BELFAST - 2
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
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Come in and clean up was a suggestion that EI could adopt routes not already operated from NI eg Gdansk, Riga, Lisbon, Budapest, Brussels, Frankfurt etc, maybe not all daily but certainly a couple of days a week. As for LHR BD have taken advantage of no competition with over inflated prices. I know a guy who recently travelled to Vancouver, Dub-Lhr (EI) then onto Van, it was over £200 cheaper than BHD-LHR then Van, this guy lived on the north side of Belfast.
Stn-Bfs (5) Stn-Bhd (2) Lgw-Bfs (5) Lgw-Bhd (5)
People seem to underestimate the traffic from Belfast on the domestic front, its not far behind Gla/Edi when you combine both Belfast Airports, these services have been operating successfully for years only Lhr has declined over the past 6 years.
Stn-Bfs (5) Stn-Bhd (2) Lgw-Bfs (5) Lgw-Bhd (5)
People seem to underestimate the traffic from Belfast on the domestic front, its not far behind Gla/Edi when you combine both Belfast Airports, these services have been operating successfully for years only Lhr has declined over the past 6 years.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ireland
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EI at BFS
en2r,
Where is the source that EI's SNN route is underperforming? It's been going long enough, I wouldnt have thought that was the case? Things got difficult during Easyjet's short tenure at SNN, but that has obviously since come to an end. Loads always seem strong, fare levels generally similar to DUB.
Where is the source that EI's SNN route is underperforming? It's been going long enough, I wouldnt have thought that was the case? Things got difficult during Easyjet's short tenure at SNN, but that has obviously since come to an end. Loads always seem strong, fare levels generally similar to DUB.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Cork, Ireland
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During the extremely busy April month which included the whole of Easter the route had a load factor of 70%. That compares to a load factor of 78% for Cork. During the quieter months that often slips down into the 60s. While this is not that bad, when you consider how valuable the Heathrow slots are, on one of the busiest months of the year it should be getting better than 70%. Perhaps Shannon should go down to 3 times daily all year around, which would allow an extra Dublin rotation or perhaps a Belfast rotation.
Join Date: May 2006
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Ei Bfs
en2r,
Ah, ok you mean underperforming as compared with ORK. EI really have a number of options if they wished to launch BFS flights. They could scrap the early LHR-SNN (EI371) and late SNN-LHR EI384 (which operate during the summer sched), which always seems to have quite a few seats free. The other flights are generally quite full.
Of course, we dont know the Yield, but im guessing with Ryanair's presence at SNN (Although to London, its a similar amount of flights as from ORK) it must get "interesting" at times. None the less, the schedule has been the same at SNN for years now, so it must be making at least some money, otherwise I would imagine Mr Walsh would have swung the axe quite some time ago when he was still at the helm.
DUB also has 14 rotations per day, and I'll bet not all of those go full either, so a few slots could be freed there, perhaps making more use of the A321 (or even 330) on the remaining flights.
Lastly, they could chop a ORK flight. (I await the roaring from Leeside...
...... as we all know, ORK is the centre of the known Universe 
)
Seriously though, a reduction in the ORK schedule is probably the least likely outcome.
Also, EI have one slot pair at LHR that is currently leased out to another carrier, so there is quite some flexibility for BFS ops in Aer Lingus' slot pool.
Ah, ok you mean underperforming as compared with ORK. EI really have a number of options if they wished to launch BFS flights. They could scrap the early LHR-SNN (EI371) and late SNN-LHR EI384 (which operate during the summer sched), which always seems to have quite a few seats free. The other flights are generally quite full.
Of course, we dont know the Yield, but im guessing with Ryanair's presence at SNN (Although to London, its a similar amount of flights as from ORK) it must get "interesting" at times. None the less, the schedule has been the same at SNN for years now, so it must be making at least some money, otherwise I would imagine Mr Walsh would have swung the axe quite some time ago when he was still at the helm.
DUB also has 14 rotations per day, and I'll bet not all of those go full either, so a few slots could be freed there, perhaps making more use of the A321 (or even 330) on the remaining flights.
Lastly, they could chop a ORK flight. (I await the roaring from Leeside...
