or less decline) without APD

AerRyan

18th Apr 2016, 21:14

The Republic of Ireland's massive boom in traffic after a €3 fee was abolished should be example enough.

fl dutchman

18th Apr 2016, 21:32

Just found out Easter was in April 2015 and in March 2016. So those figures in the earlier post if correct are not particularly good.

EK77WNCL

19th Apr 2016, 01:00

Ah crap yeah, sorry about that... Forgot school broke up on 23rd March. Oh dear :/

SWBKCB

19th Apr 2016, 05:16

Middle-East fishermen help push Newcastle Airport exports beyond £300m (From The Northern Echo) (http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/news/14434826.Middle_East_fishermen_help_push_Newcastle_Airport_e xports_beyond___300m/)

fa2fi

19th Apr 2016, 09:05

APD doesn't put people off flying it just makes the economics of some routes.

Heathrow Harry

19th Apr 2016, 10:44

Aer Ryan - link please to evidence?

Do you really think that a 3 Euro fee was affecting passenger numbers? Thats the price of half a pint of beer or two bus trips in Dublin City Centre..................

fl dutchman

20th Apr 2016, 21:04

Summer 2017 now loaded. Couple of frequency reductions to Turkey. Bodrum gone. Frequency increases to some other existing destinations. No new destinations.

CabinCrewe

20th Apr 2016, 21:13

full caa stats out for those who get giddy about those things!

EK77WNCL

21st Apr 2016, 00:00

Disappointed with Jet2 to say the least...

HH6702

21st Apr 2016, 01:06

Jet2 SUMMER 2017
ALC 2X DAILY
AYT 1X WEEKLY THURSDAY
CFU 1X WEEKLY MONDAY
HER 2X WEEKLY TUESDAY/ FRIDAY
DLM 2X WEEKLY MONDAY/FRIDAY
DBV 2X WEEKLY WEDNESDAY/ SUNDAY
FAO DAILY
FUE 2X WEEKLY MONDAY/THURSDAY
GRO 3X WEEKLY MONDAY/WEDNESDAY/FRIDAY
LPA 2X WEEKLY TUESDAY/SATURDAY
IBZ 6X WEEKLY N/A WEDNESDAY
KRK 2X WEEKLY MONDAY/FRIDAY
ACE 3X WEEKLY TUESDAY/FRIDAY/SUNDAY
LCA 1X WEEKLY WEDNESDAY
FNC 1X WEEKLY MONDAY
PMI 13X WEEKLY (1X TUE)
AGP DAILY
MLA 1X WEEKLY THURSDAY
MAH 3X WEEKLY TUESDAY/FRIDAY/SATURDAY
MJV 2X WEEKLY THURSDAY/SUNDAY
PFO 2X WEEKLY WEDNESDAY/SUNDAY
PSA 2X WEEKLY TUESDAY/SATURDAY
PRG 2X WEEKLY MONDAY/FRIDAY
REU 3X WEEKLY THURSDAY/SATURDAY/SUNDAY
RHO 2X WEEKLY WEDNESDAY/SATURDAY
FCO 2X WEEKLY THURSDAY/SUNDAY
TFS 5X WEEKLY (N/A MONDAY/WEDNESDAY)
ZTH 2X WEEKLY WEDNESDAY/SATURDAY

REMEMBER ITS EARLY DAYS EXPECT MORE TO FOLLOW AT THE END OF THE YEAR

TSR2

21st Apr 2016, 06:40

Disappointed with Jet2 to say the least...

Some people are never satisfied. Jet2 run an airline business, not just to satisfy the whims of spotters.

fjencl

21st Apr 2016, 07:42

Well said.

Jamesair

21st Apr 2016, 08:06

Very early days for Jet2, summer 17.....new route announcements always come later in the year.

LiamNCL

21st Apr 2016, 11:58

Im not sure but what routes do Jet2 run from other bases that isnt ran from NCL ? Im talking Summer destinations and not city breaks

VentureGo

21st Apr 2016, 14:53

Im not sure but what routes do Jet2 run from other bases that isnt ran from NCL ? Im talking Summer destinations and not city breaks
Pula, Split, Nice, Kos, Venice, Verona, Lisbon, Barcelona, Geneva, Lyons, Antalya, Turin, Olbia, Budapest, La Rochelle, Toulouse, Vienna, Salzburg, Bergerac, Paris (Orly), Dusseldorf, Amsterdam.

EK77WNCL

21st Apr 2016, 20:01

I'm sorry but there's no need to be like that, after years of steady growth, if everything except Ryanair is stagnating at NCL then yes... It is disappointing. We'll probably get knocked out the top 10 busiest UK airports for 2016 as well. East Midlands, Belfast, London City and Liverpool are all very close to us and are all seeing much more growth. Depending on how the summer goes I think we could be 12th or 13th

I definitely hope Jet2 announce something in the winter, EMA is getting a 7th A/C

Nothing for us from Thomson?

LiamNCL

21st Apr 2016, 20:18

Nothing new getting added from any of them ! Can only think they all believe they serve all the region wants

SWBKCB

21st Apr 2016, 20:20

Provisional stats

Airport March 16 March 15 %change
PALMA DE MALLORCA 2,161 582 271.31
MURCIA SAN JAVIER 661 248 166.53
PAPHOS 3,134 1,452 115.84
TROMSOE 280 146 91.78
FUERTEVENTURA 3,108 1,727 79.97
ALICANTE 23,133 14,413 60.50
KIRUNA 310 213 45.54
LAS PALMAS 4,508 3,586 25.71
DUSSELDORF 3,443 2,970 15.93
ARRECIFE 7,268 6,371 14.08
BARCELONA 6,485 5,691 13.95
MONTEGO BAY 598 527 13.47
GENEVA 9,172 8,323 10.20
TENERIFE 20,255 18,506 9.45
MALTA 2,899 2,684 8.01
INNSBRUCK 1,314 1,222 7.53
SALZBURG 897 855 4.91
SANFORD 300 289 3.81
DUBLIN 18,036 17,447 3.38
MALAGA 11,570 11,253 2.82
DUBAI 21,879 21,305 2.69
CANCUN 297 290 2.41
CHAMBERY 1,060 1,072 -1.12
PARIS (CDG) 12,700 12,900 -1.55
AMSTERDAM 30,497 31,105 -1.95
KRAKOW 2,296 2,417 -5.01
PRAGUE 2,239 2,414 -7.25
FARO 4,236 4,711 -10.08
COPENHAGEN 1,272 1,670 -23.83
BRUSSELS 1,479 2,272 -34.90
CORK 904 1,627 -44.44
TURIN 153 534 -71.35
STAVANGER 272 1,175 -76.85

ABERDEEN 1,190 2,055 -42.09
BELFAST CITY 1,443 1,629 -11.42
BELFAST INTERN 21,494 19,852 8.27
BIRMINGHAM 846 781 8.32
BRISTOL 14,399 14,116 2.00
CARDIFF 1,194 885 34.92
EXETER 2,501 2,858 -12.49
HEATHROW 40,825 45,263 -9.80
ISLE OF MAN 288 283 1.77
JERSEY 228 235 -2.98
STANSTED 618 313 97.44

fl dutchman

21st Apr 2016, 21:24

It seems that any increase in numbers on scheduled international has been matched by a decline in IT and domestic. Loss of LGW accounts for about 10.5k and even LHR is unusually down by about 4.5k. so a loss of about 15k on those 2 routes alone although BFS up by about 1.5k and even BRS up by 200pax (would be much more I think with a decent schedule)
Maybe the extra Ryanair flights might help overall figures when those figures are eventually included.

