Package holidays return to Southend (From Southend Standard)
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Package holidays return to Southend
1:00pm Saturday 4th August 2012 in Southend
By Stephen Hackwell
Flights – the route TUI Travel planes would take
ONE of the biggest package holiday companies in the world will start flights from Southend Airport next year, the Echo can reveal.
TUI Travel, which includes the famous Thomson and First Choice brands, has struck an agreement with airport bosses to offer all-inclusive deals.
The first destination, served twice a week throughout next summer, will be the sun-drenched Majorcan capital, Palma.
TUI chiefs are keen to move away from congestion-clogged major airports and say many more flights could be available from Southend if it proves a popular choice for customers.
A spokeswoman for the company said: “There is always the potential for more destinations. “At the moment we are focusing on our schedule for next year and we’re delighted to be able to enter into this partnership with Southend Airport.
“We want to allow our customers to fly from their local airport.”
Southend Airport has undergone a £100million transformation, since Stobart Group snapped it up for £21million in December 2008.
Aer Arann, now operating under the Aer Lingus Regional banner, began flights to Waterford, in Ireland, in March 2011 and has since added thrice-daily services to Dublin.
In April 2012, easyJet started flights to nine overseas destinations and will add a further two – Geneva and Venice – within the next six months.
But the airport has yet to crack the lucrative package holiday market.
Because companies, such as TUI, either use their own airlines or charter other aircraft for flights, they can be more flexible in the number of destinations they offer and when those routes are available.
The Palma flights are scheduled to leave Southend at 7.30am on Tuesdays and Saturdays, returning at 1.30pm on the same days.
Crucially, the airline believed to be lined up to run the route, Germania, operates aircraft with more powerful engines than easyJet.
That means despite Southen-d’s limited runway, flights to the Mediterranean coastline and Canary Islands could be possible.
As well as Palma, Thomson and First Choice also offer holidays to more than 80 other destinations, including Portu-gal, Italy, Greece and Turkey.
Alastair Welch , Southend Airport’s managing director, said: “We can confirm we are working closely with Thomson and First Choice as part of their strategy to allow customers to fly to holiday destinations from their local airport.”
Comments(57)
Rickeh
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6:13pm Fri 3 Aug 12
AspergerKidJoe
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6:27pm Fri 3 Aug 12
Felix Billy
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7:14pm Fri 3 Aug 12
Mannersway
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7:23pm Fri 3 Aug 12
j-w
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8:18pm Fri 3 Aug 12
Soouthchurch59
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1:16pm Sat 4 Aug 12
"Happy days are here again"
emcee
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2:13pm Sat 4 Aug 12
Felix Billy wrote:Not that unusual. Quite common at all airports.
Anyone travelling back from jersey on the 3.25 flight on weds 1st August? The plane aborted its landing at Southend just moments before touching down. All a bit scary!
Aborting a take-off at the point of rotation...now that's scary. I know, I've been there....Qantas 747, Hong Kong.
Max Impact
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4:40pm Sat 4 Aug 12
emcee wrote:A go-around is nothing, anything can cause the pilot to do one, if he is in the slightest bit not happy he will go-around. Doing it in an A319 is nothing do one in Concorde in finals to Heathrow now that really is a kick in the pants you feel the real power of the engines kick in, not at all scary, happend to me in a Viscount as well that was fantastic, also happened to me at Kai Tak it was one of the most amazing airports in the world to fly into or just to watch aircraft arriving...
Felix Billy wrote: Anyone travelling back from jersey on the 3.25 flight on weds 1st August? The plane aborted its landing at Southend just moments before touching down. All a bit scary!Not that unusual. Quite common at all airports. Aborting a take-off at the point of rotation...now that's scary. I know, I've been there....Qantas 747, Hong Kong.
So if ever you see me on your flight PANIC!
But one question remains why run to the press......
jolllyboy
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6:09pm Sat 4 Aug 12
Read carefully - it says All-inclusive holidays ie First Choice.
So all those bing drinkers, golf enthusiasts and second home owners together with those who pay for all inclusive will be very happy.
Until the planes go somehwere decent..............
.........
look what happened to the last lot of package hols from Southend.
tricklesthegreek
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10:16pm Sat 4 Aug 12
lucy10
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10:23pm Sat 4 Aug 12
i dont fly no more but would love to again good luck to you
Max Impact
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11:29pm Sat 4 Aug 12
jolllyboy wrote:Aborted flight....
Aborted flight ? Enough people saw it so why did Stobarts deny it.?
