Aviation strategy must do more for west of Scotland

[FlyGLA]

As has been stated, and conveniently intoned by some, the Govt won’t skew the competition where that exists but they will help secure an interested airline to Scotland because of the economic benefits that brings. Unfortunately it’s GLA bosses who have to present a business case to airlines and get them on the hook before they even get to that stage. They have to find the answer to why would an airline want to come to GLA when they could go to or stay at EDI. Not even having a bus link to the tourist Mecca of Edinburgh doesn’t help one bit. Even if it costs money it’s not a thing that can be scrimped on in my book.

WestJet clearly saw a business case for serving GLA-YHZ/YYZ, as they did so for several years. Suddenly, public money appears, and the flights are shifted to EDI. We've seen this before — when CO was offered significant funds to fly from EDI despite already serving GLA. It was questionable then, and it's questionable now.

[kenneth1]

EDI has been the politically preferred airport since the last UK Labour government when the then transport minister Alistair Darling announced that EDI would get a second runway, and later this preference has continued with the subsidising support from the Scottish parliament and of course not to forget the support for Prestwick (Glasgow’s other airport!!).

[Clive]

As has been stated, and conveniently intoned by some, the Govt won’t skew the competition where that exists but they will help secure an interested airline to Scotland because of the economic benefits that brings. Unfortunately it’s GLA bosses who have to present a business case to airlines and get them on the hook before they even get to that stage. They have to find the answer to why would an airline want to come to GLA when they could go to or stay at EDI. Not even having a bus link to the tourist Mecca of Edinburgh doesn’t help one bit. Even if it costs money it’s not a thing that can be scrimped on in my book.

WestJet clearly saw a business case for serving GLA-YHZ/YYZ, as they did so for several years. Suddenly, public money appears, and the flights are shifted to EDI. We've seen this before — when CO was offered significant funds to fly from EDI despite already serving GLA. It was questionable then, and it's questionable now.

No that wasn’t what happened. WestJet decided to close their eastern long haul ops altogether and consolidate at YYC. We were a victim of that as were all of their other European stations. Sadly when they soon revisited that idea EDI was willing and able to secure them for Scotland and GLA was overlooked.

To suggest that the SG had a hand in any of that is both wrong and insular. It was a global strategy at YYC HQ and nothing to do with central Scottish parochialism.

[Clive]

EDI has been the politically preferred airport since the last UK Labour government when the then transport minister Alistair Darling announced that EDI would get a second runway, and later this preference has continued with the subsidising support from the Scottish parliament and of course not to forget the support for Prestwick (Glasgow’s other airport!!).

That doesn’t make sense. Is it PIK or is it EDI the SG unfairly support or is it actually neither? If you read the article they confirm that of course they are neutral in the local airport wars but of course it’s their duty to invest in the economic opportunities that arise when they arise so that Scotland gets a return on taxpayer’s money.

[Clive]

No that wasn’t what happened. WestJet decided to close their eastern long haul ops altogether and consolidate at YYC. We were a victim of that as were all of their other European stations. Sadly when they soon revisited that idea EDI was willing and able to secure them for Scotland and GLA was overlooked.

Not exactly, the part about consolidation at YYC is correct but don't forget that YYC-EDI was subsequently announced. It wasn't long before YYZ and YHZ made a comeback, they could have quite easily been operated from GLA as YYZ had operated from both GLA and EDI the year before.

Yes it was a huge blow that GLA couldn’t secure the YYC route. But given its all wan market, why would the airline not choose EDI even if all charges, incentives and marketing aid were the same? In other words what more can GLA do except fund a bus link to Edinburgh? Answers on a postcard.

[FlyGLA]

No that wasn’t what happened. WestJet decided to close their eastern long haul ops altogether and consolidate at YYC. We were a victim of that as were all of their other European stations. Sadly when they soon revisited that idea EDI was willing and able to secure them for Scotland and GLA was overlooked.

Not exactly, the part about consolidation at YYC is correct but don't forget that YYC-EDI was subsequently announced. It wasn't long before YYZ and YHZ made a comeback, they could have quite easily been operated from GLA as YYZ had operated from both GLA and EDI the year before.

Yes it was a huge blow that GLA couldn’t secure the YYC route. But given its all wan market, why would the airline not choose EDI even if all charges, incentives and marketing aid were the same? In other words what more can GLA do except fund a bus link to Edinburgh? Answers on a postcard.

Why do you keep bringing up this "one market" argument?

If WestJet preferred EDI, they would have chosen it from the start, but they didn’t. Neither did Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Air Canada, Continental/United, or Emirates—just to name a few. Yet, somehow, they all end up consolidating at what was originally their second-choice airport.

[Clive]

Not exactly, the part about consolidation at YYC is correct but don't forget that YYC-EDI was subsequently announced. It wasn't long before YYZ and YHZ made a comeback, they could have quite easily been operated from GLA as YYZ had operated from both GLA and EDI the year before.

Yes it was a huge blow that GLA couldn’t secure the YYC route. But given its all wan market, why would the airline not choose EDI even if all charges, incentives and marketing aid were the same? In other words what more can GLA do except fund a bus link to Edinburgh? Answers on a postcard.

Why do you keep bringing up this "one market" argument?

If WestJet preferred EDI, they would have chosen it from the start, but they didn’t. Neither did Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Air Canada, Continental/United, or Emirates—just to name a few. Yet, somehow, they all end up consolidating at what was originally their second-choice airport.

I guess they all read this forum and realised it was “all the wan market BTW”. If it is we’re fuqqued.

[FlyGLA]

Maybe it’s reading the Glasgow ned patter on here that's got them all heading for the hills—and honestly, who could blame them?