NEWCASTLE - 8

[Aquarius Lad]

10 DME ARC - Your pennies worth was money well spent. I agree entirely with everything you've had to say in your post.

I really can't understand nclflights logic blaming the airport managment's inability to sell the advantages to the airlines - what is that assumption based on?? He obviously has something against the management team, which I personally think do an outstanding job given the current economic climate and the constraints that brings. It's sad he's so bitter and twisted, and even more sadder is if he's a Company employee.

[fl dutchman]

10 DME ARC

Excellent post.

I think the monthly decline in pax nos although "respectable" now when compared to some others as you point out, seemed to begin earlier at NCL than many other airports. Those airports seem to be catching up now though.
Although winter 2009/10 is not looking good at the moment with some frequency reductions ( still cant understand the logic in the KL schedule). Summer 2010 has some positives, ie the charter programme and if the rumours are correct Jet 2 expansion.

[Ops Guy]

10 DME ARC

Agree with everything you have said.

:ok:

[CentreFix25]

Good post 10d

[ncleflights]

10 DME ARC -your stats would be intersting if they weren't distorted by the fact that NCL is starting at a far lower point than many of the airports you quoted. NCL Airports decline started far earlier than the likes of Bristol and Liverpool for example who continued to expand at a time when NCL rcontracted. This fact therefore distorts the true picture.

While its fine to blame the worst recession in the airline industry it must be worth bearing in mind that the decine here at NCL started way before the recession started. The same can not be said of several of the other airports quoted in the stats

I also feel that you may well be over exagerating the current managements contribution to the arrival of Emirates this along with the arrival of easyjet and jet2 was due to a large extent down to the work and guidance of Mr P and the previous regime.

However I do agree 100% with your point about Ryanair moving into Leeds

Aquarius Lad - my assumption is based on the poor state of affairs currently at NCL. A further example of the state of affairs is that I understand that a decision will be made shortly on whether to further delay the opening of the new airport hotel. The main reason is the severe drop in pax numbers at the airport and questions as to whether it can fill sufficient beds to make opening it worthwhile as opposed to continuing to keep the project mothballed.

Finally, neither am I bitter and twisted. I was unaware that to question the managements ability of an airport that I love and want to succeed would lead to personal abuse from a fellow pruner. We live in a democracy and are entitled to question any part of society that is not working whether we work for them of not. By your standards anyone that does so is bitter and twisted. Likewise I welcome any constructive debate on the subject but lets keep the comments grown up. Personal attacks and name calling belong in the playground AL.

[fl dutchman]

Has it been decided what brand will run the new hotel when it eventually opens?. Heard some time ago Hilton was involved.

AIRPORT STATISTICS.

From the June CAA prov stats these figures are based on a 12 month passenger rolling total so perhaps present a more realistic picture than a monthly snapshot. ( hope I have copied them correctly)

BHX +0.4
EDI -2.5
LHR -3.0
BFS -7.1
LBA -7.8
BRS -8.1
LGW -8.2
LPL -9.4
MAN -9.6
STN -10.5
NCL -11.6
CWL -12.5
EXE -14.7
BLK -23.3
MME -35.5 % change

Last time NCL recorded a monthly growth was I believe OCT 2007, +3%. The following month I think was when Easyjet went from 7 to 5 aircraft with NOV 2007 showing a minus 7% drop then a decline each subsequent month thereafter. ( CAA stats )

[maxtoon]

depressing reading for NCL ..

but as for MME .. ouch !! :ouch:

[HH6702]

Good news if jet2 rumours of an extra aircraft and upto 8 new routes.

I think that we will see more from easyjet for next summer.
As ncl will be an all airbus base by novmember the airport can now bid for extra aircraft and i think that we will have a god chance of getting them.

Also the manangment have done a good job at getting tcx 3rd aircraft this summer as this was a result of xla going under and they went last september so talks started then, so MR P would have had nothing to do with this!!

Hopefully next summer will be the turning point and we will see loads of new routes and extra flights compared to this summer.

[transwede]

As has been already said, new routes, increase in frequency etc only if,

a) economy turns around and
b) only if the new route is profitable for the operator, be in tour operator or airline.

Already some cuts have been announced for next summer, and yes some expansion, however I still feel as though some carriers will be a little cautious. It may take a few years to get back to where we were this time 2 years ago.

[10 DME ARC]

ncleflights yes the decline at Newcastle did start earlier and it was a result of the government's decision to increase APD having a particularly significant impact on marginal low cost domestic routes such as STN, BRS, BFS and some European routes. Yes, if the analysis is undertaken on a two year basis is does currently show Newcastle in a worse light than most airports. However, it is now performing better than many of the other airports in very difficult trading conditions and with a much smaller and less affluent natural catchment area than some other airports enjoy. The current management team appear to be steering the airport to a path of sustainable growth unlike the previous CEO who was only interested in building passenger numbers which were plainly unsustainable as it is the airlines which dictate which services they start and they finish. If they were sustainable they would still be there!

[Jamesair]

Some very good posts while I've been away. I agree with most of what has been said and hope the Jet 2 rumour is fulfilled.

There was a very interesting article in The Times about Regional Airports inter alia Ryanair cut backs at Manchester and the figure of 5 million pax per year is apparently the magic figure whereby revenues from retail etc become really meaningful to the airport, hence the special offers made to Lo-cost operators to try and achieve this goal.

Will NCL maintain it in 2009?

[fl dutchman]

Jamesair

4.791 million shown in the CAA stats from June 08 to May 09.
Same period in previous year 5.417 million.

[maxtoon]

:eek:

that makes depressing reading indeed !!

[757 Speedbrakes]

New for S10:

Dalaman, Crete, Gran Canaria, Cyprus and Sharm el Sheikh

In addition to the 5 new routes Jet2.com also goes on sale with flights for Corfu, Cork, Pisa, Rhodes and Split. In addition Tennerife will now operate 3 times per week and Lanzarote 2 times per week

:ok:

All as expected but at least shows some airport expansion and will hopefully silence those from a year or so ago who said Jet2 will pull out from NCL

[Travel Agent]

Great news and confidence builder for NCL

[sunshine79]

Brilliant news for NCL. Looks like LS are going from strength to strength at NCL, although most of the flights will probably used by tour operators, but at the end of the day, it's bums on seats.

[EuroChallenger]

Presumably a second 757 will take up residence in Newcastle?

[757 Speedbrakes]

Afirm, with the rumor that the next route that couldn't be announced today because of 'paperwork' is Tunisia.............

[transwede]

I'm still guessing MIR, KGS and VCE will be added at some point - MIR looks a set favourite for the '19th' route, and many are talking of YYZ??!!

Good news for the airport, the passengers - particularly on the job front!

Looking at the schedule, still quite a few gaps so could link into the report that additional routes to be announced in 2 weeks!

[Jamesair]

Very good news from Jet2 with more to come according to the press release. I wonder if there will be anything new from EZY for next summer?

On the July Statistics front, Dubai is up 10% from last year. Other destinations with scheduled pax rises are Nice 1%...Hanover 25%...Rome 8%...Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga, Palma, Ibiza and Arrecife (I haven't calculated the increase yet)...in most of these cases there is an overall fall with charter figures falling and the scheduled sector rising. Sad that Hanover is ending with such good figures for July.

On the domestic front Gatwick, Heathrow, Aberdeen, Belfast City and Newquay/Plymouth services all showed rises.

[skhwoody]

just checked the airport hotel website and it is showing a date of 1st October as the opening date.....

[maxtoon]

has been showing that date for the past 3 months .. it has slipped a few times now.

The hotel is far from complete i'm afraid with most of the internal fit out yet to even start. I think it's just not viable to open the hotel in the current climate. It has been the subject of budget cuts already when the original developer ran out of money. The design had to be compromised and most of the glass cladding on the frontage was omitted so it now looks blooming awful.

shame :rolleyes:

[Sam Chipperfield]

Just looked on the September timetable, looks like there will be 4 or 5 A319s based up here soon

[DL93]

4th A319 arriving for LGW this afternoon

[GAXLN]

Or could it be from Edinburgh this evening .....

[maxtoon]

Just wondering what ppl think about the high speed rail link favouring the west coast.

I think that for the moment this could be a blessing for NCL given that it is expected to take up to 90% of 'domestic' passengers away from regional airports on the London route as pax and businesses favour a fast direct link into the city centre. :hmm:

[apaul]

For the moment it won't make any difference because if it's built at all it won't be until after 2020. If the route via the West to Edinburgh does happen on balance it may be bad news for NCL. The negative effect on the region would outweigh the benefits to a couple of domestic routes. The proposal to run down or cut the East Coast rail line north of Newcastle was in the original Beaching Report.

[ash666]

I wouldn't mind but the west coast already has good motorway links all the way from London to Glasgow while we have a rickety A1 with JCBs and tractors trundling up the single carriageways.
I must admit, I hadn't thought about the negative effect on the airports, though.

[aeulad]

Apparently new route with Eastern to Bergen.

Regards

Mike

[andrewmcharlton]

So far the new train line is only proposed to the Midlands with a potential to extend to the North West and only then possible to Scotland.

As it stands its only an idea, has no governmental support, no funding, no planning permissions, don't hold your breathe for this it could easily be 30 or 40 years before completion if it ever occurs.

[ConstantFlyer]

"Apparently new route with Eastern to Bergen."

aeulad

Where did you hear this?

[CentreFix25]

It's on the Eastern Airways thread, expect via ABZ.

[HH6702]

Bergan isnt showning on the search opitions but oslo is???

[HH6702]

Looks like it Operates via Aberdeen and Stavanger - approx 20 minute stopover before onwards to Oslo...