Re Jet 2 and new routes. They announced 3 new routes for summer 17 when they published the S17 schedule from EMA. Maybe NCL may get something later. However a good schedule as it stands.

Is it 6 aircraft from NCL for S16 and S17?

EK77WNCL

21st Apr 2016, 23:29

2nd highest figures we've seen from Emirates, beaten by a healthy August last year: 22,409

Quite a lot of fluctuations, but good to see Alicante and Barcelona on the way up, clear that growth is not just because of Ryanair and Vueling though, Ryanair couldn't have sustained almost 10k pax on ALC (physically not enough seats) and other destinations have grown too. First bit of growth on the Canaries for a while!

LS is 7 A/C from NCL S16, and looking to be the same S17

SWBKCB

22nd Apr 2016, 05:22

New fortnightly Florida flight from TOM for Summer 2017

Heathrow Harry

22nd Apr 2016, 16:56

"Can only think they all believe they serve all the region wants"

I suspect it's that they believe they serve all the region is willing to pay for............

LiamNCL

22nd Apr 2016, 17:04

Which would not be correct though ? Airlines should know all about how much we are willing to pay as they charge us more than just about anywhere else !

EK77WNCL

22nd Apr 2016, 17:05

Yet we pay some of the highest fares across the board for the privilege of using our local airport... Maybe the airlines are trying to think of ways to get out of serving what the region actually wants... Because we all know what we actually want, and that is point to point EU city routes and more variation, that's always one of the top requests

Look at EZY at NCL and at BRS for comparison... I know January is extremely low demand and prices are very low from everywhere, anyway. But I randomly happened to search BRS-OPO last night... £8.49 for the return flight on 2 days, the rest were £10-£15. Granted outbound was £30-50 but that's still mental cheap... I didn't think EZY ever went under £20

EDIT: Damn, beat me by 1 minute Liam!

SWBKCB

22nd Apr 2016, 18:35

I'm with HH - should have paid more attention in the economics lessons, guys. You're not paying for the privilege, your paying to fly from a small, remote, not particularly wealthy market.

Because we all know what we actually want, and that is point to point EU city routes and more variation, that's always one of the top requests

What people say in surveys and how many of them part with the cash to back up their comments is a different matter - if there was money to be made, somebody would be having a go. Spite tends not be a major motivation in airline route selection, despite what I read in this thread

LiamNCL

22nd Apr 2016, 19:34

IMO we are only maybe 5/6 routes short of having a good diverse selection for our size but are we really saying the North East of England is remote ? We know the airlines who serve us make good money in doing so its hardly a good will gesture.

SWBKCB

22nd Apr 2016, 19:51

are we really saying the North East of England is remote ?

YES! how quickly can you get to a competitor airport? Drive for an hour and where do you get to? Compare that to other airports in the top 15 in the UK.

Look at a map, where's Newcastle's catchment area?? Nothing to the North, Carlisle(!) to the West, Teesside to the South (even poorer than Tyne/Wear) and the North Sea to the East.

LiamNCL

22nd Apr 2016, 21:47

I agree im just saying in general the N.E is very much accessible just as much as everwhere else that people from the N.E travel to e.g EDI GLA MAN LPL LBA . The point im making is that if prices were better from here we would get people outside our catchment area using NCL aswell, Its very much catch 22 though

Heathrow Harry

23rd Apr 2016, 17:06

SWBKCB was making the point that NCL is a long way from any reasonably sized UK additional population - 100 miles to Leeds, about 120 to Edinburgh (and that on farily grim roads)

NCL is stuck pretty much with the population of the NE - say 2.6 million people. and the socio-economics means it's not a major source/destination for business or first class passengers to a large range of destinations

on the other hand that 2.6 mm is pretty much a captive market for NCL so you can be pretty certain that your prices won't get hammered by someone undercutting (as happens bewteen Luton/Stansted; Man, Liverpool/Leeds. GLA/EDI etc)

HH6702

23rd Apr 2016, 18:11

Thomson summer 2017

Looks like they are continuing to charter in AEA on a Sunday morning
New airline for 2017 is FREEBIRD Mondays to dalaman 0830/0930

sunshine79

23rd Apr 2016, 19:21

Thomson are using Freebird for DLM this summer too. Changed from TOM to FHY a few weeks ago.

HeartyMeatballs

24th Apr 2016, 01:23

What's the protocol if you're booked with a credible English airline and you're switched to some two Bob Turkish mob that you've never heard of? Can you get a refund or are you stuck with them?

HH6702

24th Apr 2016, 03:42

Nope they can change airline and type at any time

GrahamK

24th Apr 2016, 06:32

I thought TOM were a British/German airline rather than English? :=

VickersVicount

24th Apr 2016, 10:42

Freebird are well established Turkish airline operating for many years with identical service to TOM often on aircraft younger than TOM. They get reasonable reviews and have an excellent safety record.
If there is a change, you are entitled to full refund.

sunshine79

24th Apr 2016, 13:47

Nope, we tried to amend a booking for a customer and Thomson Airways wouldn't allow us to amend or cancel as they are within their rights to amend the flight and airline

10 DME ARC

24th Apr 2016, 19:37

You tend to see the negative side of experiences at NCL on here! To balance out I was on EK35 today on stand at 1152(L), I had my bags, picked up my hire car and was driving out of the airport at 1225(L)!!
Great stuff.....:D:D

victorc10

25th Apr 2016, 07:28

"I thought TOM were a British/German airline rather than English? :="

THOMSON AIRWAYS LIMITED NO: 00444359

Registered in ENGLAND and WALES, head office is in ENGLAND.

So it is an English/Welsh company and not a British Company!!

ash666

25th Apr 2016, 07:35

They are part of the TUI Group, headquarters in Hanover, Germany.

ATNotts

25th Apr 2016, 07:43

Nope, we tried to amend a booking for a customer and Thomson Airways wouldn't allow us to amend or cancel as they are within their rights to amend the flight and airline
You are too young to remember the days when in the small print of their brochures tour operators, Thomson, and their predecessor, Skytours, along with most, if not all other tour operators used to list all the carriers they may use, which often included some which no longer even still existed! And then they claused that with a note that they could use anyone else, other than the list provided if they wished.

Compare and contrast the German situation where the carrier you flew on was an integral part of the holiday choice. so much so that when Thomas Cook tried to rebrand Condor, they realised they had made monumental error, and had to backtrack and reinstate the original Condor branding.

sunshine79

25th Apr 2016, 19:20

Unfortunately I'm not too young to remember the list of airlines in the back of the brochures, Thomson even listed what aircraft type you would be travelling on. Thomas Cook don't even put flight times in their brochures nowadays.

fa2fi

25th Apr 2016, 20:54

I remember the brochures vaguely. Airtours D10, Air Transat and Nordic L10-11s, Balkan TU154s, Sunways and Onur's MD83s. Braathens, BA 1-11s and who can forget Gill's sheds. Air UK (my I'm showing my age!).

As much as I love the Airbus magic, I miss the olden days of obscure types, airlines and carriers from weird and wonderful places I'd never heard of. The noise and the smell. Waving relatives off from the observation deck. I even remember when the metro only went to Bank Foot and you had to get the bus! I still remember concorde's visit. Taking a look up to the airport with friends after school.

