BELFAST CITY AIRPORT (BHD)
Join Date: Nov 2006
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So np announcement today either then
In any case, as far as I can see, there are few airlines who can bring BHD the numbers that they want at the moment. Jet2 (most unlikely, AerLingus, Easyjet (already ruled it out) and perhaps Monarch (320 prob too big for AGP, ALC, FAO?). The price tag with Ryanair too great and cant see Flybe coming up with the goods. Eg BE dont seem to operate to say sunspots directly in competition with other airlines on the same routes ie City pairs, eg Southampton, Exeter, Norwich. So it would appear that they might keep out of the way.
IF there is an annoucement it will be Germanwings to Cologne, twice weekly for next year. Only my suggestion....
EI-BUD
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Cityhopper does what its parent KLM tells it to do. And the KLM modus operandi for short-haul is a minimum of 2 flights per day to provide connectivity (plus a very strong preference for launching at the start of summer rather than the start of winter). Do you honestly think they can make a case for twice-daily?
Last edited by Cyrano; 11th Jun 2012 at 17:19.
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In regard to long / medium-haul connections, I'd say NI is relatively underserved with only EI / BA to LHR and UA to EWR offerings. Many other UK airports have KL, AF and SN, etc. With the current APD tax, I would say an alternative to LHR could well be a very shroud move, and potentially help leakage to DUB.
When you look at the CAA figures for AMS flights from basically every UK hole-in-the-hedge, and the airports served only by KL, I would surmise that a fair chunk of these passengers are connecting.
Back in the day when SN operated thrice daily to Brussels, Cityhopper at least twice daily to AMS, and this was possibly just before 9/11 when BA and BD were also operating LHR.
I think that NI airports / airlines need to be inovative and rather than cherrypicking each others routes to the typical bucket n spade destinations, look at where NI passengers are travelling to via the likes of DUB, and then try and encourage suitable carriers to offer these routes. Would have been interesting to see had EI had a KLM codeshare on their AMS!!
When you look at the CAA figures for AMS flights from basically every UK hole-in-the-hedge, and the airports served only by KL, I would surmise that a fair chunk of these passengers are connecting.
Back in the day when SN operated thrice daily to Brussels, Cityhopper at least twice daily to AMS, and this was possibly just before 9/11 when BA and BD were also operating LHR.
I think that NI airports / airlines need to be inovative and rather than cherrypicking each others routes to the typical bucket n spade destinations, look at where NI passengers are travelling to via the likes of DUB, and then try and encourage suitable carriers to offer these routes. Would have been interesting to see had EI had a KLM codeshare on their AMS!!
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Cityhopper does what its parent KLM tells it to do. And the KLM modus
operandi for short-haul is a minimum of 2 flights per day to provide
connectivity (plus a very strong preference for launching at the start of summer
rather than the start of winter). Do you honestly think they can make a case for
twice-daily?
Aer Lingus attempts on AMS was flop, mainly due to gross over capacity on the route, and the fact that it was 2008 when the industry had a very soft winter. Bmibaby although the numbers grew, were average. I can't see KLM coming to BHD or BFS anytime soon. Hate to be negative.
If BE saw an opportunity they would have went after it. However, unlikely that they would have been able to codeshare with KLM, apparently EI couldnt codeshare with KL when they did BFS AMS, because there is an agreement with unions at the airline that the most codeshare routes to any country is 2. I noticed recently that BE will codeshare on INV? Or did I get that right. Not sure if that was what I read....
It would be great to see Brussels Airlines, with say 4 weekly BRU even if it was on a Dash 8, operated by Flybe leased machine??? Plausible scenario?
EI-BUD
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Schiphol
A service to Schiphol would be very welcome...it's a great airport to get through, and the Dutch seem to be almost as well organised as the Germans, but with a relaxed atmosphere thrown in. KLM would be a good international option if there was an early flight into Schiphol from Belfast...certainly more attractive than Heathrow...
