BELFAST CITY AIRPORT (BHD)
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Northern Ireland
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Just to add a little to the ongoing debate about the merits of the various airports on this island, the following random check today is typical of where the Belfast airports find themselves relative to Dublin.
Hypothetical trip to the US in March/April 2016, using two options - the first starting in DUB, the second in BHD. Source is Expedia.co.uk, and is based simply on 1 pax travelling. Ireland-UK/trans-Atlantic flights are with BA using AA flight codes, and all internal flights are with AA in order to maximise savings.
1. DUB-SFO (via LHR)
2. SFO-LAS (via LAX)
3. LAS-DFW
4. DFW-IAD
5. IAD-DUB (via LHR)
Price £749
But start and end instead at BHD, using exactly the same flights everywhere else, and the price rockets by £406 to a whopping £1155 !!!!!
Now don't tell me that it's better to support my local airports if I want to be able to see BFS/BHD grow and prosper. I'm sorry, but at a premium of £406 per person, that's a luxury I can't afford. I know I've got to get to Dublin and back to North Down, but that's a cinch these days and I don't even consider it an inconvenience any longer.
If I was in a position to actually do this trip (if only !!) I know where I'd be heading .....
Hypothetical trip to the US in March/April 2016, using two options - the first starting in DUB, the second in BHD. Source is Expedia.co.uk, and is based simply on 1 pax travelling. Ireland-UK/trans-Atlantic flights are with BA using AA flight codes, and all internal flights are with AA in order to maximise savings.
1. DUB-SFO (via LHR)
2. SFO-LAS (via LAX)
3. LAS-DFW
4. DFW-IAD
5. IAD-DUB (via LHR)
Price £749
But start and end instead at BHD, using exactly the same flights everywhere else, and the price rockets by £406 to a whopping £1155 !!!!!
Now don't tell me that it's better to support my local airports if I want to be able to see BFS/BHD grow and prosper. I'm sorry, but at a premium of £406 per person, that's a luxury I can't afford. I know I've got to get to Dublin and back to North Down, but that's a cinch these days and I don't even consider it an inconvenience any longer.
If I was in a position to actually do this trip (if only !!) I know where I'd be heading .....
I agree wholeheartedly. I have tried to support my local airports on transatlantic routes but its not possible at the crazy prices they charge. I have got myself a business class seat to Washington for the price they are charging economy. Not really worth it especially with a family.
Join Date: Dec 2013
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It depends where you are going. If its only NYC its about £500 which is cheaper than Dublin but if its anywhere else it starts going up quickly.
They are very cheap in March and April but not in summer. Virgin Atlantic is absolutely rediculous!!
They are very cheap in March and April but not in summer. Virgin Atlantic is absolutely rediculous!!
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Does anybody know anything about the C-Series coming to Belfast City tomorrow? I believe it is due tomorrow from the Paris Air Show to show the Bombardier team. If anybody knows the time etc. of its arrival etc. the detail would be appreciated.
EI-BUD
EI-BUD
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Sunny spain
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Ncl
Is the winter schedule now confirmed?
Quite surprised after all these years that they decide to drop NCL surely this must be a popular route with frequent flyers.
Is there any gaps left in the schedule for possible new routes then?
Or has belfast lost an aircraft?
Quite surprised after all these years that they decide to drop NCL surely this must be a popular route with frequent flyers.
Is there any gaps left in the schedule for possible new routes then?
Or has belfast lost an aircraft?
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: London, UK & Europe
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Does anyone have any thoughts on what EI's position in bhd will be after relinquishing slots on lgw as part of the IAG takeover?
Join Date: Nov 2006
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J636,
It is quite irrelevant who is theoretically giving up the slots, if they come from BA, once the integration to IAG is complete, EI could end up relinquishing LGW slots in favour of BA, though that would seem unlikely.
Be interesting to see who applies for LGW Belfast or Dublin. I cant see anybody looking at Dub, but I could see DY giving Belfast a shot ...
