BIRMINGHAM - 4
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: uk
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Sadly I think Birmingham missed the boat, big style !...
like Manchester they relied on BA and didn't see the LCC boom coming, at least Manchester got in just in time... you are now losing margin to East Midlands and to a much lesser degree Coventry.
Personally looking from the outside, to me BHX appears to have lost its way, it stuck with high class scheduled but even this has now eroded as business people have become more price aware ....
Had it also had a runway extention it could even have been marketed as Londons third airport with a fast train link, but even that opportunity was missed, other than serving very niche markets ie the small business community or a price conscious Asian market it really is difficult to see exactly where it goes from here ! The package holiday market is in decline, if you do want a long haul package you go EMA or MAN, there are no LCCs, there is no cargo to speak of, plus the hub concept has also evaporated.
I would get into bed with Ryanair and fast !
like Manchester they relied on BA and didn't see the LCC boom coming, at least Manchester got in just in time... you are now losing margin to East Midlands and to a much lesser degree Coventry.
Personally looking from the outside, to me BHX appears to have lost its way, it stuck with high class scheduled but even this has now eroded as business people have become more price aware ....
Had it also had a runway extention it could even have been marketed as Londons third airport with a fast train link, but even that opportunity was missed, other than serving very niche markets ie the small business community or a price conscious Asian market it really is difficult to see exactly where it goes from here ! The package holiday market is in decline, if you do want a long haul package you go EMA or MAN, there are no LCCs, there is no cargo to speak of, plus the hub concept has also evaporated.
I would get into bed with Ryanair and fast !
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Solihull
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BHX
Bagso
BHX have not missed the boat at all just chose the pedalo
"no LCC's" - I know some only count EZY & FR but as SLF I would
say BABY are the next best thing. I have flown with them to EDI £26 & £27, Amsterdam, £31 & £40 and booked Prague at £45 return and in my
book that is lo-cost (although they won't make money out of me).
You know with Baby what you are going to get a fairly slow expansion
but to be fair three extra based units this year was not bad.
Coventry - a good thing in the end as it woke BHX up (a bit), got some of
their routes (AMS, FCO & NCE) and now barely notice the TOM flights
although Wizz have got off to a good start.
East Mids long-haul - I think it is reducing next year (well First Choice) but BHX is adding Montego Bay and Punta Cana. BHX also has Bridgetown
and Goa in winter and other than the total embarrassment of the Florida flights it is not that bad. Schedule flights westbound could and should be better but not the end of world.
There are some gaps with the European flights but both Ryanair & Easyjet have added destinations this winter but perhaps a bit more was expected of baby (taking two BHX overnighters away for maintenance).
The airport is profitable, plenty of space for parking aircraft, terminals not overcrowded and I have heard far less complaints than usual (I know that is subjective), in order words reasonably pleasant to fly from although security delays are hit and miss.
Ryanair - all very well but will the airport make any money from them, will the pax spend money in the shops? Nice big pax numbers but it has to cut both ways.
Pete
BHX have not missed the boat at all just chose the pedalo
"no LCC's" - I know some only count EZY & FR but as SLF I would
say BABY are the next best thing. I have flown with them to EDI £26 & £27, Amsterdam, £31 & £40 and booked Prague at £45 return and in my
book that is lo-cost (although they won't make money out of me).
You know with Baby what you are going to get a fairly slow expansion
but to be fair three extra based units this year was not bad.
Coventry - a good thing in the end as it woke BHX up (a bit), got some of
their routes (AMS, FCO & NCE) and now barely notice the TOM flights
although Wizz have got off to a good start.
East Mids long-haul - I think it is reducing next year (well First Choice) but BHX is adding Montego Bay and Punta Cana. BHX also has Bridgetown
and Goa in winter and other than the total embarrassment of the Florida flights it is not that bad. Schedule flights westbound could and should be better but not the end of world.
There are some gaps with the European flights but both Ryanair & Easyjet have added destinations this winter but perhaps a bit more was expected of baby (taking two BHX overnighters away for maintenance).
The airport is profitable, plenty of space for parking aircraft, terminals not overcrowded and I have heard far less complaints than usual (I know that is subjective), in order words reasonably pleasant to fly from although security delays are hit and miss.
Ryanair - all very well but will the airport make any money from them, will the pax spend money in the shops? Nice big pax numbers but it has to cut both ways.
Pete
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Warwickshire
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A340 and bits......
