EasyJet ‘unlikely’ to fly into Southend (From Echo)

Denis Walker doesn't have a clue about the airline industry, and one airline is not the be all and end all of an airport's basis. I think what will be more interesting to look out for is Ryanair (likes serving less accessible airports and are constantly moaning about the high fees at Stansted) and Flybe (a big regional player that already sue the airport).

Until the airport has been expanded and we know the outcome of negotiations, Denis Walker should keep his unwelcome trap shut and go meddle with one of the other 1000 things one of his many protest groups are sticking their noses in.

^^^^^^ What he said!

A question to SAEN . What part of the employee of Easy Jet's statement about the reason why they would probally not use Southends expanded airport suggested the reason was because it is inaccessable and close to homes ? For all the locals that want to fly and there are thousands of us I cant think of a more accessable airport can you ?

Always been a busy airport. In 1958 it took diverted aircraft when Heathrow and Gatwick closed due to fog, In 1959 it was second in the country (behind Heathrow) for total aircraft movements. In the late 60's they were aiming for about 750,000 passengers annually in and out, and 70,000 tons of freight.
Plenty of scope for expansion, it's been done before and it can happen again.

This months SAEN idiotic statement:
"Southend is too “inaccessible” and close to homes to become a passenger airport".
-
SAEN really do need to get someone on board who actually knows what they are talking about before making comments to the press. At the moment, as each month goes by, they make themselves look more and more silly and insignificant.

Has the Echo really sunk so low as to be posting inane stories fed to it by SAEN based on aimless conjecture posted on obscure internet fora?

Clutching at straws springs to mind.

Most of Denis Walker's twitter page comments are about vegetables he's dug up from his garden. Perhaps he should supply the Echo with useful stories about giant marrows rather than baseless scaremongering about airports?

Do SAEN truly believe that some call centre customer service member of staff on £7ph would be privy to sensitive information on the easyJet network strategy? Having read the response it was typical customer feedback blurb where they have possibly alluded to issues above their station. It seems more opinion based rather than having any basis in fact. Let’s allow the airport to get on with their negotiations so WE can get on with utilising our local airport properly! Let’s not waste their time retorting to this kind of non-sense!

DannyK86 wrote:
Most of Denis Walker's twitter page comments are about vegetables he's dug up from his garden. Perhaps he should supply the Echo with useful stories about giant marrows rather than baseless scaremongering about airports?

poor bloke being pick on it said a spokemans not a person to attack not his word what he been told to say

Baker_Boy wrote:

DannyK86 wrote:
Most of Denis Walker's twitter page comments are about vegetables he's dug up from his garden. Perhaps he should supply the Echo with useful stories about giant marrows rather than baseless scaremongering about airports?

poor bloke being pick on it said a spokemans not a person to attack not his word what he been told to say

Of course it is his words, He is spokesman for a number of campaign groups, he knows exactly what to say it's just that like yours, most of it is garbled rubbish.

So that's the first cheap flights out of the window. As expected only those with cash will be able to use Southend for holidays, just as Jersey is costly.

As a frequent international traveller for work, I would love to be able to use this 'inaccessible' airport rather than schlepping round the M25 at ridiculous hours of the morning so as to be at Heathrow on-time. Alas, I fear that even after expansion the routes planned from Southend will still mean that the M25 and Heathrow will be common place in my working week.

Why would any airline come in to Southend when so many numpties are happy to travel the distance to the main airports and treated like a bit of excess baggage with non electric cattle prods! Why go to the customer when the dozy customer is happy to come to you!

Eastjet may not be interested but I'm sure the likes of Ryanair might well be. They're always on the look out to access regional airports at the right price. Think Eddie Stobart and team wouldn't have pumped megga money into the Southend project on a pure hunch.

The forum they talk about also has a huge banner saying 'under review'.

Last time I looked there was more than one operator flying into and out of the UK.

Its one airline, one airline saying they have no plans to operate services dose not make the airport unviable.

