BELFAST CITY AIRPORT (BHD)
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As you were fond of pointing out earlier, they are in business. So when they DECIDED to come up North again in 07 then it was up to them how much effort they put in to gaining market share. My own thoughts are that they never have really attempted anything out of the ordinary to increase their position (you know the way any normal business would).
Of course they didn't HAVE to but that would lead one to think they were never really committed to NI in the first place.
Of course they didn't HAVE to but that would lead one to think they were never really committed to NI in the first place.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 2,781
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Such a load of drivel written on this thread as usual totally lacking in commercial reality. Aer Lingus is a commercial entity. They must make satisfactory returns. They have been in this market for the best part of 10 years now. They have made very considerable attempts to make the operation work.
They launched a wide range of routes at the outset ex BFS, many that were never operated on a scheduled basis before that. Like Budapest, Munich and Malpensa. Timing wasn't great, so these were axed, among others. The business has been enormously seasonal, which it is more than other markets.
They then sourced A319's to address the challenge of aircraft size. They've moved to viable route where demands exits. They are not here to provide routes that people on here would like. Comments like they've not done anything new or hasn't been thinking outside the box further illustrate the lack of commercial groundedness that exists here.
The fact is 2 of Europe's largest low cost airlines are in place in the market. Who have considerable resources, considerable cost advantage, not just in cost base but in operational efficiency (like network, scheduling).
Slagging off the green airline is in my view childish, unfair and unnecessary, they have done a lot to make their business viable here, and I'm hopeful that they'll stuck around for some time to come..
They launched a wide range of routes at the outset ex BFS, many that were never operated on a scheduled basis before that. Like Budapest, Munich and Malpensa. Timing wasn't great, so these were axed, among others. The business has been enormously seasonal, which it is more than other markets.
They then sourced A319's to address the challenge of aircraft size. They've moved to viable route where demands exits. They are not here to provide routes that people on here would like. Comments like they've not done anything new or hasn't been thinking outside the box further illustrate the lack of commercial groundedness that exists here.
The fact is 2 of Europe's largest low cost airlines are in place in the market. Who have considerable resources, considerable cost advantage, not just in cost base but in operational efficiency (like network, scheduling).
Slagging off the green airline is in my view childish, unfair and unnecessary, they have done a lot to make their business viable here, and I'm hopeful that they'll stuck around for some time to come..
Last edited by EI-BUD; 14th Jun 2016 at 17:57.
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Belfast
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Now getting a bit personal! Anyway explain to me how by crewing out of Dublin they will save costs? Dublin crew contracts more expensive FACT, crew staying overnight to operate the first LHR FACT, less flexible crewing hours ex Dublin FACT......remember your defence of Aer Dublin is in the face of fellow aviators and cabin crew losing jobs and being forced to change bases. I bet if FR did this you and your ilk would be up in arms. As said by others here good luck to the guys and gals affected by these redundancies and redeployments.
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EI at BHD. Seems to me a backward step the start of a final exist strategy for the sun routes anyway. FR begin in September, this is significant competition within the Belfast sun routes, over capacity I would have thought so prices will dive. I don't think BHD is far enough away from BFS to make it a 'niche' on sunshine routes. As most seats are filled with NI passengers, there is a great opportunity to mix airlines at BFS to suit timings fares etc.
EI, whilst they have a program to fill until the end of October, will not announce the withdrawal of these routes until after October, but have an obligation to staff - keeping them fully informed, with good notice of their intention to scale down.
If EI do remain on the sun routes and operate them with DUB based aircraft, I will inform anybody I know not to risk booking their holidays with them as that market is too fluid for next summer. It's easier to remove a non based flight on a whim!!
EI, whilst they have a program to fill until the end of October, will not announce the withdrawal of these routes until after October, but have an obligation to staff - keeping them fully informed, with good notice of their intention to scale down.
If EI do remain on the sun routes and operate them with DUB based aircraft, I will inform anybody I know not to risk booking their holidays with them as that market is too fluid for next summer. It's easier to remove a non based flight on a whim!!
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Co.Antrim
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Okay found out totally biased in favour of BFS. However look at the harbour Facebook page and their Twitter accounts re the 25% discount on the Sun routes by Aer Dublin. The CAA stats for April will show just the problems being faced by BHD, Aer Dublin struggling even on LHR as the NI public desert them in droves before they finally leave BHD. If they had any gumption they would just announce they were leaving come October the 30th. Anyway good luck to the guys and gals being let down by them.
Since when did Facebook and Twitter become reliable and official publications for the passenger stats in Aer Lingus? Loads have been very strong since the start of the summer and the CAA stats will only confirm this. Please leave your narrow minded and pessimistic thoughts up the road please
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last year I think EI sold quite a few of their seats to tour operators and consolidators. Not sure if that's still the case but if so it would certainly bring the yield down on the sun routes. EasyJet did this with Thomas Cook too but reduced the numbers over the last few years.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
Age: 42
Posts: 6,168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Attempting anything "out of the ordainary" and "not thinking outside the box" are a result of consolidating to a level the local market will support. If that market was a particularly strong one, they would not have needed cheaper contracts, smaller aircraft and a refocus from a different airfield. Truth is, much like the West of Scotland, NI knows what it likes and is to an extent, a creature of some habit. Airlines can only offer and lead so much, if the market won't follow in sufficient volumes or goes once and never returns, then problems arise. A valiant try, perhaps led more by heart and politics than head, but unless something major changes, a quiet Oct-17 withdrawal appears the plan. "We gave it one last try but sadly....."
