Southend-3

[Expressflight]

Could I ask what Air Horizont might plan to do with one or two aircraft based at SEN ? They seem to be a largely passenger charter based airline with 30 year old mainly high density 737s - is there maybe one travel agency that is likely to substantially engage their services ?
I'm not aware of the reasons for basing two aircraft at SEN but I'm led to believe it's been in the pipeline for some time so perhaps more than just a bit of short term parking.

[LTNman]

So how many passenger flights did JOTA fly out of SEN? Might be a clue there regarding Air Horizont use of SEN

[southender]

So how many passenger flights did JOTA fly out of SEN? Might be a clue there regarding Air Horizont use of SEN
I think the answer to that is - not many.

[Expressflight]

Air Horizont's 9H-ZAZ is currently en-route SEN-MAN positioning to operate a charter MAN-CDG for Sale Sharks RUFC. At least it shows SEN are trying to diversify somewhat to find additional revenue streams, whether or not it results in Air Horizont carrying out revenue flights from SEN remains to be seen. Around 2012 I had connections with Small Planet and they were looking for a summer base in the LON area for one aircraft. SEN didn't show any interest then, having higher aspirations at the time.

[Expressflight]

So how many passenger flights did JOTA fly out of SEN? Might be a clue there regarding Air Horizont use of SEN
Not very many pax charters were operated out of SEN by Jota.

They flew a reasonable Summer programme from SEN for Lourdes pilgrims but Covid put an end to those, plus sub-charters for Stobart on their scheduled network and I can recall there being perhaps half a dozen others I'm aware of. Most of their flying was for Premier League clubs and subs for the likes of BACF and numerous other airlines, so none of those would carry pax from SEN.

[Expressflight]

Air Horizonte operated their first revenue flight out of SEN this afternoon carrying the Saracens rugby team to Toulon for their match tomorrow.

[DC3 Dave]

Air Horizonte operated their first revenue flight out of SEN this afternoon carrying the Saracens rugby team to Toulon for their match tomorrow.

That’s good to know. Though I have no doubt that this small positive will be turned into something entirely negative on this thread in no time at all.

[ericlday]

Air Horizonte operated their first revenue flight out of SEN this afternoon carrying the Saracens rugby team to Toulon for their match tomorrow.
Returned to LTN as HT2231 on 15th then positioned back to SEN

[pabely]

That would be a more natural choice of airport considering where the Rugby team is based. Luton was busy with other FBO work on the day of the teams departure.

[AirportPlanner1]

Malaga and Palma are now on sale from 26 March 2023 on a very similar schedule to this year but starting over a month earlier. Nothing yet to Faro but this year isn’t running as a full season and flights beyond first week of May aren’t available.

[pabely]

...... and flights beyond first week of May aren’t available.
Not available yet on any route from any airport beyond 8th May 2023.

[AirportPlanner1]

Not available yet on any route from any airport beyond 8th May 2023.

Indeed, hence why I specifically noted this year’s operation isn’t running as a full season. And therefore it’s absence does not mean at this stage it’s dropped.

[LTNman]

Any flights during the winter?

[Pain in the R's]

As no one has answered I would say the answer is no.

Despite all of the investment at this airport, making it once the fastest growing airport in the U.K, it is now the worst performing airport compared to 2019 with no measurable recovery. Such a shame.

[Buster the Bear]

The 'Brady' years were certainly spend, spend, spend.......

[Buster the Bear]

https://uk.advfn.com/stock-market/london/esken-ESKN/share-news/Esken-Limited-Final-Results/88204081

[DC3 Dave]

Very nice. Upbeat. Now we just need.....

https://hub.rezcomm.com/ses/viewinbrowser/id=5f65751a9c66b3e432786e5e0503cb87&token=3dcd7bdda8eff360278e60e1971a695fb9e38b7f8f2572f6f8c823 177d53d26ac123e987c4d0bb972bdc4133ffb067228ffcd859ffb4183afa 83efd486a6f958bef977bfed6e43e5f5553829d580144d5b539fd7b261ae a7a335cfdf6a874805b241399ddff37434ee82ccf5011b57cc150c88ebbb 1801b3bb6c684aee96b4aa6f99b7368dd13bd9d7c153866783e202f60e86 5554edb29fb4a49e2966dddec01dad9cd46ab5b03cf5f3128a84e6772c04 9290ee13c4b8ae5e532780308a3f1fea479f63fbd25e7571c5c26779eed7 126f697e82ec6da1bddacea774fd350fd9e886633061db04d3ba195c1a62 c6be2b183d5c41076d38a8a252bd192eeb502a9dafcbac9263df1d7a6463 f0cd5f6db1a29189938239eb12cad5740ace6b6ced4ec397627ef8f926ab 38e891e7b3606a63680244b94b3f23e3cf52c3eef315ff2e7524d24969dc 559ee2e1f776e72c0961481edfafa30942a5d251bfe8049553acfdbcce02 03c38db3b440a53b698f7f4ea603a80d2b8b46bcf6f3af0c8b7d78cec804 84c968eb63fd978844e499142570b0cc3c2d04a0184eb84c2b38bedd6a&campaignid=1671-1

[LTNman]

https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/southend-airport-in-talks-with-carriers-for-2023-services

https://www.cityam.com/were-focusing-on-profitable-passengers-not-volumes-says-southend-airport/

[SEN Observer]

Southend Airport unveil Air Horizont first UK base | Echo (echo-news.co.uk) (https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20177967.southend-airport-unveil-air-horizont-first-uk-base/)

[davidjohnson6]

Why do Air Horizont want to go for VIP charter market.... when the likes of BA, Easyjet and TUI are desperately short of capacity and presumably will pay for wet leases ?

[AirportPlanner1]

Why do Air Horizont want to go for VIP charter market.... when the likes of BA, Easyjet and TUI are desperately short of capacity and presumably will pay for wet leases ?

Perhaps the likes of Titan being wrapped up in longer-term leases has left a shortage in the VIP market?

[BA318]

Why do Air Horizont want to go for VIP charter market.... when the likes of BA, Easyjet and TUI are desperately short of capacity and presumably will pay for wet leases ?

Depends what they think will pay better. The regular companies struggling to meet the demand means rates go up and maybe they can make adequate returns on the VIP market and become the first choice rather than the last choice in the wet lease market.

[SEN Observer]

More from the Echo

Private flights running from Southend Airport | Echo (echo-news.co.uk) (https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20179039.private-flights-running-southend-airport/)

[Barling Magna]

Every little helps. Additionally, it was good to see the MD 87 in for paint work yesterday.

[Pain in the R's]

The airline has already stationed two VIP Boeing 737-400s at the city’s airport and is offering chartered flights for private customers, businesses and sports teams.


With scheduled flights the airlines set the agenda. With this type of company the client sets the departure and arrival point so Southend could get very little out of this operation apart from empty legs and parking.

[SEN Observer]

New Southend Airport summer flight routes coming soon? | Echo (echo-news.co.uk) (https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20186298.new-southend-airport-summer-flight-routes-coming-soon/)

[DC3 Dave]

I’m not a spotter (trust me!) but I have to note that a direct flight from Washington Dulles is due to arrive at SEN in around half an hour. A Dassault Falcon 8X. Can’t imagine that’s happened too many times before.

[AirportPlanner1]

My perception is theres been an uplift recently in bizjets but it’s particularly noticeable on FR24 in the last couple of days. Great work by the management or restrictions elsewhere eg LTN? Or a combination?

[SEN Observer]

Atmosphere has reared its head again

Airline aims to join easyjet at Southend Airport | Echo (echo-news.co.uk) (https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20196364.airline-aims-join-easyjet-southend-airport/)

[BA318]

Atmosphere has reared its head again

Airline aims to join easyjet at Southend Airport | Echo (echo-news.co.uk) (https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20196364.airline-aims-join-easyjet-southend-airport/)

Its unbelievable that the airport is not doing any due diligence on this and wasting time meeting them. I saw on his Instagram that he said he met with Glyn Jones.

