BIRMINGHAM - 4
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Location: Solihull
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April Passenger figures
Source: CAA
April 2010 538938 -24.8% rolling year -7%
Compare
Luton 589743 -25.1% rolling year -8.9%
Edinburgh 539721 -28.2% rolling year 8786835 -1.1%
Fairly equal suffering with only Liverpool & Bristol turning in good figures.
Some quirks re individual routes, Turkish was up 4366 (4236) but
they did play proper catch-up with it running double daily for a few days.
Turkmen ASB 5631 compared to 4047
Hamburg 2343 compared to 2313 with no catch up flights
HAJ, MUC & STR were down a few hundred again with no extra flights.
Cork 6225 compared to 5408 (last April was pathetic)
Tenerife scheduled 11013 compared 7216
Emirates down to 35320 from 37650 which is not bad.
Pete
April 2010 538938 -24.8% rolling year -7%
Compare
Luton 589743 -25.1% rolling year -8.9%
Edinburgh 539721 -28.2% rolling year 8786835 -1.1%
Fairly equal suffering with only Liverpool & Bristol turning in good figures.
Some quirks re individual routes, Turkish was up 4366 (4236) but
they did play proper catch-up with it running double daily for a few days.
Turkmen ASB 5631 compared to 4047
Hamburg 2343 compared to 2313 with no catch up flights
HAJ, MUC & STR were down a few hundred again with no extra flights.
Cork 6225 compared to 5408 (last April was pathetic)
Tenerife scheduled 11013 compared 7216
Emirates down to 35320 from 37650 which is not bad.
Pete
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I'm sure there are, as I'm sure there are to lots of other regional centres in the UK. But just because a number is "growing" doesn't make it a big or relevant number for airlines considering what to do with expensive assets. I say again, 37 million passengers from overseas using LHR alone, plus millions more going into STN, LTN and LGW - total demand for travel in or out of London airports from overseas residents greater than 50 million. Nice places as they are, BHX and MAN aren't in the same ballpark.
The runway extension alone will not bring the passengers but it is a crucial first step in extending the range of the airport. Your view is something that airports can't afford to take as it's very short term....Planning for expansion is a long term business and needs to be done far in advance of actual need. Blips in the economy will be distant memories by the time the extension is built and the profits will begin to roll again for both airlines and airports.....
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Good News?
The 20th does see the arrival of the Thomson high density 76W, which will
boost a lacklustre May.
Also IPEX is on next week on it's rotation every four years at the NEC, with
a few charters due from Europe.
Not much was known about the Spanair operation, such as agents block booking seats for students or city breaks. As a stand-alone service I must admit the economic climate and ash cloud probably worked against it.
Both destinations have both sold well in the past for BA and Baby but
if the latter couldn't make it work I wonder who can?
Pity flybe haven't tried with the 195 but I am sure they would have a looked
at them both no doubt when they took over BACON. However they have said
themselves they are a low risk airline and there BHX operation is very stable rather than dynamic.
Pete
boost a lacklustre May.
Also IPEX is on next week on it's rotation every four years at the NEC, with
a few charters due from Europe.
Not much was known about the Spanair operation, such as agents block booking seats for students or city breaks. As a stand-alone service I must admit the economic climate and ash cloud probably worked against it.
Both destinations have both sold well in the past for BA and Baby but
if the latter couldn't make it work I wonder who can?
Pity flybe haven't tried with the 195 but I am sure they would have a looked
at them both no doubt when they took over BACON. However they have said
themselves they are a low risk airline and there BHX operation is very stable rather than dynamic.
Pete
BHX the biggest rip off!!
Went to meet a friend off the EK flight last night. The first time I'd been to BHX for some time. Their charges are £1 for 15 mins, £2 for 30 mins then £5 per 5 mins over that. So if passengers are delayed waiting for baggage and you were in the short stay for 1 hour that's £32. It was a free for all at the pay points with people desperately trying to pay so as to avoid these ridiculous charges. It's just sheer greed on behalf of the BHX Management.
