BELFAST - 2

[bmibaby.com]

Remember with the Airbus 321, that not only are they harder to fill in terms of pax numbers, but generally they are more expensive aircraft to operate. They require more cabin crew, more fuel, potentially heavier landing charges etc. compared to an Airbus 319 or 320, so considering the number of pax bmi are now transporting on the route - it makes more sense to operate a smaller aircraft.

[stevNI]

Belfast Transatlantic Traffic

I think Belfast International Airport has much more potential for transatlantic traffic. With only 1 daily flight to New York and a few weekly services from Zoom and flyglobespan I believe Belfast is still underserved.

You only have to look to Dublin where there are usually 10 transatlantic flights daily! With 6 daily flights to New York, destinations such as Boston, Chicago, Atlanta and LA. I have even heard that Northwest airlines are planning detroit for 2007.

Why such a difference? Belfast is the Second largest city on the Island of Ireland. The population of the Republic of Ireland is 4.2 million and that of Northern Ireland 1.7 million, OK it is understandable that Dublin being the largest city on the island and many US companies situated near by attracts more services but things still don't add up!! The Republic of Ireland has only 2/3 of the population of the island but over 90% of the transatlantic traffic (this is not even including transatlantic flights from Shannon). Why does all the transatlantic traffic and growth seem to go to Dublin and very little to Belfast?

[RT_060590]

Hangover from the troubles probably, which DUB didnt have to contend with, as things have brightened up in recent years we have seen alot of welcome expansion at both Belfast airports, instead of the BA and BD shuttles and the JEA LGW. Glad to see EZY getting a run for their money courtesy of Jet2 but EZY don't seem to be putting much effort into fighting back. Jet2, however, do seem to have an all round nicer product despite having older aircraft. If EI were to come to BFS could they not operate a 3/4 a day service from BFS to LHR rather than a high frequency shuttle as in place now, thus more chance of a full aircraft every flight and reducing the amount of slots needed?

I reckon flights to L.A., Las Vegas, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Miami could all do well out of BFS, could be wrong though!

[NWSRG]

Think there is definately more scope for international flights from BFS. Now that the roads network is improving between Belfast and Dublin, there is no reason why BFS should not be marketing itself as a direct alternative to DUB. Having travelled through both recently, I have to say that BFS is a much more pleasant experience...whether parking, check-in or boarding, there is simply more space per passenger. Obviously this will change as BFS numbers grow, but Belfast should be selling itself on being a less stressful option...

As for where these flights will be to...it seems as if the daily CO to Newark is doing well enough that CO are considering a second 757...any more word on this? Also DL might be able to put their toe in the water with a 757 to ATL? Many connection options there...wonder what the chances are of us seeing a regular 787 sometime soon?

[johnrizzo2000]

As for where these flights will be to...it seems as if the daily CO to Newark is doing well enough that CO are considering a second 757...any more word on this? Also DL might be able to put their toe in the water with a 757 to ATL? Many connection options there...wonder what the chances are of us seeing a regular 787 sometime soon?[/quote]

If CO is gonna send more 757's across the pond, it'll be to new destinations! BFS hasnt been operating that long, so I would be surprised to see it go 2 daily. Maybe 10 weekly during the summer! Would a 757 make it nonstop from BFS to ATL??????????????

[richardnei]

BFS-ATL should be within range for the 757.

I remember when Air Scandic operated a Finnair 757 BFS-SFB a couple of years back they sold the flights as operating via Gander but and most flights was able to operate wth a full load (228 PAX) non-stop to SFB.

ATL would be about the same distance from BFS.

Richard

[RT_060590]

Would Delta be able to support flights to ATL from both DUB and BFS? CO have done well as people want to go to NYC aswell as connect with the CO network, could this be repeated with ATL? I don't think ATL would be successful as a destination, the majority of people would travel for connections.Would this eat into DUB loads or would it have no effect at all ???
Would be a good way around the SNN stopover though!

[ESCNI]

As well as Gordon Brown’s recent hiking of air travel duty (from £10 to £20 per return flight) it now appears that the car parking fees at Belfast International Airport (Aldergrove) are also due for a substantial rise.

For example, in the Main Stay Car Park, the charge for a day's parking will rise (from 1st January) by 13% from £8.40 to £9.50.

For more details, read the recent article...http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article2096025.ece

[stevNI]

BFS less Stressfull than DUB

Yea I think BFS should be marketing itself as a direct and much less stressfull alternative to Dublin. Only today the Republic's Tourist Industry confederation said that overcrowing at Dublin airport was a major obstacle to future growth of the tourist industry. Spokesperson Eamon McKeon said “The capacity in Dublin airport is just grossly inadequate to handle the numbers that are going through there presently,”. I think that BFS should capitalise on this fact!

I hope to see soon an inceased frequency on Continental's service to Newark, perhaps 10 per week or double daily. And I read a few months ago that Delta was interested in flying to Belfast. I think a service to Atlanta or JFK would be sucessfull.