Long trip but hopefully eastern are testing the water before adding direct service from NCL to OSL like they did with the Stavanger operate Via ABZ first.

Still good news

[Wellington Bomber]

Think its direct to Bergen in addition to Stavanger not stopping

[Jamesair]

That's even better, no doubt there will be an official announcement soon.
When is it supposed to start?

[GAXLN]

The Eastern flights are direct and will start 5th October. Eastern have also added a Sunday departure to Stavanger. Great news for Eastern and also the North East :ok:

[sunshine79]

See TCX flight from SSH is delayed 28 hours. I'm assuming it's a bad tech problem, but nice for the pax to have an extra day in the sun though.

[sunshine79]

Ouch, not good. It's a shame as I noticed TCX time keeping lately has been superb, most flights landing at least 30 mins early. Looks like the estimated arrival time has been push back by another hour.

[ReadyToGo]

Eastern Airways confirmed to Bergen, in addition to Stavanger.

Anyone know the history of this route? Am I right in thinking that its been done before with Dan Air (and possibly Braathens?). Is it another oil route?

RTG!

[apaul]

About 2 years ago there were two airlines on the Bergen route - Jet2 and maybe Wideroe. There was also a ferry between Newcaslte and Bergen for many years, but that also stopped. Bergen should be a better leisure destination than Stavanger as it is much easier to get to the Fjords from their.

[HH6702]

Hi

Just been working out the flights for jet2 for the months of july/aug and sept.

It works out that 5 aircraft are needed for the flight programme.

So far we know of 2x 733 and 2x 757

Does anybody know any further infomation of what is planned.


Somebody stated that LS would be doing canada for summer 2010.
if this is correct than a 6 aircraft would be required to operated those long haul flights!!!

[HH6702]

Sorry guys just finished the timetable which i have made.

If the KGS flights go ahead as per that tour operaters website than infact 6 yes 6 aircraft will be required to be based at NCL!!!!!!!!!!

:ok::ok::D:D

Very good news this is..

Come on easyjet let us have aircraft 7 and maybe 8 for next summer!!!

I just hope that TCX arent reducing an aircraft for s10 and giving the work to jet2???

[Sam Chipperfield]

Well Done Jet2 on those new routes, good 2 hear about there possible aircraft stationed hear next summer, would like 2 c Easyjet possibly have 7-8 based up here especially if all of them being A319s. Looking on the montly timetable it says Easyjet should have 5 A319s up here.

[Jamesair]

The Easyjet timetable is only up till June so the peak season could be very different.

I calculated that the Jet 2 peak services would need 4 a/c leaving gaps for 5 more rotations (the further announcement expected soon). If the Toronto route happens that would probably involve an aircraft positioning to operate and then out again afterwards. I could be wrong, of course.

What has Flybe got planned for next season, I wonder?

[OliWW]

6 aircraft arent needed, with departures on a Wednesday to
PMI, RHO, PFO and MJV in the morning, takes them using 2x B733 and 2x B752, a 3rd B733 is needed on Thu, Fri and Sat, but no 6th aircraft at the moment

[HH6702]

I'm out of the house at the minute but look at august 6 aircraft are needed
At weekends.

I will post my findings when I get home

[HH6702]

here is what i have got if im correct we need 6 aircraft!??

JET2 summer 2010
Aircraft 1 B757
1 . . . . . . LS526/7 CORFU 15.05 22.05
. 2 . . . . . LS756/7 HER 10.30 20.15
. . 3 . . . . LS515/6 PAPHOS 10.30 21.25
. . . 4 . . . LS545/6 ACE 10.30 1.25
??
??
. . . . . . 7 LS515/6 PAPHOS 15.05 2.00

Aircraft 2 B757
1 . . . . . . LS561/2 DLM 10.30 20.35
. 2 . . . . . LS517/8 TFS 9.45 20.25
. . 3 . . . . LS581/2 RHO 9.40 19.40
. . . 4 . . . LS505/6 SSH 10.30 22.35
. . . . 5 . . LS561/2 DLM 10.30 20.35
. . . . . 6 . LS541/2 LPA 16.05 2.25
. . . . . . 7 LS545/6 ACE 16.05 2.25

Aircraft 3 B733
1 . 3 . . 67 LS557/8 AGP 8.00 15.05
. . . . 5 . . LS555/6 IBZ 9.00 15.20
. . . . 5 . . LS535/6 CORK 16.00 19.00
. . . . . 6 . LS547/8 PISA 8.30 14.35
. . . . . 6 . LS373/4 MAHON 15.05 21.25
. . . . . . 7 LS535/6 CORK 17.05 20.05

Aircraft 4 B733
1234567 LS531/2 PMI 7.25 14.05
. . . . . 6 . SPLIT 15.45 23.00
. . . . . . 7 LS555/6 IBZ 15.45 22.15

Aircraft 5 ??
12345 . . LS523/4 MJV 11.00 17.05
. . . . . 67 LS523/4 MJV 8.10 15.05

Aircraft 6 ??
. . 3 . . . . LS416/7 KGS 8.30 17.30
. . . . . 67 LS517/8 TFS 15.05 1.45


*** FLIGHT NOT ON SALE ON JET2 BUT ON SALE WITH TOUR OPERATOR ***

[tcx00]

Just been looking at holidays for next year to Turkey and all the flight days have changed to Dalaman. The cheapest ones were on a thurs and on a wed.

Outbound Flight
Airline: Thomas Cook Airlines
Depart: Newcastle - on Wed 04 Aug 10 at 21:15
Arrive: Dalaman - on Thu 05 Aug 10 at 03:40


Inbound Flight
Airline: Thomas Cook Airlines
Depart: Dalaman - on Thu 12 Aug 10 at 04:40
Arrive: Newcastle - on Thu 12 Aug 10 at 07:10

Outbound Flight
Airline: Thomas Cook Airlines
Depart: Newcastle - on Thu 05 Aug 10 at 09:00
Arrive: Dalaman - on Thu 05 Aug 10 at 15:20

Inbound Flight
Airline: Thomas Cook Airlines
Depart: Dalaman - on Fri 13 Aug 10 at 02:30
Arrive: Newcastle - on Fri 13 Aug 10 at 05:05

Are they expanding again from newcastle next year or they just changing the flight days around?

Cheers
Nick

[Wellington Bomber]

HH6702

I make it 4 aircraft apart from Wednesday, when 6 are required regarding Jet2 requirements

[CentreFix25]

...and they'll not bring 2 extra aircraft in for 1 days worth of flying, they'll reschedule flights and keep it at 4 based.

[ReadyToGo]

How many are based now? IIRC correctly its 2x733, and that lovely white 752 (which is horrifically underused and spends most of its time on remote!).

And how will the new flights affect thier lucrative mail contract. I doubt LS would risk a 733 being back at NCL too close to the mail flights, bearing in mind the time required to tow, convert, load and dispatch the mail.

Anyone know the timing of the LS mail?

RTG!

[transwede]

RTG all of the 737 operated passenger flights are scheduled to arrive before the mail flights depart, except saturday evenings when no mail flights (or a reduced schedule) are/is operated.

In terms of aircraft numbers based, I have to agree with CentreFix that some re-scheduling may take place, unless of course additional routes are announced. The rumoured KGS charter could be operated on the 733 after the PMI, but could be tight for mail flight?! There are some gaps left in teh schedule, which could yet be filled - there is no reason why LS wouldn't use their 757 for night flying to maximise useage and potential profit!

As for YYZ, not convinced on that one for LS, but the loss of the route certainly needs a replacement!

tcx00 the days of operation are just changing for next summer by the looks of it. DLM will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays - more or less same capacity as this season. However again glancing through the programme indicates gaps on a Monday, Tuesday and Friday evening.

[757 Speedbrakes]

How many are based now? IIRC correctly its 2x733, and that lovely white 752 (which is horrifically underused and spends most of its time on remote!).

She's being painted this winter, apprently but no winglets and not for certain if LSAD is coming back next year?

It does 4 rotations a day except for Tues and Weds where it does 2 so it's not that bad!!

[JKKne]

Apologies if the following post is in the wrong place but here goes

Returned to my former 'local' airport on a break to England last night with Thomson through Palma

Landed early at 00.05 and was advised during taxi that there would be a short delay in disembarking to allow the fitting of an airbridge (which bemused me as to why they announced this?) which was to our advantage as the weather was atrocious (very heavy rain)

After 10 minutes the pilot came on and apologised saying we'd have to disembark via stairs as the airbridge operator was unavailable. Hmmm. So another 5 minutes and stairs were attached. By now we've been on the ground nearly 20 minutes. I exited via front stairs which to my mind weren't attached properly. They shook like hell and were very very slippy. It was like a funhouse ride from the Town Moor. The air stewards started directing people to the back doors instead.

Was then stuck in a 10 minute queue at the UK Border Agency (rent a failed cop) who had 2 people for the whole flight yet 2 people controlling a queue! They spent an age looking at passports and passengers and barking at parents who dared to move forward with their children. Rather appalling behaviour.

Eventually I moved forwarded and was grunted at by a spotty 20 year old who ordered me around like a 12 year old. I half expect this from UK immigration these days.

So onto the baggage collection which took 45 minutes! Landing at 00.05 I didn't leave the airport until 01.15 and we were the only flight at the time (another TOM jet from Ibiza was due in 20 minutes after us) The cases were soaked through to add injury to a growing insult.

It just seemed a wholly inefficient slow and poor operation from gate to arrivals hall.

[ConstantFlyer]

Sorry to hear of your experience, JKKne. I've heard similar concerns about customer service relating to both travelling and accommodation in the UK. It is not something peculiar to Newcastle.

