BELFAST AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL
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Ryanair for BFS ??
Easyjet will be delighted 
I actually think it is a good move to bring them in if it does have any basis in fact. It stabilises the airports' bargaining position with Easyjet. Ryanair are the only LCC who could replace them if they threw the toys out of the pram.
Seen on yesterday evening 'UTV Tonight' that Ryanair and BFS are in talks for starting european routes. Anyone hear anymore??
I actually think it is a good move to bring them in if it does have any basis in fact. It stabilises the airports' bargaining position with Easyjet. Ryanair are the only LCC who could replace them if they threw the toys out of the pram.
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I don't think easyjet would pack up and leave NI if Ryanair came in. Surely BFS must be a good money makeshift for them, sure they might reduce size but I don't think they would leave.
Is there an article about this on UTV website?
Is there an article about this on UTV website?
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While I would imagine that EZY would be far from happy, there are many airports where both airlines operate. NCL appears to be a sizable EZY operation, and FR operate albeit only a few routes. STN, LTN, EDI, LPL to name but a few. Perhaps maybe because these are much bigger markets.
If FR don't compete on domestic routes were the market would be limited for such a supply of seats, and perhaps open up currently unserved routes, then perhaps it could work. If history repeats itself though, all that will happen is they will cherrypick already well served routes, there'll be a bloodbath with unsustainably low fares, and then a carrier will pull off.
While I'm no great fan of FR, if they were to open up routes from NI, I think that BFS is a better fit airport to operate from, kepping BHD more business / regional focused, and a pleasant experience to pass through on the whole.
If FR don't compete on domestic routes were the market would be limited for such a supply of seats, and perhaps open up currently unserved routes, then perhaps it could work. If history repeats itself though, all that will happen is they will cherrypick already well served routes, there'll be a bloodbath with unsustainably low fares, and then a carrier will pull off.
While I'm no great fan of FR, if they were to open up routes from NI, I think that BFS is a better fit airport to operate from, kepping BHD more business / regional focused, and a pleasant experience to pass through on the whole.
Brunel to Concorde
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Bristol has had an easyJet (originally Go) base since 2001 and a Ryanair base since 2007, currently with 11 easyJet aircraft and 5 Ryanair.
The only routes the airlines go head to head on are the popular sun routes: Alicante, Malaga, Palma, Ibiza, Faro, Tenerife. They split the other Canary Islands between them as they do with such countries as Poland and France.
There are some others that are close such as easyJet to Barcelona and Ryanair to Girona and Reus, and Ryanair used to operate to Belfast City against easyJet's route to Belfast International. It stopped when Ryanair pulled out of BHD.
This could change, of course, and obviously a similar situation would not necessarily apply at BFS.
The only routes the airlines go head to head on are the popular sun routes: Alicante, Malaga, Palma, Ibiza, Faro, Tenerife. They split the other Canary Islands between them as they do with such countries as Poland and France.
There are some others that are close such as easyJet to Barcelona and Ryanair to Girona and Reus, and Ryanair used to operate to Belfast City against easyJet's route to Belfast International. It stopped when Ryanair pulled out of BHD.
This could change, of course, and obviously a similar situation would not necessarily apply at BFS.
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I know at the moment BHD looks like the sparkly new airport ( compared to BFS anyway ) with the recent appeal to airlines. But the bottom line is BHD is making next to nothing and with all the promises they have made to aer lingus they arnt going to make much money off them either.
They promised the world to Baby to the extent that they built an internationals arrivals hall which wasn't cheap for them, for baby to get shut
down and it now laying empty
The bottom line is that BFS may look tired and be out of the way but it's a business that makes money and won't bend over for FR which is why FR has never made an appearance at BFS, my own opinion is that FR sees potential in Belfast and is now willing to have sensible negotiations with BFS
They promised the world to Baby to the extent that they built an internationals arrivals hall which wasn't cheap for them, for baby to get shut
down and it now laying empty
The bottom line is that BFS may look tired and be out of the way but it's a business that makes money and won't bend over for FR which is why FR has never made an appearance at BFS, my own opinion is that FR sees potential in Belfast and is now willing to have sensible negotiations with BFS
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I believe the above to be 100% correct. Theres no way BFS is going to give anything away for free, and if they gave FR free landing fees it would be a massive risk to take as EZY would go mad to say the least.
