BELFAST (BHD) - 3

[gate 22]

Belfast BFS-53

Easyjet-35

Aer Lingus-5
Manx2-3
Jet2-2
Continental-1
Bmibaby-7

Belfast BHD-55
Flybe-32
Bmi-7
Ryanair-13
Manx2-3

Had a quick look at the arrivals board, this morning on ceefax. By the third line on the 2nd page BFS is at 1635, yet at BHD there may be an extra 10 flights until you arrive at 16.50. BFS is like a ghost town for long periods throughout the day. BHD on the otherhand is really busy all day!!!!. BHD is by far the superior airport on the domestic front, with high frequency flights to the major destinations, and flights to every corner of the UK, with Liverpool being the only destination that BFS has the upper hand. I honestly do not know what the future at BFS is if a runway extension were to be granted at BHD-curtains!!!.

Have I missed something as there is a BE flight into BHD from Paris Cdg at 16.50. Have they been reinstated?

[super737]

EI-BUD just to correct any ryr rotations to/from BHD are no longer restricted, can and is currently sold as a Y189 flights. Means those drivers need to work harder but heck thats what their paid for

To begin with, the restriction was placed just to ensure that the 738s could get in no bother but the figures have been re calculated, no problem to domestic UK but if Euro routes were operating then the restrictions you have mentioned would be enforced.

[EI-BUD]

Have I missed something as there is a BE flight into BHD from Paris Cdg at 16.50

There is no BE nonstop BHD CDG flight. However, if you check the Flybe online timetable and search for this route you will see flights listed. Then if you click the 'i' for information it will give specific info on the route.

I think for eg a Q400 does CDG EXT BHD and appears as an arrival from Paris on the website!

Super737, thats news to me re the removal of the restriction on the passenger limit/performance restriction on flights to UK destinations. Thanks for that.

[Jippie]

@Super737: Maybe this has also to do with the fact that it's "winter". Lower temperatures lead to a better performance. Or will it stay during the summer as well?

[cuthere]

I flew BHD-BRS on quite a full flight yesterday evening. There were still two full rows blocked off for departure.

EI-Bud, did you forget Aer Arann to ORK on your BHD list?

[EI-BUD]

did you forget Aer Arann to ORK on your BHD list?

cuthere, you are right totally left Aer Arann out. How could I!
So the data should look like

Typical Daily November Monday schedule from the 2 airports in Belfast;

Belfast BFS-53 departures,7656 (56.46% of total Belfast scheduled seats)
Belfast BHD-57 departures,5903(43.54% of total Belfast scheduled seats)

Seems like a big shift in share of activity and seats. Last winter it was busier at BFS but it was close(based on frequenies). Come February it will be significant when BFS Lose LTN (about 20k pax per month) and BHD gain potentially half of that.

In the calculation of seats this may not be 100% correct given that Some Easyjet services are 156 seaters (made best estimation this) and Flybe use a mix of 195 and 400s on BHX and MAN, so not easily worked out.

As already mentioned with the addition of extra FR services on EMA and LPL and the fact that BRS was not operating last winter, also the fact that Aer Lingus have cut activity compared with Last winter. The split in Passengers may not be awfully per airport.

EI-BUD

[BFS101]

Rows 3 and 4 blocked on the Ryanair flight yesterday from LPL.

Flew out on Friday morning and FR provided a rather pleasant flight (besides the obligatory standing in the airport walkway for 20 minutes before boarding). However on the return yesterday, from just after we took off, cabin crew did a whole speal on purchasing drinks and the range on board, hot, cold and alcoholic. Literally about 5 minutes later, same again, this time regarding hot food for purchase, followed soon after by a whole narrative about 'smokies', then the sale of charity scratch cards, and finally tax free goods, going into detail about the current offers available and gift ideas for children. Seriously!! It was a very short flight, but no peace for the entire duration, it was like listening to QVC for the inflight entertainment!!

EI-BUD, also don't forget the TCX Monday morning departure to Las Palmas.

Any word on EI Munich for summer 2010? All summer destinations currently on sale fully utilise 3 aircraft, except a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning, that coincidentally are the days Munich is served at the minute.

[tigger2k8]

Any word on EI Munich for summer 2010? All summer destinations currently on sale fully utilise 3 aircraft, except a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning, that coincidentally are the days Munich is served at the minute.

nothing yet, although i cant see it being dropped...

average amount of seats on a BFS aircraft is 154 while at BHD its about 100... so ofcourse BHD will have more movements even in the winter especially as it has more regional routes and uses smaller aircraft, maybe im missing the point of adding up daily rotations?... November is the quietest month for BFS.. i would imagine the same for BHD

think the first choice aircraft is fixed, engine 2 is all closed up and no sign of SR-Tech as of 1900

[tigger2k8]

well the stand numerals are finally up and running, well half of them light up and half dont the stand lights are now up and slowly turning on... makes a big difference

A320 operated a LGW-BFS-LGW rotation on the 28th

an EZY 737 from LTN had to perform a go around after strong winds shortly after 2200

anyone know the rules and regulatons about aircraft marshalling at BFS? was at the international pier tonight and a jet2 mechanic rolled his sleeves up and marshalled a plane onto stand 17 when it was dark... despite it coming onto stand and stopping ok, it seemed idiotic to me to do it with only your arms in low visability and also no FOD check

