BELFAST - 2
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BMI declining figures
[quote=richardnei;3091372]Wouldn't be surprised if BFS was to record 5.4> million PAX in 2007, with so many new routes and increased frequencies already added for this year.
By looking at the pax numbers for routes from BHD it seems the LHR route is the one that is losing the most passengers, prob a result of less interline traffic, with so many new direct European and USA routes from Northern Ireland people don't have to get connecting flights anymore.
I agree with you Richardnei, mostly due to loss of interline traffic. If you look at the Air Berlin figures on BHD STN they seem to be very close to the loss of traffic for bmi on LHR(compared to same months last year since AB started), while the AB routes is showing no effect on EZY on BFSSTN !
By looking at the pax numbers for routes from BHD it seems the LHR route is the one that is losing the most passengers, prob a result of less interline traffic, with so many new direct European and USA routes from Northern Ireland people don't have to get connecting flights anymore.
I agree with you Richardnei, mostly due to loss of interline traffic. If you look at the Air Berlin figures on BHD STN they seem to be very close to the loss of traffic for bmi on LHR(compared to same months last year since AB started), while the AB routes is showing no effect on EZY on BFSSTN !
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This still doesn't explain it. If pax are now using AB rather than BD, they are still using Bhd. But the pax nos for Bhd are down as a whole, in spite of a whole raft of new services. So why is that? Also, if they are offering more services, but pax are falling, so must load factors, I think. I checked the no of pax per flight for AB, I think it was december 06, from memory it came in at about 66. Is that successful for them?
I think AB would have been better to use Bfs and be part on a very good frequency to Stn , instead of offering 2x to bhd, which will suit few.
True Blue
I think AB would have been better to use Bfs and be part on a very good frequency to Stn , instead of offering 2x to bhd, which will suit few.
True Blue
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BHD Passenger numbers
[quote=True Blue;3092635]This still doesn't explain it. If pax are now using AB rather than BD, they are still using Bhd. But the pax nos for Bhd are down as a whole, in spite of a whole raft of new services. So why is that? Also, if they are offering more services, but pax are falling, so must load factors, I think. I checked the no of pax per flight for AB, I think it was december 06, from memory it came in at about 66. Is that successful for them?
True Blue thanks for the reply. I was in particular refering to bmi LHR numbers. Bmi LHRBHD is down 7226 for NOV and AB is at 7114 which is a new route it is fair to say that AB have picked up some would be BD pax who would probably have travelled via LHR to eg German destinations. You will notice EZYs boarding on STNBFS have been largely unaffected by AB arrival onto the Belfast London Market.
The explanation as to why numbers are down overall is not one single thing but a few.
1. More direct flights from BFS to Europe and US mean many people who would have flown via UK and started their journey at BHD are using BFS.
2.Competition on many routes is intense. Eg LPL BE have cut back severly only to Weekend leisure route.Jet2 LBABFS is growing at BE expense.Due to changes to scheduling on many routes and competition from EZY (&WW) at BFS the following routes have big declines. NCL,LPL,LGW,BHX. Its a mixed bags of ups and downs as follows:
Ref to Nov details...compared to Nov 05
LGW -780
LHR -7226
STN +7114
BHX -2845
BRS -2057
DSA +3431 New
EDI -340
EXT -316
IOM -435
LBA -728
LPL -9296
MAN +12025
NCL -4040
NWI -2044
SOU -979
Changes as per CAA totals=-8516
some routes with small no.s excluded.
The future does seem like it will be interesting. I think Bmi will recover to some extent there numbers substantially as and when BA option is removed from the belfast equation. There will be a lack of interlining options. And I understand that BA & Bmi have an interlining agreement organised for after BAConnect is gone from BHD, so BA can offer a BHD link from the world via Bmi. You may be able to confirm this?
There is in my opinion a good opportunity for a carrier who will provide interlining facilities.
There are plus for 07, the new CWL , NQY and the first continental Europe services will bring good more passengers but how BE treat BHX and MAN after BAconnect is adsorbed will be important and I can see at least some rationalisation. The new numbers from new routes would not go far towards compensating for losses on these routes.
As regards AB being better off going to BFS , perhaps they have did not want a direct response from EZY. And AB have probably looked at there experience ex STN on other short routes that compete with EZY?
The loads dont seem to good on AB STNBHD but it has been growing and I would expect a company like AB to take the longer term view on the route. Grow the business, await a profit after a year or two and get the brand recognised locally. The loads would be in % ok on a F100 and quite poor on an Airbus.Again we will never know the yield that they are achieving, so hard to say how successful it is.We will just have to wait and see what happens no doubt 2007 will be an a year of change for the City airport.
