NEWCASTLE - 8

[Beatts]

Apparently only 28 PAX on today's EZY PMI, A320 too!!

[nclops]

28 pax on the return from PMI maybe. Quite normal at this time of year as it's the first week of operation for the summer season and the inbound loads will be low. It went out to PMI with a lot more than 28 on.

[NorthEasterner]

Only around 40 - 50 pax on the first inbound MAD flight... hopefully inbound traffic grows and not just the outbound traffic.

Loads looking quite good for tomorrow's inbound and outbound Madrid.

Shows potential for growth in new markets by having these direct routes which are already proving popular.

[nclops]

The figure on the first MAD inbound was in the 70s.

[EK77WNCL]

Does anyone break the figures down into demographics to see if the routes are actually leading to any growth in inbound traffic and tourism?

I can't envisage much from TFS, ACE, PMI, FAO but perhaps AGP, MAD and certainly WAW, GDN, WRO should have brought in at least some people?

Despite North Easterners being rather shy and unwilling when it comes to trying somewhere new, maybe more wealthy foreign tourists might fancy a weekend break in the North East?

Another hope I have with MAD is that football fans will use it, a lot use BCN.

[johnnychips]

Another hope I have with MAD is that football fans will use it, a lot use BCN.

Well get yourselves promoted! Apparently there is a lot of weekend traffic from Scandinavia and Ireland to watch Liverpool and Manchester U***** (sorry, City fan) and I can imagine your St James' Park's atmosphere is good, as well as the nightlife. Perhaps some entrepreneur can sell some football tours to Newcastle.

[LiamNCL]

Speaking of Easyjet A320 i believe the current based A320 is the newest member of the fleet G-EZRA. Back on topic it was the return leg PMI-NCL that had 28 PAX which is normal.

[jensdad]

I am pleasantly surprised that there were 70 folks on the first inbound from Madrid. I've said on here before that, contrary to what the Newcastle Gateshead (those are still two separate words in my book) Initiative will tell you, inbound tourists to our neck of the woods are pitifully small in numbers. A listen to the voices in the departure lounge will tell you that the vast majority of folks using the airport are from within about 50 miles of Woolsington. It may be that that will improve with Ryanair and with general trends in tourism in general. I hope so - within reason anyway, we don't want the Northumbrian beaches getting too crowded!


For the last few years NUFC were in the Premier League, there was often a large block of seats around me that were taken up by visiting fans from the Netherlands. I spoke to a few of them and most of them seemed to come in on the ferry, though. Not sure if they are still coming now that we are in the Second Division, as I ditched my season ticket - for financial reasons rather than because they were crap, honest :)

[NorthEasterner]

The figure on the first MAD inbound was in the 70s.



That's more like it! I was only passing on what I had been told re the 40-50 figure.


Today's (31/03) FR flights to MAD, FAO, TFS, and GDN seem to be quite full with all of them having a 90% + load factor.


I can say that Alicante, Mallorca and Warsaw are similar loads as well.

[SWBKCB]

Does anyone break the figures down into demographics to see if the routes are actually leading to any growth in inbound traffic and tourism?

The airline will know, and hopefully the Border Agency, but the only other source I've seen of this sort of info is the CAA passenger survey information which appears occasionally

[fl dutchman]

Jet2

Summer 2018 from NCL on sale now.

Comparing Summer 2018(AUG) to 2017(AUG)

Alicante -2 flights per week
TFS -1
PMI -1
GRO -1
Ibiza +1
Reus +1
LCA +1

So at the moment slightly down. However in the e mail announcing the release it said something like, watch this space for some exiting new destinations on the horizon.

So some announcements on the way?

Is it 4 738s and 3 733s from NCL this summer.

Is there anything in the rumour on the DTV thread about Jet2 flying from there in 2018??

[GrahamK]

Not a big fan of the new airport website. Too much in your face.

Jet2 LEI going 2 x weekly

[Jamesair]

I make the Jet 2 Summer 18 programme up 1 from 93 to 94 departures weekly....interesting to see what the new destinations might be. Maybe that will give NCL 8 a/c next summer.

[GrahamK]

I make the Jet 2 Summer 18 programme up 1 from 93 to 94 departures weekly....interesting to see what the new destinations might be. Maybe that will give NCL 8 a/c next summer.
I would suggest Bodrum, Thessaloniki, Kefallonia and Naples

[Jamesair]

Good choices Graham, not sure about Bodrum though. Maybe a return to Egypt or Tunisia if security clearance is given

[HH6702]

Thomson adds weekly flights to Dubrovnik again for summer 2018

[EK77WNCL]

If we were to get A/C 8, I'd say Kefalonia (x1 weekly) was well overdue, as is Budapest (x2 weekly) and a return of Venice (x2 weekly)

Aside from that x1 weekly Thessaloniki would be a very welcome addition once weekly (I don't know why we were left out from the initial destinations list)

Others on my wishlist would be an second Madeira flight and Kos (x1 weekly). Oddballs, but plausible would be x2/3 weekly Paris and x2 weekly Vienna. With x12 extra weekly flights, plus a couple of well placed frequency increases, that would just about see one more aircraft filled up. Fingers crossed for 3 733/5 738 next year.

I really can't see Egypt or Tunisia coming back, Jet2 has always been more on the cautious side with that. If anything I think it would be Hurghada and only from a select few airports, namely Manchester and maybe Stansted. I'd say Morocco would be more likely to feature than Egypt or Tunisia. I'm also hoping Iceland makes an appearance in the not too distant future.

Naples would be nice, but is it worth risking TOM? Same could be said for Split. Glad to see TOM return to Dubrovnik, hopefully they're co-existing nicely there unlike Madeira, it would seem.

It doesn't appear to be an error... But Rome will be x3 weekly in March '18 and x4 weekly April '18, reverting to x2 weekly for the rest of the season, any ideas why?

[Jamesair]

That would coincide with the Easter Holidays and with the religious connection, Rome would be very popular in that period.

[LiamNCL]

Jet2 is a 738 base from 2018 isnt it ?

[EK77WNCL]

I'd be rather surprised, and slightly disappointed if we were all 738 next year

[LiamNCL]

I'd be rather surprised, and slightly disappointed if we were all 738 next year

Someone mentioned it earlier in this thread that the 733 will be replaced by the -800 next summer

[oldart]

A Dreamliner would go down well on a 'W' pattern to JFK from LBA/NCL, or just the 757.

[mockingjay]

I think when it's comes to NYC it's only Jet2 who can make it work and it's a very limited service.

A Dreamliner is too much and with no feed either end I doubt it would work.

[GrahamK]

Bodrum and Thessaloniki new for S18 from LS.

LS S18(based on August):
Alicante: 12 x weekly (-2 x weekly)
Almeria: 2 x weekly (+1 x weekly)
Antlaya: 1 x weekly
Bodrum: 1 x weekly (New, Thurs operation)
Corfu: 1 x weekly
Heraklion: 2 x weekly
Dalaman: 2 x weekly
Dubrovnik: 2 x weekly
Faro: 7 x weekly
Fuerteventura: 2 x weekly
Girona: 2 x weekly (-1 x weekly)
Las Palmas: 2 x weekly
Ibiza: 7 x weekly (+1 x weekly)
Krakow: 2 x weeekly
Arrecife: 3 x weekly
Larnaca: 2 x weekly (+1 x weekly)
Funchal: 1 x weekly
Palma: 12 x weekly (-1 x weekly)
Malaga: 7 x weekly
Malta: 1 x weekly
Menorca: 3 x weekly
Murcia: 2 x weekly
Paphos: 2 x weekly
Pisa: 2 x weekly
Prague: 2 x weekly
Reus: 4 x weekly (+1 x weekly)
Rhodes: 2 x weekly
Rome: 2 x weekly
Tenerife: 4 x weekly (-1 x weekly)
Thessaloniki: 1 x weekly (new, thurs operation).
Zakynthos: 2 x weekly

[EK77WNCL]

Glad to see Thessaloniki making an appearance finally! And good to see Bodrum back, here's hoping it does well! I wonder, will this be all from Jet2 for another year?

I'll definitely be considering Halkidiki for next year now.

[ATNotts]

A Dreamliner would go down well on a 'W' pattern to JFK from LBA/NCL, or just the 757.
Descending into the realms of fantasy I fear!

[HH6702]

Thomson summer 2018 goes on sale next Thursday 20th April.
Let's hope they add a few new routes :)

[ash666]

Is there a reason the Italian beaches died out, eg Rimini, Cattolica etc?

