Brize Norton and Civil Flights
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: at work
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
I wouldn't think that they would have the facillities to handle civilian passengers, other than the odd Military VIP or senior government figure
That is of course unless they are planning to sell the base off in the future to BAA or another operator, like they did years back with Biggin Hill.
That being said, although it has a 'catchment area' it will never be able to compete with the likes of LHR or Birmingham Int for Int flights. It could be another base for someone like Ryanair or FlyBE.
FE
That is of course unless they are planning to sell the base off in the future to BAA or another operator, like they did years back with Biggin Hill.
That being said, although it has a 'catchment area' it will never be able to compete with the likes of LHR or Birmingham Int for Int flights. It could be another base for someone like Ryanair or FlyBE.
FE
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
1. The A340 sometimes seen at Brize is a government aircraft.
2. There is no rail access to the aerodrome, poor road access, very limited car parking (hire cars and base personnel only) and extremely limited terminal facilities.
3. Any scheduled civilian flights (other than military charter) would be likely to generate considerable opposition from the local population.
4. Birmingham is a much better alternative - as are Rhoose and Lulsgate for those living further to the west or the misery of London Airport for those living east of Oxford.
2. There is no rail access to the aerodrome, poor road access, very limited car parking (hire cars and base personnel only) and extremely limited terminal facilities.
3. Any scheduled civilian flights (other than military charter) would be likely to generate considerable opposition from the local population.
4. Birmingham is a much better alternative - as are Rhoose and Lulsgate for those living further to the west or the misery of London Airport for those living east of Oxford.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: London Whipsnade Wildlife Park
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
BritanniaThomsonflyflights did an assessment of all usable MOD airfields as part of their expansion and HM Govt wish to see additional income revenue streams. I guess the thread of this topic relates to this?
Note that Finningly was selected as thier second base, ex MOD connections, but more like financial inducements?
Filton was toward the top of thier agenda, but for local planning regulations, might well have occured with a PreFab terminal like Coventry, (a lack of) British Aerospace were up for it allegedly?.
Note that Finningly was selected as thier second base, ex MOD connections, but more like financial inducements?
Filton was toward the top of thier agenda, but for local planning regulations, might well have occured with a PreFab terminal like Coventry, (a lack of) British Aerospace were up for it allegedly?.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: at work
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
Also it is worth noting that Mansten "International" airport, use to be a RAF base, and think they still have some planes flying into and leaving there.
Mind you, with the collapse of EUJet, I think it has mainly shut down now...
FE
Mind you, with the collapse of EUJet, I think it has mainly shut down now...
FE
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
Last time I was at Brize (1991) there was quite a large passenger terminal and a hotel; have these been demolished then?
Anyway Brize runway is closed to all traffic until 28 Feb so nothing will happen just yet.
'Mansten "International"? Would that be anywhere near Manston?
Anyway Brize runway is closed to all traffic until 28 Feb so nothing will happen just yet.
'Mansten "International"? Would that be anywhere near Manston?
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
No, the Gatway Hotel and the terminal building haven't been demolished.
But they have no surplus capacity for dealing with large numbers of the general public - in particular the terminal is used for far more than just handling passengers. Security and access control to the base would be a nightmare for airline passengers; were regular airlines ever to use the place routinely, there'd need to be massive infrastructural investment and total civil/military segregation.
But they have no surplus capacity for dealing with large numbers of the general public - in particular the terminal is used for far more than just handling passengers. Security and access control to the base would be a nightmare for airline passengers; were regular airlines ever to use the place routinely, there'd need to be massive infrastructural investment and total civil/military segregation.
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
Unfortunately the Gateway "Hotel" can never be demolished, as there would be nowhere for everyone on 24hr delays to hang around for their aeroplane (or it's replacement!) to become serviceable.
Remember rumours some years back now that Sir Richard B was buying up adjoining land, with a view to creating the "Virgin Atlantic Airport" in West Oxon. The fact that his silver and red aeroplanes have been known to use the place for a bit of base training tended to fuel the rumours (but was I am sure entirely unconnected!).
Remember rumours some years back now that Sir Richard B was buying up adjoining land, with a view to creating the "Virgin Atlantic Airport" in West Oxon. The fact that his silver and red aeroplanes have been known to use the place for a bit of base training tended to fuel the rumours (but was I am sure entirely unconnected!).
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
And Virgin Atlantic operate -- A340's!!
