Manchester: General Airport Discussions & Updates

[Brum X]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-37214603

BE1274 ended up at BHX not here due to a burst tire. Not sure why with our added redundancy of a 2nd runway why it didn't continue here. more impressed with full load though!

And then i believe a Monarch from TFS going to BHX had to divert to MAN becouse the Dash 8 was blocking the runway.

 

[ethanegcc]

And then i believe a Monarch from TFS going to BHX had to divert to MAN because the Dash 8 was blocking the runway.

What a mix up! Wouldn't it just be better for every party involved for the BE aircraft to just divert back to MAN on the second runway and not disturb any operations? Or, at least, for the MON flight to divert to EMA?

(I do understand that in some cases, there will inevitably be other implications and rules and regulations that mean the 'best' solution can't be implemented, but surely the above is more logical)

 

[Brum X]

What a mix up! Wouldn't it just be better for every party involved for the BE aircraft to just divert back to MAN on the second runway and not disturb any operations? Or, at least, for the MON flight to divert to EMA?

(I do understand that in some cases, there will inevitably be other implications and rules and regulations that mean the 'best' solution can't be implemented, but surely the above is more logical)

I dont think EMA like Monarch after they left.

 

[ethanegcc]

I did think after writing, it would be ironic to see MON at EMA, after them leaving. I wonder if this somewhat hampered their relationship with MAG, given that their service seems very BHX centered now, even though flights still operate out of MAN, LBA and LGW.

 

[User001]

Seems Manchester want to hold the 2025 expo.

This is essentially the old worlds fair and can attract up to 20 million visitors over the 6 month period.

The MAN re-development should be done by then, so, could attract a lot of passengers in that 6 month period.

 

[michael]

Does anyone know when the USA border control clearance is scheduled to start at Manchester?

 

[User001]

2018-2019, just depends when it gets cleared through the US govt but obviously we have the election to get out of the way first, so, a lot will depend on that.

It's the annoying period where MAN can do absolutely nothing to speed the process up.

 

[Dobbo]

It is particularly frustrating because of the potentially transformational effects it could have on the transatlantic offering from MAN.

As things stand, S17 and S18 look like being bumper years for seats on TATL routes. To keep these and the existing services sustainable, those seats need to be filled (and filled at the right place).

You only need to look at the figures at DUB to see the effect of USPBC on passenger numbers...

 

[User001]

The big thing that attracts bums on seats for the DUB routes are the 2 aspects:

1) a PROPER hub carrier. Yes yes, we have the flybe hub, but, with capacity limited to a dash 8 in the majority of cases, with a smattering of E175 or E195, one wonders how affective this is. Passengers may not understand the benefits of starting the journey on flybe at say ABZ to then get on a Virgin Atlantic flight at Manchester.

Aer Lingus as a seamless through experience of one airline all the way though, with a better transfer process and much easier for passengers, so does have the edge in that respect.

Also, Ireland has a huge inbound tourism and VFR market in the summer that really shouldn't be under estimated.

It would be beneficial if MAN could really tap into the Lake District market as the Americans love that sort of thing, but in time maybe it will take off (pardon the pun).

 

[Dobbo]

An advocate for the return of little red at MAN when the VS operation kicks into gear?

 

[User001]

That thing ain't coming back....l

 

[Dobbo]

Haha! Yes I agree!

Well unless something remarkable happens I don't see who else would conduct a hub operation at MAN!

 

[ethanegcc]

The big thing that attracts bums on seats for the DUB routes are the 2 aspects:

1) a PROPER hub carrier. Yes yes, we have the flybe hub, but, with capacity limited to a dash 8 in the majority of cases, with a smattering of E175 or E195, one wonders how affective this is. Passengers may not understand the benefits of starting the journey on flybe at say ABZ to then get on a Virgin Atlantic flight at Manchester.

Aer Lingus as a seamless through experience of one airline all the way though, with a better transfer process and much easier for passengers, so does have the edge in that respect.