[jensdad]

The beach resorts in that area of North East Italy haven't really died out, they are still massively popular with Italian tourists. A lot of Russians go there as well. It's strange how different nationalities' tastes in holiday destination come and go. At one stage, virtually every regional airport in the UK seemed to have flights to the Dominican Republic, even our friends down at Teesside when it was called Teesside. Now it's just Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester and maybe Glasgow I think. Likewise, I seem to remember flights to Agadir from Newcastle back in my younger days - early 80s, maybe even late 70s?

[GrahamK]

CAA provisional stats for 2017 out; though no direct comparison with 2016, unless you want to manually go through Feb 2016. Bare in mind 29 days in Feb 2016, compared to 28 in 2017.

Brussels: 1651
Copenhagen: 1396
Paris CDG: 11350
Berlin: 2883
Dusseldorf: 3133
Cork: 1099
Dublin: 20918
Amsterdam: 26283
Gdansk: 2349
Krakow: 1060
Warsaw: 2388
Wroclaw: 2433
Dubai: 19695 (LY 18597) 82.17% Loads

[Jamesair]

For the last couple of days BMI's Stavanger flight hasn't shown on the airport website departure/arrivals board...is this technical? I've subsequently checked the BMI timetable and I see they have cut out Wednesday flights during April

[Ph1l1pncl]

I always thought that Newcastle was the third largest base for Jet2 in terms of seats available, but it appears from reading all the press releases for summer 18 that East Midlands is larger. The press release says 32 routes and 920,000 seats for summer 18 whereas Newcastle is 31 routes and 880,000 seats with Glasgow close behind on 870,000 seats for summer 18. It be interesting to see how big Stansted will be in Summer 18 too.

Does Jet2 ground handle in house at Newcastle, or is it just check in and customer staff service they have in house at Newcastle? As they have brought all ground handling in house at East Midlands.

[NorthEasterner]

Jet2 is self handling (above wing) which is check in, boarding and ticket sales. Under wing (fuelling, baggage handling and pushback) is done by Swissport.

[FRatSTN]

STN is fourth largest for S17 behind I'm guessing MAN, LBA and EMA.

Definitely some S18 expansion for BHX in the pipeline and would be surprised if STN didn't get another aircraft tbh.

NCL probably sits around their fifth biggest operation, could possibly slip to sixth depending on the scale of BHX expansion.

[SWBKCB]

Blimey - up to seven based at STN in the first season? Somebodies spotted a gap...

Also interesting to see if EMA and BHX affect each other - that's supposed to be the perceived wisdom. NCL definitely in the slow and steady category for Jet2

[EK77WNCL]

Newcastle pays the bills, East Midlands and Leeds keep the wife happy, but Manchester, Birmingham and Stansted mean you never have to worry about money again while you lie on a sunny Caribbean beach hoping the house boy cleaned the Jag.

Not just with Jet2, that's always been the case, and always will be.

Stansted has 7 based aircraft planned when the base has only been open 2 weeks, it took Newcastle almost a decade to get there

[01475]

The gap they're filling at Stansted is one created purely by how easyJet and Ryanair market their flights. It's quite a risky gap...

[N707ZS]

The Royal Mail flight was the big money flight for Jet 2 at Newcastle now that has gone you might see a change in loyalty especially when they have got Ryanair on they're case.

[SWBKCB]

So the one Mail flight was supporting all the other based a/c? Might have been true back in the early days of the base, but seems a bit of a stretch.

[N707ZS]

In other words the mail was the guaranteed banker were as the pax flights are fighting against the opposition for the lowest cut, which the pax demand.

[Jamesair]

With the Royal Mail aircraft sitting at NCL all day not earning, I'm sure that was the reason for them starting pax operations from the airport in the first place. In the early days it would have provided a nice financial cushion.

I should think the operation is self supporting and profitable now or we wouldn't have 7 based a/c.

[Chesty Morgan]

The gap they're filling at Stansted is one created purely by how easyJet and Ryanair market their flights. It's quite a risky gap...

Incorrect.

N7, The RM hasn't been big money for several years now, I doubt you will see any change...except to the inside of FE.

[Beatts]

With the Royal Mail aircraft sitting at NCL all day not earning.

It was never sat during the day, they just couldn't stick the QC on the long routes because of the extra weight from the door. Thats why they used it on the Prague etc.

[Jamesair]

You are talking about after they introduced pax service out of NCL, I am talking about the quite long period before that when the a/c did nothing else except the RM runs.

[mockingjay]

'Tis a strange place is pprune at times. Last week we were discussing the potential 8th LS plane at NCL. One week on we are saying that the Royal Mail flight is the only thing keeping the base going?

If I'm honest I reckon STN has exceeded their expectations big time. Like easyJet they'll figure out there's more money to be made down south and will shift craft accordingly. They'll reduce frequencies and fly fewer, but fuller flights like easyJet did.

That's my thinking anyway! I wonder if they'll be mauled on here like easyJet was (is) on here.

[NorthEasterner]

Ryanair Winter 2017 / 18 has been loaded onto the Ryanair website.

All routes remain for the winter period with the exception of PMI and GRO.

Tenerife has increased to 3 x weekly (TUE, WED, FRI)
Gdansk Friday flight time changed from 1840 to 17:55 DEP.
Faro is 2 x weekly (THUR & SUN)

ALC, AGP, ACE, WMI, WRO remain the same as Winter 2016/17 with either no or very minimal time changes.

Good to see more commitment from Ryanair on these routes. :ok:

Who knows, we might see more come out...

[SWBKCB]

One week on we are saying that the Royal Mail flight is the only thing keeping the base going?

No - for a start, the mail flight has stopped.

My understanding is that the RM flight was important in the early days of the base, underpinning it's profitability as it got established (believe the same happened at EDI), but became considerably less important over time.

[Jamesair]

and NCL retains the Madrid route for Winter 17/18 at 2 x weekly and Dublin at 13 weekly.......36 weekly flights against 31 for Winter 16/17

[EK77WNCL]

No new routes, but glad to see expansion for the winter season, which is well needed to try and combat seasonality at Newcastle. I'm quite surprised Girona isn't going year round considering it was always a year round route but perhaps that'll come in the future.

Here's hoping for a prosperous Summer 2018 from Ryanair and others.

Am I correct in thinking the Thomson Summer 2018 schedule comes out on 20/04?

[HH6702]

Yes correct for thomson this Thursday

[HH6702]

I'm told from a person who works in the travel agents for Thomson that there is no new routes from NCL.
I'm sure that we have got Dubrovnik back as a cruise and stay but could be wrong

[Travel Agent]

Correct, nothing new from Newcastle

[HH6702]

Thomson Summer 2018

Weekly flights

ALC- Alicante x3
Boj- bourgas x2
Cun - cancun 1/2
CFU- Corfu x2
Her- Heraklion X1
Dlm- Dalaman x2 (FHY Monday flight)
Fao- Faro x1
Lpa- las palmas x1
Ibz- Ibiza x3
Efl- kefalonia x1
Kgs- kos x1
Ace- lanzarote x2
Lca- laranca x2
Agp- Malaga x2
Mah- menorca X1
Nap- Naples x2
Orlando - same 1/2
PMI- Palma - x4
Paphos x2
Reus x3
Rhodes x2
Skiathos x1 operated by MT
Tenerife x3
Zante x2

[SWBKCB]

Budget carrier says relationship with Newcastle Airport could yield more routes (From The Northern Echo) (http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/15231299.Airline_Easyjet_raises_hopes_of_new_flights_from_No rth_East_airport_after_passenger_demand_rises/)

Headlines:


numbers expected to exceed 1.1 million this year

in excess of 100,000 of those flying for business

increased flights by 13 per cent this winter

[Beatts]

Very good to see that Paris and Venice are being mentioned.

Be good to see what the future brings.

[HH6702]

Sounds promising but........

[Binder]

.....they used to operate Paris and said it wasn't making money even though the loads were very good. So what has changed?

'Hot air' and 'background noise'?

[apaul]

No exactly a convincing article when it mentions Newcastle-Las Palmas which easyJet has dropped.

[HH6702]

Jet2 are looking at city routes for summer 2018

[EK77WNCL]

All good news though, Venice is a gaping hole from NCL (I'm flying NCL-BRS tonight and BRS-VCE tomorrow)

Jet2 do well on their city routes so I'd be surprised if they weren't at least looking

If EZY brought Paris back and opened up Venice again, Jet2 did Budapest and someone (EZY/FR) brought Milan back next year... It'd be a good year

[VentureGo]

Maybe EasyJet could look at and make a success of Copenhagen from NCL.