Such lapses happen, in my view, when management loses sight of the big picture. (Why do we provide a service? To keep people safe and make them happy. If they are safe and happy, they will come back for more, thus ensuring the pennies keep rolling in.) Ideally, staff training would include an element of observing best practice, wherever that might be located (Do hoteliers ever stay in other hotels? Do immigration officers ever pass through immigration abroad?). Staff could also be encouraged to take a personal interest in their career development (= I want to be good at my job, so I'm going to learn something or do something that will enable me to perform better). Often things get out of hand when they get too big and too impersonal: eg you sometimes get good service at small hotels, on small airlines and at small airports.

I regularly stay at a particular large chain's hotels on my travels and have been very impressed by their corporate style and methods. They seem to have been able to instill in staff a 'can do' and 'want to help' attitude that many organisations would do well to follow.

Hope your next trip back to The Toon runs more smoothly.

[CentreFix25]

Its not all bad, I've flown into or out of NCL 6 times this year. On each occassion I had 2 children and 2 suitcases and made it through the airport on every occassion as quick as it could possibly be done (in my opinion). Other than the notorious revolving door, I can't think of any point of the procedure that could have went better or quicker.

[nclops]

Landed early at 00.05 and was advised during taxi that there would be a short delay in disembarking to allow the fitting of an airbridge (which bemused me as to why they announced this?) which was to our advantage as the weather was atrocious (very heavy rain)

After 10 minutes the pilot came on and apologised saying we'd have to disembark via stairs as the airbridge operator was unavailable. Hmmm. So another 5 minutes and stairs were attached. By now we've been on the ground nearly 20 minutes. I exited via front stairs which to my mind weren't attached properly. They shook like hell and were very very slippy. It was like a funhouse ride from the Town Moor. The air stewards started directing people to the back doors instead.

It bemuses me as why they told you this as well because the flight deck knew well in advance of landing that the airbridge was u/s, and had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that there was no operator present. (There was actually an operator present well in advance of the a/c pulling on to stand but unable to use the airbridge as it's currently broken.).

2 sets of stairs were waiting and were connected to the a/c (properly) within 5 minutes of it pulling onto stand. The front stairs were connected first and the majority of the flight disembarked via the front stairs with no other complaints made. The a/c was fully clear of passengers and the crew had disembarked within 20 minutes of its arrival on stand so your times are very inaccurate.

It does seem you've had a long wait for you bags however but this may have something to do with the TOM IBZ actually landing 15 mins before you not 15 mins after.

[transwede]

Cannot comment on the majority of that situation, other than immigration can get very hectic at certain times of the day, IMHO the area is far too small and cramped for busy periods, though during the night maybe a leaner coverage of border control officers are present, leading to longer wait?? I have no objection in them thoroughly checking documentation, but adequate provision of staff and a spacious area would improve passenger transit.

[ash666]

likewise security on the way out.

[ReadyToGo]

I have to say, I've never found NCL any worse to arrive in than any other airport, and I pass thought a few times a month. I think a lot of your problems are probably due to the late arrival time. At that time of night, the handling agents have a skeleton staff, that can probably cope with all the work, provided nothing is too early... or too late.
I can imagine that immigration is a nightmare if you land a few minutes after the Emirates though!

Though nice to know I'm not the only one who HATES those damn revolving doors! I've even been on flights that have landed late, and the revolving door in the domestic hall had been switched off!

Is there a reason NCL doesn't have the sliding doors like everywhere else?

[JKKne]

2 sets of stairs were waiting and were connected to the a/c (properly) within 5 minutes of it pulling onto stand. The front stairs were connected first and the majority of the flight disembarked via the front stairs with no other complaints made. The a/c was fully clear of passengers and the crew had disembarked within 20 minutes of its arrival on stand so your times are very inaccurate



Perhaps the late hour clouded my mind. I was in row 23 and everyone behind me was told to disembark via the rear stairs.

The pilot was most talkative, I assume he was just using spiel.

I'm used to flying into Palma, the most godforsaken impersonal of airports (though a joy out of season it has to be said) but I've never had a baggage wait longer than 10 minutes with them and immigration in particular has been a breeze. Man with gun waving through at the sight of some red leather or a national ID card

On the doors. They were blocked off when I arrived and we were directed to the door to the left of them in arrivals

[skhwoody]

apparently the funding was ringfenced in place a while back for the sliding doors as replacements. however prior to this work starting there was an incursion from land / airside at another airport and this led to the door changes/upgrade being put on hold...... thats what i hear anyway,

[apaul]

Looks like there will be stability at best from Easyjet at Newcastle in 2010. It's pulling out of EMA, cutting 20% at Luton and at Belfast, Bristol, Newcastle and Stansted aircraft numbers will remain the same, but a total of 40 pilot and cabin crew jobs to go across the 4 bases.

[Delta 8]

Glad to hear NCL has escaped any cuts.

[HH6702]

Jet2 has put tunisia on sale from newcastle, leeds and manchester today

sunday flights from june until sept

[ncleflights]

Given that the reason for the EZY EMA base closure is that the base has been stagnant for the last few years does anyone think that NCL should have something to fear.

I posted a couple of years ago when we lost Berlin, Copenhagen, Budapest that I was concerned that we were becoming like EMA then. I know we dont have just 3 based EZY aircraft here but we have been quite stagnant now for a couple of years, with regard to EZY aircraft numbers, I know some of the EZY folk have become quite concerned over the last couple of days.

Any thoughts from anyone else on this one

[transwede]

I agree that EZY has been a little stagnant for a while at NCL now, Jet2 seem to be making NCL into quite a large base for them, it would be interesting to compare pax numbers on the 2 airlines from NCL. Having said that with 6 based aircraft EZY still has a fairly large base, with a good number of routes and frequencies - which obviously are making a nice earner for them, if not wouldn't the base have also been closed? Don't think we run the risk of loosing them unless the economic situation deteriorates, in which case anything could happen?!

[Jamesair]

I seem to remember that in EZY's last financial report they singled out NCL as a successful and profitable base for them.

[HH6702]

Hi

I think the reason is to why easyjet havent done much with ncl over the last few years is that we have been a boeing base. All new aircraft into the easyjet fleet have been airbus hense no extra aircraft at ncl.

I think that things will now change as we will be airbus only by end of summer but maybe not for at least another year when conditions improve.
The airport bosses can now fight with other airports for new routes and new based aircraft which the airport couldnt have done this before now!!

I think the easyjet will find it hard to expand into TFS,ACE as jet2 now have these routes well covered.

Im sure that easyjet can find room still and make money on routes to turkey and greece. i agree with what someone wrote before we need our city breaks routes back and hopefully easyjet will bring them back once the market returns....

:ok:

[Jamesair]

Flybe have put Limoge and Jersey on sale for summer 2010....just tried to access it on the website but not available at the time of this post.

[Jamesair]

Strange....that information about launch of even more summer flights for 2010 has now disappeared from the Flybe website.

[chris1001]

I departed from Newcastle a week past Saturday and both sets of escalators up to departures were broken forcing any passengers with disabilities to wait ages for the lifts which are touch and go at the best of times. Returning back through the airport today the escalator to arrivals was also broken again. Surely an airport of this size should have a maintenance contract to keep them running - this sets a poor example to visiting pax.

[transwede]

Tis very rare that arrivals escalators are switched on, so they may not actually be broken, just in the 'off' position, but totally agree with your comment, NCL "at times" does not set a very good example!

[JKKne]

After my little rant about arriving into Newcastle I feel it only right to describe my departures experience back home to Palma through Newcastle.

The revolving doors, I hate them too, but for the first time I got around in one without some dozy duffer clattering into them and stopping the bloody things

Check in was a breeze. Quick and efficient and a really smiley chatty airline rep who made the whole dull process rather bearable.

The queue at security was fairly large but very well managed, passengers were clearly communicated to (ladies shoes off only! :ok:) and directed to other scanners and again all with a smile.

I found the airside prices reasonable (alas...Palma really must be getting expensive!) and again the service was good and an impressive choice for the airport since my last visit. I even foregoed a visit to the lounge to watch the planes from those big glass windows.

Boarding was prompt, well managed, adhered to and we left dead bang on time.

So, felt it only right to praise as well as criticise. Fly back in 2 weeks for a birthday so we'll see if they keep up the good work!

[nclpilot]

Hi All,

My wife has just returned from work (travel agent) and mentioned there wont be any TCX flights from NCL-SFB next summer. Looks like the MON charter will be stopping leaving TOM to run the route.
I'm aware its a difficult route to make work as the costs are so high but was a little suprised as TCX ran the 2 weeks in August.
Anyone heard any other rumours?

[transwede]

At present, Thomas Cook (the Tour Op) will not run any SFB charters next summer from NCL, either using MON or any of their own metal. TOM will be responsible for all long haul charters, using their 767 aircraft in a 258 (think thats the split between premium and economy) config, which results in quite a capacity cut to Florida, as MON A330 had 350+ from recollection. Maybe TOM could consider adding an additional rotation, but again in these economic times, I very much doubt it.

It has also been mentioned but NCL will loose its weekly link to Canada, though some rumours place LS as the successor to this route, whther or not they or any other operator will step in remains to be seen.

[maxtoon]

just checked the airport hotel website and it is showing a date of 1st October as the opening date.....


no opening date for the hotel at all now i'm afraid due to finance problems .. all on hold at the moment ..

just a big empty building that will probably fall into neglect before it actually opens .. shame :rolleyes:

[GrahamK]

Manx2 increasing frquency to NCL from 14th October, with a new flight on wednesdays. They are planning a daily service during 2010.