Was walking across Sheldon Country Park when the great four engined beast took off (am not a spotter, no idea it was due just luck I was there), from where I stood it used pretty much ALL the runway to get off indeed nearly shaving a few hairs off the top of me head as it screamed overhead - great sight though can't see it being a regular one!!
- what a great phrase get that trademarked!!!
Ryanair/LCCs - BHX does have LCC carriers but just ones that stay safe and stick to what they know they're good at, I can't see Baby, Flybe or Monarch doing anything particularly radical in the destinations department, even with extra aircraft etc. Each of these also have to consider routes from other airports aswell, particularly Flybe who it has to be siad def favour Southampton. I don't think BHX should get into bed with Ryanair, we have a good spread of airlines and a few would almost certainly shy away if FR were to set up a base (not that they will!), BUT a few more routes from them on 'W Pattern' would be nice to/from other bases in Europe (PLEASE Pisa so I can visit my sister without spending longer on the motorway getting to EMA than in the air!!!!)
Overall BHX is a good airport from the pax perspective (I was off a full Emirates 773, reclaimed bags and in my car in half an hour two weeks ago) but it does lack imagination in its routes - a bit more work on this and things would be better
BHX have not missed the boat at all just chose the pedalo
Ryanair/LCCs - BHX does have LCC carriers but just ones that stay safe and stick to what they know they're good at, I can't see Baby, Flybe or Monarch doing anything particularly radical in the destinations department, even with extra aircraft etc. Each of these also have to consider routes from other airports aswell, particularly Flybe who it has to be siad def favour Southampton. I don't think BHX should get into bed with Ryanair, we have a good spread of airlines and a few would almost certainly shy away if FR were to set up a base (not that they will!), BUT a few more routes from them on 'W Pattern' would be nice to/from other bases in Europe (PLEASE Pisa so I can visit my sister without spending longer on the motorway getting to EMA than in the air!!!!)
Overall BHX is a good airport from the pax perspective (I was off a full Emirates 773, reclaimed bags and in my car in half an hour two weeks ago) but it does lack imagination in its routes - a bit more work on this and things would be better
Join Date: Aug 2006
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'BIA Helps to Beat Just Home Holiday Blues
Sorry, am I the only one to notice this pile of 
masquerading as news on the BHX website - I have never read such utterly banal drivel, scrapbooks, dinner and dancing, make time for each other I ask you!!!!!!!! Is this in any way aviation or company related?? Is the airport that short of news that it has to resort to 'This Morning' style daytime TV trivia in order to justify the existence of its Press Office? 'New research published today by BIA....' - surely there are far more important things to research like new destinations, passenger opinion of airport facilities, how competitor airports are faring etc??? I give up 
masquerading as news on the BHX website - I have never read such utterly banal drivel, scrapbooks, dinner and dancing, make time for each other I ask you!!!!!!!! Is this in any way aviation or company related?? Is the airport that short of news that it has to resort to 'This Morning' style daytime TV trivia in order to justify the existence of its Press Office? 'New research published today by BIA....' - surely there are far more important things to research like new destinations, passenger opinion of airport facilities, how competitor airports are faring etc??? I give up
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Solihull
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Press Release
GF
I had noticed it and I thought what the...............
I know it was a quiet news week at BHX but I agree what a load of tosh.
Pax figures will be out next week and my estimate is just over million
(1001500) for August, which I am sure will be welcome if this is turns out to be true.
Hopefully back to true aviation matters and some good news!
Pete
I had noticed it and I thought what the...............
I know it was a quiet news week at BHX but I agree what a load of tosh.
Pax figures will be out next week and my estimate is just over million
(1001500) for August, which I am sure will be welcome if this is turns out to be true.
Hopefully back to true aviation matters and some good news!
Pete
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Catiii - Ndb
Sorry folks just a SLF - Born in Brum - A Spotty Reggie . The issue of Pax figs at Brum relate to the changing nature of the local Economy ??? and perhaps the decline on Numbers especially on Business routes - Milan for example ! indicates broader changes of employment patterns in region, and this affects the prospects of all the people who work in av industry - Is it time to really look again at al of the assumptions behind the grandiose expansion plans - Customer LHR/SFO Sunday Week - thanks ( I hope i'm not off Topic).
Wotmesir?
Join Date: Sep 2007
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As an exiled Brummie I have always tried to fly from BHX whenever possible. It was often more cost effective to drive down from darkest Scotland and park/stay at the Mother-in-Laws and then spend a fiver in a taxi to get to the airport.