True Blue thanks for the reply. I was in particular refering to bmi LHR numbers. Bmi LHRBHD is down 7226 for NOV and AB is at 7114 which is a new route it is fair to say that AB have picked up some would be BD pax who would probably have travelled via LHR to eg German destinations. You will notice EZYs boarding on STNBFS have been largely unaffected by AB arrival onto the Belfast London Market.
The explanation as to why numbers are down overall is not one single thing but a few.
1. More direct flights from BFS to Europe and US mean many people who would have flown via UK and started their journey at BHD are using BFS.
2.Competition on many routes is intense. Eg LPL BE have cut back severly only to Weekend leisure route.Jet2 LBABFS is growing at BE expense.Due to changes to scheduling on many routes and competition from EZY (&WW) at BFS the following routes have big declines. NCL,LPL,LGW,BHX. Its a mixed bags of ups and downs as follows:
Ref to Nov details...compared to Nov 05
LGW -780
LHR -7226
STN +7114
BHX -2845
BRS -2057
DSA +3431 New
EDI -340
EXT -316
IOM -435
LBA -728
LPL -9296
MAN +12025
NCL -4040
NWI -2044
SOU -979
Changes as per CAA totals=-8516
some routes with small no.s excluded.
The future does seem like it will be interesting. I think Bmi will recover to some extent there numbers substantially as and when BA option is removed from the belfast equation. There will be a lack of interlining options. And I understand that BA & Bmi have an interlining agreement organised for after BAConnect is gone from BHD, so BA can offer a BHD link from the world via Bmi. You may be able to confirm this?
There is in my opinion a good opportunity for a carrier who will provide interlining facilities.
There are plus for 07, the new CWL , NQY and the first continental Europe services will bring good more passengers but how BE treat BHX and MAN after BAconnect is adsorbed will be important and I can see at least some rationalisation. The new numbers from new routes would not go far towards compensating for losses on these routes.
As regards AB being better off going to BFS , perhaps they have did not want a direct response from EZY. And AB have probably looked at there experience ex STN on other short routes that compete with EZY?
The loads dont seem to good on AB STNBHD but it has been growing and I would expect a company like AB to take the longer term view on the route. Grow the business, await a profit after a year or two and get the brand recognised locally. The loads would be in % ok on a F100 and quite poor on an Airbus.Again we will never know the yield that they are achieving, so hard to say how successful it is.We will just have to wait and see what happens no doubt 2007 will be an a year of change for the City airport.
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VLM Charters from BFS
Seems VLM are operating 2 charter flights on SAT's from BFS this Summer. Operating for Channel Island Travel Service.
FLIGHT DETAILS:
SAT BFS/JER DEPARTS BFS @ 11:40 / ARRIVES BFS @ 11:10 26/5-8/9
SAT BFS/GCI DEPARTS BFS @ 13:15 / ARRIVES BFS @ 12:20 26/5-30/6
FLIGHTS OPERATED BY F50 A/C
Will make a change from all the usually charter traffic from BFS!
Brgds
Richard
FLIGHT DETAILS:
SAT BFS/JER DEPARTS BFS @ 11:40 / ARRIVES BFS @ 11:10 26/5-8/9
SAT BFS/GCI DEPARTS BFS @ 13:15 / ARRIVES BFS @ 12:20 26/5-30/6
FLIGHTS OPERATED BY F50 A/C
Will make a change from all the usually charter traffic from BFS!
Brgds
Richard
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Diversion... Due to operate to stroke city, but diverted to Belfast. MOL has no interest in Belfast whatsoever, and if he wants a base in NI, stroke city will bend over backwards to make it happen!!
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I flew twice Bfs - Lgw on Easy last month, on the 2135 ex Bfs. There was only about 30 pax on both flights. While I understand Jan is a quiet month, if that flight had been leaving early am, there would have been more that 30 on it I bet. Why does Easy not offer an early departure ex Bfs, or someone else? I know there are slot problems at Lgw, but I think there is availability up to about 8.00am for an arrival. Is Easy losing interest in Bfs? I believe that Bfs will be the last base to convert to the A319. Why?
And why is FR not interested in Bfs? It offers better prospects than Ldy ever will long term.
True Blue
And why is FR not interested in Bfs? It offers better prospects than Ldy ever will long term.
True Blue
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Cityjet Rumour
Just heard from a reputable source that Air France Cityjet are interested in basing an RJ85 or a 146 at BHD for flights to London City and Paris. It wont be too soon though as they are slowly but surely trying to train staff on the RJ85. This is taking longer than anticipated.
Also seems they are keeping some of their current 146's and looking to purchase extra RJ85s on top of the Mesaba machines (some of which have electrical problems having been sat in the Mojave desert for a while).
Head to head with EZY to Paris could be interesting......