At this rate the airport should have no trouble in raking in the cash for the extension to the runway. Not updating the arrivals website so you can judge when to arrive doesn't help either.
At this rate the airport should have no trouble in raking in the cash for the extension to the runway. Not updating the arrivals website so you can judge when to arrive doesn't help either.
Last edited by crewmeal; 15th May 2010 at 11:08.
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Parking
crewmeal
I agree for the unsuspecting it is a rip-off especially since the £1 for an
hour in the long-stay has gone.
If you have the time and don't mind wasting a bit of petrol I just get there as late as possible and keep on the move.
I tend to park at the railway station although that is only 20 minutes free. Other than that I park-up wait for a call when the pax have their bags and then get them to use the light-rail to the NEC and pick them up from there.
I know that is useless if they have no phone on them, you have no phone, they have mobility problems or you have driven a long way and you arrive early and are unfamiliar with the area.
Unfortunately most airports are like this now and sort of cater for pax to be dropped off (£1 is fine for drop off) but pick-up is a nightmare.
The £1 for an hour in long-stay was perfect and it used to pick up extra money from enthusiasts who often used it as well but I suppose BHX management believe they can catch more people out by over-staying on the current charges than they can by the £1 for one hour in long-stay.
Things are tight at present but so far PK has been a total disappointment with the petty changes, lets hope he has something positive up his sleeve!!!
Pete
I agree for the unsuspecting it is a rip-off especially since the £1 for an
hour in the long-stay has gone.
If you have the time and don't mind wasting a bit of petrol I just get there as late as possible and keep on the move.
I tend to park at the railway station although that is only 20 minutes free. Other than that I park-up wait for a call when the pax have their bags and then get them to use the light-rail to the NEC and pick them up from there.
I know that is useless if they have no phone on them, you have no phone, they have mobility problems or you have driven a long way and you arrive early and are unfamiliar with the area.
Unfortunately most airports are like this now and sort of cater for pax to be dropped off (£1 is fine for drop off) but pick-up is a nightmare.
The £1 for an hour in long-stay was perfect and it used to pick up extra money from enthusiasts who often used it as well but I suppose BHX management believe they can catch more people out by over-staying on the current charges than they can by the £1 for one hour in long-stay.
Things are tight at present but so far PK has been a total disappointment with the petty changes, lets hope he has something positive up his sleeve!!!
Pete
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Parking charges
Olton Pete
Long Stay 1 car park offers the first 15 minutes free, and the first hour for £1.
In addition the courtesy bus is free.
Signs at Bird Island indicate the above.
Regards
BHXRWY33
Long Stay 1 car park offers the first 15 minutes free, and the first hour for £1.
In addition the courtesy bus is free.
Signs at Bird Island indicate the above.
Regards
BHXRWY33
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£1 Parking The Other Side Of The Coin
I agree that it seems a rip off, but BHX has a problem in that for some of its Asian flights it is tradition that the family and extended families of travellers will "see them off/arrive" and 20-30 people turning up to see them off does rather clogg up short term parking and price is probably the best way to stop control it!
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It's just sheer greed on behalf of the BHX Management.
At this rate the airport should have no trouble in raking in the cash for the extension to the runway.
At this rate the airport should have no trouble in raking in the cash for the extension to the runway.
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You miss the point.....A huge amount of those passengers into LHR then travel to other parts of the UK.
The number I'm seeing doesn't support the view above, but your defintion of "huge" may be different to mine and you may have access to different data than me. Also to be clear, I'm not saying that BHX couldn't fulfil a role for the London market. With fast access into London and some aggressive marketing it could work
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Not missing the point at all. The data shows passenger's ultimate origin and destination as well as their country of residence. O&D traffic flow is down to postcode level.
