BELFAST - 2
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Edinburgh
Age: 44
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I imagine it may well be Scot Airways that set the prices (or at least they'll want so much from Cityjet for operating the services) as they are the ones who are operating it
True, Scotairways are not the cheapest but the service is excellent - they are on a par with Eastern in my opinion.
Strangely the BHD-LCY is not on sale on Scotairways own website, I would have thought that they would have wanted to flog a few seats themselves seeing as it's on their metal
True, Scotairways are not the cheapest but the service is excellent - they are on a par with Eastern in my opinion.
Strangely the BHD-LCY is not on sale on Scotairways own website, I would have thought that they would have wanted to flog a few seats themselves seeing as it's on their metal
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: in the hills
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Give them six months at the most.Never worked for flybe on a 37 seat dash at lower fares.Just tried to book off peak flights and came up with £110.00 return.No way I say.Also,for how much longer can Air Berlin sustain low loads and heavy losses on the BHD/STN route.
Flybe to CWL isnt exactly business friendly either,with an early morning dept from BHD however,the same aircraft not arriving back into BHD until well into the afternoon because off the CDG service.Therefore no business service to BHD am.All of to WW methinks.
Flybe to CWL isnt exactly business friendly either,with an early morning dept from BHD however,the same aircraft not arriving back into BHD until well into the afternoon because off the CDG service.Therefore no business service to BHD am.All of to WW methinks.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GK - How do you know AB are making heavy losses on the BHD? Remember yield is the key, and their fares tend to be reasonably high compared to other 'LCCs'. Plus their loads aren't diabolical, probably around 60%ish.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: belfast
Posts: 669
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gate22/True Blue
I see your locations are both Co Antrim hence the obvious bias towards BFS - however, not everyone lives in or wants to travel to or from Co Antrim - there are five other counties in NI not all in the North West which is precisely why BHD continues to be so popular!
On the subject of LHR from BFS, don't hold your breath, it's never going to happen.
I see your locations are both Co Antrim hence the obvious bias towards BFS - however, not everyone lives in or wants to travel to or from Co Antrim - there are five other counties in NI not all in the North West which is precisely why BHD continues to be so popular!
On the subject of LHR from BFS, don't hold your breath, it's never going to happen.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: USA
Age: 66
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
there are five other counties in NI not all in the North West which is precisely why BHD continues to be so popular
What tosh......glad to see the static from our anoraked friend is as incomprehensible as ever. The figures for the airfields speak volumes....
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Greater Aldergrove
Age: 52
Posts: 851
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ALLMCC,
So only Co. Antrim has better access to BFS than BHD?
Co. Londonderry...straight down the M2 to...BFS
Co. Armagh...Moira roundabout, then A26 to...BFS
Co. Fermanagh...M1, then as per Co. Armagh to...BFS
Co. Tyrone...As per Co. Fermanagh, or to Cookstown then as per Co. Londonderry to...BFS
Co. Down...ok, we'll give you this one, BHD is handier (unless of course it is south Down, in which case it's the A26 again...)
So if you live in east Belfast, or North Down, then BHD is definitely handier...otherwise...BFS!
And of course, once you get into the airport itself, that's another story...give me BFS anytime!
So only Co. Antrim has better access to BFS than BHD?
Co. Londonderry...straight down the M2 to...BFS
Co. Armagh...Moira roundabout, then A26 to...BFS
Co. Fermanagh...M1, then as per Co. Armagh to...BFS
Co. Tyrone...As per Co. Fermanagh, or to Cookstown then as per Co. Londonderry to...BFS
Co. Down...ok, we'll give you this one, BHD is handier (unless of course it is south Down, in which case it's the A26 again...)
So if you live in east Belfast, or North Down, then BHD is definitely handier...otherwise...BFS!
And of course, once you get into the airport itself, that's another story...give me BFS anytime!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ballymena
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Has anyone else read on another forum (starts with letter A) that Mr Walsh addressed the chartered accountants annual gathering in Belfast on Saturday and stated that Ba want to restart Belfast - Lhr?
Also in the same thread, someone has stated that Bmi are to soon make some big decisions regarding Belfast. Expand at Bhd and move WW there or move Bd to Bfs. Also said that Bd want to go 10 daily to Lhr. Seems odd as weekend services to Lhr seem to be going to 6 at the start of the summer season. I did read recently in the Business telegraph the WW were looking at ways of expanding ops at Belfast.
