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Originally Posted by GrahamK
Watch for Thomson expansion from CWL instead of BRS thanks to your FCA via MAN flights, which will porbably lose the company money 
So if Thomsons are happy at Cwl and want no part of l/h operations at Brs then let it be, more for FCA.
just one other point, where are they going to park these expansion a/c, What is CWL- 17 STANDS, BRS- 28 STANDS, with more on the way for next summer
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Crackling Jet - so many negative vibes! All the a/c aren't departing at the same time you know! They're actually spread out, we won't need masses of extra equipment, simply a question of efficient utilisation. Come watch it, it'll be a masterly example of effective use of stand space and staff availability. all depending on the arrival times of the coaches from Cardiff, traffic, roadworks, amount of alcohol consumed and any other unforeseen circumstances. Oh Gawd, maybe you're right after all! 
StandupfortheUlstermen
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From an Air Traffic point of view, my colleagues informed me that it all went smoothly this morning and it appears the airport operations peeps are happy as well.
No reason to expect the mass exodus tonight through tomorrow morning will be any different.
No reason to expect the mass exodus tonight through tomorrow morning will be any different.
Brunel to Concorde
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Originally Posted by GrahamK
Watch for Thomson expansion from CWL instead of BRS thanks to your FCA via MAN flights, which will porbably lose the company money
What is your rationale for saying these flights will probably lose the company money?
Furthermore, Thomson/TUI had already apparently decided that they would use CWL rather than BRS for their transatlantic charters before the First Choice BRS long haul initiative was made public, and Thomson/TUI might be expected in the future to expand their long haul route network from CWL anyway if things go well with the initial programme.
terrier,
Good to see you back. Still in the business in some capacity I presume.
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MV
Agree!
If things were that bad why would FC be bringing the start date for the SFB and POP forward to Feb 07?
Its simple really sales are , well lets just say damn good.
So within one month of the launch of a summer programme we have series long haul charter flights during the Winter - do you?
Agree!
If things were that bad why would FC be bringing the start date for the SFB and POP forward to Feb 07?
Its simple really sales are , well lets just say damn good.
So within one month of the launch of a summer programme we have series long haul charter flights during the Winter - do you?
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MerchantVenturer
MV, like yourself I believe, I am not currently in the Aviation business (hopefully that will change)
But from what I understand these FCA flights are operted using MAN based a/c.
So flying MAN-BRS-MAN-SFB/Whereever else will obviously cost FCA an extra set of fees at Manchester (which I understand is quite an expensive airport), therefore flights from BRS would have to be selling at higher prices to cover these extra costs I would have thought?
MV, like yourself I believe, I am not currently in the Aviation business (hopefully that will change)
But from what I understand these FCA flights are operted using MAN based a/c.
So flying MAN-BRS-MAN-SFB/Whereever else will obviously cost FCA an extra set of fees at Manchester (which I understand is quite an expensive airport), therefore flights from BRS would have to be selling at higher prices to cover these extra costs I would have thought?
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Originally Posted by redfield
Crackling Jet - so many negative vibes! All the a/c aren't departing at the same time you know! They're actually spread out, we won't need masses of extra equipment, simply a question of efficient utilisation. Come watch it, it'll be a masterly example of effective use of stand space and staff availability. all depending on the arrival times of the coaches from Cardiff, traffic, roadworks, amount of alcohol consumed and any other unforeseen circumstances. Oh Gawd, maybe you're right after all!
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Graham, do you honestly think FCA would do these services at a loss, were talking about First Choice here, the only one of the big 4 tour operators (TUI,T-COOK,MYTRAVEL,F-CHOICE) that came out of 9-11 with a profit which has continued to grow, if you take a look at FC's purchases over the last few years they've been in the niche markets such as adventure hols cruising and boating, where as the other big 3 have gone on to extra capacity in areas swamped by the locos, FC have also looked very hard into what people want from their basic hols and cut themselves away from the numerous budget brands that they used to operate, if you pick up virtually any FC brochure now, you'll find it hard to get less than a 3 star hotel, they also launched the now renowned long haul star class service and are now following that up with more long haul regional flights, because they've listened to what people want, the South west is an untapped market for long haul and FC are already reaping mass reward for it, it would of been stupid for FC not to do it especially as they can utilise the(ex Bakers Dolphin) FC shops that appear in every town high street from Gloucester to Cardiff and Swindon to Truro, by the time they have the 787 delivered in 3 years they'll be THE established long haul carrier from the area and flights will be going direct, I imagine that as MAN is not only the FCA Ops HQ but is also so big for them as a base they will have struck a very agreeable deal, and its not as if pax are disembarking, all it is is a pit stop!
Sorry my friend but i think you have forgotton the influence First Choice has over the industry, and if you think BRS is the airport success story of the last few years then First Choice would be the Tour Operator success of the last few years. PS No flight supps from BRS on longhaul and very agreeable pricing, internet showed 2 weeks in Cuba all inc for just over £500pp, you'd be stupid not to go!
By the way the a/c will probably be based for 5 days so it doesnt involve coming from MAN for every single longhaul flight either me ol fruit.
