LUTON

[CAP493]

The 2160 metre runway was last resurfaced in 1989...

...when it was wholly owned by Luton Borough Council. The runway should have been resurfaced again in about 1998/99 but of course by then, the Concession was looming and so LBC clearly decided to continue it's lack of investment and leave it to the new operators. With a £16M price tag, I suspect that LLAO wishes it had undertaken a Schedule of Dilapidation before signing up for the Concession!

[King Pong]

Originally Posted by CAP493

...when it was wholly owned by Luton Borough Council. The runway should have been resurfaced again in about 1998/99 but of course by then, the Concession was looming and so LBC clearly decided to continue it's lack of investment and leave it to the new operators. With a £16M price tag, I suspect that LLAO wishes it had undertaken a Schedule of Dilapidation before signing up for the Concession!

No different than flogging a car that needs a service. Buyer beware!

[Buster the Bear]

Remember the BMI Regional 3 x Daily to Brussels, well a good source says that this aircraft, destined for Luton to operate these flights, will now be based at Heathrow operating for BMI on their internal routes. The Airbus it replaces will be operating charter flights from various points in the UK this summer.

Don't ask me if this is true, just reporting what a bear has been told.



LTNman, you really do not like Traffic Wardens!

[LTNman]

LTNman, you really do not like Traffic Wardens!

Prefer beef

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

Miss James went on to say "This project has been sequenced to ensure both London Luton and London Stansted runways are not closed at the same time as the airports act as diversion airports for several airlines."

If I read the Notams correctly, this is not the case as both runways will be closed during the early hours of each Saturday morning.

[Daft bat]

I have heard that they are still allowing rotary aircraft to use the Airport when the runway is closed. So tower will still have to be on there toes.

[Buster the Bear]

Here we go:

LONDON STANSTED RUNWAY REHABILITATION BRIEF


Programme

Starts 20th February 2006 completion end of November 2006
Full length closure overnight Saturday and Sunday nights from midnight to 0600hrs local time
Reduced distance of 1900m available overnight Mon, Tues, Weds from midnight to 0600hrs local time
On Thursday and Friday nights no work will take place with full runway length available

Operational Impact

Runway centreline and TDZ lights will be removed starting April 1st and are programmed to be returned to service by end of October 06 which will mean runway lighting will not conform to Category III during this period.
ILS will be Category III
Lead on/off taxiway lights will be removed and replaced with blue edge lights
When the 1900m reduced distance is in use it will be a visual operation only which is the same as presently used during our runway maintenance periods
Due to the limited runway possession times it will be very important to ensure the midnight start is strictly adhered to otherwise there is a risk we do not open promptly at 0600hrs next morning and/or the programme period extends beyond November. This would also increase the cost of the project
If any operator requests the start of the runway works to be delayed until after midnight due to a delayed flight then the STAL Operations Duty Manager (ODM) must be contacted as soon as possible. The ODM will liaise with all relevant parties as necessary before any decision is made. However for the reasons given above operators must expect the runway works to start on time and that any decision to delay the start of works will be made only in exceptional circumstances


https://www.online-coordination.com/...tabid=ext_News

[LTNman]

Runway centreline and TDZ lights will be removed starting April 1st and are programmed to be returned to service by end of October 06 which will mean runway lighting will not conform to Category III during this period

So both Stansted and Luton will be CAT 1 then. Wonder where all the aircraft will end up if both airports go below limits.

[easy]

I'll be off to Heathrow

[LTNman]

According to the 2030 development brief a planning application for phase one is due about now. Anyone got any updates?

[Powerjet1]

The final Masterplan document is due to be published by the end of March/earlyApril, after consideration of responses from the Public Consultation which concluded on the 27 January. One would therefore assume, that any amendments (if there are any) to Phase 1, are currently being considered , and that a Planning Application for Phase 1 would be submitted at about the same time, or slightly earlier than the publication of the Final Masterplan.

[Minnie the Moocher]

Runway work - BAA takeover of Luton?

Found on their webistes. Compare Stansted Press Release on their website dated 14th Feb:-

"BAA’s Head of Airside Operations, said:
“Re-surfacing the runway at a busy, international airport, such as Stansted, presents a number of complex challenges, so we have a programme of works specifically organised to minimise any disruption to normal airport operations.”

with Luton's dated 24th February:-

"London Luton Airport Managing Director said "Resurfacing the runway at a busy international airport such as London Luton presents a number of complex challenges, so we have a programme of works specifically organised to minimise any disruption to normal airport operations".

There are a number of other similarities betwen the two as wll.

Looks as though either the LTN Press Office couldn't think of a better way of putting it and 'borrowed' the quote, or LTN and STN work much closer than we ever thought. Maybe a prelude to a takeover by BAA?

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

Wizzair

A couple of pages back, Buster asked me if Wizz were due to take delivery of any more aircraft.

They took delivery of aircraft number 8 yesterday.

[CAP493]

More easyJet Routes....Ryanair to Follow??

easyJet has just confirmed that its 16th and 17th LTN based aircraft will arrive in March (# 18 & 19 due in June/July) which will enable the airline to "...introduce several new exciting destinations from London/Luton". The actual routes are expected to be announced next week. Ryanair is rumoured to be watching with interest as it's apparently, concerned that it could be adversely affected by a major influx of oranges at LTN.

[Buster the Bear]

If they introduce just some of the routes that I have been told that are being planned, a few raised eye brows will follow!

I hope that there is room to park them all!

[LTNman]

easyJet has just confirmed that its 16th and 17th LTN based aircraft will arrive in March (# 18 & 19 due in June/July)

I am sure that easyjet already have more than 15 aircraft based at LTN. Anyone want to confirm this.

[CAP493]

Originally Posted by LTNman

I am sure that easyjet already have more than 15 aircraft based at LTN. Anyone want to confirm this.

From the "horse's mouth" ref. LTN based aircraft arrivals:

Aircraft # 16 - 1st March, aircraft # 17 - 26th March, aircraft # 17 - 19th June

Also told by someone who's 'in the know' that cargo business is likely to increase dramatically after the runway re-opens in December; before that, Jet2 will shortly be starting late evening newspaper flights and that during the three-month period July, August, September when it's open H24, all the cargo operators that have temporarily de-camped will return to LTN as they prefer the service that LTN Cargo offers.

Effective 01 May, Britannia Airways ceases to exist and ThomsonFly becomes the brand. Based at LTN for Summer 2006 will be a single B737-800, a single B767-200 and two B757-200.

[Buster the Bear]

Newspaper flights, what next, the Royal Mail and TNT returning? Pity the newspapers will not be flown in a Merchantman!

A cargo Renaissance, who would have thought it. Oh dear, extra night flights, that will please Mr & Mrs N Imby!

[LTNman]

I can remember the cargo apron being built with the TNT 146 in mind except they moved to Stansted before the cargo terminal was finished.

The apron was poorly designed with limited appeal to the cargo operators due to its restricted depth and lack of stands. Even the lighting towers had to be shifted as it was discovered they got in the way.

The sad bit is that the airport authority has often turned away interesting one off cargo flights due to lack of space.

[LGS6753]

The first Jet2 cargo flight was last weekend.

And what's the betting that Aer Arran add Angers to their list?