Who knows if Easyjet were even asked if they wanted to come to Southend, the airport operators have never mooted the 737 as an aircraft they want to do passenger flights (easyjet and ryanair both have a 737 heavy fleet)

SAEN always said they were non-political but at the election they actually had a How not to vote guide see here http://www.saen.org.
uk/2010/04/how-not-t
o-vote/

Colleen G wrote:
Why would any airline come in to Southend when so many numpties are happy to travel the distance to the main airports and treated like a bit of excess baggage with non electric cattle prods! Why go to the customer when the dozy customer is happy to come to you!

You really do talk some nonsense sometimes. Who says the customer is "happy" to go to wherever they have to go to catch a flight. I have to travel two or three hours to get to an airport that handles flights to where I want to go with the airline I wish to go with. This does not mean I am happy about it. It is the only choice I have. However, if the choice to take these flights from my local airport was available I would drop the other airports like a stone.
Also, I have never been treated like excess baggage because I have never flown with Ryan Air.

SARFENDMAN wrote:
Eastjet may not be interested but I'm sure the likes of Ryanair might well be. They're always on the look out to access regional airports at the right price. Think Eddie Stobart and team wouldn't have pumped megga money into the Southend project on a pure hunch.

If they were my only choice, I would probably end up travelling to one of the other airports to use another airline rather than fly with Ryanair. If there is one airline that is currently at the bottom of my preference list it is Ryanair. However, I very much doubt Ryanair will be the only airline at Southend if, indeed, they will actually fly from there. There would be nothing worse for Southend Airport than to sully their runway with Ryanair. Horrible airline.

emcee wrote:

SARFENDMAN wrote: Eastjet may not be interested but I'm sure the likes of Ryanair might well be. They're always on the look out to access regional airports at the right price. Think Eddie Stobart and team wouldn't have pumped megga money into the Southend project on a pure hunch.

If they were my only choice, I would probably end up travelling to one of the other airports to use another airline rather than fly with Ryanair. If there is one airline that is currently at the bottom of my preference list it is Ryanair. However, I very much doubt Ryanair will be the only airline at Southend if, indeed, they will actually fly from there. There would be nothing worse for Southend Airport than to sully their runway with Ryanair. Horrible airline.

Seem to be everyone's favourite hated airline but strangely millions still fly with this airline.

SARFENDMAN wrote:

emcee wrote:

SARFENDMAN wrote: Eastjet may not be interested but I'm sure the likes of Ryanair might well be. They're always on the look out to access regional airports at the right price. Think Eddie Stobart and team wouldn't have pumped megga money into the Southend project on a pure hunch.

If they were my only choice, I would probably end up travelling to one of the other airports to use another airline rather than fly with Ryanair. If there is one airline that is currently at the bottom of my preference list it is Ryanair. However, I very much doubt Ryanair will be the only airline at Southend if, indeed, they will actually fly from there. There would be nothing worse for Southend Airport than to sully their runway with Ryanair. Horrible airline.

Seem to be everyone's favourite hated airline but strangely millions still fly with this airline.

That's a sad reflection on society rather than a good reflection on RyanAir. Who'd have thought 50 years ago people would pay to be abused, herded like cattle, treated with contempt and finally mocked and STILL they would give their custom to the perpetrators. Yep, a real sad reflection on society.

Colleen G wrote:

SARFENDMAN wrote:

emcee wrote:

SARFENDMAN wrote: Eastjet may not be interested but I'm sure the likes of Ryanair might well be. They're always on the look out to access regional airports at the right price. Think Eddie Stobart and team wouldn't have pumped megga money into the Southend project on a pure hunch.

If they were my only choice, I would probably end up travelling to one of the other airports to use another airline rather than fly with Ryanair. If there is one airline that is currently at the bottom of my preference list it is Ryanair. However, I very much doubt Ryanair will be the only airline at Southend if, indeed, they will actually fly from there. There would be nothing worse for Southend Airport than to sully their runway with Ryanair. Horrible airline.

