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Post by EGMCfollower on Feb 11, 2016 19:31:39 GMT
On reflection 'regress' was a bit harsh, plateaued is perhaps more suitable. Have to say from the short extracts from the news report, he clearly knows what he's talking about and his whole persona looks very professional, something I don't think came across from the past few MD/Chief Execs who seemed to read the same old script (and not very well). Mr. Welch was certainly the last comparable figure in my opinion.
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Post by expressflight on Feb 16, 2016 18:40:51 GMT
Southend FBO
Stobart have placed an ad in the EBAN magazine seeking expressions of interest from existing FBO operators "with a strong and reputable international brand" to take over the existing FBO terminal. In a second phase of the deal hangar space of 47,000 sq.ft (presumably the ex-ATC Lasham hangars) and 53,000 sq.ft of aprons fronting the hangars would be made available with the FBO terminal transferring to the hangar location. All SEN FBO operations would then take place at that location. Interested parties are requested to email Stobart by 7th March and a 'viewing day' will take place on 17th March.
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Post by devonian on Feb 17, 2016 11:05:24 GMT
Sounds like no customers for the ATC Lasham hangars as a going concern then? It is a realistic decision to seek an established FBO rather than continue trying to run their own. I wonder if this is one of Glyn Jones' actions?
Anyone care to speculate which FBOs might be interested....?
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Post by EGMCfollower on Feb 17, 2016 11:37:01 GMT
This would also explain the recent time trial the airport did from Canary Wharf to SEN and various other FBOs, in an attempt to prove it is convenient for London customers.
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Post by expressflight on Feb 18, 2016 10:43:25 GMT
Anyone care to speculate which FBOs might be interested....? That's a tricky one. Signature have FBO's at LTN (two 'terminals' now that BBA have taken over Landmark's operation there), LHR, LGW, Biggin Hill (BQH), EMA, SOU, BOH and BHX within what could loosely be called the London catchment area. They seem to have hangarage at only LTN (48,000sq.ft, possibly more) and SOU (33,000 sq.ft) so an additional 47,000 sq.ft at SEN could perhaps be an attraction. Harrods have FBOs at LTN and STN with hangar space of 59,000 sq.ft and 46,000 sq.fr respectively and ramp space of 216,000(!)sq.ft and 33,000 sq.ft respectively. An additional facility at SEN might not be high on their agenda perhaps. Universal have an substantial FBO at STN although I haven't been able to find details of hangar space etc. They are a worldwide player, as is Signature, so could obviously finance setting up an FBO at SEN. The Jet Centre run the FBO at LCY and maybe slots are getting a bit tight there, together with the restricted opening times. Maybe SEN could be offered to their clients as an H24 alternative with hangarage and parking. It perhaps depends on how much traffic they currently turn away and how much they feel they could entice away from LTN and STN for example. They also run Northolt Jet Centre which again has restricted hours and other limitations. At Biggin Hill (BQH) in addition to Signature there are Rizon Jet who have substantial hangarage and engineering facilities,plus BHA Executive Handling. The former might be a possibility for SEN I suppose but not a front runner I would suggest. TAG Aviation run the FBO at Farnborough (FAB) and probably have substantial hangarage and ramp space (I haven't obtained any detail on that) but opening hours are limited. TAG also have FBOs at GVA, MAD and Sion but another at SEN might harm their FAB operation perhaps. There may be other players that I have missed and I haven't including smallish FBOs at LON airports (all additions/corrections welcome) but I would think that Stobart would like to see interest from among those I've listed. They're after attractive a big 'name' in the FBO industry and I'm sure they're right to do so. I won't try to speculate on a likely winner of the tender process but would hope it would be from one of the above. I might be a case, of course, that none prove to be interested in SEN or that Stobart are not impressed by the terms they are willing to offer. Definitely a matter of 'watch this space' I think.
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Post by devonian on Feb 18, 2016 18:55:53 GMT
Thanks Expressflight. Very interesting.
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Post by EGMCfollower on Feb 29, 2016 16:48:21 GMT
To anyone's knowledge, has there been any progress on the rumour mentioned many weeks back?
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Post by expressflight on Feb 29, 2016 17:20:57 GMT
As far as I know the 'rumour' about which I said I couldn't reveal any information (very helpful I know!) is still in the melting pot.
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Post by EGMCfollower on Feb 29, 2016 18:20:08 GMT
Ok thanks expressflight, fingers crossed!
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Post by EGMCfollower on Mar 19, 2016 12:49:29 GMT
New National Express Coach Service
Nice to see a new daily coach service being launched from the 21st March 2016 from SEN to London Victoria Bus Station.
SEN (11:45pm) --> London Victoria (1:25am) London Victoria (3:15am) --> SEN (5:10am)
Calls additionally at Liverpool Street and Stratford Stations enroute.
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Post by expressflight on Mar 19, 2016 12:54:23 GMT
That's very welcome news and all the better for National Express operating it rather than the previously planned Stobart coach service.
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Post by Thames Gateway on Mar 19, 2016 14:10:01 GMT
Yes, agreed, very welcome and not before time. I hope that the Council gives it some prominence too, as will be of use to some non-airport folk too. I wonder will it be kept throughout the winter when (if this year is anything to go by) there is no demand on several days for late evening between SEN and London due to no late flights? Still at least still demand for early morning departure on some days.
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Post by expressflight on Mar 20, 2016 9:45:02 GMT
The launch of the coach service now makes it all the more frustrating that SEN didn't do this last year. Over a year ago Stobart were obtaining a coach operator's licence and a senior manager asked my opinion as to its route and timings to assist in their planning of the service. We now have National Express operating that exact service from tomorrow. Hopefully this is a sign that the fairly recent management changes are starting to produce results.
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Post by expressflight on Apr 6, 2016 11:45:51 GMT
Interesting to see BACF ERJ-190 G-LCYU doing a training sortie at SEN this morning. I don't remember them using SEN for this previously. Probably of no real significance though.
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Post by EGMCfollower on Apr 6, 2016 12:52:43 GMT
Thought they would have been training over at STN in preparation for flights there. Obviously SEN is more convenient for them.
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