PIK

[Clive]

Bidders circle PIK apparently.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/glas ... -g8lz396h3

I can’t see the article and it was obviously written by a half wit due to the headline about ‘Elvis Airport’ but if anyone can see it,

1. Why you subscribe to The Times? and
2. What’s the info on potential buyers lining up for PIK?

[cammyboy]

https://archive.is/jkvRH

[Clive]

https://archive.is/jkvRH

Thanks cammtboy. I was right about the author being a half wit.

So the former chairman want to buy it in conjunction with a Canadian fund management company which is involved with WestJet. Interesting revelations that the Scot Gov may have conditions that it is used as an airport for 5 years and not bulldozed for property development in that short timeframe. The stuff about a WestJet hub is complete bollox from a journalist who knows nothing about the industry, as is all the political claptrap he or she is spouting. Lest we forget, the Tories would have let it die and all the jobs and economic input die with it. When it is sold to the private sector the Scottish Government will rightly be lauded locally for giving a damn.

[Iain]

https://archive.is/jkvRH

Thanks cammtboy. I was right about the author being a half wit.

Yes, more laughable nonsense from journalists that know nothing about aviation!

Prestwick offers significant advantages over Scotland’s two larger airports, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Its long runway means it can handle fully-laden large aircraft such as the Airbus A380 “superjumbo’; the airport already has a dedicated rail link into Glasgow; and it is rarely blighted by fog, unlike many competitors in the UK and Ireland.

Because obviously GLA and EDI can't handle large aircraft like the A380, 777 or A350 - despite the fact these airports handle exactly these aircraft daily! Not to mention one wonders where exactly the pax are going to come from at PIK to fill an A380 so it is "fully laden"?

How many flights have had to divert from GLA or EDI due to fog in the last year? I'm guessing the answer is probably very close to zero?

If PIK has all these "significant advantages" over other Scottish airports, one wonders why no airline other that FR has shown any real interest in flying there in the last decade - and FR only seem to be there because its dirt cheap!

I see that also claim PIK is on the "outskirts of Glasgow" - I think they need geography lessons.

He was likewise tight-lipped on any plans he and his Canadian backers have for the airport. Onex has a pedigree in aviation, however, with its ownership of WestJet. It would not be ridiculous to assume that the carrier could establish Prestwick as a long-haul hub for flights that could head east to Asia.

Yes it would be ridiculous.

[Iain]

Indeed, here's another perspective:

https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/2024/0 ... idder/amp/

While it has a long runway that is fog-free and can handle large aircraft, doubts have been cast on suggestions that it could be established as a long-haul hub.

The source told Daily Business that the airport should terminate passenger services which are a drain on its resources.

“They need to maintain all the infrastructure around it, check-in and baggage handling, security, for a small number of passengers. It’s just adding to the costs,” said the source who added that it is a poor passenger experience as there are so few facilities.

He said the whole facility should be given over to maintenance and aerospace development work “which is what it is good at, and known for”.

[Clive]

Indeed, here's another perspective:

https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/2024/0 ... idder/amp/

While it has a long runway that is fog-free and can handle large aircraft, doubts have been cast on suggestions that it could be established as a long-haul hub.

The source told Daily Business that the airport should terminate passenger services which are a drain on its resources.

“They need to maintain all the infrastructure around it, check-in and baggage handling, security, for a small number of passengers. It’s just adding to the costs,” said the source who added that it is a poor passenger experience as there are so few facilities.

He said the whole facility should be given over to maintenance and aerospace development work “which is what it is good at, and known for”.

Totally correct. And I’m sure this is ultimately what will happen.

[Clive]

A You Tuber takes a flight from PIK and has a couple of controversial opinions https://youtu.be/h5lgT3SXQlI?si=LlCPZBsg6FUKUEOI

[Skytrance]

A You Tuber takes a flight from PIK and has a couple of controversial opinions https://youtu.be/h5lgT3SXQlI?si=LlCPZBsg6FUKUEOI

Yeah I watched this the other day and was like what
Totally deluded.

[atuk]

Which part was deluded? Of course the fact that Wizz started Scottish ops at PIK has been overlooked but the rest is a very honest opinion of what the place is like.

On the other hand, PSA needs to be a GLA route.

It used to be. British Caledonian, Court Line, Monarch, British Midland, bmi then ditched!

TUI could make it work if they used either an E295 or Airbus 220 but sadly it’s Ryanair monopoly from PIK plus EDI.

[Skytrance]

Which part was deluded? Of course the fact that Wizz started Scottish ops at PIK has been overlooked but the rest is a very honest opinion of what the place is like.

On the other hand, PSA needs to be a GLA route.

That was my opinion, Yes Wizz started Scottish ops there that's fair.
However the airport is tired has hardly any flights and has 2 far busier better connected airports to the north.
Far better it concentrates on what its good at military, maintenance and cargo.