As one of the UK's fastest-growing regional airports, serving a major catchment area on the South Coast, Southampton has ambitious plans. Leon Barber reports. Regional airports generally have significant advantages over the major international gateways: compactness coupled to convenience. No long-distance hikes from check-in to gate. Car parks that are close by and do not require a second mortgage. And no lengthy waits for the baggage to appear on the carousel. Add to that locations that tend to be within a few minutes' drive of city centres, and it is not difficult to understand the growing popularity of these secondary airports. Southampton is a good example. One of Europe's fastest-growing regional gateways, it is a mere four miles (6.4km) from the heart of town. Its reputation as the fast-track airport is apt, too. Despite the fact it handled a record 1.85 million passengers last year – up 20% on 2004 – delays at check-in are minimal and the average wait for bags after touchdown is 15 minutes. The atmosphere is both friendly and efficient. To underline the point, it was voted among the world’s top three airports in last year’s Daily Telegraph poll, up there with Singapore Changi and Dubai. One of seven UK airports operated by BAA, Southampton has flights to 39 destinations, operated by 14 airlines and tour operators, with worldwide connections provided by Air France via Paris, and ScotAirways and KLM through
Amsterdam Schiphol. Low-cost carrier Flybe maintains the biggest network with 27 routes, adding Cherbourg in May with three departures a week. Other airlines include BA Connect, British Airways’ rebranded regional operator that takes over from CitiExpress next month; Eastern Airways, which last November launched its first international route with a service between Southampton and Brussels, and is adding the Isle of Man from March 6; Aer Arann (Cork); and Skybus, operating services to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Aurigny, which has been flying to Alderney for 36 years and is Southampton’s longest serving airline, was expecting to carry its one millionth passenger on the route last month. And Club 328, the airport’s resident executive jet operator, recently took delivery of the first two of four new Raytheon Beechcraft Premier 1 light jets. With its port and growing commercial importance as a regional hub, Southampton has a population catchment area of 2.5 million within one hour of the airport, which is located adjacent to a major motorway interchange (M3/M27). It also sits alongside the mainline railway linking the city and London, with the benefit of its own station within walking distance of the airport terminal. This year will see work starting on a new pedestrian bridge that will make for even easier access. Another new development will be the opening this spring of an airside business lounge for use by passengers of all airlines. A draft master plan, published last year, sets out the airport's vision for the future, with anticipated passenger numbers rising to 6 million by 2030, and the need for a possible second terminal to cope with the increased demand. At-a-glance guide
Location: 6.4km/4 miles from the city centre, on the interchange junction of the M3 and M27 motorways
Transport links: Southampton Airport (Parkway) railway station is within walking distance of the terminal, with up to three trains an hour to Southampton (7 minutes) and to London Waterloo (60minutes); a regular bus service (route 101) operates between the airport, Southampton University and the city centre, with up to two departures an hour (during university term time); Solent Blue Line and Uni Link also offer a number of options from the railway station; the taxi journey into town takes between 10 and15 minutes and costs £8-£9 (€12.70-€13.20)
Annual passenger throughput: 1.85 million
Minimum connecting time: 30 minutes
Executive lounges: British Airways (for silver, gold and premier cardholders); Flybe; new airside lounge opening in the spring
Facilities: wireless internet access throughout the terminal; designated smoking area; left luggage; free trolleys; range of shops, restaurants and cafes
Banks/cashpoints: a Barclays bank cash dispenser (ATM) is located between the bureau de change and WHSmith’s outlet on the main concourse, before security control
Hotels: Botley Park Hotel, Chilworth Manor, De VereGrand Harbour, Hilton Southampton, Holiday Inn Eastleigh, Holiday Inn Southampton, Lainston House, Marriott Meon Valley, Potters Heron Corus
Car rental desks: Alamo, Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, National
Passenger tax: included in ticket price
Website: www.southamptonairport.com
| 
|
