BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - BFS (Aldergrove)
Join Date: Feb 2009
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Never say never - who knows what opportunities the future holds - I wonder if the A350 might provide opportunities. Anyway EI did do Belfast - Shannon - JFK for several years (1994-2001 or thereabouts) with the possibility, I think I recall, of changing at Shannon to the Boston Aer Lingus flight. I used it for the Belfast shannon leg only a few times and there was always a resonable number of passengers thought the bulk of the flights customers joined at shannon. Pre clearance might make this an option again (though 2 hours by raod from Belfast to Dublin will not help the possibilities - in the mid 90's it was close to 3 hours.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Belfast, UK
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The Aer Lingus idea, through SNN should definitely be explored more. Seperately each airport may have limited demand, but together could potentially reach the threshold required. When EI offered this flight in the past JFK and BOS were the two available destinations as stated by Clareview.
I'd hate for EI to now compete with CO for the New York market, and potentially transfer passengers to BOS; and then for CO to pull the direct flight. To go from BFS having a sustainable direct service, to potentially only having one-stop via SNN in my view would be a horrendous step back.
Though ultimately, if possible EI via Shannon to destinations not currently available, or those that wouldn't destroy a more current convenient routing. Via SNN to O'Hare, Canadian destinations???
Noted that the CAA figures for July showed that CO carried more passengers to BFS from EWR, than to GLA, BRS and BHX.
I'd hate for EI to now compete with CO for the New York market, and potentially transfer passengers to BOS; and then for CO to pull the direct flight. To go from BFS having a sustainable direct service, to potentially only having one-stop via SNN in my view would be a horrendous step back.
Though ultimately, if possible EI via Shannon to destinations not currently available, or those that wouldn't destroy a more current convenient routing. Via SNN to O'Hare, Canadian destinations???
Noted that the CAA figures for July showed that CO carried more passengers to BFS from EWR, than to GLA, BRS and BHX.
Join Date: Feb 2009
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Continental EWR service is great in terms of convenience from BFS and interestingly the Bristol service is being pulled. However the queue at EWR for passport/immigation can be horrendous and connections can be lost (though Continental are good at sorting this when it happens)
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Larne, UK
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i think the only thing we can do is sit and wait to see what happens, instead of listing most of the major airlines... i honestly believe that EI will have a long-haul flight from BFS within the next few years... the management at BFS has a soft spot for EI and also believes EI will have a wide-body performing a route in the future....for the size of the operation at BFS it is doing extremely well.. yes its not in profit just yet.. once EI gets itself back on its feet expansion will happen.. before anyone quotes me on EI, note i said in the future, not next month 
for all we know BA may return, after all last time i was down at cargo they still had a lease on a cargo shed
lets wait and see
for all we know BA may return, after all last time i was down at cargo they still had a lease on a cargo shed
lets wait and see
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Northern Ireland
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Passenger Numbers on LHR for EI
Just reading the CAA stats for July. Aer Lingus had an excellent month on BFS LHR at 32013.
I note that bmi saw a significant dip to 43468. This might be where the speculation is coming from re bmi cutting the frequency.
Easyjet LTN BHD seems to be doing quite well considering that they are carrying in excess of 14k pax per month at twice daily rotations (compared to same time LY from BFS at 24k on 4 daily).
Easyjet´s Stansted service from BFS stabilised matching last years figures (no decline over same period LY-only a few). However, Gatwick suffering with an 8% decline.
Flybe have been steadily growing there traffic on BHD month on month, probably thanks to there interline arrangements, but just shows how effective the regional carrier can be.
EI-BUD
I note that bmi saw a significant dip to 43468. This might be where the speculation is coming from re bmi cutting the frequency.
Easyjet LTN BHD seems to be doing quite well considering that they are carrying in excess of 14k pax per month at twice daily rotations (compared to same time LY from BFS at 24k on 4 daily).
Easyjet´s Stansted service from BFS stabilised matching last years figures (no decline over same period LY-only a few). However, Gatwick suffering with an 8% decline.
Flybe have been steadily growing there traffic on BHD month on month, probably thanks to there interline arrangements, but just shows how effective the regional carrier can be.
EI-BUD
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Belfast, UK
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My quick calculations would show BD still holding their own, mind you.
EI with 4 flights a day, 174 capacity A320 - load factor of 74%
BD with 6 flights a day, 144 capacity A319 - load factor of 81%*
based on A319's with highest capacity.
