BIRMINGHAM - 4

[jpthomas72]

Thanks for the detailed info, OltonPete !
My impression from flying DUS compared to FRA on BE is that the DUS flight is busier and possibly more profitable (e.g. DUS normally more expensive on Fri/Sun esp short-notice, and still has a Sat flight), so my bet would be on DUS to get one of the first E175. I actually hoped they'd have a E190 already on occasion.
Agreed, trains from Hanover to Berlin are a little pricy (talk about a monopoly !), however similar to e.g. our Euston trains, one can get early-bird pre-booked 'Special Savings' fares for allocated trains, which start at 25 Euro one-way. From bahn.de, not Raileurope.

[OltonPete]

Berlin/Turkmen/Armavia

jubilee & jpthomas72

Thanks for the info but as a family of four I think we will hold out for a direct flight or use some airmiles via FRA or DUS.

Turkmenistan

From another forum, not my work but this is the proposed timetable: -

BHX DEP

412 1 BIRMINGHAM ASHGABAT 1820 0540+1 10/30/2010 to 3/21/2011

416 2 BIRMINGHAM ASHGABAT 2050 0810 11/20/2010 to 3/22/20

422 3 BIRMINGHAM ASHGABAT 2155 0915+1 10/30/2010 to 3/23/2011

426 5 BIRMINGHAM ASHGABAT 1350 0110+1 10/30/2010 to 3/25/2011

418 6 BIRMINGHAM ASHGABAT 1510 0230+1 11/6/2010 to 3/19/2011

420 7 BIRMINGHAM ASHGABAT 1550 0310+1 10/31/2010 to 3/20/2011

430 7 BIRMINGHAM ASHGABAT 1640 0400+1 10/31/2010 to 3/20/2011"

So just the two flights on a Sunday. I seem to remember a similar schedule a few years back and it never happened however passenger numbers getting towards 6000 some months now on the four 757 flights. I think the above will be mainly if not all 737-800's.

Armavia

Per another global forum it is rumoured that Armavia are looking at starting Yerevan - Amritsar. BHX - EVN is bookable on Thursdays in November with a lovely arrival time in Yerevan (near midnight). Yerevan - Delhi was still flying Tuesday evenings so I assume some timetable adjustments shortly.

Pete

[JonnyBfs]

Toronto

Does the re-introduction of TS next Summer, to YYZ, does this mean that TCX will pull the YYZ service... ? The where we fly section of Canadian Affair lists Transat and...Monarch?

[Jamie2k9]

TS - fly on Tues with A330
TCX - fly on Sat with B757

According to TS website.

[Centre cities]

YYZ

My understanding is Transat and Monarch.

Isnt it more a case of who the charterers contract for the flights rather than TCX dropping them, although it may not fit into TCX plans for next summer anyway.



Centre cities

[crewmeal]

A380

I've just seen this from BBC news. Does this mean that Birmingham isn't cleared?

BBC News - Gatwick cleared for A380 superjumbo flights

As far as I'm aware an SQ 380 has only diverted in to LGW, but BHX was the 1st city to operate a schedule outside LHR.

[call100]

BHX Handled the A380 for Emirates. It is a Diversion airport for the A380. Scuttle has it that Emirates plan to use the A380 from BHX in the future.
The article is in fact, just incorrect.....

From the BBC's own news archive....BBC NEWS | Business | Airbus A380 in Birmingham

[wanna_be_there]

The article is incorrect.

STN is also capable of handling the A380 as they were recently given code F status.

LHR/MAN/LGW/BHX are the A380 capable airports, but there are slight differences in terminology:

LHR/MAN are designated A380 DESTINATION airports whereas up to now, BHX/STN/LGW are classed as A380 DIVERSION airports (as I understand it).

Maybe LGW has had its status changed from diversion to destination?

[Betablockeruk]

It's just the lifting of Crawley Councils "DIVERSION ONLY" planning application.

[OltonPete]

September Route Analysis

Monthly figures source: CAA

Average pax and load factor: As usual a mix of a BHX blog, acarsd, my own records.