[DC3 Dave]

Its unbelievable that the airport is not doing any due diligence on this and wasting time meeting them. I saw on his Instagram that he said he met with Glyn Jones.

So? I met Glyn Jones once. In what way does that mean the airport is not carrying out due diligence? Besides, as Atmosphere require an aircraft to operate flights - what else needs to be said.

One last point. It is not the airport that is feeding the local press.

[SWBKCB]

I saw on his Instagram that he said he met with Glyn Jones.

A reliable source?

[BA318]

So? I met Glyn Jones once. In what way does that mean the airport is not carrying out due diligence? Besides, as Atmosphere require an aircraft to operate flights - what else needs to be said.

One last point. It is not the airport that is feeding the local press.

Granted but the airport gave the press a quote. They should just deny it. Would you really risk the reputations damage being associated with this.

It is clear this atmosphere is never going to get off the ground so why even entertain it. A quick search of this project would be more than enough information to show why they should stay very far away from it.

[SWBKCB]

In the article linked, there is only this sentence, which is as non-commital as you can get.

Southend Airport stated it would not comment on specific discussions, but confirmed talks are ongoing with a number of airlines.

[LTNman]

As are all airports so nothing special there.

The disturbing thing is that SEN has yet to see any form of recovery while all the other London Airport have. This winter there are no flights and next summer will be glum for all airports, as the pent up demand of the last 2 years will be over and a massive recession and cost of living rises will mean many people will be staying at home.

How long can SEN carry on making losses?

[LTNman]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20219382.easyjet-flights-southend-airport-surrounded-uncertainly/

HOLIDAYMAKERS have been left in limbo amid growing uncertainty over easyJet flights in and out of Southend (https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/blues/) Airport.

[DC3 Dave]

At the moment it looks as if the Monday AGP flight has been axed. Not available for the next 2 weeks then showing as sold out until end of October.

[Spanish eyes]

Lack of crew or lack of demand?

[pabely]

Easyjet Spain crews to go on strike on 9 days in July following Ryanair Spains lead.

[G-ARZG]

A reliable source?

The Atmosphere King has said a lot of things over the years - few had any bearing to the truth, or reality even.

[AirportPlanner1]

I see the LTN trolls are back.

Yes as noted the Monday AGP has gone except for October Half Term. This is a loss of 18 flights.

FAO originally wasn’t operating the whole season, now it ends 31/10. I think this is 5 extra flights but it could be 7.

Net loss - 13 flights. I make that 5.6% of the operation from now until 31/10. Not sure how this compares to LTN or other bases but believe it’s much lower than LGW.

[pabely]

LGW is not a good comparison when EZY have 3-7 flights a day to a popular destination. Removing one is inconvenient only.
They were due to have 6 more dry leased planes across the network this summer but with crew issues that is no more.

I am pleased to see SEN is picking up some more Biz traffic but I think not having a recognised FBO is holding them back.

[LTNman]

I see the LTN trolls are back.


There is nothing even remotely trollish regarding previous posts, just facts.

[AirportPlanner1]

LGW is not a good comparison when EZY have 3-7 flights a day to a popular destination. Removing one is inconvenient only.

Actually that isn’t correct, if you look at the LGW changes there’s a high number of reductions on routes that don’t operate daily and where there’s no other London option. That’s far more problematic than one more or less day, or going back correct day to a different airport.

[Spanish eyes]

Net loss - 13 flights. I make that 5.6% of the operation from now until 31/10. Not sure how this compares to LTN or other bases but believe it’s much lower than LGW.

Remove 5.6% of flights from Luton still means a very busy terminal so wouldn’t be noticeable.
Remove 5.6% of flights from Southend means an empty terminal on 13 occasions for much of the day, which would be noticeable.


On a separate note it is very hard to find out what destinations are available when flying from Southend. A quick look on the airports website shows details of many destinations that are not even routes.

[Expressflight]

I am pleased to see SEN is picking up some more Biz traffic but I think not having a recognised FBO is holding them back.
I'm sure that is true but not an easy problem to solve unfortunately.

[LTNman]

Luton is now closed overnight to Biz jets until mid September. As SEN is the only London Airport that is open it should do very well.

[SEN Observer]

I wish I had posted that latest Echo report myself. It would have stopped LTNman getting unwarranted criticism. All he did was post a newspaper article!

[LTNman]

Yes as noted the Monday AGP has gone except for October Half Term. This is a loss of 18 flights.

Anyone told SEN as it shows it as operating on Monday and being on time.

[LTNman]

Now showing as cancelled.

[colinhunn]

Seen a posting that Satys Air Livery at Southend has permanently closed. Can anyone corroborate this news please?

[LTNman]

Easyjet returns for summer 2023

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20244641.easyjet-returning-southend-airport-2023/

An airport spokesman said: “easyJet flights for this summer are already on sale until end of October and for summer 2023 from March."

[Pain in the R's]

So what is happening this winter, does the terminal shut down or is it available for diversions?

[Expressflight]

I imagine that the passenger terminal will close for the Winter period. No passenger flight diversions are accepted at the moment anyway so no change there.

The Southend Jet Centre will presumably continue to accept diversions through the Winter. The lack of current night slots at LTN and STN has resulted in a large increase in SEN's bizjet night movements to the extent that SEN is probably using nearly all of its own night movement quota.

One of the based Horizonte B734s is operating a charter to Geneva for West Ham FC this weekend.

[LTNman]

Why are no passenger diversion flights accepted? Are staff just employed on 3 hour shifts to cover single flights?

[Expressflight]

As I understand it that is the case although I don't know the shift pattern being worked.

[LTNman]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20264476.southend-airport-hit-hard-london-city-airport-expansion-plans/



'Southend Airport could be hit hard by London City Airport expansion plans'

Personally I don’t see London City as a threat but Stansted, which has permission to expand to 43m and competes for the same airlines as Southend.

[TCAS FAN]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20264476.southend-airport-hit-hard-london-city-airport-expansion-plans/




Personally I don’t see London City as a threat but Stansted, which has permission to expand to 43m and competes for the same airlines as Southend.

Totally agree, LCY does not pose a threat to SEN, cannot see FR or anything orange flying an ILS with a 5.5 degree glide path!

[stewyb]

Totally agree, LCY does not pose a threat to SEN, cannot see FR or anything orange flying an ILS with a 5.5 degree glide path!

maybe not but if the entire Embraer E2 and Airbus A220 series get clearance for LCY, this could pose a threat with more airlines and routes becoming available

[davidjohnson6]

maybe not but if the entire Embraer E2 and Airbus A220 series get clearance for LCY, this could pose a threat with more airlines and routes becoming available

Certainly more could be possible. However, LCY's terminal is not particularly large... and in 2019, even after the gate expansion a few years ago, was already significantly stretched at times.

[stewyb]

Certainly more could be possible. However, LCY's terminal is not particularly large... and in 2019, even after the gate expansion a few years ago, was already significantly stretched at times.

indeed, a 50% increase in pax numbers would make LCY a very uncomfortable experience!

[Downwind_Left]

indeed, a 50% increase in pax numbers would make LCY a very uncomfortable experience!

Which is why LCY already have permission, and work began before COVID to more than double the size of the terminal. Currently on hold, but can restart as soon as they choose.

[pabely]

Should SEN be worried about the news about DSA which has a better terminal, runway and infrastructure available but still cannot make money with an experienced operator?
Time to scale back and concentrate more on a market like Biggin Hill?

[SWBKCB]

Should SEN be worried about the news about DSA which has a better terminal, runway and infrastructure available but still cannot make money with an experienced operator?


But doesn't have one of the largest aviation markets in the world on its doorstep?

[Pain in the R's]

The above post says it all. SEN has one of the worlds largest aviation markets on its doorsteps but it is struggling for crumbs and has no flights this winter.

