BRISTOL - 4
Brunel to Concorde
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Virtute et Industria, et Sumorsaete Ealle
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Speculation re further connectivity across the world
"We hope to have further good news for travellers soon as we look to build the South West’s connectivity to key destinations across the world.”
When the above comments of Shaun Browne (BRS routes director) were discussed in this thread recently there was also speculation that it might refer to another European hub, hopefully from my point of view Frankfurt.
The LH (Eurowings) link between BRS and FRA ran for 12 months and ended at the end of April 2009 having carried over 98,000 passengers.
Whilst acknowledging that raw passenger numbers alone don't necessarily indicate a route's profitability the figures at least suggest that there is a market.
I don't know whether slots would be a problem at FRA in the sense that there may be bigger fish for LH to fry in a limited pan; if not there might be a chance of the route resuming if the economic climate shows signs of sustained improvement. LH intimated that the recession was the reason for the BRS-FRA route being removed and there was more than a hint that it would return when conditions improved.
It's also been suggested that bmiRegional (already operating BRS-BRU for Brussels Airlines since January with passenger numbers up 15% for the first nine months of this year over the same period in 2009) might be the carrier.
Logically, it's difficult to argue with Skipness's UK regional-US points. It was reported that Delta spoke to CWL in the hope that the Wales Assembly Government would support a CWL-JFK route to the tune of a million or two a year. I was never sure how the WAG could legally do this.
What is certain is there is no public body in the South West who would have the money or the inclination to support a BRS link with the USA even if it was legal.
I note also that KLM is pushing its AMS gateway on advertising hoardings around Bristol with a slogan about why bother to flog up the M4 - no doubt trying to attract some of the former CO passengers.
When the above comments of Shaun Browne (BRS routes director) were discussed in this thread recently there was also speculation that it might refer to another European hub, hopefully from my point of view Frankfurt.
The LH (Eurowings) link between BRS and FRA ran for 12 months and ended at the end of April 2009 having carried over 98,000 passengers.
Whilst acknowledging that raw passenger numbers alone don't necessarily indicate a route's profitability the figures at least suggest that there is a market.
I don't know whether slots would be a problem at FRA in the sense that there may be bigger fish for LH to fry in a limited pan; if not there might be a chance of the route resuming if the economic climate shows signs of sustained improvement. LH intimated that the recession was the reason for the BRS-FRA route being removed and there was more than a hint that it would return when conditions improved.
It's also been suggested that bmiRegional (already operating BRS-BRU for Brussels Airlines since January with passenger numbers up 15% for the first nine months of this year over the same period in 2009) might be the carrier.
Logically, it's difficult to argue with Skipness's UK regional-US points. It was reported that Delta spoke to CWL in the hope that the Wales Assembly Government would support a CWL-JFK route to the tune of a million or two a year. I was never sure how the WAG could legally do this.
What is certain is there is no public body in the South West who would have the money or the inclination to support a BRS link with the USA even if it was legal.
I note also that KLM is pushing its AMS gateway on advertising hoardings around Bristol with a slogan about why bother to flog up the M4 - no doubt trying to attract some of the former CO passengers.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Bristol
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I think it's fair to say that with BRS promoting KLM and Brussells everywhere, there is no US carrier lined up to replace CO.
Whilst it isnt ideal, having Amsterdam and Paris, and to a lesser extent Brussells as hubs for onward travel is fairly strong for a regional airport but I agree with the last post that FRA would be very welcome if it returned.
Referring to a previous post, when do TOM announce their schedule? As they will be basing "at least one" 787 at BRS (to quote someone else), it would be very interesting to know where they plan to fly
Whilst it isnt ideal, having Amsterdam and Paris, and to a lesser extent Brussells as hubs for onward travel is fairly strong for a regional airport but I agree with the last post that FRA would be very welcome if it returned.
Referring to a previous post, when do TOM announce their schedule? As they will be basing "at least one" 787 at BRS (to quote someone else), it would be very interesting to know where they plan to fly
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Bristol
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Just filling out the Airport's Business Users' survey, and there's an interesting question on membership of loyalty programmes. All the usuals plus a few notables:
* Spanair
* Germanwings (LH's LCC outfit...)
* SWISS (incorrectly lacking capitals on the survey)
* Lufthansa
* American Airlines
* United Airlines
* Virgin Atlantic
* Wizz Air (Polish LCC)
Interesting that they left bmi's Diamond Club off the list - that's the travellers' favourite at the moment, for as long as it lasts.
There's also a question on how FFPs make us feel valued by airlines, with a prompt to give as much detail as possible.
* Spanair
* Germanwings (LH's LCC outfit...)
* SWISS (incorrectly lacking capitals on the survey)
* Lufthansa
* American Airlines
* United Airlines
* Virgin Atlantic
* Wizz Air (Polish LCC)
Interesting that they left bmi's Diamond Club off the list - that's the travellers' favourite at the moment, for as long as it lasts.
There's also a question on how FFPs make us feel valued by airlines, with a prompt to give as much detail as possible.
Brunel to Concorde
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Virtute et Industria, et Sumorsaete Ealle
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Tom B787
Referring to a previous post, when do TOM announce their schedule? As they will be basing "at least one" 787 at BRS (to quote someone else), it would be very interesting to know where they plan to fly
Two or three months ago the Thomson MD announced that BRS would be one of the airports operating the 787 but I don't think anyone is anticipating the airport will see one based fulltime - not for some time anyway.
BRS is more likely to see the 787 visiting in the way the TOM B763 currently does with the summer weekend charters to Florida and Mexico, and presumably it will take over those routes.
