BELFAST - 2
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ireland
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EI would have a/c to start new routes/new base. New routes have been announced, but its important to remember some routes are operated as summer only routes TLS, ATH etc. 4 A320's, and another A330 are due to be delivered, with both A330's going on expanding the US operations. A new base is definately possible, but i'm not sure it will be BSF. I think 10-15 routes was mentioned, but EI would find it hard to operate 10! I think BHX or MAN seem's more likely
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Computer Says No!
Age: 48
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RUMOURS, RUMOURS, AND MORE RUMOURS. Would anybody care to tell me where they have ACTUALLY heard that Aer Lingus would be starting a BFS base? This is to all that said, "I heard Aer Lingus were going to announce a BFS base", WHERE did you REALLY here this?
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
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Ok, just to clear up a few things here. Aer Lingus will definitly be establishing a new hub by early 2008 as they previously announced in February:
"Aer Lingus is to spread its wings by establishing its first base outside Ireland. The move is part of an expansion which will establish 15 new European routes.
The airline is planning to tie down the location of its first foreign base in the coming months with a view to the new routes coming on stream in January of next year.
Tickets for the new routes are expected to be offered for sale in October."
Source: Irish Independent - http://www.independent.ie/national-n...off-54900.html
With regard to the fleet, Aer Lingus will receive delivery of 2 leased A320s from Aercap in December, and its expected that these will be operated from the new hub. Aer Lingus also has 10 A320/A321 options to exercise during 2008, and these will surely be exercised by EI. Dermot Mannion has also said before in previous interviews he intends to acquire 2 A330-200s during 2008, and this will most likely be part of the package offered by Airbus in EI's possible A350XWB order. And regarding long-haul routes from the new base, EI also stated it would be starting 15 new European routes initially, and I think thats key to remember, as it shows that they will be considering long-haul as an option from the new base.
Belfast is not a dead winner, far from it, and anyone on here making claims that BFS will be announced as the new base without any proof to back their claims up is waffling, but all will be known tomorrow I'd say. As great as it would be for EI to choose BFS as it would increase competition there, I can somehow see BHX or MAN being better options, but unlike BFS, BHX and MAN are in close proximity to EMA and LPL, Ryanair bases, and thats a big risk for EI, and this is why BFS is still on the cards.
As for the political aspect of EI choosing BFS as their new hub, I don't think this comes into play, simply for the reason business is business, whether you're a Nationalist or a Unionist, I don't think anyone could give a rats arse as long as the airline offers cheap fares to places where people want to go. I think it would be great to have an all-Ireland airline, but I really doubt anyone would choose between easyJet and Aer Lingus based on them being orange or green, except Ian Paisley.
"Aer Lingus is to spread its wings by establishing its first base outside Ireland. The move is part of an expansion which will establish 15 new European routes.
The airline is planning to tie down the location of its first foreign base in the coming months with a view to the new routes coming on stream in January of next year.
Tickets for the new routes are expected to be offered for sale in October."
Source: Irish Independent - http://www.independent.ie/national-n...off-54900.html
With regard to the fleet, Aer Lingus will receive delivery of 2 leased A320s from Aercap in December, and its expected that these will be operated from the new hub. Aer Lingus also has 10 A320/A321 options to exercise during 2008, and these will surely be exercised by EI. Dermot Mannion has also said before in previous interviews he intends to acquire 2 A330-200s during 2008, and this will most likely be part of the package offered by Airbus in EI's possible A350XWB order. And regarding long-haul routes from the new base, EI also stated it would be starting 15 new European routes initially, and I think thats key to remember, as it shows that they will be considering long-haul as an option from the new base.
Belfast is not a dead winner, far from it, and anyone on here making claims that BFS will be announced as the new base without any proof to back their claims up is waffling, but all will be known tomorrow I'd say. As great as it would be for EI to choose BFS as it would increase competition there, I can somehow see BHX or MAN being better options, but unlike BFS, BHX and MAN are in close proximity to EMA and LPL, Ryanair bases, and thats a big risk for EI, and this is why BFS is still on the cards.
As for the political aspect of EI choosing BFS as their new hub, I don't think this comes into play, simply for the reason business is business, whether you're a Nationalist or a Unionist, I don't think anyone could give a rats arse as long as the airline offers cheap fares to places where people want to go. I think it would be great to have an all-Ireland airline, but I really doubt anyone would choose between easyJet and Aer Lingus based on them being orange or green, except Ian Paisley.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
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I have to say that on Sunday I was quite hopeful of Belfast being a base for EI, now however it seems to be Man is the talk of the town. Well I suppose rumours are the food of this forum and we will have to just wait and see how it pans out.
wait and see.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Where are they going to park these aircraft and check in all these passengers if Aer Lingus to come north? At night there is only around one free stand and anytime I pass through the check in hall its bunged and barely enough space for what there is at the min! If BFS seriously wants to attract a big airline lets have a semi decent airport and not some re-hashed creation of the eighties. Stick another ten desks in the check-in hall, another 3 stands and a couple of gates and re-plan that international pier then i might believe a story about Aer Lingus, Delta, American Airlines and any other airline coming to BFS. 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
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I thought the Katowice flight was due in at 0800 today, however it is not showing on the arrivals or departures board, it does operate on Thursdays. Unless it has been and gone by 0810am.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: co antrim
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gate 22
you are quite right has been rescheduled to arrive at BFS at 2300 this evening and depart at 2330.This was due tech reasons but many people arrived at normal checkin time but went home again.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Belfast
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Is EI at BHD an option? I would have thought that if LHR is to be one of the suggested destinations that BHD would not be an option. Selling that one to bmi would be a tad difficult, and would probably expedite their return to Antrim. Would operations to eastern Europe be possible from the BHD runway? The restricted hours may also prove problematic for achieving the sort of programme that EI would want, why would an airline such as EI chose the constrained operation when their services would be unconstrained from BFS. But I, like many others, await any announcement that Belfast is to be a base at all. Personally I woulkd like to see it and think that the impact of an EI base at BFS would be a better move for all, particularly the travelling public who are being ripped off on the current LHR service.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BFS
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I have it on good authority that Qantas are going to join forces with Virgin and operate 15 direct routes across the world from BFS using a mixture of 744s and A346's, least thats what SRB told me last night - mind you maybe I was dreaming at the time, its hard to tell these days
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
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ha ha ha ha ! April 01 has passed several months ago. Listen I think Belfast's next 'big one' will be if Jet 2 announce 1 flight a week to Chambery for the winter, and I am really beginning to think that will be all BFS is capable of attracting new this year.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Belfast
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I live under the flight path for BHD, and over the last few days, cos its been sunny, ive been sittin out the back with the laptop, but one thing has been puzzling me. I keep seeing a plane that looks like VLM, but i just checked BHD arrivals page, and the only thing arriving soonish is BE form MAN.
Can anyone shed some light on this? Charter for IOM TT?
Many Thanks
Can anyone shed some light on this? Charter for IOM TT?
Many Thanks