NEWCASTLE - 8

[Travel Agent]

Yeah the Barbados departures are on 15Jan12 / 12Feb12 / 04 Mar 12 / 01 Apr 12. Mainly used for cruises but Thomson and First Choice mainstream are offering holidays on it.

[fl dutchman]

Yes the staff at NCL have done an excellent job keeping the place open during very bad weather.

Must be very annoying to see BA cancel 50% of flights from/to LHR today and I think yesterday also. I appreciate LHR has had some problems down there but the proportion of LHR-NCL flights cancelled far exceeds the few cancelled today from LHR to EDI, ABZ, MAN and GLA.
I understand NCL has remained open all day today so why such a high proportion of LHR cancellations.

Have they had any diversions into NCL?.

[GrahamK]

Don't recall this being mentioned, but AMS increases to 5 x Daily next summer, albeit all operated by KL Cityhopper.

[fl dutchman]

And 4 Daily for winter 2011/12 (at the moment and subject to change) 3 Main and one City.

[Jamesair]

moving forward again at last.
I notice that of the 5 rotations, the early and late flights are with E190 a/c and the middle 3 are F70 a/c.

[Jamesair]

Eastern, according to the timetable is increasing NCL - ABZ to 5 daily Mon-Fri

Jet 2 has announced additional flights to Cork in December 2011 on:
10th,12th,17th,19th,23rd,27th and 30th.
and to Prague in Dec. 2011 on 12th,16th,19th,23rd,27th and 30th

[MichaelAM]

With the recent suspension of the easyJet services from Stansted to Newcastle would there be a slight possibility that airBerlin could possibly take over the route and use it also for onward connections through Stansted into Germany?

Just a thought.

[airhumberside]

Very unlikely IMO. Air Berlin gave up similar STN-MAN/GLA/BHD routes some time ago, and plan to move some STN-Germany flights to Gatwick soon

[fl dutchman]

Oslo gone from the booking system for next summer. Still no sign of Girona.

[KNIEVEL77]

Any update on the Airport hotel and when it might open and any news if anything is going to be built on the old Wings site?

[GrahamK]

November seen the DXB route get 75% figs based on 30 daily 332HDs...still up by 9% on Nov 09. Were any EK flights cancelled during the snow?

[Earlyriser]

GrahamK!

Every EK flight during the snow made it in and back out again!

[Ops Guy]

I don't believe Newcastle has ever lost an EK arrival since the route started due to weather. Has the flight even ever been cancelled since it started?

[GrahamK]

Ops Guy,

Yes, during the Ash cloud crisis :ouch:

[SN146]

Any update on how SN is doing since they've introduced the regional jets of bmi regional and added a 3rd flight to BRU? It seems from the GDS the flights may come back to ARJ next year?

[GrahamK]

SN146, NCL-BRU seen a rise of 114% in November to 3390, which equates to an average load of 72% (or just over 35 passengers per flight).

[SN146]

The estimated loadfactor seems very good indeed.

A question, that 114% increase in pax, is that in relation to the same month, last year, or how should I read that?

Do you happen to have data on the number of pax on the route this year, as well as the total number of pax in 2009, so I can work out how many more pax SN attracted since they increased frequencies again?

[MerchantVenturer]

Check your PMs.

I've shown you how to access CAA stats.

[SN146]

Thank you!
I'll have a go at it and post the figures here for those interested, meaning nobody but me probably, but okay... ;)

[SN146]

YTD pax numbers on NCL-BRS: 30,101, against 15,874 over the same period in 2009, so an increase of almost 90%.

[Jamesair]

The November 2010 pax statistics show the following routes showing increases over the previous November

Brussels
Paris
Dusseldorf
Dublin
Amsterdam
Stavanger
Faro
Tenerife
Dubai
Malta
London Heathrow
Aberdeen

Bristol figures not posted yet. All other routes show falls

[GrahamK]

A fair few diversions in today, including an EK 77W from BHX, and BA 747, 767 and 777, with two more BA 744s en-route into Newcastle now.

Has there ever been a time where NCL has seen 3 x 747s on the ground at the same time?

[KNIEVEL77]

Any idea when the 747's are likely to depart, i'll pop up for a look.

Shame there's no viewing point any more though!

[nclops]

They are all stopping overnight, prob leaving around lunch time tomorrow depending on the weather!

[Sam Chipperfield]

Anybody know if the diverted Aircraft from Saturday ( BA 747's etc) if they are still at Newcastle or returned back to there base? plus i saw a Thomas Cook A330 on Monday was that also a diversion? and has there been anymore up here?

[EGNT]

They've all long gone. There was two BA 737-400's also diverted in, but they left yesterday around lunchtime.

The TCX was to operate a cruise charter, I believe to POP.

[Jamesair]

JET2 have increased frequency on Faro for summer 2011 by adding Tu and Fri flights in the peak period making 5 weekly.

[Jamesair]

Ryanair to Oslo (Rygge) now seems to be on sale for summer '11 operates on Tues/thurs/Sat,

[Ph1l1pncl]

Hope everyone had a good christmas.

I have just finished watching the Top Gear Special and it got me thinking, apologies if this is already been talked about. But what are the chances of the airport getting a link to Israel?

Would El AL launch a route to Tel Aviv or even Jet2 at twice weekly, do you think it would work? Just with the large Jewish population in Gateshead i would have thought it would.

Hope you all have a good New Years!

Philip

[SWBKCB]

Some interesting numbers in this story from yesterdays Chronicle:

Newcastle Airport seizes a stash of weapons - Chronicle News - News - ChronicleLive (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/12/29/newcastle-airport-seizes-a-stash-of-weapons-72703-27902657/)


a total of 1,597,964 passengers and staff have been screened over the last six months at Newcastle Airport.

Of those 270,212 set off alarms as they walked through metal detectors and had to be searched.

A total of 2,869,623 items were screened by x-ray, an average of 1.8 items per passenger.

From the total number of staff and passengers screened at the airport 668,534 were between the peak hours of 4am and 8am.

Since January this year 88.6% of passengers have had their security check completed in under five minutes.

Only 1.6% have taken longer than ten minutes.

[KNIEVEL77]

Just out of interest, is it possible to take an unassembled brand new shotgun on board an internal UK flight from Stansted to Newcastle or do I need to contact Easyjet and the airport security and get clearance and paperwork first?

[EGBE0523]

Knieval77

I would say you could just walk up on the day!! Because just by posting on a forum the men in raincoats and dark glasses now know your internet service provider, your ip address and from this your home address, phone numbers and by the time I have finished typing this what you had for breakfast.

Whatever you are on please can I have some my man flu is horrible today.

[KNIEVEL77]

All that info is on my licence anyway which is held by the Law Enforcement Agencies so that's no problem to me!

Get well soon :ok:

[cjags]

KNIEVEL77

I seem to recall easyJet allow the carraige of sport/competition firearms in the hold, however I do believe you need to contact the airline before you travel.

[geordiejet]

From easyjet:

Can I take my sports firearms on board?

For an additional non-refundable fee we can take sporting or competition firearms and a maximum of five kilos of ammunition on board.

Please note that firearms must be packed individually in a suitable gun bag and ammunition must be packed securely in a hard wooden or metal box. Ammunition with explosive or incendiary projectiles is prohibited.

In addition, you must inform us in advance that you wish to take firearms or ammunition on board and you will need to show valid documentation of proof of ownership and legal authority for the possession of the firearm at check-in (even if you are carrying only ammunition). Please make sure you arrive at check-in at least 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your flight in order that we can carry out all the necessary checks. If you arrive after this time you may not be allowed to fly.

Please call our Customer Experience Team on 0871 244 2366 to let us know if you are travelling with a firearm or ammunition.

For more information about sports/competition firearms and baggage allowances check out our Carrier's Regulations.

Not sure what difference if any it will make if the firearm is not assembled, but I think a call to the airline would be a good place to start.

[KNIEVEL77]

Thanks Geordiejet (great username!).

[Jamesair]

Although Dublin and Oslo (Rygge) are bookable for 2011 there is still no sign of Gerona. Anyone heard if this service will happen or if some other route may be announced?