Read carefully - it says All-inclusive holidays ie First Choice.
So all those bing drinkers, golf enthusiasts and second home owners together with those who pay for all inclusive will be very happy.
Until the planes go somehwere decent..............
.........
look what happened to the last lot of package hols from Southend.
Where has anyone said it was an aborted flight, that would have been an aborted TAKE OFF not a LANDING the two are very very different.
Let me enlighten you between the two.
Take off is what the little airplane preforms when it wants to get in to the air.
Landing is what it is doing when it wants to get back down.
This was a go around or if you prefer an aborted landing, so the little airplane wanted to land but Mr Pilot decided he was not happy with say a cross wind (nasty Mr wind getting angry he needs telling off!) so Mr Pilot made the little airplane abort his landing to go around and try again, the second time Mr Cross Wind had gone so the little airplane could land.
It is not something that needs to be reported as its normal operating procedures to perform a go around if the pilot is not happy with something, if it was a technical problem with the little airplane it would have been reported.
The press and a nimby blowing things totally out of proportion YET AGAIN!
So when are you leaving town please say soon… You really made my day when you announced you were going now sadly it looks like no time soon so I am sad about that.
Diannah
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11:38pm Sat 4 Aug 12
mrttev63
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1:06am Sun 5 Aug 12
mrttev63
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1:19am Sun 5 Aug 12
southendmike
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6:19am Sun 5 Aug 12
What in heaven's name were you on about?
Norfolk
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8:50am Sun 5 Aug 12
You obviously don't know that mrttev63 suffers from a disability.
mrttev63
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9:36am Sun 5 Aug 12
mrttev63 wrote:please ignore it as my mistaken i mean why build Airport if only limit to A319 or 150 seat. when another airline don't have A319 or 150 seat. what the future hold .could be the next Airbus NEO or Advance new plane is available to it Airport
Why bit complicated over which plane suit southend airport runway seem only A319 is available it runway if not no future unless gooooooodddddddd hit
jayman
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9:53am Sun 5 Aug 12
se
however..
a year away means I will believe it when I see it
Max Impact
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10:14am Sun 5 Aug 12
Jayman just because a jet engine has more power will not make it noisier, look at the Rolls Royce Spey (BAC1-11) compared to that of the CFM56 (A319)
The Rolls Royce Spey produced 12,550 lbf whilst the CFM International CFM56-5 produces 22,000–27,000 lbf.
Now compare the noise each produces, the Spey would rattle your fillings out than smack you round the back of the head just for fun, the CFM56 is much much quieter.
So to state a bigger more powerful engine would be louder proves you are putting your foot in it yet again with no research and a pointless “fact” that is for from true.
So hang your head in shame at yet another embarrassing failure.
mrttev63
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10:53am Sun 5 Aug 12
Max Impact
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11:05am Sun 5 Aug 12
41,600 in May, 66,700 in June the July figures not out yet.
The nimbys proven wrong yet AGAIN!
mrttev63
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11:14am Sun 5 Aug 12
Max Impact wrote:looking good ... not surprised Stobart decide to build extension terminal to cope with it . otherwise they will be in trouble if they don't .....
The numbers of bums on seats are proving it be be very very popular.
41,600 in May, 66,700 in June the July figures not out yet.
The nimbys proven wrong yet AGAIN!
Max Impact
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11:51am Sun 5 Aug 12
mrttev63
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11:59am Sun 5 Aug 12
Max Impact wrote:I didn't know that why didn't they do it first place .could be trial run and see if they draw new customer before decide it
There was always the plan to extend the terminal it was designed and built to be extended, it just happens that they need it sooner rather than later.
mrttev63
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12:09pm Sun 5 Aug 12
Max Impact wrote:Upgrade Airbus neo is 24,000 -33,000 ibf but only 26 A319 neo is on order
There are a number of new regional airliners being produced, as well as new versions of the A319, the length is more than enough for a regional airport the limiting factor is width, so wide body airliners cannot be used, but they are only really needed for long haul flights which is something the airport are not looking at running.
Jayman just because a jet engine has more power will not make it noisier, look at the Rolls Royce Spey (BAC1-11) compared to that of the CFM56 (A319)
The Rolls Royce Spey produced 12,550 lbf whilst the CFM International CFM56-5 produces 22,000–27,000 lbf.
Now compare the noise each produces, the Spey would rattle your fillings out than smack you round the back of the head just for fun, the CFM56 is much much quieter.