[andrewmcharlton]

The hotel will be open before Christmas as a Doubletree by Hilton Brand.

[Jamesair]

The CAA August stats show a better picture for the airport in Aug.
Domestic routes: Gatwick +18%, Heathrow +6% Aberdeen +55% Belfast City +14% and Southampton +1% all the others are down. (Jersey has not published yet)

International routes: Nice +2%, Rome +2%, All Spanish scheduled routes are up except Tenerife (the charter figure is down in every case) Faro scheduled is up, charter is down. Dubai continues to rise with a 4% increase.

The airport pax figure as a whole, is down 5.5% which is a lot better than some in August. The rolling year pax figure is 10.6% down at 4,673,982 so it looks like we shall make the magical 5m figure this year.

[fl dutchman]

Yes those figures are quite encouraging. I think the 5.5% August monthly reduction on the same month last year is possibly the lowest for some time and that is with some destination pax figures not in yet. So perhaps things are starting to bottom out, although the coming winter is going to be tough with quite a few cutbacks ie LHR and AMS.

Summer 2010 looks promising at the moment, perhaps there could be a return to growth then ?

I wonder if Easyjet will increase from 5 to 6 aircraft from the end of June next summer as per this year when the seats for that period are put on sale. I seem to remember them saying in a recent release that the proposed staff reductions were to ensure the right crewing levels for future flying or something like that. They also said the number of aircraft at NCL is expected to remain stable. So does that mean stable at 5 or 6?.

[HH6702]

KLM this winter will be 3x daily 737 not sure if this is the same amounts of seats on sale??

From what i have heard easyjet will be 5 aircraft only for summer.

[fl dutchman]

The AMS is currently 2x 733 and 2x F70, some days a 738 replaces one of the 733s I think. So its about 414/458 seats. For the winter its at the moment 1x 733, 1x 734 and 1x 738, 445 seats. So the number of seats is similar summer and winter. But in the winter there is no mid morning departure from NCL for the first time since I can remember, a very popular service for connections. Cant understand this at all ?.

It will be interesting to see how the passenger figures look when this happens.

At present from summer 2010 it is planned to go back to 5 daily, with the re introduction of the mid morning departure. (2x 737 and 3x F70?)

[ash666]

ugh. That will mean a 6 hour wait at AMS for early afternoon connections.

[fl dutchman]

Dont know if this is an increase, but now booking to end of June for,

SOU 4x daily, EXE 1x daily, CWL 1x daily, LGW 4x daily and Belfast City 2x Daily. (frequency for weekdays, weekends vary )
JER is M W F and Su and Limoges on Sat.
Could it be 3 based aircraft with some new routes to come??.

Jersey gone for winter. Thought it a bit odd for a winter flight fron NCL.

[ReadyToGo]

That must mean that NCL-SOU is the highest frequency route out of the airport, 4xFlybe, 3xEastern.

Or is LHR better served?

[sunshine79]

LHR is at most 6 times a day, dropping to 4 during the winter, if i'm not mistaken.

[Jamesair]

It is but not by number of seats offered

[fl dutchman]

LHR has been 6x Daily for years summer and winter, but dropping to 5 for most of this coming winter only ?.

So SOU has it on frequency not seats.

[WOWBOY]

From the 26 October Plymouth and Newquay are reduced to Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun only. Down by two rotations a week. What were the figures for this route. From what i gather it was doing well but not oustandingly well just ok.


WOWBOY

[Jamesair]

You can check the monthly figures on the CAA website. They are usually shown as a Plymouth/Newquay total with no split. July was 1,876 and Aug was 1,942

[ReadyToGo]

Not really surprising that the WOW is cutting back. Plymouth and Newquay are more leisure routes than business based I would imagine.

I'd be suprised not to see the frequency improved when the summer comes around again!

RTG

[HH6702]

Looks like Newcastle isnt ever going to get the new york route

AA to start manchester from may 2010.

Doesnt manchester not have enough flights all ready to New york!!!!!
:confused:

[GrahamK]

HH6702, AA will fly MAN-JFK summer only. Delta are canning MAN-JFK, and BA dropped it last year leaving CO at 2 x Daily MAN-EWR and PIA MAN-JFK 2 x weekly.

[ncleflights]

The topic of the possibility raises its head once again.

If we ever get a New York service and I can't imagine one anytime soon then it will probs come from CO. They are the airline, because of the close ties, monotoring the pax figure provide by NCL only long haul sched service from EK.

[andrewmcharlton]

Stop it folks, there isn't going to be an NYC service any time soon. Let's not go over the same tired arguments agai. Bob Hope and No Hope.

[skyman771]

HH6702
Doesnt manchester not have enough flights all ready to New york!!!!! Dangerous to make assumptions re MAN-NYC, AA may be coming but DL are packing in 7 Jan 2010. I think we should stop even thinking about NCL-NYC for at least another 5 years !. More pressing issues should be to address how to get the pax. no.'s back up to well above 5M on a consistent basis & be able to show convincing growth thereafter.

[Jamesair]

BOOST FOR THE NORTH-EAST.

Has anyone noticed the new Boeing advert for the 787....it features the Angel of the North with a 787 superimposed flying over it (presumably heading for Newcastle Airport).

[maxtoon]

we can but dream !!

btw, which way was it heading ? .. as it could have been on it's way to 'Durham Tees Valley' :uhoh:

[Jamesair]

We are probably both wrong its probably overflying to AMS..........maybe one day......

[Jamesair]

Newquay and Plymouth.

In August the pax figures were 1942 for Plymouth and 1133 for Newquay. CAA have got a split for this month (first time).

3% and 13% down on last August respectively.

This is an update on figures I quoted recently in answer to a querie.

[Otto Throttle]

BOOST FOR THE NORTH-EAST.

Has anyone noticed the new Boeing advert for the 787....it features the Angel of the North with a 787 superimposed flying over it (presumably heading for Newcastle Airport).


Perhaps they just wanted to see something that was built by people who know how to bolt 'wings' on properly. :E

[Sharky12t]

Perhaps they just wanted to see something that was built by people who know how to bolt 'wings' on properly.

You obviously haven't been following the 787 story very closely, very funny. :ok:

[flybar]

Jet2 have a number of charters to TLV from Cork & Dublin over the next month.

[transwede]

Does this affect NCL then?

[flybar]

Does this affect NCL then?


It did - comment referred to some earlier posts which have obviously now been moved!! Newcastle based aircraft was used this week

[Jamesair]

Manx 2 have announced a further increase in IOM frequency. They will add a twice daily service on Friday commencing on 30th Oct., in addition to the Wednesday flight starting on 14th Oct.

[GrahamK]

Must be doing really well :ok:

[ACARS]

Some idiot with a laser pointer in the Sunderland area tonight.

http://www.pprune.org/rumours-news/349414-l-sers-attacks-aircraft-17.html

[sunshine79]

I've noticed 4 flights coming in from EIN tomorrow, all before lunchtime, anyone know why these special flights are operating?

[Jamesair]

Just a guess, maybe connected with a car launch...Nissan....probably totally wrong

[lukeylad]

The four flights from EIN were a series of Troop Charters.

[Jamesair]

Thanks lukeylad...I knew someone would know. Nice bit of extra business for the airport.

[ReadyToGo]

Anyone know whose troop charters they were and what operated them. Last time I was up there, the RAF scared the hell out of me with a Tristar (I forgot how loud those things are... I thought it was going to take the car roof off!), and the time before that I saw a grey DC10 on finals (no idea who's is was USAF perhaps?).

Is there a lot of military charter work in and out of NCL?

RTG!

[sunshine79]

LS, HV, ZB and 4R operated the flights.

[GrahamK]

Jet2 was a 733 I believe, Monarch was an A300, Transavia a B738 and Hamburg International, an A319.

[Jamesair]

Recently there does seem to have been an upturn in trooping movements out of NCL

[Jamesair]

MANX 2
Another thread reports that from March 2010 there will 1 flt daily to the IOM on Tu/Th/Sa/Su and 2 x daily on Mon/Wed/Fri plus some day return flights on Winter (at home) weeks on Saturdays for football/shopping trips.

[ConstantFlyer]

Glad to see the NCL-IOM route coming along nicely. Seems like manx2 is able to schedule flights for when most people want to travel, rather than just offering the single middle-of-the-day rotation that Eastern did. Day trips too - excellent! The Isle of Man is a great place to visit, so I hope Northeasterners will take advantage of this link.

[GrahamK]

Well for anyone who's interested, Septembers provisional passenger figures are out...

For the airport as a whole, despite the number of flights being down by 9.3% for the month, passenger figures were only down by 2.7%

Dubai seen an increase of 17%, which roughly translates into an average load of 77.17%. Of course, we don't know what yields are like, but this is quite encouraging for a small regional like NCL :ok:

Still can't understand why Canada is being dropped for next year, as again, just like most of this summer, pax numbers have improved in the double digits percentage wise...

[GAXLN]

Graham, don't forget there were five Wednesdays in September this year versus four last year so a 22% jump in passenger numbers this year is actually a slightly worse performance than last year and don't forget these are just passenger numbers - as you know it is all in the yield as to whether a route is really prospering or not. It would be a shame if the Toronto flight disappeared but I'm sure the airport will be working hard to retain service next summer. There's still time to save this route! Let's hope they do it.

Overall Newcastle figures look pretty good for September and Dubai exceptionally good in what are difficult market conditions for all airlines and airports.

[GrahamK]

GAXLN,

Hasn't the service been operating on wednesdays this year though?