[fl dutchman]

Are Ryanair not in some sort of dispute with Girona airport authorities. Perhaps thats whats holding things up.
Although other airports in UK to Girona now on sale.

[Jamie2k9]

On Dec 23 Ryanair announced a 5 year extension to their Girona base and the routes have only started to go on sale on Dec 23 and with Christmas and New Year so it should be on sale over the next week or two.

[fl dutchman]

No Air France to CDG bookable after the end of Oct 2011. Hope thats not another loss. Possibly something to do with Britair opperating the route?. Other AF UK to CDG seem to be on sale.

[Jamie2k9]

Ryanair - Newcastle - Girona will operate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday next summer. The outbound flights will be uploaded soon.

[heslop2006]

Do I smell two new Ryanair routes?

Go on NCL's website on their destination map, you'll see Porto - Portugal and Seville - Spain.

[ash666]

Seville would be good, I've done a couple of day trips but would love to stay longer. One of the most beautiful cities in the world imho.

[heslop2006]

I hope it all comes to light soon then! I want to see REAL Spanish cities, sick of those bucket and spade places

[ash666]

nothing on the Ryanair site

[ash666]

mystery solved:
please note that this destinatination is only available as part of a one-off holiday. Please go to www.newmarketholidays.co.uk for more information.

[Jamesair]

The GERONA Ryanair flights are now in the booking engine, Tu/Th/Sa

JET 2 uses the stated 5 a/c during Summer 11 except for Sundays when the schedules seem to suggest 6 a/c. anyone else noticed this?

[heslop2006]

Ah well, fun while it lasted lol

[GrahamK]

Still nothing on the AF CDG route after October, are AF-KLM going to consolidate all their ops to AMS? If they do quit, that leaves NCL with a 4 (?) weekly easyJet flight to CDG, and who knows how long it'll be before they pull that as well!

[nclops]

What's the chances that we could see a 3rd A/C from Flybe to operate the CDG with an AF codeshare as Flybe haven't released their flights after OCT yet?!

[Jamesair]

That's exactly what has been going through my mind, it would make sense bearing in mind the current co-operation between Air France and Flybe.

[Jamesair]

What effect do you think the Ryanair pullout from DTV will have on their operations from NCL?

[Jamie2k9]

They may add ALC but they don't seem to be that bothered about NCL. Would it be that the airport don't want FR routes to protect Jet 2 and Easyjet??

[Jamesair]

I don't think another operator to Alicante would be much use to the airport. I was thinking they may have to restore frequency on DUB and maybe add a fequency or two to Gerona to handle ex DTV pax

I would like to see Milan back again and some completely new destination. NCL will only get flights from other Ryanair bases, I can't ever see it having a base there against EZY and Jet2.

[Jamie2k9]

Sometime in March the election will be held and when Fine Gael get into power they have said (on Friday just gone) they will scrap the €10 (until 1 March and €3 from 1 March) travel tax. Ryanair have said they would increase flights to UK and Europe but it will probably not happon until August/ September.

[Jamesair]

That would be good news, it seems to have caused immense damage to pax numbers and increased (not reduced) tourism is vital to help the Irish recovery.

[Jamie2k9]

How much is the UK's Tax and is it lightly to be reduced or scrapped in the near future?

[Jamesair]

The new short haul economy ADT is £12. Unfortunately the Govt sees this as a good revenue earner so the chances of getting rid of it appear slim.

[HH6702]

airport website been updated.
nothing great

[GrahamK]

HH6702, when was the last time Cyprus Airways flew into Newcastle? And I'm guessing the 757-300 has never been a common visitor either :ok:

Anyways, December provisional numbers are out:
Brussels: 3296 +140%
Copenhagen: 1628 -3%
Paris CDG: 12768 -3%
Dusseldorf: 3502 +34%
Dublin: 9284 -6%
Amsterdam: 19377 -2%
Dubai: 14447 +15% (I think this operated every day in December which roughly works out at average loads of 83.81% or 233 pax a flight, that's going on the theory that a HD 332 operated every day).
London Heathrow: 28914 -21% Obviously hit by the snow closures in the SE.
London Gatwick: 6215 -28%

Overall for the year, 4.34million pax, down 4.8%.

[SWBKCB]

Eurocypria were a subsidary of CY, and the CY flights just seem to replicate their previous schedule.

LH and SN figures below make interesting reading - show the importance of operating the right sizes aircraft at the right times, as opposed to just the volume of available seats??

[Jamesair]

I wonder what Jet2 will use the good Wed and Sun slots, ex Tunisia for?

[deltahotel9]

Bodrum or Antalya would be good, lack of daytime flights to both.

[Ph1l1pncl]

I cant mention the websites name as it changes it to PPRuNe when i publish the message, but its a one Celebrities enjoy and post comments alot. Well on the airports page one message says

"We willhave exciting news tomorrow form NCL and Emirates tomorrow- Keep your eyes open"

What do people think it could be? Is it the possible upgrade from A330?

[wanna_be_there]

What do people think it could be? Is it the possible upgrade from A330?


More than likely, those A330's are starting to leave the fleet, so Id put good money on the announcement being a use of a B777 varient, possible even being the B773.

[SWBKCB]

500,000th Emirates passenger

[Ph1l1pncl]

Yeah just seen the post 500,000th passenger, that lucky person probs will get a bottle of champagne and free return flights i believe that is what they give the 250,000th passenger. Wished i was traveling today lol.

Also mentioned that they would like to upgrade the route depending on future growth by 2013. So a little while longer yet, unless they start having to turn away freight then it could be upgraded sooner.

[ash666]

anyone know what the plane is for TOM195 from Barbados due in tomorrow(Sat) 06.30?

[plaincrazy]

I believe it could be G-OOBM

[ash666]

737/757/etc?
Trying to figure out where the TOM flight departures early tomorrow morning are coming in from. Can't imagine it's a 737 from Barbados!

[Earlyriser]

G-OOBM is an 767-300W, Ex First Choice aircraft Still in FCA Livery now fitting with Winglets! Will then postion out empty proberly to MAN!

NCL did have two 757's based for TOM first Month of 2011! I think were now back to 1 738 and one 757w

[ash666]

so which are the respective incoming flights that depart for Alicante and Salzburg???

[Earlyriser]

TOM1559 Inbound from TFS operated by the Base 757 will do the Salzburg i think!

And im not sure where the 738 has been today! Might have just been at NCL today that will operate the ALC in the morning!

[ash666]

thanks, I thought it was a 737 to Salzburg.

[SWBKCB]

Anybody know why Cimber are using so many 737's recently (5 in the last 10 days) - demand or just short of CRJ's?

[GrahamK]

Shortage of CRJs I'd presume. The Cimber flight is downgraded to an ATR42 for next summer...:yuk:

[richardhall99]

just checked brussels for a random week in April and its showing up as two rotations by bmi on e145 - i thought this flight was being upgraded?

[bravoromeosierra]

Same with Bristol.. it was shown as RJ-85 for a few months but the schedules were readjusted to E145s.

[richardhall99]

yeh because word was they were getting upgraded to avro but then I read somewhere that the brussels avros were getting withdrawn. but just doing two runs a day leaves a big gap for the 145 to be sitting in newcastle doesnt it

[Robert William]

During periods of national holidays in BRU the dinner time flight does not operate, so the week you looked at may be easter week?
Over the christmas period this year there where more flights operated due to the whole fact that it was BMI operating and not SN

[Bergkamp10]

This is sad indeed, heard the same in CPH today.

Does anybody know for sure if EZY are pulling away from NCL-STN-NCL Route???

Sorry if it's already been covered, but internet is hopeless in Denmark where I am...

Bergkamp10 ;)

[MATELO]

Does anybody know why the Copenhagen flight (QI3661) was diverted today (14th Feb)

[fl dutchman]

Yes it seems Easyjet are pulling STN from end of March.

Brussels Airlines. Its 3x Daily in the summer except during certain periods same as last year.
Note for winter 2011/12 its showing an RJ85. They did this for this summer then changed it to BMI. Must be something to do with sorting contracts with BMI ??.