Both seem pretty strong results (not knowing yield), pity that EI reverts back to 3 daily LHR in the winter timetable. With BD achieving good cabin fill, it'd be a shame to see flights drastically reduced. Talk of flights down to 5/day, but also 4/day.
EI with 4 flights a day, 174 capacity A320 - load factor of 74%
BD with 6 flights a day, 144 capacity A319 - load factor of 81%*
based on A319's with highest capacity.
Both seem pretty strong results (not knowing yield), pity that EI reverts back to 3 daily LHR in the winter timetable. With BD achieving good cabin fill, it'd be a shame to see flights drastically reduced. Talk of flights down to 5/day, but also 4/day.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Larne, UK
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numbers are starting to stabilise, however i think we will see a decline at BFS for the yearly statistics, as losing the goldtrail flights will no doubt impact numbers..
isnt much point of having 4 LHRs in the winter, while business travel makes up the majority of passengers the extra flights are really only added for transferring passengers and the added demand in summer
quite a few LGW flights have been cancelled in the last 2 months, which more than likely accounts for a couple of the % drop
also starbucks will be moving into the old duty free area, which now has windows looking out onto the apron
isnt much point of having 4 LHRs in the winter, while business travel makes up the majority of passengers the extra flights are really only added for transferring passengers and the added demand in summer
quite a few LGW flights have been cancelled in the last 2 months, which more than likely accounts for a couple of the % drop
also starbucks will be moving into the old duty free area, which now has windows looking out onto the apron
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Belfast, Ireland
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Regarding the return of Aer Lingus transatlantic services out of Belfast, I think with the recovery in the airline industry underway, it's only a matter of time.
Shannon used have a direct service to Chicago in the summer schedule and via Dublin in the winter. Maybe EI will introduce a Chicago service from Belfast via Shannon in the coming years.
The airport options for transatlantic services from Ireland really are limited for Aer Lingus. The only other airport that could possibly introduce transatlantic services in the future is Cork though I'm not sure how a A350 would cope with the 7,000 feet runway there.
That said, back in the boom times even Knock had a transatlantic service with FlyGlobespan
Shannon used have a direct service to Chicago in the summer schedule and via Dublin in the winter. Maybe EI will introduce a Chicago service from Belfast via Shannon in the coming years.
The airport options for transatlantic services from Ireland really are limited for Aer Lingus. The only other airport that could possibly introduce transatlantic services in the future is Cork though I'm not sure how a A350 would cope with the 7,000 feet runway there.
That said, back in the boom times even Knock had a transatlantic service with FlyGlobespan
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Belfast
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Good News for Belfast
3 bits of good news that have come in from both airports just in case you hadn't heard:
1. Manx2 opens hub in Belfast and takes over cork route.
2. Turkey specialist offers more choice for travellers.. more weekly Bodrum and Dalaman flights weekly by Holidays4U
3. Direct services to Venice and new service beginning to Vienna on 4th December
1. Manx2 opens hub in Belfast and takes over cork route.
2. Turkey specialist offers more choice for travellers.. more weekly Bodrum and Dalaman flights weekly by Holidays4U
3. Direct services to Venice and new service beginning to Vienna on 4th December
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Belfast, UK
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The Vienna and Venice flights do appear to be one-offs at this stage, the Vienna being a short break over two nights for the Christmas markets, and the Venice being a day trip. Both operated by travel-solutions.co.uk.
Good news regarding the Holidays4U expansion, however will still be a huge drop in capacity for summer 11 following the demise of Goldtrail.
Manx2 do seem to be basing an aircraft at BHD to operate the ORK, however currently the aircraft is only scheduled to operate these two ORK flights. As other have mentioned it may be more sensible to move the Galway from BFS to BHD, or to operate IOM flights with the Belfast aircraft rather than the IOM, for efficient aircraft utilisation. Maybe a timetable shake-up will happen now.
Think a Manx2 aircraft is also based at BFS. Operates out to the IOM at 08.30 and returns back again at 18.20, operating flights from the IOM during the day. For the sake of one IOM flight per day, four Galway's per week, and two ORK's (via Galway) from BFS, would it not be more sensible for Manx2 to consolidate their operations at one airport.
Good news regarding the Holidays4U expansion, however will still be a huge drop in capacity for summer 11 following the demise of Goldtrail.