Now it's a shopping mall/huge pub with a handful of beige types and a couple of homogenous airlines. It's safer, cheaper and more reliable, but the excitement has certainly gone.

Them were day.

LiamNCL

25th Apr 2016, 23:29

I must say as im sitting now in Fuerteventura (Flew on sat) we had our booking ammended for a week earlier as to avoid flying home on Avion Express with TCX so it can be done with certain airlines.

Kev 1

26th Apr 2016, 13:23

New twice weekly (Tuesdays & Fridays) route to Warsaw (Modlin) announced by Ryanair with effect November:

RYR4532 NCL-WMI 08:55-12:25
RYR4531 WMI-NCL 07:00-08:30

MATELO

26th Apr 2016, 15:12

who can forget Gill's sheds.

.. & their short 330's, which I used all the time to/from Belfast 1989/1990

I remember one trip, we were downwind for 25, and over Dinnington we did a "wing over" to get down before a BA jet on a 5 mile final. :eek:

Never done that before or since in a civvy carrier.

NCL-TRC

26th Apr 2016, 15:36

Nice to see a new market opened by FR, will be interesting to see how it does.

HH6702

26th Apr 2016, 16:22

Wow a new route and not a one already well served!!!

Well done Ryanair and airport let's hope this route lasts and they add more routes

DanAir89

26th Apr 2016, 18:20

I must say as im sitting now in Fuerteventura (Flew on sat) we had our booking ammended for a week earlier as to avoid flying home on Avion Express with TCX so it can be done with certain airlines.
I'd have done the same -have avoided TC since 2008 as didn't fancy an old 757 or as smartlynx a320 after reading about their reliability (particularly on here!). Still wouldn't take the risk of a new A321 being changed for an Avion 320 after booking so it's usually a Thomson 738 for me!

deltahotel9

26th Apr 2016, 19:20

Having flown on the Avion 320 last year I can say it was a perfectly acceptable aircraft, clean and comfortable, the only issue was the other passengers, which unfortunately is the one thing you can't predict but I'd avoid TC for a while because of that.

As for Warsaw good to see a new route, not one I would have chosen but hopefully it does well and we get to some other new routes from FR.

LiamNCL

26th Apr 2016, 20:03

Well we usually book Thomas Cook for the holidays and we booked FUE with prebooked seats part of that was down to having flown on the new A321, I would of prefered to know upfront which is why we changed it

EK77WNCL

26th Apr 2016, 23:29

Very nice choice! I'm impressed with Ryanair, lets hope it works out, if Warsaw can work I'm pretty sure a good few more can

Sorry Wizzair... Might be missing your boat with this one

GAXLN

27th Apr 2016, 03:55

Poland's a great country to visit - excellent value, interesting history and vibrant and beautiful cities. Hope there's more to come. We had better start using these flights if we want to see more destinations on the departure board.

HH6702

27th Apr 2016, 10:18

3 new routes from Ryanair

Warsaw
Gdansk
Wroclaw

Can say we didn't see this coming

HeartyMeatballs

27th Apr 2016, 10:40

That's pretty impressive. I just wonder who is going to fill the seats? We really don't have that high a population of polish people living here (despite what the right wing media may have you believe) and certainly Gdansk and Wroclaw aren't on many people's radars, despite Gdansk (once you get away from the port anyway!) being a very beautiful place. Hopefully some low fares may stimulate the demand for locals here to visit.

Wroclaw however is a real wild card. I bet only a tiny proportion of locals can say it (tip - it sounds nothing like it looks). I can only imagine there's some start up indie time in that one.

I'm happy that we have the routes though. Let's hope they're used and are kept. And I'm actually surprised at FR actually creating a new route and not just cherry picking the bucket and spade routes.

long_final

27th Apr 2016, 11:28

Times for the new routes:

Gdansk - Mon/Fri, arr NCL 1815, dep NCL 1840
Warsaw - Tue/Fri, arr NCL 0830, dep NCL 0855
Wroclaw - Sun/Thu arr NCL 0750, dep NCL 0815

HeartyMeatballs

27th Apr 2016, 11:28

I don't think it's a matter of EZY or LS being too busy competing with TOM/TCX. The fact that both have tried and now have little or no city break destinations suggests that from NCL there is little or no money to be made from euro city breaks. However, BCN, GVA and NCE are popular weekend destinations.

FR couldn't make 'Milan' or 'Oslo' work neither.

Besides, by the time you faffed on going to the airport, checking in, security, shopping and boarding you might as well just sit on a plane for an extra 30-60 minutes and fly to Spain.

AGP is my go to place for a weekend away. The fact that this route (and ALC, FAO) is served so regularly and year round suggests to me that I'm not the only one!

long_final

27th Apr 2016, 11:56

Assuming everybody wants to fly to Spain that is. The city routes we still have do well, OK some have now gone, but there are still quite a few, and Jet2 holidays and easyJet holiday have taken priority at NCL, so can't see either of them expanding to anything other than beach destinations.

Worst case,the Polish routes don't work, so they pull them and try something else. I'd much rather see that, and I'm sure the airport would rather see a little more diversity too, good for publicity. Far better than playing it safe and announcing a double daily ALC/AGP/PMI. This will get folk talking, more flights to Spain would go largely unnoticed IMO.

KNIEVEL77

27th Apr 2016, 14:58

I notice a few inbounds holding at the minute, presumably its down to the heavy snow that is falling at the minute?
BA holding over the coast and Jet 2 and an Easyjet holding 25 miles to the south.

Edit: 6 aircraft now in the hold.

nighthawk117

28th Apr 2016, 07:54

Worst case,the Polish routes don't work, so they pull them and try something else.

All flights seem to be operated by Polish based aircraft. If they pull them, they won't be adding new Newcastle routes to replace them.

Kev 1

29th Apr 2016, 08:56

Stavanger returns as of 31st May, with BMI Regional - six times per week:

BMR1133/4 NCL 10:45 SVG 13:05 SVG 15:40 NCL 16:00 (Monday-Friday)
BMR1135/6 NCL 13:25 SVG 15:45 SVG 16:15 NCL 16:35 (Sunday)

Jamesair

29th Apr 2016, 13:06

This is good news and at a better frequency and timing.

skyhawk1

29th Apr 2016, 14:29

cant believe some people book holidays depending on aircraft type. would have thought destination was more important. never mind each to their own. its a free world.

EK77WNCL

29th Apr 2016, 17:47

Interesting to note the longer turnarounds Monday-Friday, is this just due to aircraft utilisation or could there be potential for a tag to Bergen in the future? Could SVG-BGO-SVG be done in 2h35? It's 20 miles shorter than NCL-MAN... That can only be 30 minutes flying time tops, so probably be scheduled as around 40/45 minutes based on how it normally works

NCL 10:45 - 13:05 SVG 13:30 - 14:10 BGO 14:35 - 15:15 SVG 15:40 - 16:00 NCL (Monday - Friday)

Interestingly, if we assume 40 minutes scheduled flying time SVG-BGO... It works out perfectly with 25 minute turnarounds... Coincidence, probably, but could be interesting

Don't know if it's worth it on a 37 seater though, 74 seats per day. Is 18 seats per city PDEW worth it? Maybe only if LF's on NCL-SVG are less than 50%... Which I certainly hope they will not be, based on 26 flights in June they only need 962 pax per month to break 50% LF

It's all pipe dreams tbh but it's interesting how they've scheduled that

jensdad

29th Apr 2016, 23:02

Great news about Stavanger. I felt Newcastle Airport lost a bit of its unique identity when it lost its last route to Norway.
(the spotter in me wishes it was something more interesting than a BMI Embraer flying the route but still... ;) )

EK77WNCL

30th Apr 2016, 01:27

I'm still holding out for SAS to capitalise on their CPH route and UA from Newcastle and start Oslo... There must be star alliance frequent fliers out there somewhere for us (although I think the lack of Frankfurt link is a huge drawback)

Do Bmir codeshare with SAS or not? Every little helps. Very happy to hear the news, it's just a shame Norway/Scandinavia isn't what it once was from our region, although I don't know what changed.

jensdad

30th Apr 2016, 16:58

Do United not fly from Oslo? I know there was a United 757 when I was there in September 2013. Think it was going to Newark but not sure...

