BELFAST (BHD) - 3
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Belfast, UK
Age: 43
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EI down to 2
Well we all thought it over the last few weeks. To be honest its probably a very smart move, if it brings up average load factor, improved yields and provides routes that are sure winners over the winter (Munich seems to be the only risky route, but very glad its staying, Christmas markets in Dec fantastic). Seems that the third aircraft is due to return for summer 10, and hopefully the return of Rome!!! Hopefully this decision will work to EI's benefit at BFS.
BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Aer Lingus makes Belfast cutbacks
Aer Lingus suspends flights on five Belfast routes - Business News, Business - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Aer Lingus makes Belfast cutbacks
Aer Lingus suspends flights on five Belfast routes - Business News, Business - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Mr Corneille insisted it was not all doom and gloom and the load factor on Belfast routes was 81% in April, the highest yet.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well we all thought it over the last few weeks. To be honest its probably a very smart move, if it brings up average load factor, improved yields and provides routes that are sure winners over the winter (Munich seems to be the only risky route, but very glad its staying, Christmas markets in Dec fantastic). Seems that the third aircraft is due to return for summer 10, and hopefully the return of Rome!!! Hopefully this decision will work to EI's benefit at BFS.
Is Brussels not an option from Belfast? I suppose with the credit crunch any new route next winter would be a risk!
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Belfast, UK
Age: 43
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Granted EI had a very poor start at BFS, especially with Amsterdam, Paris, Geneva, Nice and Budapest. I don't think it really showed poor marketing in these cases, regardless how well the routes were advertised, if there are only enough passengers for one carrier, and with EZY already established then they had the advantage on many of these routes. Had EZY pulled and EI continued the route, the same argument could have been said regarding EZY marketing. As for Budapest, if the unadventurous NI folk (and business links) can't support Berlin, Venice, Warsaw, etc then it was going to be a surprise had it survived.
Think EI are having issues with their long-haul at the minute, what routes they are changing, keeping out of DUB and SNN, so probably long-haul from BFS will take a back seat until that is sorted and EI are pretty certain the routes will be sustainable.
There seems to be loads of folks out there, and unfortunately on here, that are just waiting from EI to fail on another route, so they can finger wag and think they knew better. In this current climate I think it'd be better to stay on the safe side of caution, if that means pulling an aircraft over the winter, rather than keep on risky marginal routes, then so be it. EI need to find their niche, hopefully also something new and sustainable from BFS, and then settle in and work away.
You would think this route should be served from Belfast, however maybe A320's may be a little large. Bmi regional from BHD would be a better in my opinion, with a SN codeshare.
Toronto is just sitting there, but they will mess around-it doesn't operate out of Dublin with EI so lets no be tempted.
There seems to be loads of folks out there, and unfortunately on here, that are just waiting from EI to fail on another route, so they can finger wag and think they knew better. In this current climate I think it'd be better to stay on the safe side of caution, if that means pulling an aircraft over the winter, rather than keep on risky marginal routes, then so be it. EI need to find their niche, hopefully also something new and sustainable from BFS, and then settle in and work away.
Is Brussels not an option from Belfast?
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ireland
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I dont think YYZ is just sitting there. GSM are flying to YHM. Long-haul travel in general is struggling with all airlines, so they arent going to jump on YYZ. BFS isnt a big market, and EI cutting back is a clear sign of this. The base is approachingt 2 years old, so i'm sure any subsidies etc they got for opening the base are gone or running out, so this could be another reason for cutbacks. I wouldnt be surprised to see the base closed, and just see LHR and sun routes operated on W patterns by other bases
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Belfast, UK
Age: 43
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wouldnt be surprised to see the base closed, and just see LHR and sun routes operated on W patterns by other bases
Who knows the exact figures and profits from BFS, but aside for all those 'experts' that are so quick to say what a disaster BFS has been, we have from Aer Lingus:
Mr Corneille said they are “happy” with Belfast.
The base is performing very well
Bookings are up 17% on last year. We remain very committed to the market place
We remain very encouraged by the performance from Belfast
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Norn Iron
Age: 34
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm sorry but if you think that EI having to pull one a/c out for a single season is a sign of EI being marketing etc being poor then you are being naive yourself, perhaps you didn't notice but we are in the middle of a global recession right now! Everyone is making cuts and no one is safe at all! What EI are doing is probably going to work out in their favour in the long run, cut costs now, only serving 'safe' flights until the time comes that it is actually visable to run somthing that isn't just bucket and spades!
EI managed to give EZY a good run for their money and between EI and EZY, LS has had to lose a hell of alot more, but they haven't/aren't planning any permenant job cuts?
Granted maybe more could be done with codeshare to hubs etc... but given how creative Norn Iron people are with their holidays, even at the best of times there's only so much you can do!
No-way long haul with EI will happen ex-BFS until after the reccession and the current DUB long haul problems are sorted.
EI managed to give EZY a good run for their money and between EI and EZY, LS has had to lose a hell of alot more, but they haven't/aren't planning any permenant job cuts?
Granted maybe more could be done with codeshare to hubs etc... but given how creative Norn Iron people are with their holidays, even at the best of times there's only so much you can do!