Looking at Return fares from NCL - CPH the cheapest are with BA via LHR at around £250

Cheapest direct fares with SAS are £320! (various dates from June onward)

EasyJet from Edinburgh to/from Copenhagen is c. £29 each way (£approx. £60 return)
- Wonder how many people get the train/tram to Edinburgh Airport from Newcastle at around £25 return? Much cheaper!
Sure we would also get a lot of Danes traveling to Newcastle at EasyJet fares.

Pity Easyjet don't operate at Oslo, Stavanger & Bergen airports (LCC seem to be dominated by Norwegian), as these were always popular with repeat visitors to the region when Braathens operated daily 737 services - and weren't particularly low cost)

[SWBKCB]

haven't EZY already done CPH?

[HeartyMeatballs]

VCE and CDG can be operated by aircraft based in these locations freeing up NCL based aircraft to fly more routes or keeping encurrent setup but with more flying done from other bases. TFS should have increased frequency.

I don't think CDG was a matter of it not making money rather they thought they could make more money elsewhere.

CPH has been done. City places come and go. I just don't think CPH is on trend enough right now to sustain a 156Y service. In fact, easyJet just doesn't have a good track record when it comes to Scandinavia (except for CPH).

easyJet continues to deliver a strong performance at NCL. They're taking the fight to Ryanair. They chased Vueling out of town and are continuing to develop the base. Even the tiny increase of 6 seats on their A320 will help the economics of the base.

Haters gonna hate, but orange tails will be here at NCL in bigger numbers for years to come and staff will continue to be based here. There will never be a fourth aircraft.

[LiamNCL]

Easyjet know their market from NCL and they do it exceptionally well. We wont get a 4th Aircraft but i can see 1 A319 being peddled for a 2nd A320 in time.

[inOban]

All good news though, Venice is a gaping hole from NCL (I'm flying NCL-BRS tonight and BRS-VCE tomorrow)

Jet2 do well on their city routes so I'd be surprised if they weren't at least looking

If EZY brought Paris back and opened up Venice again, Jet2 did Budapest and someone (EZY/FR) brought Milan back next year... It'd be a good year

You could of course have taken the train to Edinburgh, giving you a choice of Jet2 or Easyjet tomorrow.

[SWBKCB]

or got the train to MAN or BHX or flown via CDG, etc....

[inOban]

Spoilt for choice, in fact.

[EK77WNCL]

I believe in "use it or lose it" so where possible I fly from Newcastle...

However, the better half lives in Bristol so it's relatively convenient for me, and the return fares from BRS were not to be sniffed at, especially with the convenience of my easyJet plus card

We did Milan, Rome and Venice from Newcastle last year with Bmi regional, Brussels Airlines and Alitalia

For routes like Venice, though.. Do people really want to spend hours just travelling to the airport, on what is likely to be a 3/4 day trip. Look at Berlin, it's not doing too badly at all, and I can say anecdotally that a lot of people I know have only just booked up to go, or considered it seriously because of the direct flights (myself included, 29th June I'm off). It was probably the biggest example where people would say "I'd love to go but it's such a pain to get to from here, it's not worth it"

And for anyone interested, quick neb on the computer screens today. EZY569, NCL-BRS, 119 pax (124 with 5 no show) and 13 checked in bags

[ash666]

I haven't parked at NCL before but I was just wondering if I pre-book and give a leave time but my flight is delayed and it's later than that what happens?
Do I put my card in the machine on departure and it gets charged extra automatically or do I have to call for assistance somehow?

[nighthawk117]

I haven't parked at NCL before but I was just wondering if I pre-book and give a leave time but my flight is delayed and it's later than that what happens?
Do I put my card in the machine on departure and it gets charged extra automatically or do I have to call for assistance somehow?

Normally car parks charge by the day, starting from the morning of the day of arrival. So unless your flight is delayed and arrives after midnight, it probably wont make any difference.

If it does, just call for assistance and say your flight was delayed, they'll probably waive the extra charges.

[ash666]

Thanks.
My flight would come in at 22.25 and the latest time you can book on the day would be 23.00 which is a bit optimistic.
A 23.59 option would be good.

[SWBKCB]

When I was delayed three days by the antics of a certain orange-tailed airline, they were very helpful and did indeed waive any extra charges. :ok:

[ash666]

Great.

Hopefully if I book until 11pm for a 22:25 arrival they will understand.

[Beatts]

Southampton and Exeter included in the 2017/18 winter for flybe.

[SWBKCB]

Yes - very strange/sloppy piece on the Chronicle website - while EXT has come and gone, haven't BE operated SOU for years??

Flybe announce new flights from Newcastle Airport for people heading south - Chronicle Live (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/flybe-announce-new-flights-newcastle-12946497)

[Beatts]

As per!

yeah i am sure they have, classic Chronicle i guess haha.

[Jamesair]

It used to be operated by Eastern then Flybe launched the route and saw Eastern off. They tried the same tactic with ABZ but Eastern managed to see them off.

[jensdad]

I've written on here before about the standards of journalism at the Chronicle, and the standards of honesty at Newcastle Airport's and Flybe's respective press offices. But describing flights from NCL to EXT and SOU as 'new' really takes the whole barrel of biscuits. 'Fake news' didn't begin with Donald Trump.

[LiamNCL]

LY-VEN inbound from Naples ahead of its summer lease for TCX

[NorthEasterner]

Ryanair today 'officially' launched their Newcastle Winter 2017 schedule.

Ryanair launches Newcastle Winter 2017 Schedule (http://www.newcastleairport.com/article/429/ryanair-winter-2017)

Welcome to Ryanair! (http://corporate.ryanair.com/news/news/170426-newcastle-winter-2017-schedule-launched/)

Two new winter routes to Faro and Madrid, as well as continuation of all routes from Winter 2016.

NE

[Beatts]

Neos should be starting their flights on Monday the 1st to verona until 1-10-17.

[EK77WNCL]

Saw something on Facebook earlier saying easyJet was dropping Jersey. I can't find the post anymore, anybody know if there's truth in this or is it just to do with the fact Summer '18 isn't out yet?

I hope not, the route's done well with easy on board

[jensdad]

How is Easy's Jersey route doing passenger wise? Just had a quick flick through the last few monthly passenger stats on here and Jersey doesn't seem to be included. Other than myself 4 years ago (NCL-SOU-JER and back on BE), I don't know many people who have been to Jersey for holidays recently. Having said that, I understand that there are plenty of financial companies have offices there that might generate some business traffic.

[HH6702]

Jersey is summer only route may-oct?

[Montreal-Dubai]

Hi Jensdad :) I have used this route twice a year since it started, and the loads are always really good, either full, or maybe a few empty seats. From the start, I was amazed at the huge jump in passengers travelling. When Fly BE did the route, you would maybe get 44-50 pax on the Q400, but now its the A319, with 156 seats I believe? You can tell that the Easyjet brand, marketing reach, and pricing structure have all benifitted this route, as for a large part of the season, Newcastle and Liverpool have the cheapest prices to Jersey, from the Midlands up to Scotland, and passengers come from a large catchment to use the service, much bigger than Newcastle's immediate catchment. It is popular inbound too, as Channel islanders often just need a landing point, before travelling onwards within the UK. ;) With regards to this route finishing in October, well lets face it, it does that every year as it is summer only. 2018 summer routes are not out yet, so isnt it a case of someone getting the wrong end of the stick? We shall see, but I certainly hope so. Fly BE have a strangle hold on Jersey flights the length and breadth of this country. The small, well placed Easyjet routes serve up good competition in this very specialised market. ;)

[jensdad]

Thanks for the info, MontrealDubai. I must admit I didn't realise it was summer only. Hope they do reinstate it for 2018 as I wouldn't mind another trip over there at some stage!

[tigertanaka]

Had a fab trip on U2 to JER about 2 years ago. It was £71 return each during the May school half term which maybe suggests that while Easyjet can sell seats on this route, maybe yields are not great.

JER is a great place for a mini break, one of the best trips I have done.

[Jamesair]

I can only only give you 2016 figures for Jersey.
March 228
April 2313 up 13% on 2015
May 3113 up 31%
Jun 3676 up 59%
July 3918 up 19%
Aug 4876 up 46%
Sep 3041 up 32%
Oct 2509 up 29%

Frequency was increased over 2015.
I don't know the load factor figures

[Jamesair]

The February statistics which appeared on the old airport website are now showing on the new website and have been revised with total movements now showing as 3,442 (3371) and total pax as 280,200 (287,609).

No sign of the March figures yet.

[VentureGo]

The February statistics which appeared on the old airport website are now showing on the new website and have been revised with total movements now showing as 3,442 (3371) and total pax as 280,200 (287,609).

No sign of the March figures yet.

That's got to an error, as January 2017 is exactly the same figures for every detail. Seems January figures have just been duplicated.
Airport should update!