Join Date: May 2011
Location: antrim
Age: 63
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Skipness - a voice of reason amongst the hatred and utter cr*p being spouted by some of our regular contributors.
My guess would be that the traditional bucket and spade routes will always be supported from the travelling public. If Ryanair start a myriad of routes and as you rightly say people try them once and then revert back to their traditional holiday, then what? Ryanair arent noted for continuing with stagnant growth routes and I would imagine their much vaunted plans might be quietly scaled back. How many routes have been started over the years (from both airports) only to be quietly dropped a short time later. Its not the airlines fault, its not the airports fault, its simply not the right product for our local market.
The real question is how long will it be before the traditional routes are simply over subscribed and who will be left after a few seasons? In the meantime everyone will enjoy the lower costs and choice of carriers and timings.
My guess would be that the traditional bucket and spade routes will always be supported from the travelling public. If Ryanair start a myriad of routes and as you rightly say people try them once and then revert back to their traditional holiday, then what? Ryanair arent noted for continuing with stagnant growth routes and I would imagine their much vaunted plans might be quietly scaled back. How many routes have been started over the years (from both airports) only to be quietly dropped a short time later. Its not the airlines fault, its not the airports fault, its simply not the right product for our local market.
The real question is how long will it be before the traditional routes are simply over subscribed and who will be left after a few seasons? In the meantime everyone will enjoy the lower costs and choice of carriers and timings.
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: London, UK & Europe
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
24 flight deck for 3 aircraft or 2 for winter. Given the short routes are they really underworked? and with the growth ex DUB are they just maximising assets before adding more staff. Given the LHR set up works at SNN why would it be different at BHD and wont they hotel staff for seasonal aircraft like at Cork. They also bus crew between SNN/ORK daily so clealy its saves money and they have FR breeding down their necks.
Wonder if union agreements that prevented staff operatinfg in ROI and vice versa played a role in this.
Fares on bucket and spade are similor to DUB when rates are taken into account. If they plan to scrap them it will be in Octover and not October 2017 IMO. EI don't strike me as the type who will lose money for a season for good PR
Wonder if union agreements that prevented staff operatinfg in ROI and vice versa played a role in this.
Fares on bucket and spade are similor to DUB when rates are taken into account. If they plan to scrap them it will be in Octover and not October 2017 IMO. EI don't strike me as the type who will lose money for a season for good PR
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Dublin
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If they plan to scrap them it will be in Octover and not October 2017 IMO. EI don't strike me as the type who will lose money for a season for good PR
Here is the 2015 loads and it will put the "poor loads" rubbish to bed as they are well within the EI average.
BHD - Malaga
April - 68.2%
May - Not Available - 76.5% est
June - Not Available - 81.9% est
July - 91.9% LF
August - 99.6% LF
September - 90.0%
October - 79.9%
BHD - Faro
April - 76.0%
May - Not Available - 82.6% est
June - Not Available - 84.5% est
July - 87.0%
August - 89.7%
September - 90.9%
October - 79.1%
BHD - Palma
May - Not Available - 66.7% est
June - Not Available - 84.4% est
July - 81.6%
August - 76.3%
September - 73.8%
EI-EPU A319 back operating for EI on LHR route painted in veuling livery to remain at BHD for the next 4 days or so
Last year I think EI sold quite a few of their seats to tour operators and consolidators. Not sure if that's still the case but if so it would certainly bring the yield down on the sun routes. EasyJet did this with Thomas Cook too but reduced the numbers over the last few years.
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Antrim
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last edited by mart901; 1st Jun 2016 at 22:13. Reason: error
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Derry
Age: 52
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It said on Radio Ulster/Foyle earlier this morning that this evenings 7.25pm Heathrow to Belfast City flight has been cancelled.
How do they cancel a flight so far in advance and surely 12 hours gives the airline BA to sort another plane out whatever the issue is?
How do they cancel a flight so far in advance and surely 12 hours gives the airline BA to sort another plane out whatever the issue is?
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ireland
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Because the flight was cancelled due to delays and constraints at Heathrow due weather.
In other news, say hello to Kyle Lafferty Belfast City Airport. Shockingly bad. Thank god its back to George Best tomorrow.
In other news, say hello to Kyle Lafferty Belfast City Airport. Shockingly bad. Thank god its back to George Best tomorrow.
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: N.Ireland
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From BT this morning......two news European routes each year!!
Bombardier C Series jets 'could fly to the US and Middle East' - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk
Bombardier C Series jets 'could fly to the US and Middle East' - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: bangor
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Would love to see two new international routes each year but it's not going to happen and he knows it, just more BS from BA. While having previously been the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Bombardier one would expect him to be very supportive of the C-Series, the idea that this aircraft is going to connect the world to BHD, just more of the same.