EK77WNCL

30th Apr 2016, 17:46

Yeah they do, seasonal flight to Newark if wikipedia is to be believed. I was thinking that SAS/UA/SN could build some star alliance presence at NCL, then possibly lure in LH, which should hopefully create a small cycle of growth, it would be quite limited as to which airlines could feasibly operate from NCL. I can't really see SIA, SAA or ANA rushing to operate, but I think Turkish is more a case of when not if and TAP/Swiss could consider us based on whatever the next few years holds for us in terms of sustainable growth.

In some ways I feel Swiss to ZRH has more chance than LH to FRA

LiamNCL

1st May 2016, 07:10

Looks like Avion Express causing problems again ! 3 & 1/2 hour delay on Reus this morning looks like a replacement from MAN due in at 8:20

SWBKCB

1st May 2016, 09:59

departed at 10.55 on a substitute TCX A.321 from MAN

LiamNCL

1st May 2016, 13:49

Not a good start from Avion i seen it parked up yesterday after i landed back from FUE its been dressed up this year in Thomas Cook titles and Sunny Heart tail.

VentureGo

1st May 2016, 15:38

departed at 10.55 on a substitute TCX A.321 from MAN
See return flight from Reus to NCL has diverted and Landed in Manchester at 16.10.! Wonder what reasons they give passengers - Convenient way of getting G-TCDD back to Manchester - not very convenient long miserable bus journey for passengers! after long delay in Reus to start with.

CabinCrewe

1st May 2016, 15:47

Seems sensible, why have two groups if grumpy delayed passengers when you can just have one?

HH6702

1st May 2016, 15:58

Was there any pax to rtn to ncl was it not week 1 of the summer season

They only found out it went tech late teatime
Should be flying again later today if not tomorrow
Avion was only meant to start flying today yesterday and the day before were crew visits

NCL-TRC

1st May 2016, 16:07

No pax booked on the inbound Reus as it was the first op, so the aircraft just positioned straight back to MAN.

ConstantFlyer

1st May 2016, 17:02

After hearing some excrutiating pronunciation of Eastern European destinations by gate staff at Luton Airport recently, I'm sure our colleagues at Newcastle will do much better come the start of the Ryanair flights to Poland in November. Nothing too hard about Gdansk and Warsaw, but "Wrocław" is in my view best put across as "Vratswav".

fa2fi

1st May 2016, 17:29

I thought it was pronounced "Vroar-Slav"! I must admit there are some confusing place names out east!

fl dutchman

1st May 2016, 17:34

TCX Reus.

Seems odd that an inbound aircraft with no passengers is on the NCL arrivals screen. Normally an empty plane is not shown?

ash666

1st May 2016, 17:39

Wroclaw pronunciation.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Pl-Wroc%C5%82aw-2.ogg

SWBKCB

1st May 2016, 17:43

TCX Reus - arrivals scenes are not that reliable in these sorts of cases, they just show what they're given - which is normally the schedule for the season.

Another example is that the replacement a/c positioning from MAN was showing this morning

FRatSTN

1st May 2016, 19:46

For future reference... this is how you'd pronounce all those Polish places you never know how to say, or spell...

Wroclaw - "Vrotswof"
Krakow - "Cracov"
Katowice - "Katoveetsa"
Szczecin - "Stetchin"
Rzeszow - "Jheshov"
Lodz - "Woodge" ... funny one I know!

The rest are pretty much as you'd think.

Anyway, back to Newcastle...

Monty Gordo

1st May 2016, 20:04

....and how do you pronounce the last one - Newcassill?

DanAir89

2nd May 2016, 06:17

cant believe some people book holidays depending on aircraft type. would have thought destination was more important. never mind each to their own. its a free world.
"Reliabilty" was the key word as proved yesterday!! Being delayed during the school holidays with 2 under 5's isn't my idea of fun especially after paying a fortune for the privilege! Therefore a little bit of research re airline and aircraft doesn't go a miss, but each to their own😀

ash666

2nd May 2016, 06:18

Yep, Thomas Cook and the infamous 757 spring to mind.

N707ZS

2nd May 2016, 07:36

Even the newest aircraft can go tec or be delayed, how much of it is the luck of the day. A gambling man may want to look at the odds with aircraft type.

DanAir89

2nd May 2016, 07:58

Agreed. taking an extreme example of when Excel operated long haul from Ncl there were massive delays each week which were in the chronicle and and on here. Why take the risk if you know about recurring issues? On the other hand went to the domincan republic in 2006 when monarch took over and were only delayed 4 hours each way!!

Good news re svg - flash back to the good old Dan air days - 2 146's leaving mid morning to Bergen/stavanger and Oslo.

ash666

2nd May 2016, 08:01

Dan Air - it was the pilot not the plane as I recall :O

LiamNCL

2nd May 2016, 10:46

We always book with Thomas Cook and never been delayed longer than 30 Minutes ! Which is why when i got informed i would be flying home with Avion this Saturday we moved the holiday forward a week and flew home with TCX Saturday just gone , Great flights there and back. I would never fly with a obscure airline unless it was a ridiculously cheaper. These leased in aircraft nowadays are plastered in logos and to the average joe it looks like the travel companys own.

EK77WNCL

2nd May 2016, 14:57

I must be the odd one out here, I like more exotic carriers/types, I'd probably be happier if my flight got changed. Flying's boring now... Delays, broken A/C, obscure airlines and stroppy foreign crews were part of the fun of flying.

I love the sound of flying up to Norway on a Dan Air 146, or down to the Canaries on a Tristar... How about a classic 747 to Toronto, or sending a geordie stag do to Sunny Beach in the back of a knackered (albeit colourful) Tu154

Anyone heard the "I'm flying to Bulgaria, not driving" story regarding Balkan's Tu154?

SWBKCB

2nd May 2016, 15:42

Flying may be boring but the point is to get from A to B. If you want "fun" flying look at the adverts in the aviation glossies.

Delays are fun? Clearly you've never worked one :ugh: Not really a comment for a forum such as this. :=

Heathrow Harry

2nd May 2016, 16:05

"Delays, broken A/C, obscure airlines and stroppy foreign crews were part of the fun of flying."

not if you do it often.... or it's part of your living........

Beatts

2nd May 2016, 16:47

Been told that a Smart Lynx will be positioning in to operate the Avion's operation tomorrow.