...... as we all know, ORK is the centre of the known Universe )Seriously though, a reduction in the ORK schedule is probably the least likely outcome.
Also, EI have one slot pair at LHR that is currently leased out to another carrier, so there is quite some flexibility for BFS ops in Aer Lingus' slot pool.
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Jet2 to announce BFS/LAS PALMAS starting October 07, 757 I think 235 (passengers) 1 or 2 flights per week initially Tues/Saturdays, if its a 757, would it be Bfs based or LPA. Source Belfast Telegraph.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Jet2
gate 22,
jet2 planned to have a 757 based during the summer this year and then it had to be put back to the winter, so any new routes to the Canary Islands hopefully will be operated by the base 757.
also has anyone seen the new jet2 ticket desk, beside the servisair desk? from what i saw in a flying visit recently the new signs had a couple of new routes: Chambéry & Arrecife.
anybody got more info?
bfsalphaone
jet2 planned to have a 757 based during the summer this year and then it had to be put back to the winter, so any new routes to the Canary Islands hopefully will be operated by the base 757.
also has anyone seen the new jet2 ticket desk, beside the servisair desk? from what i saw in a flying visit recently the new signs had a couple of new routes: Chambéry & Arrecife.
anybody got more info?
bfsalphaone
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Good on jet 2, some big announcement waiting in the wings!!!, its about time to, no more waiting on EZY to get a spare plane. With EI possibly starting in Feb and jet2 's anticiped announcement the overall dominance at Bfs with EZY may be coming to an end this winter.
Join Date: Mar 2002
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Not sure who's in the frame for Mad. All I know is that Easyjet isn't which is strange as they have the base there. That's the only way they could do it without a W or another airframe in BFS.....which is not on the cards. My money's on Jet2. They seem to be the only ones interested in BFS these days
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Did anyone see the American Airlines B757 at BFS on Monday 21st? It was a diversion from Shannon originated from Chicago, it diverted in because of fog at Shannon. Dublin couldn’t take them so they landed in Belfast with a near fuel critical situation. The aircraft refuelled and when the weather cleared up, they returned back to Shannon.
I also heard that Delta have been looking at airport and ground services at BFS recently, in particular looking at Catering. Their plans at the min are to start flights early 2008.
bfsalphaone
I also heard that Delta have been looking at airport and ground services at BFS recently, in particular looking at Catering. Their plans at the min are to start flights early 2008.
bfsalphaone
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Closure of City of Derry airport
As LDY is closing as at Midnight there is very little information around at the moment about it .
Loganair are moving their GLA & DUB fligths to BFS from 0740 tomorrow morning. So BFS ppl expect some SF3 in and out and a return (albeit temporary) to the BA colours!!!
EI-BUD
Loganair are moving their GLA & DUB fligths to BFS from 0740 tomorrow morning. So BFS ppl expect some SF3 in and out and a return (albeit temporary) to the BA colours!!!
EI-BUD
Join Date: Sep 2006
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What sort of limit is there for transatlantic flights from BFS. Republic of Ireland pop approx. 4 million, Delta, air canada, continental , aer lingus, american, continental operate in some cases muliple flights per day to several US/Canadian cities. Northern Ireland, not far of 2 million, tourism not as lucrative as down south, but rising, Irelands No 1 attraction Giants Causeway, surely BFS could have 2 or 3 operators with regular flights to various US cities. Even if they were to route through Shannon. I read on the shannon thread that some flights are operating 30%-45% full. If these originated in Belfast, they would be near full.
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Republic has population of 4.2 million, North has 1.7 million, Republic's population is approximately 2.5 times that of North (source Wikipedia). Belfast probably still hasn't recovered from all the bad press the troubles brought. The APD probably hasn't helped either. The Republic also has a far more affluent population, the GDP per capita of the Republic is more than double that of the North (again from Wikipedia), so I suppose people from the south are more able to afford trips to the US. Also Dublin is far more centrally located for the whole island of Ireland than Belfast. As for the loss making services at Shannon, most of them are now being axed now that the Shannon stopover is finally ending. Just this week 3 airlines have announced that they are pulling their Shannon routes to concentrate on their routes from Dublin.
