Originally Posted by Lite
Excellent news for BHX to get another middle-eastern carrier to supplement the fantastic service that Emirates already provides us. I hear that DOH & Qatar Airways are another one of the big up-and-coming airlines, although I have not personally sampled their service. It's good to see, especially as Gulf Air (or their all-economy Gulf Traveller division) were not able to launch their own Abu Dhabi service due to their financial issues, that there is market for a second Arab airline to BHX. Now all we need is a second American airline ...
It's my understanding that Monarch base two A321s for both scheduled & charter flights at the airport, and also use an A330 to operate some longhaul charters. Monarch are handled at BHX by Swissport, who I hear are doing very well with the BHX operation. Comments on ZB & Swissport would be appreciated ....
Still some confusion over Qatar as it has been reported that it is not on the airports or the airline website. I have e-mailed the airline press office direct and I await their reply.
Monarch will have three A321's based from the first week in May. Two on scheduled and one for Cosmos etc.
I have a friend who works as a Duty Officer for Swissport at BHX and the
last time I spoke to him he was in shock - he had just been told that they
have the Flybe contract from the 1st April. After a fairly quiet winter I think he realises that he is going to be a whole lot busier!
Swissport on the whole having been picking up contracts slowly but
flybe is the big one after the demise of Mytravellite. My opinion only but they seem a reasonable outfit. All I have to go on is the speed they get the airbridge or steps on the aircraft and how quick they are at check-in.
The times I have used them they have been very good.
OltonPete