BELFAST AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL
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Wealthier people pay more!
What an appalling statement (in my opinion). APD is an unfair tax on everyone. It's an Island with a land border to another Island without APD. Consider this, imagine the opportunities that NI could create given a level playing field with our land neighbours. Again, in my opinion, the NI assembly would be better served protecting the infrastructure of NI. Continuing to implement APD only promotes Dublin further.
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How about this? Just might be a little radical for the NI officials who are the guardians of the "rules"!??
Dublin Airport now takes almost a million passengers a year booking in NI/UK jurisdiction because, as much as anything, they are actively exploiting zero tax in RoI v the air tax being charged in NI.
Alongside that there are about 3.5 million passengers departing from the three NI airports (about 7 million airport passengers overall), and there is no tax on the small existing proportion of long haul travellers.
So for the sake of simplicity the APD take from NI bookings is about 3.5 million times £13 - around £45 million per annum.
So, why not simply take control of the air tax in Belfast, and tax-raising powers related to it, and charge a tax of £45 - £50 for all bookings taken in NI for passengers departing from RoI airports, and use the funds raised from this to wipe out the equivalent financial loss to the NI Executive which would be incurred while reducing APD on all passengers departing from the NI airports to zero?
Hey presto, existing and new services from the airports in NI become stronger and more sustainable, more jobs in NI, substantially more spend from tourists and visitors coming into NI and the rising tide lifts the NI economy, simply by turning the table around to a different angle.
If the current loss of business from NI to RoI was occurring the other way round, this would have been a guaranteed move long ages before now.
Dublin Airport now takes almost a million passengers a year booking in NI/UK jurisdiction because, as much as anything, they are actively exploiting zero tax in RoI v the air tax being charged in NI.
Alongside that there are about 3.5 million passengers departing from the three NI airports (about 7 million airport passengers overall), and there is no tax on the small existing proportion of long haul travellers.
So for the sake of simplicity the APD take from NI bookings is about 3.5 million times £13 - around £45 million per annum.
So, why not simply take control of the air tax in Belfast, and tax-raising powers related to it, and charge a tax of £45 - £50 for all bookings taken in NI for passengers departing from RoI airports, and use the funds raised from this to wipe out the equivalent financial loss to the NI Executive which would be incurred while reducing APD on all passengers departing from the NI airports to zero?
Hey presto, existing and new services from the airports in NI become stronger and more sustainable, more jobs in NI, substantially more spend from tourists and visitors coming into NI and the rising tide lifts the NI economy, simply by turning the table around to a different angle.
If the current loss of business from NI to RoI was occurring the other way round, this would have been a guaranteed move long ages before now.
I REALLY SHOULDN'T BE HERE
That is a nonsensical statement. I can confirm that crossing the border to the south requires no swimming or boating. Last time I looked at a map Northern Ireland made up about 1/4 of a small island in the North Atlantic.
Reduction of APD may stimulate the demand for flights north of the border - but only slightly. The welfare and budget reforms which are coming down the tracks may have the opposite effect. NI needs to be weaned off state money. The only alternative is for the politicians to focus on making it a more competitive place to do business - attracting inward investment from overseas and fostering local businesses which have aspirations to reach a wider market. Lower APD may help but only in the wider context of economic reform which will deliver a more vibrant economy on our 1/4 of a little island in the North Atlantic.
Reduction of APD may stimulate the demand for flights north of the border - but only slightly. The welfare and budget reforms which are coming down the tracks may have the opposite effect. NI needs to be weaned off state money. The only alternative is for the politicians to focus on making it a more competitive place to do business - attracting inward investment from overseas and fostering local businesses which have aspirations to reach a wider market. Lower APD may help but only in the wider context of economic reform which will deliver a more vibrant economy on our 1/4 of a little island in the North Atlantic.
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Badly written but you knew what he meant, part of a country that exists on a different island from the central government and is consequently suffering from a tax on services that does not exist in an adjoining foreign country?
You are underestimating the need to cut APD in my opinion. But I agree about wider economic reform. Business is driven by competition so if it were scrapped it isn't just routes that would improve, it would be take up of existing services including freight etc. that will come from business startup or expansion. The revenue from the actual air tax lost would be more than replaced by business taxes and income taxes from new jobs created. It might not be simple or short term but exponentially more beneficial in terms of the whole population.
You are underestimating the need to cut APD in my opinion. But I agree about wider economic reform. Business is driven by competition so if it were scrapped it isn't just routes that would improve, it would be take up of existing services including freight etc. that will come from business startup or expansion. The revenue from the actual air tax lost would be more than replaced by business taxes and income taxes from new jobs created. It might not be simple or short term but exponentially more beneficial in terms of the whole population.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Belfast, UK
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New summer charter program to Bulgaria
Local tour operator Travel Solutions has this week announced a new addition to its Balkan portfolio with the launch of a 2016 summer charter programme.
