BELFAST (BHD) - 3

[gate 22]

Canada.
So Belfast has no flights in to Toronto apart from a weekly to Hamilton
In 2007 the years totals were as follows (a none recession year)
BFS – Toronto 30291
Hamilton 7415
Vancouver 7356
BHX- Toronto 38187
Hamilton 5821
EDI- Toronto 11246
Hamilton 5870
NCL- Toronto 7558
Hamilton 5941
Air Transat are operationg weekly flights this year to all but Belfast, including Exeter. What are the marketing departments at Air Transat and BFS up to!!!!

[BFS101]

I believe the SSV Airbus arrives from MAN on the 30th.

Painted in full Thomson livery i hope. Going back a few years I remember Thomson chartered an A320 TranAer (I think) to operate from BFS, and had a pitiful attempt at Britannia livery. I know many will say, what does the outside matter as long as you get there, and in some degree of comfort, but here's hoping for full Thomson livery. Something different to look out for at BFS.

On another note, friend at BHD has said that FlyBE are going to be operating to Reus from the City Airport, on Saturdays for a limited programme over the summer, chartered by Thomson, apparently. Anyone further information or know dates, nothing on Thomson (or Falcon Holidays) website.

What are the marketing departments at Air Transat and BFS up to!!!!

Think that Air Transat flights were always chartered, not scheduled so little TS can really do. Think Canadian Affair operate the bulk of TS flights to the other UK airports, and I'm sure a tour operator based in Canada also involved, so it's them that need to see the potential.

Although Zoom met a sorry end, I wonder did the Belfast and through flights to Cardiff operate at a profit. Twice weekly to Toronto and weekly to Vancouver in the summer, and weekly Toronto in the winter, did Vancouver operate over one winter? Operated to Halifax for a number of years also. Hopefully something can be done to fill the void, esp to Pearson and Vancouver. Save the trek over to the mainland or to Dublin.

[airhumberside]

Think that Air Transat flights were always chartered, not scheduled so little TS can really do. Think Canadian Affair operate the bulk of TS flights to the other UK airports, and I'm sure a tour operator based in Canada also involved, so it's them that need to see the potential.

True, but Air Transat's holding company own Canadian Affair

[BFS101]

Airhumberside, never knew that, cheers...

Digging a little deeper on the Canadian Affair website, it shows on the routemap Belfast - Toronto, but select timetable, Belfast is not a drop down option. Select Toronto however and Belfast is and gives this information form summer 2009:

Belfast - Toronto
Tues 6 May - 28 Oct 09.20 - 11.20 Non-stop 757 TS863
Thurs 8 May - 30 Oct 09.20 - 11.20 Non-stop 757 TS865

Toronto - Belfast
Mon 5 May - 27 Oct 20.45 - 08.20 Non-stop 757 TS862
Wed 7 May - 29 Oct 20.45 - 08.20 Non-stop 757 TS864

None of these are bookable online either from the UK or Canadian sites. Take it this is inaccurate information. BFS website also not listing Pearson as a destination. Old timetable thats never been removed from site???

[1545]

First Tuesday in May is the 5th - a clue possibly that it is an old timetable?

[gate 22]

Painted in full Thomson livery i hope. Going back a few years I remember Thomson chartered an A320 TranAer (I think) to operate from BFS, and had a pitiful attempt at Britannia livery.

Do you remember in the late 90's maybe early 2000's AIH chartered I think it was an Air New Zealand B747 maybe half painted in AIH colours. It was a B747 and operated CWL-BFS-Sanford-BFS-CWL every SAT during the summer.

[gate 22]

This one, remember seeing it a few times passing through. Scary though, 11 years ago already.

So retro looking!!!!! at the bottom of the photo all the folk standing there, I thought that it was taken at Carisle airport or somewhere and the whole village was out to see a 747, however its Manchester!!!!

[BFS101]

First Tuesday in May is the 5th - a clue possibly that it is an old timetable?

Should have noticed that I guess, sorry. Though pretty poor its on the Canadian Affair website under summer 2009 timetables!!

