BELFAST AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Belfast
Age: 40
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whilst I agree with the decision to remove this backhander, I still believe a more proportionate course of action could have been taken.
Eg. Let the operation continue with support whilst a tender exercise (with a stipulated deadline) to find a replacement is undertaken. Forcing its end without affording this opportunity is a disgrace.
It may be that no alternative would be found but at least an opportunity would have been given.
Eg. Let the operation continue with support whilst a tender exercise (with a stipulated deadline) to find a replacement is undertaken. Forcing its end without affording this opportunity is a disgrace.
It may be that no alternative would be found but at least an opportunity would have been given.
Would a United T/A route have worked starting off in UK first or vice versa so start in EDI / GLA stopoff in Belfast and then cross the pond or is it fraught with difficulty ?
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southampton
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No the idea of it starting off from the likes of EDI or GLA and stopping off at BFS on the way to EWR is a ridiculous idea and one that would never work in the competitive transatlantic market.
By the way you mentioned starting off in the UK first well NI is also part of the UK as you well know!
By the way you mentioned starting off in the UK first well NI is also part of the UK as you well know!
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No the idea of it starting off from the likes of EDI or GLA and stopping off at BFS on the way to EWR is a ridiculous idea and one that would never work in the competitive transatlantic market.
By the way you mentioned starting off in the UK first well NI is also part of the UK as you well know!
By the way you mentioned starting off in the UK first well NI is also part of the UK as you well know!
A transfer process at BFS (which has no APD on LH sectors) might have been a positive thing if it was done correctly through a coordinated devolved Aviation strategy, which is really the problem for BFS because our dip**** politicians are too busy playing pet projects in BHD and LDY which means BFS can never really take a bit of business back from DUB because it has to fight for its own traffic against sniping and undercutting from within NI which doesn't have the capacity for 3 airports.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: northern ireland
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ah right so it's BHD and LDY'S fault and nothing to do with the fact it was a struggling route from a dump or that there is far more attractive and cost effective alternatives just a short drive down the motorway. Glad we got that cleared up...
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Only thing you cleared up is that you don't read English very well
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Larne, UK
Posts: 990
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can't help but think that our neighbours in the south may have had part in complaining... after all, they will remain in the EU and DUB is only 2hrs away... maybe that's just my paranoid side kicking in..
I'm surprised that the EU cares so much over £9m, there's far more money being thrown around the EU every day for far less worthy causes..
Guess I'll be getting a refund for my April flights :-/
I'm surprised that the EU cares so much over £9m, there's far more money being thrown around the EU every day for far less worthy causes..
Guess I'll be getting a refund for my April flights :-/
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Sunny spain
Posts: 792
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The only airline I could possibly see attempt a New York route would possibly be VS and maybe not until the summer season.
The chances of another American airline coming to Belfast when all fly from Dublin is very slim.
Aer Lingus is out of the questions
However VS have always been a well known name in NI which is why Orlando has done well, and if we are being honest most of us never thought VS would arrive at BFS with a B747
A New York route would obviously be on a 330 (correct me if I'm wrong) and with regards to crewing from Belfast would be a piece of cake
The chances of another American airline coming to Belfast when all fly from Dublin is very slim.
Aer Lingus is out of the questions
However VS have always been a well known name in NI which is why Orlando has done well, and if we are being honest most of us never thought VS would arrive at BFS with a B747
A New York route would obviously be on a 330 (correct me if I'm wrong) and with regards to crewing from Belfast would be a piece of cake
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
Age: 42
Posts: 6,168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The key problem is that times change. A few years ago it was all about GLA and EDI was a wee local airport with all the TLC going west, when politics and the economy changed EDI overtook and left GLA behind to play catchup. The gulf between BFS and DUB is considerably wider than that. DUB is now in a different ballpark and the need for year round long haul to NI just isn't there.
Having Scottish route stop in NI would just have gifted UA's local traffic to Delta given they pay to fly non stop and not via Belfast. If one stop was acceptable, via LHR has a better hard product and lounges.
Having Scottish route stop in NI would just have gifted UA's local traffic to Delta given they pay to fly non stop and not via Belfast. If one stop was acceptable, via LHR has a better hard product and lounges.
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: belfast
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It was a sad day indeed. Agree that the £9mill was too high a price but as someone who uses the route yearly, I have a lot of good memories.Hopefully the airport can find another airline asap.
The one thing that has annoyed me no end is the arrogant (almost agressive) response from the Green party. The 'a few people will be disadvantaged going to dublin' or their former chair saying go to dublin for better immigration.. for a party that promotes 'shop local' it seems airports are exempt. But then they always were amatures on the economy.
The one thing that has annoyed me no end is the arrogant (almost agressive) response from the Green party. The 'a few people will be disadvantaged going to dublin' or their former chair saying go to dublin for better immigration.. for a party that promotes 'shop local' it seems airports are exempt. But then they always were amatures on the economy.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 2,782
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Indeed a sad day for NI where the single daily rotation to the US is being axed, though I sense that Stormont may rescue this situation, potentially to late to save the UA link, but worth some sort of subvention, presented in whatever fashion may attract a carrier with lower costs like Norwegian etc.