[EK77WNCL]

I believe NCL-JER was x4 weekly during 2016, which I'm sure was 3 A320's and 1 A319 in peak summer, this year it's x3 weekly A319. The A320 always did the Saturday flight in the past but that seems to have changed.

[fl dutchman]

Newcastle -Jersey is 4 weekly from the end of June 2017.

[Montreal-Dubai]

Hi EK77WNCL ;) Easyjet rarely use the A320 on the Jersey route from anywhere on their network. It has always been an A319 when I have travelled on the Saturday flight certainly. The only time they tend to draft an A320 in, is during periods of disruption, when multiple Gatwick flights for example, get consolidated. The A319 is a perfect fit for this type of market.

[N707ZS]

Things you should never do inside an airport after two men "pretended to be suitcases" (http://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle/travel/things-you-should-never-do-inside-an-airport-after-two-men-pretended-to-be-suitcases/ar-BBAypnv?li=AAnZ9Ug&ocid=U220DHP)

[EK77WNCL]

I was there! In the smoking area and I saw a police car driving on the apron, then as I left, a police officer and a bloke in a suit (assuming some kind of high up security person) came running up the stairs from gate 31 and said "here I'll check the smoking area!

Anyway I proceed down to my gate, just as I get to the bottom of the escalator passing the lounge, they come running down shouting "along here leg it"

Nice little bit of entertainment... I then heard the easyjet girls (who were taking much interest in proceedings after the blokes ran past) talking about a group of drunks or something. Whether this was a different event or something that had just happened, I don't know. Rather amusing nonetheless.

Ah, sorry about that, I just remember looking on the EZY website and seeing an A320 seat map scheduled for the Saturday rotations, and multiple weekly rotations Summer 2016. The increase to x4 weekly for S17 must have been a recent a quiet addition! Good new though.

Still appears as if many routes lose frequency through July and August though, oddly enough.

[LiamNCL]

Avion gone tech already ? TCDX just flew in from MAN to operate REU

[Jamesair]

The March statistics are now on the CAA website

[GrahamK]

Brussels: +28%
Copenhagen: +32%
Paris CDG: -5%
Berlin: 2788
Dusseldorf: +4%
Cork: +30%
Dublin: +24%
Amsterdam: -3%
Barcelona: +21%
Madrid: 550
Geneva: +5%
Prague: +9%
Gdansk: 2659
Krakow: 2535
Warsaw: 2344
Wroclaw: 2522
Dubai: 20490 -5%

Heathrow: +4%
Aberdeen: -8%
Belfast Int: +7%
Cardiff: +16%
Southampton: -6%


Total pax: +11% for March

[Jamesair]

Good to see the new Polish routes all holding up well and Brussels recovering from its sharp downturn. Copenhagen doing well and Dusseldorf steadily rising and Barcelona rising nicely. Dublin always surprises me with double figure increases most months.
Dubai with its 5% fall and the others must be set against Easter falling in March last year.

Exeter and Bristol figures are not yet available.

[sunshine79]

Does anyone know why today's EK36 was cancelled?

[sinbad73]

https://www.emirates.com/english/plan_book/flight_status/flightstatus_results.aspx?FlightNumber=36&searchType=Status&UrlReferrer=1&h=62fc78c5704d7efe567a3d173ed01def94b4f0d0

[milhouse999]

Does anyone know why today's EK36 was cancelled?

Is the Emirates still at Newcastle? Looking at Flightradar, A6-ECE hasn't moved since it went tech yesterday.

[HH6702]

It left late last night

[milhouse999]

It left late last night

Anyone know the reason it was stuck at NCL?

[NorthEasterner]

Aircraft came down too hard causing damage to the aircraft. Hydraulic leaks and bits of metal found on stand where Emirates was.

[VentureGo]

March 2017 figures now appearing on Airport's Website:
Passenger Statistics (http://www.newcastleairport.com/passengerstatistics)
334,553 total passengers for March'17 vs 300,965 for March last year.

[Beatts]

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/easyjet-opts-to-take-a321neo-437248/

Interesting news for EZY!

[HH6702]

Will all be based in London I think doubt we will be seeing any at NCL

[NorthEasterner]

We will not be seeing the A321 NEO at NCL unfortunately. To be based at other UK/European hubs.

This has been confirmed.

[LiamNCL]

We wont see the A321 but its a real posibillity that those 2 A319s could become A320's in the future

[HH6702]

A319's are to leave the fleet so the A320's will replace them

[EK77WNCL]

Finally! Only about 10 years late to the party!

I bet we do see it at some point, anyone can see they're going to end up with more than 30 of them, I bet they end up making up about 50% of the fleet. Natural progression to go for the larger aircraft, who knows, EZY might even flirt with the A321LR one day?

As of this minute, our 2 current A319's will evolve into 2, 186 seat A320/A320neo, however I hope that doesn't happen. I'd much rather see them turn into 3/4 Cseries, with an A320neo for the summer beach shuttles. Fingers crossed!

[SWBKCB]

I'd much rather see them turn into 3/4 Cseries, with an A320neo for the summer beach shuttles. Fingers crossed!

Aren't most of EZY flights ex NCL summer beach shuttles with some short sectors to maximise utilisation? Today EZY have deps. to BFS (x3!), BRS, AGP, PMI, FAO, BCN - which routes do you think are suitable for the C Series?

[EK77WNCL]

The Cseries could do everything the A319's do today, more efficiently, so hopefully more based aircraft and more routes could end up happening (maybe, one day, in my dreams, I hope)

Your example today, in a perfect world, we might see Bristol and Belfast go back to their old, real, useful schedules 2/3 daily, a London route could become feasible again, say 2/3 to Stansted. Berlin, Geneva, Nice, Jersey, Split would be good contenders.

In terms of new routes, Milan, Venice, Budapest, Amsterdam, Paris, Hamburg, Reykjavik, Marrakech could all be feasible additions with next gen, fuel efficient aircraft... All we need now is for someone to buy them, and easyjet has expressed a lot of interest.

3 CS100
1/2 A320neo
1 A321neo (perhaps seasonal)

Would be fantastic 10 years down the line IMO, and I don't think it's necessarily that unattainable

[Heathrow Harry]

" All we need now is for someone to buy them"

There's the fatal flaw ..................

[GrahamK]

Looks like AF/Hop changes to an E170 for S18

[EK77WNCL]

Paris isn't that strong (with AF) so I'm not surprised really, rather expensive at times, but I'm in full support if it keeps us 3 daily

[LiamNCL]

Its been dropped at GLA so good to keep the link

[Jamesair]

CityJet are now offering twice daily flights to Amsterdam Dep 0930 and 1730 with their own flight numbers but both flights are the same timings as the KLM offering so I presume they must be code share.

[GrahamK]

April Provisional Stats:
Heathrow: +2%
Belfast Int: +18%
Exeter: +19%
Southampton: +6%

Brussels: +103%
Copenhagen: +2%
Paris CDG: +3%
Berlin: 3413
Dusseldorf: +42%
Cork: -23%
Dublin: +29%
Amsterdam: +1%
Faro: +67%
Alicante: +18%
Barcelona: -20%
Madrid: 2507
Palma: +54%
Arrecife: +66%
Fuerteventura: +25%
Las Palmas: +11%
Tenerife: +20%
Geneva: +14%
Gdansk: 2588
Krakow: -9%
Warsaw: 2449
Wroclaw: 2850
Dubai: 20535 +8%


April pax +18%. 12 month rolling pax 4.98m pax

[Jamesair]

Very good month, of course it does include Easter which fell in March last year

[Beatts]

Jet2 has announced that there Christmas market flights to Vienna, Berlin, Copenhagen and Munich are all back on sale after being very popular last year (fully booked).

[Jamesair]

plus 5 New York trips

[HH6702]

Brussels and Düsseldorf look like good increases

[SWBKCB]

Brussels and Düsseldorf look like good increases

The 2016 Brussels figures were affected by the attack at the airport, so not really...

[HH6702]

Forgot about that

[Jamesair]

Still absolutely right about Dusseldorf, which seems to be performing strongly

[Ph1l1pncl]

Interesting that David Laws has went to become the Chief executive of Leeds Bradford, that's two ex Chief Execs who have gone down to Leeds after Newcastle.

[tigertanaka]

Still absolutely right about Dusseldorf, which seems to be performing strongly

Fares have been extremely competitive on that route, especially if transferring via DUS rather than direct traffic. I paid about £70 for NCL-DUS-ARN one way about a month ago. On the same day, NCL-DUS direct was £80 one way.

