BELFAST AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Denmark
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Firstly, since when was I a southerner?
Not a surprise that BFS EWR had a stronger westbound point of sale as it Is not a major tourist or business destination (Bristol vs London similar for example). A weakened sterling further damaged the route no doubt. I have access to Load Factor data for DUB ORK SNN / EWR and the flight was holding its own from a load perspective.
Tourism Ireland does quite a good job in advertising Northern Ireland sights. Indeed I took my own kids to Cultra recently! Those who suggest that Visit Britain should promote the north need a geography lesson.... Northern Ireland not being part of Britain.
If you were Tourism Ireland, would you spend most of your money on a market with say 3000 seats daily (US - Dublin) or 200 seats daily (US - Belfast). The vast majority of non U.K. BFS seats are outbound holiday routes to Spain, rather than cities with significant inbound potential, so again, where would you promote?
Sadly, Belfast has an unfair stigma of 'is it safe?' That takes more than a generation to overcome.
The BFS CEO should worry about things in his control and keep out of politics.
Oh, and someone should correct the typos on his biography on the BFS Website.
Not a surprise that BFS EWR had a stronger westbound point of sale as it Is not a major tourist or business destination (Bristol vs London similar for example). A weakened sterling further damaged the route no doubt. I have access to Load Factor data for DUB ORK SNN / EWR and the flight was holding its own from a load perspective.
Tourism Ireland does quite a good job in advertising Northern Ireland sights. Indeed I took my own kids to Cultra recently! Those who suggest that Visit Britain should promote the north need a geography lesson.... Northern Ireland not being part of Britain.
If you were Tourism Ireland, would you spend most of your money on a market with say 3000 seats daily (US - Dublin) or 200 seats daily (US - Belfast). The vast majority of non U.K. BFS seats are outbound holiday routes to Spain, rather than cities with significant inbound potential, so again, where would you promote?
Sadly, Belfast has an unfair stigma of 'is it safe?' That takes more than a generation to overcome.
The BFS CEO should worry about things in his control and keep out of politics.
Oh, and someone should correct the typos on his biography on the BFS Website.
Join Date: Jun 2010
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Wouldn't take much notice of it, clearly orchestrated (not by CEO but little surprised he took the bate), in the process he has made himself look like a complete knob to put it nicely.
Its the second nugget to be dropped by the political members in NI and it wont be the last and the timing is no surprise.
Some early backside covering happening as the pressure is on however blaming Government down South will not fool many rational people.
My comments will go over many peoples heads who post here, so look at bigger picture....before posting a silly reply.
Its the second nugget to be dropped by the political members in NI and it wont be the last and the timing is no surprise.
Some early backside covering happening as the pressure is on however blaming Government down South will not fool many rational people.
My comments will go over many peoples heads who post here, so look at bigger picture....before posting a silly reply.
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: belfast
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Make what you will of this (in other words dont start on me), but landed back in BFS from EWR this morning and staff at BFS were telling me that Virgin are apparently offering some sort of LAS/MCA/NYC mash up once UA leave.
The sticking point? They want serious investment in links to BFS.
Obviously if true, it would require backbone/investment from stormont which we all know won't happen.
The sticking point? They want serious investment in links to BFS.
Obviously if true, it would require backbone/investment from stormont which we all know won't happen.
Join Date: Apr 2012
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Wouldn't take much notice of it, clearly orchestrated (not by CEO but little surprised he took the bate), in the process he has made himself look like a complete knob to put it nicely.
Its the second nugget to be dropped by the political members in NI and it wont be the last and the timing is no surprise.
Some early backside covering happening as the pressure is on however blaming Government down South will not fool many rational people.
My comments will go over many peoples heads who post here, so look at bigger picture....before posting a silly reply.
Its the second nugget to be dropped by the political members in NI and it wont be the last and the timing is no surprise.
Some early backside covering happening as the pressure is on however blaming Government down South will not fool many rational people.
My comments will go over many peoples heads who post here, so look at bigger picture....before posting a silly reply.
Considering you are so heavily involved in the DUB thread and list your location as Dublin, you'll forgive us for taking your defence of the set up with a pinch of salt.