Sorry my friend but i think you have forgotton the influence First Choice has over the industry, and if you think BRS is the airport success story of the last few years then First Choice would be the Tour Operator success of the last few years. PS No flight supps from BRS on longhaul and very agreeable pricing, internet showed 2 weeks in Cuba all inc for just over £500pp, you'd be stupid not to go!
By the way the a/c will probably be based for 5 days so it doesnt involve coming from MAN for every single longhaul flight either me ol fruit.
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The rugby airlift is all over and there weren't any major issues to speak of. One or two of the flights operated late but that was to be expected I suppose. I left work at about 0400 on the Sunday morning and spent most of Monday morning in bed, until 1500 that is, I was back at work! Hopefully next time the final is staged in Cardiff it'll be between two English teams, then we won't have many extra flights!
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I know this is the Bristol forum, but I just have to pick a few people up on a point regarding Thomsonfly’s longhaul flights from Cardiff.
A point that seems to have been forgotten is that only their Orlando Sanford actually goes non-stop.
The Cancun is a split load with Dublin and the Puerto Plata a split load with Belfast International.
Note that they’re a split load, not just a tech stop, from what I gather they’re only boarding up to around 140 PAX in Cardiff with the rest joining in either DUB or BFS. First Choice plan to take a full passenger load out of Bristol, albeit via somewhere for a tech stop.
A point that seems to have been forgotten is that only their Orlando Sanford actually goes non-stop.
The Cancun is a split load with Dublin and the Puerto Plata a split load with Belfast International.
Note that they’re a split load, not just a tech stop, from what I gather they’re only boarding up to around 140 PAX in Cardiff with the rest joining in either DUB or BFS. First Choice plan to take a full passenger load out of Bristol, albeit via somewhere for a tech stop.
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I wish the BRS longhaul program all the best - but not without reservation...
Routing outbound via MAN is not usually just the quick techstop it seems. FCA ran a series of CUN's from BHX several years back, on a sunday morning when traffic levels were low at MAN.
Changing crew, loading Frt (yes makes it all more viable), and refueling ( a lot of fuel) all takes time. MAN airport in general were always pretty poor at sorting these few things. Turnrounds were minimum of one hour, often longer.
Most passengers became most agitated, and never wanted to do it again. Just hope this time round will be different (but not holding breath), and FCA's good reputation and name is not lowered in the area as a result.
30W
Routing outbound via MAN is not usually just the quick techstop it seems. FCA ran a series of CUN's from BHX several years back, on a sunday morning when traffic levels were low at MAN.
Changing crew, loading Frt (yes makes it all more viable), and refueling ( a lot of fuel) all takes time. MAN airport in general were always pretty poor at sorting these few things. Turnrounds were minimum of one hour, often longer.
Most passengers became most agitated, and never wanted to do it again. Just hope this time round will be different (but not holding breath), and FCA's good reputation and name is not lowered in the area as a result.
30W
Brunel to Concorde
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Does anyone know why easyJet is axing up to 2/3rds of its BRS to EDI and GLA programme on some days in June?
I was due to travel to Edinburgh and back on 7 June but have had an email from easyJet saying that for 'operational reasons' (the good old standby) my flights will not operate.
I have since done some test bookings on the easyJet website and it seems that, instead of three daily BRS-EDI rotations on weekdays, there are only two or one on most days in midweek and even on some Fridays, and BRS-GLA has been reduced from three daily rotations to two.
I did some random test bookings on other routes out of BRS for June and they all seem intact per advertised timetable, including the three daily BFS and NCL rotations, so it seems particularly odd that EDI and GLA (Bristol's two busiest routes) have been decimated in this way.
The cancelled flights seem to have been restored in the main in July, that is unless they are cancelled nearer the time.
I am especially annoyed because the flights were bought in an easyJet sale and you have to dial a national rate telephone number to get your money back.
I have to say that as an erstwhile strong supporter and user of easyJet I am not impressed. I can accept the odd cancellation by any airline as these things happen, but a month's worth of cancellations?
Wouldn't it make for better public relations for the airline to have the courtesy to explain why they have cancelled these flights instead of the bland and meaningless 'operational reasons'.
addendum
Just had a more detailed look now and it seems that the flights cancelled are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to/from EDI, commencing Wed 7 June.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays there is only one rotation instead of three and on Thursdays two rotations instead of three, except on Thur 29 June when there is only one. The timetable seems back on schedule in July except for the first two Fridays in the month when there are only two rotations instead of three.
I make this a total of nineteen rotations (38 flights) cancelled in June plus two more rotations cancelled in July.
As for BRS/GLA, from 7 June there are only two rotations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays instead of three, making a total of ten rotations cancelled in that month. Again, things seem to be back to normal in July.
I was due to travel to Edinburgh and back on 7 June but have had an email from easyJet saying that for 'operational reasons' (the good old standby) my flights will not operate.
I have since done some test bookings on the easyJet website and it seems that, instead of three daily BRS-EDI rotations on weekdays, there are only two or one on most days in midweek and even on some Fridays, and BRS-GLA has been reduced from three daily rotations to two.
