So who will step in at BHX??

[bakedbean]

Just wondering if anyone has started to pick up routes from Duo. Mostly too slim for 737 or 319 but a Q400 might do the shorter ones. I would love to see Easy move in but who actually has the capacity with all the airlines stretched to the limit.
Great shame to hear Duo go but better for all if someone picks up the pieces and keeps the jobs here.

[unwiseowl]

I heard a bloke called Trefor or something like that is looking for a couple of Jetstream 31's.

[warkman]

I have heard on the local news that BA` will pick up three of the routes.

[False Capture]

BACX are picking-up the Vienna and Lyon flights, Geneva is also being considered.

[dada]

mytravel lite are doing really well in bhx - perhaps them?

[FlyboyUK]

From the BA press site:

British Airways CitiExpress will today, (May 5), launch flights direct from Birmingham International Airport to Lyon, Vienna and Nice and will increase capacity on existing services from Birmingham to Dusseldorf.

The airline will fly daily services to Lyon between May 5 and 16, increasing to twice daily from May 17. Daily flights to Vienna also begin on May 5. Flights to Nice will launch this weekend, with single flights operating each Saturday and Sunday.

The routes are being launched follow the cessation of flights at the weekend by Birmingham based Duo Airways.

Steve Cassidy, British Airways CitiExpress’ general manager – commercial, said: “We were genuinely saddened to hear of Duo’s situation. We immediately implemented some special fares to assist stranded passengers and we also called in extra staff to our ticket desk to help with inquiries and re-route passengers.

“Birmingham is an important base for us, we have been operating here for 65 years and felt it appropriate to respond positively to the gap left in the marketplace.”

Peter Vella, Birmingham International Airport’s business development director, said: “We are very pleased that British Airways CitiExpress has responded so quickly and decisively to this unfortunate situation.”

Fares start from as little as £109 return to Lyon, £129 to Vienna and £99 to Nice.
ends

For further information Roseanne Crossey 0121 767 7628


Notes to Editors
Schedule:

Dep Time Arr Time Dep Time Arr Time Notes
BHX 0820 LYS 1105 LYS 1140 BHX 1225 May 5-16
BHX 1745 LYS 2030 LYS 2105 BHX 2150 Sun-Fri
BHX 1140 VIE 1505 VIE 1545 BHX 1715 Sun-Fri
BHX 1140 NCE 1505 NCE 1545 BHX 1715 Sat-Sun

· British Airways CitiExpress is a wholly owned subsidiary of British Airways
· The airline has launched 14 new European routes within the last 18 months
· British Airways CitiExpress is the largest scheduled carrier at Birmingham International Airport, operating over 250 flights a week to 17 destinations

[Mark Lewis]

Good news for the passengers.
I notice on ba.com it is showing the LYS and NCE flights as being operated by a 146 and not an ARJ. Previously these were all at MAN, can anyone confirm that some 146s and 146 crews have been moved from MAN to BHX, or is it just incorrect on ba.com and they are all AR1s?

[GOLF-INDIA BRAVO]

What BACX routes are giving or are they chartering an aircraft in to operate these extra BHX flights

Golf India Bravo

[FlyboyUK]

Company intranet doesn't mention which fleets will be operating which routes. Does mention chartering Titan to cover one route for a short period of time

[warkman]

From BA executive Club:

New routes from Birmingham International Airport

British Airways is pleased to announce the launch of 3 new routes from Birmingham International Airport. The new services will be operated by British Airways CitiExpress, and are a reflection of the continued commitment of British Airways to flying you directly into Europe from Birmingham International Airport.

The new routes will be operated from 5 May 2004, with daily services to Lyon and Vienna*, and direct weekend flights to Nice. From 17 May the Birmingham - Lyon service will be increased to two flights a day.

Fly from Birmingham to:
Nice from GBP 99 return
Lyon from GBP 109 return
Vienna from GBP 129 return

All fares are return and include all taxes, fees and surcharges.

To book call your dedicated Executive Club number, visit http://www.ba.com or contact your travel agent.

Thank you for continuing to fly with us.

Yours sincerely,

Sharon Callaghan
Executive Club Manager