LiamNCL

2nd May 2016, 18:12

Lets hope whatever is positioning in gets here on time otherwise yet another delay

fjencl

2nd May 2016, 18:15

What's the Tech problem with the aircraft ???

fl dutchman

2nd May 2016, 19:03

Was it Avion Express or Smartlynx who operated for Thomas Cook last summer from NCL. I thought that whoever it was had very few problems or am I mistaken.

deltahotel9

2nd May 2016, 19:18

It was Avion last year, and they did have very few problems as I recall, Smartlynx did the 3 years before that and had their moments. It must be a pretty big problem to take 3 days to fix whatever it is.

LiamNCL

2nd May 2016, 19:24

Didn't LY-VEK need a need a new engine last year ? That led to all sorts of cover from a Titan 757 to a hifly A340 ! There was also more than a few company A321s that came up to cover for when it went tech ? Really not very reliable when you compare it to other aircraft that are based here for a considerable length of time

SWBKCB

2nd May 2016, 20:21

I know that this is a rumour network, but a few facts to back up those comments wouldn't go amiss.

LY-VEN is the same aircraft that operated the second half of last summer for TCX at NCL.

AirGuru

2nd May 2016, 20:27

LY-VEN is also the aircraft TCX based at CWL the Summer before last, and it was fair to say there were tech delays after tech delays, so if this aircraft remains at NCL for TCX then it's inevitable that a troublesome Summer is ahead ...

Luckily though doesn't NCL have three based aircraft ? CWL only had LY-VEN so any delay would always be a lengthy one with an additional aircraft having to be sourced from around the network somewhere.

LiamNCL

2nd May 2016, 20:30

Lets see how they get on from now.

Newcastle is a X3 Aircraft base but generally when Avion go tech the A321s depart anyway on schedule and the delay can run into hours like the 7 Hours on IBZ last year

SWBKCB

2nd May 2016, 20:34

fl dutchman

2nd May 2016, 21:25

I seem to remember a few long delays on the new TCX A321s last year and remain confident that the Avion A320 was quite reliable.

Any aircraft both new and old can have issues.

nclpilot

2nd May 2016, 21:26

Does anyone know what the activity in the air near NCL is? Started at around 2200 and is very loud what would appear to be jets

fl dutchman

2nd May 2016, 21:36

Engine testing on the Avion A320 ??(pure speculation)

Charlie98

2nd May 2016, 21:39

The AF was intercepted by the RAF QRA due to going off course, royally off course.

jensdad

2nd May 2016, 21:44

I saw something fast and loud leaving our area heading south south east. According to FR24, there's a Voyager from Brize that's just done a circuit over Teesside and the N York Moors.

LiamNCL

2nd May 2016, 21:49

Those Typhoons make some noise jesus

Charlie98

2nd May 2016, 21:51

The Voyager is always dispatched when the QRA is sent up for refuelling purposes.

Beatts

2nd May 2016, 21:53

Tonights AF1558, lost comms over Leeds in which ZJ911 (Q0000002) intercepted him and subsequently sent ZZ333 (V9U64) up to tank. Escorted into Newcastle and Q jet has gone off for some fuel. Apparently the pilot was heard saying "yes London made us aware of that. Everything is ok we just had a radio control problem" after making comms back with Newcastle

jensdad

2nd May 2016, 22:38

Looks like the errant Cityjet RJ turned onto a heading of about 080 over Leeds and kept going for about 100 miles before turning back towards us. Strange goings-on. Maybe the QRA shepherded them out to sea when they lost comms, only turning them back towards NCL when contact was re-established?

LiamNCL

2nd May 2016, 22:47

Not official but apparently it turned off course & ATC Tried twice to contact them about the course change with no answer and thats what triggered the QRA.

Dct_Mopas

3rd May 2016, 00:37

No, we heard the events unfold whilst operating another flight. The aircraft flew for 20 minutes without speaking to any controllers. After many attempts of contact they started receiving orders to turn right heading east. This was before the intercept. They then heard the transmissions on 121.5 and complied with the order to fly heading 090. Guess they were still escorted into newcastle even though communications were re-established

ash666

3rd May 2016, 05:36

Fromm BBC today:

Loud bangs heard in parts of Yorkshire were sonic booms from Typhoon jets scrambled to identify "an unresponsive civilian aircraft", the RAF has said.
The aircraft were launched from RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, on Monday and helped guide an Air France plane to a safe landing in Newcastle.
People reported their houses shaking at about 21:50 BST after hearing what sounded like two loud explosions.
These were later confirmed to have been sonic booms.
An RAF spokesman said: "Quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft were launched today from RAF Coningsby to identify an unresponsive civilian aircraft.
"Communications were re-established and the aircraft has been safely landed."
Radio problem
Reports suggested the jets had escorted the plane after it went off course.
Air France confirmed that the unresponsive civilian aircraft was one of its planes.
The airline tweeted from its official UK Twitter account: "Air France confirms that due to a radio communication problem AF 1558 had to be accompanied by two British fighter aircrafts according to the procedure.
"The aircraft landed in Newcastle at 22:20 (LT). Safety of clients & crew is an absolute priority."

VentureGo

3rd May 2016, 10:15

Today I see TCX are operating Palma to Newcastle (MT/TCX6029 arriving NCL at 12.45) with G-DAJC Boeing 767. Anyone know if this is permanent and which other routes will be 767 - or is this just a "one-off"

HH6702

3rd May 2016, 10:25

One off I'm guessing

skyhawk1

3rd May 2016, 11:10

[QUOTE=SWBKCB;9363882]Clueless...[/QUOTE

Just Brilliant

EGNT

3rd May 2016, 11:43

DAJC has diverted to MAN

VentureGo

3rd May 2016, 12:16

DAJC has diverted to MAN I see it is due to depart ex Manchester for Heraklion at 13.55as MT2148 - Wonder if they ever intended it to land at NCL. Be interesting to know the reasons they give passengers (Technical?! /more like "Operational")
This is disgraceful, if done purely to have a/c back to base and bus passengers 3+ hours.
If you were to book flights to/from Manchester it would usually be considerably cheaper, so grounds for compensation?!

This happened last week to get an a321aircraft scheduled for Newcastle back to MAN.(although it was first of season to Reus so may have been light on return)

Edit: from FR24:
MT2067 operated by A321 G-TCDL ex Palma has similarly been diverted from Manchester to Newcastle
- Baggage on Belt at NCL so I guess aircraft were switched at Palma

Ringwayman

3rd May 2016, 12:22

May be there are no passengers on board? I doubt they would divert for operational reasons due to the EC261 regulations

nclops

3rd May 2016, 13:08

Please don't believe everything seen on FR24, it's a good tool but not 100% reliable. GTCDL operated to PMI and back this morning as it was always scheduled to. There was never meant to be a 763 on the flight. Also the REU on Sunday was the first op so there was no passengers on the return hence the aircraft positioned back to MAN as it was a MAN based aircraft that positioned in that morning to cover for the tech avion!

LiamNCL

3rd May 2016, 14:55

G-TCDL is the based aircraft just a FR24 error.

HH6702

3rd May 2016, 16:06

Question maybe travelagent maybe able to answer.

Thomson summer brochures have the flight page as days operation now instead of times and airlines used.
However some of the boxes are blue and some aren't do you know what the meaning is?

EK77WNCL

3rd May 2016, 20:46

I believe it normally signifies if "unconventional" length breaks are permitted, i.e outside of 7/14 nights... Thomson really doesn't seem to like the thought of anyone going anywhere for 10 nights, or God forbid 3-5!!!

sunshine79

3rd May 2016, 21:20

In the first week in May the return flights are usually empty as they are taking out the first pax of the season so returning to a different airport wouldn't be a problem

CabinCrewe

3rd May 2016, 21:33

Thomson were the first to offer 10 and 11 night breaks on twice weekly departures which acccounts for most of their program, so wherever twice weekly departures operate then varying durations are offered and have been since the early 80's. Granted not 3 nights which is not a standard 'package holiday' requirement.

