Into 2014

[Bigman]

Well, it’s that time of year when you start thinking about stuffing the turkey, endless hours of soap on the box, and what we would like to see happen in 2014. I will try and keep this sensible and believable and not go off into the realms of fantasy.

Air France Regional - twice daily to Paris CDG
Lufthansa Cityline - twice daily to Munich
Eastern – twice daily to Brussels
Aer Lingus Regional – twice daily Dublin
Aer Lingus Regional – Cork or Shannon (both would be nice!!)
Aurigny or Blue Islands - Summer Saturday to Guernsey
SAS – increased frequency on Copenhagen
Ryanair – anything will do, but Madrid would be nice
Air Blue or Shaheen – twice weekly Islamabad via Istanbul with an A330 (OK, a bit far fetched that one!!)

Well, that’s me signing off now until new year. Have a great holiday period. Good luck to anyone flying over the next few days with the weather the way it is.

 

[User0001]

I believe with the extra flights still to be loaded on DUB-BHX/MAN, as well as the new routes and frequencies from ORK and SNN, and lastly the ATR42's apparently going, the Aer Lingus Regional fleet is pretty much maxed out until 2015 now.

Air Blue, given their f**k up of BHX, Id say unlikely, and the Ryanair fleet is now very very very overstretched to the point they have reduced long standing bases, and expansion from them outside that already announced would be a bonus.

The others, probably not 2014 but no reason they couldn't work.

 

[yorkie40]

Would love to see any airline to new york, and orlando and cancun be nice but carnt see it??

 

[lbaspotter]

For some reason I actually can't see 2014 been a big year for LBA new route wise. I think it will be a year of consolidation. I agree “bigman” that I too would like to see Eastern Airways start a Brussels service now that they will have 2 based aircraft at LBA with them taking over the Southampton route in the new year.

Unfortunately as already pointed out by user001 Ryanair are already overstretched fleet wise next summer. We've actually seen some cuts made to the LBA programme recently, But at least it looks as though the base keeps its 3x based aircraft. I think 2015 will be a more important year. As Ryanair will start to receive their new Boeing 737-800's starting from September 2014, so then maybe we might see some new routes and maybe extra based aircraft.

Jet2 seem to have made a few cut backs frequency wise but they are adding a 2nd based Boeing 737-800 to the LBA based fleet this summer and have announced 5 new routes, Budapest, Kos, Verona, Reus & Fuerteventura. And that's not to forget that they have dropped Berlin and Geneva next summer.

It remains to be seen as to what Monarch Airlines plans are for LBA. Yes they have said they want and are looking to expand from LBA in the future. But that’s not a 100% guarantee until they announce the long awaited fleet renewal programme. I understand it could see Monarch adding up to 60x to the fleet ranging from either the Boeing 737max, Airbus A320NEO’s or even the new Bombardier CSeries airliner.

I won’t even comment on Flybe after their recent announcement off the withdrawal of the Southampton service.

PIA will hopefully continue to plod along. Well that’s until the ageing Airbus A310’s are finally withdrawn from service. Then what happens is anyone’s guess as it looks as though PIA don’t want to bring the Boeing 777-200 to LBA anytime soon. I would love to see either Airblue with a Airbus A319/320 to appear or even the return of Shaheen with a larger Airbus A330. I do know the latter airline has been talking to a couple of UK airports recently.

I wonder what Thomson’s next move will be? Hopefully they might look at some new route for summer 2015. Thomson’s were really upset after Monarch announced its base at LBA last year. Hence the reason for the poor 2014 programme!

Now the next question is, how long will British Airways stick around for?
When the Heathrow route was announced last year people gave it 18 months due to it been a slot sitter. Now if that’s the case can we expect it to be dropped next summer, Or will BA stick around for the long term and continue to build the service up?

It will be good to see KLM finally upgrade the Amsterdam route from the ageing Fokker 70’s to the newer Embraer 190’s this summer along as seeing SAS coming to LBA when it launches its new Copenhagen route. Let’s just hope they can build up the route and maybe add some extra flights.

And on a final note. May I wish everyone a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

[752]

Just out of curiosity, why was Thomson upset about Monarch opening a base? Their operations in 2012 was minimal!

Personally for 2014, I would love to see Monarch operating ALC at around 4/5 weekly, I would definitely make good use of that service! Also for them to eventually expand winter ops to LPA & FUE etc.

Thomson to return winter and summer flights to SSH would also be good.

Jet2 to maybe try flights to Cape Verde, that would be a great winter destination.

and finally for BA to continue the LHR service would also be win win.

 

[Aviador]

I'm struggling to be optimistic for 2014. I hope I am overwhelmed with good news in the new year so I can eat my words of doubt this time next year.

 

[a300boy]

it would seem our airfield owners now only intend to increase passenger figures from the present site and do not intend to develop the infrastructure very much as we all hoped for, other than a tweak or two. If it was my train set I would probably do the same and make some money before embarking on any new expenditure. I do feel however that what we can offer any new operators is less than they may want, in terms of operational capability, so I do not expect to see much growth in summer 2014. Maybe the airlines need a consolidation year to increase load factors on the present flights we have but it does seem every time we have good news about new destinations bad news follows it.

 

[adam]

Okay so no airport expansion. What about hangar space such as Jet2 building a building to house there aircraft maybe for 3 planes thus freeing up 3 spaces for other planes in the stands.

 

[lbaspotter]

Okay so no airport expansion. What about hangar space such as Jet2 building a building to house there aircraft maybe for 3 planes thus freeing up 3 spaces for other planes in the stands.

Sorry Adam but Jet2 won't be building a hangar at LBA anytime soon. As they have recently just signed a new 10 year lease deal to continue using the Multiflight hangar. Also remember Multiflight recently had the hangar adapted so Jet2 can get there Boeing 757-200 fleet in if needs be along with the Boeing 737-300 & 800's.

 

[BigT2207]

A masterplan from LBA

BigT

 

[rmac]

So are we saying that the planned terminal extension to the front to include new check- in desks etc has been cancelled.

 

[a300boy]

We dont really know !!
All we do know is a new master plan is due to be presented soon so we are waiting to see what the future holds.

 

[adam]

Okay so no airport expansion. What about hangar space such as Jet2 building a building to house there aircraft maybe for 3 planes thus freeing up 3 spaces for other planes in the stands.

Sorry Adam but Jet2 won't be building a hangar at LBA anytime soon. As they have recently just signed a new 10 year lease deal to continue using the Multiflight hangar. Also remember Multiflight recently had the hangar adapted so Jet2 can get there Boeing 757-200 fleet in if needs be along with the Boeing 737-300 & 800's.

I wasn't specifically saying Jet2 I was just thinking of the idea of off terminal/stands parking freeing up space on the terminal/departure stands