Remember seeing the Air New Zealand hybrid, 11 years ago, tho seems like only a few. Can also remember the flights by Inter European 757's and A320's, when they were operated for Aspro Holidays. Then after Aspro were bought over, Airtours International operated the flights with Airtours Holidays also. Back in the days, lol...

[gate 22]

Remember seeing the Air New Zealand hybrid, 11 years ago, tho seems like only a few. Can also remember the flights by Inter European 757's and A320's, when they were operated for Aspro Holidays. Then after Aspro were bought over, Airtours International operated the flights with Airtours Holidays also. Back in the days, lol...

What about Flying Tigers DC8-63'S BFS-Tampa in the early 80's what a sight. Tampa Florida was a summer desination all those years ago. Still cannot get over no flights to Toronto. Every Sat for at least the last 28 years there have been flights to Toronto. Air Canada 747's, Royal Airlines, Zoom, Air Transat, CP Air, World Airways, British Midland, Canada 3000, Wardair, Skyservice......can't think of any more

[Stewart28]

Was looking at the Belfast City Airport arrivals on and there was a flight from City Of Derry anybody know what this was for

[tigger2k8]

Was an Irish coastguard heli sitting on stand 9 (i think? always mix that side up..) was it there for any reason or just a fuel stop?

[No Speed]

Irish Coastguard

S61 was in for a fuel stop (stand 9) after having dropped a diver off at Craigavon hospital.

[Dee747]

Air Canada 747's, Royal Airlines, Zoom, Air Transat, CP Air, World Airways, British Midland, Canada 3000, Wardair, Skyservice......can't think of any more

Remember doing BFS-PIK-YYZ and YYZ-BFS in the autumn of 1980 on an Air Canada DC8-63. I thought I was never going to reach the back of the aircraft .......

Those were the days when crews didn't overnight in Belfast, and food and fuel was uplifted in PIK. Pulled in alongside a couple of USAF Hercs, a Starlifter and some BCal DC-10s if I remember correctly.

[gate 22]

Those were the days when crews didn't overnight in Belfast

Yeah I remember the last BA Trident 3 into Belfast was about 21.40. Every night it would thunder over my house to I think Glasgow (as my house was under BFS-GLA/EDI flight path), about 22.15 or so. Was no night stopping due to the troubles?

[ards_boy]

Remember the days when BA used the 757 and occasionally the Tristar on the LHR. Remember when I was very young seeing a BCal tristar I think ......soo much smoke

[dublindispatch]

bfs

And dont forget the "new" Laker Airways a few years ago and some outfit that all I can remember was the 757 had purple strips and was from Canada, i even rember dispatching the old Air Europe 757 to SFB via Bangor, Maine

[eastern wiseguy]

Remember the days when BA used the 757 and occasionally the Tristar on the LHR

I remember the Vanguards and Tridents as well....and the days when there was a back up shuttle just waiting if the schedule was full up. Usually a BAC1-11


The crews would not nightstop during the troubles. I heard that there may have been insurance problems for the aircraft...whether or not that was true I don't know. I do recall the bad guys breaking in to Belfast City and blowing up a SH3...30 or 60 ...can't remember which.

[EI-BUD]

eastern wiseguy, thanks for the blast from the past. I always enjoyed a 757 shuttle coming in and the back up B11s!
The HS748s, ATP and 73S coming and going.

At that time around late 80s to early 90s there were only a handful of routes on schedule, at that time Belfast was mainly serving London airport traffic. Britannia were doing 2 x daily 73S on the Luton route.
Ryanair subsequently bought alot of those 73S aircraft.

There were so many unusual visitors, and I remember InterEuropean, Air Sul, Viva Air, Air Columbus 727!

and of course one of my favourites, DAN AIR which is my screen saver a DA 733 G-SCUH!!!


EI-BUD

[BELHold]

Whilst we're taking a walk down nostalgia lane, anyone remember the ATA 727 doing the LHR Shuttle.

See we have our shiny new glass airbridge

[Dee747]

Or the US registered Presidential Airways BAe146s operating for BA?