BRISTOL - 4
Brunel to Concorde
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Virtute et Industria, et Sumorsaete Ealle
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Bristol-Banjul
The Banjul route has been operating in winter for nearly a decade with a mixed history so far as loads are concerned.
For a number of years it went twice weekly, first operated by First Choice in competition with The Gambia Experience then by The Gambia Experience.
Last winter and possibly the one before (can't remember with certainty) it went once weekly.
At times both First Choice and The Gambia Experience have operated a service via BRS from/to another UK airport such as East Midlands.
Certainly the total passenger numbers have dropped off of late but that may be down to the recession and fewer rotations.
The raw passenger figures are (per CAA) as follows - I have broken them down into calendar years rather than winter seasons as it doesn't take so much time to compile:
2002 6,284
2003 5,232
2004 7,526
2005 9,212
2006 9,224
2007 12,546
2008 9,542
2009 4,993
I have a vague recollection that Senegal has also been offered as an alternative destination on the Banjul flight in the past.
For a number of years it went twice weekly, first operated by First Choice in competition with The Gambia Experience then by The Gambia Experience.
Last winter and possibly the one before (can't remember with certainty) it went once weekly.
At times both First Choice and The Gambia Experience have operated a service via BRS from/to another UK airport such as East Midlands.
Certainly the total passenger numbers have dropped off of late but that may be down to the recession and fewer rotations.
The raw passenger figures are (per CAA) as follows - I have broken them down into calendar years rather than winter seasons as it doesn't take so much time to compile:
2002 6,284
2003 5,232
2004 7,526
2005 9,212
2006 9,224
2007 12,546
2008 9,542
2009 4,993
I have a vague recollection that Senegal has also been offered as an alternative destination on the Banjul flight in the past.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Bristol
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EI via SNN to NYC/BOS seems even less unlikely now.
They're "resting" the routes for Q1 2010, after losing an average of €11m a year on them since 1995.
Reminds me of when OS used to operate VIE-KUL-SYD and VIE-SIN-MEL. They were OS's "flagship" routes (OS1/2/7/8), but they lost tens of millions of Euros a year on them until someone got some sanity.
They're "resting" the routes for Q1 2010, after losing an average of €11m a year on them since 1995.
Reminds me of when OS used to operate VIE-KUL-SYD and VIE-SIN-MEL. They were OS's "flagship" routes (OS1/2/7/8), but they lost tens of millions of Euros a year on them until someone got some sanity.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Solihull
Age: 60
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May pax up
Part of press release off the Bristol Airport site: -
"Passenger numbers were up by 5.3 per cent at Bristol Airport in May.
Over 500,000 passengers passed through the terminal last month, despite further disruption due to volcanic ash. International travel rose by almost 10 per cent over May 2009.
Shaun Browne, Aviation Director at Bristol Airport, said:
“Demand for both business and leisure travel remains strong, despite the disruption caused earlier this year by the Icelandic volcano. With airlines and regulators working hard to ensure such widespread disruption does not happen again, travellers are once more booking with confidence."
End of quote
Seems pretty good but notice the actual figure is still not showing in the CAA figures for UK airports.
Pete
"Passenger numbers were up by 5.3 per cent at Bristol Airport in May.
Over 500,000 passengers passed through the terminal last month, despite further disruption due to volcanic ash. International travel rose by almost 10 per cent over May 2009.
Shaun Browne, Aviation Director at Bristol Airport, said:
“Demand for both business and leisure travel remains strong, despite the disruption caused earlier this year by the Icelandic volcano. With airlines and regulators working hard to ensure such widespread disruption does not happen again, travellers are once more booking with confidence."
End of quote
Seems pretty good but notice the actual figure is still not showing in the CAA figures for UK airports.
Pete
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South West
Age: 35
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Can anyone shed any light on the following flights this coming weekend?
Taken from the Bristol Mayfly.
Sun Air of Scandinavia - ? - Arrives from Stavanger as SUS 245 at 10:45 on Friday
Sun Air of Scandinavia - ? - Departs to Brussels as SUS 245 at 11:30 on Saturday
Eastern Airways - ? - Arrives from Brussels as EZE 1614 at 22:00 on Saturday
Eastern Airways - ? - Departs to Nante EZE 614P at 13:00 on Monday
Hamburg International - A319 - Arrives from Dusseldorf as HHI 811F at 15:25 on Friday
Hamburg International - A319 - Departs to Hamburg as HHI 8191 at 16:00 on Friday
Hello - MD90 - Arrives from Hamburg as FHE 6961 21:35 on Saturday
Hello - MD90 - Departs to Basel as FHE 5961 at 03:40 on Sunday
Maybe some sports events?
Many Thanks
Taken from the Bristol Mayfly.
