CARDIFF
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Bmi Baby Wales On Sunday Article
Fuel bills force BMIbaby flights rethink
Jun 8 2008 by David James, Wales On Sunday
ONE of the first airlines to launch cheap flights from Wales is considering cutting flights from Cardiff because of rocketing fuel bills.
Bmibaby, which flies to 14 destinations across the UK and Europe from Cardiff, has become the first airline using the Welsh airport to confirm it is looking at scaling back.
A spokeswoman for the no-frills airline, which launched flights from Cardiff International Airport in 2002, said managers were “re-evaluating” the airline’s winter schedule because of the tough market conditions.
She said: “It’s a challenge for everyone.
“Everything is being looked at.”
Bmibaby – which flies to Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast, Edinburgh, Faro, Geneva, Glasgow, Jersey, Malaga, Murcia, Palma Mallorca and Warsaw from Cardiff – is vulnerable to rising oil prices as its older aircraft are less fuel efficient than newer rivals.
Steve Hodgetts, business development manager at the airport, said all the airlines were watching winter bookings closely before making decisions on their winter schedule.
He said: “The whole industry is vulnerable to this.
“At the moment we have got no indication from any of our airlines that they are making cutbacks at Cardiff.
“We are keeping in touch with them to see what they are planning. Things can change at a moment’s notice.
“We will keep in touch with the airlines and do what we can to convince them to stay here.”
He said the airport was concerned, but that Cardiff’s routes were less vulnerable as it was not hugely exposed to low-volume destinations in Eastern Europe which are most at risk.
Amid the current climate of uncertainty in the airline industry caused by soaring oil prices, concerns have also been raised for the health of Zoom Airlines, which flies from Cardiff to two destinations in Canada.
A spokesman for the airline was positive and said flight frequency was being increased from Wales to Toronto or Vancouver to three a week and plans were being looked at to increase winter skiing flights as well.
But an international insurance firm, International Passenger Protection (IPP), has put the airline on a list of firms that would not be covered in event of its collapse, but said this was normal practice and could be due to the company’s success in increasing passenger numbers.
Aviation expert Martin Evans from the Wales Transport Research Centre warned any airline flying from Cardiff that had not protected itself against rising global oil prices – which hit $135 (£68) a barrel in May – could also be forced to cut back.
Ryanair’s boss Michael O’Leary has already announced that his airline, which withdrew flights from Cardiff in 2006, will mothball planes over the winter in response to rising costs and dwindling demand.
He warned that smaller rivals would go bust and named smaller rival Flybe, which flies from Cardiff to Belfast, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Jersey and Paris, as one of those at risk.
A spokesman for Flybe said the airline had bought three-quarters of its fuel until the middle of next year and was protected by having a small, modern, fuel-efficient fleet.
“Flybe has invested in the most fuel-efficient fleet for its chosen market,” he said.
The toxic conditions in the airline market have already caused two business-only services, Maxjet and Silverjet, to file for bankruptcy.
US giants United and Continental have announced plans to cut several thousand jobs and slash flights and British Airways boss Willie Walsh has predicted that several airlines will fail or merge if oil prices remain high.
Aviation expert Mr Evans said that to combat higher costs, no-frills airlines would also have to follow the lead of Ryanair and start charging passengers for check-in.
And he warned that future travellers could risk losing money if any airlines went bust amid the toxic market conditions.
He said: “Airlines will have to convince the passenger to spend extra money to balance their books.
“That means they will have to introduce extra bag charges or introduce extra charges for check in.
“Ryanair already does it. Wherever they see an extra opportunity to add an extra charge they will look at it.”
Jun 8 2008 by David James, Wales On Sunday
ONE of the first airlines to launch cheap flights from Wales is considering cutting flights from Cardiff because of rocketing fuel bills.
Bmibaby, which flies to 14 destinations across the UK and Europe from Cardiff, has become the first airline using the Welsh airport to confirm it is looking at scaling back.
A spokeswoman for the no-frills airline, which launched flights from Cardiff International Airport in 2002, said managers were “re-evaluating” the airline’s winter schedule because of the tough market conditions.
She said: “It’s a challenge for everyone.
“Everything is being looked at.”