[VentureGo]

North East sunseekers have been handed even more choice as a bevvy of new routes have been announced from Newcastle Airport;

Rather misleading headline, when you read article - (Comments section following article sums up!):

France, Italy and Egypt - the latest flights announced at Newcastle Airport - Chronicle Live (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/travel-tourism/newcastle-airport-announces-new-flights-13121043)

[VentureGo]

"The consultation on our arrival flight path routes ends today - send us your thoughts over on website":

Arrival Flight Path Consultation (http://www.newcastleairport.com/approach-consultation)

Above site has Links to documents and information sheets.

[Beatts]

Airport reaches 2 million passengers in 2017 (http://www.newcastleairport.com/article/434/airport-reaches-2-million-passengers-in-2017)

[Beatts]

Hello all,

I am proud to tell you that 72 SQN will be doing a 4 Tucano formation flypast on the 27th of June including a specially painted Tucano to commemorate the anniversary!! . Newcastle will be that lest leg of the trip starting at Linton-On-Ouse then heading to
1.Newcastle Airport,
2.RAF Ouston,
3.RAF Morpeth,
4.RAF Acklington.

I am unsure on the timings and flight levels but I imagine it will be quite a sight.

Cheers Matt.

[SWBKCB]

Nothing new, but a handy summary

Newcastle a Northern Powerhouse for UK connectivity | Airport Business (http://www.airport-business.com/2017/06/newcastle-northern-powerhouse-uk-connectivity/)

[N707ZS]

Shame they couldn't of thought of a different title especially on the departure day of the turd Wharton! Hopefully he won't float back up again.

[jensdad]

Thanks for posting the link, SWB. As you say, nothing new - typical industry journal waffle - but I did learn something in that Dubai isn't in the top 5 routes. Were BA and KLM/AF not just a little bit pissed off when EK started, and the airport management were trumpeting the fact that 'you can now [my italics]...' fly to e.g. India, Bangkok etc. one-stop from NCL? Water under the bridge now, I guess.


Some on here seem convinced that Dubai is the only route that matters. As the 'glamour' route that's understandable.

[Heathrow Harry]

It's REALLY importnat - for a start it enables you to bypass LHR and BA

Secondly for business it 's a great advantage to be able to link to a decent LH hub - far more so than another set of Thompson flights to Marbella or Ryanair to Dublin

Places like Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff ... even Edinburgh... would kill for that option

[jensdad]

Yep, point taken, it's definitely more important for the NE economy than Alicante and Palma. I was just thinking aloud really about the conversations between BA and the airport management when said management were clearly implying that you hadn't been able to fly one-stop to Mauritius etc until EK showed up.


Ancient history now, thankfully both are still here.

[VentureGo]

How many Airbridges does Newcastle have, and which gates are they situated. According to their website they have 3 at gates 3,9 &10.
I'm sure they must have added another at G26 for Emirates, and I think there may be another on the International side of the pier (possibly G21?)

[LiamNCL]

3 airbridges stands 3 9 and 10. BA have stand 3 and Emirates on stand 9.

[nclops]

How many Airbridges does Newcastle have, and which gates are they situated. According to their website they have 3 at gates 3,9 &10.
I'm sure they must have added another at G26 for Emirates, and I think there may be another on the International side of the pier (possibly G21?)

The current parking stand / departure gate set up is a confusing one!. The airbridges are on stands 3, 9 and 10. From a passenger point of view this corresponds to gates 3, 22 and 25!

[NorthEasterner]

Correction Gates 3, 21/22 and Gate 25 have airbridges.
Gates 21 and 22 are one gate together, and airbridge used on flights except EasyJet and Ryanair.

On widebodied aircraft such as Emirates and TUI dreamliner, pax are directed to Gate 26, however this is Gate 25 and 26 combined due to additional space needed.

[EK77WNCL]

I will be flying NCL-SXF on Thursday, and I have just noticed in booking my seats tonight, that EZY will be operating the flight with an A320, has this been a regular occurrence, or is it expected to be over the summer?

I'll see if I can get a cheeky glimpse at the computer screens for the load, or ask the crew how many pax on board

[VentureGo]

I will be flying NCL-SXF on Thursday, and I have just noticed in booking my seats tonight, that EZY will be operating the flight with an A320, has this been a regular occurrence, or is it expected to be over the summer?

I'll see if I can get a cheeky glimpse at the computer screens for the load, or ask the crew how many pax on board

Today's (Thursday) flight EZY4628 NCL-SXF (Berlin) is being operated by an Airbus A319-111 (G-EZIJ)

[PPRuNeUser0176]

EI to scale back NCL from October, will drop from 16 to 7 weekly, no T/A will be offered.

Know a friend who has been offered flights from EDI or BA via LHR.

[EK77WNCL]

Seriously? If true, that comes as a massive surprise, I can't imagine why... NCL-DUB-NCL has had consistent double figure growth for a long while now and EI has increased service to the current 16 weekly.

I'd have thought they'd have reduced to 11/12 weekly first before dropping so massively, and if they really aren't offering any TATL connections, then what even is the point? I'd really believe they're deliberately trying to sacrifice the route if they aren't offering TATL connections. Even if this is only seasonal, there's a lot of demand over Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year that they'll be losing out on.

I sincerely hope that this is not true... And if it is... Why did BA/IAG even bother buying EI? They're dropping UK domestics left, right and centre

[Callum Paterson]

Why on earth wold an airline deliberately sacrifice a route?

And DUB-NCL is not a UK domestic route.

[SWBKCB]

Appears to be correct - from a quick look only the afternoon service is bookable in November.

By coincidence I was on yesterday mornings NCL-DUB flight (we usually fly to BFS, but EZY have dropped the early morning flight for the summer - seems to be back for the winter). Flight was about two thirds full - no idea about the number of transfer pax (though the two lasses in front of me we definitely going to New York...)

The evening RYR flight back was rammed - that might be the story.

[HH6702]

Ryanair increasing to 3x daily maybe.
The are working with IAG now at Dub

[SWBKCB]

The are working with IAG now at Dub

Are they? In what way?

No third flight bookable

[HH6702]

Thought Ryanair were transfering pax at DUB and MAD

[Callum Paterson]

No they aren't.

At Rome FCO they are.

[sinbad73]

No they aren't.

At Rome FCO they are.

Yes they are, to Air Europa at MAD.

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/279710/ryanair-to-sell-air-europa-long-haul-flights

[NorthEasterner]

More recently announced transfer of PAX at Milan Bergamo BGY airport. I can see this happening at DUB, STN, BCN and MAD in the months, years to come.

[HH6702]

It maybe part of the bigger plan use Ryanair during the mornings. Not sure if Ryanair's flight is too late for connecting at Dublin though

[EK77WNCL]

I apologise, it was 2am, I meant "dropping UK regionals left, right and centre" but exactly... Why would an airline deliberately sacrifice a route? They aren't offering connections, the timings are crap, and they cost more than Ryanair with little to no improvement in service? Why would anyone choose to use Aer Lingus now? I hope it's just for the winter and I hope it's not just to do with NCL but this is baffling and rather infuriating.

If this is the way it's to be, I hope Ryanair are going 3 daily or 16/17 weekly (2 daily all week with 3 daily Sun, Mon, Fri or similar) and interlining through DUB. They'll need to re-time their morning flight though.

Also, I've noticed you can't actually book connecting flights through Madrid with Air Europa...

[sinbad73]

I apologise, it was 2am, I meant "dropping UK regionals left, right and centre" but exactly... Why would an airline deliberately sacrifice a route? They aren't offering connections, the timings are crap, and they cost more than Ryanair with little to no improvement in service? Why would anyone choose to use Aer Lingus now? I hope it's just for the winter and I hope it's not just to do with NCL but this is baffling and rather infuriating.

If this is the way it's to be, I hope Ryanair are going 3 daily or 16/17 weekly (2 daily all week with 3 daily Sun, Mon, Fri or similar) and interlining through DUB. They'll need to re-time their morning flight though.

Also, I've noticed you can't actually book connecting flights through Madrid with Air Europa...

Ryanair Website To Sell Air Europa Long Haul Flights | Ryanair's Corporate Website (http://corporate.ryanair.com/news/ryanair-website-to-sell-air-europa-long-haul-flights/)

Usual Ryanair baloney. Looks like you can only book UX flights to and from MAD on the FR website.

[SWBKCB]

The second phase of this Air Europa partnership will be launched later this year and will allow Ryanair customers to connect onto Air Europa long haul flights through Madrid.

Not sure what you point is re baloney? The linked press release says you can book tickets for Air Europa long haul flights from Madrid via the RYR website and at some point in the future you may be able to connect from RYR flights. Seems straightforward, even if others have read more into it?

