BELFAST (BHD) - 3

[mutleyshriek]

Think Ezy will not only thrash WW but take considerable amounts of BE pax also on the MAN route.Bet the frequency gets increased within a few months of operation.Bag charges and bag charge check in fees will put WW as the most expensive option.STN isnt holding up well at the minute either.

[True Blue]

I have always been really amused at this claim that Bhd is the city of perference for many/majority and the thinking behind the recent move of WW to Bhd. So I thought I would post the following figures from the Caa stats for feb 11, although most if not all months are the same. I had a look at routes where Ezy and Flybe compete, looking at this idea that Bhd was first choice destination for many.

Ezy vs Flybe

Bristol 14716 vs 2360
Edinburgh 19338 vs 7905
Glasgow 20592 vs 8072
Liverpool 35635 vs 5098
Newcastle 15609 vs 2722
Gatwick 25544 vs 15534

Even on Leeds, Flybe has been gradually losing ground to jet2. Last month Jet2 carried 7786 vs 4812, these figures used to very close.

So on all of the above routes, pax had the choice to fly to the preferred airport of Bhd, but instead the majority used Bfs. Now I am sure that if there was the demand, Flybe and others would soon increase frequency/size of aircraft at Bhd.

So it would appear that the claim that Bhd is the preferred airport for many and would attract huge numbers of foreign visitors who do not want to use Bfs, but would come here if they could land at Bhd, needs some more evidence. And it also bodes badly for WW and Flybe when Ezy start Man and maybe Bhx.
TB

[EI-BUD]

3 of 4 routes are up, 1 down very slightly - all in a decreasing market - not bad - in my opinion!

Lets not forget that the absence of Ryanair on BHD LPL, BHD EMA & BHD BRS mean that there is distinct possibility that some of the would be passengers on these routes may have chosen to fly on the cheapest fares to the area that may have been to BHX, MAN & BRS respectively!
Of course BE fly to BRS, LPL and EMA but of course with much reduced capacity.

Dont meant to dampen the enthusiasm!

EI-BUD

[True Blue]

WW to Stn

Has WW reduced flights to Stn already? Reason I ask is that I am looking at the WW site at the minute and some days over easter, there is only one flight showing. When you move to early May, there seems to be 3 flights some days and 2 on others. Hardly a good sign already.

TB

[Cazza_fly]

Has WW reduced flights to Stn already? Reason I ask is that I am looking at the WW site at the minute and some days over easter, there is only one flight showing. When you move to early May, there seems to be 3 flights some days and 2 on others. Hardly a good sign already.

Interesting. It could be that these flight were never loaded in the first place and that the aircraft does a destination from CWL before arriving at BHD, with it being the Easter Holidays they probably can squeeze in an early morning Med destination and make more money from CWL.

From various sources and my own research, bmibaby's marketing team seem to have forgot about what marketing is again. There's or very little advertising about this service in both Northern Ireland or London/Stansted and the areas. Even their own F.book page for example rarely advertises such routes and it's free!!! It's as if they don't want routes to succeed or they expect everyone else to advertise for them?

I remember hearing a rumour last week about the bmi group managers having a meeting over in Belfast, wonder if it had anything to do with routes from BHD.

[CARNMANORLAD]

WW are advertising hugely on Downtown radio for the STN route as are RYR with PIK from LDY and EZY with their sale.

[mysecretsmile]

Has WW reduced flights to Stn already? Reason I ask is that I am looking at the WW site at the minute and some days over easter, there is only one flight showing. When you move to early May, there seems to be 3 flights some days and 2 on others. Hardly a good sign already.

Could it be that these flights are fully sold out - hence not appearing ?

I remember hearing a rumour last week about the bmi group managers having a meeting over in Belfast, wonder if it had anything to do with routes from BHD.

I believe the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards were taking place last Thursday night in Belfast and as BMI are one of the main sponsors, senior management from the airline would have been over for that. They probably showed their face at BHD and had a meeting with airport while they were in the area ?

[ara01jbb]

There's or very little advertising about this service in both Northern Ireland or London/Stansted and the areas.

You don't spend much time in Belfast then, do you? Double height banners on numerous Metro double deckers and heavy radio repeat on DTR.

[Cazza_fly]

Could it be that these flights are fully sold out - hence not appearing ?

That's what I originally thought, but if you check the website, the return sector back to BHD on at least 3 consecutive days are also not availbable to book. Now, again these flights could also be full but VERY much unlikely, especially this far in advance on a domestic route.

[sarcon]

Big announcement from 'city' tomorrow. Press have been invited to attend in the morning for an announcement of substantial new routes from a new airline.

Dont know if there's an 'm' in it but i suspect there is.

[BFS101]

So maybe KLM, and the substancial new routes all being one-stop through AMS???

[GAXLN]

Well Belfast George Best Airport is on the KLM booking engine - has it always been there?

[BFS101]

Not sure if it's a new addition, however there are other UK and British Isles airports listed that do not have KLM service. Think all those airports may be listed due to a BE codeshare???

[flying officer kite]

BHD has been on the KLM booking page for ages and ages, in most cases if you try to use it it wont work, i suspect its only there for the AF codeshare, which it does occasionally work with

[Aaron9890]

i wonder who it will be???

[dublindispatch]

Air India?

[sealink]

bmibaby

From rumours on the ground..... think its a baby expansion . . . . . possibly at the expense of CWL!!!!!

[dublindispatch]

Reading the BMI thread it may not be all goodnews v.v. BMI/BMI BABY but the KLM would be a real boost to NI travellers for interline connex.

[mathers_wales_uk]

From rumours on the ground..... think its a baby expansion . . . . . possibly at the expense of CWL!!!!!

Is this a total guess or are you just dangerously speculating to put fear into the staff based at CWL?

There are many a rumour going around and so many of them that i am going to keep quiet and wait just a meer 24 hours that some others just can't seem to do just so they get one over on gossip against fellow ppruners.

Yes it is a rumour network but some people need some sensitivity and to think of ther larger picture especially when speculating on base closures.

[Aaron9890]

substantial new routes from a new airline

Sarcon says a NEW route and a NEW airline. more than likley KLM.

Air India?

Are you taking the ?
What about Aer Lingus Regional??