BRISTOL - 4
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Bristol
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I think the BRU route could be improving for a number of reasons:
The Avros are the right size plane, IMHO, for a hubbing op out of BRS, but LH were saddled with problems:
Talk of reducing the travel time to Heathrow must make people even more wary of BRS. If you're an airline exec looking at a map, BRS already looks periously close to LHR - probably only SOU and NWI are closer. Whilst a "shuttle train" from Reading to Heathrow looks appealing, I doubt it will really reduce journey times by train, and it surely won't help you get to LHR for the 07:00 to ZRH or the 06:25 to VIE or FRA, or even the 07:15 to ORD.
- 3x daily, with an early departure ex-UK works. 2x daily with a mid-morning departure from BRS emphatically does not.
- SN is now part of Star Alliance, so interlining between SN/LX/LH/OS/SK within Europe is possible. Most people don't seem to realise you can book a ticket with CO to fly from BRS to the USA, via BRU. (Connects nicely into CO60/CO61 at BRU).
- The Embys drive high fares and good yields, even if there's a small demand (total seats per week is only ~850 each way).
The Avros are the right size plane, IMHO, for a hubbing op out of BRS, but LH were saddled with problems:
- Avros aren't the cheapest per seat kilometre to run. Having some E190s or Dash-8 on fleet would help. C-series are still some way off.
- They were overnighting 8 people every night at the Marriott, plus transport to/from Lulsgate. They also had a dedicated station manager (who was great incidentally).
- KL hit them with a fare war, they screwed up their own fare loads, they got hit at a period of weak demand generally, BD got thrust on them, and their LHR flights were yielding low. Killing BRS was the softest cut.
Talk of reducing the travel time to Heathrow must make people even more wary of BRS. If you're an airline exec looking at a map, BRS already looks periously close to LHR - probably only SOU and NWI are closer. Whilst a "shuttle train" from Reading to Heathrow looks appealing, I doubt it will really reduce journey times by train, and it surely won't help you get to LHR for the 07:00 to ZRH or the 06:25 to VIE or FRA, or even the 07:15 to ORD.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SOUTH WEST
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Is the Banjul-Cape Verde series going to happen this year after last years Hamberg Airways collapse leaving no one to operate this service, ever since its inaugeration some years ago it was always a popular destination untill it was left high and dry last year. If so who will be operating it ?
Join Date: Mar 2006
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TOM - Winter 11/12
Looking at the Thomson Timetable, this winter is looking pretty sparse in comparison to last winter.
The timetable only shows sun flights, not any of the ski flights.
There seems to be only 1 x based aircraft (assuming B757) where as there was 2 x based last year although on each Monday starting late December there is the need for 2 x based but only on a Monday.
Also Cape Verde seems to have disappeared from the timetable and what is more shocking...... a few selected weeks seems to show that Cardiff have more flights per week (of course not including the ski flights)?! This surely can't be true?!
Anyone have any more information?
The timetable only shows sun flights, not any of the ski flights.
There seems to be only 1 x based aircraft (assuming B757) where as there was 2 x based last year although on each Monday starting late December there is the need for 2 x based but only on a Monday.
Also Cape Verde seems to have disappeared from the timetable and what is more shocking...... a few selected weeks seems to show that Cardiff have more flights per week (of course not including the ski flights)?! This surely can't be true?!
Anyone have any more information?
Brunel to Concorde
Join Date: Mar 2003
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TOM winter 2011-2012
Jamesc909,
Looking at a week towards the end of last January, the TOM programme was thus, all on B 757s:
Monday
Sharm el Sheikh
Las Palmas
Tuesday
Tenerife
Wenesday
Fuerteventura
Luxor
Thursday
Arrecife
Sharm el Sheikh
Friday
Sharm el Sheikh
Tenerife
Saturday
Geneva (ski)
Chambery (ski)
Salzburg (ski) - middle of a 'w' scheduling
Verona (ski)
Sofia (ski)
Sunday
Toulouse (ski)
Turin (ski)
Malaga
I've not looked at the coming winter. What's missing from last winter - mainly Egypt flights?
I tend not to look in detail at forthcoming seasons (whether charter or scheduled) until they are about to start because carriers and tour companies can't always be relied on to operate everything they originally announced, therefore I don't know how the 2011-2012 ski season is shaping up, whether TOM or others.
Last winter there were 16 weekly ski charters - all at the weekend - with Thomson operating 7, Thomas Cook 4, Flybe 2, Balkan, Titan and Small Planet one each. Add in easyJet's 31 weekly ski destination rotations and, as in previous winters, the ski programme was exceptionally strong for an airport of Bristol's catchment size.