[MichaelAM]

According to a friend, the route is only sustainable at peak times such as June-August, other than it seems the loads etc just aren't good enough in months such as May, Sept, Oct :rolleyes:

[Jamesair]

The 2.7% pax decline is shown minus the figures for BFS and BRS, that should reduce it more.

NCL - Heathrow increased by 12% to 45,256 and NCL - Gatwick by 23% to 10,036 which is good by any standard.

[fl dutchman]

Yes things could be starting to turnaround or at least become stable, good news. Considering the LHR figures its a shame the last daily rotation will not operate from the end of Oct to near the end of Dec. Is this not a busy flight ?. The last inbound was always very busy once upon a time.

[GrahamK]

I did notice some big slumps on the CPH and DUS flights...let's hope these don't go the way of the dodo :uhoh:

[GAXLN]

I think CPH was 10 weekly last summer vs 6 weekly this year and DUS is temporarily 1xdaily Monday to Friday to end of summer timetable before resuming 2xdaily Monday to Friday so I guess these are the reasons for the declines. No doubt this has helped BA who appear to be gaining at KLM/Air France's expense along with Emirates.

[Jamesair]

Toronto flights for summer 2010 are now available on Canadian Affairs and Air Transit websites....operates Wednesdays and for a shorter season

[HH6702]

Thats great news they have had all us worried that was the end of the YYZ flights....

:ok:

[Ph1l1pncl]

To me it looks like we are sharing the Toronto flights with Exeter. As the flight has a stop on the way back and all the dates match with Exeter.

Did they do that this year aswell? Or were both outward and inward flights direct this year?

[sunshine79]

I think at the start of the season, the flight went via EXT, not too sure it if will at the end of the season too.

[skyman771]

We hear from time to time about airports having to ingratiate themselves to airlines in order that they serve the airport. To an extent this has historically in NCL's case benefited all. However things go wrong with this system when airlines take the p**s, which I am afraid appears to the case of RYR & their activities on the NCL-DUB service.
Basically once daily is inadequate & excepting a "non business" additional flight late on Fridays & Sundays would appear to serve predominantly the booze revelers, is now the only offering on a popular route. As for RYR, then they were happy enough to run the twice daily early & late schedules when EI were trying (albeit half hearted) to re-establish themselves. They are clearly not bothered in the region, in having pulled the DTV-DUB also, they have shown total cynicism, & in my opinion would serve NCL better simply to pull out completely and "create a vacuum" for a more committed carrier to move in. The traffic figures stack up, historically it can be seen that double the capacity & the pax figures roughly follow in line.
In anticipating all the incoming postings arguing the basic revenue vs. volume argument, then I have an interesting way of looking at this in this particular instance. The closest RYR offerings EDI-DUB, LBA-DUB both offer twice daily & if one takes any day at random, and in looking at the internet booking, compares the fare levels being achieved on these alternatives, then it is quite obvious that neither of these "quasi competition offerings” are yielding a greater revenue.
So what’s it really about, in reality RYR only interested in their bases/hubs & in their open contempt for EI are happy to retain a block on other carriers producing a more useful product. As for NCL then I suspect the management are wary of upsetting RYR:eek:, but in reality are we bothered ?

[CentreFix25]

Interesting post - forget Ryanair and any false hopes and strike a deal with Aer Lingus. Price Ryanair out, give a good deal to EI to operate double daily, with the morning flight interlining with the transatlantic stuff.

[andrewmcharlton]

All dandy except for the fact that EI are re-trenching, reducing staff, reducing routes and reducing their fleet size and are 20% plus owned by FR.

[GrahamK]

Kiss Flights are introducing a weekly (Sun) service to Dalaman for Summer 2010. Flights operated by SAGA Airlines operating from the end of May to the end of October. :ok:

[apaul]

The Ryanair flights are now available for the summer. Girona returns 3 times per week, although the flight times are not as good as MME. Dublin continues 9 times per week with the inconvenient 6.25am departure from Dublin the only option apart from Fridays and Sundays.

[neil_2008]

I have to agree with skyman re the FR services especially to Dublin. With the summer schedule launched with that 06:25 DUB-NCL service leaves a route really poorly served. They should either take it seriously or leave it to someone else.

[JKKne]

Re : NCL - DUB

I've just booked with Aer Arran on DUB-NCL for a visit home after a quick trip to Dublin

FR want nigh on £100 for the pleasure (with my hold bag) whilst Aer Arran want £81 with bags

Apparantly it's just a charter that runs when Sunderland are at home but I'll keep an eye on it in future

[transwede]

Quite a few military flights through NCL over the past couple of weeks - is this an area of business which is likely to increase? Have MOD/Military flights not tended to use MME previously?

[uklad007]

MME have been getting semi regular flights (sometime more than 1 daily) on 757's, 767's A330 etc etc over the last few weeks.

[upnorth east]

The Eindhoven military charters seemed to have been Dutch Army exercises in the north east, I've seen a number of dutch registered army vehicles around this week. It has been a lot of years since such a big military charter op here.

Anyone know why TS have Toronto arrival here tomorrow ? is it the last arrival of the season ? We have had an A330 for last arrival in some of the previous years !

[CentreFix25]

Strange how there is an inbound but no outbound - maybe it's a mistake.

[SWBKCB]

Last flight of the season, so no outbound.

[CentreFix25]

...but is it not a Toronto based aircraft? Thought they just sold seats - surely they are not going to send it back across the Atlantic empty?

[sunshine79]

According to Pearson website, it's coming in via CDG, so it might be going back with some French pax onboard.

[nclops]

It routes YYZ-NCL-CDG dropping off pax in NCL and the carrying on to CDG with transit pax before heading back to canada. Its the last op of the season on an A310.

[HH6702]

Is this a new route sure we didnt have Izmir for summer 2009?


Sat 24 Jul 2010
07:15 Newcastle (NCL) Sat 24 Jul 2010
13:20 Izmir (ADB) TCX 672K
Thomas Cook Airlines

[deltahotel9]

I seem to remember this was announced for 2009 but never operated. Not sure why you would go to Izmir these days as Bodrum is much closer to the resorts in Turkey previously served from Izmir?

[HH6702]

Looks like the website is getting updated.

Flights to Malaga are now shown LS 557/8 sunday flight leaving at 8am.

Wonder how many more flights that were operated by TCX this summer are going to LS??

Looks like the Izmir flights may go ahead this year then?
will keep checking the websites and let you know if i find anything else out.

:ok:

[CentreFix25]

If TCX are subbing flights out to LS does this mean there is no need for the third 757?

[HH6702]

The malaga flight on a sunday is the only one i can find that has been chartered out to someone else. however pmi is only showing on a tuesday and faro on a thursday.

Hopefully we will see 3 x aircraft from tcx still!!!

Jet2 seem to be putting a lot of extra seats into the market to places like CFU, DLM, ACE unless the likes of goldtrail, kiss flights etc are buying seats from them?

:confused:

[transwede]

AGP previously a BMI operated charter.

Saturday flights to PMI and FAO still available for booking?

The only flight available with kissflights.com is a SAGA Airlines DLM on a sunday at present. The LS schedule seems pretty packed with the amount of based aircraft so I suspect we won't see much more from them.

[GrahamK]

TCX still planned as 3 x 757 next summer. The LS AGP should op on a 757 instead of a 733 for next summer also I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) to cover the extra TCX seats.

TOM is a 738 and 2 757s again with the 763 doing SFB, CUN and POP (Or PUJ Can't remember - CUN again operating via MAN for fuel).

SAGA Airlines for Kiss Flights - Sundays using 737s.

Dunno if BMI are returning or whether Jet2 are taking over all the Libra/Olympic flights.

[transwede]

If you go to book certain Olympic holidays flights, BMI is the designated carrier, although obviously there is loads of time for this to change. Olympic have full charters on BMI and Eurocypria, so it would be a disappointing cut in their capacity if they were to take an allocation on the LS flights.

Next summer will also see the usual mix of Onur Air and Eurocypria flights.

GrahamK the TOM dom rep flight operates direct to PUJ - no POP flights ex NCL. :ok:

[flybar]

Anybody know why todays LS flight to Sharm appears to have called at LBA?

[Britannia]

Last flight of the season maybe that may have not been full of Newcastle folk so it dropped into LBA to pick up more PAX? Just an idea.

[Fernanjet]

...but is it not a Toronto based aircraft? Thought they just sold seats - surely they are not going to send it back across the Atlantic empty?


I know that particular aircraft was routing via CDG but ....YES....a/c do fly empty....quite often at he beginning of may and the end of october.....

[Earlyriser]

Flybar, Britannia!

LS flight to SSH.

G-LSAD the operating aircraft went tech at NCL pax coached to LBA to use another aircraft.

[Britannia]

Thanks Earlyriser :ok:

[fl dutchman]

Now on sale, 5 aircraft base I think, down from 6 this year.

Seems to be a large reduction in flights in the current winter shedule vs the original when it was launched??. Just enough for 3 aircraft. Anyone know if thats the case or is there still 5 aircraft actually at the airport and are they all 319s.

[GraemeEUK]

Nice to see Ryanair NCL - GRO back for next summer, I had suspected it was gone for ever as GRO route to other UK airports came out weeks ago

[HH6702]

I haven't worked it out yet but I think it is going to be 6 aircraft again for august will get back to u all once I've worked it out!

[KNIEVEL77]

I see on their website it says that Northumbria Helicopters is now under new management, does anyone have anymore info?

[transwede]

It seems, having a flick through the TCX website, that 3 aircraft return to NCL for next summer - however only 2 based Mondays and Tuesdays.

[Fernanjet]

Correct.....

