G-EZDJ

This photo-op might not necessarily mean that Easyjet will open a route to SEN. Perhaps Easyjet is going to fly freight for Stobart, they can do that from other airports within the (current) Easyjet network as well. That would appear more likely to me, considering it was a photo-op with lorries, not a photo-op with the SEN terminal or ATC tower or another landmark specific to SEN.

I don’t buy that idea. Why do the photo shoot at SEN if that is the case? The nearest Eddie Stobart base is nowhere nearby and the aircraft had to be positioned into SEN, so an expensive way of doing it. Far better surely to do it at somewhere like Doncaster (which is where the aircraft departed to) which would involve no positioning and is near one of the lorry bases.

The photography was carried out in front of the new terminal under construction and the public face of the Stobart Group is Eddie Stobart so it seems natural that Easyjet would want to make a link between the two companies which people will easily recognise.

Gooney Bird

When I flew at the end of March they were quite strict at check-in. The people in front of us said they had only hand baggage, but this was found to be over the weight limit by several kilos so they had to pay for it as hold baggage. Things might be a bit more flexible now, but I wouldn’t risk it.

Over the past few years I used to try to limit myself to just hand baggage for trips but found I was getting obsessive about what I could take and what I couldn’t (plus which additional purchases I couldn’t bring back), which wasn’t good for my blood pressure, so I gave in and now check in one bag for the two of us. We fly Cityjet DOL to LCY because of their free bags policy and ‘old style’ cabin service even if it is slightly more expensive than the alternatives.

I think we’re talking about a two day Public Inquiry here which will consider only the need for the stopping-up and will not be a lengthy procedure. My information is it will be held in May with the result being announced three months later, so it shouldn’t delay things very much.

The runway resurfacing is proceeding well this weekend and will be completed during two further 3-day closure periods over the next two weekends.

No chance of Ryanair at SEN – thank God. Insufficient runway length for the 738 to operate LoCo economically.

Cloud 9

You really don’t like SEN do you?

Total journey time GRQ to central London will be quicker via SEN than any other London airport. You’d better get used to SEN being a popular London airport for European regional carriers because it’s going to happen.

As for my source I cannot tell you that I’m afraid, but I thought everyone would like to know.

Edit: The Dutch newspapers are now starting to report on the new GLM service from GRQ to SEN and one of them shows a Saab 340 mocked up in VLM colours. Another quotes a GLM spokesman as saying that “Southend was chosen because of its shorter flight time and lower cost (than alternative London airports)”. The rail link to Liverpool Street is also given prominence in the reports.

I can’t see the economics working at LCY, even if suitable slots could be obtained.

SEN is a different matter.