London Gatwick - General Thread

[Aviador]

Unbelievable. I was reading a post on FB a couple of weeks ago about drone use near my local airport, the person was complaining that airports don't advertise where there controlled airspace is almost like they had a God given right to use a drone wherever they please. It's the old chestnut "waiting for an accident to happen" before something is done to stop these unnecessary flying machines. #drones #Gatwick #closed

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I'm afraid at least 1 village is missing their idiot
"A drone flying close to Gatwick airport has led to the closure of the runway and forced at least least two flights to be diverted. A spokesman for the airport said the runway was closed for two short periods of nine minutes and five minutes on Sunday evening. Gatwick said one plane had been sent to Stansted, whilst British Airways said another had gone to Bournemouth."

Unbelievable. I was reading a post on FB a couple of weeks ago about drone use near my local airport, the person was complaining that airports don't advertise where there controlled airspace is almost like they had a God given right to use a drone wherever they please. It's the old chestnut "waiting for an accident to happen" before something is done to stop these unnecessary flying machines. #drones #Gatwick #closed

I suspect that most village idiots have more sense than to do that sort of thing. The type that does it is bereft of any common sense, responsibility and thought for the wider community.

How the operators of these objects remained unregulated I can't imagine. At the very least operators should be compelled to obtain a licence to fly them having shown they are competent and possessed of a basic knowledge of air law.

You have to obtain a licence to own/possess a shotgun and drones have the potential to be just as lethal.

 

[Jerry]

That's just idiocy! I hope if they aren't arrested that Gatwick launches some sort of civil suit against the operator.

 

[Coathanger16]

I was reading a post on FB a couple of weeks ago about drone use near my local airport, the person was complaining that airports don't advertise where there controlled airspace is

I've not personally used it so don't know how good it is, but people like this should be directed to the NATS Drone Assist app:

http://dronesafe.uk/

Basically tells you about the controlled airspace around major airports and other obstacles to avoid.

Certainly more needs to be done to control this. Barely a week goes by without something like this happening. Some people just seriously don't think when using these things:

http://www.dronethusiast.com/complete-retard-flies-drone-over-istanbul-airport/

 

[Aviador]

When people are prepared to use drones maliciously to disrupt or even to cause an accident, there's no amount of NATS information that will stop it.

 

[rollo]

Not much point in directing people like this individual to NATS as they do not have enough brain cells to read!

 

[Brum X]

Air Canada rouge in summer 2018 season is cancelling seasonal Vancouver – London Gatwick route, previously scheduled as 3 weekly flight

 

[thunderchild]

Aircraft off to Dublin where they've increased frequency from YVR.

 

[Seasider]

Cost of APD?

 

[Aviador]

Gatwick sets out its critical role for Britain in Government’s future Aviation Strategy

• Further aviation growth essential to improve UK connectivity and take advantage of opportunities post-Brexit
• Resilience, competition and making best use of Gatwick’s existing facilities also vitally important
• Gatwick’s Aviation Strategy proposals build on the airport’s growing long-haul traffic and increased cargo handling

London Gatwick has an increasingly critical role to play to help connect Britain to the world post Brexit. The airport sets out today a series of positive steps it could take to help passengers, and the country, in its response to the Government’s call for evidence for its future Aviation Strategy.

The UK's new Aviation Strategy will set the framework for the future of this vital sector - and Gatwick is fully committed to playing a positive role in the consultation process as the UK’s second largest airport.

Gatwick’s submission covers four critical areas – growth, competition, sustainable development and Brexit. In recent years, Gatwick has played an increased role in the global economy due to the airport’s booming growth in long-haul connections +17% and subsequently cargo +20%.

Today’s submission outlines the vital role Gatwick will play in the future and reiterates the need for the continued safeguarding of land and airspace required for a second runway at the airport.

Gatwick's submission agrees with the Government on the need to make best use of existing airport facilities, and also sets out the need to look at the sustainable growth challenges and the resilience of airport operations in what is already congested airspace around London.

Gatwick Airport Chief Executive Officer, Stewart Wingate said:

“Gatwick is a national success story and the airport for the future. We are proud that we have become a vital part of the country's national infrastructure over the last five years as we have grown. And we recognise the important part we have to play in Britain’s future.

"We believe it is important that the UK's future aviation strategy recognises this continuing contribution to the national economy. It should allow Gatwick to continue to respond to the increasing demand from airlines and passengers for our growing network of global links. This is the best way of supporting competition and enhancing resilience.