[tcx00]

Have you got a list of what flights go what day, I can't find it on the website.

Thanks

[Jamesair]

You can download parts of the brochure to get the flight timetables.

[GrahamK]

12884 on the Dubai route in October, up 4%, giving an average load of 74.75%, or 208 people per flight. Not too bad giving current economic conditions, but I can't help thinking EK may be thinking that the route should be performing better by now?

[ReadyToGo]

Re: Emirates

I remember reading in the local press that the EK route is a huge winner for Cargo rather than pax. I can't remember exactly what the figures were, but I was amazed at how much cargo goes out on it, and they types of cargo that is carried.

I'd imagine that if they are turning a good profit on whats beneath the floor, then the passenger figures are a healthy bonus!

RTG!

[KNIEVEL77]

Any news on the hotel yet?

[maxtoon]

A bit of progress on the Hotel issue .. a planning application went in yesterday for the erection of the large Hilton (Doubletree) signs and some flag poles etc outside what will be the the main entrance !!

should be open early in the new year :ok:

[Jamesair]

Next years flights for Manx2 to the IOM are quite an expansion from the old Eastern schedule with:-

M/W/F... 2 rotations
T/Th/Sa/Su....1 rotation

Making 10 return flights a week with a return of the Saturday flight.

[chris1001]

Just done a return trip to Dubai with Emirates and notice they were using 3 class configuration A330's on both legs, six days apart. Not sure if this is just to to lack of available twin class aircraft as unable to book first class via their website for random dates in Jan?

[Earlyriser]

EK have been useing the 3 class A330's on and off for a while now! I think its just fleet rotation etc. Plus i heard that EK intend to get the ICE system installed on the A330 fleet, maybe thats a factor. There is not first class service on either the outbound or return leg when the three class aircraft is used!

[Montreal-Dubai]

Hi Chris 1001 and Earlyriser! Yup, I too came back recently on a 3 class A330, and yes I think it is just operational availability. Mind you, it enabled EK to sell more business class seats, albeit by 2 more than normal, which is an added bonus. My outbound flight 31 October was a 2 class version, both classes were sold out with the usual 27 in business class. On my return though on 20 November, I was amazed at the figure of 29, that coupled with the cargo is what makes proper, hard core revenue. The guys at Parkers exec limos who pick me up/drop me off at the airport, say they have been very busy for weeks with EK pax which is always good to hear. The EK flight has been a Godsend for me since it started, I for one will always use, and promote it given the opportunity. I hope your flight experiences were good too

[Earlyriser]

The Loads on the EK have been great lately!

Good to see Air Transat back for next summer!

[CentreFix25]

Good to see it doing well - it even got a little mention on Steve Wrights Radio 2 show yesterday.

[ash666]

saying what?

[CentreFix25]

They had a posh travel agent in talking Winter holidays, then Dubai came up the the flight from NCL got mentioned.

[chris1001]

I am trying to take the family out to Dubai for a break at the end of March. Nearly every flight towards the end of March is fully booked in economy according to EK website. Didn't realise that Easter falls the first week in April so no doubt due to school hols.

Looks very promising for Emirates next year and good luck to them for having the balls to commit to Newcastle - the best thing that's ever happened to the airport. Just a shame the UK press seem to have it in for Dubai especially over the past week or so. They are blowing everything totally out of proportion with the same old pic of a dust covered car and trying to say there are thousands of them abandoned at dxb as expats flee the country. What absolute garbage.

Not wanting to start rumours but I reckon the next long haul route from NCL could be Doha since Qatar airways are creating a worldwide hub similar to Dubai - could be a couple of years off though. They have plenty of aircraft onorder and routes to fill. Not in the industry myself but know the Middle East well - just my opinion.

[fanrailuk]

New direct connection to HAJ with BE starting 31 March 2010; bookable now! (M/W/F dep. 0900)

PP ;)

[apaul]

Good news to see this route back, and with better flight timings than Tuifly offered in the last couple of years.

[BAladdy]

Good news for NCL.

Looks like the aircraft is operating EXT-NCL-HAJ-NCL-EXT.

BE705 Will depart EXT 07:20 arriving NCL 08:35 then depart with the same flight number at 09:00 arriving HAJ 12:00

BE706 Will depart HAJ 12:25 arriving NCL 13:25 then depart with the same flight number at 13:50 arriving EXT 15:05

[HH6702]

Great news!! Flybe said it was hoping to add haj and maybe more german routes from ncl.
Pitty its not a 3rd based aircraft but still good work by airport and flybe!!

[transwede]

Perhaps a Berlin to fill the gap left by EZY or MUC, which has been served by HLX previously. Finally, there are signs are economy going up?!

[JKKne]

I was rummaging around a 2nd hand English bookstore in Barcelona last weekend and to my surprise found a book all about Newcastle Airport and the Newcastle Aero Club

'Small Enough To Conquer The Sky : Jim Denyer Mr Newcastle Airport' by John Sleight (published by City Libraries and Arts)

Engaging little book charting the history of the airport from its days as an RAF encampment up to 1993 and the death of Denyer. Nice little chapter on the last ever Danair flight from the airport and a nice general insight into the airport. Well worth a read for anyone with an interest in the airport and Denyer.

I remember going into a lounge a long time ago (after the first major redevelopment) that was named after Denyer, is there anything at the airport still to credit his role?

(I also see on the fans website that FlyBe are using the Kevin Keegan aircraft to do a special day return fans flight for Plymouth V Newcastle into EXT)

[Jamesair]

I'm very surprised that Air Southwest are not stepping up to the plate with a direct to Plymouth charter flight. Probably left it too late now

[Ops Guy]

jKKne

The Denyer Suite in the terminal. Next to the Boardroom. It's a private meeting room.

[SWBKCB]

A bit surprised that neither NIA or BE have made any sort of official announcement - more fuss been made about the FA cup flights!

[Jamesair]

It now appears on the Flybe website, with a big moving display and a news item on the Exeter - Hanover new route "through-running" Newcastle. (that's a new phrase to me) another news item is on the site if you go to news release section for December.

[SWBKCB]

Thanks - hopefully the start of BE's long promised European expansion from NCL, although I see it's being described as a "summer service".

[Montreal-Dubai]

Hi Chris 1001, no, I dont think you are the only one who thinks QR would be a possibility for a future route ex NCL. They are slowely building up their network, and have an excellant onward layout, with several destinations not yet served from DXB with EK, such as Amritsar, Goa, Kathmandu and Cebu. The new Doha International Airport will open in the next few years, and they are the sort of company which is very competative, and will nurture a route until it builds up over time. They are very patient!! They dont have any restrictions either on which airports in the UK they can fly into so its not pie in the sky. I think they to would do very well as they would serve lots of different types of market on the one flight aswell as lots of cargo potential too. Much better having something like this rather than a Ryanair base. We shall see eh?

[HH6702]

maybe the airport are waiting for some more routes to be added from them this week???? im still hoping we may get the 3rd based aircraft next summer!

[GayFriendly]

Whilst it is certainly not an impossibility that NCL could see a service from QR I personally think EDI and BHX would be well ahead in the pecking order, EDI because it is the biggest UK airport without a Middle East connection and BHX because of its huge demand for ATQ and demand outstripping supply on the connections that are available (hence Mahan using 747s on their route from BHX to Tehran which connects to ATQ). I think it will be a long while before NCL sees QR and remember there also are a number of major European hubs not served by QR (DUS, CPH come to mind) that in terms of front end yield would come well above all NCL, BHX or EDI!

[HH6702]

With easyjet adding a lot of routes from HEL.
What are the chances of flybe using there Q400's say 3x weekly from ncl-hel

Do u think this route could work has somebody else tried it before?

[Jamesair]

There are rumoured to be more route announcements from Flybe this week....how true it is I don't know...we must wait and see if NCL is included.

[aeulad]

I would imagine Helsinki on a Q400 is too far. Newcastle could benefit from BE flights to the likes of Berlin, Hamburg or Oslo maybe though.

Regards

Mike

[HH6702]

Was thinking of the routes we have lost over the last 10 years are so. Was thinking we could make a list of them here and then decide between us all which airlines would be best suitable for the airport to go after to get these routes back?? some of the routes maybe charter routes but maybe a tour operator may re-start them. If anybody has the data maybe the monthly load % or pax maybe good also.

Here is my list of what i can remember.

Athens
Berlin
Budapest
Oslo
Milan
Prague
Cologne
Munich
Shannon
Almeria
Krakow
Valencia

:ok:

[ash666]

Hard to believe that someone hasn't already picked up a few of these -Prague, Krakow,Berlin, Budapest were all busy as far as I remember.

[GrahamK]

ash666

They may have been busy, but how much were the seats being sold for?

[ash666]

I'm sure pax would pay more if they had to and it meant keeping the route.

[deltahotel9]

Exactly, I don't believe people won't fly if the fare is more than £20 but obviously getting the balance right between selling seats and making a profit, or at least not making a loss is tricky. I'd love to see Prague and Berlin return, both are great places to visit, maybe there is not enough demand for a daily service but I think if it is priced and equally importantly timed right they would both work.

[HH6702]

I wonder if easyjet hadnt followed Jet2 onto the krakow route i wonder if we would still have had that route today??

Im sure flybe said they were looking at hanover and berlin so hopefully flybe may pick up the berlin maybe 3x weekly??

I think our only hope of getting Krakow back is jet2 having another go which i doubt they will?
Maybe FR or Wizz may pick up the route along with Prague and Budapest 3x weekly maybe?

[northumberlandairway]

The "Routes We Have Lost" list does indeed make quite sad reading, including as it does, major cities and capitals which many regional airports in the UK now take for granted.