Bmibaby – which flies to Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast, Edinburgh, Faro, Geneva, Glasgow, Jersey, Malaga, Murcia, Palma Mallorca and Warsaw from Cardiff – is vulnerable to rising oil prices as its older aircraft are less fuel efficient than newer rivals.
Steve Hodgetts, business development manager at the airport, said all the airlines were watching winter bookings closely before making decisions on their winter schedule.
He said: “The whole industry is vulnerable to this.
“At the moment we have got no indication from any of our airlines that they are making cutbacks at Cardiff.
“We are keeping in touch with them to see what they are planning. Things can change at a moment’s notice.
“We will keep in touch with the airlines and do what we can to convince them to stay here.”
He said the airport was concerned, but that Cardiff’s routes were less vulnerable as it was not hugely exposed to low-volume destinations in Eastern Europe which are most at risk.
Amid the current climate of uncertainty in the airline industry caused by soaring oil prices, concerns have also been raised for the health of Zoom Airlines, which flies from Cardiff to two destinations in Canada.
A spokesman for the airline was positive and said flight frequency was being increased from Wales to Toronto or Vancouver to three a week and plans were being looked at to increase winter skiing flights as well.
But an international insurance firm, International Passenger Protection (IPP), has put the airline on a list of firms that would not be covered in event of its collapse, but said this was normal practice and could be due to the company’s success in increasing passenger numbers.
Aviation expert Martin Evans from the Wales Transport Research Centre warned any airline flying from Cardiff that had not protected itself against rising global oil prices – which hit $135 (£68) a barrel in May – could also be forced to cut back.
Ryanair’s boss Michael O’Leary has already announced that his airline, which withdrew flights from Cardiff in 2006, will mothball planes over the winter in response to rising costs and dwindling demand.
He warned that smaller rivals would go bust and named smaller rival Flybe, which flies from Cardiff to Belfast, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Jersey and Paris, as one of those at risk.
A spokesman for Flybe said the airline had bought three-quarters of its fuel until the middle of next year and was protected by having a small, modern, fuel-efficient fleet.
“Flybe has invested in the most fuel-efficient fleet for its chosen market,” he said.
The toxic conditions in the airline market have already caused two business-only services, Maxjet and Silverjet, to file for bankruptcy.
US giants United and Continental have announced plans to cut several thousand jobs and slash flights and British Airways boss Willie Walsh has predicted that several airlines will fail or merge if oil prices remain high.
Aviation expert Mr Evans said that to combat higher costs, no-frills airlines would also have to follow the lead of Ryanair and start charging passengers for check-in.
And he warned that future travellers could risk losing money if any airlines went bust amid the toxic market conditions.
He said: “Airlines will have to convince the passenger to spend extra money to balance their books.
“That means they will have to introduce extra bag charges or introduce extra charges for check in.
“Ryanair already does it. Wherever they see an extra opportunity to add an extra charge they will look at it.”
Aviation fuel
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is the bmibaby hype just that?
I read the article which has now appeared and been quoted in all sorts of media points but actually only quotes the airline as saying, we are looking at all our routes.
This seems perfectly sensible as a business to look at all their routes to evaluate their peformance against costs.
I suspect the over eager journo's were looking to egg up a story over the weekend to show that Wales can also have turmoil from fuel prices like the rest of the world. Come on press, about time you looked at what damage you can cause by speculating like this.
They should be focussing attention on the UK government's crazy high taxation on consumers fuel along with the even more crazy rises in energy costs. They could use their ability to apply pressure on the Governments to actually do something about this.... not pick on an airline, an airport and it's community as an easy story to sensationalise.
This seems perfectly sensible as a business to look at all their routes to evaluate their peformance against costs.
I suspect the over eager journo's were looking to egg up a story over the weekend to show that Wales can also have turmoil from fuel prices like the rest of the world. Come on press, about time you looked at what damage you can cause by speculating like this.
They should be focussing attention on the UK government's crazy high taxation on consumers fuel along with the even more crazy rises in energy costs. They could use their ability to apply pressure on the Governments to actually do something about this.... not pick on an airline, an airport and it's community as an easy story to sensationalise.
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Welsh Press.
