Luton-9
Security staff have already been on strike for a week. Can’t say it makes any difference. I am probably completely wrong but the picket line seems to be made up of staff who are off duty as I see them waving to the ones heading to work on the staff bus. In my days it would have been two fingers and not a friendly wave.
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While I haven't seen any traffic or security queues this year, so can be classed as an improvement, what continues to get worse are the queues to get aircraft actually airborne into congested airspace above Luton. Aircraft can queue on the taxiways for a good 30 minutes with massive gaps between departures even when there is nothing on approach. This is the airport that plans to double aircraft movements but has offered no solution in solving congested skies.
Looking at flight radar Luton seems to get particularly affected while Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted doesn't. Yes they have queues but the queues move while at Luton they often don't.
Looking at flight radar Luton seems to get particularly affected while Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted doesn't. Yes they have queues but the queues move while at Luton they often don't.
![](https://i.imgur.com/p3LC8lb.jpg)
Last edited by LTNman; 24th May 2019 at 15:09.
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Construction update
The last few weeks has seen the land opposite the hotels being levelled and a curved layer of concrete being laid. This will be the construction site for the Gateway Bridge that will cross Airport Way. Once complete it will be taken to site which is meant to be in the Autumn.
![](https://i.imgur.com/evIXhBT.jpg)
Meanwhile at Parkway the temporary trusses put in a couple of weeks ago have been covered in planking and boarding at the far end. Careful examination also shows at the far end the first viaduct support just outside the station.
![](https://i.imgur.com/MTNIVHK.jpg)
Just outside Central Station over the last few weeks a layer of concrete was laid. On this concrete two reinforced concrete beams were built either side of the bridge supports. I am speculating that eventually these beams will sit over the Dart lines when the concrete below is removed. On top of the beams planking has been laid with a side wall indicating the possible reroute of the passenger walkway to the temporary drop off zone.
![](https://i.imgur.com/NjC1HST.jpg)
The second multi-storey is now reaching its full width in places.
![](https://i.imgur.com/lmcbVUE.jpg)
At the other end a third core is being put up. Note the height of the drop off zone ceiling which makes the second multi-story taller than the first.
![](https://i.imgur.com/jboJTWl.jpg)
Finally, 5 months after the terminal extension was officially opened the arrivals area is now complete with just a tiny piece of the rubbish slatted ceiling being installed around the flight board. To be honest it doesn't make much difference leaving the terminal extension in landside arrivals looking half finished.
![](https://i.imgur.com/YtAONFH.jpg)
![](https://i.imgur.com/evIXhBT.jpg)
Meanwhile at Parkway the temporary trusses put in a couple of weeks ago have been covered in planking and boarding at the far end. Careful examination also shows at the far end the first viaduct support just outside the station.
![](https://i.imgur.com/MTNIVHK.jpg)
Just outside Central Station over the last few weeks a layer of concrete was laid. On this concrete two reinforced concrete beams were built either side of the bridge supports. I am speculating that eventually these beams will sit over the Dart lines when the concrete below is removed. On top of the beams planking has been laid with a side wall indicating the possible reroute of the passenger walkway to the temporary drop off zone.
![](https://i.imgur.com/NjC1HST.jpg)
The second multi-storey is now reaching its full width in places.
![](https://i.imgur.com/lmcbVUE.jpg)
At the other end a third core is being put up. Note the height of the drop off zone ceiling which makes the second multi-story taller than the first.
![](https://i.imgur.com/jboJTWl.jpg)
Finally, 5 months after the terminal extension was officially opened the arrivals area is now complete with just a tiny piece of the rubbish slatted ceiling being installed around the flight board. To be honest it doesn't make much difference leaving the terminal extension in landside arrivals looking half finished.
![](https://i.imgur.com/YtAONFH.jpg)
Last edited by LTNman; 22nd May 2019 at 18:17.
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The airport have been flying a drone. (thought is was illegal). The video with no sound was taken in April but has only just been released.
For full screen go to You Tube and search "aerial footage of Dart construction works"
For full screen go to You Tube and search "aerial footage of Dart construction works"
Last edited by LTNman; 23rd May 2019 at 07:47.