Sun Air of Scandinavia - ? - Arrives from Stavanger as SUS 245 at 10:45 on Friday
Sun Air of Scandinavia - ? - Departs to Brussels as SUS 245 at 11:30 on Saturday
Eastern Airways - ? - Arrives from Brussels as EZE 1614 at 22:00 on Saturday
Eastern Airways - ? - Departs to Nante EZE 614P at 13:00 on Monday
Hamburg International - A319 - Arrives from Dusseldorf as HHI 811F at 15:25 on Friday
Hamburg International - A319 - Departs to Hamburg as HHI 8191 at 16:00 on Friday
Hello - MD90 - Arrives from Hamburg as FHE 6961 21:35 on Saturday
Hello - MD90 - Departs to Basel as FHE 5961 at 03:40 on Sunday
Maybe some sports events?
Many Thanks
Join Date: Mar 2006
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I thought that, but the flights seem to come in as positioning flights and then go out to Brussels and Hamburg and then return later on in the weekend.
On a side note the flight to Hamburg operated at exactly the same time last year although it was operated by Transavia.
On a side note the flight to Hamburg operated at exactly the same time last year although it was operated by Transavia.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Bristol
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I noticed yesterday at Temple Meads that the Airport Flyer Coach was actually an "Airport Flyer Single Decker Bus" - fully liveried, and with new '10 plates on it.
Is this going to be a complete withdrawal of the coaches for buses?
Is this going to be a complete withdrawal of the coaches for buses?
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Scotland
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Could it maybe have something to do with some EU regulations meaning that public busses/coaches must be accessible for the disabled?
How likely is it that the easyJet BRS-NCL service will remain with all the cuts that they are currently making up at NCL?
How likely is it that the easyJet BRS-NCL service will remain with all the cuts that they are currently making up at NCL?
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Barton Upon Humber
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If Easyjet say retain an NCL operation but close the base, BRS-NCL (and BFS-NCL) could be an important way to 'bridge' aircraft and crew into NCL. Short of a total pullout from NCL, I think NCL-BRS should continue
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bristol
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New flyer busses
I don't think it's a step backwards at all. I'm sure the busses will be comfortable alright (leather seats), and anyway, who cares, it's just a 20-minute ride, and you can keep yourself busy surfing the net on the free wifi.
Most importantly, there will be no more awkwardness and delays due to people having to stuff their bags into the coach's luggage compartment, and having to find it again when disembarking. This will speed things up a lot, and will hopefully make the service more pleasant to use. Also, I just like to keep my bags with me really.
They use similar (less fancy) busses connecting Barcelona El Prat to the city centre, and they're quite alright IMHO.
Most importantly, there will be no more awkwardness and delays due to people having to stuff their bags into the coach's luggage compartment, and having to find it again when disembarking. This will speed things up a lot, and will hopefully make the service more pleasant to use. Also, I just like to keep my bags with me really.
They use similar (less fancy) busses connecting Barcelona El Prat to the city centre, and they're quite alright IMHO.
Brunel to Concorde
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Virtute et Industria, et Sumorsaete Ealle
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Flyer
The new buses are Wright-bodied Volvos, similar in some respects to those currently in the FirstBristol fleet, except the Flyer vehicles have leather seats, free Wi-Fi access and laptop/phone power points.
The Volvos also have internal luggage racks that should make boarding much quicker at busy times with the Flyer coaches only having externally accessed under-floor luggage compartments.
The Volvos are operated by FirstCoaches on behalf of the airport and, from First's perspective, could be relatively easily taken into general bus use should they lose the contract in the future.
At present there are six Flyer Volvos (each costing about £165,000) with the remainder of the fleet still consisting of the Scania and Irizar coaches, some of which are beginning to look a bit tired. The coaches are due to be replaced next year when another batch of six Volvos arrives.
Possibly the major negative aspect with the Volvo buses is the seating capacity of 37 (reduced because considerable space is taken up with luggage racks), compared with the 50-seater coaches. Unless standing passengers are allowed (they weren't on the coaches so far as I'm aware) there could be problems at busy times because I've seen passengers left behind at both the airport and railway station when the coaches have been full. The 10-minute frequency should ensure that if buses are full another ought not to be far behind.
The Volvo bus livery differs from the coach livery.
The Wessex Connect 121 service that runs from Bristol via the airport to Weston also has a fleet of brand new buses wearing a route personalised livery that features the airport.
BRS-NCL
Bristol-Newcastle remains the busiest route between two English provincial cities by some margin with Manchester-Southampton the next busiest (2009 figures).
However, passenger numbers have been falling but this can be explained in part by rotations being reduced from 3 x daily to 2 x daily at certain parts of the year.
2009 saw 187,000 passengers carried with the annual figures for the previous five years being 202,000 (2008), 246,000 (2007), 246,000 (2006), 252,000 (2005), 242,000 (2004).
The Cross Country train service links Bristol and Newcastle with no change of train at least once every hour for much of the day so there is a reasonable alternative.
SBAE want to seek legal challenge to expansion plans
There is a piece in the Evening Post re SBAE's desire that the Sec of State should call in the expansion plans for public enquiry. If he doesn't SBAE wants to mount a legal challenge to the North Somerset Council's decision to approve the plans and is actively seeking public donations for a fighting fund.
The Post helpfully provides an address to which cheques can be sent and a link to an online payments system.
easyJet - new route
easyJet will fly from Bristol to Lyon on Saturdays and Sundays from 18 December for the ski season, a useful addition to Bristol's traditional very healthy ski market - upwards of 40 flights per week last winter to ski destinations (both charter and scheduled).