It would be nice to think there would be more routes from 2012 but I suspect airports such as Manchester and Gatwick will be way ahead in the queue.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bristol, UK
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I imagine CO have left because Heathrow is more lucrative and not because they cannot make Bristol work. I note they have just added a fifth daily flight from LHR. Once they got a foothold into LHR it was almost inevitable that they would leave at some point. Bristol, especially for those who live in the north of the city, in the is simply too close to LHR. I cannot see a full service taking on a New York route as it does fit with any other airlines business plan. Continental is the only airline that has supported point to point services to regional airports, whereas BA, Virgin, United, AA etc have always focused on the Heathrow hub. I could see Ryanair dipping their toe in at some stage...anyone for £10 fares to New York (Halifax)?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Somerset
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At the end of the day the CO service was not selling that well in the BizFirst cabin, which is where the money was made...No problems down the back but yields are the name of the game! I do get your point re the new 5th service from LHR...makes you wonder! I do know that the response CO got from the local area when they announced the closure of the route was amazing and they did look long and hard whether it was the right choice to close the route...I think we need an airline that is not so premium traffic reliant, but does such an airline exist??
Join Date: Apr 2007
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I cannot see a full service taking on a New York route as it does fit with any other airlines business plan. Continental is the only airline that has supported point to point services to regional airports, whereas BA, Virgin, United, AA etc have always focused on the Heathrow hub.
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Bristol
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Noticed there is a business traveler survey up on the website. Is anyone planning to go to the meeting mentioned or know who the airline in question is? I think it might be easyjet, as the questionnaire is called "Easyjet- questionnaire". Perhaps they are planning on starting an FF program and becoming more of a business traveller's airline? as all the questions are about lounges, FF status, etc.
Questionnaire
Questionnaire
19. Would you like to attend the Bristol Airport business travel forum on Thursday 25th November? This is an opportunity to meet with other business travellers and discuss how you would like to see Bristol Airport change to meet your needs.
There will also be senior representatives from a major airline on hand to take your questions and hear your suggestions for routes etc.
Please indicate your availability to attend this event.
There will also be senior representatives from a major airline on hand to take your questions and hear your suggestions for routes etc.
Please indicate your availability to attend this event.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: PLH
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I do wonder if CO's decision to leave SkyTeam contributed to their withdrawal at BRS, considering that AF and KLM scoop up the majority of premium pax and have a strong FF base in the region as a result. If the prices were the same, I know I'd route via AMS rather than EWR if it built miles and status with Sky, rather than contribute to a negligible Star account.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Solihull
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Brussels Airlines
Post on the Newcastle thread mentions that RJ85's are shown on NCL-BRU
next summer and it seems to be the same for Bristol as well.
Still three daily and I think the aircraft overnights in Bristol.
I wonder where the 145's are going?
Pete
next summer and it seems to be the same for Bristol as well.
Still three daily and I think the aircraft overnights in Bristol.
I wonder where the 145's are going?
Pete
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Bristol
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I should imagine the 145's are going back to bmi regional.
However, I heard something different very recently, so I suspect the RJ85 equipment entries might be just placeholders.
On the issue of ScaryTeam v. Star - I think there is/was an underappreciation of how important status earning/holding is to frequent fliers, particularly those who have to put up with short-hops into hubs. Frankly, I dread having to hit the security queue at BRS at 6am in the morning if I can't exercise my Star Gold privilege to hop down the Fast Track line. And to escape to the lounge above the writhing masses.
I managed to get a status match for a colleague from Flying Blue into a Star Alliance airline plane at Gold level, at which point he was happy to consider using the LH route to FRA. Unfortunately, a combination of illness and the route getting pulled meant he didn't really get good use of it.
It will take time for people to shift alliance allegiances. I've "millions" of miles in Star, and Gold status for a number of years, so it's unlikely I'd switch easily to ST.
However, I heard something different very recently, so I suspect the RJ85 equipment entries might be just placeholders.
On the issue of ScaryTeam v. Star - I think there is/was an underappreciation of how important status earning/holding is to frequent fliers, particularly those who have to put up with short-hops into hubs. Frankly, I dread having to hit the security queue at BRS at 6am in the morning if I can't exercise my Star Gold privilege to hop down the Fast Track line. And to escape to the lounge above the writhing masses.
I managed to get a status match for a colleague from Flying Blue into a Star Alliance airline plane at Gold level, at which point he was happy to consider using the LH route to FRA. Unfortunately, a combination of illness and the route getting pulled meant he didn't really get good use of it.
It will take time for people to shift alliance allegiances. I've "millions" of miles in Star, and Gold status for a number of years, so it's unlikely I'd switch easily to ST.
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Long shot, but if anyone else is on tonight's last CO76 to BRS, I'm currently in the CO President's Club opposite gate C90. PM me if you want guesting in, or want to find me.
I shall be in the BF cabin, holding a wake for anyone who wants to join in - I trust they've loaded sufficient spirits.
I had a chance to speak to someone from US Airways last week. Interesting conversation, from which I got two useful things; 1) BHX was a nightmare for them and 2) they recently got from Cardiff to Heathrow in 2 hours on a Sunday morning, so have a sense that both CWL and BRS are too close to LHR. (It was a leisure trip, incidentally, before that kicks a rumour mill off).
I shall be in the BF cabin, holding a wake for anyone who wants to join in - I trust they've loaded sufficient spirits.
I had a chance to speak to someone from US Airways last week. Interesting conversation, from which I got two useful things; 1) BHX was a nightmare for them and 2) they recently got from Cardiff to Heathrow in 2 hours on a Sunday morning, so have a sense that both CWL and BRS are too close to LHR. (It was a leisure trip, incidentally, before that kicks a rumour mill off).