Still no sign of AF to CDG for next winter yet, a bit worrying!.

The first inbound ftom CDG today had a full load, dont know if that is representative of the route. Just happened to be on a rare visit to NCL today and noticed this.

I hear KLM are having a big push on the NCL - AMS route and of course onward connections. Probably linked to the increased frequency from March and also next winter.

[apaul]

The frequency of 4 per day to Amsterdam is not as much as it has been in the past, but KLM is using B737-700s and 800s on three of the four rotations so there are certainly more seats available.

[GrahamK]

Jan 2011 Provisional stats:

Brussels: 2812 +68%
Copenhagen: 1183 -16%
Paris CDG: 13424 +17%
Dusseldorf: 2585 +40%
Dublin: 9925 +13%
Amsterdam: 18592 +1%
Dubai: 13762 +2%
Gatwick: 6027 -9%
Heathrow: 35398 +33%


So for the 12 months to Jan, NCL processed 4.3m pax, a drop of 4.1%. Not too shabby considering the last year has seen the airport closed with the ash cloud crisis and all the snow. And for the month of January, pax figures are actually up by 4.4% despite the number of flights being down by 5.1%, which suggests that flights are getting fuller and fuller (or becoming less empty, whichever way you want to look at it :ok: ).

[Piltdown Man]

The frequency of 4 per day to Amsterdam is not as much as it has been in the past...

From 27th March, there will be five flights every weekday. The first and fourth outbounds will be E190s and the rest will be Fokker 70s. If the traffic grows, there will be more rotations and/or larger aircraft.

PM

[apaul]

But for winter 2011-12 it goes back to 4 flights a day, as I stated earlier, using larger aircraft - 1 flight E190 the other 3 either 2 B737-700s and a 737-800 or 2 B737-800 and one B737-700.

[Rhayader]

Shame about the NCL-STN service. I often use it to commute to work and the loadings have usually been healthy. Just booked my last one for 26/03 for the princely sum of £15.99, hand baggage only and not bothered where I sit. Compared to £60 for BA and £36 for BE and £48 on the train, the route will be missed.

[KNIEVEL77]

Local radio is broadcasting that an ATC Computer problem at Newcastle International is delaying inbound and outbound flights?

Does anyone have any more info on this?

[SWBKCB]

From NIA website - Widerøe to change from Dash 8 300 to Dash 8 Q400 from 31/03 and to add an additional service on Thursdays - number of weekly seats rises from 150 in either direction to 312, journey time falls from one hour 50 minutes to one hour 25 minutes.

[SWBKCB]

Local radio is broadcasting that an ATC Computer problem at Newcastle International is delaying inbound and outbound flights?

Does anyone have any more info on this?

BBC website says "Delays possible to flights to and from Newcastle Airport due to technical problem with Air Traffic Control systems." Same message for LBA and MAN.

[Montreal-Dubai]

Just an update for you guys, the AF winter schedule from NCL has been available for sale for a few days now. Same schedule and with Canadair RJ700,s. Its quite normal for this to come on stream later than other routes as its operated by an AF partner, in our case Britair. The same thing occurs with Aberdeen and some French regional routes.

Its the AF mainline or Cityjet routes which show up much further in advance, so dont worry unduly! Have some faith eh?? :ok: When I travel on the route, it always has very healthy loads. Mind you, I will probs be only using it point to point in the future to and from Paris. I wont be transfering at CDG any more as they lost my bag before Christmas, and they have only just found it after 8 weeks!!! :=

[fl dutchman]

Montreal-Dubai

Thanks for that info, Good to hear.

Just to confirm the NCL-AMS increases from 4 to 5 daily during the summer, and goes from 3 to 4 daily next winter (at the moment).

I cant remember clearly but I dont think it has ever been more than 5 daily. Some years ago it was timetabled for 6 daily but only 5 ever operated.

So are things starting to look up at last?.

[GrahamK]

Loads of cuts at the Ryanair Girona base, fortunately it doesn't include Newcastle.

[apaul]

EasyJet adding new routes at Edinburgh and basing an A320 there and at Glasgow just underlines how much the airline has stagnated at NCL.

[Jamesair]

I was thinking the same thing. Down to 3 a/c with no new routes, in fact, less routes than last summer.

[Jamesair]

Does the new runway, soon to open at Frankfurt mean that NCL could get a link to Frankfurt at last? maybe Lufthansa?

[richardhall99]

does anyone know how the eastern/asw partnership is doing on the cwl and nqy route?

[fl dutchman]

So from another thread two of the four TCX 752s this summer will be operated by Mint Airways.

[deltahotel9]

What's happened to the EK punctuality, seems to be late almost everyday at the moment.

[10 DME ARC]

The sched later departure from DXB, 0750 as opposed to 0735, during this winter puts it into the peak departure rush from DXB so always picks up a delay. On the plus side a couple of extra destinations are able to connect. Back to 0720(L) summer dep time end of month.

[richardhall99]

Passenger plane makes emergency landing after wheel falls off on flight to Newcastle | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1362661/Passenger-plane-makes-emergency-landing-wheel-falls-flight-Newcastle.html)

not sure how much this story has been daily mailed up

[ash666]

if they had to off-load fuel and then land with one wheel only anyway why not just continue to NCL and do it there and burn up fuel on the way? If I was a passenger I know which I would prefer.

[Coffin Corner]

Because there is no maintenance base in Newcastle.

[ash666]

thanks, that answers that one in double quick time!

[Delta 8]

I thought Flybe had based engineers? :ok:

[N707ZS]

Did the wheel come off or the tyre? The local rag makes both statements. I am not looking for a reason why.

[N707ZS]

Thanks rag said "wheel exploded". We shall have to wait for the report then.

[GrahamK]

Potential Monarch base for 2012 being discussed on the Monarch thread. Presumably an A320 based operating to the likes of Corfu, Alicante, Malaga, Palma, Tenerife etc?

[Jamesair]

This was rumoured a while ago...good to hear that something might come of it.

[Ops Guy]

Nice to hear about new destinations for a change :E. Will be good to watch the 3 big charters fighting for the same passengers serving the exact same routes as each other, which will hopefully make it cheaper for us north east folk to take our standard 2 week bucket and spade summer break :D. :mad:

[deltahotel9]

It might be nice to see a different coloured aircraft but as ops guys says another charter base to the same destinations isn't going to get me too excited, the comments on price are interesting though as flying from NCL is much more expensive than other bases. I wonder who's fault that is, the airport or the airlines, they can't use that much more fuel flying a little bit further north.

On the other hand if it was a ZB scheduled base testing the water for future expansion rather a MON charter base it could help get things moving quickly when EZY do eventually desert the regional airports that helped them build their business for the glamour of flying from Manchester :(

[Travel Agent]

The problem with folk from the north east is that many are not willing to try new places. Take the Banjul flight on 20th April, they are less than half price to holidays / flights from Manchester for a holiday over Easter - it's just not selling!

Give them Benidorm or Majorca and they will snap your hand off! Look at the routes we have lost with Easyjet - Prague, Budapest, Krakow to name a few, I know Jet2 have re-introduced the PRG & KRK routes but until people start trying different areas we will struggle to attract new leisure routes.

I am a toonie born and bred, I am just saying this as an observation having been a travel agent for nearly 20 years.

[ash666]

who is doing the Banjul flight?

[Travel Agent]

Thomas Cook on 20th April

[ash666]

travel agent:
thanks

[david.crosby]

Hi,

I dont know if this has been answered on this forum but why has the stansted route been axed by Easyjet. I fly with easyjet a lot from newcastle to stansted only due to Durham Tees Valley having no routes to london. But i thought on average this flight was 60-80 percent full. It was allway quite busy when I was using this service. Ive flew with BA once and they were using an A321 on the route and that was 95% full. I dont know about the flybe route if thats busy. But with the loss of easyjet there is going to be a lot more demand for BA and Flybe. will these airlines cope with the increase of Demand. Also I think its getting worse and worse for the North East and Routes to London. We have only 2 routes to the capital now.