"We are the busiest and most efficient single runway in the world but we are fast approaching capacity. It is essential that our current operations and our future growth is supported and enhanced by the Aviation Strategy. Equally our submission repeats our pledge to deliver a privately financed second runway in a sustainable way. Safeguarding the land and airspace arrangements required for any future expansion should be an integral part of the UK’s aviation growth strategy. We believe this is essential if we are to protect and then grow Britain’s position in the global economy.

Growth:

Gatwick has grown rapidly in the two years since the Airports Commission submitted its final report in July 2015, and passenger numbers have far outstripped the Commission’s traffic forecasts. While Gatwick continues to grow, this will inevitably slow over time as the airport reaches full capacity. The airport urges the Government to take the further necessary steps to help unlock Gatwick’s growth potential. Gatwick believes this is vital to help accelerate national and regional economic benefits and create more jobs.

Gatwick would like to make best use of the airport’s existing facilities. It stresses the importance of improved resilience of airport operations given current capacity constraints. Based on available Government evidence all London airports will be ‘full’ by 2040, Gatwick consequently remains ready and willing to build its financeable and deliverable second runway scheme.

Competition and choice:

Since independence from BAA, Gatwick has been able to compete to grow and this has delivered significant benefits to passengers in the form of more choice, lower air fares and higher levels of service.

Competition is good for consumers and good for Britain. Gatwick urges the Government to do everything it can to help enhance competition and choice. With future aviation strategy spanning a lifetime of 30 years, it is vital that the aviation sector is allowed to respond to market conditions and adapt its business model accordingly. The re-design of UK airspace must take a 50 year outlook and must be sufficiently flexible to accommodate unforeseen business needs.

Sustainable Development:

Gatwick strives for sustainable growth and is handling greater numbers of passengers every year while also becoming carbon neutral as it seeks to be the UK’s most sustainable airport.

While the aviation sector brings unquestionable economic and social benefits to the UK, continued growth must be accommodated with due consideration for the environment and community impacts. Gatwick urges the government to remain committed to existing policies related to noise and air quality in particular.

Brexit

The future of the UK’s Aviation Strategy cannot be separated from the issue of Brexit and its potential impact on the aviation industry. Air passenger and freight businesses must be able to continue to access European markets and facilitate inbound tourism and inward investment. Gatwick strongly urges the Government to prioritise the aviation industry, and ensure this outcome is delivered as aviation clearly has a vital part to play in the next chapter for Britain.

#futureaviationstrategy #gatwickfuture

 

[Jerry]

It's been reported on the other forum that IAG is poised to get the Monarch slots at Gatwick and will use them to introduce LEVEL to take on Norwegian.
Personally I thought that the whole point of densification of the Gatwick based 777s was to take on Norwegian?

 

[Coathanger16]

It's been reported on the other forum that IAG is poised to get the Monarch slots at Gatwick and will use them to introduce LEVEL to take on Norwegian.
Personally I thought that the whole point of densification of the Gatwick based 777s was to take on Norwegian?

WW has said at the AOA Conference that Level would look at the UK but that there are opportunities elsewhere in Europe to look at first. Somebody pointed out the fact that the densified 777s at Gatwick have a lower cost/seat than Norwegians 787s, so what would be the point of introducing Level at Gatwick as it would likely force IAG to retire the BA brand at Gatwick (at least for long haul). If IAG get the slots at Gatwick, I guess the'd be more likely to use them to launch more routes using BA to compete with Norwegian.

 

[Jerry]

WW has said at the AOA Conference that Level would look at the UK but that there are opportunities elsewhere in Europe to look at first. Somebody pointed out the fact that the densified 777s at Gatwick have a lower cost/seat than Norwegians 787s, so what would be the point of introducing Level at Gatwick as it would likely force IAG to retire the BA brand at Gatwick (at least for long haul). If IAG get the slots at Gatwick, I guess the'd be more likely to use them to launch more routes using BA to compete with Norwegian.

From what I've read on the other forum apparently if the Monarch slots go back into overall pot then new airlines get priority so as LEVEL would be a new airline they would get priority over Norwegian getting the slots and BA itself. If the slots are sold then I'd imagine IAG would use it's financial muscle in procurement of as many as possible by out bidding anyone else.
As for BA and LEVEL it could be a case of LEVEL operating the more holiday type routes to the Caribbean and Florida while BA focuses on the more city type routes like Denver and Seattle and maybe even South America. There could also be the potential then that LEVEL could use Gatwick as a base and operate W patterns to regions on Caribbean and Florida routes.

