Luton-10
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NMG's greater use of daytime would have helped, today's was running into STN before Christmas and before that in the Summer to LHR but I suspect LHR slots are more different to obtain now.
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LLA have issued a press release indicating that the passenger throughput in 2022 was 13.1 million. That's about 5 million below the planning cap, and yet numerous operators had their slot applications rejected.
The whole idea of planning caps was always ridiculous - this news just proves it to be another example of bureaucratic over-reach.
The whole idea of planning caps was always ridiculous - this news just proves it to be another example of bureaucratic over-reach.
The whole idea of planning caps was always ridiculous - this news just proves it to be another example of bureaucratic over-reach
Plenty of slots and passenger capacity was actually available but there wasn't the passenger demand so I suspect consolidations had taken place after the slots were allocated.
Expect more of the same for 2023 with another 11 flights this Saturday to Geneva. So how many flights are really needed for the demand when there is no snow?
Slot blocking?
As I don’t have the official year ending December stats here are the rolling 12 month figures comparing up to November 2019 when Luton was on 17,924,619 passengers and now where the November rolling figure for 2022 passenger is 12,649,673
ATM’s
Rolling 12 months to November 2019
110,362 Scheduled ATM's
1,578 Charter ATM's
143,017 Total ATM's including cargo GA charter, GA private, other
2022 rolling 12 months to November 2022
83,613 Scheduled ATM's
1,009 Charter ATM's
116,870 Total ATM's including cargo GA charter, GA private, other.
Last edited by LTNman; 11th Jan 2023 at 18:09.
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The press release. https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/...-day-on-record
Alberto Martin, chief executive of Luton airport [LLAOL], said he is now looking ahead to a “landmark” 12 months which will include the airport’s 85th birthday and the opening of the new Direct Air-Rail Transit (DART) system that will link the airport terminal the Luton Airport Parkway railway station.
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I think only x3 of the above departed in the early hours with a 757 repositioning to the runup bay to sit and await next work. If Cargo continues this way the new stands will not come soon enough.
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Except those stands are not earmarked for cargo. Nor does an expanded cargo operation have a place in Luton’s plans as cargo is viewed as stand hoggers.
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With Amazon closing it's Distribution centre at Hemel, Dunstable becomes more important and Marston Gate up near Bedford I would have thought continued connectivity would be a priority for the whole Beds, Herts & Bucks region.
When Amazon pulled out of SEN they said it was part of a strategic switch from air to road
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Summer 2023
I had my usual close look at planned Summer 2023 schedules over the weekend. I compared total movements (departures and arrivals) on the first Monday in August (not exact science, but useful comparison). Here's a summary:
Year 2019 2022 2023
easyJet 156 130 142
Wizzair 136 102 122
Ryanair 44 38 38
Others* 24 16 12
TOTAL 360 286 314
* others are TUI, El Al, Sun Express & Fly One
So overall movements are back to 87% of what they were in 2019 suggesting plenty of slots not yet used. Not sure what has happened to Blue Air slots?
The schedules seem to indicate 24 based easyJet, 13 based Wizzair (which seems a lot - not sure if anyone can confirm that), 6 based Ryanair and 1 based TUI.
I'm sure some schedules may change between now and August.
Year 2019 2022 2023
easyJet 156 130 142
Wizzair 136 102 122
Ryanair 44 38 38
Others* 24 16 12
TOTAL 360 286 314
* others are TUI, El Al, Sun Express & Fly One
So overall movements are back to 87% of what they were in 2019 suggesting plenty of slots not yet used. Not sure what has happened to Blue Air slots?
The schedules seem to indicate 24 based easyJet, 13 based Wizzair (which seems a lot - not sure if anyone can confirm that), 6 based Ryanair and 1 based TUI.
I'm sure some schedules may change between now and August.
It is starting to look like the road access and forecourt to the Dart at Parkway isn’t going to be finished in time for the planned opening rumoured to be for Easter. Started in June 2022 it was planned to be a 12 week project.
Temporary large wooden posts, together with 3m high sheets of boarding, are being erected where the temporary walk is located to the railway station so blocking the view of what should be the forecourt and drop off area. At the moment portable temporary wire fencing is in place that keeps the public out of a messy building site.
Temporary large wooden posts, together with 3m high sheets of boarding, are being erected where the temporary walk is located to the railway station so blocking the view of what should be the forecourt and drop off area. At the moment portable temporary wire fencing is in place that keeps the public out of a messy building site.
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Anyone who fancies volunteering for public trials of the DART can now do so here:
https://subscribepage.io/XL9GMZ?utm_...lunteer+trials
https://subscribepage.io/XL9GMZ?utm_...lunteer+trials
Construction update
LTNman How is the new 100 stands/ Delta taxiway & 42 & 42L work going? Ready for 1st Feb?
Photos taken yesterday
There will be a very good reason why the new apron size hasn’t been maximised but I don’t know what it is. As can be seen a short cut is being put in from the service road.
![](https://i.imgur.com/jLKB5Kw.jpg)
Most of the new apron has yet to receive any concrete.
![](https://i.imgur.com/UAPMLT1.jpg)
The most advanced section plus the strip attached to Delta
![](https://i.imgur.com/ptfCLI6.jpg)
The least advanced section by the south apron is being pile driven with shuttering being installed. This will allow the ground to be dug out as the 2 aprons are at different heights.
![](https://i.imgur.com/WtZ5sUk.jpg)
As for 42 and 42L, I didn’t take much notice but I thought they were open. A Notam states they will close for a month starting on 23rd January. Delta has barriers across it, which can just be seen in the above photo, level with the end of the southern apron allowing for an aircraft to park on Delta.
As for Parkway, the 12 week construction of the forecourt is now on week 28. All very strange. As there is hardly any progress it was not worthy of an updated photo.
Last edited by LTNman; 17th Jan 2023 at 12:32.