Seem to be everyone's favourite hated airline but strangely millions still fly with this airline.

That's a sad reflection on society rather than a good reflection on RyanAir. Who'd have thought 50 years ago people would pay to be abused, herded like cattle, treated with contempt and finally mocked and STILL they would give their custom to the perpetrators. Yep, a real sad reflection on society.

Fortunately there are still some airlines that treat their passengers a lot better than the Ryanair cattle trucks. I am one of those civilised people who choose to fly other airlines when I have the choice to do so.
Ryanair survive on the custom of two types of passenger. Those who only want to pay bus fares to get to their destination regardless of their quality of travel (normally those easily pleased or families with loads of kids in tow) and employees whos company will not pay for their staff to travel in a little more comfort or with a little more dignity.
I prefer to pay a premium (although on many occasions not much more than Ryanair fares) to receive a better travel experience.

emcee wrote:

Colleen G wrote:

SARFENDMAN wrote:

emcee wrote:

SARFENDMAN wrote: Eastjet may not be interested but I'm sure the likes of Ryanair might well be. They're always on the look out to access regional airports at the right price. Think Eddie Stobart and team wouldn't have pumped megga money into the Southend project on a pure hunch.

If they were my only choice, I would probably end up travelling to one of the other airports to use another airline rather than fly with Ryanair. If there is one airline that is currently at the bottom of my preference list it is Ryanair. However, I very much doubt Ryanair will be the only airline at Southend if, indeed, they will actually fly from there. There would be nothing worse for Southend Airport than to sully their runway with Ryanair. Horrible airline.

Seem to be everyone's favourite hated airline but strangely millions still fly with this airline.

That's a sad reflection on society rather than a good reflection on RyanAir. Who'd have thought 50 years ago people would pay to be abused, herded like cattle, treated with contempt and finally mocked and STILL they would give their custom to the perpetrators. Yep, a real sad reflection on society.

Fortunately there are still some airlines that treat their passengers a lot better than the Ryanair cattle trucks. I am one of those civilised people who choose to fly other airlines when I have the choice to do so. Ryanair survive on the custom of two types of passenger. Those who only want to pay bus fares to get to their destination regardless of their quality of travel (normally those easily pleased or families with loads of kids in tow) and employees whos company will not pay for their staff to travel in a little more comfort or with a little more dignity. I prefer to pay a premium (although on many occasions not much more than Ryanair fares) to receive a better travel experience.

I do use Ryanair as have no choice travelling to my chosen destination as no other airline available in Essex (Stansted) to get me there. Personally after 6 years not had a problem. You know what you're getting take it or leave it. Certainly a lot better than the cattle truck railways and you get a seat. Other choice is BA from Heathrow. They haven't been that great as a real let down with strikes and involves a fun trip on the M25 plus hike in parking fees. Hopefully Southend will open up more routes from Essex with who knows which airline. I'm all for that. You takes your choice.

If we could get away from discussing the pros and cons of Ryanair for a moment and get back to the Echo story, I see that this morning David McLaren's comment (and indeed the whole topic) has been removed from the Get Satisfaction website.
I'm only guessing, but I suspect that his comments did not reflect Easyjet management's view on Southend, as it appears he is only a junior employee and his comment was just his personal opinion.
As for SAEN's claim that Southend is too "inaccessible" to interest Easyjet I suggest they look at the catchment area. Southend offers 608,000 people a 20 minute saving in travel time to another airport, while for a further 1,580,000 people it offers a train travel time equal to that to any other airport. Add to that the fact that getting though the airport before and after your flight will be so much less hassle than using Stansted or Luton and it makes Southend a very attractive proposition to any airline.
All in all, this is just a non-story from both the Echo and SAEN, from whom came the suggestion to the Echo that they run it by the way.
If the Echo had actually taken the trouble to contact the Easyjet Press Office they probably wouldn't have done so.