[wanna_be_there]

Most routes to london seem to be getting cut/dropped now due to the high charges imposed on domestic travel.

MAN-LHR on BD is down to 4 daily ERJ's
GLA-LHR on BD cut all
together
NCL-STN on U2 cut altogether
LBA-LGW on BE cut altogether

[Jamie2k9]

NCL - STN was due to go last October but for whatever reason EZY kept flights for the winter.

[david.crosby]

its crazy. it costs me about £100 to get a train to london and that takes 3 1/2. And flying BA for example will now cost £80. I travel on planes not because its cheaper. Its because its faster and a better experience.

[david.crosby]

I used the newcastle-stansted 6 times over the winter. Ah well I will have to try BA and Flybe on this route now

[ash666]

David Crosby(really???)
I'm not sure flying is a better experience. I'm flying from LHR in April and will get the train down and the coach back. Less chance of luggage going missing, you don't have to arrive 2 hours before the flight, the games they play at security etc...

[david.crosby]

YEP, David Crosby but not the singer. I get that a lot. I never have an issue with lost luggage, also I allways arrive 1 hour before the flight and have no issue.
Newcastle Sercurity I allways find like to search me. Every time I go they have to search me. Everytime without a doubt

[andrewmcharlton]

Don't forget that the "total journey time" is often longer by plane depending on where you start and end so you can't make a generic statement about it being quicker.

[david.crosby]

yes, All depends on place.

[ash666]

it's the security inconsistencies between airports and within the same airport that irritates me.
And only having 2 machines working when there are long queues.
And coming back and there are huge queues at passport control(and no toilets there at all-is NCL the only airport in the world where people get into the airport with a possible long delay ahead and there are no toilet facilities??)

[tonker]

Except for the large Female/Male toilets smack bang in the middle of the arrivals lounge:ok:

[ash666]

Tonker
I think you are missing the point completely.

[ncleflights]

East Coast trains are also hitting the london routes with increased trains from Newcastle and introducing new express services which will get you to London in 2hrs 45min (early morning flying scotsman). City centre to City centre journey times like this are getting the bulk of the business traffic the airlines used to.

[ConstantFlyer]

Most journeys are not 'city centre to city centre' just like most journeys are not 'airport to airport'. It is thus iniquitous to compare rail and air other than on a strictly case-by-case basis. The key thing is that airports and railway stations should be integrated into a transport system that makes changing from one 'mode' to another is simple and straightforward.

I'm sure we can all think of good and bad examples of this:

Good: Southampton - on-site railway station and motorway nearby;
Bad: Teesside - infrequent buses and undeveloped rail potential.

[david.crosby]

You can get buses every hour from middlesbrough. Ive used it when creating a documentary of Durham Tees Valley. It was a lot cheaper than parking

[skyman771]

You can get buses every hour from middlesbrough. Ive used it when creating a documentary of Durham Tees Valley. It was a lot cheaper than parking
I understood that these were not well patronised even when there were flights, however I gather you could spend a week waiting for a train!:)

[ConstantFlyer]

You can get buses every hour from middlesbrough
...Not much use when you want a bus to Darlington to catch the train to Newcastle. Crazy thing is that the bus times are not synchronised with the times of arriving or departing planes; neither are they conveniently timed for those working at the airport.

I noticed a bus stop outside Newcastle Airport recently, and when I looked at the timetable on it was pleasantly surprised to find some bus times. Mainly to places like Hexham and Blyth, and not very frequent; but it's a start. While it's all very well for locals to get dropped off and picked up by friends and family in the car, many visitors appreciate a decent public transport option, which I feel the Metro provides.

[GrahamK]

February Provisional Stats from the CAA:

Brussels: 3257 +35%
Copenhagen: 1146 -20%
Paris CDG: 13138 +9%
Dusseldorf: 2955 +35%
Dublin: 10674 +6%
Amsterdam: 17542 +3%
Dubai: 13326 +3% (85.6% loads based on an A332HD operating every flight).
Gatwick: 6094 -21%
Heathrow: 35229 +2%
Stansted: 9976 -8%
Bristol: 15879 +1%


Pax figures in total, down 3.2% on Feb last year, but there is still some encouraging figures on the scheduled side of things. :ok:

[richardhall99]

Wonder why such drops on cph and lgw?

[Jamesair]

In the case of lgw they seem to have dropped frequency from 4 daily m-f to 3

[fl dutchman]

I think it was 3x daily to LGW last winter also.
However thats a big drop in passengers. If I have done the sums correctly it must be about 50% load factor!!.

[GrahamK]

The NCL figure to LGW is still double that of LBA, which I thought was also 3 x Daily?, and slightly less than those of NQY.

[Jamesair]

That makes it even worse, not sure if there were any weather oriented cancellations, which might help explain it. Hopefully, with STN being dropped, traffic on the Gatwick route might pick up, after all STN carried 9,976 pax in February.

[N707ZS]

The new passenger taxes might start to put people off from flying on the UK internal flights.

[POL1W]

And the new landing fees coming in at Gatwick from April, might make the NCL/LGW another route for the chop along with the LBA/LGW.

[Sam Chipperfield]

Virgin A330-300 Training at NCL today according to DTV Movements

[dwlpl]

The Virgin A330-300 looks to be doing the rounds of the UK.

The aircraft is currently on the ground at Liverpool having flown in from Glasgow.

[richardhall99]

I read on the airport's twitter that Cimber have stopped the CPH altogether and they are looking for another carrier - i thought it was just a downgrade but guess not.

[GrahamK]

All mention of Newcastle, has now disappeared from the QI website....that was a sudden stop...:ouch:

[MATELO]

Newcastle yesterday. The new virgin A330-343X. G-VSXY

Air-Britain : Airbus A330-343X (http://www.abpic.co.uk/popup.php?q=1282344)

[Jamie2k9]

Ryanair have added 2 extra weekly flights.

Double daily on SUN, MON, WED, FRI
Daily TUE, THUR, SAT

From May 23

[Jamesair]

Good news about Dublin. Flybe could be interested in Copenhagen, Scandinavia appeared on their wish-list for expansion from NCL.

[fl dutchman]

Now on sale. Looks about the same as this winter, ie 3 aircraft based.

[SWBKCB]

Flybe could be interested in Copenhagen, Scandinavia appeared on their wish-list for expansion from NCL

Yes, but that wish-list is getting rather old...

[jensdad]

Ay, about four years old I think. Every time Flybe launch or expand a route from NCL they tell the press they are also looking at launching routes all over Europe. It got them on the front page of the Chronicle when they launched the short-lived route to Aberdeen.

[fl dutchman]

I see that Jet 2 are doing Alicante throughout next winter (2011/12) in direct competition with Easyjet as per summer 2011.
Chambery seems to have gone.

[Jamesair]

Chambery is on the site now....weekly on Saturdays, the other ski flight to Geneva its says "check again soon".

[Jamesair]

Another thread mentions a route to GIBRALTAR being under discussion, possibly with Jet2

[Channex101]

David Crosby(really???)
I'm not sure flying is a better experience. I'm flying from LHR in April and will get the train down and the coach back. Less chance of luggage going missing, you don't have to arrive 2 hours before the flight, the games they play at security etc...


I fly BA NCL-LHR at least once a week and have done for the last 3 years, once has my bag not arrived on the same flight as me, but it was delivered to my door by 8pm that night.

I check in online and turn up 45-60mins before departure, if I dont check anything in, I turn up at security at the minimun time, and with no bag I walk straight off.... (Even more swiftly now since NCL finally replaced the god awful revolving doors to exit baggage reclaim)

No games at security... if you know what you are doing. Can't understand why this is ever an issue, what they want you to do it written on posters all over the place.

