BMI Baby switch from BFS to BHD

[mysecretsmile]

Just heard from a colleague that the rumour mill
regarding BMI Baby at BFS has started again.

Apparently at the end of the summer timetable 2004,
BMI Baby will be following its main airlines move of 2 years
ago and will be switching from BFS to BHD.

Can anyone else confirm or deny this ?

I wonder what the benefits would be to the airline
for making such a move ? Surely they aren't going to
get a better land fee charge at BHD than the are currently paying
at BFS and why move from an airport with 24/7 capabilities
to one with very strict operating hours. (unless this is set to change in the near future)

[pcgavaghan]

Would BHD have the capacity to cope with Babys three routes from BFS? Also baby recieve further landing fees at BFS for opperating the route to cardiff as it starts and ends at a TBI airport.

[hushkit77]

Don't they have four routes?
Cardiff, Teeside, Manch, East Mids.
even more to fit in!

[Tower Ranger]

I can`t forsee many problems handling the extra movements for the City and when the opening hours get reviewed who knows what may happen.
Turn left at Bangor report field in sight and turn the lights out when your finished............

[glynn-kayes]

As I have said before,bmibaby have no plans to move to BHD and are quite happy with their contract at BFS.
Also mainline have only signed a five year contract with BHD which is shortly up for review,and are already talking to BFS to reinstate services from BFS to LHR.As the government white paper stated,the major expansion of air services from Northern Ireland should take place at BFS and it should remain the major airport for the province.

[Tower Ranger]

Interesting bit of cherry picking there Glynn, the white paper also estimated passenger growth at Bhd would rise to four million and recommended a review of the airport opening hours as it has a major part to play in the economy of the region. I`m surprised you missed that bit as you`re usually so thorough and unbiased. BMI have just audited their operations at both airports but I`m sure you will know how that went....

[glynn-kayes]

But Mr Tower,you seem to forget that I worked for the company for seven years and I think I know them a little bit better than your good self.Mr E****** who is one of the directors has slipped up to my ex collegues about future plans in Belfast and has hinted at a move.Also did you know that Bmi first officers are not allowed to take control of a flight on an airbus when flying to and from EGAC.It is widely known throughout the company that James Hogan F***ed them up before he left and bankrupted Ansett.He was the one responsible for the switch of airports at Belfast and also,did you know,when Ba announced their cancellation of the Bfs-Lhr route Bd did all they could to stop moving to Bhd.However it was too late,Hogan signed a binding contract.and it all started because Easyjet started an Amsterdam service.

[Busta Level]

Also did you know that Bmi first officers are not allowed to take control of a flight on an airbus when flying to and from EGAC

Not true! I flew a lovely visual approach onto EGAC04 just last Thursday. :D

If it was true, then my last 6 months of flights there would have been illegal :ooh:

[KAT TOO]

The story on the ramp here at EMA (Engineers& cleaners) is that the switch is to do with the second Embraer taking over the Belfast route and somwhere else. The talk last week was that a Manchester aircraft was coming to here to free up another 737 for more W pattern work through Gatwick, bet the regional crews at Manchester will be pleased though.

[with alacrity]

Hi KAT TOO

Little bit confused with your posting re: the second Embraer to do the Belfast route and somewhere else.
All the bmibaby routes that operate into BFS are flown by Boeing 737's and the website mentions that they have thirteen of them.
Have bmibaby now introduced smaller aircraft into their company?
Cheers W A

[KAT TOO]

Route-transfer to regional as per the BRU or so the rumour goes

[kpiko3]

with alacrity,

I heard not to long ago that BMI Baby have brought in 7 B737-300 aircraft into the fleet and the reason was to replace 5 737-500 aircraft.

Kpiko3

[glynn-kayes]

Bru was never a high load route,hence the decision to revert to BMI Regional and try to retain the business pax.As for Bfs-Ema,it is one of the high earners for WW at Nqt.

[Exospheric]

Word has it WW have a new love in Ireland, its an EI not an EG..

[MarkD]

EICK or EINN I hope :D

[Tom the Tenor]

bmi baby are already in love with Cork! There are other jealous suitors out there though, to be sure!

[BDWW]

Yes i think bmibaby are in love with Ireland in general. I've found out that Knock (NOC) is very likely to operate from EMA this summer and that the airline is also in talks with Shannon, possibly from winter 04.