Also seems they are keeping some of their current 146's and looking to purchase extra RJ85s on top of the Mesaba machines (some of which have electrical problems having been sat in the Mojave desert for a while).
Head to head with EZY to Paris could be interesting......
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Cityjet to Paris
The route wouldn't really be in competition with EZY, but more with BMI. It would be, like Dublin to Paris, operated so passengers can connect at Paris onto a longhaul Air France flight. With the increases in Air Passenger Duty, especially on long haul flights, it could be cheaper for many to transfer via CDG rather than LHR.
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So the rumour was only half right.....
Cityjet are to start ops between LCY and BHD. Flights will be operated by Scot airways, so I assume their Dornier 328's will be used.
Advertisement link removed.
Cityjet are to start ops between LCY and BHD. Flights will be operated by Scot airways, so I assume their Dornier 328's will be used.
Advertisement link removed.
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Read on another site that EI are seriously considering both Belfast airports for next base.
If true, which would be best? Would they not want a pop at Lhr, if they go to Bhd they would have direct competition with BD. Also at Bhd, there is this operating hours restriction, apparently!
Any views?
True Blue
If true, which would be best? Would they not want a pop at Lhr, if they go to Bhd they would have direct competition with BD. Also at Bhd, there is this operating hours restriction, apparently!
Any views?
True Blue
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Anyone else feel that the NI London area seems to be full up?.It appears to me that with EZY having STN/LTN/LGW pretty well stitched up and the choice of direct and "connecting"type routes via AMS/CDG/EWR there is even LESS reason to attempt another LHR route.
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Jan 07 Prov Stats
The Caa stats for Jan 07 have some interesting reading.
Bd to Lhr under 50, 000, is this the first month that this has happened?
Jy to Bhx down 11%, WW up 36%
JY to Lba down 17%, LS no change.
Jy to Ncl must be in real danger, only 1447 pax.
WW to Man up 17% and Jy up 32%
Both airports up for the month Bhd 3 and Bfs 4. For the past year Bhd down 5.7% and Bfs up 4.1%.
True Blue
Bd to Lhr under 50, 000, is this the first month that this has happened?
Jy to Bhx down 11%, WW up 36%
JY to Lba down 17%, LS no change.
Jy to Ncl must be in real danger, only 1447 pax.
WW to Man up 17% and Jy up 32%
Both airports up for the month Bhd 3 and Bfs 4. For the past year Bhd down 5.7% and Bfs up 4.1%.
True Blue
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6398983.stm
Airport scraps free car parking
Free parking at Belfast International Airport is to be scrapped, the BBC has learned.
The Consumer Council has said the move will create more congestion at the terminal. Stringent security measures at all airports mean that cars are not allowed to park outside terminal buildings.
Since last year, people picking up friends and relatives at Belfast International have been allowed to park free for 10 minutes. If they exceed that time in the short stay car park, they have to pay. It costs £1.50 for up to 30 minutes and double that for up to an hour. To avoid this, people are entering and leaving the short stay on several occasions, or parking illegally out on the main road.
'Increase congestion'
The car parks at Aldergrove are operated by Q-Park, which has now scrapped the free parking period. It says people picking up passengers will now be able to park for up to 30 minutes for a fee of £1.00. The move has angered the Consumer Council - it says the free parking period should have been extended to half an hour, not cut altogether. And it claims the decision will increase congestion at the airport at peak times. The new tariff comes into effect on Thursday.
Free parking at Belfast International Airport is to be scrapped, the BBC has learned.
The Consumer Council has said the move will create more congestion at the terminal. Stringent security measures at all airports mean that cars are not allowed to park outside terminal buildings.
Since last year, people picking up friends and relatives at Belfast International have been allowed to park free for 10 minutes. If they exceed that time in the short stay car park, they have to pay. It costs £1.50 for up to 30 minutes and double that for up to an hour. To avoid this, people are entering and leaving the short stay on several occasions, or parking illegally out on the main road.
'Increase congestion'
The car parks at Aldergrove are operated by Q-Park, which has now scrapped the free parking period. It says people picking up passengers will now be able to park for up to 30 minutes for a fee of £1.00. The move has angered the Consumer Council - it says the free parking period should have been extended to half an hour, not cut altogether. And it claims the decision will increase congestion at the airport at peak times. The new tariff comes into effect on Thursday.
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FLYBE BECOMES EUROPE’S LARGEST REGIONAL AIRLINE FOLLOWING ACQUISITION OF BA CONNECT DEAL AND SEES NEW ROUTE TO PARIS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND TRAVELLERS
05 March 2007
From today, passengers are set to benefit from lower fares, more routes and increased frequency on Flybe services as the airline announces the completion of its acquisition of BA Connect, the regional airline business of British Airways.
In addition to the launch of new routes and destinations, Flybe will take over many BA Connect routes with significant price savings of an average of £19 per passenger.