Please don't shoot me, I know nothing about these rumours, as I said, read them elsewhere.
True Blue
Also in the same thread, someone has stated that Bmi are to soon make some big decisions regarding Belfast. Expand at Bhd and move WW there or move Bd to Bfs. Also said that Bd want to go 10 daily to Lhr. Seems odd as weekend services to Lhr seem to be going to 6 at the start of the summer season. I did read recently in the Business telegraph the WW were looking at ways of expanding ops at Belfast.
Please don't shoot me, I know nothing about these rumours, as I said, read them elsewhere.
True Blue
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NWSRG: "I wonder will the acquisition of BA Connect help to improve FlyBe's customer service any? It can't make it any worse..."
You cheeky sod.....before I really defend myself here could you clarify which area of Customer Service you refer to:
Customer Call Centre?
Customer Relations?
Customer Service at airports provided by 3rd party handling agents?
You cheeky sod.....before I really defend myself here could you clarify which area of Customer Service you refer to:
Customer Call Centre?
Customer Relations?
Customer Service at airports provided by 3rd party handling agents?
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Greater Aldergrove
Age: 52
Posts: 851
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flybeeee,
I'll gladly tell you where FLybe has atrocious customer service...
A customer service centre which has refused to reply to customer queries on three separate occasions. But it really got to me when I asked about a flight I was due to take two weeks from the time of query...I got a reply telling me that they had 28 days in which to respond!
Check-in staff at LGW (and I hasten to add it was only two of them...there may be many sensible ones) who could offer no answer other than those programmed into them at the android engineering centre...
And one particularly obnoxious hostie whose customer training was obviously provided by David Brent...(although again, her colleague was much more reasonable).
Just seems to be a much higher occurence of poor treatment than with Easy, BMI, BMIbaby, Jet2 etc.
I'll gladly tell you where FLybe has atrocious customer service...
A customer service centre which has refused to reply to customer queries on three separate occasions. But it really got to me when I asked about a flight I was due to take two weeks from the time of query...I got a reply telling me that they had 28 days in which to respond!
Check-in staff at LGW (and I hasten to add it was only two of them...there may be many sensible ones) who could offer no answer other than those programmed into them at the android engineering centre...
And one particularly obnoxious hostie whose customer training was obviously provided by David Brent...(although again, her colleague was much more reasonable).
Just seems to be a much higher occurence of poor treatment than with Easy, BMI, BMIbaby, Jet2 etc.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NWSRG
I am sorry to hear that your experiences of Flybe Customer Services seem to be somewhat dissapointing. Whilst Flybe do have 28 days to respond to all queries, we are very proud that a response can usually be turned around in less than 24 hours should it be a simple query or less than (usually) 14 days should something need investigating (delays etc)
Any emails or anything like that which are recieved are either logged into a system for official response or if allowed, responded to when recieved. All E-mails are answered unless it is junk emails selling Viagra which unfortunaltey happens would you believe! So I am truly sorry that you are dissapointed however I can assure you that had your query been recieved, it would not have been deleted or disposed of.
As for London Gatwick, the services are offered by a handling agent like most of the Flybe stations. This is not unique to Flybe as it often has many benefits however since August 2006, London Gatwick appears to have caused a few problems.
Flybe prides itselves in having the best crew around and this is regularly supported by other passenger feedback. So Flybe would only be able to apologise for any dissatisfaction felt on this occasion.
Whilst I do not work in Customer Relations, I have enough knowledge on how it works and I can safely say that we have a brilliant team. Any pre-flight queries (Should the passenger not wish to contact the Call Centre) can usually be answered by emailing [email protected] I do hope that you will allow my colleagues a chance to prove themselves again at some point (And then again, in some ways we hope you won't need to contact them if you see what I mean
)
I am sorry to hear that your experiences of Flybe Customer Services seem to be somewhat dissapointing. Whilst Flybe do have 28 days to respond to all queries, we are very proud that a response can usually be turned around in less than 24 hours should it be a simple query or less than (usually) 14 days should something need investigating (delays etc)
Any emails or anything like that which are recieved are either logged into a system for official response or if allowed, responded to when recieved. All E-mails are answered unless it is junk emails selling Viagra which unfortunaltey happens would you believe! So I am truly sorry that you are dissapointed however I can assure you that had your query been recieved, it would not have been deleted or disposed of.
As for London Gatwick, the services are offered by a handling agent like most of the Flybe stations. This is not unique to Flybe as it often has many benefits however since August 2006, London Gatwick appears to have caused a few problems.