[pabely]

SEN only works went the 'Full' signs are back up at LHR, LGW, STN & LTN which is not going to happen next year, can it last until 2024?

[davidjohnson6]

SEN only works went the 'Full' signs are back up at LHR, LGW, STN & LTN which is not going to happen next year, can it last until 2024?

The "it" lasting is perhaps a little ambiguous. I suspect the current operator will be unable to sustain the losses and may even go bankrupt between now and 2024... just in time for another company with bigger pockets to buy the assets (eg the terminal) and make money.
It's been a similiar story with many infrastructure projects in history... the company that pays out for the civil engineering runs out of money just before the piece of infrastructure becomes reliably profitable

[DC3 Dave]

SEN only works went the 'Full' signs are back up at LHR, LGW, STN & LTN which is not going to happen next year, can it last until 2024?

Well it’s somehow lasted until now and they don’t expect any progress until summer 2023. Big difference between SEN and DSA is the former has no plan B. There will be no non-aviation related development on the land they lease from the local authority. Even during the Covid outbreak peak the council jumped on them when they used one of the car parks for pallet storage.

So for me either Esken get the show back on the road or one way or another they will be gone. Another owner may have very different ideas but an airport it will remain IMO.

I nearly forgot. We do have one thing in common with DSA. We both have a Vulcan.

[pabely]

The above post says it all. SEN has one of the worlds largest aviation markets on its doorsteps but it is struggling for crumbs and has no flights this winter.
DSA quotes 5.3M catchment within 60 min drive whereas SEN has 2M. Geography rules unless they expect a 3 hour drive window!

[DC3 Dave]

DSA quotes 5.3M catchment within 60 min drive whereas SEN has 2M. Geography rules unless they expect a 3 hour drive window!

What a load of cobblers. 2 million only. I’ve actually driven from Luton to Leigh-On-Sea in little over an hour.

[pabely]

Googled and it came back with Rochford Gov document which states:
– Potential Catchment Area • Southend has a significant population living within 30 and 60 minutes drive of the airport. • A developed Southend could potentially draw on a large local market to form the core of its traffic base. • Southend Airport’s immediate 30 minute drive time catchment (orange area on map) contains 0.4 million people, and includes Southend, Basildon, Rochford and Castlepoint. • The 60 minute drive time catchment (yellow area on map) contains 2 million people, and includes most of Essex, Thurrock, North East Kent and the London Boroughs of Bromley, Bexley, Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.

[davidjohnson6]

What a load of cobblers. 2 million only. I’ve actually driven from Luton to Leigh-On-Sea in little over an hour.
Luton to Southend airport *should* take a minimum of 1h15 (i.e more than 60 mins), assuming no traffic. Unless your car has a lot of "go faster stripes"... :}

[SWBKCB]

DSA quotes 5.3M catchment within 60 min drive whereas SEN has 2M. Geography rules unless they expect a 3 hour drive window!

Now factor in income levels and propensity to travel. Markets aren't defined by drawing circles.

[DC3 Dave]

Luton to Southend airport *should* take a minimum of 1h15 (i.e more than 60 mins), assuming no traffic. Unless your car has a lot of "go faster stripes"... :}

I did say Leigh-On-Sea. Add 15 minutes to the airport. Anyway forgetting my tantrum, the point is there’s a hell of a lot more than 2 million people within an hours drive of Southend Airport. The real problem is that right now there’s very little reason to make that journey.

[LTNman]

Once again SEN is London’s fastest growing airport. Just waiting for the Echo to pick up the story.

https://i.imgur.com/grheNW2.jpg

[barry lloyd]

Well it’s somehow lasted until now and they don’t expect any progress until summer 2023. Big difference between SEN and DSA is the former has no plan B. There will be no non-aviation related development on the land they lease from the local authority. Even during the Covid outbreak peak the council jumped on them when they used one of the car parks for pallet storage.

So for me either Esken get the show back on the road or one way or another they will be gone. Another owner may have very different ideas but an airport it will remain IMO.

I nearly forgot. We do have one thing in common with DSA. We both have a Vulcan.

As does Woodford...:E

[SWBKCB]

Once again SEN is London’s fastest growing airport. Just waiting for the Echo to pick up the story.

https://i.imgur.com/grheNW2.jpg

And if I'm reading the May CAA stats correctly, the UK's 11th busiest airport for freight.

[EI-BUD]

The original thinking was that Southend has a catchment of 600,000 people in the area. Given the horror story of queues of other airports an airport such as Southend should be attractive. While somebody like easyJet might well see it as attractive, the other current limitations such as staff etc may just put the lid on opportunities. The airport did have moderate success is the locality, and some routes did very well in 2019, like ALC, AGP, PMI, AMS and CFU. The 1st challenge will be getting an operator in to fill the localr demand and then look to attracting inbound tourism, obv a much harder sell. In the context of current LHR and LGW, they could be very attractive. Certainly in Ireland now, I'd rather fly from Knock, Belfast City or Shannon than Dublin.... If London thinks the same?
AMy likelihood Wizz would look at SEN in the context of closing DSA? If that has been discussed already, please forgive me.

[pabely]

Wizz would want to work any based planes hard, has SEN got multiple night slots for after midnight arrivals?

[Pain in the R's]

Most Wizz flights arrive and depart from Luton before midnight.

[davidjohnson6]

Plenty of Wizz flights due to land at Luton before midnight end up 2 or 3 hours late... would an A320 due to land at 23:00 at SEN still be welcome at 02:00 or would it have to divert ?

[LGS6753]

Most Wizz flights arrive and depart from Luton before midnight.

The Wizz W6 flights arrive/depart in a mid-evening wave between 1900 and 2130.
The Wizz UK W9 flights often arrive in the early hours, having completed three rotations during the 24hr period.

[AirportPlanner1]

Plenty of Wizz flights due to land at Luton before midnight end up 2 or 3 hours late... would an A320 due to land at 23:00 at SEN still be welcome at 02:00 or would it have to divert ?

Generally they got in when EZY, FR, BE were around

[pabely]

Most Wizz flights arrive and depart from Luton before midnight.
W6 yes as they nightspot in Europe. W9 not so much, today x4 will arrive after midnight at Luton. If SEN cannot offer that then the chance of Wizzair UK based frames is reduced.

[DC3 Dave]

Now I’m pretty sure most of you are into hop-hip and garage so here’s your chance to get down with the kids and visit the airport at the same time. The Southend City Festival is coming to the airport!

https://www.southend.gov.uk/news/article/2604/fabio-grooverider-and-africa-express-amongst-international-artists-headlining-southend-city-festival

[LTNman]

Could be a long walk from the station and not the 100 steps claimed.

[AirportPlanner1]

The comms people have been straight on social media this evening for the arrival of one single flight, Sky Express which should have gone into LHR earlier. Overkill perhaps, although equally it could be read as implying more is coming. Let’s see.

[mikkie4]

Flight from MYKONOS due in at 00.30

[pabely]

Flight from MYKONOS due in at 00.30
That's a Bizjet, hardly news. Or perhaps that is for SEN?
The G280 from Baku would be a little more exciting for the spotters.

[rog747]

Flight from MYKONOS due in at 00.30

As it happens newish Greek airline SKY EXPRESS dropped their new A320NEO in and out of SEN last night with their Diverted LHR flight - I assume they bussed the pax to/from LHR or told them it was operating now from SEN.
This was planned and diverted due to the chaos at LHR - well done sky express!

[LTNman]

A case of Southend was the only airport prepared to handle them, which is a surprise, as I think it was reported here that SEN won’t handle London City diversions.

[rog747]

A case of Southend was the only airport prepared to handle them, which is a surprise, as I think it was reported here that SEN won’t handle London City diversions.

Well this SKY EXP flight was a scheduled LHR Heathrow service - And as such not a diversion, but an advanced planned alteration from their ''daytime'' ATH-LHR-ATH flight to a rescheduled late evening night departure, thus to and from SEN.
Sufficient time to let Pax know their ATH flight is still running (good) and is now a late evening flight from another London airport (a good result for most folk no doubt)

Well done SEN and SYK EXP for showing some foresight...