The new buses are Wright-bodied Volvos, similar in some respects to those currently in the FirstBristol fleet, except the Flyer vehicles have leather seats, free Wi-Fi access and laptop/phone power points.
The Volvos also have internal luggage racks that should make boarding much quicker at busy times with the Flyer coaches only having externally accessed under-floor luggage compartments.
The Volvos are operated by FirstCoaches on behalf of the airport and, from First's perspective, could be relatively easily taken into general bus use should they lose the contract in the future.
At present there are six Flyer Volvos (each costing about £165,000) with the remainder of the fleet still consisting of the Scania and Irizar coaches, some of which are beginning to look a bit tired. The coaches are due to be replaced next year when another batch of six Volvos arrives.
Possibly the major negative aspect with the Volvo buses is the seating capacity of 37 (reduced because considerable space is taken up with luggage racks), compared with the 50-seater coaches. Unless standing passengers are allowed (they weren't on the coaches so far as I'm aware) there could be problems at busy times because I've seen passengers left behind at both the airport and railway station when the coaches have been full. The 10-minute frequency should ensure that if buses are full another ought not to be far behind.
The Volvo bus livery differs from the coach livery.
The Wessex Connect 121 service that runs from Bristol via the airport to Weston also has a fleet of brand new buses wearing a route personalised livery that features the airport.
BRS-NCL
Bristol-Newcastle remains the busiest route between two English provincial cities by some margin with Manchester-Southampton the next busiest (2009 figures).
However, passenger numbers have been falling but this can be explained in part by rotations being reduced from 3 x daily to 2 x daily at certain parts of the year.
2009 saw 187,000 passengers carried with the annual figures for the previous five years being 202,000 (2008), 246,000 (2007), 246,000 (2006), 252,000 (2005), 242,000 (2004).
The Cross Country train service links Bristol and Newcastle with no change of train at least once every hour for much of the day so there is a reasonable alternative.
SBAE want to seek legal challenge to expansion plans
There is a piece in the Evening Post re SBAE's desire that the Sec of State should call in the expansion plans for public enquiry. If he doesn't SBAE wants to mount a legal challenge to the North Somerset Council's decision to approve the plans and is actively seeking public donations for a fighting fund.
The Post helpfully provides an address to which cheques can be sent and a link to an online payments system.
easyJet - new route
easyJet will fly from Bristol to Lyon on Saturdays and Sundays from 18 December for the ski season, a useful addition to Bristol's traditional very healthy ski market - upwards of 40 flights per week last winter to ski destinations (both charter and scheduled).
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Brunel to Concorde
Join Date: Mar 2003
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easyJet - 2nd A320 based
Looking at Mayfly for next week when the Turkish and Crete routes begin a second 320 is shown operating the new routes from Friday week.
That will mean nine 319s and two 320s are based for the peak summer season.
That will mean nine 319s and two 320s are based for the peak summer season.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: England
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Ah so that might tie in with the Arrival of the Titan B763 at LGW if its still coming to free up an A320 to then come to BRS. Good news, I wonder whats install for next year with EZY at Bristol.
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Does anyone know if a plane had to abort its landing early this afternoon. From my window in central Bristol, I can see out over Dundry and the planes coming in to BRS when I saw what looked like a plane taking off towards the west but unless they have moved the runway a mile or two towards hartcliffe, something wasn't quite right!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Bristol
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Was it a Ryanair aircraft?
Maybe, having failed to reach terms with Bristol Airport, they've started flying from their new base, Bristol "East", aka the remaining 300m of overgrown runway of Whitchurch Airport.
You'd need to pull up steeply to avoid knocking the kids off the climbing frame at Hengrove playpark. (Also known as "check in").
Maybe, having failed to reach terms with Bristol Airport, they've started flying from their new base, Bristol "East", aka the remaining 300m of overgrown runway of Whitchurch Airport.
You'd need to pull up steeply to avoid knocking the kids off the climbing frame at Hengrove playpark. (Also known as "check in").
Brunel to Concorde
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Perhaps a pilot or ATCO might have knowledge but if it was a discontined approach it was probably entirely routine or the local news hounds would have been baying at the door.
I like the idea of a STOL Ryanair 738 hopping into the sky from Whitchurch. Perhaps it might operate a pan Bristol route - Whitchurch/Filton/Downs/Lulsgate.
Would certainly be quicker than the buses clogged up in the Bristol traffic and it might develop into an international service to Cardiff and Swansea.
BRS's passenger figures for June show nearly 584,000 passengers handled (up 8.5% on June 2009) and the second best June ever - after June 2008's 613,000.
I like the idea of a STOL Ryanair 738 hopping into the sky from Whitchurch. Perhaps it might operate a pan Bristol route - Whitchurch/Filton/Downs/Lulsgate.
Would certainly be quicker than the buses clogged up in the Bristol traffic and it might develop into an international service to Cardiff and Swansea.
BRS's passenger figures for June show nearly 584,000 passengers handled (up 8.5% on June 2009) and the second best June ever - after June 2008's 613,000.