BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - BFS (Aldergrove)

[Jamie2k9]

A Delta B777 diverted to Dublin earlier this morning.

[tigger2k8]

In that case it probably was, I had just heard Reykjavik and that was it

[Jamie2k9]

Does anyone know why Aer Lingus BFS - ACE was diverterd to ORK this morning. It has since departed ORK.

The ORK - ACE flight yesterday was cancelled and would it of being to get some of the ORK passengers out to ACE on the BFS flight. Does anybody know how many were on the flight out of BFS.

The return flight is also due to stop off in ORK.

[victoria73]

victoria73

The B747 that was going to divert to BFS landed in Reykjavick instead, the B777 that was coming decided in last minute not to come none of the handling agents believe it or not didnt have a tow bar to push the aircraft.The loads on the Aer lingus flights at minute are not very good probably reason for the diversion into ORK fill the aircraft.

[Jamie2k9]

Is that loads on all EI routes from BFS?? (except LHR)

[tigger2k8]

Since the snow had started falling passenger numbers have had a dip for obvious reasons, even before BFS had to close due to the snow, some people simply couldn't make it to the airport, this has lead to a drop in PAX since the snow started EI is probably carrying 70-120 PAX on its sun routes, bearing in mind that the 1st-14th Dec is generally a quiet period... i was driving on the roads to/from the airport last night at around 3am, and i would say a lot of people for this mornings flight didnt travel or arrive in time, if the A/C had signicant space then it was a smart move to stop and pick more people up..as for LHR, its performing well, when it can get out.

Victoria, i dont think we have ever had a B777 in BFS and none of the 2 handling agents have contracts with any airlines which operates a scheduled B777 flight to BFS... i would say a B777 is the only tow-bar not in BFS as Servisair have a huge selection including a 707... a 767 tow-bar could have been used, which servisair have, but the shear pin is too weak, so i dont think it would have been possible to perform turns, especially in the near ice-rink conditions of the apron.. menzies only handle 737/A319/A320 .. any EI 330's that get diverted a tow-bar is borrowed, same with the occasional summer MD80 they handle

[victoria73]

victoria73

Yes we have had a B777 diverted in before a few years ago a Canadian airlines dropped in unexpectantly it was in early before the freighters came in turned around the area of stand 28 and 29 faced south so just could taxi off.the loads on the Aerlingus have been low for past month at least but i think its always been like that coming up to christmas.The loads on some EZY flights to places like spain and portugal have been low for past few weeks as well.heard little rumour again about EZY putting an airbus320 to BFS.

[tigger2k8]

Cant remember that one, the only reason it was probably accepted was due to the room to move the aircraft without a tug, unlike last night when only 2 stands available by the end of the night, 16 and 22.

All the sun routes take a dip until about a week before christmas, unfortunately theres a lot of flights cancelled which would have been close to capacitity..

Ah the A320 rumor, last time i heard it was being thought about was when they thought the A319 wouldnt reach MLA with a full load of PAX+BAGS.. however i have heard nothing since then

[victoria73]

victoria73

Over heard some EZY crew discussing the airbus320 coming plus they also are bringing in a few more pilots must be for the summer months.

[tigger2k8]

I think after the mess of crew problems during Summer 2010 they know they need more staff, there is a group of new EZY staff starting in BFS between March and May 2011, as far as im aware

[eastern wiseguy]

Tigger

i dont think we have ever had a B777 in BFS

I seem to recall the last time Blair and Bush were in EGAA that Blair left on a BA 777 to go to Mexico....mind you I also seem to recall it was parked in such a way that it taxiied straight out with no push required.

[richardnei]

Yes Thats correct. From what i remember the aircraft was parked on stands 26 + 27 but nose out as no tow bar!

[True Blue]

will anyone have the sense to go get one now? or just prefer to lose out on possible diverts. Suppose it's so busy up there , not much point worrying about not getting some diverts to deal with.

TB

[corsaman]

777 at BFS

If I recall correctly, on 11/09/01, a Seattle-bound BA 777 diverted to BFS and sat for several days. My then-BA colleagues handled it.

[tigger2k8]

True Blue, i doubt it... Servisair isnt exactly in spending mode right now, they are in the process of making staff redundant, as they have to reapply for their jobs.. as for Menzies, cant see it happening as they only handle 737s (EZY, extremely rare sight though.. infact i think theres been 2 since the A319 fleet came to BFS) and A319/A320s... even BAH dont have one either... if someone gets a contract for an airline with a 777 thats a scheduled service one will appear... until then i cant see it happening... they had thought of using Delta to park the 777 on, but it had not been cleared of snow and would have taken too long

Diversions is extra revenue, and the airport was eager to get both the 777 and the 747 in for obvious reasons, but when you have 3 diverts from BHD that nightstopped and a couple of private jets, there just wouldn't have been the room for a 777 or 747.. because whatever stand they used (would have been 22 no doubt) would be out of action until they could get a tow-bar in the case of the 777.. and with the CO 757 due in just after 0800..

corsaman, did you guys have a tow-bar for it, or was it parked so it could do without a pushback?

[corsaman]

777 towbar

Not sure Tigger, I'd just arrived home from my early shift when it all kicked off, and I was off for 4 days, by which time it had gone. Most widebody diversions we got back then seemed to park remotely, and be able to taxy away. Any other ex BFS BA staff out there?

[Tower Ranger]

I could be wrong but I thought that the Seattle flight that diverted was the BA038 and it was a 747, The only reason I remember it at all is because it was the flight that I was going out of Heathrow on 3 weeks later.

[corsaman]

I think it was the BA49, back then, again can't be sure as my timetables are in the roofspace, and it's far too cold to get them at the minute!

[Jamie2k9]

BFS expected to take some diverted flights from Dublin. Currently a SAS floght form Copenhagen has diverted.

[dog in park]

JET2

See Jet2 having a wee stopover at BHD
Maybe the sign of things to come???
Anyway good luck to all at BFS and have a great Christmas and a peaceful new year
Dog in park

Ps Tigger only joking I know they wont move