Cardiff Airport - General Thread

[Em0866]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

Thanks Local. Yes I too have noticed that the numero uno from FFB is on there. I don't think anyone has the nerve to ask him to be honest, and even if someone did, I don't think he'll be saying anything. I firmly believe that if there is anything to be reported on FFB then we would see it on their blog in the first instance.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

You're probably right Em, although perhaps an oblique mention of FFB might be worth a punt, perhaps musing whether they will be a true low-cost airline.

TL might bite - you never know.

I like the crafty way PP managed to get the new site a mention on the Dried Plum, having earlier said he would not try to post a link - full marks for initiative.

I'm surprised that, with their undoubted connections amongst the movers and shakers of Wales, the owners of the web site have not got themselves a mention in the local press - or perhaps they have and I've missed it.

 

[Em0866]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

Hmmm that is a possibility, although I'm inclined to think that he would keep his cards tightly to his chest, but who knows.

I missed that as well, which local press was it in? Western Mail or Echo?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

No, I haven't seen it in the local press. I was wondering whether it had been and I'd missed it.

 

[Em0866]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

Sorry I misunderstood your post. I've had a quick look on ICWales but can't find anything on there. Maybe it's something they haven't considered as I'm sure people who do not go on these forums wouldbe interested

 

[Em0866]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

There's a flight from CWL to HEL on 8th October 09. My guess is that it's connected with a football match maybe?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

I think you probably have it in one, Em.

On 10 October 2009 Wales play Finland away in the final match of their qualifying group for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Sadly for the Principality they have no realistic chance of qualifying and when the match in Finland comes around they will almost certainly have been eliminated, therefore we are unlikely to see several aircraft full of supporters flying northwards.

The flight on 8 October is no doubt for the team and officials.

 

[welshguy39]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

more bad news for cwl ryanair are adding 11 new routes and two more based aircraft at brs or is this old news

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

Old news.

Was announced several months ago. Recent publicity is because the extra aircraft and new routes commence later this week.

What might be bad news, if an expanded Ryanair base at a nearby airport is bad news (I live near and use Bristol but can't say I'm keen on Ryanair and can't see many circumstances where I would use them), is that despite Ryanair's recent news item that there would be no further expansion of their UK bases (although no finite date was given many commentators took it that they were referring to this year), Michael O'Leary said last week that Bristol was one of their UK bases where further growth would take place in the future - but no time scale given.

Then again some time ago they threatened Liverpool with a redutionin services and yet included Liverpool along with Bristol and three other UK airports in the growth assertion.

I shall be intrigued to see what Ryanair does with its four BRS-based aircraft this winter. I believe some of the new routes will not be that popular and many seem summer-only destinations so it begs the question what happens this winter?

I sound like someone who is anti-BRS. I am not, far from it, but I like to think I am a pragmatist when it comes to airports and airlines.

Nothing worse than an airline starting a route then discovering it won't work and having to withdraw it, especially for those few who did use it and found it extremely useful. I've been there.......................and out of Bristol.

I think CWL is in for a sea-change in main carriers in the next year or two. It is likely that bmibaby will cease to exist, at least in its present form. FFB may well take to the skies and Flybe said they want to be a significant player there - in my view Flybe would be the best of all options for CWL if they went in seriously. Look what they've done at EXT and SOU. They have the type of aircraft that would suit some of CWL's thinner routes.

Then who is to say that someone like Jet2 won't have a look? Rumours abound that they are about to announce a Norwich presence, although I've seen no confirmation.

 

[Em0866]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

Does anyone know what happend to the survey "You would if you could"? Are people still completing the survey? I like to think that the survey contributed to the ABZ service which was second on the results table. But what about Frankfurt or other German cities? I suspect that it is due to the current economic downturn that no further routes have been snapped up.

Grateful for any comments

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

You may be right about ABZ but it may have been as much to do with the Aberdeen end. CWL was one of the few domestic routes that the Granite City people thought ought to operate but didn't, and consequently was often mentioned there in the press and business circles.

Whether the CWL survey was the bit that tipped the balance in favour of the route has not been made public so far as I am aware.

I suspect Em that, like me, you have been fascinated reading the output of senior Welsh aviation figures in the new forum dedicated to encouraging Welsh aviation.