HeartyMeatballs

4th May 2016, 06:42

Well, hate to say it guys but if anyone is after a holiday duration that isn't the standard 7/14 days, then easyJet and easyJetHolidays provide flexible periods to numerous destinations including NCE, BCN, ALC, MLA, AGP, FAO, PMI, GVA, RHO, SPU and JER.

Maybe next time the easyBashers who want the base to shut might remember that this would get rid of lots of choice.

SWBKCB

4th May 2016, 16:26

Easyjet certainly provided flexible periods for my last holiday - a four day break was turned into a nine day one as we sat in the departure lounge waiting for our return flight.... :yuk:

They also take a flexible approach to such basic customer service actions as returning money, answering e-mails, etc, :ugh:

GdLSF

4th May 2016, 19:02

HH6702

4th May 2016, 21:55

3/4 nts to Verona in the summer I have used a few times

Travel Agent

8th May 2016, 00:47

HH... apologies for the delay in my reply, I have just returned from a 4 night break in Alicante! I am not sure what they are as Thomson don't send out brochures to us as we are a telesales and online agent.

EK77WNCL

8th May 2016, 18:27

Which airline took you to Alicante?

But... I must say I'm quite proud of myself, just booked a return NCL-Shanghai-NCL for September/October... £321

Will need to book my seats which is about £40 but still a marked saving over the next best I found at £420

Travel Agent

9th May 2016, 10:03

Flew Easyjet out on 320 - around 6 seats left on Tuesday afternoon and back on Saturday evening on 319 (subbed for some reason) where only 1 seat left.

VentureGo

9th May 2016, 10:35

Emirates flight today operated on A6-EWJ - (Arsenal Livery) (77L) B777-200LR, which has approx. 100 fewer economy seats than normally operated B777-300 series.
(216 v 310 to 330 dependent on configuration of business class either 21 or 42)
Is this a one off due to low demand? or other reason.

HH6702

9th May 2016, 14:06

Every year we talk about this.
Low demand is MAY/June if I remember correctly but also we have seen 200's before due to operation reasons.

I'm sure that tomorrow things will be back to normal...

NCIS

9th May 2016, 15:22

Picture of the Arsenal livery at Newcastle at www.flickr.com/photos/emdjt42/26819864512 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emdjt42/26819864512)

long_final

11th May 2016, 13:57

Newcastle airport emergency as passengers are evacuated from plane - Mirror Online (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/newcastle-airport-emergency-passengers-evacuated-7944426)

Slow news day, its not even an incident. Pax were asked to leave the aircraft, hardly an evacuation is it? Wait til the Daily Mail get hold of the story, 'Terrified passengers on packed jet leap to safety from inferno onto Newcastle runway.'

MATELO

11th May 2016, 14:06

A Jet2 plane also bound for the Canaries diverted shortly after take off aswell, chaos everywhere. :rolleyes:

SWBKCB

13th May 2016, 15:47

Easyjet vow to strengthen Newcastle Airport links (From The Northern Echo) (http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/news/14484268.Easyjet_vow_to_strengthen_Newcastle_Airport_links/)

Curious article - suspect this is regional version of the main news around the half yearly results

BUDGET airline Easyjet has refused to rule out new flights from Newcastle Airport as it seeks to overcome the impact of terror attacks.

She (Ali Gayward, UK commercial manager) confirmed the company was committed to Newcastle, revealing it would announce its next destinations from the region in the coming weeks.

EK77WNCL

13th May 2016, 15:53

I hope it's just more than them looking for free "good" publicity claiming to be committed to the NE whereas they're actually just filling in for the routes they've cut because Ryanair and Vueling stole their pax

Either way... Variety is good!

HH6702

13th May 2016, 19:40

Just maybe get a new route then??

fl dutchman

13th May 2016, 23:04

Passenger figures April 2016 vs April 2015.

Domestic down approx 5%.

IT down approx 6.5%.

Int Schedule up approx 12%.

Total up about 3.5%.

Airport Figures.

(hope I have done sums correctly)

Jet2_738

18th May 2016, 17:46

This afternoon's LS582 squawked 7700 on its way into NCL, reports are of an unruly male restrained on board. Assistance was requested by the crew on arrival - yet another idiot kicking off. Let's see how slow of a news day it is in the morning :rolleyes:

SWBKCB

23rd May 2016, 15:24

Newcastle Airport hits back after being named as fifth worst for damaged luggage - Chronicle Live (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-airport-hits-back-after-11349757)

HH6702

23rd May 2016, 17:11

United starts on Thursday let's hope for another good season

nonfrequentflyer_NCL

23rd May 2016, 20:09

United starts on Thursday let's hope for another good season

Bit late now, most of us were waiting all season for them to start ;-)

LiamNCL

24th May 2016, 08:06

Seems like there is quite a bit of downtime on Jet2's 738s on certain days this Summer is their Summer programme fully underway ? GDFC postioned out early this morning then FW postioned in around a hour later seems to be alot of moving around bases of a certain 4 738s got me thinking if any routes have been pulled

chaps1954

24th May 2016, 08:47

Do you mean the new ones? if so 3 are at MAN and 1 LBA

Ian

LiamNCL

24th May 2016, 09:38

The NCL based ones , GDFC, FW,JZHB,E seem to be some days where only 3 are working etc i thought they would be working more flights

Jamesair

24th May 2016, 09:56

The programme is not fully underway. Frequencies will be added to popular destinations over June/July/Aug/Sept.

Beatts

24th May 2016, 16:52

Whilst on the topic, interesting to see they have finally gone ahead with an A330-300 lease for the summer 17 season. Hi-Fly it will be and based MAN but no saying we couldn't see it up here?

LiamNCL

24th May 2016, 17:17

I doubt we will see it up here , Would like to see 5x738s for next year though

Jamesair

30th May 2016, 15:47

Am I right in thinking that SAS has been using 737 equipment over the last few days?

SWBKCB

30th May 2016, 15:53

a 737 and 319 used last week after a couple of CRJ flights cancelled as SAS had a problem with the CRJ fleet (undercarriage!), so clearing backlog/halfterm

HH6702

31st May 2016, 11:23

United Update
Well we have seen the last flight leave for the month of May.
looking at the figures from there website (seat plans are not always correct) i make it that around 824 people outbound making a load of around 81%
Due to the low return numbers for the first week it knocks the overall figures down and i make it 56% load for both ways.
A few things to remember that this year we had 1 less flight than in may 2015 and the load from CAA for may 2015 was 52%
A small increase but an extra flight this year if we didnt have the extra nearly empty inbound the loads would have been around 64%
Good start i think
i look forward to the replies of doom!!!!

LiamNCL

31st May 2016, 16:43

The inbound traffic will only come from Continuation like a year round flight to establish the route so i think UA will know what to expect.