All that said the key challenge for UA is not a lack of demand, in fact the numbers were strong, their challenge is that the uptake at the front cabin is poor, and whether the route be profitable or not, other routes will present a much greater return potential and with higher fares and greater uptake in business etc.
I'm hoping BFS get a replacement. Wow could turn up on KEF and offer a one stop US route, like from Dublin and soon Cork...in the mean time, though not ideal particularly from people north of the province, DUB offers a great range and frequency of routes. A significant proportion of NI / Ulster residents live equidistant from DUB and BFS...
All that said the key challenge for UA is not a lack of demand, in fact the numbers were strong, their challenge is that the uptake at the front cabin is poor, and whether the route be profitable or not, other routes will present a much greater return potential and with higher fares and greater uptake in business etc.
I'm hoping BFS get a replacement. Wow could turn up on KEF and offer a one stop US route, like from Dublin and soon Cork...in the mean time, though not ideal particularly from people north of the province, DUB offers a great range and frequency of routes. A significant proportion of NI / Ulster residents live equidistant from DUB and BFS...
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Solihull
Age: 60
Posts: 3,326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NYC & BFS-BHX
New York
I think the CAA stats demonstrate that there is at least a summer market and although unprofitable for United the obvious answer as per Una Due Tfc mentioned earlier you would think is Norwegian on the 738 MAX. They won't be in service until late summer unless the aircraft arrive early (there was talk) but still better than nothing,
They boast a low cost base, the pax numbers are there in summer and the only issues would be if a one aircraft base is viable and what to do in winter but a reduced service mixed with Canaries might be an option etc.
BFS-BHX easyjet - Same as on the BHX thread rumours of renegotiation and if true no doubt some will see it as good business practices by easyjet but I would not be one of them. I don't think the rumours have come from the BHX end,as all is quiet. They almost made a complete week of sell-outs on BFS-BHX sector - Thursday - Wednesday this week just gone. Just to add fares have lowered for the coming week compared to last week but still reasonable at times although the usual BHX-BFS cheap morning fares in mid week.
Pete
I think the CAA stats demonstrate that there is at least a summer market and although unprofitable for United the obvious answer as per Una Due Tfc mentioned earlier you would think is Norwegian on the 738 MAX. They won't be in service until late summer unless the aircraft arrive early (there was talk) but still better than nothing,
They boast a low cost base, the pax numbers are there in summer and the only issues would be if a one aircraft base is viable and what to do in winter but a reduced service mixed with Canaries might be an option etc.
BFS-BHX easyjet - Same as on the BHX thread rumours of renegotiation and if true no doubt some will see it as good business practices by easyjet but I would not be one of them. I don't think the rumours have come from the BHX end,as all is quiet. They almost made a complete week of sell-outs on BFS-BHX sector - Thursday - Wednesday this week just gone. Just to add fares have lowered for the coming week compared to last week but still reasonable at times although the usual BHX-BFS cheap morning fares in mid week.
Pete
Last edited by OltonPete; 5th Nov 2016 at 14:45. Reason: added info
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Shame to see this. With most of the mid-sized regional UK airports (BRS, BFS, NCL) I definitely think there is a seasonal leisure market that exists to cities like NYC and Orlando.
I'm sure something will come up again. Norwegian will be having a sniff you'd think.
I'm sure something will come up again. Norwegian will be having a sniff you'd think.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NI
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
their challenge is that the uptake at the front cabin is poor
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
El Bunto generally Business fares UK-New York start around $1800 return and go up to as much as $3500 depending on ticket flexibility and it doesn't usually matter if non stop or via a hub when on a J ticket.
That upgrade quote is pretty much in line with what you should expect.
That upgrade quote is pretty much in line with what you should expect.
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Antrim
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EWR - what a shame. My only hope is the executive will enter into a tendering process like the LDY-LON one. Also its been mentioned UA leaving due to poor financial performance on the route, I believe they have never stated this and that it is profitable, however I know from the travel industry contacts I have the take up of business class is nowhere near enough.
BHX
Latest from EZY, discontinued for time being.
BHX
Latest from EZY, discontinued for time being.
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EWR - what a shame. My only hope is the executive will enter into a tendering process like the LDY-LON one. Also its been mentioned UA leaving due to poor financial performance on the route, I believe they have never stated this and that it is profitable, however I know from the travel industry contacts I have the take up of business class is nowhere near enough.
BHX
Latest from EZY, discontinued for time being.
BHX
Latest from EZY, discontinued for time being.
That DUB is lightyears ahead is because they did this a long time ago and enjoy unrivalled state support through all the appropriate channels.
I think any trans atlantic service may have to err toward the low cost market but so be it.
In terms of the effect it has on BFS, ironically enough it probably doesn't hurt the airport too much from a financial standpoint considering they are not having to subsidise the flight any longer to the tune of 3 million. It is more about the loss of face and with it the loss of ability to attract other carriers that will be the problem.
Lets hope our politicians can be cajoled into a bit of action.