"If the Echo had actually taken the trouble to contact the Easyjet Press Office they probably wouldn't have done so".
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What? The Echo "investigate " a story.? Don't make me laugh.

emcee wrote:

Colleen G wrote: Why would any airline come in to Southend when so many numpties are happy to travel the distance to the main airports and treated like a bit of excess baggage with non electric cattle prods! Why go to the customer when the dozy customer is happy to come to you!

You really do talk some nonsense sometimes. Who says the customer is "happy" to go to wherever they have to go to catch a flight. I have to travel two or three hours to get to an airport that handles flights to where I want to go with the airline I wish to go with. This does not mean I am happy about it. It is the only choice I have. However, if the choice to take these flights from my local airport was available I would drop the other airports like a stone. Also, I have never been treated like excess baggage because I have never flown with Ryan Air.

You sort of miss the point. You do have a choice DON'T GO to the other airports and spend your dough in sunny Southend instead. Is the misery and aggro really worth two weeks in Barcelona or wherever else these mugs go on a regular basis. At what point do you say *hang on they're taking the P* Are you really so, so desperate to get away you'd literally put up with anything and STILL pay them for the priviledge? LOL they see you mugs coming a mile off, no wonder they wont put themselves out these days. Why should they. If you tell them to shove it there'll be another 100 behind you lapping it up. All the airlines treat you like excess baggage only you're not smart enough to see it. Animals are required to be given more space to travel than humans, rightly so. If a human, who has a choice, still chooses to pay for garbage service than they're the mugs. I say turn Southend airport in to a huge brothel at least then you get something for your money apart from being shafted!

I doubt if Ryanair nor Easyjet would do much from Southend, but, last preveious times, foreign airlines would operate charter flights to Malta, Faro, Majorca, etc. I am sure FlyBe will be interested in expanded there scheduled services. Next month work should start on the runway extension, so good luck to everybody involved.

Why would Stobarts want to turn Southend airport in to a huge brothel, they have already got two, with eager staff that are more than willing to turn every trick in the book. They are located at the Rochford / Southend town halls.

vanilla ice wrote:
Why would Stobarts want to turn Southend airport in to a huge brothel, they have already got two, with eager staff that are more than willing to turn every trick in the book. They are located at the Rochford / Southend town halls.

Bit too classy for the likes of me there.

Someone really needs to inject a dose of realism into this airport debate :

It is highly unlikely that any serious passenger carrier would operate from Southend mainly due to it's location and the limitations of it's "catchment area".

One doesn't have to live too far from Southend (Chelmsford, Brentwood, Grays etc) where it becomes almost as quick to travel to an alternative, better equipped, larger airport as it takes to get into Southend (be it Gatwick, London City, Stansted or even Luton / Heathrow on a good day)

Also it's highly unlikely that any airline worth it's salt would hinder it's operations and likely sales by putting itself at such a logistical disadvantage to its competitors.

All those who think that the era of cheap passenger flights from Southend is around the corner are unrealistic and as for Stobarts, they are only really interested in freight movement.

Ivanna Goodhump wrote:
Someone really needs to inject a dose of realism into this airport debate : It is highly unlikely that any serious passenger carrier would operate from Southend mainly due to it's location and the limitations of it's "catchment area". One doesn't have to live too far from Southend (Chelmsford, Brentwood, Grays etc) where it becomes almost as quick to travel to an alternative, better equipped, larger airport as it takes to get into Southend (be it Gatwick, London City, Stansted or even Luton / Heathrow on a good day) Also it's highly unlikely that any airline worth it's salt would hinder it's operations and likely sales by putting itself at such a logistical disadvantage to its competitors. All those who think that the era of cheap passenger flights from Southend is around the corner are unrealistic and as for Stobarts, they are only really interested in freight movement.