The number I'm seeing doesn't support the view above, but your defintion of "huge" may be different to mine and you may have access to different data than me. Also to be clear, I'm not saying that BHX couldn't fulfil a role for the London market. With fast access into London and some aggressive marketing it could work
The number I'm seeing doesn't support the view above, but your defintion of "huge" may be different to mine and you may have access to different data than me. Also to be clear, I'm not saying that BHX couldn't fulfil a role for the London market. With fast access into London and some aggressive marketing it could work
Lower cost and a far greener alternative (If that's your bag!) As you say, it just needs the London Centric numpties to be persuaded (Marketing) that there is life outside the M25 and that they could get to their destinations if not as quick pretty near.....
I've forgotten the exact figures, but, the amount of business travellers out of the West Midlands via LHR is quite high. Just capturing that market would make it worthwhile.
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I don't want to stick up for PK/BIA but I'm sure that NCP are in the driving seat regarding car parks and pricing strategy. Old Airport Management back in the West Midland Council days (1979???) signed a deal that only NCP can provide car parks at BHX. I don't think BIA make that much from NCP. Mr NCP laughing all the way to the bank. The deal runs out circa 2070, maybe longer......OUCH!!!
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Parking
BHXRWY33
I asked this question a few months ago and was told the £1 for 1 hour had been withdrawn but clearly not.
The bhx website in general is pants and the parking info is just as bad.
On the first screen it mentions the short stay £1 for and then the free 15 minutes in long stay 1. It does not mention the £1 for one hour in long stay 1 until you click two further tabs.
It is if they do not want to publicise this, which is basically an excellent idea and not a rip-off.
crewmeal - the answer is above, park in long stay 1 for an hour for £1.
Pete
I asked this question a few months ago and was told the £1 for 1 hour had been withdrawn but clearly not.
The bhx website in general is pants and the parking info is just as bad.
On the first screen it mentions the short stay £1 for and then the free 15 minutes in long stay 1. It does not mention the £1 for one hour in long stay 1 until you click two further tabs.
It is if they do not want to publicise this, which is basically an excellent idea and not a rip-off.
crewmeal - the answer is above, park in long stay 1 for an hour for £1.
Pete
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Spanair has suspended the Barcelona, Madrid routes which were due to start June
Current economic climate meant slow ticket sales.......Note they are suspended not cancelled so hopefully they may be reinstated at some stage...
Current economic climate meant slow ticket sales.......Note they are suspended not cancelled so hopefully they may be reinstated at some stage...
Join Date: Apr 2006
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call100 - I was booked to MAD and back from BCN and when I called them I was told they were definitely cancelled. Maybe lost in translation? Disappointing I found out from this thread, and not from Spanair! Sadly I can't stick around to see if they get reinstated or someone else picks up the route so I took my refund - on the upside I now get to experience T5 and have used up some airmiles, on the downside I have to pick up another internal transfer in Spain and travel down the M40 rather than hop across on the train network.
It's disappointing not to see BCN on the schedule any more... can't see Flybe picking it up when RYR have Reus and Girona...
It's disappointing not to see BCN on the schedule any more... can't see Flybe picking it up when RYR have Reus and Girona...
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If the Service is suspended then this will obviously mean your flights were cancelled.
Sorry to hear it affected your travel plans....Hopefully all the bad Karma in the aviation industry will come to an end soon and everyone can get on with something bordering on the normal!!
Sorry to hear it affected your travel plans....Hopefully all the bad Karma in the aviation industry will come to an end soon and everyone can get on with something bordering on the normal!!
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Ryanair winter 2010/11
Part of the schedule released and thus far just three aircraft
required like last winter.
Some routes are clearly going to be released as the aircraft
in the circle appears on the booking page, these include, TFS,
ACE, LPA, GRO, BZG & AGP.
The more worrying ones are where there is no availablity at
all and these are BIQ, FAO, KUN, KTW, MJV, PMI, OPO & REU.
Porto seems to be seasonable now and Biarritz would be no
surprise. Palma did not operate last winter despite ZB & WW
not on the route in winter.
Murcia is interesting as East Mids is not bookable and the
same goes for easyjet at Bristol.