I suppose it illustrates the wealth and make-up of its leisure catchment though I would be surprised to see the coming winter quite as strong as last, having regard to the continuing pressures on pockets.
Looking at a week towards the end of last January, the TOM programme was thus, all on B 757s:
Monday
Sharm el Sheikh
Las Palmas
Tuesday
Tenerife
Wenesday
Fuerteventura
Luxor
Thursday
Arrecife
Sharm el Sheikh
Friday
Sharm el Sheikh
Tenerife
Saturday
Geneva (ski)
Chambery (ski)
Salzburg (ski) - middle of a 'w' scheduling
Verona (ski)
Sofia (ski)
Sunday
Toulouse (ski)
Turin (ski)
Malaga
I've not looked at the coming winter. What's missing from last winter - mainly Egypt flights?
I tend not to look in detail at forthcoming seasons (whether charter or scheduled) until they are about to start because carriers and tour companies can't always be relied on to operate everything they originally announced, therefore I don't know how the 2011-2012 ski season is shaping up, whether TOM or others.
Last winter there were 16 weekly ski charters - all at the weekend - with Thomson operating 7, Thomas Cook 4, Flybe 2, Balkan, Titan and Small Planet one each. Add in easyJet's 31 weekly ski destination rotations and, as in previous winters, the ski programme was exceptionally strong for an airport of Bristol's catchment size.
I suppose it illustrates the wealth and make-up of its leisure catchment though I would be surprised to see the coming winter quite as strong as last, having regard to the continuing pressures on pockets.
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bristol
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Jet2 (looked to be a 757) landed at BRS at around 23.10 last night. Any idea what thats all about?.
U2 had a torrid time with their outbound Madrid on Sunday, scheduled 17.45, departed 23.30. The flight was eventually operated by a MAD based machine. Pressumably the Bristol 319 went tech?.
I was on the inbound from MAD which landed on time at BRS.
U2 had a torrid time with their outbound Madrid on Sunday, scheduled 17.45, departed 23.30. The flight was eventually operated by a MAD based machine. Pressumably the Bristol 319 went tech?.
I was on the inbound from MAD which landed on time at BRS.
Brunel to Concorde
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Hello santito
BRS CEO Robert Sinclair gave an interview to a local media organisation recently in which he said the airport would be focusing on key markets at the Routes Conference in Berlin next month, and he mentioned Germany, Scandinavia and the Middle East.
You will recall that after the Sardinia Routes Europe Conference in the spring the airport put out a press release saying they were confident of being in a position to make several significant announcements (re new carrier(s)) 'over the coming months'.
Around that time the CEO told the airport consultative committee that 'positive' enquiries' had come from full service airlines and he envisaged an announcement within the next 3-6 months, which takes us up to the end of next month.
In his recent media interview there is no mention of the announcements previously promised. If this is because what was thought to be in the bag no longer is or whether the CEO simply chose to play his cards close to his chest is anyone's guess.
An easyJet director said last week that there would be 'a host of new destinations from our UK bases in 2012' announced in the coming weeks. Maybe BRS will feature with some of them.
Incidentally, a look at the easyJet timetable for next summer shows an apparent need for eleven aircraft in early May, as opposed to the ten in summer 2011 with the eleventh appearing only for the peak season this year.
And this is before any new routes that might be announced.
BRS CEO Robert Sinclair gave an interview to a local media organisation recently in which he said the airport would be focusing on key markets at the Routes Conference in Berlin next month, and he mentioned Germany, Scandinavia and the Middle East.
You will recall that after the Sardinia Routes Europe Conference in the spring the airport put out a press release saying they were confident of being in a position to make several significant announcements (re new carrier(s)) 'over the coming months'.
Around that time the CEO told the airport consultative committee that 'positive' enquiries' had come from full service airlines and he envisaged an announcement within the next 3-6 months, which takes us up to the end of next month.
In his recent media interview there is no mention of the announcements previously promised. If this is because what was thought to be in the bag no longer is or whether the CEO simply chose to play his cards close to his chest is anyone's guess.
An easyJet director said last week that there would be 'a host of new destinations from our UK bases in 2012' announced in the coming weeks. Maybe BRS will feature with some of them.
Incidentally, a look at the easyJet timetable for next summer shows an apparent need for eleven aircraft in early May, as opposed to the ten in summer 2011 with the eleventh appearing only for the peak season this year.