It is also particularly annoying that some have gone for spurious reasons. We lost the link to Milan because Ryanair thought Manchester would be more rewarding (what a mistake that turned out to be) and I still to this day cannot believe that Berlin and Krakow were losing EasyJet vast sums of cash. The timings were played around with on the former route and going head to head with Jet 2 on the latter seemed just plain silly.

One poster says that yields may not have been high. This could indeed be true, these airlines are not charities, but I sincerely believe that most would happily pay an extra ten or fifteen pounds as a starting price if they could fly from their local airport and avoid having to waste time (and money by the time you buy a drink, paper and snack) changing somewhere. Certain quarters in EasyJet management just seem to subscribe to the flat cap and whippet image of the North East and think that only "bucket and spade" routes will be economically viable. Don't get me wrong, such routes are needed and to be valued, but EasyJet should realise there is a market for 3 or possibly 4 flights a week to PRG, SXF or KRK.

As for Ryanair, I don't particularly yearn for a base at NCL but it would be great to have them fly to us from some of their existing bases. BGY was doing reasonably well even with appalling timings, the loss of the ferries to Scandinavia means that a genuine cheap flight from Rygge would probably do well and SNN was never given the chance become established and grow. Though I do doubt that the end of the love affair with Shannon means we will never have cheap weekends in Limerick.

So airport management could either have a gentle word in EasyJet's or Ryanair's shell like or perhaps pursue FlyBe to expand routes in Germany. Air Berlin might be worth talking to or perhaps even Lufthansa who are apparently happy with yields from DUS. MUC would be a nice re-addition to the list of destinations. I also think management should have a chat with Wizzair bearing in mind Central and Eastern Europe are not actually underserved but no longer served at all.

NCL has in my opinion huge, glaring gaps in large chunks of Europe. Relying on one airline would be a mistake and expecting daily flights to any of the "lost" destinations would also be an error of judgement. What, if anything, is NCL's management doing to attract new airlines such as AB or Wizz or develop further relationships with Flybe, Ryanair or EasyJet?

[ryanair1]

Any potential in a Bournemouth service?

Is there any VFR traffic?

Would it only be summer based holiday traffic?

Im sure no business traffic, but perhaps VFR...

[GrahamK]

I would imagine that someone like Air Southwest would be ideal to run a NCL-BOH route. How are there PLH and NQY runs doing?

[World Traveller]

Gill Air operated a series of BOH charters for Callers Pegasus in about 1996, using the ATR 42.

[Jamesair]

BOH used to be part of a "bus-stop service by Dan Air. Before the BA takeover the next route to be operated was Gothenburg I believe.

I think the airport should be chasing up an OSLO link with Wideroe/SAS/Flybe/Norwegian.
Lufthansa said recently that they would be looking at further routes from NCL, now is the time to be following it up. A route to FRA would be good to link up with the Star Alliance network.
AB might be interested in serving Berlin, Hamburg, Munich
Flybe said they were looking to serve Germany and Scandinavia from NCL, Hannover is the first step.


Germany and Scandinavia are both markets that can produce strong incoming traffic to NCL.


Jet 2 effectively knocked Wideroe off the Bergen route, then abandoned it...Wideroe would still probably be growing the route.

Milan needs to be served, but who by? Flybe/EZY or the new Alitalia/AirOne group.

Now that Ryanair have cut back Dublin flights, maybe AerLingus/should have another go. Or maybe Aer Arran

[Wellington Bomber]

Jamesair

Eastern operate to Bergen daily mon-fri

[Jamesair]

I left the Eastern operations out of my post because they serve a niche business market, whereas the Jet 2 and Wideroe flights were aimed largely at the tourist market.

[ConstantFlyer]

Any potential in a Bournemouth service? Is there any VFR traffic?


I believe so. Plenty of retired folks in Bournemouth hail from North East England. I do the route regularly for VFR purposes and generally use one of three options, depending on times and fares:

(i) flybe NCL-SOU then train;
(ii) train to EDI then Ryanair to BOH; or
(iii) Ryanair NCL-DUB-BOH.

A direct service would be great.

[transwede]

Quite a few ex-charter routes that were once served now missing from the destinations map.

It is great all this talk of management should do this and be talking to all these different airlines, but in this current climate lets be realistic. Yes we maybe showing signs of coming out of the recession, however lets bare in mind that airlines have shed staff and aircraft and amended projections, expansion plans etc to reflect a slow, natural growth in the near future and while I would love to see NCL busy, as it was 1-2 years ago I suspect airlines will be very choosy over any new routes, making sure that the finances are in place and assured of a guaranteed good, solid and steady yield, which sometimes (and I only say sometimes) a regional airport cannot guarantee across the board. Some routes, using the low cost or regional style of flying could and probably will work, sustaining a good mix of low yield leisure/VFR and business custom, but I am dubious of full service legacy style operations. Lets see what the future holds, though I am sure that for everything that has been mentioned above, the management will be talking to airlines, persuading them to come to NCL - I wouldn't imagine they'll be just waiting and sitting around, afterall there is alot of spare capacity in NCL which the management will want filled, be in regional, international, low cost, scheduled or charter!

On the subject some old charter routes:

Santorini
Mytillene
Agadir
Pula
Dubrovnik
Volos
Athens

[ncleflights]

transwede - agree with your post 100%. Another point worth bearing in mind is that next year we are, if the polls are correct, going to have a tory government. This will have a huge affect on the UK airline industry as they plan to hammer it harder than Labour. BA have already announced that the loss of the plans for a third runway at LHR, which Cameron and his mob are committed to scrapping will mean NCL and other regions are likely to loose the LHR routes as the slots will be needed elsewhere.

The added challenge for the airline industry appears to be a political system which now sees the UK airline industry as the new 'kicking boy'. Hearing politicians speak of pricing folks out of flying fills me with dread. I even heard a debate at lunch time on the radio in which Stephen Norris (former tory transport spoksmen) suggested instead of flying to the likes of Malaga we should use the train, he obviuosly has not travelled on the UK railways for a while. In the same program it was stated that a future tory government should stop all long haul ambitions for the likes of NCL and LBA airports as we are so close to Manchester we can travel by train and fly on from there - God help us all.

[SWBKCB]

In the same program it was stated that a future tory government should stop all long haul ambitions for the likes of NCL and LBA airports

Did they say how this would be done - sounds a bit anti-competitive to me...

[andrewmcharlton]

I would advise against getting all political.

Rising APD, Corporation Tax, VAT back up is hardly the stuff of dreams....

[skyman771]

Andrew,
This IS unfortunately a political issue, fiscal references aside, we have lunatics running the asylum in Whitehall who have for decades regarded civilisation as stopping North of Luton. They will stop at nothing to ensure that they can meet their emission targets at the expense of all else. If the result of this is to use up national emission quota's to pass R3 at LHR then their attitude to every other region is F*** you!, the justification being that "it's in the National interest". Problem is this is irrational as they only think as far North as Luton in any event when thinking of the nations interests.
I recall reading some months back a list of projects that would be restricted / canx. if R3 was to proceed as with emission quota's hijacked then effectively all other UK airfields future development would be placed on hold. Of course this will restrict the longhaul ambitions of regional airports such as NCL & LBA. However in the next breath we have the usual "green" idiots suggesting that domestic services should be severly curtailed without any thought as to other consequences. It's far too easy to site rail as an alternative, i.e. the ancient, inadequate, and underfunded network that is basically incapable of improvement without the sort of investment "nationally !" that would fund several R3's.
SWBKCBDid they say how this would be done - sounds a bit anti-competitive to me... Simple they reject planning applications, reject funding proposals on basis that the result will exceed the UK's emision quota's !, the description "competitive" will simply be swept under the carpet !

[Wellington Bomber]

Jamesair

Wideroe operate 50 seat turboprops and are a business airline, not lo cost flying 25yr old 737.s

[ncleflights]

Andrew - we have a right to get all political if we have a political party likely to win the next General Election and they have no desire to see any form of aviation industry growth in the regions. If the tory plans see the light of day we will see huge job losses in our industry, airlines pull aircraft out of the UK to the continent where they will be welcomed with open arms and a situation where only the very rich will be able to fly out of the UK.

The revenue loss for regional airports will be tremendous and we could see traffic fall back to levels of the early 80s, whilst LBA and NCL will survive will struggling airports like MME and HUY be able to?

[andrewmcharlton]

I think you're about to open a whole can of whoop ass.

Our illustrious leader has led us to the brink of financial oblivion generally, introduced APD which in some cases will be £170 per departure from November next year, added VAT to more things, risen corporation tax and about every other tax.

For the record too, the Tories sad they would abandon R3 at LHR so that argument doesn't really stack and with the afirmation that expansion shuld continue at BHX, MAN, GLA, EDI and not to mention NCL's master plan the whole stick to London isn't a runner either.

One of the major reasons why pax numbers are down is due to the public having bog all money due to our current masterful avoidance of boom and bust. Just bust it seems.

MME and HUY don't deserve to survive if they can't modify and adapt and find markets and products punters want to buy, there isn't a case for a public service rationale behind them in any event.

they have no desire to see any form of aviation industry growth in the regions

NCLFlights - What policy is that based on? (other than any stereotypical ideas you might have)

Skyman771 - What is wrong with advocating rail? You say its
"ancient, inadequate, and underfunded network".

Smple fact - barring miracles, I can get city centre to city centre Newcastle to London in 3 hours. A fairly even match with the slickest plane trip, usually comparable cost on an average lead time for booking, emit a fraction of the CO2 and generally have a comparable experience. Not with 170 others but around 600 others. I accept air is best on some routes but the fact is the train is better on others. Until T5 opened your description of the rail would apply to LHR too.