How can anyone share such a ridiculous opinion! As posted by others many times before; Eddie Stobart are not only interested in freight. They have spent 12 million pounds on a passenger railway station. Millions more is about to be spent on a new terminal and associated development. In the grand plans there are no plans for a cargo terminal. Eddie Stobart has a genuine ambition to develop passenger services from Southend. Wake up! Smell the jet fuel! This is not all a smokescreen for a massive cargo only airport.
If I lived in Chelmsford or Brentwood, I would certainly use Southend as an alternative to Stansted once the new terminal is finished. It will be so much smaller and easier to travel from. Southend doe not have a limited catchment area. The airport is the most convenient for well over million people, and is just as easily accessed from London as Stansted or Luton. You have to remember that Southend was once only second to Heathrow.
To say that no ‘serious airline’ would fly from Southend is yet another example of total ignorance. FlyBe currently other scheduled flights from Southend, and could be a serious contender to operate a significant amount of flights in the future. They are the largest regional airline in Europe, currently operate 72 aircraft and have recently ordered 100 new, modern, environmentally considerate aircraft.
An expanded Southend Airport would be somewhat advantageous to an airline. It is closer to the continent, so reduces flying times. There would be no airfield congestion now seen t Heathrow, gatwock and Stansted. I think its fir to say that a minority will constantly listen to the complete and utter nonsense of SAEN. Anyway, the quote which this whole utter waste of time of this article has now been deleted by easyjet. Expect to see something bright orange and white flying in to Southend soon!

myhumbleopinion wrote:

Ivanna Goodhump wrote: Someone really needs to inject a dose of realism into this airport debate : It is highly unlikely that any serious passenger carrier would operate from Southend mainly due to it's location and the limitations of it's "catchment area". One doesn't have to live too far from Southend (Chelmsford, Brentwood, Grays etc) where it becomes almost as quick to travel to an alternative, better equipped, larger airport as it takes to get into Southend (be it Gatwick, London City, Stansted or even Luton / Heathrow on a good day) Also it's highly unlikely that any airline worth it's salt would hinder it's operations and likely sales by putting itself at such a logistical disadvantage to its competitors. All those who think that the era of cheap passenger flights from Southend is around the corner are unrealistic and as for Stobarts, they are only really interested in freight movement.

How can anyone share such a ridiculous opinion! As posted by others many times before; Eddie Stobart are not only interested in freight. They have spent 12 million pounds on a passenger railway station. Millions more is about to be spent on a new terminal and associated development. In the grand plans there are no plans for a cargo terminal. Eddie Stobart has a genuine ambition to develop passenger services from Southend. Wake up! Smell the jet fuel! This is not all a smokescreen for a massive cargo only airport. If I lived in Chelmsford or Brentwood, I would certainly use Southend as an alternative to Stansted once the new terminal is finished. It will be so much smaller and easier to travel from. Southend doe not have a limited catchment area. The airport is the most convenient for well over million people, and is just as easily accessed from London as Stansted or Luton. You have to remember that Southend was once only second to Heathrow. To say that no ‘serious airline’ would fly from Southend is yet another example of total ignorance. FlyBe currently other scheduled flights from Southend, and could be a serious contender to operate a significant amount of flights in the future. They are the largest regional airline in Europe, currently operate 72 aircraft and have recently ordered 100 new, modern, environmentally considerate aircraft. An expanded Southend Airport would be somewhat advantageous to an airline. It is closer to the continent, so reduces flying times. There would be no airfield congestion now seen t Heathrow, gatwock and Stansted. I think its fir to say that a minority will constantly listen to the complete and utter nonsense of SAEN. Anyway, the quote which this whole utter waste of time of this article has now been deleted by easyjet. Expect to see something bright orange and white flying in to Southend soon!

Here it comes. Oink oink :)

Oops! I answered my own question! Colleen G obviously agrees with Ivanna Goodhump. Someones got a chi on their shoulder, perhaps they should spend a fortnight in Barcelona!