Could not agree more with Merchant Sailors. The Western Mail, South Wales Echo and Wales on Sunday seem to delight in doom and gloom stories about Wales in general and Cardiff airport in particular. Last year when it was announced that First Choice were pulling out of CWL due to the merger with FlyTui, the local press played the story as if the airport was closing and passengers were choosing to fly from elsewhere. No mention of the merger or the fact that FlyTui were virtually pulling out of Bristol. I sometimes think that someone on the Western Mail group has a personal grudge against the airport.
Regarding the BMIbaby story, I would not be surprised to see Baby quit the Belfast and Glasgow routes. Hope I am proved wrong.
Cyfarthfa.
Regarding the BMIbaby story, I would not be surprised to see Baby quit the Belfast and Glasgow routes. Hope I am proved wrong.
Cyfarthfa.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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journos...
Afew years ago, the reporter Chris Seager, from the Ferret on ITV Wales was, allegedly, refused travel by the then taxi operator at CWL due to being drunk and abusive and anti everything at CWL. He has apparently maintained the hostility and the columns he sometimes writes, in more obscure publications has reflected this. This just shows that certain people, in a position of so called journalistic impartiality are just the opposite.
We know the way the airports and airlines all operate ie as businesses, let's wait and see ( and hope ) that a negative operational decision will be nagated by a positive one.
We know the way the airports and airlines all operate ie as businesses, let's wait and see ( and hope ) that a negative operational decision will be nagated by a positive one.
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cyfarthfa - if anything I'd say until recently the Western Mail et al. have gone on about how great the airport is and how it'll suddenly become more busy (I remember the x reasons why CWL is better than BRS article a few years ago). What they should of done instead is saying that CWL needs to improve and asking what are the management going to do about it.
airvanman - considering the current problems the airline industry is facing I don't see BMIbaby pulling routes will help the airline of whom we shall not speak
airvanman - considering the current problems the airline industry is facing I don't see BMIbaby pulling routes will help the airline of whom we shall not speak
Join Date: Aug 2007
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i agree also there will be nothing flying from cwl soon with the fuel crisis and bad managment at cwl also brs got more new routes for the winter cwl needs to do something very soon
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echo...
With CWL needing all the help it can get from the local press, it is so annoying to see that publication with advertising for BRS and Ryanair / Easijet day after day. A letter to the editor probably won't get printed so just don't buy it. In fact, I wouldn't have my chips wrapped in it.
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A bit of argy bargy today on TCX, aircraft went to LGW to do a rescue flight for them, but instead of them going back to LGW to drop the return pax of they diverted straight to us, but these minority of pax refused to disembark the aircraft, which resulted in police being called, seems like a nice couple of days for the police, what with last nights fiasco.
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Boyyo
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bmibaby winter flights
18 June 2008
bmibaby announce stage one of winter 2008 from Cardiff International Airport
More routes to be announced shortly
Airline remains committed to operation from Cardiff
bmibaby, the largest low cost carrier from Wales, has announced stage one of winter 2008 flights from Cardiff International Airport will go on sale today (Wednesday, 18th June 2008). Five key Mediterranean destinations will go on sale: Alicante, Faro, Malaga, Murcia and Palma, plus flights to Geneva. More routes will be announced shortly.
During the peak ski season, skiers will benefit from five flights a week from Cardiff to Geneva, the gateway to the French and Swiss Alps. Frequent flights are also available to Malaga to access the Sierra Nevada, another great region for skiing.
Crawford Rix, managing director, bmibaby, said:
"We are delighted to announce that stage one of our winter 2008 services from Cardiff Airport is now on sale. We have put five key Mediterranean destinations on sale. Sun lovers and holiday home owners will benefit from the frequent flights to top winter sun destinations such as Malaga, Alicante and Murcia. Flights to Geneva are also back for winter, providing a gateway to top European ski and snowboarding resorts. More winter 2008 routes will be released shortly.
"Contrary to recent sensationalised reports, bmibaby is committed to its operation from Cardiff and will continue to offer low fares to exciting destinations. We will be celebrating six years of flying from the airport this year and hope to see many more successful years operating from Cardiff. We would like to thank all our passengers for their continued support."
Patrick Duffy, managing director, Cardiff International Airport, added:
"It is good to see this commitment from bmibaby to the region and as we reach the 6 year anniversary of bmibaby flying from Cardiff we are extremely pleased to see them continue to assert their position as our largest low cost carrier.
