BELFAST (BHD) - 3

[tigger2k8]

it would make sense to operate out of both and compare results, as they cant compare what airport serves best by pulling from BFS and going to BHD (especially since they have cut the flights by 50% lol), because if people need to travel to LTN they HAVE to go the BHD then due to the fact EZY offers the only flight to LTN out of BHD and BFS... i cant see many people flying to another London airport for the sake of having to travel another 15 miles to BHD

but all press releases have said they will switch flights, so i think the EZY booking system will just take a few days/weeks to update..

just watched the UTV report, no1 from BFS was available for tv interview but described the move as "Bizarre"

[SKY's4ME]

Never good to see a reduction of rotations, however easyjet must see an oportunity at BHD and it might not be long before STN, LGW, BRS, LPL, GLA, and EDI could begin. In other words all domestics out of BHD all Continentals ex BFS?

In either case the Ryanair/Flybe teams will start to feel additional competition from the orange machine!

[tigger2k8]

Never good to see a reduction of rotations, however easyjet must see an oportunity at BHD and it might not be long before STN, LGW, BRS, LPL, GLA, and EDI could begin. In other words all domestics out of BHD all Continentals ex BFS?

In either case the Ryanair/Flybe teams will start to feel additional competition from the orange machine!

probably not going to happen.. at BFS EZY is the only operator to fly to EDI, GLA, LPL, BRS, NCL, LGW, STN it wouldnt make sense for them to place themselves at BHD for those routes.. besides aircraft and passenger movement limits wont allow the rotations they want, although i do think it would be a good idea for EZY to consider domestic routes that currently are not available from BFS with them..

BHD's infrastruction would not be able to cope with domestic EZY flights on a large scale, it would require another terminal or a big extension.. extended apron.. enough free stands for nightstopping aircraft.. the list goes on...

but then im only speculating, today was a big surprise and by the sounds of it Abertis wasnt consulted as im sure if they were, they would have had a statement or something more to say thann "Bizarre"

[SKY's4ME]

Space really would prevent EZY's or others expansion at BHD but a pull out of RYR could allow further growth. The infastructure is really what seems to be attracting Easyjet as the rapid BFS run down has not impressed them. The new developments at BFS must make the airport there more user friendly or even other operators may move.

I understand the spanish owners of BFS also have a contract at LTN. So this is most likely a fierce message being sent to the Spaniards by Easyjet to sort out both Airports!

[blueskiesni]

Easy in the City

Isn't there a maximum limit to Belfast City movements per 12 months?
If Easyjet use up some slots there will be less for the Ryanair and Flybe!
Simple!

[EI-BUD]

Looks like a serious timetable,
schedule operates with LTN aircraft
LTN BHD 0700/0815
LTN BHD 1815/1930
BHD LTN 0840/0950
BHD LTN 1955/2105

Sounds like this is 1. a strong message to TBI and may shake them up pre summer 2010 and 2. may be an attempt to try to recapture some of the lost London market that Ryanair/Aer Lingus have taken, and in addition, it is unlikely that City airport would give good enough deal to attract Ryanair to the route if they wanted so a good move for Easyjet...

EI-BUD

[EI-BUD]