[True Blue]

2 questions:
1. Has Easy released all their flights for summer 07 out of Belfast yet, from Mid July, Lgw and Stn show 4 daily weekdays, 5 up to then?
2. Next summer, will Jet2 be a larger operator at Bfs than Baby?

True blue

[ALLMCC]

Originally Posted by frequentflyer2

And will East Belfast turn to dust? Will houses along the North Down foreshore fall into Belfast Lough? Isn't it about time this ridiculous curfew was relaxed to allow a late return flight from Heathrow and perhaps another couple of arrivals as well. I live in Ballyhackamore - part of East Belfast for anyone who doesn't know the city - and delayed planes do land and take off after 9.30pm. An A320 and a few more Dash 8 400's will not turn the Lower Newtownards and Albertbridge Roads or Holywood (depending which approach is used) into the Hounslow of Northern Ireland. The capacity of BHD would tend to suggest any extension of the deadline will not lead to 777's thundering over every two minutes. Personally, I think the howls of protest which follow any suggestion a few planes should officially be allowed to use the airport after 9.30pm are ridiculous and short sighted in the extreme.

At long last a positive post about BHD instead of the usual verbal crap from the BFS supporters club! The recent report from the EIP panel recommends increasing the passenger cap at BHD to 2m passengers annually each way and this will be written in to the revised planning agreement shortly.
The folk at BFS will no doubt be a little unhappy about this particularly when they submitted objections to increasing the passenger at BHD to the EIP panel (a thinly disguised attempt to prevent competition from a neighbouring airport which is distinctly unethical if not illegal) In fact, the General Consumer Council recently commented that, while welcoming the development, the cap should have been removed altogether.

[NWSRG]

Originally Posted by ALLMCC

The folk at BFS will no doubt be a little unhappy about this particularly when they submitted objections to increasing the passenger at BHD to the EIP panel (a thinly disguised attempt to prevent competition from a neighbouring airport which is distinctly unethical if not illegal).

When it comes to airports, competition should not be the primary driver. Government has a responsibility to provide, or at least encourage the development of, the correct infrastructure. And while I don't necessarily agree, there is an argument that says if NI had only one major airport (with the magic 6 million plus passengers), we would actually have more airlines offering more routes...

As for BHD, there really is no argument for not allowing some additional night flights. I live with a railway line at the bottom of my garden, but no-one consults with me when trains run through the night!

[cartmanfly]

Easyjet have just poked Jet2 in they eye with the launch of BFS - IBZ for the summer. Great for pax, bad for profit.

[richardnei]

Could be over-kill on BFS-IBZ route as we already have the following operating IBZ this Summer:

My Travel (1xWeekly)
First Choice (1xWeekly)
Jet2(2xWeekly)
BMI (1xWeekly)
Air Europa (1xWeekly)
Easyjet (1xWeekly)

plus any others to be up on sale. Is there really demand for so many IBZ flights from BFS!

Brgds
Richardnei

[Kestrel_909]

How many have we had the past two years? I don't recall seeing too many, maybe two each week?

[omoko joe]

Total waste of time. IBZ has never been a great seat only seller ex BFS. Very disappointing effort from Easyjet. Supposed multiple new rotues from BFS have turned into a half assed once weekly to IBZ. Should've left it to Jet2 if they can't launch a decent response.

[eastern wiseguy]

the General Consumer Council recently commented that, while welcoming the development, the cap should have been removed altogether.

This was the same council that insisted on the type of open competition we have today(and I believe it should be AIRLINES NOT AIRPORTS which should be in competition) ,and I for one DO agree that we have shot ourselves in the foot by encouraging the developement of two airports less than 12 miles apart. This has to impinge on NIplc's ability to attract airlines to an area which would be attracting circa 7.5 million pax per annum.
I am NOT having a pop at the resident cracked record here just looking at the thing with a dis-passionate eye.
As far as BFS-IBZ is concerned I am afraid I think that that is a waste of time.What sort of revenue is there to be had there ? Surely the type of punter that is attracted to IBZ is the sort of guy who will hang around teletext and try to pick up 7 days flight/hotel included for as little as possible.I agree with OJ ..missed opportunity

[johnrizzo2000]

Thats a lot of flights to IBZ!!! I dont think Dublin even has 3 per week during the summer!!!!

[EI-BUD]

Easyjet on BFS Ibiza

If Easyjet were intent on challenging Jet2 on the Belfast Ibiza route, it is surprising that they did not at least match the frequency of Jet2 on the route??

[Sanjo]

it looks like easyjet increased frequency on the rest of their Jet2 head to heads from BFS too.

AGP daily v 4 x week from Jet2
ALC daily v 5 x week from Jet2 to MJV
PMI 6 x week v 4 week from Jet2

a few days ago these were part weeklies...