BELFAST AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL

[buzz_hornet]

you'd think with no other airports they could at least get the flights in.

is it a big job just to connect a tug and pull it even the 20-30 feet to get it off the main runway?

[Startledgrapefruit]

You need both sets of main wheels pointing forwards to tow it.

[SecondDog]

Originally Posted by El Bunto

Incident occurred just before 06:00 but nothing officially stated by the airport until after 08:00, by which time at least a dozen scheduled flights had fallen off the schedule and many more intending passengers were in transit. Not very proactive customer relations.

Yes because that is the first priority to update all the pax with flight time guesses (that you can't possibly guarantee until multiple agencies have their input) rather than doing all the background work to clear the blockage and get them away asap. Besides which at 0600 with a rwy closure, very few inbound pax would have been in the air.

Then when the snr mgmt team arrive they coordinate the press releases etc.

Remind me what exactly you think is wrong with the timeline today?

[El Bunto]

Remind me what exactly you think is wrong with the timeline today?

First scheduled departure was due 06:15, second 06:15, third 06:55... 12 cancelled movements later and the airport decided to state that there had been a problem and moved the flights' status from 'BAG DROP' to something more useful to intending passengers. It's an airport; 95% of its daily business involves moving people. It couldn't perform its primary function for several hours this morning and no-one other than spotters knew it. But that's OK, at least the senior managers didn't have to get out of bed early or anything.

[tigger2k8]

First scheduled departure was due 06:15, second 06:15, third 06:55... 12 cancelled movements later and the airport decided to state that there had been a problem and moved the flights' status from 'BAG DROP' to something more useful to intending passengers. It's an airport; 95% of its daily business involves moving people. It couldn't perform its primary function for several hours this morning and no-one other than spotters knew it. But that's OK, at least the senior managers didn't have to get out of bed early or anything.

That is up to the relevant handling agent of each airline, not the airport. I would direct all complaints on the flight display system to Swissport. Even at that Swissport will only update each individual flight when each airline informs them of what their intentions are.

Takes time to evaluate the state of the aircraft, get it suitable for towing (cargo needed to be offloaded, on the runway, where no equipment is stored near) so there is quite a logistical task for them to complete.

I can understand though that those who do not have much background knowledge in airports would get frustrated, but there is more to it.. Airport won't put out a press release until the information is correct and they can give some concrete information.

[SecondDog]

Originally Posted by tigger2k8

That is up to the relevant handling agent of each airline, not the airport. I would direct all complaints on the flight display system to Swissport. Even at that Swissport will only update each individual flight when each airline informs them of what their intentions are.

Takes time to evaluate the state of the aircraft, get it suitable for towing (cargo needed to be offloaded, on the runway, where no equipment is stored near) so there is quite a logistical task for them to complete.

I can understand though that those who do not have much background knowledge in airports would get frustrated, but there is more to it.. Airport won't put out a press release until the information is correct and they can give some concrete information.

Good shout Tigger, at least someone has a bit of wit.

El bunto, only spotters knew? Knew nothing because you live in the world of internet rumour and people with an over inflated sense of their knowledge on the subject, who like to get irate and spout their certainty immediately. People need to learn to wait a minute or two again.

[jensdad]

Is the shorter runway (17 / 35 IIRC) removed from use these days?

[DC9_10]

Apparently the aircraft was stuck on the cross section of both runways making the shorter runway inop.

[AerRyan]

Some aircraft used half the runway to depart this morning.

[cessnarocket]

Blah blah blah, from an insider point of view the fire ops and engineering crews at egaa did a sterling job today. The suitation was managed splendidly to keep the airport operational, most other airports would not of had the capibility of operations at a reduced distance certainly not on the east coast of Ireland . Let's not forget decisions as in moving aircraft is not in the hands of the airport or airlines but outside agency's. blooming heck so what folk were not informed till 8am, I guess the airport staff had slightly more to do than sit on social media or fms screens ... catch a grip people

[BFS BHD]

Jet2 Winter 2017/18

Jet2-
Very early for Jet2 to release Winter flights?

Fuerteventura - 1 Weekly (Saturday)
Gran Canaria - 1-2 Weekly (Thursday & Sunday)
Lanzarote - 2 Weekly (Wednesday & Saturday) Extra Thursday service around Christmas 2017.
Tenerife - 2-3 Weekly (Tuesday, Friday & Sunday).

EasyJet-
Talk on Newcastle thread that the BFS-NCL flights will be done by a BFS based aircraft. Will that mean a another based aircraft for BFS or will BFS be losing routes, maybe they will do some european flights with non based aircraft?

[GAZMO]

Really early!!,
Appears to be a few more flights to Canaries compared to W 16/17

[GAZMO]

Easyjet

Flights uploaded for early summer 17. Not much change.
PMI extra flight on Mon and Fri. LGW maintaining 7 daily on Mon, Thus and Fri.
Few routes still to be uploaded, BHX, ACE, KEF


BFS BHD - NCL route still being operated by NCL aircraft

[BFS BHD]

Some PMI flights will be done by a PMI based A320.

[GAZMO]

Stats out for July from CAA. Domestic routes looking quite impressive

[El Bunto]

Says the airport:

“We can confirm that we receive military flight, however, due to security considerations we are unable to give any further information.”

Ah OK, us punters on Easyjet flights are fair game for press releases but military aircraft with an array of self-protective devices need 'security considerations'. That sort of double-standard will just stir-up more 'controversy' amongst those folk who have decided to make this an issue. Staying neutral on the subject would have been a better response: 'US military flights are handled commercially like any other traffic'.

[SecondDog]

Originally Posted by El Bunto

Says the airport: Ah OK, us punters on Easyjet flights are fair game for press releases but military aircraft with an array of self-protective devices need 'security considerations'. That sort of double-standard will just stir-up more 'controversy' amongst those folk who have decided to make this an issue. Staying neutral on the subject would have been a better response: 'US military flights are handled commercially like any other traffic'.

In what way have you as an Easyjet punter had a press release about you as opposed to the airline?

What is the problem with not commenting on Military flights, other than it doesn't give nosey folk the info they crave?

[El Bunto]

Formerly-broken freighter B734 OE-IAG fixed-up and departed at 14:20 today.

[BFS BHD]

Not fully fixed yet heading to Shannon Airport at FL100 with gear down.

[aidygers]

when should manchester august/september 2017 flights be released with easyjet from belfast?