Rip-off Luton
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 19
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From: London, UK
Rip-off Luton
Thought I would surprise some friends of mine today after they arrived at Luton from the Isle of Man. I decided to fly my PA28 to meet them and bring them back by air to my place. When I phoned the airport to enquire, it turns out they want over £300 for the priviledge. Absolute outrage.
£145 landing fee, £98 handling fee and £30 per 15 mins parking.
Why dont they just say - Light Aircraft Not Welcome!!!
£145 landing fee, £98 handling fee and £30 per 15 mins parking.
Why dont they just say - Light Aircraft Not Welcome!!!
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,089
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From: UK
Report this airport to the CAA. They (Luton) have a duty under the terms of their operating licence to NOT discriminate. Those far more knowlegeable on this may be able to advise further. It does seem that the CAA are investigating a number of instances where the "equal access for all users" is not being adhered to. Perhaps we should pay the same as say EasyJet for the landing fees!!. Can anyone tell us what that is please? (I of course mean a proportionate fee).
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10,225
Likes: 36
From: In the sticks
Would the fees be any cheaper if you went to Stansted? Would Stansted even accept you? Luton is and has spent millions upgrading facilities which are past on in fees and charges. I can’t see what the problem is, you have a choice to pay or go elsewhere.
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 906
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From: East Midlands Airport (EMA)
If you didnt want to pay really high prices but still needed an aircraft convenient for London, why not try Manston Airport?
The airport is within 1 hour of London, is less congested and landing fees and parking is significantely smaller.
Just my $0.02!
The airport is within 1 hour of London, is less congested and landing fees and parking is significantely smaller.
Just my $0.02!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 505
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From: London
I think you'd be pretty fortunate indeed to be able to travel from Manston to central London in under one hour, either by road or rail. Manston is twice as far from London as Luton.
The original poster indicated he needed to go to Luton specifically. But Elstree is just a few miles to the south.
The original poster indicated he needed to go to Luton specifically. But Elstree is just a few miles to the south.
Joined: Oct 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATCO
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 141
From: the dark side
Whats wrong with the prices invalid entries and WorkingHard? They are typical and would have been quoted straight from their terms and conditions pages. If you want to use a major airport then expect major airport prices, so if your pal had landed at Heathrow do you think you'd be allowed to filter a PA28 in the sequence? and if yes how much do you think they would charge?.
If you bothered to look at LLA's web site it clearly states the minimum landing fee for ANY type is £31.05, and the Navigation Service charge (provided by NATS) is £100.93. So £31:05p for a landing fee at a major airport in the south east is not unreasonable I suggest. And if WorkingHard wants to pay a pro-rata rate for easyJet/Ryanair he better start flying his plane through Luton hundreds of times a day, oh and bring about 150 friends on each flight, because that way he'll be able to negotiate a discount on his handling fee!
If you bothered to look at LLA's web site it clearly states the minimum landing fee for ANY type is £31.05, and the Navigation Service charge (provided by NATS) is £100.93. So £31:05p for a landing fee at a major airport in the south east is not unreasonable I suggest. And if WorkingHard wants to pay a pro-rata rate for easyJet/Ryanair he better start flying his plane through Luton hundreds of times a day, oh and bring about 150 friends on each flight, because that way he'll be able to negotiate a discount on his handling fee!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 132
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From: London, UK
...so how come when I have had flying lessons out of Luton in a PA28, I have paid £115 in total for the aircraft, fuel, instructor AND landing fee?! Seems very expensive just for a PA28 landing and handling fee! Any idea who they would have used to handle the aircraft?
Brgds,
Leon
Brgds,
Leon
Joined: Oct 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATCO
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 141
From: the dark side
So just as a matter of interest does it (the PA28) belong to one of the based airlines there?, and was it recent?