And this is before any new routes that might be announced.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Bristol
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If this is because what was thought to be in the bag no longer is
I have some sympathy for Bristol Airport. There are some yawning holes on the European short-haul coverage, and they have tried to keep the opportunities for "full service" airlines open, but ultimately if those airlines don't see the opportunity, then I should imagine EZY would be interested in serving those routes, given their BRS base. That would probably close off the "full service" opportunity.
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Remember back in April all I said look out for Jet2 from BRS this winter? It is a dead cert from BRS as of this winter with a weekly charter I reckon to either BJL or Chambery. Keep an eyey out! I reckon the Jet2 B757 may have had something to do with that 
Brunel to Concorde
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Jet2
Winter 2008/2009 saw a weekly Jet2 Monday rotation from Bristol to Sharm el Sheikh using a B 757.
The airline also did a weekly Sunday rotation that winter with a B 733 to Chambery during the ski season.
The airline also did a weekly Sunday rotation that winter with a B 733 to Chambery during the ski season.
Join Date: Dec 2006
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I think the same is going to be happening again this winter, merchant. I don't know what destinations Jet2 will be serving, but they will DEFFINATELY be back this winter!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BRISTOL
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Have heard that the clearance of the old hangers and land at the end of the western apron is to begin shortly to make new stands and possibility of the walkway being extended even further.
Anybody have any more info on this?
Also anybody any ideas of when this hotel is ment to start being built?
Anybody have any more info on this?
Also anybody any ideas of when this hotel is ment to start being built?
Brunel to Concorde
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Hotel
In a recent local media interview CEO Robert Sinclair said the hotel 'was going through the final planning stages and we are hopeful that construction will start in the next few months'.
The airport is talking with hotel operators and hopes to open the 250-room hotel by spring 2013.
Planning permission was given by the local authority at the beginning of this year so it seems the planning stages mentioned relates to final design.
I seem to remember the hotel planning application was separate from the major expansion planning application.
Last year the local authority gave outline planning consent for the major expansion but within this are specific or reserved matters that must be applied for individually when specific detail has been decided on.
But before all that the judicial review application into the local authority's grant of outline planning permission has to be decided.
The last I heard was that the judge had rejected the written JR submission as showing no grounds for it to proceed, but the applicants then asked for an oral application. I don't know how that is progressing.
A 380
The 380 currently visiting Filton certainly did a flypast of BRS this afternoon - I saw it. It's done this sort of thing before when in the area on Filton visits.
birdscarer seems to be suggesting it did two flypasts today.
In a recent local media interview CEO Robert Sinclair said the hotel 'was going through the final planning stages and we are hopeful that construction will start in the next few months'.
The airport is talking with hotel operators and hopes to open the 250-room hotel by spring 2013.
Planning permission was given by the local authority at the beginning of this year so it seems the planning stages mentioned relates to final design.
I seem to remember the hotel planning application was separate from the major expansion planning application.
Last year the local authority gave outline planning consent for the major expansion but within this are specific or reserved matters that must be applied for individually when specific detail has been decided on.
But before all that the judicial review application into the local authority's grant of outline planning permission has to be decided.
The last I heard was that the judge had rejected the written JR submission as showing no grounds for it to proceed, but the applicants then asked for an oral application. I don't know how that is progressing.
A 380
The 380 currently visiting Filton certainly did a flypast of BRS this afternoon - I saw it. It's done this sort of thing before when in the area on Filton visits.
birdscarer seems to be suggesting it did two flypasts today.
Join Date: Sep 2008
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Have heard that the clearance of the old hangers and land at the end of the western apron is to begin shortly to make new stands and possibility of the walkway being extended even further.
Anybody have any more info on this?
Also anybody any ideas of when this hotel is ment to start being built?
Anybody have any more info on this?
Also anybody any ideas of when this hotel is ment to start being built?
I tend to look at the North Somerset Planning portal to keep upto date with the planning applications the airport has in place at present!
Regarding the Western Apron extension the airport has advised the council they plan to do this is two phases, so 3 new west facing nose in stands, opposite the current stands 31 to 33 with a taxiway in between! There were some environmental issues which I believe have been resolved, so I think its just a case of the council giving it the rubber stamp! Phase 2 I believe will be 3 new north facing nose in stands behind the new west facing ones! I don't think at this stage there is any mention of extending the Western Walkway as I believe this is part of the long awaited judicial review outcome on the airports expansions plans!
Regarding the Hotel, the airport has been making some material changes to the Hotel which have to approved by the council before work can commence, but I don't think it will be too long before this takes place!
andrew1968