[chris1001]

I travel regularly on the Emirates to Dubai. More and more often there seems to be an issue with the airbridge on the stand that is allocated to Emirates. On last trip, aircraft was parked on remote stand on departure since tug was broken. On arriving back, we waited one and half hours to disembark as it was too windy to connect airbridge - after over an hour, ground staff decided to point a/c nose in to terminal next to Eastern lounge. On leaving the terminal, it was just a normal blustery day - not exactly gale force. Bearing in mind, many pax had been travelling for 24 hours, everyone was truly fed up and commonts included "shambolic. incompetent, lack of planning and above all, over rediculous health & safety". Not a very good advert for inbound pax. This is certainly not the first time I have experienced delays connecting the airbridge. Would be interested to hear response from anyone from Ops as this is not a good advert for our airport.

On the plus side, EK flights are almost always 95% full by my experience. Surely not long till we get 777? My bet is that Qatar Airways will start a service to Doha in next 3 years. Not sure what a/c type though.

[ash666]

just another reason why I am going down to LHR on Wednesday for my next trip.

[Ian Brooks]

I very much doubt Qatar in 3 years, BHX have been waiting longer than that and I think EDI will be next but probably a couple of years away


Ian B

[SWBKCB]

Which day did you come back on? There have been a few recently which have been more than "a normal blustery day".

A fair few years since I've been involved in operating air bridges, but we always had to operate within the manufacturers limits, which isn't "over rediculous health & safety" when operating heavy machinery. Always good to have a plan B, tho :ok:

[10 DME ARC]

Ash - thank goodness for that, with the luck you seem to have I would hate to think I was on the same flight as you!!:E

[ash666]

10 DME ARC
Yeah, this time last year I was stuck abroad with the ash cloud. The last long haul was very smooth with EVA Air, though. On return at LHR, touch down 7.10pm and out of airport at 7.35pm. Even e-visa for Cambodia no problem, straight through special section at Phnom Penh airport. And no silliness with security anywhere.
Glad I'm not using NCL!

[CentreFix25]

I think it was Thursday when the Emirates parked across stands 11 & 12 - it was the strongest wind in a while.

I fount a metar from that day here (http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/EGNT/2011/3/31/DailyHistory.html).

Max Wind Speed 63 km/h
Max Gust Speed 91 km/h

These same people who complain would be quick enough to get a claim in if anything happened to them!

[chris1001]

"These same people who complain would be quick enough to get a claim in if anything happened to them! "

Yes it was Thursday and I agree that we have a claims culture in the UK if anyone got hurt at the airport but come on, this is supposed to be an international airport handling dozens of movements every hour and a bit of wind causes chaos - no excuse whatsoever. I travel all over the world and have never come across such a situation. 3 out of 5 arrivals that I have experienced onto stand 9 in the past year have resulted in some form of delay. Just gives a very poor first impression for arriving passengers.

[andrewmcharlton]

a bit of wind causes chaos - no excuse whatsoever

Chris, what part of gusting to 91 km/h is "a bit of wind"?

If you had an accident you'd be telling them "This is an International Airport, you should know better."

Poor remarks.....:=

[Ops Guy]

Although non-operational that day, if you did have to park over stands 11-12 then these would of had to be vacant for the aircraft to reposition on to these stands for the turnaround. May of been one of the reasons for your delay. Did you notice aircraft on these stands an any point?

Perhaps if you write in you may get a more detailed answer. Good to see your supporting your local Airport Chris1001 ;).

Ops Guy :ok:

[nclops]

The KL960 was on stand 12 and there was an EZY on stand 11 which was the reason for the delay in moving the a/c. The problem with the airbridge was a technical one rather than the weather and the airbridge was stuck too close to the aircraft to get stairs on the front door. The winds at the time were about 35kts gusting upto 48kts making it too windy to safely connected stairs to the rear of the a/c. This is why the a/c had to be moved into the shelter of the terminal after the KL and EZY had left stands 12 and 11.

[GrahamK]

I see Kuwait Airways sent in an A340 yesterday, presumaly this was one of the special flights picking up cash?

[N707ZS]

This flight always seems to be a passenger aircraft do they just take a load of seats out and hand bail the sacks. Surely it would be better to use a cargo aircraft with pallets?

[SWBKCB]

...or just put it in the belly??

[skyman771]

Easy Jet
Positive news :- Interestingly I see that seats for 2012 NCL-GVA are now on sale. This is noteworthy as historically these flights have always appeared for sale on their web site much later in the year. I presume that in the current market & more than one operator likely to be chasing the punters then it reflects a sign of the times. :(

[Jamesair]

plus of course, this winter Jet2 muscled in on the Geneva action

[fl dutchman]

Yes, Easyjet all routes from NCL inc GVA went on sale about 2 wks ago. So that is good news as there was some talk perhaps of them withdrawing.

Jet 2 seem to be compensating for the lower amount of Easyjet flights( 5 to 3 Easyjet aircraft) from the start of the summer schedules.

[Jamesair]

seems to be the case....they have also started a 6 times weekly Alicante route in direct competition with Easyjet.

[N707ZS]

Is anyone making money with this dog fight?

[ConstantFlyer]

Was just checking out some flights in May on the LH website, and was interested to see that Sunday afternoon flights (LH3456) are operated by a 737-500. Other days seem to be CRJ-200s or -900s still.

[MILEHIGHBOY]

mint airways to operate flights ex NCL on behalf of TCX s11

[Jamesair]

~Do you know which ones?

[BAladdy]

It appears ASW have dropped there daily NCL-NQY service.

Last flight available to book is the 28th April.

As a result T3's First CWL flight has moved to a earlier departure time from NCL

[sunshine79]

If I can remember, NBE is on Mint Airways, if it is quiet at work tomorrow, I will look through the summer programme and see which other routes are on Mint. I thought we had both Mint Airways aircraft based at NCL this summer.

[deltahotel9]

According to the original post many weeks ago 'Thomas Cook are to damp lease 2 Mint Airways 757s to be based Newcastle' in which they could simply be integrated with the genuine TCX flights so you won't necessarily know which flights Mint are operating.

[sunshine79]

LTS has an errata explaining that the particular flight is on Mint Airways, so we know which flights will be operated by Mint.

[nclops]

Apparently it's going to be 1 x mint and 1 x astreus now instead of 2 x mint.

[supersani]

Well TCX have just emailed me to advise my May flight to RHO will now be with Mint using the same TCX flight number and TCX staff

[Jamesair]

That makes five route losses for the Summer ...Stansted, Copenhagen, Sharm-el-sheikh, Monastir and Newquay. The March statistics make poor reading with even Dubai down 6%.

On the plus side is :-
Brussels 3938 +17%
Paris 14,768 +9%
Cork 1532 +2%
Dublin 11,636 + 4%
Murcia 3054 + scheduled pax down
Arrecife 2022 + scheduled pax down
Stavanger 1516 + 7%


on the minus side is:-
Chambery 741 - 9%
Dusseldorf 2981 - 3%
Malta 2573 -1%
Amsterdam 19,680 - 4%
Alicante 6772 - scheduled pax down
Barcelona 6206 - " " "
Malaga - 6920 - " " "
Tenerife 2114 - " " "
Dubai 14,057 - 6%

[Kev 1]

Jamesair, just a quick note on the routes there. Sharm-el-Sheikh (TOM B738 x 2 & TCX B752) and Monastir (replaced by Enfidha - TOM B738 & TCX B752) still remain as routes per say.

I have just checked on two of the figures mentioned on the CAA website and found the below:

Arrecife 8,196 +64% (2,022 scheduled - up on 1,667 previous)
Murcia 3,174 +6% (3,054 scheduled - up marginally on 2,998 previous)

I think one of the big factors in the drop again (mainly to IT/Holiday destinations) is due to the reduction from Easyjet versus last year (5 x A319 down to 3 x A319). Jet2 have taken up some routes and provided additional capacity, but the bulk of this is not available until the end of April/early May - so hopefully we will see a reduced loss from this period.

Also of note is that TCX are running a number of flights over easter which were not available at this time last year (extra B753 based for the next two weeks or so), which should help the figures a bit. This is on top of the extra B752 based all Summer from them versus last year.

One thing which is apparant, is that there has not been a new route announcement for quite some time now (believe Oslo Rygge was the last one from Ryanair - correct me if I am wrong) - guess this is a sign of the times at the moment (TCX to Hurghada has now been cancelled for the Summer it seems).