But with the expansion of Ryanair/Easyjet/Transavia and others from Newcastle/Glasgow/Edinburgh and even MME it gets more and more expensive to fly from Brum.
Would a big input from FR/EZY make things better or merely chase other operators away? Does BHX suffer from its proximity to the London airports as opposed to MAN?
I do hope that BHX does enter the budget flight market more than it does now as it is a good airport to fly from. The only downside was stopping at the M-I-Laws.
But with the expansion of Ryanair/Easyjet/Transavia and others from Newcastle/Glasgow/Edinburgh and even MME it gets more and more expensive to fly from Brum.
Would a big input from FR/EZY make things better or merely chase other operators away? Does BHX suffer from its proximity to the London airports as opposed to MAN?
I do hope that BHX does enter the budget flight market more than it does now as it is a good airport to fly from. The only downside was stopping at the M-I-Laws.
Join Date: Jan 2007
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It always amazes me that people can only harp on about Ryan air when trying to sort any airport problems. Ryan air does not mean huge profits for airports. MOL and his cronies want airports to pay them rather than pay anything for using the facilities. Trouble is not enough of their Pax spend enough money in the shops....
At the end of the day Brum is a profitable airport. We have a bunch of LoCo ops and Ryan air are trying to sneak back in after MOL's embarrassing outburst about BIA costs.
London's third airport????
What a stupid statement. It's not a London anything. It's Birmingham airport. Birmingham has enough Commerce to keep it going thank you. I Think you need to re-evaluate your thoughts and try and get a grip on some reality.
It is in no worse and in some cases a lot better shape than anyone else. Once the New pier and Runway work has been finished it will be the fastest growing airport in the country. Yes it should have been done earlier, but, I don't think there is a single airport in the country that has all the answers and all the right boxes ticked....
At the end of the day Brum is a profitable airport. We have a bunch of LoCo ops and Ryan air are trying to sneak back in after MOL's embarrassing outburst about BIA costs.
Had it also had a runway extension it could even have been marketed as London's third airport with a fast train link, but even that opportunity was missed, other than serving very niche markets ie the small business community or a price conscious Asian market it really is difficult to see exactly where it goes from here !
What a stupid statement. It's not a London anything. It's Birmingham airport. Birmingham has enough Commerce to keep it going thank you. I Think you need to re-evaluate your thoughts and try and get a grip on some reality.It is in no worse and in some cases a lot better shape than anyone else. Once the New pier and Runway work has been finished it will be the fastest growing airport in the country. Yes it should have been done earlier, but, I don't think there is a single airport in the country that has all the answers and all the right boxes ticked....
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hobbiton, middle England
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well said call 100.
Work should begin on the mentioned new pier during next summer (2008) with an estimated completion by september 2009. It will be built parallel to the existing pier which will be demolished when the new pier is finished. the new pier will be designed to accomodate up to 7 large wide bodied aircraft (747 size) at any one time plus additional stands for smaller aircraft. The existing apron control tower is thought to escape the demolition and remain in place (with a refurbishment). I hope all the building work doesnt cause too much disruption but i guess its short term pain for long term gain.
As for the runway extension, it cant come soon enough! the sale of half of BIA ownership hasnt helped but the new owners have agreed on the extension and following a revised master plan a planning application will be submitted hopefully by the end of the year. A new ATC tower has to built first though before work begins on the runway i believe. Hopefully its all completed in time for the olympics which is a perfect global advertising / commercial opportunity for BHX.
Interesting times ahead me thinks, and when its all completed the future looks very bright with doors opening in the long haul market in all directions!
Work should begin on the mentioned new pier during next summer (2008) with an estimated completion by september 2009. It will be built parallel to the existing pier which will be demolished when the new pier is finished. the new pier will be designed to accomodate up to 7 large wide bodied aircraft (747 size) at any one time plus additional stands for smaller aircraft. The existing apron control tower is thought to escape the demolition and remain in place (with a refurbishment). I hope all the building work doesnt cause too much disruption but i guess its short term pain for long term gain.
As for the runway extension, it cant come soon enough! the sale of half of BIA ownership hasnt helped but the new owners have agreed on the extension and following a revised master plan a planning application will be submitted hopefully by the end of the year. A new ATC tower has to built first though before work begins on the runway i believe. Hopefully its all completed in time for the olympics which is a perfect global advertising / commercial opportunity for BHX.
