DERRY/LONDONDERRY
Join Date: Feb 2009
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Got a link for that David? No matter how hard I look I can't find a timetable on the BHD website.
Belfast City Apt
Thanks for that, but it has no affiliation, nor link to the official BHD website. In fact, I changed the BHD to LDY and got the timetables, obviously gathered from airlines, for Derry.
Useful link all the same! Cheers!
Useful link all the same! Cheers!
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Derry
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BHD FR and LDY
Did LDY lose its BRS to BHD when FR started operating from there or did it coincidentally cease at LDY and simultaneously commence at BHD?
Does Ryanair's operation in BHD affect LDY and vice versa or does FR view the two airports as separate markets?
The reason I pose these questions is that on the BHD forum some contributors are postulating the theory that following the announcement of a public inquiry into the runway extension at BHD that FR will up sticks and move its base to either BFS or LDY, either now because of the delay or later if the extension is refused. I think this is all unlikely, I think the runway extension issue affects only European flights and that Ryanair will want to maintain domestic routes at BHD regardless of the outcome of the public inquiry into the runway.
But could the inevitable delay to and even possible refusal of (unlikely in my opinion) permission for a runway extension encourage FR to start more European routes from LDY or are the two airports not connected in FR's mind. Would FR start more European routes from LDY anyway or would they be lost following a BHD runway extension? Or would Ryanair maintain Belfast domestic routes at BHD but start Belfast European flights from BFS (15 miles closer to the LDY catchment area).
Does Ryanair's operation in BHD affect LDY and vice versa or does FR view the two airports as separate markets?
The reason I pose these questions is that on the BHD forum some contributors are postulating the theory that following the announcement of a public inquiry into the runway extension at BHD that FR will up sticks and move its base to either BFS or LDY, either now because of the delay or later if the extension is refused. I think this is all unlikely, I think the runway extension issue affects only European flights and that Ryanair will want to maintain domestic routes at BHD regardless of the outcome of the public inquiry into the runway.
But could the inevitable delay to and even possible refusal of (unlikely in my opinion) permission for a runway extension encourage FR to start more European routes from LDY or are the two airports not connected in FR's mind. Would FR start more European routes from LDY anyway or would they be lost following a BHD runway extension? Or would Ryanair maintain Belfast domestic routes at BHD but start Belfast European flights from BFS (15 miles closer to the LDY catchment area).
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Londonderry
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In regards to what RYR do anywhere, it is a total mystery to me. Some of the decisions they have made at LDY in the past are baffling. If BHD do get their extension I feel RYR will expand there dramatically and push others out such as FlyBe or EZY up to LDY, which in the long run could be a good thing.
I think it is doubtful RYR will stick around at BHD long enough as the runway enquiry could take years and a heck of a lot of money to decide. Why would they stick around there when they can start any number of new routes from Belfast at BFS next week if they wanted. I can't see them leaving LDY either, as I presume they are getting a 'good deal' on landing fees etc.
It will be interesting to keep an eye on all this over the coming months though.
In regard to BRS, I think it was on the cards to be axed for a while even before they moved into BHD as the loads were mighty crap at times. Incidentally, does anyone know what the load factors are on LDY - LTN? Has this forced them to pull that route?
I think it is doubtful RYR will stick around at BHD long enough as the runway enquiry could take years and a heck of a lot of money to decide. Why would they stick around there when they can start any number of new routes from Belfast at BFS next week if they wanted. I can't see them leaving LDY either, as I presume they are getting a 'good deal' on landing fees etc.
It will be interesting to keep an eye on all this over the coming months though.
In regard to BRS, I think it was on the cards to be axed for a while even before they moved into BHD as the loads were mighty crap at times. Incidentally, does anyone know what the load factors are on LDY - LTN? Has this forced them to pull that route?
Speedbird, LTN averaged 106 pax in February, whilst STN averaged 128 pax. Considering a day-trip to London from Derry is now impossible, I'm surprised the numbers haven't fallen further.
Amelia, LDY-BRS was axed at least several months before BHD-BRS was announced. BHD-BRS averaged 85 pax in February.
The loads for LDY-BRS were undoubtedly good enough for a RE of BE to make a go of.
