Manchester aviation viewing area

[Mike]

A 'damp squid'? I think you mean 'squib' - it's another name for a firework or explosive.

[andygolfer]

all squid live in the sea hence they tend to be damp (or wet) and need to be otherwise they die.

anyway back to the topic, these days airports only tend to cater for enthusiasts if it doesn't cost them money, if a service costs them money then they stop. Imagine if the services were subsidised , where would that money come from - ultimately the aircraft passengers who (if they found) out would complain that they were subsidising someone else's hobby. Unfortunately airports are businesses and have to make profits for the stakeholders and to keep passengers costs as low as they can so they don't fly from elsewhere.

Re detouring a bus service, if that service is profitable (it must be otherwise they would have stopped it) then it's probably carrying a lot of passengers who are either airport workers or aircraft passengers - imagine the outcry if they couldn't get to the airport on time because the bus was full because of enthusiasts.

and why do they keep building car parks? because that's one of their biggest sources of revenue (as at most airports). airport shopping is another which is why many airports prefer airlines to biz jets.

the airport website says that the no.200 bus goes there, here's a timetable : http://springfieldbus.co.uk/200.pdf I've no idea how current that is. Also service 88 from Altringham bus station / railway station runs on Wilmslow road stops at Sunbank Lane which is about 1/2 mile walk to the viewing park and there are services from the terminal to Avro Way (18, 19 & 44),again about 1/2 to 3/4 mile walk so there are buses nearby even if you can't get right to the entrance gate

[Undertaker]

The web site for the Viewing Park says this

By Bus: Runway Visitor Park is serviced only on Sundays and Bank holidays by the 288 service, Please see timetable for full details

https://tfgm.com/public-transport/bus/r ... er-airport


Not much good really

[617 squadron]

I am very disappointing that the shuttle bus has stopped from the airport to the viewing area. I visited the airport today after a two year absents, only to be told that the bus to the viewing area had stopped. So advised to take a bus to the cargo terminal, and walk. After walking to the viewing area, and getting wet , I was told by staff at the TAS shop, that the council said the bus was not viable, and not making money, (same old story). I also see that the airport is getting bigger, with new car parks and buildings.

After a hour or so at the viewing area, I got a taxi to the airport pub (£7.80 fare) and had a bar meal. I guess the rain made the day a damp squid and not much to write home about. I did find My way back to the terminal 3 and across to terminal 1, to catch the train home.

In a nutshell,not all people use a car to get around, so its harder to have a good day out at the viewing area. Would it be so hard to put a bus on a slight detour, even if it was every two hours, to and from the airport??

David

Did you not think of checking if the bus service was still operational before you made the journey, I know that I would have done!