From London Southend Airport Air Traffic Control -
Fantastic to welcome a first visit of Greek airline SKY Express this evening.
Due to the well advertised issues at some other London airports this lovely new Airbus 320 NEO arrived direct from Athens this evening, replacing its usual London Heathrow service and returned after turnaround. Landed at 21.45pm, A320 SX-CRE from Athens, parking stand 5 and departed at 22.55pm.

Video -
SEN SKY EXP A320N (https://fb.watch/enMgWIuy5d/)

[fatmed]

https://news.sky.com/story/london-southend-airport-offers-to-host-flights-being-cancelled-by-bigger-struggling-airports-12656982

[mikkie4]

If they can help out good luck to them

[Expressflight]

If they can help out good luck to them

Wideroe Bergen to Heathrow schedule is operating into SEN this morning.

[mikkie4]

Departs 13.10 back to BERGAN

[DC3 Dave]

EasyJet seemed to have dropped Monday’s PMI flight for the rest of the season.

[LTNman]

Or put another way, 33% of Mondays flights. I don’t know why SEN is struggling when there has been such a massive rebound everywhere else. Airport of last resort is not a good position to be in. SEN is lucky not to have Peel as the owners, as the writing is on the wall if things don’t change soon.

[pabely]

50% or are you including the ASL Cargo flight?
Looking at forward booking on the route on other days probably a wise commercial move, have your £25 back and make the flying program more resilient.

[LTNman]

https://news.sky.com/story/london-southend-airport-offers-to-host-flights-being-cancelled-by-bigger-struggling-airports-12656982


The aviation industry is wildly off-kilter since the pandemic. While hubs like Heathrow and Gatwick are cancelling flights, Southend has spare capacity and is desperate for more business.

[mikkie4]

Help out flight to BUCHAREST ( Blue Air ) tonight

[pabely]

Help out flight to BUCHAREST ( Blue Air ) tonight
Inbound via Iasi, think this is helping out LTN rather than LHR as they don't do Inbound from Iasi on a Thursdays. I think the normal LTN flight operates arrival about 07:30am. Perhaps ACL wouldn't vary slot by such a big difference in operating hours. Maybe an aircraft went Tech unexpected overnight.
With nothing else planned around that time some overtime for SEN employees?

[LTNman]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20588371.southend-airports-hopes-extra-flights-leads-new-routes/SOUTHEND (https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/blues/) Airport’s efforts to help out other major airlines during a summer of chaos for holidaymakers could lead to new routes and extra flights next summer, bosses hope.

[LTNman]

Another pair of Blue Air flights today but this time at around 6pm. Now the question is why are they not routed via Luton? Oh and don’t say Luton is full because it isn’t.

Without Blue Air there was only one flight in each direction today. Hardly worth unlocking the terminal doors for and keeping the terminal open for 20 hours but saying that it has allowed the airport to handle the Blue Air flights.

https://i.imgur.com/SMcNXco.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/t888E5o.jpg

[pabely]

This one seems to be helping out LHR, the LTN inbound flight is running. Today's outbound LHR flight does not appear to be running, normally AM so slot not given to PM departure.

[Expressflight]

Nice to see the first visit of a 738MAX to SEN.

[DC3 Dave]

New CEO announced. Not sure what direction they think they’re going with this appointment.

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20596918.southend-airport-sees-john-upton-welcomed-new-chief-executive/

[pabely]

Terminal open 24/7 for locals to get refreshments and free WiFi for a fixed 3 hour access charge? :}

[AirportPlanner1]

The new CEO has moved fast and already achieved great success with the launch of a new route to Bucharest with Blue Air. Starts and ends next Tuesday.

[pabely]

Similar Blue Air flight booked for 9/8, at least it is in their booking engine now so a chance to sell more inbound seats. No further flights shown, for now.

[Buster the Bear]

New boss has managed airport lounges..... Must be cheap, or the only applicant!

[LTNman]

Always remarkable what makes news

A Southend Airport spokesman has revealed an exclusive flight with Blue Air to Bucharest, the capital of Romania, has been added

"That's right, go crazy and go book your ticket."


https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20597898.southend-airport-adds-exclusive-blue-air-flight-bucharest/

[compton3bravo]

I notice he has an industry wide experience in aviation - not. Best of, he will need it.

[AirportPlanner1]

Maybe one for the LTN crowd to answer but why is the inbound Bacău flight effectively empty? I see it’s available for 12.99 again next week as it was this week, 17 pax on Tue. Are low loads on this route normal or is it effectively a positioning flight to operate the outbound Bucharest? Although if it is, why isn’t there an inbound?

[LTNman]

Bacău 72,877 January to May this year

[Expressflight]

I think it is effectively just a positioning flight inbound as you suggest and the reason there is no inbound OTP-SEN sector is probably explained by this being a LHR displacement due to their pax number restrictions and the re-routing from SEN allows their normal LHR flights to operate normally. This SEN-OTP is perhaps additional to the normal LHR capacity.

[LTNman]

So why doesn’t Blue Air fly inbound to Heathrow and then make the short hop to Southend for the outbound rather than flying empty back home only for another positioning flight later that day from Romania?

[Expressflight]

So why doesn’t Blue Air fly inbound to Heathrow and then make the short hop to Southend for the outbound rather than flying empty back home only for another positioning flight later that day from Romania?

The normal Blue Air OTP-LHR flight on Tuesday morning will then operate LHR-OTP as a normal revenue flight. There's no "flying empty back home" involved.

[LTNman]

So the SEN -OPT is a one way additional flight and has nothing to do with Heathrow?

[Expressflight]

I suppose so but perhaps Blue Air operate some additional LHR flights from time to time and just cannot get slots for them at present. The seat prices for the morning LHR-OTP and the evening SEN-OTP are identical at present on their website.

[AirportPlanner1]

It’s noticeable the outbound fares to Bacău are significantly higher than fares back to London across the board. Hence my query as to general demand. Even if it’s an additional flight for peak demand it still seems odd to have effectively a dead leg, although I note you can book a through flight back to Bacău via Bucharest.

[pabely]

I think only the internal departments of Blue Air will know fully what is going on here. Airports used to be accommodating on short notice change requests but it is clear LHR & LTN do not have such luxury currently.
Before summer end SEN could pick up a few more one off flights.

[Barling Magna]

Talk about crumbs from underneath the table......however maybe Glyn Jones' replacement can have more luck for poor old SEN.

[Pain in the R's]

It is never a great strategy to rely on every London airport being full first then hoping that Southend becomes airport of last resort. It won’t be happening next year, in fact I can see Easyjet consolidating services away from Southend, as a recession kicks in.

The sad truth is that Southend is not located in a great location even though it has a direct rail link. At the moment the airports share of London’s passengers is a fraction of 1%.

[Expressflight]

Talk about crumbs from underneath the table......however maybe Glyn Jones' replacement can have more luck for poor old SEN.
I'm certainly surprised they appointed someone without previous airport or airline management experience. His team under him will obviously have all the contact details of current and potential airline customers but once in the room with them is when industry background knowledge is so important. Maybe I'm doing him an injustice and I certainly wish him every success but it's a big ask.

[LTNman]

So what magic can this guy bring to Southend? The terminal and general infrastructure are good and no doubt Southend has been offering deals.

[DC3 Dave]

So what magic can this guy bring to Southend? The terminal and general infrastructure are good and no doubt Southend has been offering deals.

The Skylife Lounge has been criticised in the past and the airport acknowledged that improvements were needed. Our new man may have some ideas on bringing it up to standard. Actually he may be outstanding in improving the customer experience for the hundreds of people that pass through the terminal every week.

[Expressflight]

Actually he may be outstanding in improving the customer experience for the hundreds of people that pass through the terminal every week.