And of course, don't forget that the lunatics in Whitehall haven't been Tory for 13 odd years. I'm sure someone will manage to bring in the miners strike, the common market and the shipbuilding industry due to personal prejudices or beliefs and render the whole political argument pointless anyway.

[skyman771]

Andrew Skyman771 - What is wrong with advocating rail? You say its "ancient, inadequate, and underfunded network".
I'm sure that a similar comment was made early - mid 19th century when some one "the wiser" made a remark complementing the stage coach network, before the advances of the industrial revolution. Everything is relative !
If you can not see that there are not major improvements that could be made to our rail network then it would appear that you have not travelled on another rail system, even one as close as France, or been fortunate enough to travel on the Japanese intercity rail network.
Deviating back to the issue then do you really believe that the Tories would abandon R3 & that everything will be "hunk dory" up North and that the NCL master plan now has has much, if any relevance at all ?

[HH6702]

Have we had direct flights to zurich before? Do u think these flights could work

[northumberlandairway]

An announcement on the EasyJet thread suggests that they are about to launch a ton of new routes throughout Europe, many from the UK. Stuff from Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Gatwick and Doncaster but as usual nothing from Newcastle.

Wasn't NCL vaunted as one of the best performing bases a couple of years ago? I can't imagine the management are deliberately trying to annoy EasyJet and it is in their interests to get as many routes started as possible from any airline, so why nothing new from EasyJet from NCL?

[skyman771]

I'm unsure as to where the concept that EZY have some sort of love affair with NCL comes from.
Couldn't be further from it if mutterings of some of the aircrew are to be believed, lower no.'s of based pilots more "W's" etc.:(

[HH6702]

Easyjet have just reduced staffing numbers at ncl. Can't see them basing any new aircraft at ncl for least 12 months or I think the staff that have been let go may take legal action. The best we can hope for is easyjet adding routes to ncl from There other bases. Some longer routes with thereA320's would be nice

[Jamesair]

Flybe have listed the 16 new routes, unfortunately none of them are from NCL

[highwideandugly]

I know I am from south of the river.but .its good to see Newcastle suffering as well!!

Easy jet...nothing......apart from Robin Hood !!

Fly Be....nothing(HAj x 3 !!!)

Everyone else...nothing

Route Conference..nothing(except nice expenses?)

Staffing(middle management increasing!!)

sounds like similar pattern to to DTV !!

Doomed...we're all doomed!!

[ncleflights]

Andrew -I have no prejudice towards any political party, however this is forum that deals with the airline industry and of the two main political parties a tory government, based on their current ideology, would be worst for the future growth of Newcastle airport and indeed UK aviation on a whole.

Whilst their is plenty to attack the current government on it must be remembered that it was on Tony Blairs and Gordon Browns watch that the UK 'no frills' airline industry grew at a fantastic pace. Granted this was in the whole due to the appraoch of easy credit but lets not forget the main aim of this forum is to deal with the airline industry or is it?

[fl dutchman]

Is it not the case that they have cut the number of aircraft based at NCL for summer 2010 to 5 from 6 in 2009. Was there not 7 aircraft based a couple of years ago. So they seem to be in a slow but steady decline.

[Charlie Roy]

Just to note that Brussels will increase from once daily to 3 x daily (starting January 10th) albeit with smaller ERJ 135/145 aircraft (wet leased from BMI by brussels airlines):

NCL-BRU 0625-0845 * ER4
NCL-BRU 1205-1425 * ER4
NCL-BRU 1805-1850 * ER4

BRU-NCL 0935-1005 * ER4
BRU-NCL 1530-1600 * ER4
BRU-NCL 2000-2030 * ER4

[HH6702]

Great news!!! Much better times so hopefully we will see the pax numbers grow. What is the difference in the amounts of seats offered?

[Charlie Roy]

The BMI embraers will offer between 111 and 150 daily seats (one way), whereas the SN Avro's offer between 82 to 97 daily seats (one way).

[Jamesair]

That is good news plus the a/c seems to be NCL based.

[10 DME ARC]

BRU - 3 x day with E135/45 - Great news I know the airport has been trying very hard to get some frequency on this route, well done. I think the aircraft matches the route very well, the RJ85/100 were great when Sabena had a large world wide hub in BRU, but now with a reduced hub in BRU the Emb should fit the route really well.:ok:

[SWBKCB]

There are people in my business who are taking the train (!!) rather than the current SN flights, as the timing is so poor, so hopefuly they will be back.

[Otto Throttle]

Can't wait to see the handlers trying to fill the teeny weeny Barbie jet hold with all the tons of luggage that some of the connecting pax try to take on the BRU flights.

[Charlie Roy]

the teeny weeny Barbie jet hold

Hahahaha! :D

[HH6702]

Heard that these extra flights have been on sale for a few weeks now.
Sales have improved also in this short period of time from connecting traffic in BRU.

Fingers crossed SN keep this route at 3x daily from now on!!:ok::ok:

[transwede]

Does this mean that BMI will be setting up a small base at NCL?

[HH6702]

Hopefully they will base a second 145 for summer 2010 on behalf of LH

could add daily or at least 3 x weekly to Frankfurt, munich, hamburg,stuggart!

If this happens than i would say excellent work done to improve the links from our local airport!!! what do you think guys?? :ok::ok:

[maxtoon]

From todays Chroniclelive : ChronicleLive - News - Today's Chronicle - Newcastle Airport on a high after BATA win (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2009/12/11/newcastle-airport-on-a-high-after-bata-win-72703-25370985/)

THE region’s biggest airport, Newcastle International Airport, has been crowned the best in the UK.

The British Air Transport Association (BATA) awarded the accolade to Newcastle International at a glitzy London ceremony.
It comes as the region has been boosted by the announcement of extra services.

Brussels Airlines has confirmed it is increasing the number of daily flights it runs from Newcastle to the Belgian capital to three from January.
The move is in response to feedback from some of the region’s major employers, including Procter and Gamble and Komatsu.
And low-cost carrier Flybe has revealed it is launching a route to Hannover, Germany, in March.

Airport chief executive Dave Laws was delighted with the airport’s award, beating off competition from fellow finalists Cardiff and East Midlands.
He said: “This award recognises what has been done here over the last few years.

“All our staff have recognised things have been tough and the dedication and co-operation we have had from all our workers has been immense.”
He added: “These awards are decided by the travel industry and to be recognised by your business partners says a lot.”
Roger Wiltshire, secretary general of the BATA, said: “Newcastle took the prize for being, in the words on one airline, ‘a really good partnership airport’.”

Alan Clarke, chief executive of business development agency One North East, said: “This is great news for Newcastle International Airport and is an important accolade in terms of its potential to support future new investment from airlines and operators.

“By securing exciting routes such as the Emirates flight to Dubai and beyond, which this year saw its 250,000th passenger, the airport has helped North East England not only to attract international visitors, but open up new trade opportunities.”

Frank Pullman, managing director of Thomas Cook Airlines, said: “Newcastle Airport is very popular with our customers, so much so that we have introduced two new flights for next summer – to Izmir in Turkey and Burgas in Bulgaria.”

The new thrice-weekly Brussels Airlines services offer connections to destinations including New York, Warsaw, Vienna, Frankfurt, Munich and Istanbul.

Peter Howe, managing director of Komatsu UK Ltd, said: “The increase to three flights a day offers great benefits to us, both in terms of connectivity to Brussels which is the location of our European headquarters, and improving access to European markets.”

Eric Head, head of the Global Business Service Centre at Procter and Gamble UK, said: “The frequency and value of flights to and from Newcastle are vital to ensure our North East sites can connect with our colleagues around the globe and continue to offer a world-class service.”
Mike Rutter, chief commercial officer of Flybe, said: “Our sincere congratulations to the entire Newcastle Airport team, headed by Dave Laws, who is particularly deserving of this award for having consistently led with distinction.

“Our long-established relationship with the airport has, for some 16 years, proved to be one which is positively pro-active and commercially supportive.

“It is one Flybe greatly values as we continue to expand our commitment to the North East.”

[GrahamK]

Hawd on, didn't flybe only start flying to NCL in 2001 after Gill Airways went bust? :confused:

[Jamesair]

Tomorrow morning sees a BMI flight from NCL to Prague

[BALLSOUT]

Graham, Yes that's right, and they pulled the base a few years later, only to re-open it a couple of years ago. I would say 6 years, not 16.

[highwideandugly]

after my premature observation las week,it looks like a huge slice of humble pie is required.

new services(schedules at that) to brussels and Hannover and new Thomas Cook holiday flights just announced!!

on (file://\\on) top of that..2 awards for uk best airport and most punctual for flights.Well done everyone up there!!

Are you watching DTV?? second award unfair really as we have no flights to be punctual!!

[sunshine79]

What have TCX announced?

[apaul]

The TCX quotation in the Journal just mentioned extra flights to Turkey and Bulgaria. No new destinations. The lost charter destinations discussed a few posts ago are largely to places that used to be cheap, but are now relatively costly. A lot of that business is now going to Turkey, Eygpt and Bulgaria.

[tcx00]

Its Bourgas and Izmir in turkey, two new routes for 2010 - we didn't do these this year.
Anyone know when the new brochures come out?

[HH6702]

Thomas cook holidays have bought seats on the bgh flight on a monday. Pitty thomas cook airlines weren't adding a flight there. The izmir is a tcx flight on a saturday instead of faro I think?

[tcx00]

What else have tcx dropped and picked up? Think there's an extra dlm!?