No-way long haul with EI will happen ex-BFS until after the reccession and the current DUB long haul problems are sorted.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Europa
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just can't get over the fact the we all knew and know that Aer Lingus were crazy going almost exclusively on routes with heavy competition, but somehow the guys in charge were/are oblivious to this.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Larne, UK
Posts: 990
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i love all the posts of predictions of EI at BFS closing down lol... EI has seen improved loads (look at April....) the routes they are operating are definately going to be popular...
the ONLY quiet time for EI over winter 08 was actually November (same with EZY, Jet2 and bmibaby.. so it wasnt just one airline...), where flights went out to LHR with 12 pax, and returned from MXP with 11 odd passengers some nights, but apart from that they did very well especially on ACE and about 75% of their FCO flights and an additional charter for FCO one night (came in from FCO and then went empty to DUB)
can we put an end to the doom and gloom posts please? it aint happening....
its gud to hear that jobs are safe though with EI, hopefully Menzies will avoid redundancies for the sake of 4 months (not forgetting their EZY operations will increase in December with Christmas, so technically 3 months)
agree with BFS101... MUC is the only risky route.. will prob suffer low loads until halfway through December when people start going ski-ing
the ONLY quiet time for EI over winter 08 was actually November (same with EZY, Jet2 and bmibaby.. so it wasnt just one airline...), where flights went out to LHR with 12 pax, and returned from MXP with 11 odd passengers some nights, but apart from that they did very well especially on ACE and about 75% of their FCO flights and an additional charter for FCO one night (came in from FCO and then went empty to DUB)
can we put an end to the doom and gloom posts please? it aint happening....
its gud to hear that jobs are safe though with EI, hopefully Menzies will avoid redundancies for the sake of 4 months (not forgetting their EZY operations will increase in December with Christmas, so technically 3 months)
agree with BFS101... MUC is the only risky route.. will prob suffer low loads until halfway through December when people start going ski-ing
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I
Belfast is nearly as big a market with regard to passenger numbers as GLA, BHX, EDI, its just that's its split between 2 airports. Belfast is a growing market and hopefully will continue. BFS/TORONTO is outside MAN/GLA/LONDON one of the biggest if not the biggest.
dont think YYZ is just sitting there. GSM are flying to YHM. Long-haul travel in general is struggling with all airlines, so they arent going to jump on YYZ. BFS isnt a big market,
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Belfast, UK
Age: 43
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thomson Airways operate BFS-PMI-BFS-LAS-BFS on Saturdays for summer 09, Palma flight for Falcon/JWT, and the Las Palmas by Falcon/JWT and Thomson Holidays.
Spanair meanwhile was to operate REU-BFS-PMI-BFS-REU, solely for Thomson Holidays.
FlyBE are now operating BHD-REU for Thomson Holidays for summer 09. Is this in addition to the Spanair flights, or have these been pulled, with PMI capacity from Thomson Holidays going on the TOM flights and BE doing the REU???
Really think the TUI group should consolidate their operation similar to what Thomas Cook have done at BFS. Basically all the tour operating brands offering the same destinations and offering the same flights. At the minute Falcon and Thomson Holidays are operating on different flights, some Thomson Holidays, some Falcon only, even though now they're both TUI.
Spanair meanwhile was to operate REU-BFS-PMI-BFS-REU, solely for Thomson Holidays.
FlyBE are now operating BHD-REU for Thomson Holidays for summer 09. Is this in addition to the Spanair flights, or have these been pulled, with PMI capacity from Thomson Holidays going on the TOM flights and BE doing the REU???
Really think the TUI group should consolidate their operation similar to what Thomas Cook have done at BFS. Basically all the tour operating brands offering the same destinations and offering the same flights. At the minute Falcon and Thomson Holidays are operating on different flights, some Thomson Holidays, some Falcon only, even though now they're both TUI.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I see BD's numbers on the BHD-LHR route are up in April for the first time in a while.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ballymena
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aer Lingus reach 1m at bfs
Rte are reporting that EI have taken 1m booking at Bfs in the 17 months since starting. Also very good figures for Lhr in April. Link here
RTÉ News: Aer Lingus takes 1m bookings in Belfast
True Blue
RTÉ News: Aer Lingus takes 1m bookings in Belfast
True Blue
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Larne, UK
Posts: 990
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EI has definately started to pull in more passengers since the start of the year.... no doubt this will upset the anti EI BFS groups lol..
was a tornado jet at BFS tonight, missed the take off but the sound of it was amazing, the whole place shook , also a hercules is due in tonight (might have arrived already)
was a tornado jet at BFS tonight, missed the take off but the sound of it was amazing, the whole place shook , also a hercules is due in tonight (might have arrived already)
Last edited by tigger2k8; 20th May 2009 at 09:58.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also very good figures for Lhr in April.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is the second biggest carrier operating from the Northern Ireland airport behind low-cost airline Easyjet.
Ryanair, which operates from George Best Belfast City Airport, claimed its services attracted 50% more passengers than Aer Lingus over the past 17 months.
Ryanair said it did so while using one Belfast-based aircraft, compared to the three planes located at Aldergrove by Aer Lingus.
The establishment of the Aer Lingus base in Belfast caused controversy as it involved switching Heathrow connections from Shannon.
Ryanair, which operates from George Best Belfast City Airport, claimed its services attracted 50% more passengers than Aer Lingus over the past 17 months.
Ryanair said it did so while using one Belfast-based aircraft, compared to the three planes located at Aldergrove by Aer Lingus.
The establishment of the Aer Lingus base in Belfast caused controversy as it involved switching Heathrow connections from Shannon.
Who is telling the truth, 50% more would make FR the 2nd carrier and not EI. Also FR use one Belfast based aircraft but at least 2 of their flights are operated by an aircraft from another base. Also there are more rotations per day with FR as the journey's are shorter.