So to state a bigger more powerful engine would be louder proves you are putting your foot in it yet again with no research and a pointless “fact” that is for from true.
So hang your head in shame at yet another embarrassing failure.
Max Impact
says...
12:10pm Sun 5 Aug 12
Just think if it was build fullsize to start off with, walking in to the terminal and finding your check in desk is right at the far end and you need to walk past rows of closed desks would you be happy with that? So start off small and with quick easy swift service.
The vast majority of people who have used Southend say once they have landed and got off the aircraft they are in their car within 5 mins! What other airport can do that none that I have ever used.
Max Impact
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12:14pm Sun 5 Aug 12
mrttev63 wrote:and the engines will still be nowhere near as loud as the old gen jets.
Max Impact wrote: There are a number of new regional airliners being produced, as well as new versions of the A319, the length is more than enough for a regional airport the limiting factor is width, so wide body airliners cannot be used, but they are only really needed for long haul flights which is something the airport are not looking at running. Jayman just because a jet engine has more power will not make it noisier, look at the Rolls Royce Spey (BAC1-11) compared to that of the CFM56 (A319) The Rolls Royce Spey produced 12,550 lbf whilst the CFM International CFM56-5 produces 22,000–27,000 lbf. Now compare the noise each produces, the Spey would rattle your fillings out than smack you round the back of the head just for fun, the CFM56 is much much quieter. So to state a bigger more powerful engine would be louder proves you are putting your foot in it yet again with no research and a pointless “fact” that is for from true. So hang your head in shame at yet another embarrassing failure.Upgrade Airbus neo is 24,000 -33,000 ibf but only 26 A319 neo is on order
BigT2005
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12:32pm Sun 5 Aug 12
mrttev63
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12:41pm Sun 5 Aug 12
BigT2005 wrote:Alastair Welch , Southend Airport’s managing director, said: “We can confirm we are working closely with Thomson and First Choice as part of their strategy to allow customers to fly to holiday destinations from their local airport.”
After phoning Thomson and then Southend airport today they are both adamant there are no flights scheduled from the airport in the foreseeable future. The editor disagrees with this. Who is right?! I want to book my holiday!
jayman
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2:50pm Sun 5 Aug 12
Max Impact wrote:basically max. you are a massive spotter.
There are a number of new regional airliners being produced, as well as new versions of the A319, the length is more than enough for a regional airport the limiting factor is width, so wide body airliners cannot be used, but they are only really needed for long haul flights which is something the airport are not looking at running.
Jayman just because a jet engine has more power will not make it noisier, look at the Rolls Royce Spey (BAC1-11) compared to that of the CFM56 (A319)
The Rolls Royce Spey produced 12,550 lbf whilst the CFM International CFM56-5 produces 22,000–27,000 lbf.
Now compare the noise each produces, the Spey would rattle your fillings out than smack you round the back of the head just for fun, the CFM56 is much much quieter.
So to state a bigger more powerful engine would be louder proves you are putting your foot in it yet again with no research and a pointless “fact” that is for from true.
So hang your head in shame at yet another embarrassing failure.
i wouldn't know what the inside of a jet engine looks like (i assume its quite complicated) and i don't care whether the jet is a ' rolls Royce spin-o-matic 9000F with extra sprockets)
the small 'modern' little aircraft that that takes off will be quieter (yet louder then a very small aircraft) then the modern large aircraft that is heavier and produces more thrust to take off from a very short runway.
stop dumping industry data as a defence max.
im still waiting for the independent noise monitoring results to be released by the airport. It should have been published months ago..
Max Impact
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4:44pm Sun 5 Aug 12
Anyone who remembers the BAC1-11 will know just how loud it was, compare that to an Airbus A319 and the difference between the two is clearly evident.
If you want the independent sound monitoring recordings why not contact the council/airport or better still set one up yourself that way you can track the information yourself.
Your saying “very small aircraft” I take it by this you refer to the flying club aircraft, most people have said that they find these make more noise for longer than the Easyjets, as they take longer to pass overhead and at a lower altitude than the Easyjets, so you are in a group of one there!
I’m not a spotter just a researcher for fact true fact.
Fact not nimby fiction wins out once more.
j-w
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10:11pm Sun 5 Aug 12
MarkTurner
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11:00pm Sun 5 Aug 12
Max Impact wrote:You arse, you obviously don't give a toss about the environmental effects of aviation pollution, and don't live anywhere near the flightpath. The fact that people are trying out a 'new' airport doesn't prove anything. The 'nimbys' as you call them have every right to feel aggrieved by the noise impact that has been inflicted upon them, so don't be so bloody smug.