It is quite irrelevant who is theoretically giving up the slots, if they come from BA, once the integration to IAG is complete, EI could end up relinquishing LGW slots in favour of BA, though that would seem unlikely.
Be interesting to see who applies for LGW Belfast or Dublin. I cant see anybody looking at Dub, but I could see DY giving Belfast a shot ...
Join Date: Jun 2011
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EI-BUD
While I agree I cannont see a reduction in EI services, BHD freq could easily be shifted.
I would be shocked if DY took on a dometic, what makes Belfast so special over routes to Scotland. They have the good slots.
Only thing is it could provide a feed to their long haul service but beleive its a long shot.
Will be suprised if any takers take the route. Belfast to London dosnt need the capacity if you judge the loads EI carry. Is BHD-LGW-XXX available to book on BA site currently?
While I agree I cannont see a reduction in EI services, BHD freq could easily be shifted.
I would be shocked if DY took on a dometic, what makes Belfast so special over routes to Scotland. They have the good slots.
Only thing is it could provide a feed to their long haul service but beleive its a long shot.
Will be suprised if any takers take the route. Belfast to London dosnt need the capacity if you judge the loads EI carry. Is BHD-LGW-XXX available to book on BA site currently?
Join Date: Nov 2006
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J636,
While your theory is sound that Norwegian could enter the domestic market if they so choose, in this instance slots for free in effect could make such a route attractive and allowing them to use existing slots on more financially attractive routes. The fact that they haven't done to date could make it tempting to test the domestic waters. They have been known to launch surprising routes albeit often at low frequencies and moving in on easyJet's patch has never been a concern for them...
If easyJet is deemed a suitable carrier for the route , it would make sense for them to launch it. Again scarce slots made available for free, they get to seal the LGW Belfast market for themselves and in the process keep the likes of DY away. Though they deemed BHD of no material benefit before, things could be looked at through a different lens now. They are also about to ramp up activity on Belfast London from the winter season so they are quite serious about maintaining market share.
Yes you can book BA connecting services on BA.com using Aer Lingus flights with codeshare. But for long haul, example Orlando!
I guess we'll have to wait and see, again nobody will touch DUB but Belfast I think we may be surprised...
While your theory is sound that Norwegian could enter the domestic market if they so choose, in this instance slots for free in effect could make such a route attractive and allowing them to use existing slots on more financially attractive routes. The fact that they haven't done to date could make it tempting to test the domestic waters. They have been known to launch surprising routes albeit often at low frequencies and moving in on easyJet's patch has never been a concern for them...
If easyJet is deemed a suitable carrier for the route , it would make sense for them to launch it. Again scarce slots made available for free, they get to seal the LGW Belfast market for themselves and in the process keep the likes of DY away. Though they deemed BHD of no material benefit before, things could be looked at through a different lens now. They are also about to ramp up activity on Belfast London from the winter season so they are quite serious about maintaining market share.
Yes you can book BA connecting services on BA.com using Aer Lingus flights with codeshare. But for long haul, example Orlando!
I guess we'll have to wait and see, again nobody will touch DUB but Belfast I think we may be surprised...
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: dublin
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I agree with all of the above. If you are getting free slots why not give it a go. I don't think BE would try again. DY mite have a go but I would suggest the options are very limited unless sone rank outsider tried like VLM or even FR and they airlines could not be IAG so BCAF not an option. Maybe they may just not bother trying to get the LGW route covered to BHD someone mite give BFS a go.
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I would appear that the slots will not be free, but rather made available to the airline that wishes to avail of them (as per comments in the Irish Times or links to same posted on this forum). I cannot see Ryanair paying significantly for slots. That said I reckon as a result of the sale of the slots to IAG, FR will certainly take the gloves off where EI is concerned and challenge EI more significantly than hitherto.
Routes like Ireland to Spain, and general sun routes that deliver significant revenue would be obvious targets for increased capacity by FR in a bid to lever its position and make life a more difficult.
EI-BID
Routes like Ireland to Spain, and general sun routes that deliver significant revenue would be obvious targets for increased capacity by FR in a bid to lever its position and make life a more difficult.
EI-BID