Managing Director Peter McMinn said: "After such a successful first winter ski season it was a natural progression to extend the Balkan programme to launch a summer beach product. It was clear from our agents' feedback that they were expecting it."
The Balkan Sun programme will operate from late June to early September. Direct non-stop flights will operate on a Saturday afternoon using modern E-190 Embraer aircraft operated by Bulgaria Air - the country's national carrier. Guests will have a choice of hotels and apartments in the popular Sunny Beach resort.
Source, NI Travel News
Local tour operator Travel Solutions has this week announced a new addition to its Balkan portfolio with the launch of a 2016 summer charter programme.
Managing Director Peter McMinn said: "After such a successful first winter ski season it was a natural progression to extend the Balkan programme to launch a summer beach product. It was clear from our agents' feedback that they were expecting it."
The Balkan Sun programme will operate from late June to early September. Direct non-stop flights will operate on a Saturday afternoon using modern E-190 Embraer aircraft operated by Bulgaria Air - the country's national carrier. Guests will have a choice of hotels and apartments in the popular Sunny Beach resort.
Source, NI Travel News
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"So, why not simply take control of the air tax in Belfast, and tax-raising powers related to it, and charge a tax of £45 - £50 for all bookings taken in NI for passengers departing from RoI airports, and use the funds raised from this to wipe out the equivalent financial loss to the NI Executive which would be incurred "
How? Are you going to get Expedia to do that for you?
Perhaps if the crayon munchers on the Hill stopped shelling out for crap like policing for Flegs and Camp Twaddel their might be more cash available in the coffers.
That ,however,would require a grownup approach to politics......no surrender...
(Other lunatic politically inspired money pits ARE available...the above example is just that...an example)
How? Are you going to get Expedia to do that for you?
Perhaps if the crayon munchers on the Hill stopped shelling out for crap like policing for Flegs and Camp Twaddel their might be more cash available in the coffers.
That ,however,would require a grownup approach to politics......no surrender...
(Other lunatic politically inspired money pits ARE available...the above example is just that...an example)
Join Date: Jun 2011
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What an appalling statement (in my opinion). APD is an unfair tax on everyone. It's an Island with a land border to another Island without APD. Consider this, imagine the opportunities that NI could create given a level playing field with our land neighbours. Again, in my opinion, the NI assembly would be better served protecting the infrastructure of NI. Continuing to implement APD only promotes Dublin further.
As for creating opportunities thy didn't manage many before the crash so why is it different now.
How about this? Just might be a little radical for the NI officials who are the guardians of the "rules"!??
Dublin Airport now takes almost a million passengers a year booking in NI/UK jurisdiction because, as much as anything, they are actively exploiting zero tax in RoI v the air tax being charged in NI.
Dublin Airport now takes almost a million passengers a year booking in NI/UK jurisdiction because, as much as anything, they are actively exploiting zero tax in RoI v the air tax being charged in NI.
I don't see NI complaining with the passengers they receive from the NW.
Alongside that there are about 3.5 million passengers departing from the three NI airports (about 7 million airport passengers overall), and there is no tax on the small existing proportion of long haul travellers.
So for the sake of simplicity the APD take from NI bookings is about 3.5 million times £13 - around £45 million per annum.
So for the sake of simplicity the APD take from NI bookings is about 3.5 million times £13 - around £45 million per annum.
So, why not simply take control of the air tax in Belfast, and tax-raising powers related to it, and charge a tax of £45 - £50 for all bookings taken in NI for passengers departing from RoI airports, and use the funds raised from this to wipe out the equivalent financial loss to the NI Executive which would be incurred while reducing APD on all passengers departing from the NI airports to zero?
Hey presto, existing and new services from the airports in NI become stronger and more sustainable, more jobs in NI, substantially more spend from tourists and visitors coming into NI and the rising tide lifts the NI economy, simply by turning the table around to a different angle.
If the current loss of business from NI to RoI was occurring t*he other way round, this would have been a guaranteed move long ages before now.
It's a little like transferring Corporation Tax to compete with ROI not going to work as the ROI have the better competitive edge and the only losers will be people as cuts will be made to reduce it.
You are underestimating the need to cut APD in my opinion. But I agree about wider economic reform. Business is driven by competition so if it were scrapped it isn't just routes that would improve, it would be take up of existing services including freight etc. that will come from business startup or expansion. The revenue from the actual air tax lost would be more than replaced by business taxes and income taxes from new jobs created. It might not be simple or short term but exponentially more beneficial in terms of the whole population.