I think he needs to concentrate on getting thousands of people passing through the terminal every week before he looks at further improving the customer experience.

[Expressflight]

So what magic can this guy bring to Southend? The terminal and general infrastructure are good and no doubt Southend has been offering deals.

Yes, it's odd that the Esken Press Release didn't even mention his previous roles would give him the ability to attract new airlines to SEN. Improving the customer experience and community relations, yes, but they're surely not the immediate priorities.

[SKOJB]

Seems like the cheap option with minimal risk. Any CEO with airline/airport experience was going to be difficult to attract with the current situation the airport finds itself in and not a risk any high flying boss would probably take to try and turn the airports fortunes around as ultimately any failure would look bad on their CV!

[LTNman]

Just asking but with the last departure of the day at 14:00 on Friday does the terminal remain open until midnight? If it does remain open do any retail units stay open?

This winter, will the terminal close until the Spring? Will the staff be retained or let go?

[DC3 Dave]

For those of you who have bought tickets to the Southend City Festival and were looking forward to a day out at the airport, I am afraid to say it has been cancelled due to logistical reasons. ???

[LTNman]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20668046.southend-airport-fans-reveal-destinations-want-added/

In response to a customer asking for a firm winter schedule, the airport said: "We're doing our best but it's down to the airlines as to whether or not they want to fly to/from Southend.

[jmdavies86]

For those of you who have bought tickets to the Southend City Festival and were looking forward to a day out at the airport, I am afraid to say it has been cancelled due to logistical reasons. ???

Postponed to next year; not cancelled: https://www.southendcityfestival.co.uk/festival-statement

[LTNman]

I can think of a better way to spend a day than in a hangar. Oh and your link doesn’t work so needs amending.

[tws123]

UK operator Titan Airways has tightened its procedures for handling cockpit-voice recorder information after it accessed a recording in breach of regulations following a Boeing 737-400 incident at London Southend. (https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/carriers-reminded-over-cockpit-recorder-protection-rules-after-titan-737-incident/149889.article)

​​​​​​​Over a dozen airports are seeking funds from the bankrupt airline Adria Airways, including London Southend as its bankruptcy proceedings continue to drag on. (https://www.exyuaviation.com/2022/08/over-forty-airlines-and-airports.html)

The Red Arrows, BBMF and Typhoon Display Team pay SEN a visit for the Eastbourne Airshow (https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20671538.southend-airport-set-host-famous-red-arrows/)

[Barling Magna]

The airport has seen more visitors than usual yesterday and today as the BBMF and Red Arrows have parked there. The apron is busier than it has been for many a long month. They have run apron tours each afternoon at £10 each with the money being donated to the charity MIND. Great idea.

[Barling Magna]

Many hundreds of people visited the airport over the weekend to see the Red Arrows, RAF Typhoon Display team and the BBMF, hundreds more lined the perimeter fences. A weekend to remember in a year to forget for SEN.

[Pain in the R's]

Sadly more visitors than passengers. Not a great position.

[AirportPlanner1]

Very exciting news that Blue Air are returning! One tomorrow morning, and possibly another on Tuesday.

[mikkie4]

We must be doing something right, cos they would t be returning

[Pain in the R's]

Very exciting news that Blue Air are returning! One tomorrow morning, and possibly another on Tuesday.

The word that comes to mind is crumbs.

[AirportPlanner1]

The word that comes to mind is crumbs.

For the avoidance of doubt, this was very much tongue in cheek

[Pain in the R's]

There has now got to be doubts about the long term future of Southend with a recession about to bite and other London airport planning for expansion. It seems it has lost its role as a London airport and is surplus to requirements.

[bad bear]

I have googled the departures board and was shocked to see only 2 or 3 flights per day.

[LTNman]

That’s on a good day. I am sure there is at least one day when that is down to a single departure. For the winter season there are no departures so I guess the terminal will be locked up, with the lighting and heating switched off.


Bizarrely, the airport will reduce its monthly losses during the winter by handling no flights than operating with its terminal open handling some flights, assuming some staff will be laid off.

Unfortunately SEN has been a victim of a shocking decade that has laid waste the airports plans from expansion to hoping for survival.

[Expressflight]

All the above posts are fair comment and I'm very pessimistic for the future of SEN. Esken have the cash for it to survive this winter and probably next summer as well but unless there is a dramatic increase in pax flights for S2023 it's hard to see where it goes from there. PitR's comment "surplus to requirements" sums up the current situation very well, unfortunately.

[LTNman]

Sometimes businesses can fail despite doing nothing wrong. In 2019 everything was rosy for Southend, the airport was expanding fast and the talk was about grand plans for the future. Since then, we have had a pandemic, a war, inflation, that is out of control, and a pending long recession. So who saw that lot coming in 2019?

The airports business model has collapsed with no plan B so it needs to go into survival mode. Mothball the terminal, reduce the fire cover, shut the airport overnight, cut staff numbers and focus on the core businesses that have kept the airport ticking over for a generation.

In a few years time it might be time to try again but this time the infrastructure will be in place.

[SWBKCB]

Sometimes businesses can fail despite doing nothing wrong. In 2019 everything was rosy for Southend, the airport was expanding fast and the talk was about grand plans for the future.

Was everything rosy in 2019? It was always a very constrained site, and its success seemed to be dependent on restrictions elsewhere. The difference now with earlier years is many of the ancilliary businesses have disappeared and the amount of debt that needs to be serviced

[Expressflight]

Was everything rosy in 2019? It was always a very constrained site, and its success seemed to be dependent on restrictions elsewhere. The difference now with earlier years is many of the ancilliary businesses have disappeared and the amount of debt that needs to be serviced

I think that on the surface things were rosy in 2019 but a danger sign was that of lot of the new routes being opened were aided by expenditure from Stobart for route development and marketing. The jury was still out as to whether all the new routes could be viable when that funding dried up. SEN's success was definitely helped by the lack of suitable slots at other LON airports at that time but who thought that would really change in the following few years? As you rightly point out many of the previous ancillary business, such as MRO, have disappeared and efforts to replace them by growing the Jet Centre business for example have met with only limited success.

[pabely]

As you rightly point out many of the previous ancillary business, such as MRO, have disappeared and efforts to replace them by growing the Jet Centre business for example have met with only limited success.
It will interesting how much business the Jet Centre gets this winter once restrictions at Stansted & Luton are no longer around. If very little, then as a few suspect just crumbs again and another questionable profit centre. I don't know if they have tried to get one of the big FBOs in but the boat may have gone on that one.

[Barling Magna]

I think the airport will survive BUT certainly not as a vibrant centre for passenger flights, at least for the next few years. Survival will depend upon diversification into a range of aviation related businesses (many of which SEN once had and some of those until quite recently). An unlikely series of events after 2019 showed that putting all their eggs into one basket at the expense of less high profile baskets was a disastrous mistake by management. If it wasn't for bad luck SEN would have no luck at all, but blinkered management decisions left it vulnerable - as was pointed out by several of us years ago, not least Expressflight and LTNman.

[AirportPlanner1]

Perversely SEN may be in the strongest position this winter by not having any pax flights or staff to pay. Seriously, the costs of running just the terminal(s) at the other airports is going to be astronomical. Anyone that thinks the full current published schedules are going to run in full is living in cuckoo land. And that’s looking at the hit to household incomes in isolation, there will be other barriers hitting demand and physical ability to travel like mass strikes.

[01475]

I think that's exactly what some of us may fear; that the owners may believe the airport would be in a stronger position if like Sheffield City Airport it had no...

[LTNman]

With a flight schedule similar to now there is no economic sense in reopening the terminal next summer unless they can get a number of aircraft based at the airport. That isn’t going to happen anytime soon.

[AirportPlanner1]

Funnily enough this is also about the worst time to be selling land for development. There’s more prediction than usual of a fall or even collapse in house prices and you’d be brave to be investing in new industrial or retail/leisure development - not to mention how much it’ll cost to build the thing. Housebuilders will be holding back on supply as they did circa 2010. It will be fascinating to see what happens with DSA over the coming months.