Edit: Good Friday 2010 was on 2nd April, so the schools would have been on holiday here from Friday 26th March - this would have had a positive impact on pax figures last year, which will benefit the airport this year in the April figures (here is hoping anyway).

[SWBKCB]

Couple of quick points -

1. Not sure if the point about Easter is totally correct - my kids didn't finish until Good Friday with Easter being so early (might have been different in other parts of the NE)

2. If Monastir is a loss, isn't Enfidha a new route?

3. TCX B753 just positioned in.

[sunshine79]

I don’t think I’ve missed out any flights here. I have based these on flight at the start of July. I have left out the non-TCX flights, but below are the flights for TCX flights:

Monday:
CFU TCX6026
MAH TCX6342 operated by Astreaus
AYT TCX6342
BJV TCX6976 operated by Mint Airways
DLM TCX6518
MAH TCX6342 operated by Aasteaus

Tuesday:
ALC TCX6216 operated by Aesteaus
HER TCX6118
HER TCX6114 operated by Asteraus
PMI TCX6102
PMI TCX6028
TFS TCX6022 operated by Mint Airways
DLM TCX6506 operated by Mint Airways

Wesdnesday:
LCA TCX6108
SSH TCX6536
FUE TCX6272 operated by Mint Airways
RHO TCX6534 operated by Astreaus
DLM TCX6505

Thursday:
LPA TCX6032 operated by Astreaus
KGS TCX6234
ACE TCX6018 operated by Mint Airways
AYT TCX6582
DLM TCX6502
ZTH TCX6324 operated by Mint Airways

Friday:
CFU TCX6246
PMI TCX6036
MAH TCZX6218 operated by Astreaus
TFS TCX6024 operated by Mint Airways
BJV TCX6566
BOJ TCX6038

Saturday:
FAO TCX6318
ALC TCX6016
FUE TCX6106 operated by Astreaus
PMI TCX6238 operated by Mint Airways
RHO TCX6258
DLM TCX6524
ADB TCX6504

Sunday:
REU TCX6138
LPA TCX6274
PFO TCX6134
IBZ TCX6046 operated by Astreaus
EFL TCX6184 operated by Astreaus
TFS TCX6048 operated by Mint Airways
NBE TCX6012 operated by Mint Airways
ZTH TCX6122 operated by Astreaus

[fjencl]

I noticed from the above posting that Astraeus airlines are operating several flights for TCX, is that for the whole of the summer flying program....???

Who has to provide the cabin crew to operate the astraeus aircraft, will it be TCX cabin crew on the astraeus aircraft...... just wondered how it works.

Cheers

[sam1993]

A full list of all flights operated by Mint or Astraeus for all dates throughout the summer is available on the Thomas Cook website HERE (http://flythomascook.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/359) :ok:

[sunshine79]

Sam,

I can't believe I've spent my morning going through all the flights for the start of July and FLYTC have the list on their website, just typical. Oh well, at least it kept me out of trouble for the morning, hehe.

[Jamesair]

Note to Kev

When I said routes to Sharm-el-sheikh and Monastir lost....I was meaning the scheduled Jet 2 routes. I should have also mentioned Rome which has been lost for this summer (op by EZY).

Arrecife and Murcia....should have read "Scheduled pax up" they were in my plus column....blame the hayfever tablets!!!!!

Thanks for you comments though

[OMGitsDAVE]

Looking in the ThomasCook website bit, I noticed this in the Astraeus;

Flights from UK

Flight Number

Dates of Travel

Newcastel - Tenerife

TCX6024

06 May - 20 May 2001

Newcastel - Tenerife

TCX6048

30 Oct 2011 Only

Newcastel - Tenerife

TCX6112

21 Oct 2011 Only

Newcastel - Tenerife

TCX6112

28 Oct 2011 Only

Newcastel - Cofu

TCX6026

02 May - 16 May 2011


Where's Newcastel, and 2001 is a long time ago!

[firstchoice7e7]

Think its near Balfast...

[Travel Agent]

According to the Travel Weekly website the airport is up for sale. Local authorities and CPH keen to sell.

[Jamesair]

Jet 2 has posted some of its summer 2012 flights on the website, these cover, Alicante (will be daily), Faro, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Arrecife, Palma, Malaga, Mahon, Murcia and Tenerife (all at the same frequency as this year)

[highwideandugly]

few negative posts last week about the emirates service. was lucky enough to use from dubai(by choice as I could have gone KLM to DTV).

it was superb! we were on time..baggage pick up quick and out into the car park within 22 mins of getting off aircraft.Only downside the walk along the peier was a bit dowdy and dark..needs a paint job!!

this compares with going into dubai.we had atc delay and had to hold for 45 mins!! then took over 25 mins to bus to terminal and then 40 mins to clear immigration checks!!.Newcastle 10/10 dubai 5/10 !

chris..didnt hear people complaining too much there and im sure all appreciated the newcastle end!!

try flying in/out of DTV..then you would have reason to moan!!

[Belboy]

I hear that the local authorities are keen to sell before next year as payment is due on a £320m debt. If this is the case it certainly ticks the marginal box.

[roverman]

Just for my clarity of mind...is NCL still owned by the council and the operation contracted out? I thought it was now in (majority) private hands?
Thanks for any nfo.





roverman (a Manc born in West Jesmond)

[SWBKCB]

51% owned a consortium of 7 Local authorities and 49% owned by Copenhagen Airport (who are part of the Macquarie Group)

[mad_rich]

That's a shame about the NQY route, if confirmed. I used it to get back just this morning (the longest route in England?) and was making plans for a couple more trips this summer. The alternative is BA to LHR, and the sleeper from Paddington.

I would have hoped combining NQY with CWL would have shored up the service, albeit at the expense of a longer journey time.

[N707ZS]

So who has to pay the £320m then?

[Jamesair]

I think this was the loan taken out by the previous Airport Director ,the one that the settlement was about.

[uklad007]

if the loan is taken out in the operating business name of Newcastle airport then the airport is responsible for it like any other business would be regardless of ownership.
However the business can pay out of funds it has or ask its shareholders to inject more money (as has happened in a lot of businesses recently) or one shareholder could inject more money and increase their stake at the expense of the other or one/both shareholders could loan the business money to pay off the debt but it would be treated as a loan on their books and interest could be paid on that in the same way as it is to a bank.

It is unlikey that one of the shareholders is responsible for the entire loan unless it was part of some agreement at the time this was undertaken or unless one of the shareholders were underwriters for the loan i.e if Newcastle Airport cant pay, then whoever legally agreed to back it (in order to get the loan in the first place) could be liable.

[BAladdy]

That's a shame about the NQY route, if confirmed. I used it to get back just this morning (the longest route in England?) and was making plans for a couple more trips this summer.

ASW timetable has been updated on there website. Last flight will operate 28th April

[fl dutchman]

Shame about the NQY route. Thought it would have been coming up to its most busy time.

What sort of aircraft did they use ?.

[Jamesair]

Dash 8-300....better to pull it in winter rather than summer, I would have thought.....but Eastern would have made an economics based decision.

[N707ZS]

Might Newcastle have to introduce a Passenger Facility Fee to pay of the loan?

[Kev 1]

Dornier 328 (not sure where sourced from) replaces one of the JS41 and operates as follows (Mon-Fri only)

EZE4641 NCL (0640) - CWL (0750)
EZE4032 CWL (0815) - NCL (0920)
EZE4032 NCL (0945) - ABZ (1040)
EZE4035 ABZ (1105) - NCL (1200)
EZE4036 NCL (1330) - ABZ (1425)
EZE4095 ABZ (1605) - NCL (1700)
EZE4095 NCL (1725) - CWL (1840)
EZE4648 CWL (1910) - NCL (2025)

[planenut321]

Would imagine it will be from Scot Airways. Anyone have any idea how long this aircraft will be 'leased' for?