Flybe prides itselves in having the best crew around and this is regularly supported by other passenger feedback. So Flybe would only be able to apologise for any dissatisfaction felt on this occasion.
Whilst I do not work in Customer Relations, I have enough knowledge on how it works and I can safely say that we have a brilliant team. Any pre-flight queries (Should the passenger not wish to contact the Call Centre) can usually be answered by emailing [email protected] I do hope that you will allow my colleagues a chance to prove themselves again at some point (And then again, in some ways we hope you won't need to contact them if you see what I mean
)
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Not close enough to my aircraft !
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What IS nice is the fact that amongst all the rumours, there are actually some real people out there working for these airlines who do take the time and trouble to assist others even if the company they work for fails. ...Well done 'Flybeeeee of Devon' !!
..........and all the rest of you kind enough to reply on these forums.
..........and all the rest of you kind enough to reply on these forums.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ballymena
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"On the subject of LHR from BFS, don't hold your breath, it's never going to happen"
ALLMCC - how do you know that it's never going to happen? I would like to share in your thinking on this subject. Of course, you may well be very right.
True Blue
ALLMCC - how do you know that it's never going to happen? I would like to share in your thinking on this subject. Of course, you may well be very right.
True Blue
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Let me state my position on the Belfast airports thing. I believe Belfast only requires one airport for the following reasons:-
1. Population very small (recent debate down south seems to suggust that Dublin is too small a city for 2 airports!!!!! manchester has one - no further questions!!!!!
2. Handier for me (the flier) simply gives me more choice, I can park my car at one Belfast airport and have a greater choice of options, eg fly Easyjet to Bristol and back form Exeter with Flybe - The competition is between the airlines not the airports-I would have 7 options to STN up to 9 to LGW etc.
3. Environmental-with one airport there would be a slight consolidation of services less flights good for environment. Also with BFS obviously being the preferred option as the airport, then the housing shortage in NI would be helped be ths acres of land currently uccupied by Bhd, which could be turned into 1000's of homes. Also the people of Belfast will have a better quality of life without interference from Airbuses etc every 10 mins. (hopefully an adiditional levy will soon apply to these city airports from government in the short term to curtail there growth and reduce the carbon emissions for city centres)
I can't think of any reasons at the moment but anyway
1. Population very small (recent debate down south seems to suggust that Dublin is too small a city for 2 airports!!!!! manchester has one - no further questions!!!!!
2. Handier for me (the flier) simply gives me more choice, I can park my car at one Belfast airport and have a greater choice of options, eg fly Easyjet to Bristol and back form Exeter with Flybe - The competition is between the airlines not the airports-I would have 7 options to STN up to 9 to LGW etc.
3. Environmental-with one airport there would be a slight consolidation of services less flights good for environment. Also with BFS obviously being the preferred option as the airport, then the housing shortage in NI would be helped be ths acres of land currently uccupied by Bhd, which could be turned into 1000's of homes. Also the people of Belfast will have a better quality of life without interference from Airbuses etc every 10 mins. (hopefully an adiditional levy will soon apply to these city airports from government in the short term to curtail there growth and reduce the carbon emissions for city centres)
I can't think of any reasons at the moment but anyway
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: USA
Age: 66
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gate 22....logical...thought out and intelligent. Don't expect anything other than drivel in response from Allmcc. I personally agree 100% that two airfields actually STUNTS the development of the aviation infrastructure in NI.The argument was posed when the Consumer Council came out in favour of development of both airfields,however they thought that competition should be between AIRPORTS (12 miles apart) rather than AIRLINES. They were misguided then and I believe the idea behind that competition remains misguided now.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I personally much prefer BHD but your arguement gate 22, is a very compelling one. BFS would obviously be the only option for such a merging of services for the size issue alone, nevermind the redisents of the surrounding area whinging about the increase in traffic.
My problem with BFS is that is simpily vile. Both airports have some of the most rip-off eating establishments I've ever experienced but BHD is a much more plesant place to be. The BFS lounges are terrible and to be honest, the people you tend to get flying from there on many occasions, are complete Henry Lloyds jetting off for a week of getting sunburnt and usually are sitting in the pubs beforehand getting smashed. On three occasions from Aldergrove I've experienced a band of louts on a flight but never yet, touch wood, from BHD. While the airport can do very little about this, it does contribute to BHD being a nicer airport from which to fly.