What seems more of a stretch is that EIR is dropping the morning DUB-NCL-DUB as part of a plan for RYR to offer an earlier flight and also the ability to connect with EI's transatlantic flights. I think we can put this firmly in the box marked "speculation" :eek:

[NorthEasterner]

I can see FR172/173 brought earlier around 7AM/8AM like the existing Aer Lingus DUB. Then an additional flight around noon-2PM. Then keep the current FR174/175 as is.

This would mean that RYR would have to have interlining agreements with EI or is there other airlines such as DY, UA, DL where RYR could have US interlining at DUB.

US Pre-Clearance was a good facility, where PAX going out to USA would clear US customs on arrival to DUB.

[SWBKCB]

This would mean that RYR would have to have interlining agreements with EI or is there other airlines such as DY, UA, DL where RYR could have US interlining at DUB.

But they don't....

People seem to be reading an awful lot into EIR cutting back their flights.

[VickersVicount]

I can see FR172/173 brought earlier around 7AM/8AM like the existing Aer Lingus DUB. Then an additional flight around noon-2PM. Then keep the current FR174/175 as is.

This would mean that RYR would have to have interlining agreements with EI or is there other airlines such as DY, UA, DL where RYR could have US interlining at DUB.
None of the other higher frequency regional ports are showing adjustments to suit that theory.

[Callum Paterson]

There seems to be an unwillingness to accept EI are cutting US connections from NCL.

The schedule appears to show they are doing exactly that. And Ryanair are now about to start interlining with every airline under the sun to facilitate NCL connections to the US.

For NCL to the States there is still the likes of BA or KL.

[SWBKCB]

There seems to be an unwillingness to accept EI are cutting US connections from NCL.

The schedule appears to show they are doing exactly that. And Ryanair are now about to start interlining with every airline under the sun to facilitate NCL connections to the US.

For NCL to the States there is still the likes of BA or KL.

Don't you start coming round here messing up our thread with your common sense! :rolleyes:

[EK77WNCL]

I never thought there was any credibility in FR interlining with EI transatlantic, but EI was our only "budget" offering across the atlantic. At least now there might be room for Wow to step in and take those passengers, or a direct, low cost offering as more of a long shot.

The only way I can really see this going now is another EI pullout, because they now have the least favourable offering to Dublin. I hope Ryanair sees this as an opportunity to offer an earlier flight because their current mid/late morning flight as the only offering really isn't of much use to anyone.

What's happening to NCL short haul! Easyjet, Flybe and now Aer Lingus taking the p*ss with their frequency offerings and route cuts... What's next, British airways swapping to 4 mid morning/afternoon flights to Gatwick

[NorthEasterner]

I'm not saying Ryanair does or should have interlining agreements at Dublin, however to make up the lost TATL passengers, Ryanair would have to come to some sort of agreement with Aer Lingus to help facilitate and regain the lost TATL pax.

Many PAX on Aer Lingus tend to be TATL, if not, BA codeshares/avios points and business passengers. Leisure passengers seem to be more towards Ryanair.

Interlining agreements at DUB could also prove popular with other UK regional airports where Ryanair has early flights to Dublin such as BHX, EDI etc.

So now we've been left with LHR, CDG, AMS, CPH, BRU, DUS where we have airlines (in Europe) that facilitate interlining/transfer.

With Aer Lingus dropping TATL from NCL and not so great timings, I'm not holding my breath. This one flight a day with EI seems to carry on right through to May 2018.

NE

[PPRuNeUser0176]

NCL-DUB has always been an odd route when you compare with the rest of the routes to the UK from both an EI/FR prospective.

ABZ is getting extra freq over winter including early morning flights which could be a reason why NCL was changed.

This one flight a day with EI seems to carry on right through to May 2018.

Don't read much into this but it does allow T/A return.

[GrahamK]

TCX drop Almeria for Summer 18. A

[CabinCrewe]

LEI is a very hit or miss route, seems to get tried and dropped (not just at NCL)... Remember when AIH first tried to make it more 'mainstream' in MD83s

[EK77WNCL]

In what sense is that EI-EIDW? Genuine question, I'm intrigued

[PPRuNeUser0176]

In what sense is that EI-EIDW? Genuine question, I'm intrigued

When you compare to the rest of UK-DUB routes it's falls way way behind in terms of numbers and frequency.

[EK77WNCL]

Probably due to the nature of Newcastle as a market. Quite poor and leisure oriented. Two big party cities though, I bet you could fill 5 737's each way on Friday and Sunday

If Ryanair make Dublin a viable low cost connecting hub at any point in the future, I can see it boosting numbers somewhat

[SWBKCB]

When you compare to the rest of UK-DUB routes it's falls way way behind in terms of numbers and frequency

Does it? NCL is comparable with Leeds, has more than EMA, Cardiff.

In terms of pax, LPL has approx 50% more than NCL and is the only airport that looks out of sequence, but there are far stronger ties between the two cities.

[Jamesair]

Maybe Ryanair will seize the initiative and and put on another couple of flights per week.

I just think that monthly double digit growth in pax numbers must be worth something to some airline.

[AirGuru]

Does it? NCL is comparable with Leeds, has more than EMA, Cardiff.

In terms of pax, LPL has approx 50% more than NCL and is the only airport that looks out of sequence, but there are far stronger ties between the two cities.

Just because there has been a continual increase in percentage PAX for so many months doesn't necessarily mean that will appeal to another airline. See the situation at CWL, DUB lost EIR to BE and AMS had continual monthly increases for over a year, and we didn't see the return of the 4th daily flight.

[SWBKCB]

Just because there has been a continual increase in percentage PAX for so many months doesn't necessarily mean that will appeal to another airline. See the situation at CWL, DUB lost EIR to BE and AMS had continual monthly increases for over a year, and we didn't see the return of the 4th daily flight.

AirGuru - you quoted my post then responded to Jamesair's.

I was querying EI-EIDW's comments that:

NCL-DUB has always been an odd route when you compare with the rest of the routes to the UK from both an EI/FR prospective.

When you compare to the rest of UK-DUB routes it's falls way, way behind in terms of numbers and frequency.

This doesn't seem to be supported by the stats.

[AirGuru]

Apologies, i was indeed replying to Jamesair's ! :ugh:

[Seljuk22]

Smart move
LAD Flies From Newcastle To London Via Spain Because It's Cheaper Than Train - LADbible (http://www.ladbible.com/now/inspirational-lad-flies-from-newcastle-to-london-via-spain-because-its-cheaper-20170627?c=1498575103612)

[AerRyan]

LADbible is even worse than the daily mail, I refuse to click into the link :)

To be fair, off-peak (outside June-September)) holiday destination flights can be quite cheap and trains are very expensive on peak times, I'm sure for every one example of the above you find, you'll find 1000 ones where the opposite you find.

Plus this is one of many many articles, at the end of the day nobody really gives a crap, it's like telling the cashier at a supermarket about your new pet, just pointless information.

[HH6702]

£32.99 one way to ALC in August school holidays is cheap justed booked the other day

[inOban]

That suggests that the growth in capacity is now exceeding demand.

[nighthawk117]

That suggests that the growth in capacity is now exceeding demand.

It could also suggest that the yields are so good they can afford to sell the last few seats off cheap.

[Heathrow Harry]

or that they are desperate for the cash................... any cash, however small

[AirGuru]

It could also suggest that the yields are so good they can afford to sell the last few seats off cheap.

Unfortunately the airline industry does not work like that, if the price is cheap just before the flight then that indicates a poorly loaded, poor yield flight. Look at FR who frequently charge high prices just before the flight (mostly) and where they don't the flights are lightly loaded so they try to cut their losses from an attractive far structure in the hope that ancillary spend will enhance the overall yield.

[Heathrow Harry]

Classic economics - nothing is more useless to a business than an unused airline seat - or yesterday's newspaper

[VentureGo]

Newcastle Airport reveals £3m terminal extension as part of improvement plans

Newcastle Airport reveals £3m terminal extension as part of improvement plans - Chronicle Live (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/newcastle-airport-terminal-expansion-revealed-13253728)

[AerRyan]

Stating that an airline sells off the last few seats cheap on a fully loaded flight just shows a blatant lack of knowledge of airlines pricing structures. Don't talk about things you clearly haven't a clue about!

[inOban]

I don't have a inside knowledge either, but it occurs to me that if you are TUI or Jet2, and the plane is almost full of IT PAX, then it might be good PR to sell off the remaining seats at bargain prices. Flights to ALC from £30!....

[VickersVicount]

I don't have a inside knowledge either, but it occurs to me that if you are TUI or Jet2, and the plane is almost full of IT PAX, then it might be good PR to sell off the remaining seats at bargain prices. Flights to ALC from £30!....
Noone would book full price packages if that was the case...