[anthbower1234]

EC-LBC Just about to touch down after positioning in from Madrid. Will be on her fingers crossed 26/05/11 to ZTH

[N707ZS]

Didn't G-OJIB also arrive today Astraeus? Hope they have removed the Iron Maden tail motif!:E

[Earlyriser]

I hope they havn't would make the place a bit more Interesting! :E

[deltahotel9]

According to Jethro it's all white, G-STRX is the iron maiden aircraft, looks like it will be boring after all.

[ash666]

They should have captured Bin Laden alive and made him continually go through NCL airport security for the rest of his life.

[Cram1075]

Ash666,
we all know how bad ANY airport security can be and NOT just newcastle.
im sure the staff are just as fed up with constantly having to deal with people like you moaning about the process WHICH IS FOR YOUR OWN SAFTEY.
if your not happy then get the bus.

Also something else to note, the airport does not choose the way it operates security, if other airports take shortcuts then thats up to them.

[ash666]

Cram1075
I have "got the bus". Actually the train down and bus back. Long haul now I go from LHR and what a nice experience it is compared to NCL.
Coming back a couple of weeks ago from touchdown to getting luggage and leaving was barely 20 mins.

[fl dutchman]

Cram1075.
Well said.

However I cannot understand how it can be better/quicker to get the train or bus from Newcastle to/ from LHR then go longhaul, than fly from NCL to LHR and connect to longhaul. In particular the connections via BA through T5 are especially good.

Of course the connections through AMS in my opinion are also very good.

Am I the only one who has found the security at NCL to be fine. I have always found the people very pleasant, and the process no worse than anywhere else, in fact much better than many other airports.

Whats the problem?.

[ash666]

A lot is in the timings, of course, and a single flight should minimise the risk of my luggage not making the trip which happened with monotonous regularity via AMS and then there is the truly awful KLM flight to AMS from NCL which may or may not take off on time/at all/ not be overbooked/laughed at at AMS when you eventually get there and complain("of course we overbook our flights")/ break down(me: "why do your planes break down so often"?. KLM girl:"I wish I could tell you"!!!).
The train to LHR is very low stress and easy in comparison and the late bus back is great, just fall asleep and arrive at Newcastle at 6am ready for the day.

[ncleflights]

I have had good and bad security issues at NCL as ash has stated it has a lot to do with timings, they do seem to have problems when confronted with any volume of pax.

On an all together different subject does anyone know what is happening with the as yet unopened Airport Hotel - any news on if any operator will ever take it on

[Cram1075]

The hotel has been put up for sale by an arabic bank

[fl dutchman]

Obviously when its busy the security will be worse. But that happens everywhere and even LHR can sometimes be very slow.

Just for my interest when going by train to LHR from Newcastle station, on arrival at Kings Cross I presume you either have to drag your baggage onto the underground and connect via the Piccadilly line to LHR which has a journey time of about an hour.
Or get the underground to Paddington, then get the Heathrow Express to Heathrow.

Does the Bus go direct from LHR to Newcastle ?.

Re the KL to AMS. Its obvious from your previous posts that you have a problem with the NCL service. I agree that there have been baggage problems but the situation should be improving. As for the flight punctuality, well delays are actually few and far between and under normal circumstances(ie no ash cloud) cancellations are also very rare indeed probably less than many other carriers at NCL. They must occur mainly when you travel, perhaps your unlucky.
Most problems seem to occur when the onward is not with KL in which case it can be difficult to deal with certain issues.
Connections via AMS are usually very good. But thats just my personal opinion.

[ash666]

FD
I just use the underground all the way, as you say the Piccadilly line. If your case has a handle and wheels it is really no problem. On my recent trip I wondered if space would be a problem on a working day at 5pm but easy.
The only bad part of the trip is having to get the coach to Victoria and change there but it also goes to Sunderland, North Shields, Whitley Bay, Blyth, Ashington on the return.
I swore I would never use KLM again after they laughed in my face over the over booking episode. That was when I used KLM long haul and was already in transit and even though I had a reconfirmed and paid for seat they still said, "sorry sir, the plane is full and you're not on it". As far as I'm concerned a plane seat is no different to a car or a TV set. If I have paid for it it is mine and no-one has the right to sell it to someone else.

[fl dutchman]

There still seems to be a few new hotels opening or going to open on Tyneside. So it seems strange that this one remains closed. I would have thought it has a good location not just for airport traffic (which is not so good at the moment).
The last I heard was Doubletree by Hilton were going to run it but that was ages ago.

[fl dutchman]

Sorry, I thought your onward was with China Airlines when you posted about it last year.

Its most annoying obviously if you get offloaded, but it does happen occasionally with all carriers except perhaps budget ones. On the positive side If your not in a hurry the points or cash or voucher compensation can come in handy. There is no excuse though for anyone laughing at you when you are faced with difficulties. You should be looked after properly.

Sorry you feel the way you do about the KL service. Perhaps you may one day try it again.

[Montreal-Dubai]

Hello FL Dutchman

No, you arnt the only one who doesnt seem to have problems going through NCL. I always find it fine, and I cant understand any of these comments, they must defo be one off experiences of which I am sorry that this has occured. I travel through NCL every month at various times and with varying amounts of crowds, but never once do I have to wait that long, never more than 10 minutes, and I dont use any of the fast-track options, there is no point, unless you fly with T3 and get the "fast-track" included automatically. And these folk who would waste time to travel overland to LHR quite frankly need their heads examining. I have done this aswell several times, and this form of journey has in my opinion got worse over the years. The last time I did it was 2006, and that was when I abandoned the SE of England as a departure point and used NCL from then on. Connectivity has got better at NCL since then particularly once EK came our way, so civilised, and I for one love the thought everytime I board at DXB that I only have 1 leg to go to get home, and I can be out of the airport building within 30 mins of hitting the tarmac, there arnt many places in the world where you can do that consistantly eh??? :D And all this talk recently of slight problems with Air-Bridges etc etc during spells of strong winds!!! Streuth, you want to try being stuck onboard an AF 777 which has got stuck, yes stuck in snow whilst taxi-ing to the terminal at Montreal when its -20 and a blizzard!!! Everyone just accepts weather delays as part of the course sometimes in places like that, its not the end of the world.

[Piltdown Man]

moaning about the process WHICH IS FOR YOUR OWN SAFTEY.

Says who? The security process is merely theatre and its sole objective is to show that "something" is being done. I could be wrong, but I believe that in all the years that airport security has been running, not one terrorist operation has ever been thwarted by airport security. Furthermore, because of the predictable way that this lot from "Care in the Community" behave, following dictats from individuals from Clown Central (DfT - Transec), the terrorist can virtually guarantee their response. The travelling public have every right to expect a safe transport but the reality is that the system is not fit for purpose. Only when a proper profiling system is introduced will the system start becoming more secure - remember, it's people who are the real problem.

PM

[ash666]

FD
the KLM episode was a while ago and yes, you are correct that I used China last year and have now voted with my feet on that one as well after the way they treated (abandoned) pax during the ash cloud problem.
It's not a case of spitting the dummy or throwing tantrums, just letting companies know that if they mess me about I simply won't use them again. CI will lose out on 10s of thousands of £££ over the next 20 years or so. I told them that but they weren't bothered.
I now use EVA who are great. I also see they go from AMS so maybe one day I'll pluck up the courage to risk the KLM hop and book an extra night in Bangkok before moving on to let my suitcase catch up. The timings are still tighter than I would like and I can't tell you how low stress my last couple of trips via LHR have been with everything being so much more predictable.

[AirLCY]

I travelled through NCL a few weeks ago for the first time in years, security feels so dated compared to most airports of it's size. There was only 1 x ray open when I travelled, so although a small queue it took 20 mins to get through! The rest of the airport isn't bad, but security needs a bit of an update!

[Hipennine]

Well, I've got several issues with some of the NCL experience, but security isn't one of them. Yes it can be a bit of a wait in the corrals at peak times, but that's partly a perception based on being able to see all those people in front. I always find the security staff personable, tolerant of irregular travellers, and willing to inject some humour into what is inevitably a hassled part of the airport experience.

