Blackpool Airport to close?

[Emyr]

Surely it's only the flightpath headings that change with the movement of the magnetic north while the physical flightpath route stays in the same place? i.e. the aircraft are still flying over the same ground track?

It's a lot less hassle for everyone involved in actually running the operation to allow flightpaths to drift and keep the documentation the same, rather than worrying about the differences between the intended (true-north-based) and implemented (magnetic-north-based) flightplan on every day except update-day.

 

[radamfi]

It's a lot less hassle for everyone involved in actually running the operation to allow flightpaths to drift and keep the documentation the same, rather than worrying about the differences between the intended (true-north-based) and implemented (magnetic-north-based) flightplan on every day except update-day.

So that takes precedence over noise suffered by residents?

 

[starrymarkb]

Well given that NATS have to give 56 days notice to change the published procedures so that new charts can be printed, Aircraft database updates produced and issued to airlines and loaded into aircraft and that they go live on a day set by ICAO (aka the ARIAC cycle)

Should also add that ATC on the day can take aircraft off the planned routes for safety or traffic.

 

[Nym]

So that takes precedence over noise suffered by residents?

Ummm, did you not have a choice when you moved to within 5 miles of the largest airport in the country outside London?

 

[radamfi]

Ummm, did you not have a choice when you moved to within 5 miles of the largest airport in the country outside London?

I live 3 miles south of the second largest airport in the UK. We experience virtually no aircraft noise. The flightpaths do not come anywhere near here. If that was to change, simply because people wanted to save a bit of administration, I wouldn't be too happy.

 

[Emyr]

I live 3 miles south of the second largest airport in the UK. We experience virtually no aircraft noise. The flightpaths do not come anywhere near here. If that was to change, simply because people wanted to save a bit of administration, I wouldn't be too happy.

"a bit of administration"?

Is the census "a little questionnaire"?

 

[Titfield]

It does make me wonder how many people live within 5 miles of an airport and purchased that property before the significant expansion of civil aviation in the early 1960s.

 

[starrymarkb]

Something else to bear in mind is the reduction in aircraft noise with the move to High Bypass Turbofans in the 1980s/1990s and further reductions with the newest engines (Trent XWB and P&W GTF)

Certainly used to tell the weekly Spanair MD80 going out of Exeter by the Volume (and see the smoke trail) when compared with the usual B737s and A320s

 

[Emyr]

It does make me wonder how many people live within 5 miles of an airport and purchased that property before the significant expansion of civil aviation in the early 1960s.

Over 50 years ago?

My guess would be they're all dead, deaf, indifferent or angry.

 

[robertclark125]

When I was on holiday in Blackpool last year, the one thing that struck me about it was that, apparently, BTS don't provide a regular bus service into the terminal. The promenade route 1 used to, but I believe doesn't now.

The other point I'd raise is, well, the word commercial. That can only mean passenger traffic. What about the cargo side of the airport, if there is one?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

When I was on holiday in Blackpool last year, the one thing that struck me about it was that, apparently, BTS don't provide a regular bus service into the terminal. The promenade route 1 used to, but I believe doesn't now.

They seem to have no difficulty in ensuring certain bus services entering into the grounds of Blackpool Victoria Hospital and have bus shelters just outside the new main entrance.

 

[BHXDMT]

Seems closure is all but confirmed.

I fly out of Blackpool next week for a holiday with Jet2, and rang them a few hours ago to discuss the situation. It turns out that at that point they had just been briefed on the airports closure, and they are in the process of emailing passengers. An announcement seems imminent.

My flight has moved to Manchester, as it seems have plenty of others scheduled to depart from Blackpool over the coming weeks if their Facebook page is anything to go by.

EDIT: Confirmed by Blackpool Airport and Jet2.

http://www.jet2.com/status.aspx

Blackpool Annoucement

Potential Closure of Blackpool Airport – Transfer of Jet2.com & Jet2holidays Flights to Manchester Airport

There has been considerable uncertainty in recent weeks, over the future of Blackpool Airport and this has already led to the withdrawal of key 3rd party facilities, without notice, that have seriously impacted on the operation of our aircraft from and to Blackpool Airport.