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Not convinced about your GDP assumptions...and even if there is a gap, that will begin to close quickly now. BFS has a strong catchment area into the RoI now...if you live in Monaghan, Louth, Donegal, Sligo etc. then it would be 50/50 whether you would choose DUB or BFS. Add in the fact that BFS is a much easier airport to fly from (DUB is overcrowded not to mention downright dowdy), and it's not hard to see how another transatlantic route or two could thrive...CO to Newark is reportedly doing very well, and DL to ATL would do well me thinks. Also Canada has a large ex-NI population...maybe an AC 787 once or twice a week before too long?
Join Date: Nov 1999
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Surprised no-one mentioned this, from Wednesday's Irish News apparently:
I don't have access to the full article but have reason to believe the paper were at least correct about the meeting taking place.
Aer Lingus may take off from Belfast International
Aer Lingus could be about to start flying from Belfast International Airport (BIA). Executives from the Dublin-based airline are meeting BIA officials today to talk over a deal that would see Aer Lingus base three aircraft in Belfast, flying 15 new routes.
Aer Lingus could be about to start flying from Belfast International Airport (BIA). Executives from the Dublin-based airline are meeting BIA officials today to talk over a deal that would see Aer Lingus base three aircraft in Belfast, flying 15 new routes.
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Aer Lingus may take off from Belfast International
Aer Lingus could be about to start flying from Belfast International Airport (BIA). Executives from the Dublin-based airline are meeting BIA officials today to talk over a deal that would see Aer Lingus base three aircraft in Belfast, flying 15 new routes.
If this was to be true then the phrase 'come in and clean up' would be well expressed here. Maybe this is where the Madrid rumour is coming from, as one of the 15 routes. I wonder if any of those would be across the pond. At long last BFS is inches away from a LHR operation. If this happens I will have nothing more to say on local aviation and may retire.
Aer Lingus could be about to start flying from Belfast International Airport (BIA). Executives from the Dublin-based airline are meeting BIA officials today to talk over a deal that would see Aer Lingus base three aircraft in Belfast, flying 15 new routes.
If this was to be true then the phrase 'come in and clean up' would be well expressed here. Maybe this is where the Madrid rumour is coming from, as one of the 15 routes. I wonder if any of those would be across the pond. At long last BFS is inches away from a LHR operation. If this happens I will have nothing more to say on local aviation and may retire.
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Curfew strikes again
The BHD curfew appears to have claimed another plane load of victims tonight.
A quick look at the arrivals page of the airport's website showed the last Flybe service from Manchester has been diverted to BFS where it's due to land at 23.00.
Another victory for the unholy alliance between the 'North Downies' and the 'Lower Newtownards/Albertbridge Roadies'.
To be honest I don't really understand why it was necessary. I can clearly remember landing later than this at BHD in a delayed Flybe Dash 8 - 400.
Tonight's delay must have been so frustrating for the passengers. Firstly, their flight took off from Manchester around two hours late.
Then they found they were going to land a good 20 miles from their original destination.
This must have inconvenienced not only them but friends and relatives waiting to collect them.
It must have been particularly irritating for people who had to collect their cars from BHD but perhaps lived on the north side of the city.
It really is a farce. All this inconvenience just so the objectors don't hear one solitary aircraft for approximately 30 seconds as it passes overhead.
It's time this was sorted out once and for all.
The only diversions should be for weather and technical reasons.
A quick look at the arrivals page of the airport's website showed the last Flybe service from Manchester has been diverted to BFS where it's due to land at 23.00.
Another victory for the unholy alliance between the 'North Downies' and the 'Lower Newtownards/Albertbridge Roadies'.
To be honest I don't really understand why it was necessary. I can clearly remember landing later than this at BHD in a delayed Flybe Dash 8 - 400.
Tonight's delay must have been so frustrating for the passengers. Firstly, their flight took off from Manchester around two hours late.
Then they found they were going to land a good 20 miles from their original destination.
This must have inconvenienced not only them but friends and relatives waiting to collect them.
It must have been particularly irritating for people who had to collect their cars from BHD but perhaps lived on the north side of the city.
It really is a farce. All this inconvenience just so the objectors don't hear one solitary aircraft for approximately 30 seconds as it passes overhead.
It's time this was sorted out once and for all.
The only diversions should be for weather and technical reasons.