Kaunas has performed well pax wise since it began but I have
not followed fares on this route so I can't say if this is a
surprise or not. Katowice has been an averaged performer
or weak in terms of pax compared to the other Polish routes
Weeze reverts to four a week by a Weeze based aircraft.
Dublin stays at three daily but two BHX based flights and
weekends sees a reduction to two a day, which is surprising
for a Sunday.
Londonderry is 4 weekly as now and last winter
Krakow is three weekly as now and last winter
Gdansk two weekly as now and last winter
Rzesnow two weekly as now and last winter
Bratislava three weekly as now and last winter.
I think you can get a good idea of how much FR are
making out of the BHX base - not a lot as even the
high load-factor routes are static or possibly not
even operating if Murcia is not released.
reevery
Madrid of course is a Ryanair base but obviously don't
think it is viable. easyjet held slots for BHX-MAD a few
years ago and handed them back - another poison challice?
Pete
required like last winter.
Some routes are clearly going to be released as the aircraft
in the circle appears on the booking page, these include, TFS,
ACE, LPA, GRO, BZG & AGP.
The more worrying ones are where there is no availablity at
all and these are BIQ, FAO, KUN, KTW, MJV, PMI, OPO & REU.
Porto seems to be seasonable now and Biarritz would be no
surprise. Palma did not operate last winter despite ZB & WW
not on the route in winter.
Murcia is interesting as East Mids is not bookable and the
same goes for easyjet at Bristol.
Kaunas has performed well pax wise since it began but I have
not followed fares on this route so I can't say if this is a
surprise or not. Katowice has been an averaged performer
or weak in terms of pax compared to the other Polish routes
Weeze reverts to four a week by a Weeze based aircraft.
Dublin stays at three daily but two BHX based flights and
weekends sees a reduction to two a day, which is surprising
for a Sunday.
Londonderry is 4 weekly as now and last winter
Krakow is three weekly as now and last winter
Gdansk two weekly as now and last winter
Rzesnow two weekly as now and last winter
Bratislava three weekly as now and last winter.
I think you can get a good idea of how much FR are
making out of the BHX base - not a lot as even the
high load-factor routes are static or possibly not
even operating if Murcia is not released.
reevery
Madrid of course is a Ryanair base but obviously don't
think it is viable. easyjet held slots for BHX-MAD a few
years ago and handed them back - another poison challice?
Pete
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FR Winter
potash
It is a partial release with Bratislava, Gdansk, Rzesnow, Krakow, Weeze,
Dublin & Londonderry all bookable now.
In the process of being loaded are BZG, ALC, AGP, ACE, LPA & TFS.
For the other routes they have either not started to be loaded or they won't be operating.
Obviously their could also be new routes but nothing is rumoured. I originally expected to see FUE but it is twice a week from EMA next winter which FR might decide is enough for the Midlands and of course ZB will be on the route as well from BHX.
Peter
It is a partial release with Bratislava, Gdansk, Rzesnow, Krakow, Weeze,
Dublin & Londonderry all bookable now.
In the process of being loaded are BZG, ALC, AGP, ACE, LPA & TFS.
For the other routes they have either not started to be loaded or they won't be operating.
Obviously their could also be new routes but nothing is rumoured. I originally expected to see FUE but it is twice a week from EMA next winter which FR might decide is enough for the Midlands and of course ZB will be on the route as well from BHX.
Peter
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TBH I was surprised to see BHX-MAD, it's hardly the first place in Spain most people in the UK go to, I'd see it being a feeder route for Iberia's long-haul to pull passengers away from LHR but I can't see that happening in a hurry.
I would have thought Barcelona was much more popular with weekenders, it's also 3 hours by train and 1 by plane from Madrid, both with very regular services (one of the busiest routes in Europe?). That's the route I hope comes back soon, rather than MAD.
I would have thought Barcelona was much more popular with weekenders, it's also 3 hours by train and 1 by plane from Madrid, both with very regular services (one of the busiest routes in Europe?). That's the route I hope comes back soon, rather than MAD.