BELFAST (BHD) - 3
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Dublin
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Just a pity BHD couldn't attract KLM UK and SN Brussels, especially KLM for their onward flight connections from AMS.
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
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Just a pity BHD couldn't attract KLM UK and SN Brussels, especially KLM for their onward flight connections from AMS.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Belfast, UK
Age: 43
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Would work just as well from BFS
Think it's the blurring of these markets that has resulted in BHD attracting EZY, WW et al. As I stated before, BHD was like the regional, business airport; BFS the busier, with larger aircraft and longer flights. Obviously BHD management wanted to attract as much business as possible, and so AB and then FR were introduced, and now it's open season for all at BHD, which I guess in a free capitalist economy is obvious enough.
Sabena operated from BFS quite successfully up until 2001, I think. Initially once per day and then up to three times daily. Again I think a good portion of the traffic was connecting to Sabena longhaul, especially African routes. NCL, LBA etc all have Brussels links with SN Brussels / bmi regional, so again feel this is a realistic route rather than a wishlist, especially with the bmi / star alliance operations already at BHD.
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
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A smaller regional jet from BHD for the business passengers paying the ££££, plus those wishing to connect to mid and longhaul at AMS. Covers two distinct markets, at both Belfast airports.
It all comes down to price, frequency, availability, airline then airport last. So basically it should be an argument between airlines and not airports for the above reasons. Anybody I know use price, frequency, etc to decide, and which ever airport that is available from they use. Its not that difficult to get to any Belfast airport from counties Down and Antrim.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: dublin
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Heres a curve ball question for you all, just suppose that BHD had never been granted permision to re-open in the 1980's, would things have panned out any differently regarding airlines and routes from BFS?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Belfast, UK
Age: 43
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I agree that BFS is far from awkward to get to, especially if originating in Northern Ireland and have the facility to drive and park at the airport. Public transport from the city centre is also fairly adequate in my opinion, (although I do always drive and park, and always find it convenient).
That said, for inbound business travellers, I would guess that they would rather be collected by a colleague or get a taxi, from BHD rather than BFS, if heading into Belfast. I think research and polls have been carried out by the airlines to basically confirm this.
That said, for inbound business travellers, I would guess that they would rather be collected by a colleague or get a taxi, from BHD rather than BFS, if heading into Belfast. I think research and polls have been carried out by the airlines to basically confirm this.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Newcastle NI
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I think it's fair to say that WW should have been into BHD years ago rather than BFS, much as they started Prestwick but moved to Glasgow proper shortly afterwards.
With bmi British Midland already there it make perfect sense for WW if not for Flybe, whilst its a bit hard on Flybe, its no more than what they did to WW at CWL a few years back
I think WW problems stems from being starved of investment for many years and some bad management as well, although i understand they have been given a dose of laxatives and most of the s**t has been flushed away, they seemed to be like rabbits in Ryanairs headlights never knowing which way to turn or run, perhaps the move to BHD marks a new direction for them, but prating about with two aircraft at MAN,BHX&CWL can't go on can it?
Their owners need to make up their minds on the way forward before others become to established, i think they have missed the boat at MAN, but EMA & BHX have plenty of scope, as for CWL i can't see it staying at two or getting anymore aircraft either, least not based
BHD is unlikely to get back into bed with Ryanair even if the runway is extended and BFS must be the only airport in Europe that doesn't feature on Ryanairs road map, i can't see it staying like that, it's a bit like LBA everyone said the airport would never dump on Jet2 after all the hard work Jet2 have done to build the airports route network, in the end it counted for nothing
With bmi British Midland already there it make perfect sense for WW if not for Flybe, whilst its a bit hard on Flybe, its no more than what they did to WW at CWL a few years back
I think WW problems stems from being starved of investment for many years and some bad management as well, although i understand they have been given a dose of laxatives and most of the s**t has been flushed away, they seemed to be like rabbits in Ryanairs headlights never knowing which way to turn or run, perhaps the move to BHD marks a new direction for them, but prating about with two aircraft at MAN,BHX&CWL can't go on can it?
Their owners need to make up their minds on the way forward before others become to established, i think they have missed the boat at MAN, but EMA & BHX have plenty of scope, as for CWL i can't see it staying at two or getting anymore aircraft either, least not based
BHD is unlikely to get back into bed with Ryanair even if the runway is extended and BFS must be the only airport in Europe that doesn't feature on Ryanairs road map, i can't see it staying like that, it's a bit like LBA everyone said the airport would never dump on Jet2 after all the hard work Jet2 have done to build the airports route network, in the end it counted for nothing
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern ireland
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BHD - cap on passenger numbers
Good to see NI Executive making any sort of decision, never mind a good one. However there is a lot of misinformation floating round on this. The number of passengers is no longer restricted but the number of flights per year still has a ceiling. The decision does however put pressure on those, such as Manx2, that fly small aircraft - the new rule encourages larger aircraft.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Northern Ireland
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Sabena operated from BFS quite successfully up until 2001, I think. Initially once per day and then up to three times daily. Again I think a good portion of the traffic was connecting to Sabena longhaul, especially African routes. NCL, LBA etc all have Brussels links with SN Brussels / bmi regional, so again feel this is a realistic route rather than a wishlist, especially with the bmi / star alliance operations already at BHD.
Perhaps a flight to Brussels could do ok with say a small aircraft say 135/145. Perhaps it would be best suited to BHD as a more business orientated route. However, i would far prefer to see a KLM daily F70/Embraer on AMS. KLMs advertising and interlining (something that Aer Lingus never got after) may make it work, though Aer Lingus did appalling on the route.
At the face of it, I dont see that a BFS AMS or a BFS BRU is a compelling business case for any other airline in these hard times. So not holding my breath.
EI-BUD
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Derry
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Amelia Earhart - PROFESSIONAL pilots rumour network!!!
While not all of us may be pilots, I was gather most would appreciate sensible and adult debate... Disappointingly very little gloating???
While not all of us may be pilots, I was gather most would appreciate sensible and adult debate... Disappointingly very little gloating???
As for BFS versus BHD, the lifting of the passenger cap is the death knell for BFS. What flight cap? 48000 flights per year? If flown by 737s filled to capacity thats over 9 million passengers!
I was in no doubt the passenger cap would be lifted as it made no sense anyway since the disturbance to local residents comes from flights not passengers. The runway extension will be granted. And then the flight cap itself will come under pressure.
20 years from now there'll be tumble weeds blowing down Aldergrove's main runway.
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Co. Antrim UK
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20 years from now there'll be tumble weeds blowing down Aldergrove's main runway.
However the reality is that both airports will become irritated with each other as the airlines switch back and forth confusing passengers, who on the face of it don't really care which airport.
Either way, the continued fall in pax at BFS is now likely to be mirrored at BHD.
Few, if any carriers could claim to shift 800K pax/year in the way RYR did, so there is no easy replacement for these losses, regardless of what happens.
Few, if any carriers could claim to shift 800K pax/year in the way RYR did, so there is no easy replacement for these losses, regardless of what happens.