Rumours about new destinations or airlines?

[pug]

Re: Easyjet

They were operating them into Donny from LPL because they didnt want to invest in a base without dipping their toes in the water. It obviously didnt work out.

As for UK bases, i suppose they could look at LBA seeing as though Doncaster hasnt worked out for them, and they have a big gap between Luton and Newcastle on the M1/A1 corridor that they dont serve.

I have been informed by someone in easyjet however, that there are no UK bases planned for the forseeable future, and that much of the future UK expansion will be concentrated on MAN and LGW. Would be good to see EZY at LBA but i cannot imagine Jet2 being happy about it, after FR have also moved in.

 

[rhinoscrazy]

Re: Easyjet

it does'nt really matter if other airlines dont like it if they see a profit they see a profit and i know for a fact i would prefer to fly on easyjet than ryanair altjough i would prefer to fly on monarch than all of them

 

[Galaxy]

Heard a rumour that Jet2 are looking at Banjul for Winter. There's definitely no issue of capacity there! As far as I'm aware only Thomas Cook and Monarch fly there from the UK currently.

 

[Runway 32]

Heard a rumour that Jet2 are looking at Banjul for Winter. There's definitely no issue of capacity there! As far as I'm aware only Thomas Cook and Monarch fly there from the UK currently.

Sounds like a good choice of destination as this is quite a popular destination with Thomas Cook and is rather underserved at present especially because people are looking at other destinations other than the likes of Spain recently. Could Banjul see an increase in tourism due to the hit the likes of Mexico, Dominican and Jamaica will have next year due to the increases in long haul taxes on flights? If Jet 2 do start Banjul lets be sure to see some seats sold to Thomas Cook.

 

[White Heather]

Well we had flights to Banjul about 5 years ago, for Gambia Experience, which operated on a 737-500 via Bournemouth. I was told by the then Airport MD that it did well and we only lost it because Astreus was in the process of being taken over and the airline MD, who comes from Leeds and is a big LBA supporter of the past, had moved on to bigger and better things - a transatlantic airline that later went bust!

I am just not sure how much demand there is to Banjul for flight only. I wouldn't have thought there are many villas there, let alone villa owners, and that is surely something Jet2 rely on to some degree?

 

[jason1-11]

I bumped into the MD mentioned above whilst on holiday in Corfu in the mid 80's. He was still at school at the time, but realised he was going places. Small world!

 

[Galaxy]

Heather in response to your point re Banjul, you are absolutely right that villas, apartments and self-catering in general are not really used in the Gambia, there is a HUGE demand from Gambian ex-pats now living in the UK for reasonably priced flights for going home for visits or longer periods. There are also a lot of Gambians with British husbands / wives who go back annually taking with them cases of gifts, clothing and supplies (toothbrushes, pens, batteries etc).

The Tour Operators do allow them to buy flight only on their aircraft, but the majority end up paying very high fares, much of this is due to The Gambia Experience buying up most of the capacity. Some even fly to France / Spain then onto Dakar and cross the border over land because it's often much cheaper. I've had many chats with Gambians about this in the past.

 

[White Heather]

thanks for that Galaxy. I have to confess, I know nothing about the Gambia except where it is!

 

[airbus]

Re: Potential Routes

just been talking to my brother who works for Servisair at leeds and he says that the boss of the airport was showing members of easyjet round the airport and watching a ryanair 25 min turnaround and he said a Secret meeting with an american airline but he doesnt know what airline it was and that thomascook mite be sending an a330 next winter to do flights to orlando

 

[Bigman]

Re: Potential Routes

Would be nice to think so. More chance of Leeds United not letting in at least 5 goals on a Tuesday night match if you ask me.

 

[Runway 32]

Re: Potential Routes

just been talking to my brother who works for Servisair at Leeds and he says that the boss of the airport was showing members of easyjet round the airport and watching a ryanair 25 min turnaround and he said a Secret meeting with an american airline but he doesnt know what airline it was and that thomascook mite be sending an a330 next winter to do flights to orlando

Good to hear that you have heard similar things to me Chitty. I started a thread a couple of weeks ago on Easyjet seriously looking at LBA on here but it was removed only after a few hours! :shok:

From what I have heard Easyjet are seriously looking at an LBA base with two aircraft being based due to Ryanair's rapid success at LBA although don't ask me where LBA plan to park two extra aircraft?