[inOban]

Package holiday customers will have no idea how much of their cash is for the holiday and how much for the flight. A lot of people prefer someone else to put their family holiday together.

[AerRyan]

I'd argue that that's not correct, I'd say even the least knowledgeable of travellers know that a £30 flight is much better than what they're paying.

I'd like you to point out your example too, using any date in the next week (generous considering it's not even full peak season).

[NorthEasterner]

A little change up the field today with Delta taxiway being out of operation from D4 to D1 meaning aircraft which dont make Charlie have to back track and the biggins like this mornings 787 and 777 have to wait to be marshalled around C to D.

This all due to a sink on the taxiway from an old mineshaft but should be fixed by the weekend!

The sink/hole will be to what I've been advised will be fixed in the next 4-6 weeks.

[inOban]

I'd argue that that's not correct, I'd say even the least knowledgeable of travellers know that a £30 flight is much better than what they're paying.

I'd like you to point out your example too, using any date in the next week (generous considering it's not even full peak season).
... unless you're in Scotland!

Seriously, if you're footloose and able to take time off at short notice, then by all means bank on booking a last minute bargain. If it's your main family holiday, I don't think so.

[AirGuru]

Classic economics - nothing is more useless to a business than an unused airline seat - or yesterday's newspaper

Well the simple fact is, whatever flight is selling for £30 a few days before the flight, it is not well loaded, or making money in any way, shape or form.

TUI and TCX etc may adopt these tactics, but one thing that is certain is that scheduled operators do not. Their fare structure has loss leader fares first, gently making its way up to some hefty pricing.

[NorthEasterner]

Many flights operating out of NCL especially TOM/TCX have quite a high load factor of Scottish passengers.

Strange considering how the Scottish come down to us for flights and some of us go up to GLA / EDI for the cheaper flights.

Powers of the school holidays certainly has a play on this.

[Beatts]

The sink/hole will be to what I've been advised will be fixed in the next 4-6 weeks.

Ah sweet, ive been told its rather large too!

[inOban]

Many flights operating out of NCL especially TOM/TCX have quite a high load factor of Scottish passengers.

Strange considering how the Scottish come down to us for flights and some of us go up to GLA / EDI for the cheaper flights.

Powers of the school holidays certainly has a play on this.
TCX don't fly from EDI. I have a relative who used NCL for that reason.

[NorthEasterner]

Ah sweet, ive been told its rather large too!

It is, not seen it physically myself but seen photos. Not looking good. Similar thing happened in the long term car park.

Just meant when waiting for EK to come in, it's an extra 15 mins for it to turn round and back track down.

NE

[NorthEasterner]

TCX don't fly from EDI. I have a relative who used NCL for that reason.

Not really the point, but yes another factor. One flight in the last few days was around 80-90 % Scottish residents.

[jensdad]

Re the sinkhole: I'm really surprised that this hasn't happened more often. That area is riddled with mine workings. Havannah Colliery was just a few yards from the current airfield boundary.

[EK77WNCL]

I did bag TFS-NCL with TOM for £60 in May and the flight was full... And the NCL-TFS I took with Ryanair was at least 80% and I paid something like £30


On another note, flew NCL-SXF today, A320, G-EZOK. 135 pax... When I asked "how many passengers on board today" the FA's initial response was "not many today" and he said that the Berlin flights had been selling/filling well, especially at the weekend. Rather disappointing to see that all 6 extra legroom seats in row 1, and 5 of the overwing extra legroom seats were empty... And mine was "free" as I'm an easyjet plus card holder

Nevertheless, for all it was an A320 today for operational reasons, 135 isn't all that bad, especially on the A319 which is scheduled

[AerRyan]

Firstly, full and yield are different matters.

Secondly, how do you tell 'full' and '80', my experience is that full jeans 80-90% and 80% means 60-70%.

[EK77WNCL]

I am aware of the difference between full and yield, but the TOM flight back was certainly full, there were 4/5 spare seats on the aircraft.

I would know what a 60/70% LF looks like, having flown an EZY A319 with around 100 pax (64%) and an ERJ 135 with about 15 (40%), the aircraft feels much more empty than it is. In the case of the 135 it barely felt like there were any other passengers at all. I'd safely say there were 150+ on the aircraft.

I expect the yields were trashed on the Ryanair flight, but I imagine TOM probably did quite alright. I booked the flights 4 days in advance.

[AirGuru]

I am aware of the difference between full and yield, but the TOM flight back was certainly full, there were 4/5 spare seats on the aircraft.

I would know what a 60/70% LF looks like, having flown an EZY A319 with around 100 pax (64%) and an ERJ 135 with about 15 (40%), the aircraft feels much more empty than it is. In the case of the 135 it barely felt like there were any other passengers at all. I'd safely say there were 150+ on the aircraft.

I expect the yields were trashed on the Ryanair flight, but I imagine TOM probably did quite alright. I booked the flights 4 days in advance.

I think you're struggling with the concept of airline economics here :ugh:.

TOM are a tour operator, so the flight yields (as you say) are pretty immaterial since the price of the packages have already been sold. Very, very few seats on TOM flights are seat-only. Ancillary revenues on-board the aircraft make up some of the yield, but as i say the vast, vast majority of the yield comes from the holiday package where the purchaser never sees the direct flight cost.

Contrast this to FR who are a scheduled, flight-only operator. Actual ticket cost is the contributory factor of yield in this case with considerable ancillary revenue streams also. There's a vast difference to the TOM case.

I love this old analogy of counting passengers, it actually counts for nothing. What if a FR flight was 189/189 loaded, but each passenger on there only paid £20 ? Vast difference. Only the airlines know how much a flight is making, it's sensitive commercial information. The number of armchair CEO's on this website who claim to know all, particularly what flights are doing 'well' or 'not so well' absolutely baffles me :ugh:.

And yes if the price you paid was low 4 days in advance (relatively short notice on airline terms), then chances are that flight was 'not so well' as the flight was relatively low down on the pricing structure. FR charge their maximum fares at least 2 days from the actual flight, peaking on the day of the flight to make cash from those who are lastminute.com.

[Beatts]

It is, not seen it physically myself but seen photos. Not looking good. Similar thing happened in the long term car park.

Just meant when waiting for EK to come in, it's an extra 15 mins for it to turn round and back track down.

NE

Ah i see! Yeah i noticed like!

Cheers for the information.

[EK77WNCL]

AirGuru, don't worry. I do, in fact know what I'm talking about. Hence I said that I expected the outbound Ryanair flight to have trashed yields.

I also understand that very few Thomson passengers are flight only. But on a full flight... Full with package customers. How/why did I get a £60 flight? I'm sure that flight still turned a healthy profit...

I'll not even get started on my £32... Full... Flight from Bristol to Tenerife in March, I spent more money on gin and tonic on board than the price of the flight

[Jamesair]

What has happened to the SAS Copenhagen service.....it doesn't seem to be operating or bookable?

[SWBKCB]

Summer break - back in September.

[Beatts]

VIDEO: KLM plans to soar passenger numbers at Leeds Bradford Airport - Yorkshire Evening Post (http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/video-klm-plans-to-soar-passenger-numbers-at-leeds-bradford-airport-1-8626444)
An interesting read from our neighbouring airport.

[SWBKCB]

I expect Mr Rootliep will be doing the rounds and similar stories will appear in many local papers between now and 2019....

[NorthEasterner]

Tomorrow (3rd July) BA's LHR 0820/0900 BA1324/5 service will be operated by Qatar Airways A320 A7-ADB.

[crewmeal]

Looks like the spotters got their wish for a QR aircraft, bet they didn't think it would be a 320 :8

[NorthEasterner]

Yep haha that is true. Will definitely keep a look out for it!

[GrahamK]

May provisional stats now available:

Brussels: 2201 +21%
Copenhagen 1682 +9%
Nice 3678 +25%
Paris CDG 11383 -7%
Berlin 2799
Dusseldorf 4023 +23%
Cork 896 -42%
Dublin 22273 +24%
Rome 2231 -11%
Amsterdam 31153 -1%
Alicante 39025 +18%
Almeria 1449
Barcelona 7589 -24%
Madrid 2959
Malaga 26666 +1%
Palma 44484 +43%
Stavanger 824
Geneva 2127 -52%
Prague 2314 -5%
Gdansk 2898
Krakow 2474 +2%
Warsaw 2840
Wroclow 2653
Dubai 14924 +3%
Sanford 3454 +48%
Cancun 3705 +14%

Heathrow 38421 -9%
Aberdeen 1128
Belfast int 21983 +6%
Cardiff 1364 +16%
Exeter 4001 +8%
Isle of Man 495 +41%
Jersey 3329 +7%
Southampton 11807 +10%

May pax figures: 504878 +13%
12 month rolling: 5.035m +9.7%

Cyprus, Greece and Canaries all seeing good growth

[Jamesair]

Another 24% increase in Dublin pax....these are not exactly small increases....wish we knew load factors. The stats also show 279 pax to BHD which will be via IOM. I wonder if this needs to be added to the IOM figure?

