BELFAST CITY AIRPORT (BHD)
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ireland
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I don't fear much for BHD, imo it'll always have LHR and LGW, the EI sun routes are only muck anyway. Vueling to Barcelona and KLM to Amsterdam are 2 new services with room to grow as well.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Northern Ireland
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I think if FR do secure these slots it has to be serving BFS.
BFS would love to gain the extra business, and a LGW leaves easyJet to put up with it. But I think the odd's of FR coming on this occasion unlikely...
If EI 's future in Belfast are not certain items a sad day as they've tried really hard since they started the base in Nov2007 on BFS AMS...
No matter what happens at BFS, if they gain new routes etc at the cost of BHD, easyJet have options, despite the operational changes that present themselves at BHD, like early close/utilisation , runway etc. They could easily do many of the European routes ex those bases like GVA, CDG, AMS, BCN... These could be at off peak timings And in the process deconstruct much of BFS euro network... But that's at the extreme. I don't see it coming to that.
BFS would love to gain the extra business, and a LGW leaves easyJet to put up with it. But I think the odd's of FR coming on this occasion unlikely...
If EI 's future in Belfast are not certain items a sad day as they've tried really hard since they started the base in Nov2007 on BFS AMS...
No matter what happens at BFS, if they gain new routes etc at the cost of BHD, easyJet have options, despite the operational changes that present themselves at BHD, like early close/utilisation , runway etc. They could easily do many of the European routes ex those bases like GVA, CDG, AMS, BCN... These could be at off peak timings And in the process deconstruct much of BFS euro network... But that's at the extreme. I don't see it coming to that.
Join Date: Feb 2015
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Belfast / London Gatwick. Belfast is not a congested set of airports 'plenty of slots available'. LGW is a congested airport and IAG have to give up slots at this airport to another airline to serve Belfast / LGW. (in other words it's the London end where the issue is). Is it not the case that the operator can utilise either Belfast airport?
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West brit,
Of course Belfast is not congested. LGW slots are being made available... If it's FR who get them, it's most unlikely they'll come to BHD given the reasons they exited before.. Hence, they'd prob need to look to BFS though, I think this will be easyJet at BHD...
Of course Belfast is not congested. LGW slots are being made available... If it's FR who get them, it's most unlikely they'll come to BHD given the reasons they exited before.. Hence, they'd prob need to look to BFS though, I think this will be easyJet at BHD...
Join Date: May 2013
Location: BFS
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Would EZY be desperate enough to take on more slots out of LGW when their operation there is already close to breaking point and delays having serious knock ons to the rest of their network?
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Antrim
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I don't really see how either comment is true. EI operate 3 European routes from BHD out of 5. They are the only summer sunshine routes from BHD, although BCN is part city break, part summer sun. They may not come under the route guarantee but I hardly think that makes them unimportant?? They are carrying high loads, at high fares and are the type of routes that deliver high ancillary revenue. EI is carrying on under its own management and WW is quoted as saying there would be no changes to Belfast routes as a result of the sale. AGP and FAO are on sale for 2016, the 4th year running on daily basis' and PMI normally comes on stream later. If EI didn't want to be running the routes they wouldn't be, they are no charity and IAG are not likely to make very much more revenue running services anywhere else on an A320, on routes which can command up to £400 return without even taking a bag.
Join Date: Nov 2011
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And there is a PMI shaped gap in the schedule. So I think things will stay similar for the foreseeable future. All the talk of EI suddenly disappearing at BHD because IAG own them is nothing more than conjecture. I can see something happening with LON routes, at the very least transfers will be made available on EI/LGW, a) because they have to be offered to other airlines as per terms of EU and b) its an obvious step forward to have BA's LGW network opened up to the BHD market, its a no brainer really.
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Mart901,
It is probably is conjecture, but the comments being made on here are in many cases quite realistic, will IAG look to make changes to the airline, yes, is there overcapacity on LHR BHD,yes. So there is the first reasonable discussion point. They will either be all in or out.
LGW Belfast will most like see a new entrant, and already interested parties, FR publically put its name in for it, now rumours that easyJet talking to BHD. So something will happen. EI will not stay on LGW if another carriers enters the fray. They were for out before BE announced it was throwing the towel in at LGW. They didn't put the route on sale until really late, once BE made its plans know. They wont run at a loss this time.
They have made a very good go of the European business by comparison to BmiBaby. One way or the other I can see these routes maintained either by Aer Lingus or Vueling if IAG chooses, though with a possibility of the new entrant on LGW, I'd expect not before summer 16, that would result in 2 aircraft base in summer for EI and a 1 base Winter. I'm not confident about the future strategy for EI at BHD .... just my view....
EI-BUD
It is probably is conjecture, but the comments being made on here are in many cases quite realistic, will IAG look to make changes to the airline, yes, is there overcapacity on LHR BHD,yes. So there is the first reasonable discussion point. They will either be all in or out.
LGW Belfast will most like see a new entrant, and already interested parties, FR publically put its name in for it, now rumours that easyJet talking to BHD. So something will happen. EI will not stay on LGW if another carriers enters the fray. They were for out before BE announced it was throwing the towel in at LGW. They didn't put the route on sale until really late, once BE made its plans know. They wont run at a loss this time.
They have made a very good go of the European business by comparison to BmiBaby. One way or the other I can see these routes maintained either by Aer Lingus or Vueling if IAG chooses, though with a possibility of the new entrant on LGW, I'd expect not before summer 16, that would result in 2 aircraft base in summer for EI and a 1 base Winter. I'm not confident about the future strategy for EI at BHD .... just my view....
EI-BUD
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Co
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You can't. It is a charter program chartered by the belfast telegraph. You have to buy a full package holiday. Think there might be a few other company's chartering some seats on it.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Belfast
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Vueling BHD
Travelled to Barcelona with Vueling on the 27th and arrived back yesterday. The flight to Barca was barely 1/4 full, i don't know if this is to do with the date i left but i was quite surprised as the price was around £150 cheaper than flying with Easyjet from BFS. Flight back was a good bit fuller but was just wanting to ask how the numbers looked for the route so far if anyone had an idea?
Was also thinking if EI might add a sunshine route or 2 for next summer as their routes seemed to be going quite well also, when i arrived a flight from FAO came in also and was full. But a lot of people saying on here about IAG, i suppose that could have an impact on additional routes. Another limitation i can think of is the border control at BHD which is painfully slow and took 20-30 mins to get through.. additional European routes might affect this even more.
Was also thinking if EI might add a sunshine route or 2 for next summer as their routes seemed to be going quite well also, when i arrived a flight from FAO came in also and was full. But a lot of people saying on here about IAG, i suppose that could have an impact on additional routes. Another limitation i can think of is the border control at BHD which is painfully slow and took 20-30 mins to get through.. additional European routes might affect this even more.
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Aaron
Out of interest what did you think of VY? I've booked next summer.
If its any indication of success they were very quick of the mark putting 2016 on sale. They are somewhat unknown in the NI market, although they are at DUB this while. Some low loads so far but 100 pax per flight is not a total disaster by any stretch.
Out of interest what did you think of VY? I've booked next summer.
If its any indication of success they were very quick of the mark putting 2016 on sale. They are somewhat unknown in the NI market, although they are at DUB this while. Some low loads so far but 100 pax per flight is not a total disaster by any stretch.