easyJet, the UK's largest airline, today announced it will commence operations from Belfast City Airport, with a twice daily service from London Luton. The route, currently operated between London Luton and Belfast International Airport, will switch to Belfast City Airport from Thursday 7 January 2010.
easyJet is the principle carrier in Northern Ireland and currently operates a base at Belfast International Airport, with five aircraft offering a choice of 19 destinations, carrying over 3 million passengers a year and employing 173 staff. The decision to move the route to Belfast City is a result of the airline's plans to assess if easyJet passengers find a benefit in flying to an airport closer to the City of Belfast when travelling on shorter routes. However, easyJet's commitment to maintaining market leading air services for the Northern Ireland market overall remains unaltered and the bulk of easyJet's operations in Northern Ireland will remain at Belfast International.
If successful easyJet plans to provide greater frequencies on the Belfast City route and will consider additional routes from Belfast City Airport over time.
Paul Simmons, Regional General Manager for the UK commented:
"easyJet is committed to Northern Ireland, very committed. We are No1 in the region, but we are not complacent. That is why we want to see if our passengers flying on selected shorter routes would prefer to fly via Belfast City Airport. The only way to actually do this properly is to run a route from there. We will take our time in assessing the passenger feedback and then take a view on how best to configure our operations between the two airports in the longer term".
In welcoming easyJet to George Best Belfast City Airport its Chief Executive, Brian Ambrose said:
"We are delighted that easyJet has selected Luton as its first destination from Belfast City Airport - a route we currently do not offer and one I am sure will be popular. I am certain that the continuing private investment by our owners in the airport's infrastructure, aimed at enhancing the customer experience, will appeal to easyJet's passengers.
"The arrival of another premier airline to Belfast City will be welcomed news for our growing customer base."
Passengers who have already booked to travel between Luton and Belfast International from 7 January onwards will be contacted and advised they can either transfer free of charge to the Belfast City route or claim a full refund.
Seats for the new route go on sale today at www.easyjet.com with fares from £21.99 one way (£45.98 return inc taxes

Info from Easyjet news section of the website....

Does the wording of this message suggest that they will also look at City of Derry?

[Powerjet1]

LTN-BFS flights from Jan are now no longer bookable, just to BHD.

[tigger2k8]

LTN-BFS flights from Jan are now no longer bookable, just to BHD.

yep.. although flights from the 28th March are bookable.... from my knowledge Sunday 28th March is the start of the summer schedule with 4 daily flights.. so maybe this is just a trial for the winter months...or maybe they plan to split the LTN route during the summer when the demand is higher... or ofcourse mayb they have to go through each schedule on the booking system and remove it

on a side note... the summer 2010 schedule is being rolled out at the minute.. so LTN will probably vanish or appear on a reduced schedule

[Charlie Roy]

2. may be an attempt to try to recapture some of the lost London market that Ryanair/Aer Lingus have taken

Easyjet are moving the route to City and reducing flights, so overall they're cutting capacity on their London - Belfast routes. Which can only be good news for their competitors...

[True Blue]

What a stupid move by Easyjet. A group of us(12) are booked Bfs - Ltn in February. Now our plans are being disrupted by this, if it wasn't that we are taking another flight from Ltn, we would cancel and go some other route. I hope somebody else steps in before we have to transfer on Bfs - Ltn, but I don't hold out much hope. If this is happening just to get one over on the owners of Ltn & Bfs, then I don't think much of Easy. They are destroying this route, what good is 2 flights a day? Another example of services spread over different airports and a poor service as a result.

True Blue

[EI-BUD]

Wouldn't it be a very interesting if Ryanair did open BFS LTN as a response, the route is well developed and BFS may react to the Easyjet stance by inviting Ryanair in?

Easyjet are moving the route to City and reducing flights, so overall they're cutting capacity on their London - Belfast routes. Which can only be good news for their competitors...

CharlieRoy- I agree that any cut backs in frequency will be a help to the overall situation for the airlines, but what I can see is that Easyjet went from 15 a day ex BFS pre Aer Lingus arrival to what will be approx 9 a day from the winter and on some days 8.

Number are dwindling on most routes and my point is that Easyjet may feel that going into the BHD London market they can get stronger loads and perhaps effect FR traffic?

In addition, in the longer run it is quite possible that BFS and BHD will both be offered to LTN.

On another note passengers are so familiar with Easyjet offering flights ex BFS and may go to the wrong airport when booked on BHD LTN!!!??

If Easyjet feel confident that Ryanair wont start up at BFS would it make sense to do a selection of BHD routes to European destinations with 319 that may rain on Ryanair's parade? I cant see Ryanair sitting back and not reacting to easyjets move.