[SWBKCB]

The land at SEN is of course owned by the council - Esken are tenants. Peel own DSA.

[DC3 Dave]

The land at SEN is of course owned by the council - Esken are tenants. Peel own DSA.

This is the key point often overlooked. So long as the council wish it it will remain an airport. The other point often missed is that when Stobart came in the airport was not fit for purpose anymore. They extended the runway, build a new terminal, tower, station, car parking and made endless other expensive improvements. So now we have a small airport that is ready to go but there is an obvious problem that doesn’t look like being solved anytime soon. Right now what airline is going to base aircraft at SEN. With covid, Ukraine, cost of living crisis, Brexit (threw that one in for AP1) and who knows what next will hit the industry.

Post covid demand for flying has been remarkable but as others have pointed out it is still way short of that in 2019. Until demand looks like getting back there I cannot see too much happening at SEN.

But what can Esken do? It has been suggested that they could do without the easyjet flights next year and there is sense in that but if they give up now Esken might as well go and lay down on the middle of the field and allow the circulating vultures to swoop down and start feeding on their collective corpse.

[mikkie4]

BLUE AIR have got SEN on their web page as seasonal but no flights available to book as yet

[cave dweller]

RNS released by Esken this morning stating that ASL to withdraw operations from SEN by mid September.

[N707ZS]

Where are the ASL flights moving to.

[LTNman]

Death by a thousand cuts.

https://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/news/AN_1661933771925724300/esken-anticipates-earnings-hit-as-lsa-loses-out-on-cargo-operations.aspx

As a result, Esken said it expects a GBP900,000 hit to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the remainder of the current financial year, before exit fees. Esken's financial year runs to the end of February 2023.


How can one return flight a night generate £900,000 in 5 months? At least now they can close the airport at night to save money and keep the locals happy.

[SWBKCB]

Where are the ASL flights moving to.

Doesn't look like they are going anywhere - from the Esken trading statement

LSA has been one of its global logistics customer's best performing aviation hubs. However, the operation has over time reduced from an original 18 flights per week to 7 since October 2021 and the global logistics partner has now advised LSA that it will cease operations in line with a change of strategic focus from air freight to road-based cargo. This decision is one of several long-term changes to its logistics network throughout the UK designed to fulfil more customer demand locally.

[ATNotts]

As Losuia Airport, Papua New Guinea (LSA) performs so well perhaps it could become Amazon's global hub!

[LTNman]

Please note, the terminal is only open from two hours prior to scheduled flights (https://southendairport.com/flights/departures-and-arrivals) and not our full listed hours.

Queues forming outside who arrive 3 hours early but at least the airport team is always optimistic.

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20779797.southend-airport-hopes-airlines-notice-alicante-demand/

Southend (https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/blues/) Airport is reportedly focusing on Alicante "a lot" as bosses hope airlines take notice of the high demand.

A spokesman for Southend Airport has said the team is working hard behind the scenes to secure as many new routes as possible for 2023, while answering frequently asked questions on Southend Airport's Facebook story

[SWBKCB]

How can one return flight a night generate £900,000 in 5 months? At least now they can close the airport at night to save money and keep the locals happy.

Here you goEsken anticipates that the impact on EBITDA for the remainder of FY23 will be in the order of c.£0.9m before exit fees receivable by Esken. There are exit fee provisions within the contract and the logistics customer will also pay fees related to its 60-day notice period. The FY24 impact on Esken's Aviation business is expected to be a c.£2.9m reduction in EBITDA, prior to any additional cost savings and/or new cargo agreements. The management team has been in discussions with other logistics businesses over the last twelve months to highlight the benefits of the operation at LSA. LSA employs 12 people within the cargo operation and Star Handling, formerly Stobart Aviation Services, employs 60 people in service of the global logistics partner contract.

[LTNman]

No wonder Southend runs at a loss.

[LTNman]

So Southend’s terminal is only open for two hours tomorrow (Thursday)

[LTNman]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20878545.residents-near-southend-airport-delight-end-night-flights/


Residents near Southend Airport delight after end of night flights

[SWBKCB]

Don't the Amazon flights run in the middle of the day now?

[pabely]

Don't the Amazon flights run in the middle of the day now?
Depart at 03:45am, return during the day.

[compton3bravo]

Looks like Chelsea FC entourage will be treading Southend's tarmac in the early hours of 7th September returning from Zagreb on a 2excel B737 due no doubt to jet bans at other London airports. Probably take nearly as long by coach from Southend back to Chelsea HG/trading ground than flying from Zagreb!

[DC3 Dave]

Looks like Chelsea FC entourage will be treading Southend's tarmac in the early hours of 7th September returning from Zagreb on a 2excel B737 due no doubt to jet bans at other London airports. Probably take nearly as long by coach from Southend back to Chelsea HG/trading ground than flying from Zagreb!


It is around 50 miles. Not too bad in the middle of the night.

[pabely]

More interesting is the F100 for Marseille FC against Tottenham.

[LTNman]

Luton’s ban ends around the 15th give or take a day.

[Expressflight]

More interesting is the F100 for Marseille FC against Tottenham.

Plus Medsky A320 9H-MSA just arrived SEN from MRS on a football charter.

[Keanaga]

YR-FKA landed at Stansted.
Regards.

[cave dweller]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/720x1480/screenshot_20220906_170607_facebook_8544a203c5ff03eb6bd10d56 7565f761fa1652c8.jpg

[Expressflight]

YR-FKA landed at Stansted.
Regards.
That was always the plan and then to position across to SEN, which it just has.

[Keanaga]

Cool.

[pabely]

The departure is 01:25am on Thursday so will wake the cat!

[AirportPlanner1]

Blue Air operated again last night but as per the article above the airport may find it won’t get paid.

[LTNman]

Maybe Luton wanted cash?

[Pain in the R's]

What oversees government delegations has Southend handled for the queen’s funeral?

[Lord Gumboil Jnr.]

I am sorry, but that is classified information.

[compton3bravo]

That's none then. Plenty of places where you can find out who has been using Heathrow, Luton, Stansted etc.

[Pain in the R's]

Southend no longer has a purpose, cargo is leaving soon and the odd Easyjet flight comes to an end next month for the winter. Someone needs to put the airport out of its misery. Maybe the runway should be used for a Sunday market?

[Pantrash2]

The cargo operation finished on 12th September, resulting in the loss of a fair few jobs.
After Easy pack up at the end of October, there is no regular commercial traffic forecast. They MAY pick up a bit of extra from the night closure of STN, but other than that the place is all but dead.

[Pantrash2]

Cargo finished on 12th September, with the loss of quite a few jobs. Once Easy finish at the end of October, there is no regular commercial traffic.
They may pick up the odd charter that can't get in to STN due to the overnight closure, but that's it.
The place is dead in the water

[LTNman]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/22562942.southend-airport-trying-prove-demand-alicante-flights/

Southend Airport trying to prove demand for Alicante flights

I do wonder what is going on at Southend when not for the first time they campaign for a single new route to be their saviour. Southend needs a based airline and this nonsense will not turn the airport around.

[pabely]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/22562942.southend-airport-trying-prove-demand-alicante-flights/

I do wonder what is going on at Southend when not for the first time they campaign for a single new route to be their saviour. Southend needs a based airline and this nonsense will not turn the airport around.
Absolute waste of time from this useless rag.
A 2 seconds check on Google gives me 9 direct options from London to Alicante tomorrow, some are still cheap prices so why should SEN just add to dilute this route even further?

[compton3bravo]

Just like home then in Benidorm.
Yes I have been there but it was 51 years age on a Monarch Britannia

[jmdavies86]

I do wonder what is going on at Southend when not for the first time they campaign for a single new route to be their saviour. Southend needs a based airline and this nonsense will not turn the airport around.