Ryanair base at Derry? Why now? Why ever? They've got what they want from LDY, and have no reason I can think of to create a base there.
Amelia, LDY-BRS was axed at least several months before BHD-BRS was announced. BHD-BRS averaged 85 pax in February.
The loads for LDY-BRS were undoubtedly good enough for a RE of BE to make a go of.
Ryanair base at Derry? Why now? Why ever? They've got what they want from LDY, and have no reason I can think of to create a base there.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Londonderry
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LTN averaged 106 pax in February, whilst STN averaged 128 pax
It's been a slow day here, so I thought I'd kill ten minutes by looking through some summer timetables for LDY.
Having expressed concerns about how full the terminal was last summer at peak times (i.e. Saturday afternoon, with flights to BHX and LTN departing within half an hour of each other!) it's interesting to see the following for the coming summer:
Wednesday afternoons:
Departures:
15.45 Birmingham
15.55 Salou
16.00 Prestwick.
Also, Sunday evenings:
19.35 Stansted
19.45 Dublin
20.10 Faro
21.25 Birmingham.
The apron, never mind the terminal building, will be pretty packed on the above examples. Now, add into the mix the possibility of a third operator, and delays, and one wonders if Derry Airport management should revisit the timetabling of movements at the airport.
On a Wednesday afternoon there's potential for more than 500 people to be in the terminal at the same time!!!
Good to see the place busy mind!!!!
Having expressed concerns about how full the terminal was last summer at peak times (i.e. Saturday afternoon, with flights to BHX and LTN departing within half an hour of each other!) it's interesting to see the following for the coming summer:
Wednesday afternoons:
Departures:
15.45 Birmingham
15.55 Salou
16.00 Prestwick.
Also, Sunday evenings:
19.35 Stansted
19.45 Dublin
20.10 Faro
21.25 Birmingham.
The apron, never mind the terminal building, will be pretty packed on the above examples. Now, add into the mix the possibility of a third operator, and delays, and one wonders if Derry Airport management should revisit the timetabling of movements at the airport.
On a Wednesday afternoon there's potential for more than 500 people to be in the terminal at the same time!!!
Good to see the place busy mind!!!!
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Londonderry
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The apron is a lot better now with proper nose-in stands and pushback procedures. That coupled with the overflow potential that the East apron, and at worst the west apron bring(west apron for lighter a/c only), along with what will be an excellent taxiway arrangement (new twy Bravo, and the further upgrading of Alpha, Charlie, Delta and Echo to let the big boys taxi off without backtracking the rwy), there should be no problem airside for ideally anything up to 7 - 8 Boeing 737 or Airbus sized aircraft. Could be interesting if there are a few 752's in at once though (unlikely).
The main concern here is the terminal which realistically needs to be double the size. And whatever happened to our arrivals/baggage area extension?
The main concern here is the terminal which realistically needs to be double the size. And whatever happened to our arrivals/baggage area extension?
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Derry
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add into the mix the possibility of a third operator
I don't know what is worse, the departures hall or arrivals with a carousel made for a Shorts 360.
And queueing out on to the tarmac for boarding Ryanair and then back in when there is immigration on. And usually in the rain!
Did they ever redeploy the second x-ray machine that used to sit at the front door doing nothing?
The terminal was clearly designed in the pre-Ryanair days when throughput was dictated by the likes of Loganair / Flybe operating small planes with regular frequencies.
And since the breakeven point of an airport is over 1 million pax p.a. one has to wonder was the terminal designed for failure?
Whatever the original capacity planned for, I'm pretty sure it wasn't for the possibility of up to 500 pax departing in 15 minutes (not taking into account a similar number arriving in the previous hour).
It's going to be an interesting summer at LDY.
It's going to be an interesting summer at LDY.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Derry
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Ridiculous parking charges
Who is going to park at LDY for a week (£45) or two (£80) when a taxi in and out of the city costs £25 return?
OK so people further a field may have no option though at those prices even they may get a lift, but by charging prices like that I would argue that the airport is not making money from a captive audience but is actually turning away a good source of revenue from passengers from Derry city. In other words, the exhorbitant charges are earning less than more reasonable charges would.