EI-BUD

[gate 22]

Interesting, is it?
1. BHD is really just trying to see how far it can go before the authorities say 'now hold on a minute'. Last year it went over its seats for sale at one point, each month the numbers keep rising, surely it must be close to full capacity or is it taking the mickey.
2. Have FR threatened to vacate, maybe this is BHD's response to demands from MOL.

Fair play to BHD its win win all the way, however they will have to get the cap removed or increased because they are right at the top at the moment. How can they legally expand? (I just wonder if FR are going to pull out).

Belfast could be a mini Glasgow with FR at BFS and all others at BHD (if the cap is raised and runway extension gets the green light). Travelling won't be the same having to head into or out of the traffic mess which is Belfast if your flight is timed badly.

[gate 22]

On accessability, as more and more routes shift down the road, folk from south Down, Armagh may switch to Dublin instead of a Belfast airport. Coming into or leaving BHD by road is a definite no no for a lot of people at certain times during the day. Also the Luton flight was the latest home from London.

[gate 22]

Wouldn't it be a very interesting if Ryanair did open BFS LTN as a response, the route is well developed and BFS may react to the Easyjet stance by inviting Ryanair in?

As BFS is the airport I would use, I will be in trouble as I will drive before I would fly with FR. But I can see where you are coming from.

[EI-BUD]

gate22 that's a very interesting question re whats happening with Ryanair or are they talking about axing the city routes? The latest controversy about the extention at the very least will only delay any possible extention and will FR put up with this?
Remember the ultimatum that LDY got extend the runway, we fill our plane or we are out....

Or what about Bmi, is the future of the LHR link for sure? If BA took bmi over would they be interested in the Belfast market after the previous losses, or would they use the slots else were and let EI feed the passengers into the LHR hub. (BA value the relationship with EI not just for DUBLHR passengers but also ORK and SNN)

I reckon that at least one of the 2 bmi or FR will vacate the city airport within the next 12 months..?

[gate 22]

I reckon that at least one of the 2 bmi or FR will vacate the city airport within the next 12 months..?

Add to that, what would happen if FR took over EI?

[omoko joe]

flattering though it may be to assume that easyjet have some great master plan for Northern Ireland, the reality is much more simplistic.
Easyjet are having a spat with Luton over charges. They have just sacrificed BFS staff and condemned a route to divert revenue from Albertis. The failure of the route is pretty much guaranteed by the timings employed. If they were genuinely serious about it they would start it in BHD. Or maybe their commercial team are just not that bright.
All orange roads now point to Europe. You are quite possibily witnessing the beginning of a slow painfull end for BFS as a base. Sure they'll always have some presence there but I remain to be convinced they will renew the crewroom lease. I hope I am proved wrong for the sake of those based there.

[tigger2k8]

theres absolutely no risk of EZY leaving BFS or ceasing its operation as a base.. Abertis will do whatever they can to convince them to stay, as without EZY there will litrally be thousands of job losses unless someone else steps in..

BFS is one of EZYs best performing stations due to its remoteness from the mainland which means it can run plenty of domestics... once the stand numerals and lighting is finished this month and the shopping complex is completed in Summer 2010 it improves things vastly and wipes out 2 of EZYs complaints about BFS.

If abertis is smart they will announce the start of the new pier shortly after, as i think thats what EZY wants the most as anyone who has flown from BFS knows that walking to stands 14 and 15 on a day where the weather isnt so nice isnt very pleasant

its all in the hands of abertis now... but BFS would quickly turn into a graveyard without EZY, which im sure would delight anti-BFS fans, but take a second and think about those who will lose jobs and their families

but all we can do is speculate

[mysecretsmile]

Certainly somewhhat surprised at EZY anouncing the start of services from BHD. It'll be interesting to see the outcome of this one and whether this a one off temporary measure or if EZY will they be convinced to offer other services?

It certainly looks on paper like a clever move by BHD management to spread their risk and open a new airline partnership at a time when they are carrying out a major capital investment at their facility.

If at some stage BHD get their runway extension it will give them interesting options in terms of dealing with airlines for international routes.