Some routes will be estimated such as flybe as I did not note
all their cancellations. Schedule only with 2009 in brackets.
I also lost track of some of the baby frequencies which changed
in the 2nd week and the airport timetable did not always depict
the dates.

Some good increases in business routes and long-haul is decent.
Pax decreases again down to less FR & WW frequencies plus
less IT pax.


DUBLIN 50,245 (46285)/148 pax/82% load factor
> DUBAI 43,731 (34709)/364 pax/85%
> PALMA DE MALLORCA 19211 (24145)/151 pax/85%
> AMSTERDAM 37,898 (35807) 93 pax/84%
> MALAGA 31070 (30908)165 pax/90%
> DALAMAN 4940 (1211) 190 pax/89%
> PARIS (CHARLES DE GAULLE) 31,402 (28553)/65 pax/74%
> ALICANTE 26851 (27896)/162 pax/87%
> FARO 21818 (16234)/170 pax/89%
> FRANKFURT MAIN 26,155/21842)/78 pax/69%
> IBIZA 10436 (5972)/174 pax/86%
> TENERIFE (SURREINA SOFIA) 14406 (8674)/185 pax/90%
> LARNACA 7584 (6217)/172 pax/88%
> ARRECIFE 8003 (3171)/191 pax/93%
> DUSSELDORF 15,209 (13373) 44 pax/56%
> ZURICH 12,465 (8506)/69 PAX/69%
> MUNICH 11852 (10788)72 pax/84%
> MAHON 6281 (7709) 196 pax/92%
> PAPHOS 11,598 down -2.50504
> MURCIA SAN JAVIER 10,607 (15141) 143 pax/83%
> REUS 4270 (6967) 164 pax/87%
> BRUSSELS 9,735 (9872) 42 pax/48%
> NEW YORK (NEWARK) 9,609 (9320)/160 pax/92%
> LAS PALMAS 6239 (5434)/184 pax/91%
> ISLAMABAD 8,684 (7128)/289 pax/76%
> GERONA 5791 (4282)/170 pax/90%
> FUERTEVENTURA 3494 (3838)/194 pax 91%
> COPENHAGEN 6,834 (6560)/ 81 pax/71%
> HANOVER 4910 (3853)/56 pax/72%
> CORK 6,252 (5452) 120 pax/69%
> NICE 5,742 (5576) 125 pax/90%
> ASHKHABAD 5,470 (4691)/161 pax/85%
> BYDGOSZCZ 4,377 (2599)/168/89%
> BRATISLAVA 4,319 (4357) 166/88%
> KRAKOW 4,291 (5205)/165 pax/87%
> ISTANBUL 4,268 (4443)/102 pax/70%
> IRELAND WEST AIRPORT KNOCK 4,226 (4558)/117 pax/79%
> IMAM KHOMIENI 4,067 (2685) 156 pax/80%
> MILAN (MALPENSA) 3,883 (3197)/ 65 pax/60%
> MALTA 2163 (3155)/120 pax/78%
> STUTTGART 3,615 (2999)/38 pax/48%
> NIEDERRHEIN 3,608 (4206)/139 pax/73%
> RZESZOW 3,049 (2975)/169 pax/90%
> LYON 3,022 (2363)/34 pax/67%
> KAUNAS 2,999 (2583)/167 pax/88%
> HAMBURG 2,950 (2745)49 pax/63%
> GDANSK 2,643 (2910) 167 pax/87%
> KATOWICE 2,608 (4995)/163 pax/86%
> OPORTO (PORTUGAL) 2,521 (2555)/ 158 pax/83%
> TRIESTE (RONCHI DEI LEGIONARI) 2,509 (2295)/139 pax/74%
> SHANNON 2,312 (7807)/ 44 pax/62%
> GOTEBORG 1,937 (1330)/ 23 pax 51%
> BIARRITZ 1,874 (3437)/ 134 pax/71%
> ALMERIA 1,821 (4434)/182 pax/85%
> WATERFORD 1,320 (1403)/ 39 pax/54%
> BERGERAC 1,173 (864/ 49 pax/63%
> DUBROVNIK 865 (880)/108 pax/92%
> LA ROCHELLE 561 (598)/47 pax/60%