My problem with BFS is that is simpily vile. Both airports have some of the most rip-off eating establishments I've ever experienced but BHD is a much more plesant place to be. The BFS lounges are terrible and to be honest, the people you tend to get flying from there on many occasions, are complete Henry Lloyds jetting off for a week of getting sunburnt and usually are sitting in the pubs beforehand getting smashed. On three occasions from Aldergrove I've experienced a band of louts on a flight but never yet, touch wood, from BHD. While the airport can do very little about this, it does contribute to BHD being a nicer airport from which to fly.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Belfast
Age: 60
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
neither airport in an ideal location
As much as BHD suits me as in taxi terms it's just round the corner, I can see the problems posed to the development of air services in Northern Ireland by having two airports. To be honest I sometimes wonder if either airport is in the right place.
It seems when the decision was taken to move from Nutts Corner one of the locations considered was the former Long Kesh airfield at Maze.
This was rejected in favour of Aldergrove but it's hard to understand why.
For people who do not know the geography of Northern Ireland the Long Kesh site is approximately 12 miles from Belfast City Centre just south of Lisburn.
It's right beside the M1 motorway and the province's main railway line.
At times of congestion it would be much easier to get to than BHD for people living north of Belfast.
At the same time it would be much less problematic than Aldergrove for people from North Down and Ards as they would not need to negotiate the rush hour melee on the M3 bridge and M2 foreshore section.
It is likely the close proximity of the railway would mean many more people using public transport to get to the airport while coach services could take full advantage of the neighbouring motorway.
If an airport had been developed at Long Kesh I doubt whether BHD would have been quite as successful.
It's probably a mental block but if you're flying to Great Britain and you live in East Belfast or North Down it's seems ludicrous to drive past an airport serving the destination you want to fly to and then face another 15 miles slog up to Aldergrove which is a good 10 minutes drive from the M2.
It seems when the decision was taken to move from Nutts Corner one of the locations considered was the former Long Kesh airfield at Maze.
This was rejected in favour of Aldergrove but it's hard to understand why.
For people who do not know the geography of Northern Ireland the Long Kesh site is approximately 12 miles from Belfast City Centre just south of Lisburn.
It's right beside the M1 motorway and the province's main railway line.
At times of congestion it would be much easier to get to than BHD for people living north of Belfast.
At the same time it would be much less problematic than Aldergrove for people from North Down and Ards as they would not need to negotiate the rush hour melee on the M3 bridge and M2 foreshore section.
It is likely the close proximity of the railway would mean many more people using public transport to get to the airport while coach services could take full advantage of the neighbouring motorway.
If an airport had been developed at Long Kesh I doubt whether BHD would have been quite as successful.
It's probably a mental block but if you're flying to Great Britain and you live in East Belfast or North Down it's seems ludicrous to drive past an airport serving the destination you want to fly to and then face another 15 miles slog up to Aldergrove which is a good 10 minutes drive from the M2.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On the facilities at BFS they certainly could be better, but lets look at the past. In 2001 say May if you had said to me, what are the chances of bmi moving to BHD? I would have answered no way!. If you then had asked, why?. I would have replied that Bmi use the Airbus A321 and that aircraft is banned from using the City airport as well as the night curfew and passenger number restriction etc etc. Okay back to the present on earlier posts we have heard of Aer Lingus discussing a Belfast operation with BOTH airports/ bmi baby switching to BHD etc etc. Now when I think about these rumours I would say for commercial, common sense, environmental reasons etc etc No way will not happen, BUT it all has happened before. Now if I was the managing director of BFS would I invest heavily in a new 2 level terminal with multi-storey carpark and fast frequent rail link. Not with the present threat of expansion at Bhd. Even the last outcome of the planning report has left more questions than answers. Will Bhd get planning for late evening scheduled arrivals? - possibly. Will they extend the runway and be granted 24hr operation? possibly. That's why with 2 airports, the travelling passenger is the loser at the end of the day. If there never was a Bhd, Bfs would be a huge airport competing against Dublin carrying over 7 million passengers pa not far behind Edinburgh. The infrastructure would be improved with the shear volume of traffic - maybe we would be discussing the new rail link, new muli-storey carpark (keeping us dry) something that will actually benefit us as travelling passengers, rather than fighting which is the 'best' airport to use. Oh and people in North Down, South and East Belfast would sleep well in bed at night knowing that the chances of an A321 landing on their roof was remote.