Jamesair

31st May 2016, 19:52

June is looking pretty good each way

jensdad

31st May 2016, 23:28

if we didnt have the extra nearly empty inbound the loads would have been around 64%

Are most of the passengers on the Newark flight Northeasterners going to the US, rather than Americans coming here then? I haven't done a statistical analysis of this but my observation every time I use NCL is that North Eastern voices in the departure lounge outnumber others in by about 3:1? If so, the Green argument that says that regional airports actually take money OUT of a local economy seem justified. Maybe the connectivity that comes from links to hubs such as EWR, BRU, AMS etc can be economically beneficial, but it seems to me that every time a 738 takes 180 folks and their spending money to Malaga for two weeks, and doesn't bring any Spaniards here to spend theirs, that ain't doing the NE economy any good? Discuss!

Skipness One Echo

31st May 2016, 23:43

Jensdad, United allows NE businesses conectivity to US markets. It allows staff to get from A to B without too much hassle and therefore makes the region more attractive to inward investment, capital and jobs. One Thomas Cook B757 per day does not have the same "value" as one United B757 for a host of reasons, and that's saying nothing against TCX or TOM or LS.

Also you should not use the online seat plans to work out load factors, you'll be out.

nighthawk117

1st Jun 2016, 09:35

It depends why those people are flying to New York or connecting onwards to the US. If they are travelling overseas for business, then that is bringing home extra revenue to the North East. If they are going for a holiday then yes, it brings little benefits to the North East directly, however it helps to keep those flights viable for those using them for business purposes.

Providing direct flights opens up new markets, and makes it easier for local businesses to conduct work abroad, and makes the area more attractive for inward investment.

Jamesair

1st Jun 2016, 14:37

Last year, I read that just over 25% of pax on the United flights were US Citizens.

SWBKCB

1st Jun 2016, 15:21

Nighthawk117 has put over the "global connectivity" argument - as to the point about taking money out of the local economy, well that depends on whether the journey would take place whether there is a regional airport or not. I suspect it would - if not Malaga it would be Whitby or Skegness, or more likely it would be a flight to Malaga from MAN or LBA. If the journey is going to take place anyway, it might has well be from a local airport, creating supporting local jobs etc, etc .

Jamesair

1st Jun 2016, 22:52

Does anyone know if the new BMI Stavanger route got off to a good start, load-wise?

Jamesair

1st Jun 2016, 22:55

PARIS (ORLY).....Wikipidia reports a new route to Paris (Orly) operated by HOP commencing 1st June 2017

EK77WNCL

2nd Jun 2016, 00:54

I reckon someone f-ing around with wikipedia... I can't see AF operating ORY and CDG alongside eachother, and I also can't see them ditching CDG because then they lose all of their connecting traffic.

I also just saw a family friend who lives in Manhattan, has family in Gateshead, he flew EWR-NCL on 27th and he said the flight was "super empty" J was full because all the UA loyalty pax got upgraded, the rest were told they couldn't be moved up front due to weight and balance. He was in row 35 and the only pax between something like 33 and 38. He flies back Sunday so I'll see how the loads were. For him EWR-NCL is a godsend, he travels back and forwards 5-6 or more times a year, and even though he has massive BA loyalty he'd much prefer direct. To give you and idea of his BA loyalty, he's incorporated a London trip into one of his visits this year and used his points to fly back LCY-SNN-JFK.

I do feel quite good about UA to be bravely honest, I think they genuinely see something in us, like Emirates did.

HH6702

2nd Jun 2016, 07:03

Jet2 adds LEI for summer 2017

HeartyMeatballs

2nd Jun 2016, 14:37

Interesting. I was thinking Almeria might be one of the upcoming new routes that esyJet will announce in the coming weeks. Obviously not. I wonder where they will be to.

long_final

2nd Jun 2016, 16:06

I think TFS year round and ACE or possibly LPA initially. May be more depending on which rumour mill you believe.

LiamNCL

2nd Jun 2016, 17:52

Thomas Cook also flying to LEI summer 2017

Jamesair

2nd Jun 2016, 19:15

Could there be a connection, with Jet2 selling seats to Thomas Cook?

I'm hoping that Vueling come up with another route in 2017.

ncl2011

2nd Jun 2016, 19:21

Hi everyone. Closet case plane spotter and wannabe NCL airside ranger saying hello. Here's hoping for plenty of new routes/increased frequencies from our hub of the north east!

SWBKCB

2nd Jun 2016, 19:34

Thomas Cook flights to Almeria were announced a couple of months ago, so expect they are separate flights

EK77WNCL

2nd Jun 2016, 22:05

What rumours have been put out regarding EZY's new routes?

I'd hope something new... Useful... Unique? Milan, Venice, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Madrid, Lisbon, Catania, Reykjavik, Marrakech, Mykonos. Maybe even Vienna, Athens, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Bordeaux, Budapest, Pula, Olbia... And probably a few more. Even as a long shot, bring AMS or CDG back. To me it would seem they have all that and more to pick from, but I concede... I can't get my hopes up for anything other than well served, relatively safe routes. I will be very very pleasantly surprised if there is even one more exotic route, and I would hope it works out for them.

The fact that Split is only running 25/06-03/09 this year... Does not fill me with hope for any amazing brand new route offering

long_final

3rd Jun 2016, 07:43

Split ran decent loads last year, so would have expected something more from it this summer too. I must admit I was surprised to see them announce it last year, thought there would have been more destinations on EZY's to do list from NCL, like some of the one's you listed above.
I would back a return of AMS and/or SXF at some point, along with ACE, and I did overhear something about TLV. Watch this space I guess, however as mentioned on another thread, the BFS and BRS ops will switch to a/c and crew from those bases, freeing up some space of the NCL schedule.
Hope something comes of all this, would be nice to see something fresh from EZY and eventually that elusive 4th aircraft

ash666

3rd Jun 2016, 07:52

Am I way behind the times here?

I thought ?Jet2? went to Pisa and Venice???Can't see them on the arrivals/departures board.

long_final

3rd Jun 2016, 07:58

LS fly to Pisa on a Tue and Sat, so won't be on the arr/dep board today. They don't fly to Venice from NCL though

ash666

3rd Jun 2016, 08:00

Thanks for that :)

HeartyMeatballs

3rd Jun 2016, 08:04

I heard it from a cleaner that one of the new routes will be operated by another base. Could it be AMS/CDG/ORY/VCE/NAP? The other new route is operated by NCL and I've only heard rumours.

KEF didn't work for them in BRS. Given the demographic and the competition at GLA and EDI as well as their own route, I just can't see KEF working.

NCL will never be more than a 3 aircraft base.

long_final

3rd Jun 2016, 10:12

Ah those trusty cleaners. They seem to find everything out before anyone else, but they're seldom wrong. AMS with and AMS airframe wouldn't surprise me, as apparently the route was only dropped due to the EZY base opening over there and they wanted to use the slots for other route(s). Now established, maybe they'll come back to NCL.

I doubt KEF would work either, Pula was dropped by LS although Dubrovnik and Split currently served from NCL, and as for IOM, I'm not sure if there's that much demand for a 319, alongside the service with Manx. I believe that the IOM itself subsidises the flights between IOM-BRS and others regardless of pax numbers, so enough of an incentive to remain on these routes. As for the others on the list however, it would be interesting to see something new from somebody, sure it will look nice on the arrival boards, but whether it works is another matter.

Aircraft #4, not in the next couple of years no, I wouldn't say never just yet though

Jamesair

3rd Jun 2016, 15:16

The HOP ...Paris (orly) from 1st June 2017 although gone from the Wikipedia NCL page is still showing on the Paris (ORLY) page.

LiamNCL

3rd Jun 2016, 15:27

Was'nt HOP! supposed to be taking over CDG from Cityjet ?