The deal will have a significant impact on Flybe’s operations out of George Best Belfast City Airport with the creation of a new through running service to Paris Charles de Gaulle via Cardiff and the increase of daily services on the airline’s already successful Manchester route from five to nine.
In total, the deal brings the creation of 11 new routes out of Flybe’s regional bases and sees the airline taking over 20 of the routes currently operated by BA Connect.
With 152 routes, operating from 22 UK and 34 European airports, Flybe will become Europe’s largest regional airline and will carry a higher proportion of business passengers with new routes to key commercial centres including Paris, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Milan.
This latest news confirms Flybe’s commitment to the regions with more growth, more flights and more investment.
Flybe plans to phase out all of the existing BA Connect fleet as soon as possible and fast-track completion of its £1.2bn investment programme in new Bombardier Q400 and Embraer 195 aircraft by 2009. Flybe will have a fleet of 82 aircraft, which will be one of the youngest and most environmentally sensitive fleets in the world. In line with its environment policy, Flybe will by then have reduced fuel consumption by over 50% per seat.
Says Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer, Flybe: “Today’s announcement is not only great news for air travellers in Northern Ireland but across the UK and Europe. As the largest scheduled carrier operating out of George Best Belfast City Airport Flybe will continue to demonstrate its commitment to Northern Ireland with ongoing growth in the route network, investment in the local community and tangible support for both business and tourism sectors. With our direct service to Rennes scheduled to begin operations in May and the new through route to Paris announced today, Flybe is focused on maximising the network opportunities afforded by this acquisition to further increase our European connections for Northern Ireland travellers.”
“With minimal route overlap, integration will be seamless and passengers will soon be flying to 56 business and leisure destinations in new, more efficient and significantly more comfortable aircraft.”
Lead in one way fares including taxes and charges for Flybe’s service to Manchester start from £19.99. The new through running service to Paris (via Cardiff) will begin operations on 25th March and will offer a lead in one way fare including taxes and charges of £39.99.
----------------------
Do you think we could ever see a non-stop service from BHD to CDG in the near future? Surely the necessity of stopping off in Cardiff would be off putting to potential travellers, no?
Also it doesn't mention the frequency of these flights, is it just 1/daily?
C
05 March 2007
From today, passengers are set to benefit from lower fares, more routes and increased frequency on Flybe services as the airline announces the completion of its acquisition of BA Connect, the regional airline business of British Airways.
In addition to the launch of new routes and destinations, Flybe will take over many BA Connect routes with significant price savings of an average of £19 per passenger.
The deal will have a significant impact on Flybe’s operations out of George Best Belfast City Airport with the creation of a new through running service to Paris Charles de Gaulle via Cardiff and the increase of daily services on the airline’s already successful Manchester route from five to nine.
In total, the deal brings the creation of 11 new routes out of Flybe’s regional bases and sees the airline taking over 20 of the routes currently operated by BA Connect.
With 152 routes, operating from 22 UK and 34 European airports, Flybe will become Europe’s largest regional airline and will carry a higher proportion of business passengers with new routes to key commercial centres including Paris, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Milan.
This latest news confirms Flybe’s commitment to the regions with more growth, more flights and more investment.
Flybe plans to phase out all of the existing BA Connect fleet as soon as possible and fast-track completion of its £1.2bn investment programme in new Bombardier Q400 and Embraer 195 aircraft by 2009. Flybe will have a fleet of 82 aircraft, which will be one of the youngest and most environmentally sensitive fleets in the world. In line with its environment policy, Flybe will by then have reduced fuel consumption by over 50% per seat.
Says Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer, Flybe: “Today’s announcement is not only great news for air travellers in Northern Ireland but across the UK and Europe. As the largest scheduled carrier operating out of George Best Belfast City Airport Flybe will continue to demonstrate its commitment to Northern Ireland with ongoing growth in the route network, investment in the local community and tangible support for both business and tourism sectors. With our direct service to Rennes scheduled to begin operations in May and the new through route to Paris announced today, Flybe is focused on maximising the network opportunities afforded by this acquisition to further increase our European connections for Northern Ireland travellers.”
“With minimal route overlap, integration will be seamless and passengers will soon be flying to 56 business and leisure destinations in new, more efficient and significantly more comfortable aircraft.”
Lead in one way fares including taxes and charges for Flybe’s service to Manchester start from £19.99. The new through running service to Paris (via Cardiff) will begin operations on 25th March and will offer a lead in one way fare including taxes and charges of £39.99.
----------------------
Do you think we could ever see a non-stop service from BHD to CDG in the near future? Surely the necessity of stopping off in Cardiff would be off putting to potential travellers, no?
Also it doesn't mention the frequency of these flights, is it just 1/daily?
C