Pete

[Businesstraveller]

Qatar Airways

I see that Qatar Airways are going to be holding a CC recruitment event at the Raddison in town. Positions to be based in Doha admittedly, but any significance in such local advertising and events? Don't suppose they would be planning to run a service to BHX, being as they already flyt to MAN/LHR.
Seperately I have noticed how the screens above the Flybe check-in desks have a small Qatar Airways logo in the corner. Presumably due to the code share agreement.

[crewmeal]

If QR or EY think of coming to Brum it will no doubt dilute the chances of EK operating an A380/3rd service.

Personally I would be surprised if another ME carrier came to Brum considering the options at LHR & MAN.

Bring on the A380 EK!!!

[ATNotts]

Airline Recruitment

Why in heaven's name the fact that an airline is recruiting in any city should be the precursor to a service from a local airport is beyond me!

[wanna_be_there]

Firstly crew assesment days in cities have no relevence to a service starting a route.

Secondly, the EK A380 is at least, and I say least a year away. There are only 2-3 deliverys in 2011, and all have been allocated a route. Add to that EK has said in future, they are only going to run 2 class varients into regional cities (which they have delayed), the timeframe slips even more.

As for a 3rd daily, they have just increased capacity by around 20%, so a 3rd daily wont be in the pipeline until the end of 2011 at the earliest.

[OltonPete]

Qatar

Rumour on another forum states QR are to announce Amsterdam from
summer 2011 and upgrade Barcelona plus other routes.

Sounds a million miles off at present but who knows.

Emirates now seem to have settled down and plenty of 442 seaters,
now mainly on EK37/38 (18 out of 25 days this month).

I agree BHX seems sorted until September 2011 at least although
85% load factor last month was not bad and was affected by Ramadan although there were quite a few 364 seaters which helped.

Only two 364 seaters this month and none since 5/10/2010.

Today saw two 442 configs but that is still fairly rare (twice this month).

Pete

[wanna_be_there]

Today saw two 442 configs but that is still fairly rare (twice this month).

I think this is the crux of why an upgrade wont happen for a while. Until there are a couple of months where the 442 seaters are used every day on both services, there is no need to upgrade further.


Rumour on another forum states QR are to announce Amsterdam from
summer 2011 and upgrade Barcelona plus other routes.

I think it will be a while until another Mid-east carrier will enter BHX, but QR will be better placed over EY as QR serve ATQ. You have to remember though, if QR came onto the market and offered lower fares, it could push out the likes of Mahan, Turkmenistan and Armavia. They have thrived at BHX due to no real low priced competition, having EK/QR knocking at your door will probably make them run.

[wanna_be_there]

Not read this anywhere, but seems CY is pulling the PFO-BHX route:

Fury in Paphos after CY now axes Birmingham flight - Cyprus Mail

Is this a total pull out, or will LCA still run? Ive tried dummy booking for dates in S11 for LCA/PFO but it keeps saying no flights available?

[Businesstraveller]

ATNotts - I thought I was asking a speculative but not wholely unreasonable query. From the tenor of your response clearly I asked the most ridiculous and imbecilic question possible. I do apologise for ruining your Monday evening.

[volrider]

ATNotts - I thought I was asking a speculative but not wholely unreasonable query. From the tenor of your response clearly I asked the most ridiculous and imbecilic question possible. I do apologise for ruining your Monday evening.

I think your falling to the trap Businesstraveller in thinking that some on forums have a life and stupidly you are amongst many that think people wish to help answer questions

[wanna_be_there]

Taxi for Air Malta:

Air Malta cuts 11 UK flights for summer, as Budget inflicts 2% VAT rise on tourist beds | MaltaToday

Will pull flights at the end of April 2011. Thats 2 down in 2 days, wonder how BHX are going to counter act this?