BELFAST AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL

[PPRuNeUser0176]

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.

Going down PSO route then I think they would need to set aside more than 9 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.

For years wtih UA they have not attracted such carriers. Now not totally the airports fault but UA staying or going would unlikely make a difference because airlines flying to the States for example would demand the same level of support UA are getting and so on.

I realise that there was some support during that last ditch effort from Stormont (but moreso from Westminster) but that was too little too late and the deal was not disguised correctly to get it past the EC competition rules. The fault lies with the complacent approach by our devolved administration, who do not seem to understand the aviation market and the particular challenges we face in having a competitor with a land border. My hope is that now we seem to have a bit of purchase within the executive (you have to give it to the MD for shaking them up on that front) we might be able to get them to focus on some semblence of a strategy to attract airlines here.

Would have to wonder about how much notice either side had given and how it may of played a role.

[BFS BHD]

Azerbaijan Airlines are bringing their B787-8 to BFS on Tuesday for a Football charter. Will be staying to Saturday.

[El Bunto]

Azerbaijan Airlines are bringing their B787-8 to BFS on Tuesday

That's a first on both counts, I believe, but not departing Baku until afternoon local time so will probably arrive after dark here; Baku is UTC+4 and flight time around 4.5 to 5 hours.

[EI-A330-300]

The European Commission has confirmed that it received a complaint over the Stormont Executive’s support for a United airlines route from Belfast to New York.

A statement from the Commission said: “EU state aid rules in the aviation sector allow public authorities to grant support to improve the accessibility of a region and to meet citizens' transport needs.

“However, those rules do not allow public authorities to grant a specific airline an undue advantage to the detriment of competing airlines and distorting competition in the Single Market.

“The Commission takes note of the fact that the Northern Irish authorities and United Airlines have decided to end a recent arrangement, according to which United Airlines would receive financial support for continuing to operate its Belfast-New York route.

“Such support can raise concerns under EU state aid rules, because United Airlines competes directly on transatlantic routes with other carriers and airports compete for traffic on those routes.

“The arrangement was put in place without prior notification to the Commission under EU State aid rules. The Commission received a complaint alleging that the measure was in breach of EU rules and looked into the matter. The United Airlines announcement allows the Commission to close the case.”

Complaint was made to European body over Stormont NY route support | UTV - ITV News

[GAZMO]

New Transatlantic service to replace UA going out tonight


GOOSE BAYIFA182420:50

[aer lingus]

Home Topics Motoring & Transport Commuting & Transport Train & Rail Systems French government buys 15 TGVs to try to save Alstom factory
They have no problem with the French doing this of course. More E/U interference.

[El Bunto]

GOOSE BAY IFA1824 20:50

A Challenger on a private charter. Don't know why it's on the list, usually they omit all the bizjet movements in their 'wisdom'. Azerbaijan 787 en route now, looks like arrival will be around 17:20 though conversely it's not on the arrivals list...

French government buys 15 TGVs to try to save Alstom factory They have no problem with the French doing this of course. More E/U interference.

Why don't you submit a complaint, then? "The EU", contrary to opinion, doesn't sit around reading the news and looking for things to do.

[ILS25]

The EC didn't block the United funding. The plot thickens!!

http://http://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ec-we-did-not-block-statefunded-deal-to-rescue-belfastnew-york-air-link-35198612.html

[cuthere]

Pro-Brexit party blaming Europe for putting a spanner in the works for NI? Surely not! Arlene et al need to face up to reality, as do the loonies in here. Leaving the EU will be a disaster for NI.

[BFS BHD]

Any news on if easyJet is dropping ACE, BHX and KEF?

Also any news on the 3rd Ryanair aircraft or is it not happening again?

[True Blue]

On the topic of EasyJet dropping the Bhx route, I look at the timings on some routes out of Belfast , especially next summer and I wonder if they are starting to lose the plot. It seems to me that with the increase in frequencies that they really need to base another aircraft here, but don't want to. So we end up with some really stupid times on routes and a decision to stop Bhx for now. What does that mean? And what use is that sort of on/maybe off service.

[Husky One]

There are no more airframes coming. The aircraft can (apparently) make better money elsewhere so they stick with 5. I wouldn't say they're losing the plot but they are clutching at straws with the resources they have. The commercial team seldom see farther than LGW and have regularly proved lack of understanding in the local market. The stage is set for Ryanair to clean up - if they are interested

[SecondDog]

Any of you interested in having a look/snapping at the Dreamliner departing, current ETD 1000. Parked on 22 so should get a decent view from the viewing gallery of the push/departure.

[GAZMO]

See EZY advertising flights to LGW for £16.99!!!

[BFS BHD]

Friday 7th July 2017 there is two flights landing at the same time (09:50) from Gatwick with EasyJet both on A320s. Wonder is it a mistake?

[West Brit]

Belfast Charter Programme to Freedom of the Seas
More flights to Barcelona

[BFS BHD]

Anyone know why RYR Learjet was in BFS today? None of the aircraft was tec.

[4Screwaircrew]

BFS BHD I don't know why, but the Lears don't just move engineers and spares for AOG aircraft, senior management are shuttled about in them when necessary.

[BFS BHD]

Cheers I see flights up to 8th February 2018 are loaded on RYR website but not bookable yet. Appears to be the same as this winter.

[GAZMO]

They are getting as early as Jet2 with flights for 2018!!!!!
No word yet on the third aircraft??