The numbers of bums on seats are proving it be be very very popular.
41,600 in May, 66,700 in June the July figures not out yet.
The nimbys proven wrong yet AGAIN!
Max Impact
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11:23pm Sun 5 Aug 12
MarkTurner wrote:Arse... Don't live on the flight path well...
Max Impact wrote:You arse, you obviously don't give a toss about the environmental effects of aviation pollution, and don't live anywhere near the flightpath. The fact that people are trying out a 'new' airport doesn't prove anything. The 'nimbys' as you call them have every right to feel aggrieved by the noise impact that has been inflicted upon them, so don't be so bloody smug.
The numbers of bums on seats are proving it be be very very popular.
41,600 in May, 66,700 in June the July figures not out yet.
The nimbys proven wrong yet AGAIN!
Point 1: I am not an Arsenal fan so I am not an arse.
Point 2: I live on Mendip Crescent a bit closer than the people of Leigh don't you think.
So instead of poping up on here and calling me an arse why don't you look back at other postings and read them you learn a lot that way.
Do you own a car?
Have you ever flown?
Do you smoke?
Heat your house?
Use supermarkets?
Buy foreign made products?
Use leccy?
All of the above have some sort of fossel fuel used to provide so before you start preaching about the environmental effects of aviation pollution why not take a look at what YOU use that creates pollution.
But greenies are all the same do we as say not as we do, look at that bloke from HACAN who protested about heathrow but FLEW out of heathrow to the US... Do as I say not as I do... Very apt.
Its a case of I can fly over your house but you are not going to fly over mine.
jayman
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11:24pm Sun 5 Aug 12
j-w wrote:who said anything about 'season' month by month monitoring would be more accurate.
How can the noise results be out jayman "when they were supposed to be out months ago" should they have done them in April before the planes were flying! I believe the noise monitoring is supposed to be over the first summer season (i.e now) so the results wont be out till winter.
j-w
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8:32am Mon 6 Aug 12
r6keith
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9:39am Mon 6 Aug 12
j-w wrote:But the planes will sound louder and any sound carries further in a cool damp atmosphere . Hang on a mo thats our summer !
Summer season is when the airport is at its busiest, so that is the best time to do the monitoring for the best and fairest results for nearby residents.
Leighdweller
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1:46pm Mon 6 Aug 12
Max Impact
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2:24pm Mon 6 Aug 12
jayman wrote:Why don't you buy the equipment yourself and set up your own recording station, by doing this you can then compare your results with the offical results.
j-w wrote: How can the noise results be out jayman "when they were supposed to be out months ago" should they have done them in April before the planes were flying! I believe the noise monitoring is supposed to be over the first summer season (i.e now) so the results wont be out till winter.who said anything about 'season' month by month monitoring would be more accurate.
Norfolk
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9:15am Tue 7 Aug 12
Ian P
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12:39pm Tue 7 Aug 12
jayman wrote:"Crucially, the airline believed to be lined up to run the route, Germania, operates aircraft with more powerful engines than easyJet". I assume that this may be the statement that you based your comment on. Are you aware that Germania currently operate two flights a week in and out of Southend Airport and have been for several months? They took over from Jet2.com as the airline fliying weekly charter flights for Ford Motor Company to Romania and Turkey. So you do not have to wait a year to see it happen; it already is.
more powerful engines on a short runway...........noi se however.. a year away means I will believe it when I see it
maxell
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4:59pm Tue 7 Aug 12
j-w
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5:08pm Tue 7 Aug 12
steve@eastwood
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11:01pm Tue 7 Aug 12
Thanks for explaining the noise query, you cleared it up perfectly.
Just to put a little moan in though. I live in Eastwood some way off the flight path and most mornings we are woken up by these so called "quiet" planes taking off, I am not against the airport expansion at all, in fact I am all for it. But I will say that the noise from these planes at full throttle when taking off is a real pain.
Rant over.
I'll get my coat.
rodgdodge
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7:11am Wed 8 Aug 12
Surely modern aircraft should manage that easily now!
smiffy1980
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7:59am Wed 8 Aug 12
So so much cheaper to book your flights on your own and then contact hotels directly...........G
et with the times people.
Barry Bas
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3:30pm Wed 8 Aug 12
smiffy1980 wrote:I think that if you book a package deal and the airline or the resort/hotel goes bust you are covered by ATOL but if you book them seperate you are out of luck and out of pocket. Though I recall reading in the news a while ago they are looking at something similar for just flights.