I also believe that BFS will have a heathrow link back before the second half of 2013.
I also believe that BFS will have a heathrow link back before the second half of 2013.
Last edited by ILS25; 26th Sep 2012 at 20:35.
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I also believe that BFS will have a heathrow link back before the second half of 2013.
On the FR issue...they would be a fit with BFS, but the EZY connection with BFS is so strong, FR will have to pay a fair price to be there. BFS would welcome the business, but not at a price that would alienate their biggest customer.
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I also believe that BFS will have a heathrow link back before the second half of 2013.
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EZY new Flights
EZY have added new flights to LGW . Looks like four extra per week Mon,Wed, Fri Sun
10.15 depart 12.05 return
Source NI Travel News
Full report as below
Another Gatwick Flight and Onboard Catering Boosted
Northern Ireland’s largest airline is to increase its flights between Belfast International Airport and London Gatwick in response to high demand.
A 10.15am flight from Belfast and a 12.05pm flight from London Gatwick will be added to the schedule from December 20. Flights are now on sale at the airline's website with fares from £20.99, one way including taxes.
EasyJet began its Belfast International to London Gatwick service in February 2003 and has flown 3.3million passengers on the route. The additional frequency will add an estimated 80,000 passengers per year, taking the total to 400,000.
The airline also flies to London Luton, London Stansted and London Southend from Belfast International and recently celebrated hitting the milestone of 20,000 passengers flying on its London routes each week.
Ali Gayward, easyJet Commercial Manager said: “London Gatwick is performing really well for us. We operate the first flight out of Belfast in the morning and the last flight home. Our aim has always been to make travel easy and affordable and we’re delighted to be able to show further commitment to Northern Ireland by adding the extra service."
Meanwhile the airline has also announced an upgrade to its Bistro menu which is now available to all passengers onboard. As a direct response to passenger demand, easyJet’s menu will now include a greater variety of filling snacks with sweet treats such as Belvita Yogurt Crunch, mini cupcakes, chocolate brownies and cranberry and oat cookies from £1.20. The airline has also increased its savoury menu to include Heinz Chicken and Vegetable soup, pitted olives and a luxury nut selection pack from £1.50. The airline has also added to its onboard Boutique which now boasts additional skincare and beauty accessories.
10.15 depart 12.05 return
Source NI Travel News
Full report as below
Another Gatwick Flight and Onboard Catering Boosted
Northern Ireland’s largest airline is to increase its flights between Belfast International Airport and London Gatwick in response to high demand.
A 10.15am flight from Belfast and a 12.05pm flight from London Gatwick will be added to the schedule from December 20. Flights are now on sale at the airline's website with fares from £20.99, one way including taxes.
EasyJet began its Belfast International to London Gatwick service in February 2003 and has flown 3.3million passengers on the route. The additional frequency will add an estimated 80,000 passengers per year, taking the total to 400,000.
The airline also flies to London Luton, London Stansted and London Southend from Belfast International and recently celebrated hitting the milestone of 20,000 passengers flying on its London routes each week.
Ali Gayward, easyJet Commercial Manager said: “London Gatwick is performing really well for us. We operate the first flight out of Belfast in the morning and the last flight home. Our aim has always been to make travel easy and affordable and we’re delighted to be able to show further commitment to Northern Ireland by adding the extra service."
Meanwhile the airline has also announced an upgrade to its Bistro menu which is now available to all passengers onboard. As a direct response to passenger demand, easyJet’s menu will now include a greater variety of filling snacks with sweet treats such as Belvita Yogurt Crunch, mini cupcakes, chocolate brownies and cranberry and oat cookies from £1.20. The airline has also increased its savoury menu to include Heinz Chicken and Vegetable soup, pitted olives and a luxury nut selection pack from £1.50. The airline has also added to its onboard Boutique which now boasts additional skincare and beauty accessories.
