Should VS relocate?

A random subject that I was thinking about on the way home last night....

....why don't VS take the opportunity to relocate from Gatwick to Stansted? Stansted is going to seriously expand over the next 10/15 years with a new runway and terminal (and has just had its capacity for the current runway extended) so this could become the next serious hub for expansion for VS with LHR slots at a premium.

STN is located a similar distance to London as LGW, it has good road links, good rail links. Given that LGW is not up for expansion it doesn't really give VS the opportunity to expand its routes from here in strategic terms.

I know we are in tough times so I am not proposing this immediately - more thinking about future strategy.

This may be a stupid idea - so feel free to shoot me down for it but I wanted to see what everyone else thought.....









Edit to thread title by mod for clarity ......Nick

[Decker]

Stansted? I'd rather crash in Brighton...

[Nottingham Nick]

I wouldn't have any objections to a move to Stansted, but the costs of any move would be astronomical.

I know there was talk some years ago of the whole operation moving to a non-London airport in the midlands, that was next to a train line. The idea was that London bound passengers would de-plane straight onto a Virgin train, and the immigration formalities would be sorted as the train sped towards the capital. They would then pick their baggage up as they got off the train.

The idea was that it would be landing to Central London in about an hour - far quicker than from LHR or LGW.

That was all scotched when Virgin didn't get the franchise for the east coast main line.

Nick

I wasn't talking about the whole operation (i.e. LHR as well) - purely LGW fleet allowing them to firstly expand the leisure routes (when times are better) but also allowing them to have another major business hub as well as LHR.

Decker - not a fan of Stansted then??

Thanks for the PM Nick btw.

now that RB is hoping to buy LGW I can't see that relocation happening, but I totally agree that Stanstead would be better - and I'm not biased even though I live in Essex as LGW is quicker for me to get to!

Nothing against LGW but it's a dog of a place to get to. Unless ofcourse you live south/southeast. Stanstead would be a much easier place to get to. Not that any of this counts for anything, as always it comes down to cost and viability.


NOC

Originally posted by flyerdavid
A random subject that I was thinking about on the way home last night....

....why don't VS take the opportunity to relocate from Gatwick to Stansted? Stansted is going to seriously expand over the next 10/15 years with a new runway and terminal (and has just had its capacity for the current runway extended) so this could become the next serious hub for expansion for VS with LHR slots at a premium.

STN is located a similar distance to London as LGW, it has good road links, good rail links. Given that LGW is not up for expansion it doesn't really give VS the opportunity to expand its routes from here in strategic terms.

I know we are in tough times so I am not proposing this immediately - more thinking about future strategy.

This may be a stupid idea - so feel free to shoot me down for it but I wanted to see what everyone else thought.....



Edit to thread title by mod for clarity ......Nick

Stansted gets my vote,it's only a 50 minute drive to get there, against a two hour drive to LGW or more if the M25 is stacked up[n]

Yep, deffo Stansted[y]

Don't care a whit, never go to LGW now, the last time was when the VS BOS flights departed from there year's ago. Btw, I hear it's full of chavs isn't it [B)].

Could move to TOM for all I care [:p].

I did hear a rumour some years ago that VS were offered the opportunity to relocate completely to STN but decided against it. From my own, purely personal, point of view (living in Cambridge) it woudl havebeen wonderful, but I can see many arguments against it. Not least that STN is now the low-cost airport par excellence and it is showing.

Chris

Sorry to all you STN fans but I can't imagine anything worse!

Being in the Westcountry, STN would be a nightmare to get to and I think Gatwick is the best connected rail wise. Also there are more frequent flights from PLH or NQY to LGW - where as STN gets one lonely FR flight a day from NQY at awful times.

I would rather VS spent the money on upgrading its LGW fleet.

[Decker]

Actually a paraphrased Pam Ann quote but never mind

I love Pam Ann (not in the biblical sense)

Might be looking to relocate to Boriswick.