The simple fact is lower APD will not lead to lower air fares (as seen at DUB) however scrapping the tax ex DUB has delivered major benefits which include increased inbound passengers who I am sure will visit NI. Scrapping it from Belfast will only fill the pockets of Easyjet and Jet 2 taking people off on holiday.
The changes at DUB would off set the majority of APD costs anyway.
However, apart from retaining United as our scheduled route hitherto (yes I know VS are coming for a few months),what tangible benefits has the acting of this tax brought? Have we seen lower fares? Have we seen significant growth in passenger numbers....?
The question is would United really withdraw ? And with a permanent abolition would we see new services ex Belfast ?
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New summer charter program to Bulgaria
Local tour operator Travel Solutions has this week announced a new addition to its Balkan portfolio with the launch of a 2016 summer charter programme.
Managing Director Peter McMinn said: "After such a successful first winter ski season it was a natural progression to extend the Balkan programme to launch a summer beach product. It was clear from our agents' feedback that they were expecting it."
The Balkan Sun programme will operate from late June to early September. Direct non-stop flights will operate on a Saturday afternoon using modern E-190 Embraer aircraft operated by Bulgaria Air - the country's national carrier. Guests will have a choice of hotels and apartments in the popular Sunny Beach resort.
Source, NI Travel News
Local tour operator Travel Solutions has this week announced a new addition to its Balkan portfolio with the launch of a 2016 summer charter programme.
Managing Director Peter McMinn said: "After such a successful first winter ski season it was a natural progression to extend the Balkan programme to launch a summer beach product. It was clear from our agents' feedback that they were expecting it."
The Balkan Sun programme will operate from late June to early September. Direct non-stop flights will operate on a Saturday afternoon using modern E-190 Embraer aircraft operated by Bulgaria Air - the country's national carrier. Guests will have a choice of hotels and apartments in the popular Sunny Beach resort.
Source, NI Travel News
Join Date: Jun 2012
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Hopefully a few more routes next year. I think it was July / August time last year when many of the new routes were announced, but along with Burgas with Bulgarian Air, FUE with TCX and LS
Chatting to EZY crew on a flight this week and asking about any new routes, nothing confirmed but they had heard the Copenhagen rumour and Hamburg as well
Chatting to EZY crew on a flight this week and asking about any new routes, nothing confirmed but they had heard the Copenhagen rumour and Hamburg as well
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Copenhagen would be surprising especially considering that there has been such an increase in capacity on the Dublin route, with most days x5 rotations. However, EasyJet know the addresses of people booking say on AMS BFS etc so may have data to back up any plans, but still think it's a long shot.
My money is in previously operated routes, namely Berlin..
My money is in previously operated routes, namely Berlin..
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Its gonna be hard to get a Belfast route with all the airlines going to Dublin. Belfast is going to have to get its arse in gear and try and persuade the airlines to come here or else the airport is going to go down in the shacks.
In a way when you think about it, although obviously not as bad its quite similar to the LHR thing in England isn't it. Although tbh if it weren't people from here that airport down there wouldn't be anywhere near its level.
Which kind of irritates me because we are constantly told that routes are not viable.
In a way when you think about it, although obviously not as bad its quite similar to the LHR thing in England isn't it. Although tbh if it weren't people from here that airport down there wouldn't be anywhere near its level.
Which kind of irritates me because we are constantly told that routes are not viable.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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I heard that a CRJ-900 operator had been in talks with BFS recently. Air Nostrum (Iberia) operate a sizeable fleet from MAD and they have operated seasonal flights from other regional airports in recent years.
Remember Air Europa operated a weekly charter with inbound tourists to NI a few Summers ago which were usually full. A MAD service wouldn't beyond possibility.
The only factor that would effect the possibility of a service from BFS is BA/ IAG operated from BHD.
Remember Air Europa operated a weekly charter with inbound tourists to NI a few Summers ago which were usually full. A MAD service wouldn't beyond possibility.
The only factor that would effect the possibility of a service from BFS is BA/ IAG operated from BHD.
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EZY have NCL, EDI, GLA, BRS, LPL arriving in around 0800. If VS were to start Boston and Toronto from BFS (one 3 days the other 4 days) could they not have a loose arrangement with EZY as a feeder? I mean with long haul APD lower at BFS, would it not be an option to fly Boston/Toronto via BFS from other UK regions? The VS flights could arrive at say 0700 & depart out at 0930 minimum hanging around for connections.