Join Date: Nov 2011
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You know Jose that's not entirely unbelievable. When you consider how much money has been waved at United and also the route development fund which to my knowledge has yet to be tapped. I'd imagine there's a lot of political pressure for the executive to produce some sort of transatlantic service, it's highly likely airlines have been invited to the table and Virgin have a successful operation here already. Nothing may indeed come of it.
Join Date: Apr 2012
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Considering there was no ruling against the support package (United used the fact that there would have to be an investigation after EI/IAG made their complaint, to pull out and avoid the hassle.)
Rumblings are that the support would have passed scrutiny had it gone ahead so sure there is a bit of encouragement.
The issue with TI is a real one but the folks in the Stormont hill up until now have been largely the problem, being seemingly uniterested in the aviation sector as long as they had their wee Airport round the corner to suit them (and the DUP head of TI as the CEO of said Airport, happy to concentrate on stealing business from BFS rather than doing a proper job)
Hopefully this United business seems to have awoke some of our less useless politicians to the notion that there is a need to put some plans in motion to attract airlines/routes here.
Rumblings are that the support would have passed scrutiny had it gone ahead so sure there is a bit of encouragement.
The issue with TI is a real one but the folks in the Stormont hill up until now have been largely the problem, being seemingly uniterested in the aviation sector as long as they had their wee Airport round the corner to suit them (and the DUP head of TI as the CEO of said Airport, happy to concentrate on stealing business from BFS rather than doing a proper job)
Hopefully this United business seems to have awoke some of our less useless politicians to the notion that there is a need to put some plans in motion to attract airlines/routes here.
Join Date: Jun 2011
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Can I ask where the EU Commission confirmed it was EI/IAG who made the complaint or are people putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5?
UA were likely delighted that someone tipped the EC off as it avoids any bad PR for them. You wouldn't see them run so quick if the market was that important to them.
UA were likely delighted that someone tipped the EC off as it avoids any bad PR for them. You wouldn't see them run so quick if the market was that important to them.
Join Date: Feb 2001
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Total NI planned investment in Tourism Ireland is €14m in 2016, down from €16m in 2013. That's about 25% of total TI budget. Consisdering NI population is about 30% of all Ireland population, it's an underinvestment.
The paltry NI tourism investment demonstrates the stupidity of the investment level to keep a seasonal 757 to EWR. Would make much more sense to work with Easy, Lingus and Jet2 to promote inbound leisure routes from France, Germany and Italy.
The paltry NI tourism investment demonstrates the stupidity of the investment level to keep a seasonal 757 to EWR. Would make much more sense to work with Easy, Lingus and Jet2 to promote inbound leisure routes from France, Germany and Italy.
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Birmingham
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BHX-BFS
Can anyone confirm that Easyjet have pulled this route from April (or is there still time for a 'deal' to be done)
If lost that's 250k seats pa gone between BHX-BFS
If lost that's 250k seats pa gone between BHX-BFS
Join Date: Sep 2012
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Does anybody know what the frequency was on BFS - BHX in September 2016?
Something like this must be about right...
3x Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun
2x Tue, Wed
1x Sat
= Total 17x weekly
Based on that it works out no more than about 128 or 129 pax per flight which isn't horrific, but not great.
Something like this must be about right...
3x Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun
2x Tue, Wed
1x Sat
= Total 17x weekly
Based on that it works out no more than about 128 or 129 pax per flight which isn't horrific, but not great.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NI
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Does anybody know what the frequency was on BFS - BHX in September 2016?
Mon
Dep EZY191 193 195
Arr EZY192 194 196
Tue, Wed
Dep EZY191 195
Arr EZY192 196
Thu, Fri
Dep EZY191 195 197
Arr EZY192 196 198
Sat
No service
Sun
Dep EZY193 195 197
Arr EZY194 196 198
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Dublin
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For someone so superior, you should really know how to spell 'bait' correctly.
Considering you are so heavily involved in the DUB thread and list your location as Dublin, you'll forgive us for taking your defence of the set up with a pinch of salt.
Considering you are so heavily involved in the DUB thread and list your location as Dublin, you'll forgive us for taking your defence of the set up with a pinch of salt.
As for my location, don't always believe what you read on the internet.