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EI-BUD
I had a similar thought about Brussels Airlines, not as great a hub for connections but can be useful and its a very sucessfull destination from DUB and ORK recently, I'm sure some of the DUB pax would hail from N.I. Definately good for the business market.
I had a similar thought about Brussels Airlines, not as great a hub for connections but can be useful and its a very sucessfull destination from DUB and ORK recently, I'm sure some of the DUB pax would hail from N.I. Definately good for the business market.
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None of this is new. Sabena tried it from BFS in the late '90s.....there was even a small airline tried it about 7-8 years ago...didn't work then...there is a recession on...doubt it would work now.
Now a LCC might just be able to swing it.
Now a LCC might just be able to swing it.
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Link below to an article in the Irish Times. Quotes BA as "confident" that something can be announced in the next couple of weeks. Seems to tell me that nothing has been signed yet for a new operator.
Belfast City Airport unfazed by turbulence - The Irish Times - Tue, Jun 12, 2012
TB
Belfast City Airport unfazed by turbulence - The Irish Times - Tue, Jun 12, 2012
TB
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For the first time in almost a decade, low-cost airline Bmibaby will be missing from the airport’s departures and arrivals schedules.
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Well I reckon I've heard it all now!
I'm told the plan is for Aer Lingus to tx services from BFS to BHD using a fleet of Aer Arann ATR props pulled off Shannon, Kerry etc to try to po*p all over BE's domestic flights.
BHD have given EI a blinding deal to do this, planning to underwrite it by BA continuing to pay premium charges on the LHR service! Presumably BE will also be expected to finance BHD's efforts to unseat them........
I'm told the plan is for Aer Lingus to tx services from BFS to BHD using a fleet of Aer Arann ATR props pulled off Shannon, Kerry etc to try to po*p all over BE's domestic flights.
BHD have given EI a blinding deal to do this, planning to underwrite it by BA continuing to pay premium charges on the LHR service! Presumably BE will also be expected to finance BHD's efforts to unseat them........
Join Date: Mar 2012
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Aer Lingus
So the Aer Lingus operation out of BFS will remain the same ? None of the European routes from BFS are being transferred to BHD ?
I cant see the whole regional thing being a success really...
I cant see the whole regional thing being a success really...
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This doesn't make any sense (to me)
I really cannot believe this will happen. Why would BHD management want to destroy their relationship with their biggest customer Flybe for a new relationship with Aer Arran \ Lingus ??????
Although I am constantly surprised by the ever changing operations at the City!!!!
Although I am constantly surprised by the ever changing operations at the City!!!!
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Agree with you EIBUD but I heard German wings to duselldorf
That said, almost all British Isles services from CGN have not been terribly successful anyway. Destinations such as EMA, SNN, CVT, NCL, BHX, LPL have all been tried and failed. DUB and EDI are nowadays only served seasonally and with a low frequency. All what has remained is a (much scaled down) MAN service and the traditional STN flights. I don't see how BHD would work unless we are indeed talking about a low frequency and possibly seasonal service.
I could, however, imagine Eurowings-operated flights from DUS, probably for a start like the rather sccesful seasonal services from DUS to INV and NQY.
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Larry you are right.
AL will cease operations at Aldergrove and switch to domestic ops from the city. They weren't able to complete with easy on the European routes and will operate Heathrow Gatwick Edinburgh on jets and Manchester Glasgow and Birmingham on ATRs.
I will be interesting how Flybe react, but if the their past history is anything to go by they will do nothing, just be very cross.
I don't think AL will have an easy time on these routes either but it all stems from the fact that the airport really have nowhere left to go.
Where is that 'For Sale' sign.
AL will cease operations at Aldergrove and switch to domestic ops from the city. They weren't able to complete with easy on the European routes and will operate Heathrow Gatwick Edinburgh on jets and Manchester Glasgow and Birmingham on ATRs.
I will be interesting how Flybe react, but if the their past history is anything to go by they will do nothing, just be very cross.
I don't think AL will have an easy time on these routes either but it all stems from the fact that the airport really have nowhere left to go.
Where is that 'For Sale' sign.