BELFAST (BHD) - 3

[gate 22]

Even the Continental 757 to Newark ? Runway 25 at Aldergrove is 9,120ft. The new runway at BHD will be 7,930 ft.

Bristol runway 6598ft continental operate there

[eastern wiseguy]

Ardpro

Runway 25 at Aldergrove is 9,120ft


No it isn't...it is 9448 ft.....as to your Continental reducing fuel and pax load....I reckon I will check that!

[True Blue]

Assuming that the pax limit at Bhd is enforced. If Fr keep on expanding there, does that mean that the other airlines will have to reduce seats for sale at Bhd to stay within the limits? So could some of the long-standing carrriers there be squeezed out to please Fr?

True Blue

[gate 22]

While that might seem like a dream, then I think BHD should stick to what it does best. An excellent regional, more business orientated airport. If BHD gives too much to FR, will we end up with another Shannon basket case, with all other airlines basically leaving and allowing FR to run the show?? Lord I hope not??

The reality is that BHD is not sticking to what it does 'best', and I think the irony will be that once the runway is operational FR will end up at BFS with most other operators down at BHD. Before this could happen they would expand on the otherside of the runway. Go into google earth and look at the huge area to the west of the airport. All they would have to do is build a bridge across the river and you are at Fortwilliam M2 junction. Build a new massive terminal on the opposite side of the airfield and there you have it. BHD the new GLA/BFS becomes PWK. I know it sounds daft but if you had said to me 10 years ago that BHD would have 737's by FR operating and a runway extension taking place plus the majority of LHR flights to and from Belfast operating there, I would have said you were mad. The curfew that's a joke, operators at BFS don't even use that to its full advantage with most flights these days in bed by 21.30. I think that Luton is the only London flight that arrives after 21.30.

[gate 22]

Assuming that the pax limit at Bhd is enforced. If Fr keep on expanding there, does that mean that the other airlines will have to reduce seats for sale at Bhd to stay within the limits? So could some of the long-standing carrriers there be squeezed out to please Fr?

No, they have only been given planning permission to increase from 3m to 4m and could have been above the 3m mark for a number of years. This is how it happens, you and me get fined for breaking the law. However BHD suddenly has 4.1m seats for sale, so either somebody rings to complain or BHD go voluntarily and request an extension. The planning office say okay, and announce that a review is taking place and the airport can operate with 4m+ until the outcome of the review. This review lasts for years and at the end of the review they have to pass it or jobs get lost. In effect there is no cap.

[BFS101]

I know that this could be completely way out, and be just a coincidence. But two models at BHD on Friday, one dressed in Spanish flamenco outfit, and one dressed as an artist with an easel, being photographed (looked reasonably professional), but no branding or other information. Any further information, or just something totally irrelevant??? No possible new route launches prior to runway extension being granted??

[Tower Ranger]

Maybe just doing the ATC 2009 calledar shoot!!

[BELHold]

See a couple of Wind Jet Airbus parked up overnight, anyone know where they are off too?

[carlrsymington]

One for the viewing gallery perhaps

No information on exact destination but they are eastbound to Italy - new registrations are EI-ECX and EI-ECY.
N515NK Airbus A319-132 ex Spirit Airlines (full WindJet cs)
N519NK Airbus A319-132 ex Spirit Airlines (full WindJet cs)
N515NK arrived at 20.07, N519Nk arrived at 20.23

Current information is that they are due to depart this morning (wednesday)

[BFS/BHD]

Both are heading to Catania, Italy. (LICC).

[Straightahead]

Diversion at BFS

An interesting customer at BFS this morning at 0700 due medical emergency.LT1613 on route from VRA(Varadero in Cuba) to Berlin.Aircraft was an A330 DALPI operated by Air Berlin.Departed to Berlin at 0800.

[Straightahead]

Happy Birthday Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus celebrating a year in business at BFS today,750,000 bookings in the first year according to the figures on the cake.Well done and more new routes please.

[True Blue]

Just been reading the EI press release on the Bfs web site. They are adding capacity on a number of routes and Tfs will be added from Sept. I had a quick look at times and I think they indicate 4 based aircraft from end of March. Am i right or have I made a mistake somewhere? Early departures to Lhr, Ams, Bcn and Fao.

True Blue

[Straightahead]

Aer Lingus

True Blue
I think only 3 based aircraft with one daily route to be scrapped from the end of March,hence more rotations on popular summer routes.Good to see TFS direct from September.

[cougafer]

Seems AMS is getting the chop - not bookable after the end of March...
BCN getting a schedule change - think many will appreciate the earlier flights, heard a lot of people complaining about the times being changed from morning to evening last year.

[en2r]

Seems AMS is getting the chop - not bookable after the end of March...
BCN getting a schedule change - think many will appreciate the earlier flights, heard a lot of people complaining about the times being changed from morning to evening last year.

No great surprise to see Amsterdam axed, surely it can't be long before CDG also gets the axe. Aer Lingus were naive in their route choices. Unlike Dublin, Belfast just doesn't have the passenger numbers to justify 2 carriers on most European routes.

I think they indicate 4 based aircraft from end of March

As far as I know, EI aren't getting any new aircraft until 2010 so there won't be any new aircraft for BFS anytime soon.

I don't think its been mentioned here before but Ryanair will reportedly axe BFS-LHR if they suceed in their hostile takeover of Aer Lingus. They've promised to relaunch SNN-LHR if the takeover is successful and the slots for this are to reportedly come from axing BFS-LHR.

[cougafer]

Flew with Aer Lingus today from BFS-LHR (rather a light load, think I heard 67 on board) and was flicking through Cara and noticed that in the bit advertising something happening this month in London that it said
"We fly to London Heathrow daily from Dublin, Cork and Shannon"
I wonder if this is a sign of things to come, or just a mistake? All other destinations had Belfast included in the list where appropriate, just not LHR......
anyone know?

[anto nov]

Before the latest FR bid, rumour had it in SNN that EI would come back on the SNN- LHR route. If they clean up their act at SNN with the latest reducndancy plan it wouldnt surprise me if that happened albeit with an aircraft based elsewhere.

[ards_boy]

from what I've heard although loads with EI aren't exactly brilliant neither are other airlines out of Belfast, times are tough after all! I've heard that EZY's CDG has operated with 20 passengers or less! All hearsay of course

[cougafer]

It'd be a real shame if Aer Lingus gave up on the LHR route - I've used it a few times now, as well as Paris and the service is great and fares are always reasonable.
Pity about the loads, surely can't be good for business. Although I wonder if other Britain-Ireland loads have been affected (both domestic and UK-IRL)?
How are BD doing on the BHD-LHR-BHD runs, I wonder?

Funny you should mention EZY, when I was checking in for my flight to LHR with EI the EZY desks were all completely deserted (as far as pax are concerned anyway, obviously the staff were there). Don't think I saw a single person check in with EZY.