VentureGo

3rd Jun 2016, 15:50

Flight schedule release dates | easyJet (http://www.easyjet.com/en/schedule-release)

On sale 9th JUNE 2016

Travel between: 6 Feb – 25 Mar 2017
• Winter 2016/2017
• Half term February 2017

yeo valley

3rd Jun 2016, 17:13

i think you will find easy back on the kef route for winter 16/17. they came off the route from brs for s16 saying kef is a winter only route.
wow airline fly from brs to kef with onward connections in canada and usa. i think easy wanted to see how wow are doing on the kef route before making plans.

CabinCrewe

3rd Jun 2016, 19:22

'a cleaner told me' .... this just gets better and better...🙄

canberra97

3rd Jun 2016, 20:16

Well from my experience most cleaners no jack ****, you wouldn't believe the crappy rumours some of the cleaners where I work say!

MerchantVenturer

3rd Jun 2016, 20:43

The suggestion seems to be that because KEF didn't work for easyJet at BRS it wouldn't at NCL. I'm a bit surprised to hear that it didn't work at BRS.

The first two complete calendar years saw over 34,000 in 2014 and over 37,000 in 2015 at mainly 2 x weekly in summer and up to 3 x weekly in winter. Broadly the loads spread between 319 and 320 aircraft averaged out between 140 and 145 throughout the year in 2015. Of course we don't know yields.

As yeo valley points out easyJet is stopping the route next week (originally planned to stop in April) but will resume on 27 October at a mixture of 3 x weekly and 2 x weekly. Given that Wow is competing now and easyJet knew this when they decided to resume in October I wonder whether this shows that KEF might well stand a chance at NCL.

fa2fi

4th Jun 2016, 08:37

I think WOW would brin more to the table than U2. WOW will ring cheap flights to KEF and for those who are obsessed with hub flights (and who claim NCL doesn't have enough) they will be happy knowing that there are supposed 'low cost' flights to the States.

Heathrow Harry

4th Jun 2016, 09:10

"Well from my experience most cleaners no jack ****, you wouldn't believe the crappy rumours some of the cleaners where I work say!"

That's not the question TBH

Are they more accurate than the management or the PR dross is the question - and my experience they often are

HH6702

4th Jun 2016, 09:40

The north east is really only the part of the U.K. WHICH DOESNT have a link to KEF.
I'm guessing it will be high up in the list.
Easyjet would be good for winter only route.

Wow does open up to a different Hub and a different way to cross the pond.

For easyjet would they make more on a route to KEF or maybe start a route which is traditional more popular like ACE, LPA?
Not sure about the flyin time and current gaps but I'm guessing it won't be a completely new route or a route that hasn't been done before

SWBKCB

4th Jun 2016, 09:59

Look at the list of destinations available with EZY from BRS and NCL and I'm not sure comparing the two is valid - plenty of other potential destinations apart from the current obsession with KEF.

EK77WNCL

4th Jun 2016, 14:55

I think it's probably a well deserved "obsession" with KEF, it's becoming a huge tourist destination, I still haven't actually met anyone who have said they have no interest in going. Almost everyone has said they definitely want to go (back) and a lot would go if it was more convenient. I reckon whether its EZY on an A319, Wow on an A320, Jet2 on a 733 or Air Iceland on a Dash 8, we're in for a route there in the not too distant future.

I would have said the same about Morocco, but I don't know if the fact it's in North Africa puts some people off at the minute. Even still, Agadir could be a viable Sharm replacement. Why did TOM not go through with it?

Is it confirmed BFS and BRS are going to be operated from those bases? Hopefully schedules won't be detrimentally effected, the opposite maybe? But if that is true that is A LOT of free time EZY will have now, with the frequency reductions where Ryanair are as well, I think 3/4 routes could be feasible, maybe 4/5 if we were to get AMS-NCL-AMS

Interesting question just for fun: "Which of Newcastle's airlines are most likely to get to 4 based aircraft first? Easyjet, Thomson, Thomas cook... Or Ryanair?"

EDIT: Sorry I keep forgetting, we are on A/C 7 for Jet2 this year aren't we?

HH6702

4th Jun 2016, 15:50

Jet2 will be 8 next summer

LiamNCL

4th Jun 2016, 16:55

How many of them 8 Jet2 based aircraft will be -800s ?

HH6702

4th Jun 2016, 17:32

Not sure but remember they start getting the new 738 off Boeing this winter

LiamNCL

4th Jun 2016, 18:21

Not sure but remember they start getting the new 738 off Boeing this winter

Thats what im thinking be nice to see 6 738s that would surely see more seats on offer than the 757 days

EK77WNCL

5th Jun 2016, 01:26

Aye 6/2 it would probably tip the balance over to a couple thousand more seats over the season than they ever offered with the 757.

However... I must say... How many years now is it we've been promised A/C 8? I'm sure 2017 makes it the 4th, at least 3rd season we've been "promised" 8 based. Fingers crossed for more expansion announced around September/October time though, surely A/C 8 will be doing more than x1 weekly Almeria run ;):}

SWBKCB

5th Jun 2016, 08:21

I'm sure 2017 makes it the 4th, at least 3rd season we've been "promised" 8 based.

Have we? Any comments I can find talk about expansion - which has been delivered - rather than actual a/c numbers, but happy to see any evidence otherwise.

EK77WNCL

5th Jun 2016, 11:48

I've heard 8 aircraft thrown about for a long time, definitely before the 757's went because I was hoping for 2 757, 2 733, 4 738

You could argue that yes they have delivered "expansion" but we used to be almost guaranteed 4/5 new routes every year from them, I hope S17 has a similar announcement. Thessaloniki, Kefalonia, Vienna, Budapest... Kos maybe? All seem like gaps Jet2 could fill. 2/3 weekly Paris would be lovely, slightly more affordable than Jet2 and has the advantage of Jet2citybreaks. Berlin I'd rather see Easyjet or Ryanair do but still, would be nice. It would also be very pleasant to see Pula or Venice return. Toulouse, I'm not sure... Did that ever get decent loads, I think it only operated for 1 season. I wonder if Jet2 are stuck for expansion, I can't really think of that much more they might be able to do

SWBKCB

5th Jun 2016, 13:06

I appreciate that this is a rumour network but

How many years now is it we've been promised A/C 8?

makes it sound like there have been public statements but now it's

I've heard 8 aircraft thrown about for a long time

so just gossip? I'm all for giving somebody a hard time if they don't do what they're say they're going to do, but...

CabinCrewe

5th Jun 2016, 15:59

can the NCL cleaner perhaps confirm or deny... 🙄

HeartyMeatballs

5th Jun 2016, 16:10

Oh the cleaners won't know about aircraft basings. You'll need to ask the honey truck driver to see who will base what here next year.

jensdad

6th Jun 2016, 00:43

I still haven't actually met anyone who have said they have no interest in going [to Iceland]. Almost everyone has said they definitely want to go (back) and a lot would go if it was more convenient.

You seem to move in rarified circles, EK7 :) Most of the people I know either don't travel abroad, or have a week or two in the sun every summer. Only a minority of folks seem interested in places like Iceland. I did go 6 years ago and it is indeed fantastic. I only met (or heard) one Brit outside of Reykjavik though, I get the feeling that many Brits who go to these places do so to 'tick them off' - ''That's it , I've had my weekend in Reykjavik, so that's Iceland off the list'' sort of thing.