Don't be suprised if BA even move in ?? they want to fly to Boston from LCY but again the runway is to short so they are looking at SEN , watch this space !
lets not forget Monach airlines,and all your holiday charter airlines.
Airlines will be fighting to get in and out of SEN, trust me !!!!

318 wrote:
Don't be suprised if BA even move in ?? they want to fly to Boston from LCY but again the runway is to short so they are looking at SEN , watch this space !
lets not forget Monach airlines,and all your holiday charter airlines.
Airlines will be fighting to get in and out of SEN, trust me !!!!

Exactly. Why should SEN be limited to the budget airline. There is nothing to stop premium airlines flying to and from SEN. Only one factor that may cause an issue is lounge and other premium facilities for business class travellers. If there isn't any then maybe that would put of some business class customers should such airlines offer a business class cabin on their routes. I do not know if business class travel and lounges have been factored into SENs plans but that is only a minor issue that can easily be included at a later time should it be necessary.

Mabye a little far fetched, but flights to Amercia could be possible, albeit with a fuel stop. This airport is a wonderful oppurtunity for Southend, yet still some people constantly are trying to undermine it.

myhumbleopinion wrote:
Mabye a little far fetched, but flights to Amercia could be possible, albeit with a fuel stop. This airport is a wonderful oppurtunity for Southend, yet still some people constantly are trying to undermine it.

An A319 (which may be the type that will used at SEN) has a range of 3600 miles fully loaded. The USA is, therefore, within reach from Southend without a fuel stop. Maybe other types of aircraft that will use SEN will be able to cope with the range required. Who knows what will be possible with new aircraft designs or tweaks to existing types.
However, it is quite possible that Ireland maybe a lucrative stop for a Southend - USA route and this could be the way airlines (whoever that may be) may want to play it should the USA be served.

At the end of the day, the Airport will announce operators or routes when it is appropriate to do so and none of us will know for sure who they are until that happens.
SAEN will keep giving out their ill thought out 'press releases'. But each day it becomes clearer and clearer they haven't got a clue what they are talking about (not that it wasn't already).
To say that the airport is not accessible is laughable. Perhaps they missed the PASSENGER station being built on the Eastern perimeter with direct access to Stratford and the City and eventually Cross rail.

The sooner the work is completed they better. Southend needs a boost, not groups of serial protestors hell-bent on trying to prevent employment and investment at the tax payers expense.

As a keen supporter of SAE (Southenders Against Everything) I welcome this news. The last thing this town needs is a massive regeneration bringing hundreds, if not thousands of new jobs. As I am now retired after making my fortune, the last thing I want is for future generations of people in Southend to have the same opportunity.

badgerlemerre wrote:
As a keen supporter of SAE (Southenders Against Everything) I welcome this news. The last thing this town needs is a massive regeneration bringing hundreds, if not thousands of new jobs. As I am now retired after making my fortune, the last thing I want is for future generations of people in Southend to have the same opportunity.

;)

A while ago I was driving down a road in London. On one side was a row of houses. On the other - heavy fencing, some car parking and planes landing. I was driving alongside the runway at Heathrow. So if Southend is too close to residential housing to be a busy airport, someone better tell BAA to shut down the UK's busiest!

What came first the chicken (airport) or the egg ( houses) ?

I posted this comment on the Get Satisfaction website as well as some comments about poor communication when we were significantly delayed on our return from Berlin to Luton (which still meant a long drive home after). Just to add to the Ryanair debate we stopped flying with them after the birth of our first when we felt we could not subject her to such poor care when we flew with them. Easyjet seemed worth a try and we have always been so well treated, the crew are always helpful. Getting back to the point. Who knows whether we will see easyjet at Southend but for the sake of the airport and my own selfishness which led me to post what I did in the begining, I really hope we do. Forget SAEN, the airport is vital to the local community and will not be nearly as bad as SAEN suggest when it is being properly utilised. Southend needs the airport as Southend needs the cash it will provide. Good luck London Southend Airport! And Welcome to Southend easyjet!