[super737]

tigger2k8, Ive seen the throw the arms in the air and dance routine by any auld sod walking past plenty. Ive seen the skippers refusing to come on stand and some more worried bout getting last orders at the bar

[ards_boy]

Seen the LS 757 come on to stand once with no marshaller at all (and yes it was after the agnis was switched off) clearly the crew had got pi**ed off waiting for a marshaller and just come on stand using the old stop line as guidance!
And the waving the hands thing isn't brand new, I'm sure if the tech's would be in trouble for marshalling they wouldn't do it?? After all the ramp is like big brother with all the cameras! You can barely scratch you bol**ks without it being brought to some security guys attention these days!
Tigger, do you know if the agnis is coming back online any time soon for any stands??

[tigger2k8]

Tigger, do you know if the agnis is coming back online any time soon for any stands??

it was rumored to come back, but last i heard was that they were going to get handling firms to marshal eventually

[david1994]

Belfast City

Easyjet announced BHD-LTN 2x daily from February, from £21.99 one way. How, if at all, will it affect their current competitors with BMI to LHR, Ryanair to STN and Flybe to LGW? Surly its not going to be a good route with BMI offering 6-7 returns a day, ryanair 3 a day and Flybe about 3 or 4 a day, while EZY is only doing 2?

[eastern wiseguy]

Being discussed on the Belfast thread.

[EI-BUD]

David, the fact that there will be 4 daily (well established) flights withdrawn from the BFS London market when Easyjet move the Luton route to BHD, the usual 20k passengers per month that used this route will use an alternative service, some may not want to go to BHD and some may only want to fly to Luton. Luton in its own rite is popular for certain parts of north London and the surrounding areas.

However, its a bit like when Aer Lingus arrived on BFS LHR and they said they were after bmi's traffic, the outcome is that Easyjet have lost significant business from BFS yes Bmi have lost some from City but Ryanair has been there, so its not always easy to say who effects who. All of the flights on Belfast London are competiting for the passengers.

The choice of airport in Belfast or indeed London will be down to
for some to a greater or lesser extent;

Price
Location of desired airport
Do they want to connect to another etc
Business Traveller
Leisure Traveller etc


From either side of the journey the other thing is what do the passengers consider to be their local airport?

If you live near BHD you may only check choice of flights ex BHD and VV
and in London the same rational may apply.


Overall there is less capacity over the winter when compared to LY, as easyjet have cut back their schedule (with LTN move), Bmi have cut by 1 a day and its often more 319s than before (less seats). While demand is expected to be down there still will be less capacity.

I still will be surprised if Ryanair dont see Easyjets move as an opportunity to get in somewhere in the Belfast Luton market and make some noise. If that happens well then we will have an entirely different story.

(I think Ryanair are doing 4 daily on Stansted for the winter)

[EI-BUD]

David, i think the plan is 6 based until LTN gets moved in January and then it's 5!

[tigger2k8]

only part of the winter schedule is in operation, next week the NCE and PMI routes end... will probably lose the 6th aircraft shortly after... as they can perform the rest of the schedule with only 5 aircraft as far as im aware

[sealink]

i cant see loyal bmi passengers, especially frequent flyers who like a business lounge suddenly jumping on to easyjet when they start at bhd. likewise, people who use ryanair and book early and pay next to nothing are unlikely to move either. either loyal easyjet ltn passengers will follow them to the city or easy will attract new customers to these couple of flights. anyway... 2 rotations a day is hardly a challenge in my eyes having known the business for many years.

[david1994]

i cant see loyal bmi passengers, especially frequent flyers

True becasue most of them frequent flyers if not all would be singned up up to Diamond Club! In order for EZY to pull the LHR passengers they would need a loyalty scheme betting bmi's one and far more than 2 returns a day.

On another note i have been told that Avaince at BHD have not got a contract for EZY as of yet, and also talk of some of MENZIES moving down to BHD as there is MENZIES at BHD but its only cargo and they've no equipment down there, but MENZIES moving will cost them becasue after all AVAINCE owns all check-in desks at the the airport.

[tigger2k8]

On another note i have been told that Avaince at BHD have not got a contract for EZY as of yet, and also talk of some of MENZIES moving down to BHD as there is MENZIES at BHD but its only cargo and they've no equipment down there, but MENZIES moving will cost them becasue after all AVAINCE owns all check-in desks at the the airport.

as far as im aware, Aviance has it..

the setup cost for menzies to enter the BHD in the passenger side of things would probably range somewhere between £150,000 - 250,000 once they rent baggage bay space, check-in desks, hire PAX services staff and buy suitable equipment for EZY ramp operations... from a business point of view, its not worth the setup cost for 2 flights per day... ofcourse they could bus staff to BHD for the 2 flights and bring them back to BFS after, but as far as im aware they need all their BFS staff where they are, as the winter schedule is busier than parts of summer

i would be very surprised if menzies starts passenger/ramp services at BHD... although it would be a good move to encourage competition at BHD