BELFAST AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Dublin
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"But I do wonder why our friends from south of the border seem so keen to talk BFS down? "
DUB will probably get close to 25 million pax this year. There's no logical reason for anyone to be talking anyone down.
FWIW, I think EK will open BFS, and sooner than we think. Once they've built out DUB to whatever target they have in mind, the next logical thing is to look to the next largest city - and particularly when a lot of traffic on the DUB service is coming from the North anyway.
DUB's relative success can be viewed in fact as an advantage to Belfast - it opens airline's eyes to opportunities on this Island that they may not have otherwise envisaged. I'd see Air Canada and Westjet in a similar vain to EK - BFS cant be far away from their thoughts either.
DUB will probably get close to 25 million pax this year. There's no logical reason for anyone to be talking anyone down.
FWIW, I think EK will open BFS, and sooner than we think. Once they've built out DUB to whatever target they have in mind, the next logical thing is to look to the next largest city - and particularly when a lot of traffic on the DUB service is coming from the North anyway.
DUB's relative success can be viewed in fact as an advantage to Belfast - it opens airline's eyes to opportunities on this Island that they may not have otherwise envisaged. I'd see Air Canada and Westjet in a similar vain to EK - BFS cant be far away from their thoughts either.
If we base their UK operations on your logic we should see the following:
MAN (A380 x 3)* then they start at LPL or LBA
GLA (B777 x 2 will go B777/A380 x 3) then they will start at EDI
BHX (B777 x 3 will go B777/A380 x 3) then they will start EMA or BRS
* I know a fourth has been suggested in past
They have a lot of growing at DUB to added another daily service and increase B777 capacity to A380
Would never say they won't come to BFS but lets get some real prospective here it will not happen this decade.
Westjet is a possibility but a while off and Air Canada will never happen, it's Rouge at DUB and can't see them expanding outside major points in Europe. Their current UK operation is very seasonal outside LHR.
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dublin will always be the main airport on the island of island. However to suggest that EK 'won't happen this decade' is certainly a bold statement, and many on here will remember this!!
Canada will be back with several weekly flights peak season.
Florida will be back all summer as well.
Canada will be back with several weekly flights peak season.
Florida will be back all summer as well.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: N Ireland
Age: 55
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They have a lot of growing at DUB to added another daily service and increase B777 capacity to A380
Belfast is quite well connected to other major airports for eastbound connections, be it with EK or other airlines, preferable to many rather than the 2 hour drive south. The question is, at what point do EK decide that it's worth opening BFS as a destination in its own right. We don't know that either.
But you're right, it may not be this decade. Or maybe it will.
As has been mentioned before, any such route doesn't have to suddenly be daily or more, even 2 or 3 rotations a week is a starting point. Its only the same as the Newark route, last winter it ceased, this winter it will operate, there are many here in NI who rubbish the route on the grounds its too expensive before even checking the price. To me its a matter of principle, of trying to support local business, aviation, jobs etc. I do think BFS will get there, albeit slowly with more long haul, they seem to have a more forward looking attitude of late.
Last edited by madgav; 19th Aug 2015 at 18:59.
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Dublin
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are assuming they will want to have 3 x A380 at DUB before they will even look at BFS. We don't know that.
Belfast is quite well connected to other major airports for eastbound connections, be it with EK or other airlines, preferable to many rather than the 2 hour drive south. The question is, at what point do EK decide that it's worth opening BFS as a destination in its own right. We don't know that either.
But you're right, it may not be this decade. Or maybe it will.
Belfast is quite well connected to other major airports for eastbound connections, be it with EK or other airlines, preferable to many rather than the 2 hour drive south. The question is, at what point do EK decide that it's worth opening BFS as a destination in its own right. We don't know that either.
But you're right, it may not be this decade. Or maybe it will.
Two things EK flying from BFS does not limit it to Belfast passengers and it will be as easy for many to travel to DUB as BFS.