I partly agree with your second post but then again you make an assumption it was EI who complained when you have no evidence. There are a lot of other airlines, airports and people who could of made them aware. It's really obvious why you would put EI top of the list......and it goes back to my rational point.
Total NI planned investment in Tourism Ireland is €14m in 2016, down from €16m in 2013. That's about 25% of total TI budget. Consisdering NI population is about 30% of all Ireland population, it's an underinvestment.
Join Date: Apr 2012
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UA were likely delighted that someone tipped the EC off as it avoids any bad PR for them. You wouldn't see them run so quick if the market was that important to them.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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BFS-BHX
Source:CAA for the passenger figures and June and August estimated load factor due to not knowing the pricise date the summer cuts started and ended.
April 2016....17937 (16575).......134.....86%
May............18511 (16573).......132.....85%
June...........18643 (16432).......130.....83%
July............15014 (11629).......132.....85%
August........15868 (11692).......135.....87%
September...18511 (15993).......136.....87%
All pretty similar and all showing good growth, as the summer cuts in 16 were not as severe as summer 15.
As I have mentioned before if you follow the website it is pretty straightforward the weak services are the BHX outbound in the morning Tuesday-Thursday dragging load factor down, which is no surprise as it is heavily weighted as Belfast originating service.
Little doubt June, July and August the aircraft probably could yield more from Belfast to the Med in the morning but what about the other 2 - 4 sectors in the day and 9 months of the year if the whole service is pulled? Winter it is particularly strong but I can't see it going seasonal.
Pete
April 2016....17937 (16575).......134.....86%
May............18511 (16573).......132.....85%
June...........18643 (16432).......130.....83%
July............15014 (11629).......132.....85%
August........15868 (11692).......135.....87%
September...18511 (15993).......136.....87%
All pretty similar and all showing good growth, as the summer cuts in 16 were not as severe as summer 15.
As I have mentioned before if you follow the website it is pretty straightforward the weak services are the BHX outbound in the morning Tuesday-Thursday dragging load factor down, which is no surprise as it is heavily weighted as Belfast originating service.
Little doubt June, July and August the aircraft probably could yield more from Belfast to the Med in the morning but what about the other 2 - 4 sectors in the day and 9 months of the year if the whole service is pulled? Winter it is particularly strong but I can't see it going seasonal.
Pete
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Total NI planned investment in Tourism Ireland is €14m in 2016, down from €16m in 2013. That's about 25% of total TI budget. Consisdering NI population is about 30% of all Ireland population, it's an underinvestment.
The paltry NI tourism investment demonstrates the stupidity of the investment level to keep a seasonal 757 to EWR. Would make much more sense to work with Easy, Lingus and Jet2 to promote inbound leisure routes from France, Germany and Italy.
The paltry NI tourism investment demonstrates the stupidity of the investment level to keep a seasonal 757 to EWR. Would make much more sense to work with Easy, Lingus and Jet2 to promote inbound leisure routes from France, Germany and Italy.
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Jet 2 have no interest outside bucket and spade routes. I don't buy the Easyjet argument as Aer Lingus don't do massive work with TI either. Both are more interested in bucket/spade but not to Jet 2 extent.
TI don't pay airlines money which is likely why many are not that bothered.
Aer Lingus employ their own marketing teams in big markets like the US and they have a presence (possibly 3rd party) in places like Germany to promote their network. They even have people contracted in markets like Japan, NZ, Australia and South Africa where they don't fly to...
TI don't pay airlines money which is likely why many are not that bothered.
Aer Lingus employ their own marketing teams in big markets like the US and they have a presence (possibly 3rd party) in places like Germany to promote their network. They even have people contracted in markets like Japan, NZ, Australia and South Africa where they don't fly to...
Last edited by PPRuNeUser0176; 27th Nov 2016 at 21:04.
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The viability of a route like BHX doesn't depend only on absolute numbers, it depends on revenue. In today's crazy flight economics, most of this can come from ancillary revenue - on-board catering, and services booked through the website such as parking. I suspect that these short domestic routes generate very little ancillary, so unless they get people to pay a full fare, around £50 I think, they may be unprofitable even when busy.