If so its a based aircraft, that will make a difference, and if I recall correctly you HAD to be an employee of the airline to be a member to fly. Also I think that the training had to commence from another field hence positioning to Henlow before setting off on x-country's. The deal done by the airline no doubt covered their flying club aircraft. Still if you've got such a cracking deal, particularly with the prices quoted on LLA's web site, might not be a bad idea to keep quiet about it..... ah, just seen a slight prob with that suggestion......
If so its a based aircraft, that will make a difference, and if I recall correctly you HAD to be an employee of the airline to be a member to fly. Also I think that the training had to commence from another field hence positioning to Henlow before setting off on x-country's. The deal done by the airline no doubt covered their flying club aircraft. Still if you've got such a cracking deal, particularly with the prices quoted on LLA's web site, might not be a bad idea to keep quiet about it..... ah, just seen a slight prob with that suggestion......
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,089
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From: UK
Jumpseater - I am unsure how to read your suggestion. Clearly you have no idea about the terms of equal access under the terms of the operators licence issued by the CAA. Please don't make crass suggestions on a very serious topic as far as GA is concerned.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,123
Likes: 23
From: London Whipsnade Wildlife Park
invalid get a life mate!
Luton does not welcome light aviation........What a load off!!! How many, as an example, C525's operate in and out of the place....LOADS, that type is classed as a light aircraft!
If you want to park at Luton in your car it will cost!
If you want to fly into the London's only under developed airport you need to pay your nav/parking fees and appoint an agent to handle your flight. RULES ARE RULES, security etc.
Slagging off Luton will not help. I assume you have compared the charges levied at Luton to those of Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted/London City. How do their quoted fees and availability of landing/departure slots compare to Luton?
If you can afford to fly into a major airport, you can afford the charges at Luton. Can you actually afford to fly?
invalid, get a life!
Moderator please delete this thread!
If you want to park at Luton in your car it will cost!
If you want to fly into the London's only under developed airport you need to pay your nav/parking fees and appoint an agent to handle your flight. RULES ARE RULES, security etc.
Slagging off Luton will not help. I assume you have compared the charges levied at Luton to those of Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted/London City. How do their quoted fees and availability of landing/departure slots compare to Luton?
If you can afford to fly into a major airport, you can afford the charges at Luton. Can you actually afford to fly?
invalid, get a life!
Moderator please delete this thread!
Much more of that and that nasty Mr invalid will be shooting tranquilisers through the bars of your cage mate!
Title? What title?
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 347
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From: In the dog house
Buster is right. Luton is very welcoming to light aircraft . . . it does just happen to be quite expensive (although still cheaper than Stanstead I believe). I regulally fly out of there in a club PA28 and find that almost without exception, the guys in the tower do their damndest to minimise delays and fit in my landings/take off's between the big guys and for that, I thank you (even when it occasionally doesnt work out and we have to break off an approach).
If you want a cheap field with good facilities, try Cambridge.
If you want a cheap field with good facilities, try Cambridge.
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14
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From: UK
I can understand how unfair it is to be paying these huge fees in the UK as you may as well replace the "Great" in Britain with "Rip Off." For years aviation has been made accessable in the USA, whilst over here every authority throws a spanner in the works at every turn. I'm sure this country will start moving backwards if it progressed any slower. This said however, I and many collegues are so weary of sitting at holding points burning 500 odd kilos an hour, waiting for puddle jumpers to land at International airports. I can understand if they were flying in, but the majority of times it's for touch and go's. I can't understand why ATC let this continue. Common sence tells me to ask the light aircraft make a right/left orbit in circuit and the heavy traffic expedite their departure.
Title? What title?
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 347
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From: In the dog house
Grobit - tha's the way it works at Luton. TWR will ofter request an early right/left turn if they have slotted a departure in while a biggy lumbers its way to the turning circle. Equally, they will often request the littlies to keep speed up if they are trying to slot in a landing. They equally are not afraid to ask for the littly to break off and take up a hold (It has happened to me a around 500ft) - but that is just the way it should be
You guys have a job to do, we are just having fun!
You guys have a job to do, we are just having fun!