Therefore and in the interests of our Customers, with effect from 10 October and until further notice, Jet2.com’s services that were scheduled to operate from Blackpool Airport will operate instead from and to Manchester Airport.

http://www.blackpoolinternational.com/airport/news-media/news/blackpool-airport-announcement-0

BLACKPOOL AIRPORT ANNOUNCEMENT
We regret to announce that no agreement has been reached to secure the future of operations at Blackpool Airport. The airport operation has been making a loss for a number of years and unfortunately there is no option for the company other than to close.

This is a very sad day for the airport which has a proud aviation history and a loyal, appreciative customer following. We would like to thank all our dedicated staff who have delivered exceptional service to passengers for many years.

The airport will remain open to the public until 15 October 2014 and we will endeavour to maintain operations as normal until this date, after which time commercial flights will cease.

Airport closes 15th October, whilst Jet2 are pulling out on the 10th October.

 

[Olaf]

Owned by Balfour Beatty? And what do Balfour Beatty do...build houses by any chance? The cynic in me thinks they bought it in the first place and then added the £10 compulsory fee in order to put people off so they could use the land for.....

They bought Blackpool airport (and a few others as well I think) to diversify; the idea being that there will generate a steady income from the management of the facility, while also being a capital asset. However it seems that they had not done their homework properly before splashing the cash.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Ryanair about 5 years ago infamously demanded that it wanted free landing slots and the airport to actually pay the airline £10 for every passenger (reverse of normal terminal fees arrangements) as they said the airport would make it back from station retail ...

That is just a typical Ryanair negotiation tactic; which got the short shrift that all such tactics deserve.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Something else to bear in mind is the reduction in aircraft noise with the move to High Bypass Turbofans in the 1980s/1990s and further reductions with the newest engines (Trent XWB and P&W GTF)

Certainly used to tell the weekly Spanair MD80 going out of Exeter by the Volume (and see the smoke trail) when compared with the usual B737s and A320s

I live under the Heathrow flight path for the late night south east asia flights and I am about 11 miles from the airport.

Ten to fifteen years ago, you used to notice each fully laden B747 haul itself into the air while trying to get to sleep, but now a days I no longer notice even though a good number of the jets are the bigger A380; partially because I am used to the noise now, and partially because of the improvements in the engine technology.

In my view, a lot of the moaning about airports is coming from wimps and those that have nothing better to do.

 

[St Rollox]

Sorry to see Blackpool Airport go.
It's only real hope was if Blackpool had became the gambling capital of Europe, one of the stranger ideas of New Labour??? back in the day.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

What were the loadings like on the Isle of Man service?

 

[Olaf]

Was surprised to see the comments by CityFlyer: service suspended for several weeks while they seek a workable business plan for continuation of their service into Blackpool.

Nothing wrong with holding a positive outlook but it should be firmly based in reality too.

 

[starrymarkb]

Was surprised to see the comments by CityFlyer: service suspended for several weeks while they seek a workable business plan for continuation of their service into Blackpool.

Nothing wrong with holding a positive outlook but it should be firmly based in reality too.

My understanding is that this is related to fire cover. The amount needed for 737 operations is much more then that needed for 19 seat props (just a single rapid spray truck needed so much much cheaper). So while jet operations may be ceasing it's possible that the airport can continue as a GA field with a small Portacabin terminal for the IOM routes. No need for a full international terminal with customs/full MRI baggage screening/bars etc Instead expect something like the small Scottish Airports

 

[Olaf]

My understanding is that this is related to fire cover. The amount needed for 737 operations is much more then that needed for 19 seat props (just a single rapid spray truck needed so much much cheaper). So while jet operations may be ceasing it's possible that the airport can continue as a GA field with a small Portacabin terminal for the IOM routes. No need for a full international terminal with customs/full MRI baggage screening/bars etc Instead expect something like the small Scottish Airports

I can understand that, but I think Jet2 represented something like 78% of the traffic at Blackpool so is there really enough potential income out of what remains (the Dublin service was cancelled as a result of the closure) to build a stable business with a reasonably secure future?

 

[starrymarkb]

I can understand that, but I think Jet2 represented something like 78% of the traffic at Blackpool so is there really enough potential income out of what remains (the Dublin service was cancelled as a result of the closure) to build a stable business with a reasonably secure future?

That remains to be seen. Closing the Passenger Terminal will reduce the costs considerably. Can the Helicopter, General Aviation and IOM cover the costs if things like Fire Service, ATC* are downgraded and the main terminal is closed? Possibly.