Last edited by GAZMO; 27th Sep 2012 at 12:28.
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Looks like the passengers who dont want/ can't follow EI to BHD has settled with LGW instead of Heathrow. Good news for BFS. I can't see numbers being affected too badly by EI move
On the same subject EZYs LGW will not be affected by the launch of EIs but only 1 airline will survive on this route at BHD but who will it be?
On the same subject EZYs LGW will not be affected by the launch of EIs but only 1 airline will survive on this route at BHD but who will it be?
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I can see Flybe struggling at BHD, but I dont think EI figures will be fantastic either
Last two months caa stats for LGW were 24,000pax p.m. to from BHD and 32,000 pa to from BFS. (56000 pm for both airports) Even if there is a small increase in the overall LGW pax the load factors I feel will be poor at BHD so EI or BE will suffer low yield and low loads
I think at best
EI 14000 pm maybe 15,000
BE 14000 pm maybe 15,000
EZY 34000 pm
Views welcome on this
I can still see BE shifting their non competitive routes from BHD to BFS
Last two months caa stats for LGW were 24,000pax p.m. to from BHD and 32,000 pa to from BFS. (56000 pm for both airports) Even if there is a small increase in the overall LGW pax the load factors I feel will be poor at BHD so EI or BE will suffer low yield and low loads
I think at best
EI 14000 pm maybe 15,000
BE 14000 pm maybe 15,000
EZY 34000 pm
Views welcome on this
I can still see BE shifting their non competitive routes from BHD to BFS
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i to can see BHD becoming a green airport with EI and EIR. with BE cutting there loses and moving routes such as EXT SOU CWL ABZ INV EMA to BFS and making a small but strong and profitable base out of BFS
At the end of the day I couldnt see EIR trying to replace these routes from BHD as they dont fly to SOU or EXT and these are both FlyBEs home turf, ABZ or INV as BE has the franchise with loganair and EIR dont fly to EMA (ok i know they could start but BE have a strong customer base on these)
As for the LHR route returning to BFS i cant see it, but possible a Paris route by AF or LH to Frankfurt?
At the end of the day I couldnt see EIR trying to replace these routes from BHD as they dont fly to SOU or EXT and these are both FlyBEs home turf, ABZ or INV as BE has the franchise with loganair and EIR dont fly to EMA (ok i know they could start but BE have a strong customer base on these)
As for the LHR route returning to BFS i cant see it, but possible a Paris route by AF or LH to Frankfurt?
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Agree BHD2BFS
I feel it would make sound advice to maybe move up the road initially and cover EXT SOU CWL ABZ INV EMA to BFS and make a profit to initially cover any potential loss on other routes eg LGW. They will probably fight for their share of the LGW market......they have seen competitors come and go
Agree cant see LHR coming on the horizon but would be great to see German and French routes although LH and AF are finding it tough at the moment
I feel it would make sound advice to maybe move up the road initially and cover EXT SOU CWL ABZ INV EMA to BFS and make a profit to initially cover any potential loss on other routes eg LGW. They will probably fight for their share of the LGW market......they have seen competitors come and go
Agree cant see LHR coming on the horizon but would be great to see German and French routes although LH and AF are finding it tough at the moment
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If only the recent London Olympics had a Clutching at straws competition this thread could have entered a Gold Medal team.
All of a sudden all the folks that deriding Ryan Air are now welcoming them with open arms, what a fickle bunch this spotter brigade has become.
All of a sudden all the folks that deriding Ryan Air are now welcoming them with open arms, what a fickle bunch this spotter brigade has become.
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I still stand by my comment awhile ago when the last FR rumour cropped up. If they came in and started new routes without competing with EZY then it would be positive. Although i doubt such an agreement would be made.