In message
, at
15:38:19 on Sun, 26 Oct 2008, Richard Adamfi
remarked:
I suspect, in hindsight, NatEx are glad they got out of GatEx when they did,
with Southern already reporting that demand is softening. Indeed, the
enhanced Brighton main line service (from December) now looks somewhat
ill-timed.

Well, if GatEx patronage is indeed declining, then Brighton line
passengers can fill the empty seats. If Gatwick continues to lose the
business of full service airlines and replace them with low cost
carriers, its passengers are more likely to choose budget options of
getting to the airport. If decline continues, then maybe the GatEx
will extend to Brighton for the rest of the day, not just peak hours.

The "downturn" at Gatwick is a combination of full-fare airlines
switching to Heathrow [1] as a result of the Open Skies deal, and XL
going broke. But European scheduled traffic (Easyjet, perhaps) was up
9%, giving a total effect of -7% for the month of September (compared to
September last year).

[1] Gatwick north Atlantic traffic down 44%
--
Roland Perry