Interesting times ahead me thinks, and when its all completed the future looks very bright with doors opening in the long haul market in all directions!
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Baby to Madrid
Not announced on either bmibaby.com or the BHX website but it is available for booking and is in the schedule on baby.com
Route start's 7th December: 4x weekly, Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun
WW1377: Departs BHX: 1025, Arrives MAD: 1355
WW1378: Departs MAD: 1450, Arrives BHX: 1620
I looked at the first flight prices and it's showing as £5.99! for one adult. Great news I think!
.
Route start's 7th December: 4x weekly, Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun
WW1377: Departs BHX: 1025, Arrives MAD: 1355
WW1378: Departs MAD: 1450, Arrives BHX: 1620
I looked at the first flight prices and it's showing as £5.99! for one adult. Great news I think!
.
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Madrid
It is now on bhx.co.uk
To Lee on the EMA/BMI thread for the information in advance.
Shame they have cut the Edinburgh to three a day at the moment when
it should have increased to five. Hopefully this is a short-term measure.
The Madrid fits into a gap and now makes BHX six based aircraft
very busy on the days the Madrid operates.
Sunday is a surprise as the last time I looked BHX required 8 aircraft, one
of which is the EDI based one which operates through the weekend but
the other?
Pete
To Lee
on the EMA/BMI thread for the information in advance.Shame they have cut the Edinburgh to three a day at the moment when
it should have increased to five. Hopefully this is a short-term measure.
The Madrid fits into a gap and now makes BHX six based aircraft
very busy on the days the Madrid operates.
Sunday is a surprise as the last time I looked BHX required 8 aircraft, one
of which is the EDI based one which operates through the weekend but
the other?
Pete
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BMIBaby Madrid
Good news for BHX. The airport is slowly getting back routes lost when BA pulled out. Initial loads on the new AF LYS route look good too. Heres to more routes soon as hinted at by bhx.co.uk press release.
(SZG would please me!)
(SZG would please me!)
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Great news, tapas and cerveza all round to celebrate!!
Well done Lee on keeping us informed - any more tips from Baby for the future??!
Splash&dash - thanks for the info about developments, very interesting, a new pier is well overdue, I should imagine Emirates for one will be pleased I should imagine it is nigh on impossible to comfortably board the 773 from 40 or 41 if the flight is full, not to mention no area reserved for business pax. I also heard on hearsay that the state of holding lounges (ie lack of facilities) was also one of the reasons PIA transit flights stopped (although methinks the 777, getting a better deal from MAN and the ability to fly non stop was more the reason).
Well done Lee on keeping us informed - any more tips from Baby for the future??!Splash&dash - thanks for the info about developments, very interesting, a new pier is well overdue, I should imagine Emirates for one will be pleased I should imagine it is nigh on impossible to comfortably board the 773 from 40 or 41 if the flight is full, not to mention no area reserved for business pax. I also heard on hearsay that the state of holding lounges (ie lack of facilities) was also one of the reasons PIA transit flights stopped (although methinks the 777, getting a better deal from MAN and the ability to fly non stop was more the reason).
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: EMA
Age: 38
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hehe well I did say months ago Baby was going to do BHX-MAD, get ready for Ryanair to slash its fares on EMA-MAD. Now maybe some users will listen to me when I say more about other routes from EMA with Ryanair. . .
Lee
im sure we will see BHX-EMA-GLA this winter
Lee
im sure we will see BHX-EMA-GLA this winter
Last edited by dumdumbrain; 11th Sep 2007 at 20:30.
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Bhx-ema-gla
You were spot on about Madrid but are you absolutely sure about this one Lee?? Last and indeed only time I flew BHX-EMA was with British Midland on an F100 going to Jersey in 1998, no sooner had we taken off than we had landed again (my dad however has a hazy memory of flying BHX-EMA on Brymon going to Gatwick and swears he got a cup of tea and a biscuit, bless him!! Ah them were the days....) In this day and age it just can't be economical to do such a short journey especially on a flight thats only 50 mins anyway?? I would be much happier to see instead Baby going to SXF, VCE, PSA, SZG or indeed any one of the many cities in Europe that is not served from BHX
Join Date: Apr 2007
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I have my contacts other than findingnema in Baby, i have a friend who knows someone in Tinyland planning. I dont think it would be a good idea for Baby to even try and do PSA or SXF, I would like to see them try new routes and exciting routes, like the new wave of eastern european coutries to join the EU
Lee
Lee