BIRMINGHAM - 4
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: BHX
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I believe Hellenic stopped because of restrictions on getting Saudi visas, this meant that most of their planned pax couldn't travel. I have heard a rumour that they are coming back for the Hajj but nothing official yet.
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: nottingham
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Why would there be problems with attaining visas? That sounds like b*****t from Hellenic. They have done a runner just like evrey other cowboy operation that tried to launch from BHX.
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: BHX
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The reason I am told was due to the volume of applications for the Hajj, meaning that no other applications were being accepted so that all of the pilgrims visas can be processed in time. I would assume this happens every year, but unless you were applying for a normal tourist visa around this time of year I doubt you would know. You only have to look at the number of aircraft leased and chartered to cover the period to appreciate the vast increase in workload embassy's around the world must have.
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Bournemouth
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Drop off Charge (not acceptable)
Apologies for this ole chestnut!
Just to let you know, I do not live in Birmingham, however the way in which the airport charges for pick up or drop off means that I have stopped asking my visitors to land in Birmingham for me to pickup for an onward journey by car.
I particularly find it offensive that there is no prominent sign telling you that you are going to be charged, you are channelled into a car park, suddenly there are signs that say no backup and before you know where you are you are sucked in.
How long will it remain a £1? I bet some accountant is already suggesting an increase as I don't think that the cost of managing (by the looks of 100's of parking wardens now needed) is covered by the charge.
So farewell Birmingham Airport I am going to vote with my feet and put you last on my list!
Just to let you know, I do not live in Birmingham, however the way in which the airport charges for pick up or drop off means that I have stopped asking my visitors to land in Birmingham for me to pickup for an onward journey by car.
I particularly find it offensive that there is no prominent sign telling you that you are going to be charged, you are channelled into a car park, suddenly there are signs that say no backup and before you know where you are you are sucked in.
How long will it remain a £1? I bet some accountant is already suggesting an increase as I don't think that the cost of managing (by the looks of 100's of parking wardens now needed) is covered by the charge.
So farewell Birmingham Airport I am going to vote with my feet and put you last on my list!
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: UK
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Hi Andy - it's a topic that's been discussed much in the past. The car park charge, along with charging for trolley use and plastic bags in the terminal add something of a budget airport feel to the facility. A far cry from the days of the BA Eurohub!
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Solihull
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Drop Off
There is also £1 for an hour in the long-stay and 15 minutes free in the
lsame area (if that is still available). From there there is a free short
bus ride or for the fit, a brisk walk, which I always manage despite my
advancing age and less than super-fit form!
The only moan about the £1 charge is that it should be a bit longer and
the blue-badge holders should get re-imbursed (that might be the case).
As C C has stated if your friends or relatives are able-bodied then the
International Station drop off should be the first choice unless there
is a major trade fair (depressingly getting less and less but that is
another story) or there is a concert on at the LG Arena.
The real scam is the see-through bags for £1 and baggage trolley fee but
that has been done-to-death as a subject on here!
Although I doubt it would make a difference but write the the CEO as it never hurts to give feedback even if you are dealing with the thick-skinned.
Pete
lsame area (if that is still available). From there there is a free short
bus ride or for the fit, a brisk walk, which I always manage despite my
advancing age and less than super-fit form!
The only moan about the £1 charge is that it should be a bit longer and
the blue-badge holders should get re-imbursed (that might be the case).
As C C has stated if your friends or relatives are able-bodied then the
International Station drop off should be the first choice unless there
is a major trade fair (depressingly getting less and less but that is
another story) or there is a concert on at the LG Arena.
The real scam is the see-through bags for £1 and baggage trolley fee but
that has been done-to-death as a subject on here!
Although I doubt it would make a difference but write the the CEO as it never hurts to give feedback even if you are dealing with the thick-skinned.
Pete
Last edited by OltonPete; 29th Sep 2009 at 16:34. Reason: spelling and added text
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Re the drop off etc.... Best rid yourself of the angst by writing/emailing the CEO. The employees on here agree with you that it is a rip off. Unfortunately that is the way that airports are going. Other airports will follow suit as the aeronautical income dries up even more. The main income is from retail and car parks.
Personally I think the baggage charge was a step too far.......Unfortunately complaining on here won't change anything in relation to charges. In fact I can say with some certainty that even if you vent your spleen in a letter, nothing will change....Sorry.
Personally I think the baggage charge was a step too far.......Unfortunately complaining on here won't change anything in relation to charges. In fact I can say with some certainty that even if you vent your spleen in a letter, nothing will change....Sorry.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: South of MAN, North of BHX, and well clear of Stoke ;-)
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There was a time when airports generated revenue actually from aircraft landing.
My, how the world has changed, and it's not for the better.
My, how the world has changed, and it's not for the better.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kemble Gloucestershire
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Car Park Charges
If you have a Blue Badge parking is free for 1 hour outside the main Terminals, just take the thing to the NCP desk to get your ticket validated, after that GOK! Most pax turn up with bags on wheels so that really ain't a problem. Take your own see-through bag, never been stopped with a sandwich bag from Morrisons so really don't know what the gripe is, it's the same in the 25 airports that I've been through this year! Other than that it's 15 mins for £1.00 in the drop off and 30/60 mins (depending on the time, signs will show it) free in the long stay, then a fairly large up-grade! I agree that it's a rip-off in the short stay, 15 mins if you ain't a cripple (can say that 'cos I am one now), OK for drop-off but not for picking up.
re car park charges
It's no longer about common sense.
It's no longer about providing customers basic services.
It's no longer controlled by people with brains.
It's all about a GREEDY "how can we squeeze the punters even more" attitude.
I think we need to seriously consider culling the beancounters of this world and bring back fair-minded service policies
It's no longer about providing customers basic services.
It's no longer controlled by people with brains.
It's all about a GREEDY "how can we squeeze the punters even more" attitude.
I think we need to seriously consider culling the beancounters of this world and bring back fair-minded service policies
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Despite the annoying charges (that I have ranted about many a time on this forum) there are ways to avoid them as groundedforgood correctly points out. It is an unassailable fact of life that bean counters rule at BHX, what we the public now have to do is play the avoidance game which I am sure the public already do!
Personally speaking I find BHX a great airport, I flew in last week with Swiss, arrived at 0800, with hand luggage only was through and on a train to New Street at 0838........flew back yesterday, was checked in and through security in 15 mins. Perfect! The only worrying thing was that on both occasions T1 was like a ghost town, it felt more like 3am rather than 8am there were so few pax about.
My next trip back is December - I am ready prepared to avoid all charges. I have two new cases with wheels (£1 for trolley saved) and am being met at the train station so friend does not have to pay parking fees. Small money I know but it's the principle!!! I just wonder how long it will be before the railair link to the station costs a pound
Personally speaking I find BHX a great airport, I flew in last week with Swiss, arrived at 0800, with hand luggage only was through and on a train to New Street at 0838........flew back yesterday, was checked in and through security in 15 mins. Perfect! The only worrying thing was that on both occasions T1 was like a ghost town, it felt more like 3am rather than 8am there were so few pax about.
My next trip back is December - I am ready prepared to avoid all charges. I have two new cases with wheels (£1 for trolley saved) and am being met at the train station so friend does not have to pay parking fees. Small money I know but it's the principle!!! I just wonder how long it will be before the railair link to the station costs a pound
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Charges
I am told that the airport have already considered this but the rail company objected (they control half I believe). So much for encouraging the use of public transport hey. Green not.
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