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Barton Upon Humber
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
Originally Posted by Full Emergency
Also it is worth noting that Mansten "International" airport, use to be a RAF base, and think they still have some planes flying into and leaving there.
Mind you, with the collapse of EUJet, I think it has mainly shut down now...
Mind you, with the collapse of EUJet, I think it has mainly shut down now...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
Wouldn't one think if the MoD were to lease land to a private investor to build a low cost shed for pax, an LCC would be able to capture the traffic in the C&G, Oxon and even parts of Berks and the nearest one for them is eiter BRS or BHX.
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
You've obviously never had any dealings with the West Oxonian planning authorities!
Far better to sell off Lyneham as a going concern if they persist with the lunacy of closing it. Better access to the M4 and it has E-W and N-S runways!
Far better to sell off Lyneham as a going concern if they persist with the lunacy of closing it. Better access to the M4 and it has E-W and N-S runways!
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Suffolk UK
Posts: 4,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
Originally Posted by Wycombe
Remember rumours some years back now that Sir Richard B was buying up adjoining land, with a view to creating the "Virgin Atlantic Airport" in West Oxon. The fact that his silver and red aeroplanes have been known to use the place for a bit of base training tended to fuel the rumours (but was I am sure entirely unconnected!).
Incidentally, Lyneham's runways are too short to be used for long range flights by large jet aircraft. It is ideally situated and equipped for its current C130 ops, but taking anything significantly larger (the Herc is actually quite small) is problemmatic, as various VC10 and Tristar crews (and Lyneham Operations) can attest.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Sydney NSW
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
Flights to Ascension and Falklands.
Yes. The only way for a civilian to get to either from the UK is on such a flight from Brize. The agents are Andrew Weir Shipping. The ASI apex return is £950.
Flights when the RAF was much less stretched were almost always in passenger TriStars but I believe the EU began to take issue. Then just when you thought the RAF were busy they got really busy and MoD charters which have always been a feature of the South Atlantic run are now the norm.
Lucky (?) recent participants have been the Portuguese carrier Air Luxor with A330, BMi likewise and Air Atlanta subbed (from Excel?) with a 747 Classic. Some poor soul potted it somewhat and TriStar KC1's had to be pressed into service but only servicemen and women on active duty were inconvenienced for about a month so that's all right then. Not . I think it's back to normal?
Beags, I didn't know the UK Govt had an A340? Is it theirs or one that can be fetched in at short notice?
Yes. The only way for a civilian to get to either from the UK is on such a flight from Brize. The agents are Andrew Weir Shipping. The ASI apex return is £950.
Flights when the RAF was much less stretched were almost always in passenger TriStars but I believe the EU began to take issue. Then just when you thought the RAF were busy they got really busy and MoD charters which have always been a feature of the South Atlantic run are now the norm.
Lucky (?) recent participants have been the Portuguese carrier Air Luxor with A330, BMi likewise and Air Atlanta subbed (from Excel?) with a 747 Classic. Some poor soul potted it somewhat and TriStar KC1's had to be pressed into service but only servicemen and women on active duty were inconvenienced for about a month so that's all right then. Not . I think it's back to normal?
Beags, I didn't know the UK Govt had an A340? Is it theirs or one that can be fetched in at short notice?
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
The 340 is not a UK Govt aircraft.
I'm not as close to these things as I once was, but believe the Atlanta Jumbo has been back in service for a while now.
The incident itself was arguably at least partially a result of overstretch, the huge knock-on impact it had definately was....
I'm not as close to these things as I once was, but believe the Atlanta Jumbo has been back in service for a while now.
The incident itself was arguably at least partially a result of overstretch, the huge knock-on impact it had definately was....
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Sydney NSW
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Brize Norton and Civil Flights
Huge knock on impact...
Come come. A little ding with the stairs. It was only a little hole, honest.
Mind you I love the paint job on the Atlanta Jumbo. Reminds me of the joke about the two-inch paint brush and the word "contagious"....
As for other impacts.... memo to Air Atlanta... do not try to flatten the steep initial upslope at ASI by aggressive landing techniques.
Tee hee
Come come. A little ding with the stairs. It was only a little hole, honest.
Mind you I love the paint job on the Atlanta Jumbo. Reminds me of the joke about the two-inch paint brush and the word "contagious"....
As for other impacts.... memo to Air Atlanta... do not try to flatten the steep initial upslope at ASI by aggressive landing techniques.
Tee hee