Connections off Belfast-Dublin rail line could make it even easier in the very near future
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: N Ireland
Age: 55
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They will add a third 777 before they look anywhere and most likely A380 in future whether it be next Autumn or a few years away.
it will be as easy for many to travel to DUB as BFS.
Last edited by madgav; 19th Aug 2015 at 16:15.
Mart, normally you talk a lot of sense. However, when comparing the population of Newcastle with Belfast, do a bit of research. The Tyneside Metropolitan Area has a population almost 200,000 more than its equivalent in Belfast. Add on the 330,000 who live in the Sunderland area and you have something comparable (only comparable) to Dublin. Add in the ease of access (Metro all the way to the airport from the city centre), proximity of Durham and many other towns/cities and the comparison becomes less relevant.
I agree that MAN and LBA are nearish; EDI is a pig from Newcastle.
As for EK at BFS. Why not? I'd use it. They'd have to tart up the international departures bit a fair amount, but surely any investment would be well worth it (and long overdue)?
I agree that MAN and LBA are nearish; EDI is a pig from Newcastle.
As for EK at BFS. Why not? I'd use it. They'd have to tart up the international departures bit a fair amount, but surely any investment would be well worth it (and long overdue)?
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Antrim
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cuthere
Thanks for the compliment. I did think about that yes, having stayed around Tyneside last year I can see what your saying. But similarly you could say everything north of Belfast would be much easier access to BFS than DUB, although that's not colossal you can say Antrim, Ballymena, Derry-Londonderry etc etc all must be finding their way to DUB currently or connecting at LHR or somewhere
Thanks for the compliment. I did think about that yes, having stayed around Tyneside last year I can see what your saying. But similarly you could say everything north of Belfast would be much easier access to BFS than DUB, although that's not colossal you can say Antrim, Ballymena, Derry-Londonderry etc etc all must be finding their way to DUB currently or connecting at LHR or somewhere
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They will add a third 777 before they look anywhere and most likely A380 in future whether it be next Autumn or a few years away.
Two things EK flying from BFS does not limit it to Belfast passengers and it will be as easy for many to travel to DUB as BFS.
Connections off Belfast-Dublin rail line could make it even easier in the very near future
Two things EK flying from BFS does not limit it to Belfast passengers and it will be as easy for many to travel to DUB as BFS.
Connections off Belfast-Dublin rail line could make it even easier in the very near future
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cuthere
Thanks for the compliment. I did think about that yes, having stayed around Tyneside last year I can see what your saying. But similarly you could say everything north of Belfast would be much easier access to BFS than DUB, although that's not colossal you can say Antrim, Ballymena, Derry-Londonderry etc etc all must be finding their way to DUB currently or connecting at LHR or somewhere
Thanks for the compliment. I did think about that yes, having stayed around Tyneside last year I can see what your saying. But similarly you could say everything north of Belfast would be much easier access to BFS than DUB, although that's not colossal you can say Antrim, Ballymena, Derry-Londonderry etc etc all must be finding their way to DUB currently or connecting at LHR or somewhere
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: N Ireland
Age: 55
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where I live for the United States obviously Dublin is used but if people are going to Australia or Dubai alot of people will just fly to England and connect there. It's more convenient.
And there are plenty of connection options for westbound too.... but yes, that said a significant number of NI travellers are still using Dublin going to the US, presumably largely for cost reasons?
Yes I agree it makes little sense going east, where there are a lot of convenient connecting options that will bring NI pax back to their local airport (one or other of them)
Last edited by madgav; 20th Aug 2015 at 07:23.
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: belfast
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I do live these BFS put down comments. Are we not allowed to be proud of our local airport? Is it wrong to have ambitions for it?
Anyway!
The DUB question has a few answers..
1. It has more destinations (I have to use it because of this)
2. Some travel agents have a natural bias towards it (see my post on trailfinders)
3. People seem to be OK with spending £20/£30 on petrol/bus fare to DUB to save maybe £50 on a return flight.
Our politicians haven't helped mush either (we need a train link to BFS). Hopefully the new owners will be better at working with them
Anyway!
The DUB question has a few answers..