Agreed; considering that most, if not all, of Esken's money over the last couple of years has been spent on SEN (let's face it, they've given up on CAX...!), it does strike me as odd how they seem to be focused on obtaining just one route.

As for a based airline, who would seriously consider doing this - easyJet & Wizz are busy competing against each other at LGW/LTN, Jet2 & Ryanair are both established at STN, which really only leaves Flybe as the remaining option as no other UK-based airline is likely to entertain options out of SEN at the moment, are they...?!

Does anyone know how busy Air Horizont have been with private charter work since they based two of their B737s at SEN?

[SWBKCB]

it does strike me as odd how they seem to be focused on obtaining just one route.

From tiny acorns, mighty oak tree's grow. Presumably the strategy is to show that airlines can make money on non-based flights and then persuade them to open a base. You've got to start somewhere...

Does anyone know how busy Air Horizont have been with private charter work since they based two of their B737s at SEN?

Relatively busy - 5/6 flights a week for each a/c, very little SEN originating

[Pain in the R's]

No flights today. End of season wind down has begun?

[LTNman]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/22997071.southend-airport-dicussions-flights-alicante/


SOUTHEND (https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/blues/) Airport is in discussions with airlines over bringing back flights to Alicante.


Earlier this month, an airport spokesman encouraged social media followers to "make some noise" and comment: "We want Alicante!"


There you go, still all the talk that one route could save the airport again.

[southender]

Of course one extra destination will not save the airport, but in reply to a questionnaire put out by the airport, Alicante was by far the most popular choice.
As far as I am aware easyJet do not have a base at Alicante, so it is unlikely they will operate a service, which, if it happens, will probably mean a Spanish operator.
IMHO easyJet made a strategic mistake in shutting down the SEN base, thereby handing their STN rivals a huge swathe of Essex/East London customers. I believe their flights when based here performed well and this year’s flights appear to have been well supported, as witnessed by them being offered again next year.
As to the future, who knows.

[mikkie4]

At last someone has writen a post that is not all doom & gloom

[SWBKCB]

IMHO easyJet made a strategic mistake in shutting down the SEN base, thereby handing their STN rivals a huge swathe of Essex/East London customers. I believe their flights when based here performed well and this year’s flights appear to have been well supported, as witnessed by them being offered again next year.

Other than Alicante, what did EZY op from Southend that they can't operate from other bases?

[pabely]

Of course one extra destination will not save the airport, but in reply to a questionnaire put out by the airport, Alicante was by far the most popular choice.
As far as I am aware easyJet do not have a base at Alicante, so it is unlikely they will operate a service, which, if it happens, will probably mean a Spanish operator.
IMHO easyJet made a strategic mistake in shutting down the SEN base, thereby handing their STN rivals a huge swathe of Essex/East London customers. I believe their flights when based here performed well and this year’s flights appear to have been well supported, as witnessed by them being offered again next year.
As to the future, who knows.
If the demand is so good why does not a local travel agent get a BA Connect E190 to run a Weekend service, seems to work for Jersey & IOM?

[southender]

If the demand is so good why does not a local travel agent get a BA Connect E190 to run a Weekend service, seems to work for Jersey & IOM?

Other than Alicante, what did EZY op from Southend that they can't operate from other bases?
Sadly, SEN management and BA Cityflyer/Connect fell out in a big way and we are unlikely to see them here again in the near future. I think the comparison with Jersey or the IOM can’t apply as neither of those islands have multiple large airports close by offering a multitude of choice. Also, I can’t think of a local travel agent who would want to do this.
Regarding other routes, Jersey, Ibiza and Minorca come to mind, although there were others that I can’t recall at the moment (an age related affliction I suspect)

[LTNman]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/23015985.southend-airport-joy-easyjet-release-summer-schedule/

Southend Airport joy as easyJet to release summer schedule

[Albert Hall]

Sounds like a cricketer expecting to break a run of ducks …

[pabely]

Sadly, SEN management and BA Cityflyer/Connect fell out in a big way and we are unlikely to see them here again in the near future. I think the comparison with Jersey or the IOM can’t apply as neither of those islands have multiple large airports close by offering a multitude of choice. Also, I can’t think of a local travel agent who would want to do this.
Regarding other routes, Jersey, Ibiza and Minorca come to mind, although there were others that I can’t recall at the moment (an age related affliction I suspect)
So they EZY bean counters were wrong in your opinion just for the convenience of a few South Essex folk.
In the real world economy of scale works for the bottom line. It is a brutal fact that SEN was living on overspill. Just be thankful they are back for S23. Unless it is super successful I cannot see any base by anyone for a few years and that if SEN survives.
My worry is fire cover will be reduced and then it will be game over.

[DC3 Dave]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/23015985.southend-airport-joy-easyjet-release-summer-schedule/

I have a feeling (and boy would I like to be wrong) that nothing is going to change with regards to easyjet. Their tweet made no reference whatsoever to SEN, it was just a reminder that the rest of S2023 is about to be released.

Ok, the airport has expressed its pleasure at this announcement. Well, yes why not! Carry on Regardless I say.

[LTNman]

The airport would have inside knowledge from Easyjet as to any new routes I would have thought. If they are optimistic then supporters should be.

[Barling Magna]

Very positive post LTNman. I hope you're right.....

[stewyb]

Very positive post LTNman. I hope you're right.....

Seeing that almost every individual in the Essex locality has been praying for ALC, I guess that is a possibility!

[LTNman]

I would think SEN already knows ALC is coming.

A spokesman for Southend Airport was just as excited as they responded to the tweet: "Who needed some good news this Monday morning?"

[SWBKCB]

Remember, it's Esken...

[LTNman]

Count yourself lucky that it is Esken and not Peel that is running the show.

[AirportPlanner1]

As much as Alicante has been shouted about the simple fact is EZY don’t have a base there so unless another airline is brought in or a SEN base is opened (not convinced) I think it’s unlikely. Barcelona however is plausible and possible and something the social media team have strongly hinted at.

Whatever comes, new route announcements seem to be independent of schedule launches so any excitement may have to wait for another day

[V_2]

As much as Alicante has been shouted about the simple fact is EZY don’t have a base there so unless another airline is brought in or a SEN base is opened (not convinced) I think it’s unlikely.

easyjet could also operate sometching like AMS-SEN-ALC-SEN-AMS or W pattern if they really wanted. Be a long day but I’m pretty sure it’d be legal 😴

[22/04]

Or

AMS-SEN-ALC-AMS

With another aircraft doing

AMS-ALC-SEN-AMS

Thar is more Easy's style as it is easier to crew from AMS.

By the way the above isn't a W pattern. That would be

AMS-ALC-SEN-ALC-AMS.

[AirportPlanner1]

Do EZY do any ‘W’s? I’m sceptical of AMS coming back in the near future because of the ongoing issues at Schiphol and capacity reductions which could be made permanent.

[SWBKCB]

They've certainly operated those triangular patterns before (do they have a name?). And V 2 was just using AMS as an example, could be another base.

[EI-BUD]

I'd not be surprised if Vueling looked at some flights from Southend. Southend has a very big catchment , in the region is 600/700K and a very strong demand profile on routes like Palma, Alicante, Malaga, Faro, Amsterdam etc, some greek Island. They'd be still placed for many of these routes.

[DC3 Dave]

So there are two pieces of news so far regarding easyjet. Firstly they are returning albeit with a slightly reduced schedule next summer. Secondly flights are condensed (not sure that’s the right adjective) into 5 days with Tuesday and Saturday blank.

I do hope there is more to follow.

[pabely]

I'd not be surprised if Vueling looked at some flights from Southend. Southend has a very big catchment , in the region is 600/700K and a very strong demand profile on routes like Palma, Alicante, Malaga, Faro, Amsterdam etc, some greek Island. They'd be still placed for many of these routes.
Vueling have picked up loads of slots at LGW and still hold them at Luton, unused so far so why use another airport?