 

[Jerry]

There is a rumour on another forum that Qatar Airways will restart flights to Gatwick in March apparently the slots have been granted. It doesn't say what aircraft they would use. One to keep an eye on!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

There is a rumour on another forum that Qatar Airways will restart flights to Gatwick in March apparently the slots have been granted. It doesn't say what aircraft they would use. One to keep an eye on!

Qatar was looking at Gatwick two years ago when the first intimation of serving the south west was given by their UK chief, as this business report of November 2015 shows.

The UK chief also said at that time that he'd like to see BHX, MAN and EDI increasing to 3 x daily.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/qatar-airways-said-eye-new-flights-gatwick-ireland-612899.html

 

[Jerry]

Qatar was looking at Gatwick two years ago when the first intimation of serving the south west was given by their UK chief, as this business report of November 2015 shows.

The UK chief also said at that time that he'd like to see BHX, MAN and EDI increasing to 3 x daily.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/qatar-airways-said-eye-new-flights-gatwick-ireland-612899.html

On the dried fruit forum it's been posted that it's going to be a daily A350 so I wonder if that is why it was held up.

 

[Coathanger16]

IAG rules out using Monarch slots for Level operations

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...sing-monarch-slots-for-level-operatio-443847/

Looks like IAG are going to use the Monarch slots for BA expansion at Gatwick and not for LEVEL.

 

[Jerry]

I think we would've only seen LEVEL at Gatwick if IAG had been unable to buy the slots and they went back into the pool.

 

[lbaspotter]

World Choice Sports Travel have the following charter flights planned for this weekend opening Italy vs England six nations game. Outbound is using Enter Air whilst TUi are been used for the return.

Friday February 2nd 2018
ENT607 GATWICK - ROME FUMICINO = 15:15-18:45
Monday, February 5th 2018
TOM8133 ROME FUMICINO – GATWICK = 16:00-17:35

 

[Aviador]

Gatwick partners with Aviation Museum and Royal Aeronautical Society to host STEM events for schools

• Gatwick continues to invest in STEM events and local skills
• Airport gives tours, talks and opportunities to participate in aircraft challenges
• Free to register school events form part of Gatwick’s wider education strategy

Gatwick Airport has partnered with the Gatwick Aviation Museum and the Royal Aeronautical Society to host a year-long series of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based events for local primary schools.

In the first of the year-long series of educational ‘Cool Aeronautics’ events, taking place at the Gatwick Aviation Museum, 71 students from Southgate Primary School in Crawley were invited to attend a day of talks with pilots and Gatwick’s airfield operations staff, as well as receiving a tour of the museum and participating in a number of aircraft design challenges.

First launched in 2007, Cool Aeronautics is the Royal Aeronautical Society’s primary school outreach programme which aims to encourage STEM interest and introduce children to careers in aerospace engineering, space and the aviation industry.

The programme has continued to grow since it was first established, with more than 4,000 students participating in events in the past two years alone, across the UK and around the world.

The event partnership forms part of Gatwick Airport’s Community Engagement ‘Inform, Inspire, Invest’ education strategy, including partnerships with other STEM initiatives, such as the Big Bang Fair and Learn Live broadcasts.

The airport is also supporting the Government’s national ‘Year of Engineering 2018’ campaign, and is celebrating engineering and helping to raise its status as an aspirational career path among young people, their parents and teachers.

Gatwick Airport’s Community Engagement Manager, Paula Aldridge, said:

“Cool Aeronautics is a fantastic event to inspire children living near the airport. Investing in these types of events allows us to nurture the next generation of young people who might consider careers at Gatwick, helping us to build a pipeline of talent for the future.”

Royal Aeronautical Society’s Careers & Outreach Officer, Jonathan Axford, said:

“A love of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths often begins at primary-school age but schools do not always have the resources to get their pupils excited about the possibilities of these subjects.

“Through Cool Aeronautics and our close partnership with Gatwick Airport and the Gatwick Aviation Museum we aim to open up to children the wonderful world of STEM, as well as the incredible opportunities available in aviation and aerospace, in an interactive, entertaining and, most importantly, fun way.”

Gatwick Aviation Museum Manager, Ashley Colella, said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Aeronautical Society and Gatwick Airport to help inspire the next generation of aviation professionals. The museum is a great place to showcase aviation history and we look forward to delivering this programme throughout the year.”

Southgate Primary School Teacher, Mrs Noble, said:

“Year 3 had the most fantastic day! We have learnt so much about the airport and the planes that use it. We will definitely be visiting again soon, thank you.”

For more information about how schools can register for a Cool Aeronautics event at Gatwick, please contact:[email protected].

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