1. It has more destinations (I have to use it because of this)
2. Some travel agents have a natural bias towards it (see my post on trailfinders)
3. People seem to be OK with spending £20/£30 on petrol/bus fare to DUB to save maybe £50 on a return flight.
Our politicians haven't helped mush either (we need a train link to BFS). Hopefully the new owners will be better at working with them
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: N Ireland
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
a rail link will never happen.
Translink are in the process of reducing services and capacity in an attempt to stem losses
The bus service is adequate and more flexible than rail
On a different tack the rumours on the Dublin 2 thread re Etihad reducing seats and frequency from DUB may offer some hope for BFS
A concerted effort and incentive by Stormont and BFS may convince Etihad to try an alternate strategy out of Ireland.
Translink are in the process of reducing services and capacity in an attempt to stem losses
The bus service is adequate and more flexible than rail
On a different tack the rumours on the Dublin 2 thread re Etihad reducing seats and frequency from DUB may offer some hope for BFS
A concerted effort and incentive by Stormont and BFS may convince Etihad to try an alternate strategy out of Ireland.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: dodging CB clouds
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Absolutely, Turkish are great for opening up new markets that the big boys can't justify. There are only two slight snags:
1 - Turkish don't offer any services to Oz / New Zealand (yet)
2 - IST is pretty much full these days, so unless they get more parking space, or the new replacement Istanbul airport opens they probably can't expand that much.
BFS is unlikely to ever get a rail connection. My friends in Translink don't think it would ever make profit. I think a good compromise could be to build a small halt in Templepatrick, so that train passengers coming down from the North Coast could step off and straight onto the 300 airport bus service, which could make a stop there on each run? What do you think?
1 - Turkish don't offer any services to Oz / New Zealand (yet)
2 - IST is pretty much full these days, so unless they get more parking space, or the new replacement Istanbul airport opens they probably can't expand that much.
BFS is unlikely to ever get a rail connection. My friends in Translink don't think it would ever make profit. I think a good compromise could be to build a small halt in Templepatrick, so that train passengers coming down from the North Coast could step off and straight onto the 300 airport bus service, which could make a stop there on each run? What do you think?
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Translink are in the process of reducing services and capacity in an attempt to stem losses
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not sure where you live but BFS already has a direct link to the US
And there are plenty of connection options for westbound too.... but yes, that said a significant number of NI travellers are still using Dublin going to the US, presumably largely for cost reasons?
Yes I agree it makes little sense going east, where there are a lot of convenient connecting options that will bring NI pax back to their local airport (one or other of them)
And there are plenty of connection options for westbound too.... but yes, that said a significant number of NI travellers are still using Dublin going to the US, presumably largely for cost reasons?
Yes I agree it makes little sense going east, where there are a lot of convenient connecting options that will bring NI pax back to their local airport (one or other of them)
If Belfast introduced one or two more routes to places other than New York there would be less reason to go via Dublin.
If I was just flying to New York I would never go via Dublin.
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Absolutely, Turkish are great for opening up new markets that the big boys can't justify. There are only two slight snags:
1 - Turkish don't offer any services to Oz / New Zealand (yet)
2 - IST is pretty much full these days, so unless they get more parking space, or the new replacement Istanbul airport opens they probably can't expand that much.
BFS is unlikely to ever get a rail connection. My friends in Translink don't think it would ever make profit. I think a good compromise could be to build a small halt in Templepatrick, so that train passengers coming down from the North Coast could step off and straight onto the 300 airport bus service, which could make a stop there on each run? What do you think?
1 - Turkish don't offer any services to Oz / New Zealand (yet)
2 - IST is pretty much full these days, so unless they get more parking space, or the new replacement Istanbul airport opens they probably can't expand that much.
BFS is unlikely to ever get a rail connection. My friends in Translink don't think it would ever make profit. I think a good compromise could be to build a small halt in Templepatrick, so that train passengers coming down from the North Coast could step off and straight onto the 300 airport bus service, which could make a stop there on each run? What do you think?
No one in their right mind would rely on those things to get to an airport.