I am amazed at some of the things that SB (the CWL routes manager) has been saying about the airport in a public forum. High praise for his honesty but he has been less than complimentary about one or two of the airport's partners and customers.

TL, although understandably reticent to give much detail about FFB's proposals, has also contributed to the understanding of the lay members with his exposition of what a low-cost airline really is and that, in his opinion, there are only two currently in existence. I accept that this has to be read in the knowledge that he apparently intends to create the third true low-cost airline and it will be based at CWL, and one might think that he would say some of the things he has uttered when this context is understood.

Nevertheless, I found his comments fascinating and very instructive.

It seems the overwhelming consensus amongs the experienced aviation figures who contribute to this forum, including a former senior manager at CWL, is that the airport cannot expect much growth whilst the economy continues to struggle but, when things improve, the airport must be in a position to push hard for a significant upturn in its fortunes.

The new web site is, of course, intended to help CWL in this mission.

Perhaps SB might be able to answer your question about 'You would if you could'.

Incidentally, I recognise several regular posters to the Dried Plum who contribute to the new web site under different user names, although I note that you and two other members of this forum keep the same user names.

 

[Em0866]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

Thanks Local, I always enjoy reading your posts. Interesting about the ABZ route, I didn't know that it seemed more the other end.

Yes I do find the other forum very informative and I have to admit I am impressed that SB, TL and others have put themselves on there. It's a good way for them to consult with others, and not just staff who may work in the industry, or related to it in some way.

I'll place the same question above on that forum and see what they'll say. I can kind of anticipate what they'll say, but will be interesting to see comments nevertheless. I'm sure you will see the responses if any

 

[welshguy39]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

where this new forum

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

welshguy,

Check your PMs.

 

[welshguy39]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

thanks mate

 

[Aviador]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

You are welcome to post links to the website here on the forum. Don't forget to return back here afterwards!! leasantry:

[warning]The only site I don't allow links to here is the Dried Plum site as they usually prohibit links to other sites from there.[/warning]

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

Noted, Aviador.

The site is called Wales Air Network (WAN) and there are some posts in there from some aviation professionals that are of general interest and not restricted to Wales or CWL, especially those relating to how low-cost airlines ought to be set up.

The link is

http://walesairnetwork.ning.com/

There are also one or two photos of posters to this message board - not mine though, I hasten to add.
I would not inflict my ugly mug on people quietly enjoying a message board. Anyway, I'm not a member of WAN.

I'd have to get my hair cut, have a shave and get rid of that silly hat too.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

Would any of you Cardiff Supporters be interested in trying to link this site up with WAN? I would be willing to offer a similar link to WAN from the Forums4airports Cardiff Forum as that seen on the Leeds page for LBASG.org?

 

[Em0866]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

I think that would be a good idea, although that's just my opinion. What does anyone else think?

 

[Peterp]

Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread

Hello All

Just joined so I could thank everyone for the warm reception given to WAN by this forum.

As you recognise, WAN's area of concern is rather narrower than Forums4airports but a little wider than the Cardiff thread here. The Network is also not intended to be a forum per se but is aiming at being a positive influence on Welsh air transport policy and support. Much that appears here is far more specialised than WAN members would probably cover - and our membership is something of a "broad church," including some who are in economic development, some who are in tourism and even some who don't mind admitting to being media. So we have no intention of trying to tempt you away from enjoying Forums4airports or the Dried Plum. Just lend us your support, as you have been doing!

Yes, you will have noticed some WAN members have turned out to be influencers - most publicly Tim Lee of FFB and Spencer Birns of CWL. They aren't alone: you'll probably recognise a name or two among members who have yet to utter a word but are still following things closely. The Network is also visited daily by some surprising Governmental and industry opinion-formers - we know because they email us (but, for the moment, refrain from posting - just a matter of time!) No doubt a few will eventually be drawn into the conversation.

Then there's your own Local Yokel, who feels Englishness is a barrier to membership. Not at all! LY is very welcome to join - as long as the principle of supporting Wales' air transport is agreed. And Aviator's kind offer of link exchange is much appreciated (but we don't have a Links page just yet - admins are working one up, along with gathering airport data, trying to select a logo and on and on ... it's all so new.)

See you over there and thanks again for your great reception of the idea.