BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - BFS (Aldergrove)

[speedbirdATC]

Thanks NWSRG, but why no ILS 07? Surely the main runway at an airfield the size of aldergrove, and the size of aircraft it caters for should have an ILS at both ends of its main runway. I believe BHD has an ILS at both ends (04 maybe LOC only approach, correct me if I'm wrong), and now LDY has had an ILS installed on 08 (currently not available to pilots yet, as it is being calibrated)

[midnight retired]

Many years ago it it had something to do with the proximity of the large green hangar situated close to RWY 07 threshold that would have affected the ILS glideslope and localiser beams , hence the offset 07 VOR/DME approach.

[speedbirdATC]

So is it impossible for BFS to install an offset ILS?

[midnight retired]

Good question, perhaps the technical wizards could throw some light on the offset ILS requirements ,or maybe demolish the hangar ?
It is over 3 years since I last flew into BFS and maybe things have changed. However if you were up to the challenge on a bad night, flying the offset to minima could be very rewarding .

[ards_boy]

Your welcome dontdoit Just doesn't seem like EI are on their last legs from here, but if they do go bust anytime soon, I promise I will humbly accept defeat!
I apoligise for my lack of clarity on the matter, perhaps my mind just typed what I would like to have read! (an extension of 17/35) .

[tigger2k8]

ah, if it is 25/07 due for resurfacing then that explains why nothing landing larger than a 737 can land via 25 and exit onto Bravo, must be getting worn down as pilots were determined to get out using Bravo (when loads were light) if they could stop instead of traveling the whole way down 25 to come back up to stand 12 ... if i remember correctly EI engineers were not too happy about it and requested for them not to try and make bravo, must have been wearing brakes down

as for the ILS on 07, i think its only the woodgate hangar left down that way (could be wrong?) unless its woodgate in way of an ILS system?... theres been a lot of money spent in the last few years on the apron... most of which is unknown by the general public they changed all the stands and introduced a road system, about... 3 years ago? with annual repainting (the anti-freeze solution they use on the roads must eat paint away), the stand lighting and numeral system this year

recently the BMI and EZY desks have been upgraded with flat screen tv's, looks very modern (and expensive!)

found these images...

http://www.airport-technology.com/pr...st-airport.jpg

the current area of the food village looking towards where you used to queue for central search

http://www.airport-technology.com/pr...st-airport.jpg

plans for the depatures lounge..

this is what cost £10m, not the escalators that some people think....

[ALLMCC]

I had heard that Manx2's days at BHD are numbered and they would concentrate on BFS for their IOM service. This latest statement would seem to indicate that this may be the course they are taking.

[tigger2k8]

I had heard that Manx2's days at BHD are numbered and they would concentrate on BFS for their IOM service. This latest statement would seem to indicate that this may be the course they are taking.

well the silver manx 2 painted car has been sitting in the red-zone recently, could be managers in negotiations with BFS managers

[eastconsbrook]

Manx2

Well that will boost passenger numbers for BFS!!!!
I think they better open another terminal!!
What other routes could they fly anyway?? As Manx2 are only a ticket agent and they have to comply with an EEC rule I dont think they have many options Unless they have air to air refueling ( Must ask man in park )
Anyway if Manx2 leave the city I am sure someone else will take over the route. It only takes 20 min to fly to the Rock and a 35 min bus or car ride to get to the airport from Belfast will not go down well
And the a car is sitting out side the airport with the manx2 name on it does not mean that the manager is in the airport, Would he not just fly?? Or maybe he used the steam bucket to Liverpool then the Norse Irish ferry and then the farm lane?
My bet would be a Eazyjet W route BHD IOM LPL LTN

[tigger2k8]

And the a car is sitting out side the airport with the manx2 name on it does not mean that the manager is in the airport, Would he not just fly?? Or maybe he used the

no but the fact there was a couple of important looking people with manx2 high viz jackets walking about might highlight something .. could be a crew car? like i said it "could be a manager..."

back to the park, troll

[Dave Clarke Fife]

Originally Posted by speedbirdATC

I believe BHD has an ILS at both ends (04 maybe LOC only approach, correct me if I'm wrong)

You're wrong about BHD having an ILS at both ends but spot on about 04 having a LOC/DME approach

[tigger2k8]

right, either a mod is liking the delete button too much or i forgot to submit a post last night (if my post was deleted id like to know why?)

was asking if anyone knows if the TNT fleet has now changed at BFS? as the white 767 hasnt been in the last few nights and has been replaced with a 757 (1 in TNT livery (operated by icelandair) and last nights was in icelandair livery) with a TNT 737 also sitting on the ground yesterday... cargo isnt my thing, i get lost after stand 29

stand 26 looks like the next stand to be closed for awhile, as the drainage system is being replaced .. followed by 25

edit - instead of creating a new post... EZY's network was down at BFS (and other stations who use the same system) today.. caused a couple of delays, thankfully it was a saturday with a reduced schedule, if it happened tomorrow (sunday) it would be a disaster

[gate 22]

So according to the latest stats BFS still falling (although in line with most of the major UK airports).
Well done EZY after reducing Luton down to 2 per day and shifting the operation to BHD, FR up on STN, no rise on any EZY/London routes. Oh and EI LHR up. EZY carried 8528 at BHD not very impressive (I know they weren't there for the full month), crap timings and frequency certainly factors. Is this what you want to do during a recession?