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Only illegal if Joe public do so, they did the same last year, when they if l remember correctly were surveying the proposed road routes to Wigmore.
They have to apply for a licence to fly the drone.
They sent an e-mail or letter to the companies in the area of the flights, this was to warn them it was go to happen, it was over a number of days if l remember.
They have to apply for a licence to fly the drone.
They sent an e-mail or letter to the companies in the area of the flights, this was to warn them it was go to happen, it was over a number of days if l remember.
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Last winter (I think) Wizz flew between London and Ovda, the now closed airport near Eilat in Israel. Wizz have now put their flights for next winter to/from the new Ramon airport on sale. Luton is not however included. No, this route will not work from Gatwick or Stansted - it's Luton or nowhere
I presume this means Wizz may not fly London-Eilat next winter. One for Easyjet or is the route being dropped from Luton completely ?
I presume this means Wizz may not fly London-Eilat next winter. One for Easyjet or is the route being dropped from Luton completely ?
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Looks a nice new airport at Eilat (Ramon) which will see Eilat City and OVDA the old charter airport both closing.
Ovda and the red sea resorts was once very popular with Brits flying with Britannia Airways at first with direct holiday charter packages.
Taba in Egypt is nearby, and sadly the holiday market there for Brits collapsed as did those too for SSH post the Metrojet A321 crash a few years ago.
Aqaba (also very close by) in Jordan is back with EZY now flying there, and offers the amazing trips to Petra, the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum.
GBair, Astraeus, and Monarch used to do weekly charters there for Voyages Jules Verne.(Kuoni)
Ovda and the red sea resorts was once very popular with Brits flying with Britannia Airways at first with direct holiday charter packages.
Taba in Egypt is nearby, and sadly the holiday market there for Brits collapsed as did those too for SSH post the Metrojet A321 crash a few years ago.
Aqaba (also very close by) in Jordan is back with EZY now flying there, and offers the amazing trips to Petra, the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum.
GBair, Astraeus, and Monarch used to do weekly charters there for Voyages Jules Verne.(Kuoni)
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Not NOTAM'ed yet but confirmation that the airport will be restricting movements between 23:00- 07:00 local from June 1st. Even after 07:00 there will be no slots for biz jets until the morning rush has ended.
https://www.signatureflight.com/even...noise-closures
https://www.signatureflight.com/even...noise-closures
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Not NOTAM'ed yet but confirmation that the airport will be restricting movements between 23:00- 07:00 local from June 1st. Even after 07:00 there will be no slots for biz jets until the morning rush has ended.
https://www.signatureflight.com/even...noise-closures
https://www.signatureflight.com/even...noise-closures
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While I haven't seen any traffic or security queues this year, so can be classed as an improvident, what continues to get worse are the queues to get aircraft actually airborne into congested airspace above Luton. Aircraft can queue on the taxiways for a good 30 minutes with massive gaps between departures even when there is nothing on approach. This is the airport that plans to double aircraft movements but has offered no solution in solving congested skies.
Looking at flight radar Luton seems to get particularly affected while Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted doesn't. Yes they have queues but the queues move while at Luton they often don't.
![](https://i.imgur.com/p3LC8lb.jpg)
Looking at flight radar Luton seems to get particularly affected while Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted doesn't. Yes they have queues but the queues move while at Luton they often don't.
![](https://i.imgur.com/p3LC8lb.jpg)
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The airport was not meant to have reached these passenger levels for another 6 or 7 years meaning that the more quieter aircraft have yet to be introduced in sufficient numbers. Because generous noise limits set by the council were broken in 2017 restrictions were introduced last year and now this year to get night time noise below those limits. The airport operator blames late returning scheduled services that should have arrived back before the start of the night hours meaning business jets are now the principle casualties.
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Council owned LLAL are the driving force in what has happened at Luton over the last 7 years. LLAOL who are the concessionaire and reluctant money provider have spent the minimum required and don’t come out smelling of roses with their redevelopment spend.
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