*Are commercial flights permitted from FISO stations? I know big tin goes into Kemble which is FISO station but it's not in passenger service (and rarely departs again)

 

[northwichcat]

Over 50 years ago?

My guess would be they're all dead, deaf, indifferent or angry.

From what I understand a lot of property in the village of Mobberley has been passed down from generation to generation with some people claiming the property they have under the flight path has been in the family since before the invention of aeroplanes.

To make matters worse the council rejected a planning application for new housing in Mobberley on the basis that it's too close to the second Airport Runway, despite the fact that the new houses would have been further from the second Airport Runway than many of the existing houses in the village.

The street I live in was built in the 1960s and one of the first residents of the street remains.

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Blackpool International Airport has closed now. This is alll because Balfour Beaty took over and wrecked the airport situation. The airport was one of the oldest in the World being over 100 years old.

 

[WatcherZero]

....and was losing a couple of million pounds a year. Lots of smaller regional airports have closed or are on the verge of closing in the last few years. Liverpool despite nearly 5m passengers is losing money hand over fist, its losing so much it triggered the buyback clause in Peels original sale agreement, they had to buy it back if it didnt reach promised performance targets.

 

[Howardh]

It's a pity, as it was so much easier to use than Manchester Shopping Cent....sorry, Airport. However the £10 surcharge put me off, and in addition to the rail fare it became obviously cheaper to use Manchester and put up with the 50-minute queues at immigration.

Usually queues are much less at T2 and 3 than T1 so if I can, I avoid T1 even if it means a slightly worse departure time.

 

[starrymarkb]

....and was losing a couple of million pounds a year. Lots of smaller regional airports have closed or are on the verge of closing in the last few years. Liverpool despite nearly 5m passengers is losing money hand over fist, its losing so much it triggered the buyback clause in Peels original sale agreement, they had to buy it back if it didnt reach promised performance targets.

In some cases it's non passenger activities that are propping up the passenger side. Cardiff would have closed ages ago if it wasn't for the massive BA maintenance hanger and the resulting rent income. Exeter would probably be similar if it wasn't for Flybe Aviation Services (not the airline, but the maintainance facility that does a lot of refurbishment/overhauls for other airlines)

 

[northwichcat]

and put up with the 50-minute queues at immigration.

I've never experienced a 50 minute queue at any airport, including Manchester but then I've never travelled on a Bank Holiday weekend or during school holidays. Although, saying that I had my first ever experience of my bag reaching the baggage reclaim area before I did last week at Manchester.

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

In some cases it's non passenger activities that are propping up the passenger side. Cardiff would have closed ages ago if it wasn't for the massive BA maintenance hanger and the resulting rent income. Exeter would probably be similar if it wasn't for Flybe Aviation Services (not the airline, but the maintainance facility that does a lot of refurbishment/overhauls for other airlines)

That is true. My local airport is Humberside and the passenger figures are similar to what Blackpool had. But frieght and helicopter traffic is booming and making it very profitable.

 

[Wolfie]

I've never experienced a 50 minute queue at any airport, including Manchester but then I've never travelled on a Bank Holiday weekend or during school holidays.

Try arriving late evening at Gatwick or Stansted - virtually guaranteed!

 

[Kite159]

50 minutes queue is nothing, a couple years ago it took me 150 minutes to clear the queue at JFK, due to the sheer number of passengers arriving around that time

Will be interesting to see what happens at Bournemouth, slightly ruined when it was purchased by Manchester Airport Holdings, soulless new buildings, £2.50 min for drop-off/pick-up (used to be free for 15 minutes), no pedestrian access (last time they dug up the verges to stop you walking along the verges) and no public transport after 7pm.

 

[jon0844]

Luton now charges for dropping off, and Stansted has for a while. Even when Stansted was BAA it had clearly done a deal with a local taxi firm and took a nice cut of the inflated fares.

Thing is, costs are going up, but people still expect cheap flights. Thus things get cut and other prices go up, or new charges are introduced for things that were always free. Who knows, perhaps there will one day be a fee for using the toilets at airports?

 

[WatcherZero]

Don't Airports usually sell taxi firms permits to queue for non pre-booked punters? So I suppose they are getting a cut in a way.