I did some random test bookings on other routes out of BRS for June and they all seem intact per advertised timetable, including the three daily BFS and NCL rotations, so it seems particularly odd that EDI and GLA (Bristol's two busiest routes) have been decimated in this way.
The cancelled flights seem to have been restored in the main in July, that is unless they are cancelled nearer the time.
I am especially annoyed because the flights were bought in an easyJet sale and you have to dial a national rate telephone number to get your money back.
I have to say that as an erstwhile strong supporter and user of easyJet I am not impressed. I can accept the odd cancellation by any airline as these things happen, but a month's worth of cancellations?
Wouldn't it make for better public relations for the airline to have the courtesy to explain why they have cancelled these flights instead of the bland and meaningless 'operational reasons'.
addendum
Just had a more detailed look now and it seems that the flights cancelled are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to/from EDI, commencing Wed 7 June.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays there is only one rotation instead of three and on Thursdays two rotations instead of three, except on Thur 29 June when there is only one. The timetable seems back on schedule in July except for the first two Fridays in the month when there are only two rotations instead of three.
I make this a total of nineteen rotations (38 flights) cancelled in June plus two more rotations cancelled in July.
As for BRS/GLA, from 7 June there are only two rotations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays instead of three, making a total of ten rotations cancelled in that month. Again, things seem to be back to normal in July.
Last edited by MerchantVenturer; 25th May 2006 at 19:28.
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Nort sure about this one. Maintenance? Pilot shortage? Aircraft required for other routes? Ran out of orange paint? Something to do with the introduction of the new routes before the 9th a/c is available for delivery? Does anyone know?
Brunel to Concorde
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Hello redfield.
I've not been able to find out the reason(s) yet. I had to telephone easyJet to get my money back and the agent suggested that perhaps my flight had been overbooked. When I pointed out that if this was the case then so apparently had 37 others on the same route during June he said he had no idea of the reason then.
It cost me 86 pence in phone calls - easyJet will not let you do it online although they are quite happy to take your money online when you book.
I'm not sure how much, if anything, easyJet gets of the 86 pence, but at least I have the consolation of knowing I am contributing to BT's profits.
This sort of awful public relations seems symptomatic of British commerce at the present time (don't get me going on banks and other financial institutions) - an airline cancels flights, won't give a reason, then expects you to pay for the privilege of getting your money back.
Fortunately for me, there is another airline operating between BRS and EDI and GLA. I shall give them a go next time.
I've not been able to find out the reason(s) yet. I had to telephone easyJet to get my money back and the agent suggested that perhaps my flight had been overbooked. When I pointed out that if this was the case then so apparently had 37 others on the same route during June he said he had no idea of the reason then.
It cost me 86 pence in phone calls - easyJet will not let you do it online although they are quite happy to take your money online when you book.
I'm not sure how much, if anything, easyJet gets of the 86 pence, but at least I have the consolation of knowing I am contributing to BT's profits.
This sort of awful public relations seems symptomatic of British commerce at the present time (don't get me going on banks and other financial institutions) - an airline cancels flights, won't give a reason, then expects you to pay for the privilege of getting your money back.
Fortunately for me, there is another airline operating between BRS and EDI and GLA. I shall give them a go next time.
MV - it is because they have a shortage of pilots. To help alleviate the problem various measures are being taken. One of them is the cancellation of some flights. The ones picked are ones where the passengers have an alternative airline on the route, such as BRS to EDI/GLA. This is "less worse" than cancelling flights on routes where EZY is the only operator.
It is a shambolic state of affairs that I, and my colleagues, feel most embarassed about. I offer you my apologies for what it is worth.
Cheers
WWW
It is a shambolic state of affairs that I, and my colleagues, feel most embarassed about. I offer you my apologies for what it is worth.
Cheers
WWW
Brunel to Concorde
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Thank you WWW for this information, I appreciate it.
I only wish airlines and tour operators would be more open with their customers when these things happen. The 'operational reasons' facade is becoming a touch overplayed, and means little.
If an organisation cannot service its customers because of staff shortages why don't they say so?
I only wish airlines and tour operators would be more open with their customers when these things happen. The 'operational reasons' facade is becoming a touch overplayed, and means little.
If an organisation cannot service its customers because of staff shortages why don't they say so?
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Good fun with the WX over last day or so, still think we all did pretty well in BRS compared to our pals over the bridge, have a look at the CWL thread, total chaos by the sounds of it, just shows how better organized we are at BRS, although sometimes it doesnt seem it, but i'd rather of been a passenger from BRS instead of CWL this weekend 
MV - I feel you've become a victim of what is generally known as 'Sods Law' mate!
MV - I feel you've become a victim of what is generally known as 'Sods Law' mate!
Brunel to Concorde
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Whatever law it is H, they ought to change it. 
BTW, BRS seems to be having probs this evening - the airport arrival web page is showing seven diverts to other airports in the past three hours.
BTW, BRS seems to be having probs this evening - the airport arrival web page is showing seven diverts to other airports in the past three hours.