All I can say is watch this space as things are looking rather possitive about Easyjet coming here to LBA!

 

[Aviador]

Without wanting to dampen peoples spirits I don't think Easyjet will come to LBA. The Easy rumour does the rounds this time every year so I can't see it happening. As you say there's very little space and the space that we have is likely to be used by Ryanair if any.

 

[Galaxy]

If we carry on flirting with the budget airlines we might end up saying goodbye to Jet2 at this rate! There's plenty of room for them at Donny, and I'm sure they wont thank LBIA if they bring EasyJet here.

 

[User0001]

If we carry on flirting with the budget airlines we might end up saying goodbye to Jet2 at this rate! There's plenty of room for them at Donny, and I'm sure they wont thank LBIA if they bring EasyJet here.

The three airports in the North West handle 23 million passengers and the 3 airports in Yorkshire and Humberside handle not much more than 3.5 million. There's plenty of opportunity for more airlines and routes so let's hope the airport are 'flirting' with as many airlines as possible

 

[rmac]

I have no idea whether EasyJet are considering a modest operation at LBA or not but it may be that they have a dilema, put off a decision for another day and in the meantime Jet2 and Ryanair will continue to expand making it harder to find new routes that they can make profitable in the future. Or to wait until the terminal is expanded and extra stands are available before setting up. On the other hand, if they are really serious about a 2 aircraft base they may deside that they cannot wait and will compete with the others as soon as possible, putting up with the disruption the building work will bring. There are routes that I think would be feasible from Leeds, -Madrid, Berlin, Munich, Budapest to name some. Now that EMA and DSA are not on their route maps LBA would seem a good place to be with MAN on one side and NCL on the other there should still be plenty of scope for expansion. LBA and probably Leeds City council need to give urgent attention to improving transport links to the airport to make things really happen.

 

[Runway 32]

Talking of shortages of apron space for the parking of aircraft that night stop at LBA would it be possible to park aircraft outside Multiflight after off loading passengers and baggage until more apron space can be created?

Could LBA give a discount to the likes of Jet 2 / Ryanair or even Easyjet if they were to park aircraft at Multiflight?

 

[pilot_737]

Would it be possible to park some aircraft on taxiway Delta? I'm sure I've seen it happen before. They could even park some aircraft behind others depending on which will go first!

 

[backtrack]

Would it be possible to park some aircraft on taxiway Delta? I'm sure I've seen it happen before. They could even park some aircraft behind others depending on which will go first!

Delta, probably not as its the connection link to the 32 threshold. However, taxiway Novemenber has been used on more than one occasion, and taxiways Alpha then used by aircraft. The problem with that lies with the 757 which normally taxies along November, because im not sure if Alpha is strong enough.

 

[Runway 32]

Before the new stands were built Jet 2 always used to night park a 737 on one of the taxiways so we know that is possible but obviously not very appealing to an airline unless there is something in it for them!

Hopefully we'll see some plans for the improvements to the terminal soon but will there be any plans for the airfield in this?

 

[lbaspotter]

Would it be possible to park some aircraft on taxiway Delta? I'm sure I've seen it happen before. They could even park some aircraft behind others depending on which will go first!

Delta, probably not as its the connection link to the 32 threshold. However, taxiway Novemenber has been used on more than one occasion, and taxiways Alpha then used by aircraft. The problem with that lies with the 757 which normally taxies along November, because im not sure if Alpha is strong enough.

Hi anything bigger than a B737 or A320 cannont use the Alpha taxiway due to width restrations on there wingspans. Hence the reasons why Boeing 757's, 767's and Airbus A310's have to back-track on landing 32 or taking off 14 They have to taxi into or out the apron via Taxiway November and use either Bravo or Charlie to enter the apron.