As to using the East Coast to transfer to Heathrow, I have now given up using the train on the East coast Main Line for anywhere en-route to London. My experience is that the punctuality is appalling, and when things go wrong, it quickly escalates into a major disruption. Couple that with the bewildering frequency of problems on the Underground, it would make a connection with a LH ex H'row a very stressful experience.

[10 DME ARC]

Ash - Sorry you find a 6-7hr coach journey(used to be 5.5hrs in the 70/80!?!?) or delay ridden East Coast Main line(my son is in Uni in London, I could go on for hours!!) and then a hour plus tube ride, never mind dragging your cases onto the tube! As apposed to connecting out of NCL!?!? :confused:
AMS - Is much better for bags connecting than they ever were in the 90's and I find just walking between gates in one building great. Plus KLM have always treated me very well.
DXB - If you heading East has got to be the way to go, I suppose I have to say that but I get talking to many pax's sitting next to me on 35 or 36 and have never heard a bad story! For me home to home as it were UAE are the biz.
LHR - Well my son waited over an hour for bags in T3 the other day!
Security well can be interesting the world over, its a low(ish) paid job in some countries so one persons interpretation of the rules can vary!! I find NCL very good. Try the USA these days!!!!!:}

[Montreal-Dubai]

Hiya 10 DME ARC

Im glad its not just me. I wouldnt use the flaming East Coast Mainline even if it was free!!! It is not reliable and I too have had far too many disrupted journies over several years to last me a lifetime, heading north and south!!! Im sure they used to see me coming :) The only route ex NCL Im not using for now is AF to CDG after they lost my bag for 8 weeks just before Christmas coming back from Montreal. It was then that my eyes were opened to Paris CDG shortfalls, although I would still use it to and from Paris point to point.

AMS is fine these days, and DXB is defo the way to go. :D

ha-ha yes, the USA!! Indeed it is rather :} at times.

[Cram1075]

PILTDOWNMAN
i wander what pathetic occupation you have and. The airport doesnt need people like you anyway.

[Flightlevel001]

Plitdownman,

I with you, it is mainly all for show, we know that , but it makes 'Joe Public' feel safe so it will stay - for 6 months at least.

Theatrical? Maybe that should be 'Prescriptive', as Philip Hammond here points out. i.e. Yes we can all be just as safe, but there are other ways and means of doing it without irritating our passengers and crew who are subjected to it, everytime they fly/work.
:)

BBC News - Airport restrictions to stay for months, says transport secretary (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13281285)

[andrewmcharlton]

Pildownman not one terrorist operation has ever been thwarted by airport security

Are you for real? There are hundreds of safety related events prevented by Airport Security. I presume you'd like knives, weapons, explosives etc etc just allowed on board willy nilly?

Interesting you go on to say you're entitled to expect safety...

I assume you've missed the bomb attacks that occur on buses, trains and so on around the world where no security exists.

Your reference to "Care in the Community" is pretty disingenuous and a grown up should know better than to make such disparaging remarks.

[ash666]

10 DME ARC
I have tried DXB once and really didn't like that either. After I have had my food, wine, watched a film, I am ready for a good sleep not being thrown off the plane and waiting for 3 hours and then on another one. I arrived at my destination absolutely shattered. DXB wasn't pleasant either, hundreds of empty seats but couldn't sit on any of them because of "Arabs" sleeping on the floor right in front of them.
After what has been said here maybe I will try EVA via AMS in future.

[fl dutchman]

Eva via AMS.
Please dont do it. Your using two different airlines ( KL to AMS/ EVA onward )I think the connections are bad infact not possible due to timings in some cases. Its bound to go wrong for you. If you go via AMS best use KL/NW as onward.

Good to hear some positives for AMS from some posters.

[ash666]

Could be I looked at the timings before and was put off. Would not use KLM with tight timings!!

[10 DME ARC]

Ash - Understand about your comments about the break in the journey but you have flown direct from NCL and not had the 8hr+(bus/tube) to London!! Surely three hours to get bite to eat etc before next flights beats the journey to London!?!? Most people I speak to find the break good to stretch legs before being delivered direct to destination. Before Emirates/DXB a lot of destinations were two stops from NCL, especially in the likes of India and the Far East.

I have to stop you on Dubai being full of "Arabs" sleeping on floor?? Not Arabs?? May be some Asian workers sleeping on floors in terminal one or two but only peak times, terminal 3 can be full during peak waves but always seats available if you look, I am in/out the terminals most working days and at all different times. Also new extension to Terminal3 with 17 A380 stands opens beginning next year.

43 Million people in the last year seemed to enjoy their visit to DXB, has averaged around 10% percent grown since I been here so must be doing some thing right! DXB airport forecast for 2020 between the two airports is 90 million passengers!!
Any way I really don't think you will stop getting National Express or who ever to Victoria and enjoying the 'smells' of the underground to LHR but its not for me......enjoy cheers 10D:\

[ash666]

They were definitely dressed in the Arab/Muslim robes and a Dubai work colleague confirmed it.
Horses for courses, I suppose but may try it again one day. If you want to save up and fly busy class it is a lot more expensive than EVA, though.

[ash666]

Fl D
Just had a look at timings. KLM gets to AMS at 18.50 and EVA leaves at 21.40.
On return EVA gets into AMS at 19.25 and KLM leaves at 22.10.
Is this so risky?

[HH6702]

Thomson and Thomas cook short haul flights go on sale today.

Anything new ??

[Travel Agent]

Does not appear to be anything new although it does appear Thomson have dropped Punta Cana in Dom Rep

[fl dutchman]

ash666. Sorry I got the arrival and departure times for EVA crossed. So it is possible, but I am always nervous about using two different airlines on a connection. Its usually easier to sort out any problems that may arise when your on a through ticket with say KL/BA etc.

For example, if you were flying from NCL to AMS today to connect with EVA air, you would perhaps have a problem because according to the flight info system the EVA from AMS to BKK is cancelled, as is there inbound from BKK. I dont think they have another service tommorrow either.

Your not flying today? are you. ( sorry meant as a humerous remark, couldnt help myself )

[ash666]

not today, just planning for October. It's a shame that if they are not ticketed together then if KLM make me miss my EVA flight then they have no responsibility to arrange onward transport.
Or have the rules changed?

[fl dutchman]

I think that if you purchased two "seperate" tickets say NCL LHR with BA, then another with say Virgin LHR to HKG, each with seperate booking references and not linked to each other. If the BA was late and you missed the Virgin as a result, you may be in difficulties, but Virgin would probably help you out if they could but I dont think they are obliged to.

However if you bought a LHR HKG with Virgin and at the same time through Virgin added a NCL LHR connection in the same booking then I believe if you miss a flight due to a delay you will be looked after, ie transferred to next flight with no extra cost. (I use this example as one of my family did it last year)

The best way in my opinion is to book all your flights together with one airline or its codeshare partners and you should be safe. ie NCL LHR LHR HKG all with BA or perhaps BA to LHR and then CX to HKG. With one locator/booking ref for all flights.

Hope your trip in OCT works out well.

[ash666]

cheers for that, I'll have to see what add ons I can do, prob none via the EVA website but ebookers or Expedia might but booking the main flight via EVA themselves is hugely cheaper than, say, Expedia(£1700 v £5000 for busy class).
Final destination on Oct is BKK but long weekend planned for Luang Prabang in Laos while there.

[KNIEVEL77]

I had some spare time while working in Manchester yesterday so visited the airport's Aviation Park..............it was fantastic, great viewing points, a shop and a cafe.........oh, and a Concorde is there too! The car park was virtually full so that proves it is well used.

Will Newcastle EVER reinstate a viewing point?

[Flyit Pointit Sortit]

Not unless they can make money from it :E:E:E

[Ops Guy]

Will Newcastle EVER reinstate a viewing point?

Wait and see eh .............. :ok:

[johnnychips]

I don't know if the MAN viewing park makes money if the car park fees (£3/hr - worth it) have to cover the costs of maintaining the planes etc. but it is certainly very popular, and definitely not just with planespotters. Perhaps someone from over the Pennines could enlighten us.

Maybe the drawback with a similar thing at NCL would be if there were enough movements to sustain interest, and obviously if there were a suitable plot of land available.