[yeo valley]

I see brs figures missing again.

[ash666]

I wonder how many going to Dub are going on to the USA?

[LiamNCL]

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/easyjet-flight-makes-nerve-wracking-13275204#

Good grief

[ATNotts]

Easyjet flight makes 'nerve-wracking' aborted landing at Newcastle Airport - Chronicle Live (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/easyjet-flight-makes-nerve-wracking-13275204#)

Good grief

Well at least he didn't "think he was going to die" and that the pilot didn't "swerve to avoid schools and hospitals"! And how exactly did he measure 10 feet??

Why do newspapers print this dross, apart from the obvious reason that it fills the space between the adverts?

[KNIEVEL77]

Slow news day?

[ATNotts]

Slow news day?

Virtually every day is a "slow news day" for regional newspapers, and for that matter local TV news bulletins!

[rutankrd]

I wonder how many going to Dub are going on to the USA?

Fewer than you might think/imagine or expect !

Just 1.1m out of 27m of ALL passenger traffic through Dublin is actually connecting.

UK-Dublin is overwhelmingly Point to point.

[ash666]

Fewer than you might think/imagine or expect !

Just 1.1m out of 27m of ALL passenger traffic through Dublin is actually connecting.

UK-Dublin is overwhelmingly Point to point.

I'm surprised!

[HH6702]

Dublin figures won't be as high going forward as Ryanair went double daily June last year so I expect to see the figures increase slightly not by 20%+

[EK77WNCL]

Another healthy load today, SXF-NCL with 153 pax

NCL-SXF, 29/06, 135 pax (75%) - would have been 86.5% on the A319 as was scheduled
SXF-NCL. 04/07, 153 pax (98.1%)

[Jamesair]

The latest Norwich Masterplan shows a route to NCL as the most important domestic route requirement.

[SWBKCB]

Where does it say that? I couldn't find it? :{

[VentureGo]

Where does it say that? I couldn't find it? :{

Revealed: Norwich Airport?s 30-year vision to treble passenger numbers and forge worldwide links - Business - Eastern Daily Press (http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/revealed-norwich-airport-s-30-year-vision-to-treble-passenger-numbers-and-forge-worldwide-links-1-5093958)

In the above article 3rd paragraph below photo of check-in desk reads:
“We also want to increase domestic routes and serve the needs of that market. For instance, bringing back the route to Newcastle would join up with the wind farm and offshore energy industry, which is a key driver of this region.”

[SWBKCB]

Thanks, that's great - it's not mentioned in the Masterplan or the airports own press release. As most local news stories just reproduce the press release, didn't look further - doh! :ugh:

[Jamesair]

Sorry that was a bit misleading....it was said in a statement by the MD of Norwich airport while discussing the Masterplan, they asked him which new routes he would like to see operate.

[jensdad]

Time to bring those Air Anglia Friendships out of retirement I reckon :)

[NCL-TRC]

Quite frankly I don't think any of our current based operators bar Eastern would be able to make any success in such a route, and then there's the fact that there isn't any capacity in Easterns based aircraft to operate this route. So The aircraft would have to come from elsewhere, perhaps dropping in the Eastern Saab on a transit flight on its way back and forth from ABZ would be an easy solution. Other than that I can only really see Flybe with a D328 being able to give it a good enough go, but I'm not sure what the situation is with Flybe and the D328, does the aircraft belong to Loganair?

[HH6702]

Market Is big the amount of people using the trains from ncl changing at Peterborough to places of Norwich and near by..

My fear is the train is so cheap compared to what the air fares would be
I agree best idea aircraft drops in on route to abz

Route would have to be 2x daily also

[Jamesair]

That does sound the best idea. No doubt Norwich are already in discussion with airlines about the possibilities.

[HH6702]

Talk of new winter routes going on sale by both easyJet and Ryanair tomorrow to various uk airports

BFS-BGY so far

Could we be seeing Milan added again from Ryanair and could EasyJet be going to add Venice as was stated by the uk sales rep a few months ago????

[virginblue]

May provisional stats now available:

Dusseldorf 4023 +23%


Interesting. That makes DUS the 8th largest international destination from NCL. Who would've thought that...

[SWBKCB]

It's the 8th largest on that list - the list isn't complete, just the interesting one's - DUS is more like 20+ (Dubai, Tenerife, Faro, Ibiza, etc, etc)

[HH6702]

Eastern changes

1st September sees the follow

NCL-BHD-IOM-BHD-NCL

Now providing direct flights between Newcastle and Belfast city

[virginblue]

It's the 8th largest on that list - the list isn't complete, just the interesting one's - DUS is more like 20+ (Dubai, Tenerife, Faro, Ibiza, etc, etc)

OK. Nevertheless, interesting to note that it has more passengers than capital and hubs like Brussels, Copenhagen, Rome or Madrid. I remember the days when I flew on that route in a Gill ATR42.

[EK77WNCL]

The North East of England has a lot of links with the Rhine-Ruhr, and Dusseldorf is the largest airport on that region. Both being industrial regions, a lot of Geordies went to Western/North western Germany in search of jobs. I'm surprised we haven't seen a return of the Hanover route or a route to Hamburg. I reckon Hamburg would be a good shout for Ryanair.

Fingers crossed EZY and FR do have something in store for us, personal wishlist would be

Ryanair: Hamburg, Riga, Budapest, Ibiza, Chania, Rome (CIA)

Easyjet: Amsterdam, Paris, Milan (MXP), Venice

I'd be happy with Bergamo from FR but I think EZY would be better for attracting business and leisure.

Catania or Lisbon would be lovely, welcome additions but less likely

A London route (LGW/STN/SEN) would top it all off perfectly

Good news about Eastern to BHD, is it still just x1 daily? x2 daily would be better but I think that's a wise decision from them and will hopefully lead to more from them in this regard. I can't imagine IOM bound pax being all too inconvenienced by a quick stop in Belfast... Less so than BHD pax having to go through IOM anyway

[Beatts]

Nothing new from Newcastle yet. They have however announced routes including;

Southampton to Geneva (New airport) - A320
Bristol to Stockholm - A319
Bristol to Athens - A320
London Gatwick to Klagenfurt - A320
Liverpool to Venice - A320
Manchester to Agadir.

DNA | Digital News Agency (http://dna2.digitalnewsagency.com/stories/10261-easyjet-announces-a-new-airport-and-new-routes-from-the-uk)

[LiamNCL]

Nothing new then

[NorthEasterner]

Ryanair could be making an appearance over the next couple of weeks or so. Whether regarding it's Winter 17 or Summer 18, I couldn't say...

[Jamesair]

very disappointing.....nothing from Easyjet and I've seen the list of Ryanair new winter routes and nothing at all.

[VickersVicount]

I've seen the list of Ryanair new winter routes
You have? Where is this list you speak of

[inOban]

Ryanair W17 new routes as of 10JUL17 :: Routesonline (http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/273757/ryanair-w17-new-routes-as-of-10jul17/)

[sunshine79]

TCX are bringing back NCL-BJV for S18

[milhouse999]

Thomas Cook are adding a Thursday NCL-CFU flight next year, taking them to 3 per week. It's available to book now and will be a late/night flight. The island is growing in popularity.

Corfu has seen an increase in frequency from NCL in the last couple of years with Easyjet now operating Sundays also. Takes it up to 7 a week for 2018.

TCX - Monday, Thursday Friday
Thomson - Monday, Friday
Easyjet - Sunday
Jet2 - Monday

I'm surprised that Ryanair haven't started NCL-CFU since they operate the route out of just about every other airport multiple times a week, out of MAN they start the route the earliest in the season compared to other operators (March/April) and they usually go out full.

[LiamNCL]

Thomas Cook also adding a Tuesday Zakynthos on the A321 departing NCL 16:15

[HH6702]

Seems to be a big shift in days being added.
Don't want to jump the gun but does certain days now require 4 aircraft?

Are is there bad news of some routes being dropped or scaled back

[Beatts]

After having a quick look at days and times (note not actual ac on route just a mock up using 3 based ac shown in colour) the only day which throws up more than 3 ac is Saturday with 4 early morning departures?

http://i63.tinypic.com/o08apl.png