The charges should not be time based but more accurately set to compete against alternatives based on people's travelling patterns. Its OK to charge £10 for one day when a taxi costs £25 return but then the price should fall quickly to say £2 per day thereafter so that a week costs £22 and should then be frozen until after 15 days after which it would be reasonable to charge the current £5. That means anyone going for a week or two could consider parking at the airport. It would raise tens of thousands. Yes the carpark would need extended but then it would be an asset with an income stream. With current charges its only a matter of time before a private operator starts to provide parking. The loss making LDY is in no position to turn this source of income away.
I'm off tomorrow (Alicante) and I'll be in a taxi. Reducing the car parking from £80 to £25 for 15 days would not lose £55 as I was never going to pay £80, but failing to do it has lost LDY £25.
Well done as usual!
OK so people further a field may have no option though at those prices even they may get a lift, but by charging prices like that I would argue that the airport is not making money from a captive audience but is actually turning away a good source of revenue from passengers from Derry city. In other words, the exhorbitant charges are earning less than more reasonable charges would.
The charges should not be time based but more accurately set to compete against alternatives based on people's travelling patterns. Its OK to charge £10 for one day when a taxi costs £25 return but then the price should fall quickly to say £2 per day thereafter so that a week costs £22 and should then be frozen until after 15 days after which it would be reasonable to charge the current £5. That means anyone going for a week or two could consider parking at the airport. It would raise tens of thousands. Yes the carpark would need extended but then it would be an asset with an income stream. With current charges its only a matter of time before a private operator starts to provide parking. The loss making LDY is in no position to turn this source of income away.
I'm off tomorrow (Alicante) and I'll be in a taxi. Reducing the car parking from £80 to £25 for 15 days would not lose £55 as I was never going to pay £80, but failing to do it has lost LDY £25.
Well done as usual!
Join Date: Jul 2009
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I don't think there is an airport anywhere on the planet that has 'reasonable car parking charges'. BFS and BHD are absolutely awful too.
Hope you enjoy Alicante Amelia. Will be interesting to hear from you about the load going out on the first flight of the season.
Hope you enjoy Alicante Amelia. Will be interesting to hear from you about the load going out on the first flight of the season.
Join Date: Apr 2009
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First Alicante flight out looks like there are currently only 14 seats left. (Try booking 15 seats on Ryanair website - no flight, try booking 14 - huge price). So that would indicate 175 seat sold (based on 189 full aircraft) or about 93%.
Since this is the only flight to Alicante this month it will be possible to see if that was the case (on the aena.es website, the spanish equivalent of the caa.co.uk/statistics website, which breaks down outwards and inward flights, the caa website just showing the total of inward and outward).
Other flights are not as heavily loaded, all have at least 25 seats available (the maximum you can try and book on the Ryanair website) except for the flight from ALC on 12 April which has about 23 seats left, or about 88% full.
A few flights available in April and May for £23 outward and as little as £5 back, so don't know how they are booked but I wish I could get the time off!
Since this is the only flight to Alicante this month it will be possible to see if that was the case (on the aena.es website, the spanish equivalent of the caa.co.uk/statistics website, which breaks down outwards and inward flights, the caa website just showing the total of inward and outward).
Other flights are not as heavily loaded, all have at least 25 seats available (the maximum you can try and book on the Ryanair website) except for the flight from ALC on 12 April which has about 23 seats left, or about 88% full.
A few flights available in April and May for £23 outward and as little as £5 back, so don't know how they are booked but I wish I could get the time off!
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Derry
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93% load on the first flight is fantastic. Could we yet see an all year round service to ALC or FAO?
It didn't surprise me when the season was extended as early as Easter, I thought it an obvious move given the decent demand last year on the shorter season, but Easter is early this year, so you could actually see a shorter season next year if Easter is late, particularly if demand is low from Easter until the summer which it looks like it might be.
As to an all year service, I can't see it. BFS doesn't have that many flights to ALC during the winter and the weather is lousy. Tenerife or Lanzarote all year would work better.
Join Date: Nov 2006
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I don't think there is an airport anywhere on the planet that has 'reasonable car parking charges'. BFS and BHD are absolutely awful too.
EI-BUD