"The Geneva service proved hugely successful for winter 2007 resulting in more flights being added and contributed towards a highly successful winter season. We are therefore pleased bmibaby is operating up to five times a week for 2008/9. The ski demand from south Wales was clearly evident in 2007 flight schedules."
Cardiff to:Frequency:MalagaUp to 4 flights per weekAlicanteUp to 4 flights per weekPalmaUp to 2 flights per weekMurciaUp to 2 flights per weekFaroUp to 2 flights per weekGenevaUp to 5 flights per week
Is that more or less than last year, bear in mind some more are to be announced! Good to see WW still commited.
18 June 2008
bmibaby announce stage one of winter 2008 from Cardiff International Airport
More routes to be announced shortly
Airline remains committed to operation from Cardiff
bmibaby, the largest low cost carrier from Wales, has announced stage one of winter 2008 flights from Cardiff International Airport will go on sale today (Wednesday, 18th June 2008). Five key Mediterranean destinations will go on sale: Alicante, Faro, Malaga, Murcia and Palma, plus flights to Geneva. More routes will be announced shortly.
During the peak ski season, skiers will benefit from five flights a week from Cardiff to Geneva, the gateway to the French and Swiss Alps. Frequent flights are also available to Malaga to access the Sierra Nevada, another great region for skiing.
Crawford Rix, managing director, bmibaby, said:
"We are delighted to announce that stage one of our winter 2008 services from Cardiff Airport is now on sale. We have put five key Mediterranean destinations on sale. Sun lovers and holiday home owners will benefit from the frequent flights to top winter sun destinations such as Malaga, Alicante and Murcia. Flights to Geneva are also back for winter, providing a gateway to top European ski and snowboarding resorts. More winter 2008 routes will be released shortly.
"Contrary to recent sensationalised reports, bmibaby is committed to its operation from Cardiff and will continue to offer low fares to exciting destinations. We will be celebrating six years of flying from the airport this year and hope to see many more successful years operating from Cardiff. We would like to thank all our passengers for their continued support."
Patrick Duffy, managing director, Cardiff International Airport, added:
"It is good to see this commitment from bmibaby to the region and as we reach the 6 year anniversary of bmibaby flying from Cardiff we are extremely pleased to see them continue to assert their position as our largest low cost carrier.
"The Geneva service proved hugely successful for winter 2007 resulting in more flights being added and contributed towards a highly successful winter season. We are therefore pleased bmibaby is operating up to five times a week for 2008/9. The ski demand from south Wales was clearly evident in 2007 flight schedules."
Cardiff to:Frequency:MalagaUp to 4 flights per weekAlicanteUp to 4 flights per weekPalmaUp to 2 flights per weekMurciaUp to 2 flights per weekFaroUp to 2 flights per weekGenevaUp to 5 flights per week
Is that more or less than last year, bear in mind some more are to be announced! Good to see WW still commited.
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I have also heared today that Cardiff is now a 5 crown station for KLM.
Regarding the WW flights then i think it maybe slightly less than last year except for the GVA flights, however maybe the WAW and BCN flights will fill the gaps in the system.
Regarding the WW flights then i think it maybe slightly less than last year except for the GVA flights, however maybe the WAW and BCN flights will fill the gaps in the system.
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5 Crown Award
I found this in an article about Toronto Airport - assume this is what Mathers refers to.
The five crown is a performance award given in recognition to a station, on KLM’s worldwide network, which has met all their performance targets in the areas of punctuality, customer service and baggage handling.
Good job for CWL and KLM teams
The five crown is a performance award given in recognition to a station, on KLM’s worldwide network, which has met all their performance targets in the areas of punctuality, customer service and baggage handling.
Good job for CWL and KLM teams
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The question is, will CWL celerbrating this fact and posting it on the news section of their website?
Considering it is a high achievement they should be milking it with what it's worth, but i'm doubtfull this will happen.
Considering it is a high achievement they should be milking it with what it's worth, but i'm doubtfull this will happen.
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KLM....
Re the previous threads regarding KLM...... is this the same KLM who are late almost every flight.... cancel at least 1 a week to CWL or BRS and we end up with their pax or vice-versa ???? Luggage issues....I hate to be negative but if this is 5 crown service then what happens at 1 or 2 level ???? Unbelievable !!