[tigger2k8]

So according to the latest stats BFS still falling (although in line with most of the major UK airports).
Well done EZY after reducing Luton down to 2 per day and shifting the operation to BHD, FR up on STN, no rise on any EZY/London routes. Oh and EI LHR up. EZY carried 8528 at BHD not very impressive (I know they weren't there for the full month), crap timings and frequency certainly factors. Is this what you want to do during a recession?

is expected for an airport like BFS to be falling after losing a couple of airlines and the EI base aircraft, numbers do seem to be higher on flights compared to this time last year

on average 85 PAX on each flight for the BHD-LTN, which to be honest for January isn't too bad still doesnt justify adding anymore rotations, i doubt this month will... maybe once we see the start of the summer schedule numbers will pick up (but then again in summer every flight is almost at capacity), however LTN still remains in the BFS booking system.. wonder how long it'll stay there PRG floated around for awhile

remember they were making a point to management at BFS, in the long run it could be a good thing for them as BFS needs EZY to operate, should be interesting to hear what happens at the next landing fee negotiations

LTN-BHD just about made it into BHD last night, think it landed at 2110.. probably sneaked out just before 2130

EI's BFS-LHR route has became popular in the last few weeks

think BFS finally figured out that they cant hire 0900-1700 contractors to do work(or they are behind schedule) stand 27's drainage system was been worked on after midnight last night

[mutleyshriek]

My Brother flew Aer Lingus Lhr to Bfs monday night.169 pax on board.He asked the purser as she did the headcount.He works for Bombardier and had been told by the travel department for said company that"we are using Aer Lingus now for travel to and from London"enough said..........

[tigger2k8]

EI's first flight to LHR came back on stand today, engine problems, cancelled 5 hours later, no doubt due to slots / scheduling

as of 1500 there was 2 diversions from the city, one ryanair and one BMI

as usual (happening very often this year) freezing fog and ice on the engine blades causing most aircraft to sit on the ground for an hour until engineers had cleaned the blades..

either theres a chartered flight tonight EI990 (which i doubt) or theres an aircraft swap

[EI-BUD]

on average 85 PAX on each flight for the BHD-LTN, which to be honest for January isn't too bad still doesnt justify adding anymore rotations, i doubt this month will... maybe once we see the start of the summer schedule numbers will pick up (but then again in summer every flight is almost at capacity), however LTN still remains in the BFS booking system.. wonder how long it'll stay there PRG floated around for awhile

The average number of passengers on the Belfast Luton routes for January 2010 was better than January 2009 by about 10 passengers per flight. (taking totals this year on both BHD and BFS compared with just 2009 BFS LTN) so in this respect there is no disimprovement on load factor- although this bears no relationship with yield.

However, Easyjet cannot get definitive data at this stage to prove that the change was warranted. However, all that said their other London routes seem to have been getting a battering so all in all BHD LTN hasnt faired to badly.

Flybe have been doing well, would be great to know how successful their Various code sharing arrangements/interlining arrangements with Virgin etc have been doing?

EI-BUD

[tigger2k8]

CAA audits this week at BFS, lots of high vis's walking around telling other high vis's to make sure they are velcrod across

[gate 22]

Fuel for the rumours about Bmi relocating back up the road.
The following is an advertisement from the Belfast Telegraph website today. Who will fly to BHD and then stay at the Park Plaza? No mention of 'Belfast City Airport' located right in the heart of Belfast. In actual fact only the BHD code lets you know that they fly to the City Airport.


Business travel is booming in Northern Ireland’s capital

Flights from London Heathrow to Belfast start from just £...
Belfast is back! With the impressive regeneration of Victoria Square, a highly cultured Cathedral Quarter and a glittering waterfront lined with lively bars and modern art, Belfast is reliving its former glory days! From grand Victorian architecture, Titanic walking tours and shipyards steeped in heritage, a trip to Belfast offers an interesting journey through Northern Ireland’s history. With non-stop flights from London Heathrow with bmi, there has never been a better time to visit Belfast!
Only 50 metres away from Belfast’s International Airport lies the Park Plaza,................ For a more central location, the ???? is a super yet slinky business hotel located in the heart of Belfast that boasts understated ????? and a striking bar with fine art and Italian designer furniture. For a business stopover, travellers should also explore ????? Belfast. Formerly an old converted warehouse, this hotel combines period features with the best of contemporary style and prides itself on being one of the best boutique hotels in the capital.
bmi, the second largest airline at London Heathrow, offers non-stop dailyflights to Belfast (BHD) from London Heathrow (LHR). Flights from LHR are just £.........

Had to take a few ref's out as it may go against the forum's rules on advertising.

[eastern wiseguy]

THey may well mean the PARK INN. Made that mistake myself the othr day when being told where I had to be for a meeting ( didn't know there was an inn as well as a plaza)

Might yet see RYR up the road if they are so desperate to launch "European" services and need a longer runway huh?