Manx2 do seem to be basing an aircraft at BHD to operate the ORK, however currently the aircraft is only scheduled to operate these two ORK flights. As other have mentioned it may be more sensible to move the Galway from BFS to BHD, or to operate IOM flights with the Belfast aircraft rather than the IOM, for efficient aircraft utilisation. Maybe a timetable shake-up will happen now.
Think a Manx2 aircraft is also based at BFS. Operates out to the IOM at 08.30 and returns back again at 18.20, operating flights from the IOM during the day. For the sake of one IOM flight per day, four Galway's per week, and two ORK's (via Galway) from BFS, would it not be more sensible for Manx2 to consolidate their operations at one airport.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Belfast, UK
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Aer Lingus have some flights on sale now up to July 2011.
Heathrow 4 per day
Alicante ???
Barcelona 4 per week
Faro 5 per week
Lanzarote 3 per week
Malaga 7 per week
Rome ???
Tenerife ???
Not sure how this will pan out, as I'm sure more will go on sale in the near future. So far, it would appear that 3 aircraft are again needed for the summer base. Will be interesting if Alicante is retained for summer operation, and if Rome survives the recession. I would imagine Tenerife will return, but need to wait and see.
Heathrow 4 per day
Alicante ???
Barcelona 4 per week
Faro 5 per week
Lanzarote 3 per week
Malaga 7 per week
Rome ???
Tenerife ???
Not sure how this will pan out, as I'm sure more will go on sale in the near future. So far, it would appear that 3 aircraft are again needed for the summer base. Will be interesting if Alicante is retained for summer operation, and if Rome survives the recession. I would imagine Tenerife will return, but need to wait and see.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Belfast
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Ryanair Pulls out of Belfast City Airport
Ryanair withdraws Belfast service - News & Advice, Travel - The Independent
Apparently Michael O'learly said that it was because that the runway extension was delayed.
What do you all think
Good or bad news??
Personally i beileve that it is a bit of both because it offers new airlines to start form the airport and will give more variation.
The bad news is that Ryanair were offering Cheap flights from BHD.
Will Ryanair move to Belfast International and compete with Aer Lingus?
There certainly is a chance. Thank god it ends in October 31st because i am flying out with them on Friday and coming back on Monday
If anyone is online now and wants to see the story BBC Newsline is on in 5 mins and is having an interview with Michael O'Learly. It wil be on at 6:30 again if you miss it.
Regarding the Aer Lingus I think that all the routes will be kept because the seemed very popular this year
Apparently Michael O'learly said that it was because that the runway extension was delayed.
What do you all think
Good or bad news??
Personally i beileve that it is a bit of both because it offers new airlines to start form the airport and will give more variation.
The bad news is that Ryanair were offering Cheap flights from BHD.
Will Ryanair move to Belfast International and compete with Aer Lingus?
There certainly is a chance. Thank god it ends in October 31st because i am flying out with them on Friday and coming back on Monday
If anyone is online now and wants to see the story BBC Newsline is on in 5 mins and is having an interview with Michael O'Learly. It wil be on at 6:30 again if you miss it.
Regarding the Aer Lingus I think that all the routes will be kept because the seemed very popular this year
Join Date: May 2006
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Just seen it. My predictions - easyjet move their stansted flights to the city airport to free up slots at Aldergrove so they can have direct flights to Europe. Just glad to see the end of O'Leary I hope Ryanair fold and he ends up in the gutter.
Join Date: May 2007
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I wouldn't be so sure that EI LHR would go. Many people fly to LHR because they have to, either interlining through the BA codeshare, or self connecting onto another flight.
If competition is upped on STN, LGW or wherever, yes EI may loose some O&D traffic, but demand will still be there for those that have little or no alternative that need to use LHR.
I'd say the chance of FR opening at BFS would be pretty slim. After the rocky relationship lately with EZY at BFS and LTN, i'd say that airport management wouldn't want to rock the boat anymore than is completely necessary. With EZY launching Malta, maybe the relationship is back on track, and Abertis would be wise not to further endanger this.
If competition is upped on STN, LGW or wherever, yes EI may loose some O&D traffic, but demand will still be there for those that have little or no alternative that need to use LHR.
I'd say the chance of FR opening at BFS would be pretty slim. After the rocky relationship lately with EZY at BFS and LTN, i'd say that airport management wouldn't want to rock the boat anymore than is completely necessary. With EZY launching Malta, maybe the relationship is back on track, and Abertis would be wise not to further endanger this.