Also, Ireland has a huge inbound tourism and VFR market in the summer that really shouldn't be under estimated.

It would be beneficial if MAN could really tap into the Lake District market as the Americans love that sort of thing, but in time maybe it will take off (pardon the pun).

I agree that this is a major issue, however I see some consequences of USPBC that could really benefit MAN:

• It will attract transit transatlantic flights e.g. ET who want to start a service at MAN anyway could be further attracted to use the destination for their US operation, so much like DUB, their passengers can get off and enter the US as a "domestic" passenger, this could also attract the likes of AI and Biman Bangladesh
• It will deter pax from the MAN area from travelling 1 stop via DUB with EI specifically for the USPBC and persuade them, to fly on the direct flights, hence filling more seats and perhaps opening the door for more flights for the likes of VS.

I think it would attract passengers from across the UK instead of flying on a direct flight from their local airport they can fly to a wider range of destinations via MAN and get USPBC on the way, much like EI have done. I know it is a real issue that their isn't a 'seamless' experience between BE and VS but if the transferring process is simplified? It could work also for BE flights across Europe - take DUS for example, which doesn't have direct flights to IAD, MCO, MIA, LAX, SFO, LAS, IAH or DTW (to the best of my knowledge, unless AB has launched some of these) all of which they could get from flight through MAN with USPBC and avoiding one of the 'big hubs'.

I'd like to know how easy the transfer process between BE and CX, SQ, VS is for example. I recently arrived with BE into T3 and their were 'Flight Connections' signs, pointing in a different direction than UK border force. Does anyone know the process and where you go for this? After all, if the process is made easier, maybe advertised a bit more on MAN's website and BE continues to do a great job with their 'One Stop To the World' campaign does the two carrier issue really matter? MAN pax use BE on the early morning CDG flight to connect to AF flights frequently using the codeshare agreement, is this any different to BE and VS?

I am not suggesting it isn't a problem and MAN will become a big hub, that is just a fantasy, but this little operation BE have got going on with these new airlines flying to long haul destinations from MAN could grow into something a bit more substantial.

 

[Dobbo]

Seems Manchester want to hold the 2025 expo.

This is essentially the old worlds fair and can attract up to 20 million visitors over the 6 month period.

The MAN re-development should be done by then, so, could attract a lot of passengers in that 6 month period.

Have only just realised the significance of this. Could be significant.

 

[ethanegcc]

Have only just realised the significance of this. Could be significant.

Yes, agreed. It would be great to get Manchester on the world stage and to be seen as a truly global city. Visitors will get to see the newly refurbished airport and it could possibly attract new air services from around the world, not to mention the one's we will hopefully have by then including Bangkok, Shanghai, Delhi etc.

 

[Aceshigh]

Figures are out for August Heathrow handled 7.4m BUT absolutely staggered that Manchester did 3m. Just under 50% of the Heathrow figure.

I would love to know volume of movements because that sounds like a lot of empty or half full planes at Heathrow !

 

[Dobbo]

True, but within those numbers I would expect little to none of LHR's passengers to be on low cost services and a higher percentage of passengers to be "premium".

Different markets, MAN carries the full spectrum.

 

[User001]

http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjourn...exit-is-changing-u-stravel-to-london-and.html

Seems the American journalists still don't get how the UK works.

'United have pulled its Washington-Manchester route' Erm, no they haven't. It's gone seasonal, but not pulled.

In talking about a new route:

'Even hard hit Manchester claimed a post Brexit victory'.

Hard hit? No routes cut, new routes to San Fransisco and Houston, extra fligts to Boston, New York and Orlando, extra capacity to New York.

Yep, suffering all the damaging cuts there!

 

[Dobbo]

Loads of news the morning about MAN being at the centre of the "Northern Powerhouse" initiative.

Let's see what develops.

 

[Jerry]

Yep, suffering all the damaging cuts there!

There would be plenty of airports around the world who would like route cuts like that!😆