[AirLCY]

Vueling have picked up loads of slots at LGW and still hold them at Luton, unused so far so why use another airport?

They sold some (perhaps all) to Wizz at LTN

[DC3 Dave]

You wanted Alicante, we're giving you a... PUMPKIN CARVING COMPETITION! 🎃

Not quite the same thing (we're sorry) but here's to some fun this Halloween season.


The above is from the airport’s Twitter feed. Is it me, or are they losing the plot.

[SWBKCB]

I refer you to my post #710... :eek:

[FRatSTN]

The above is from the airport’s Twitter feed. Is it me, or are they losing the plot.


They've already lost the plot I think it's fair to say. How is the airport going to survive winter without a single scheduled commercial flight, then shouting on a near daily basis about a single route they seem to portray as the airports saviour - Madness!

[LTNman]

It was a flawed (floored) business model, based on the principles of airport of last resort. It doesn’t mean SEN can’t succeed, it just means it will be harder when there is capacity around London.

[pabely]

They sold some (perhaps all) to Wizz at LTN
Rechecked ACL and I agree now, dropped off spreadsheets. Something else interesting noted but will not post here as has no reference to SEN.

[LTNman]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/23024088.southend-airport-easyjet-routes-announced-next-summer/

So the same as this year then. There will come a point when the Blackpool solution will be implemented.

Does SEN still have any active flying clubs or were they booted out to make way for the airliners?

[DC3 Dave]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/23024088.southend-airport-easyjet-routes-announced-next-summer/

So the same as this year then. There will come a point where the Blackpool solution will be implemented.


Not the same. AGP reduced to 4 X week from 6. Faro has increased from 2 X week to 4 September only. No flights currently on Tuesdays or Saturdays. So when you said in a previous post it is a floored business model you are literally correct IMO. Whether it is fair to say it was flawed prior to Covid is another debate.

[SKOJB]

One slight glimmer of hope I guess is that new EZY routes are usually announced separate to seasonal schedules!

[Expressflight]

It was a flawed (floored) business model, based on the principles of airport of last resort.

It's not far off the mark to say that SEN was largely an airport of last resort up to Spring 2020 as the Covid years showed. I don't think the business model was flawed though as I don't remember anyone then thinking or suggesting that the paucity of slots at other LON airports was likely to end any time soon, until Covid struck out of the blue. It's true to say that SEN had the least resilience to any serious traffic downturn and the results of that weakness are clear to see and due to totally unforeseeable factors.

All this talk of ALC, will they or won't they, is laughable and make zero difference to SEN's prospects either way.

[AirportPlanner1]

It looks as though there will be a new route announcement, perhaps AMS (despite what I said before) or JER. Unless anyone has any other suggestions as to why FAO arrives at 16:30 and departs at 20:15?

[DC3 Dave]

It looks as though there will be a new route announcement, perhaps AMS (despite what I said before) or JER. Unless anyone has any other suggestions as to why FAO arrives at 16:30 and departs at 20:15?

Great to see someone’s on the ball and dealing with facts. A lot of emotion on here at the moment.

[Expressflight]

It looks as though there will be a new route announcement, perhaps AMS (despite what I said before) or JER. Unless anyone has any other suggestions as to why FAO arrives at 16:30 and departs at 20:15?
Very well spotted Airport Planner1.

My money would be on JER. I cannot see any point in operating SEN-AMS twice a week.

[AirportPlanner1]

Very well spotted Airport Planner1.

My money would be on JER. I cannot see any point in operating SEN-AMS twice a week.

It rises to 4x weekly in Sep, although perhaps the schedule will be further revised. Thinking about it due to Brexit it would be AMS. I’m not sure they could do JER on an EU reg?

[DC3 Dave]

It rises to 4x weekly in Sep, although perhaps the schedule will be further revised. Thinking about it due to Brexit it would be AMS. I’m not sure they could do JER on an EU reg?


You could be right - I haven’t a scoobie. Worth pointing out though that Jersey has never been part of the EU neither is it in the UK.

[TartinTon]

It looks as though there will be a new route announcement, perhaps AMS (despite what I said before) or JER. Unless anyone has any other suggestions as to why FAO arrives at 16:30 and departs at 20:15?

You can't get an AMS in that gap.

[AirportPlanner1]

You can't get an AMS in that gap.

Yes you can, easily. Eg:

Arr: 16:30
SEN-AMS: 17:00-19:05
AMS-SEN: 19:45-19:45
Dep: 20:15

[Expressflight]

[QUOTE= I’m not sure they could do JER on an EU reg?[/QUOTE]

I don't think it would be Cabotage (which would almost certainly not be permitted) as Jersey is not a part of the UK but has a separate international identity. I'm guessing that SEN-JER-SEN would operate within Fifth Freedom rules under easyJet's EU AOC, although things may be different nowadays.

[pabely]

Yes you can, easily. Eg:

Arr: 16:30
SEN-AMS: 17:00-19:05
AMS-SEN: 19:45-19:45
Dep: 20:15
Looking at the three EZY flights yesterday, SEN handling will have to up their game to turn around in 30mins.
AMS if it has to go via a remote runway would never make 40 mins turnaround either, more like 60-70 mins in AMS on a good day.

[Expressflight]

[QUOTE AMS if it has to go via a remote runway would never make 40 mins turnaround either, more like 60-70 mins in AMS on a good day.[/QUOTE]

I agree that a 30 mins turnround in AMS could be problematical but EZY are scheduling 30 mins at AMS for next summer.

[LTNman]

Article from September but still relevant.

Painful to report but SEN is by far Europe’s worst performing airport in terms of Covid recovery, when compared to 350 airports.

https://travelradar.aero/british-airports-among-those-with-lowest-passenger-recovery-rates/

[AirportPlanner1]

Looking at the three EZY flights yesterday, SEN handling will have to up their game to turn around in 30mins.
AMS if it has to go via a remote runway would never make 40 mins turnaround either, more like 60-70 mins in AMS on a good day.

This response 100% says you don’t know what you’re talking about.

[FRatSTN]

Pabely

You only have the look at the AMS schedule from the other LON airports to see that it would be more than ideal to schedule in that apparent gap between the FAO legs. Whether they indeed do or it operates to schedule is another matter.

[LTNman]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/23032344.no-new-easyjet-routes-southend-airport-2023/#comments-anchor

[SWBKCB]

Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for tourism, added: “It’s a shame to have anticipation and not have new routes delivered but it could be they are working on deals which are not officially agreed yet.

What a non-story. She needs to be having words with the airports PR team.

[Expressflight]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/23032344.no-new-easyjet-routes-southend-airport-2023/#comments-anchor
That article simply says that no new routes were included in the recent release of the S2023 SEN routes. The fact that new routes are not normally released at that point and that there is no SEN management comment in the article makes it a complete non-story.

[SKOJB]

Alicante will be added soon and the whole of Southend will rejoice, after all this route is the big one everyone has been asking for and will be the airports saviour!!

[LTNman]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/23015985.southend-airport-joy-easyjet-release-summer-schedule/

A spokesman for Southend Airport was just as excited as they responded to the tweet: "Who needed some good news this Monday morning?"


So did I miss it?

[LTNman]

From 2012. Not a lot has changed

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/04/london-southend-airport

[DC3 Dave]

From 2012. Not a lot has changed

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/04/london-southend-airport

Goodness me! So much has changed over 10 years, although if you had just woken after a decade of sleep you may not think so.

Rather than focus on the past I would like to hear something from the new CEO, John Upton, on how he believes the airport can get back on any sort of track in the next couple of years. Right now his silence is deafening. Now perhaps he is a man who likes to go about his business quietly and diligently, preferring to be judged by his achievements. If that is the case, fine. I have heard though, from an unreliable source, that he is busy right now up stepladders repainting the Skylife Lounge in case it is ever needed again.

[LTNman]

At the end of the day there is only so much the airport can do. You can lead a horse to water…..