Do people actually still book package holidays ??? jeeeeeeeeeeeez. No wonder people moan and complain about holiday prices etc when your still booking packages. So so much cheaper to book your flights on your own and then contact hotels directly...........G et with the times people.
tophatdt
says...
4:09pm Wed 8 Aug 12
BigT2005 wrote:I think the news got leaked out before Thomsons and Southend airport have completed all the final contract stuff. Thus the holiday flights are not yet on their website. I believe they will operate a Germania Airbus 319 rather than a fully laden B737-700 off Southend's runway. On the subject of bizjets flying in for the Olympics, I am sure Stobarts are very disappointed with having less than 6 arriving in the past two weeks. It's all been an over-kill. But for the future, with a dedicated GA terminal and handling agent, this type of traffic should increase. Now I wait for my dinner in the new hotel restaurant next month!
After phoning Thomson and then Southend airport today they are both adamant there are no flights scheduled from the airport in the foreseeable future. The editor disagrees with this. Who is right?! I want to book my holiday!
Max Impact
says...
6:38pm Wed 8 Aug 12
Barry Bas wrote:Spot on.
smiffy1980 wrote: Do people actually still book package holidays ??? jeeeeeeeeeeeez. No wonder people moan and complain about holiday prices etc when your still booking packages. So so much cheaper to book your flights on your own and then contact hotels directly...........G et with the times people.I think that if you book a package deal and the airline or the resort/hotel goes bust you are covered by ATOL but if you book them seperate you are out of luck and out of pocket. Though I recall reading in the news a while ago they are looking at something similar for just flights.
Package deals are ATOL protected DIY Hols are not.
Max Impact
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6:56pm Wed 8 Aug 12
j-w
says...
7:34pm Wed 8 Aug 12
There is absolutely no truth in the rumours circulating in Southend regarding the new museum planning application
The report referred to on the Save Our Cliffs website which purportedly recommends the scrapping of the plan does not exist
Max Impact
says...
8:16pm Wed 8 Aug 12
I must be one of the few people on Planet Earth who has never sent a Tweet!
Wonder how/who started it.
Leighdweller
says...
3:49pm Thu 9 Aug 12
Max Impact wrote:However, depending upon how you book(Credit Card for example), you may have sufficient cover from the card issuer to recoup your losses.
Barry Bas wrote:Spot on. Package deals are ATOL protected DIY Hols are not.smiffy1980 wrote: Do people actually still book package holidays ??? jeeeeeeeeeeeez. No wonder people moan and complain about holiday prices etc when your still booking packages. So so much cheaper to book your flights on your own and then contact hotels directly...........G et with the times people.I think that if you book a package deal and the airline or the resort/hotel goes bust you are covered by ATOL but if you book them seperate you are out of luck and out of pocket. Though I recall reading in the news a while ago they are looking at something similar for just flights.
That's my understanding anyway.
The other alternative is to book with a decent 'proper' hotel that only requires payment when you check out - or cancelation 24 hours prior to arrival - and at least you're limited to the exposure on your airfares.
Felix Billy
says...
2:03pm Fri 10 Aug 12
Max Impact wrote:I wasn't running to the press, just curious about the incident. The pilot said that he didn't have enough time to land and that air traffic control had cut him a bit short......a plane coming in to land from the other Direction maybe. .I'm no expert but to me it felt we were coming in too fast and possibly off course as when we turned for the airport over the thames you could see the runway and we appeared too far left (west) on approach.....I also landed at Kai tak once, what an experience!
emcee wrote:A go-around is nothing, anything can cause the pilot to do one, if he is in the slightest bit not happy he will go-around. Doing it in an A319 is nothing do one in Concorde in finals to Heathrow now that really is a kick in the pants you feel the real power of the engines kick in, not at all scary, happend to me in a Viscount as well that was fantastic, also happened to me at Kai Tak it was one of the most amazing airports in the world to fly into or just to watch aircraft arriving...
Felix Billy wrote: Anyone travelling back from jersey on the 3.25 flight on weds 1st August? The plane aborted its landing at Southend just moments before touching down. All a bit scary!Not that unusual. Quite common at all airports. Aborting a take-off at the point of rotation...now that's scary. I know, I've been there....Qantas 747, Hong Kong.
So if ever you see me on your flight PANIC!
But one question remains why run to the press......
Norfolk
says...
8:12am Sat 11 Aug 12
paintlad says...
3:08pm Fri 3 Aug 12