Airport.

[WTF]

1 hour ago, The Voice of Reason said:

Three wise men from the East arriving at Christmas time. 
 

Could be a good sign.
 

 

not another BS religion on the way ???

[Moghrey Mie]

15 hours ago, Banker said:

New NEDS for airport, seem very experienced 

https://www.gov.im/news/2023/nov/30/advisers-appointed-to-support-project-exploring-future-of-isle-of-man-airport/?fbclid=IwAR18DYAQjOxDq2bfHPVh0n-SoaJvirzQOs5AJf5K-dzmSPwoTi2tole9KYE

Another standard media release from IOM government. Did Tim Crookall really say that or was it written for him?

[Andy Onchan]

13 hours ago, Gladys said:

Hate to seem to disagree, but NEDS (as a general statement of how these things work) are part of the board and are there to provide the benefit of their experience to the other executive members.  They are not executives, that is right, but they are members of the board nevertheless, ie part of the decision making body. 

Any of them been commercial pilots, by any chance?

[Non-Believer]

43 minutes ago, Moghrey Mie said:

Another standard media release from IOM government. Did Tim Crookall really say that or was it written for him?

It would have to be written for him, I don't think he has the ability to do it himself...

[code99]

15 hours ago, Stu Peters said:

Typical MF: ‘the airport is a disgrace and something should be done’. 

Three hugely impressive NEDs with significant relevant expertise appointed at a cost of maybe just £10k per year total and people are kicking off.

I met them yesterday for the first time. These are exactly the kind of people we need to steer the airport back on track and make flying bearable again.

Back in April this year Chris Thomas said that it could cost up to £300m to ‘fix’ the Airport. I am not questioning the three NEDS’ professional experience, expertise or any other potentially positive aspects about their appointments. I am questioning the whole principle of the Government ‘privatising’ core public infrastructure.

In 2019 York Aviation LLC was commissioned to undertake a review of The Isle of Mann Airport’s Operations. They said in their report that; a) there was a lack of transparency of financial information relating to the Airport, and, b) their best estimate was that the Airport had a trading deficit of £3.7m annually. That estimated deficit excludes any capital expenditure and also the subsequent detrimental impacts of Covid (it was a pre-Covid report), and also all of the flight cancellation problems we have had recently. I therefore estimate that the true annual loss of the Airport today is currently somewhere in the range of £5m-£6m. No private operator will take on an operation that is making this sort of a loss – unless they are able to massively change the terms and conditions of employees, increase air-passenger duties and landing fees, etc. etc.

If the Airport is privatised, then another critical piece of Manx infrastructure will be left in the hands of private operators, who’s top concern will be generating profits for themselves. At the end of the day, after they have ‘squeezed every last drop of blood’ out of everything, and the whole place is run-down, the private operator will then probably come back to the IOMG and ask for a hefty bailout.

The excerpt from the Government’s public announcement is a clear indication that the Government is seriously considering the running of the Airport at arm’s length and that the three NEDS have been appointed to advise on this seemingly headlong desire for the Government to absolve themselves from another responsibility. IMHO, if they do this, this will inevitably lead to the decline of yet another crucial public service – just like what is happening with Manx Care and Steam Packet, e.g., it becomes impossible for the politicians (Ministers, MHKs) to have any direct influence over the long waiting lists at Noble's.

If IOM residents are concerned about the business model that Manx Care and the Steam Packet operate under, then the same concerns should apply to what is being proposed for the Airport: "Arm’s-Length Airport Plan Voted Through by Tynwald".

[Numbnuts]

3 hours ago, asitis said:

I am reliably informed Cobb is aware of one major issue with ATC but so far hasn't done anything about it !

But that would mean a payout and unwelcome press interest. Allegedly …

[cheesypeas]

13 hours ago, Nellie said:

That rumour has been around for a while, but it makes a lot of sense and I hope it happens.

LCY has been poorly run by Loganair, with frequent cancellations, and few passengers. Those facts are probably closely connected.

A better schedule to LHR should open up both better connectivity to BA, and better point to point options. 

But are slots available? 

 

 

It’s not a rumour. It’s just when not if. 

[NoTailT]

2 hours ago, IOM said:

Loganair have quite a few flights going into London Heathrow from Ireland and Scotland so maybe they might want to switch one of those slots to the Isle of Man instead . 

Haven't they just recently announced they are dropping Dundee or somewhere else in Scotland, can't remember where.

[Andy Onchan]

15 minutes ago, NoTailT said:

Haven't they just recently announced they are dropping Dundee or somewhere else in Scotland, can't remember where.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23927879.scotland-flights-glasgow-airline-loganair-axes-routes/

[madmanxpilot]

On 8/31/2023 at 11:35 AM, madmanxpilot said:

The job description, personnel specification and these comments I’ve been made aware of, show that the Airport Director evidently just wants someone to guide him through the Future Form and Function process.

Apart from one line in the introductory paragraph of the document relating to that process, there is no acknowledgement of the real issues that cause the majority of delays and cancellations, and certainly no mention of an intention to resolve them.

Even that one line has been dealt short thrift, with prices quoted for infrastructure improvements that would actually be impossible to  implement here. That says so much about how well it has been investigated.

Until the real issues that we are blighted by are put front and centre, nothing will ever change regarding the poor frequency and reliability of our air services.

I was going to add opinion to the discussion regarding the recent airport board appointees, but what I said back in August remains my view.

The appointees all have connections with HIAL or have worked with Mr Cobb before, I find that difficult to reconcile as a coincidence.

 

2 hours ago, code99 said:

The excerpt from the Government’s public announcement is a clear indication that the Government is seriously considering the running of the Airport at arm’s length and that the three NEDS have been appointed to advise on this seemingly headlong desire for the Government to absolve themselves from another responsibility. 

Totally agree. 

[madmanxpilot]

4 hours ago, The Voice of Reason said:

Three wise men from the East arriving at Christmas time. 

You mean two wise men. And a wise lady.

[madmanxpilot]

2 hours ago, Andy Onchan said:

Any of them been commercial pilots, by any chance?

Those that did apply were told that they didn't have relevant 'Board Experience'. 

[asitis]

11 minutes ago, madmanxpilot said:

The appointees all have connections with HIAL or have worked with Mr Cobb before, I find that difficult to reconcile as a coincidence.

Of course we knew this was happening well before the event, so no it's not a coincidence !

Open post application process my arse !

Edited December 1, 2023 by asitis

[manxman8180]

1 hour ago, cheesypeas said:

It’s not a rumour. It’s just when not if. 

I wouldn't be so sure.....fat lady only just started warming up on this one yet.

[Nellie]

1 hour ago, cheesypeas said:

It’s not a rumour. It’s just when not if. 

I hope it happens, and I hope that the clowns at the DfE aren't paying to make it happen.

But, until Loganair, the Airport or the DfE make an announcement, and the flights go on sale, it is just a rumour......