BELFAST CITY AIRPORT (BHD)
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If this proves to be true then it can only be good news for us as consumers.
To take another point of view in the ongoing debate, why don`t both governments get behind Dublin as the Island of Ireland International Airport with all the choice that is currently there and consider closing Aldergrove. Dublin has a fantastic infrastructure now in place and I would suggest that for a lot of people it is as quick to travel to Dublin by car as it is to get to Aldergrove by the time you have dodged all the tractors on the dodgy roads leading to it!
Harbour could be left to get on with what its currently doing and there would be no expense to improve roads and try and artificially create a market for Aldergrove.
Standing by for rabid anti Harbour comments from the usual suspects...
To take another point of view in the ongoing debate, why don`t both governments get behind Dublin as the Island of Ireland International Airport with all the choice that is currently there and consider closing Aldergrove. Dublin has a fantastic infrastructure now in place and I would suggest that for a lot of people it is as quick to travel to Dublin by car as it is to get to Aldergrove by the time you have dodged all the tractors on the dodgy roads leading to it!
Harbour could be left to get on with what its currently doing and there would be no expense to improve roads and try and artificially create a market for Aldergrove.
Standing by for rabid anti Harbour comments from the usual suspects...
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BBC must be reading this forum. No decision has been made yet, I would expect an announcement from EI to state this.
Not ruling out a move, but as far as I know they have yet to decide
Not ruling out a move, but as far as I know they have yet to decide
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Well on the domestic front they could either choose to tread safely and do say EMA or BRS where there is only one competitor or go for the kill and run into more major airports. Although some people have suggested flybe would wipe the floor with them I'm not so sure, I don't really see flybe wiping the floor with anyone. Holding firm where it suits indeed but EI is not exactly a small brand and the N.I market is now well used to them. Its also starting to point at BA not planning to be in the market terribly long.
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An interesting quote today from the UTV website below:
A spokesman for George Best Belfast City Airport said: "Following the announcement of the departure of bmibaby, we stated that we were confident that we would attract new airlines to Belfast City.
"This position has not changed and we expect to make several announcements in the coming weeks.
"We are certainly not in a position to comment on speculation regarding specific airlines at this stage."
The plot thickens! It may or may not be Aer Lingus but it definitely looks like there is something being hatched..
A spokesman for George Best Belfast City Airport said: "Following the announcement of the departure of bmibaby, we stated that we were confident that we would attract new airlines to Belfast City.
"This position has not changed and we expect to make several announcements in the coming weeks.
"We are certainly not in a position to comment on speculation regarding specific airlines at this stage."
The plot thickens! It may or may not be Aer Lingus but it definitely looks like there is something being hatched..
Last edited by panpanpanpan; 15th Jun 2012 at 09:39.
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Aer Lingus to switch to George Best Belfast City Airport
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Really hope it's not true, if they want to expand into the UK why don't they stay at BFS where there is no competition on many regional routes. If they go to the city they will up against flybe a everything. Seriously what's the point? Unless maybe they think my leaking this to the papers it might get BFS management to give them the deal they want. When I was talking to EI crews the other week they said they wouldn't be too happy in moving
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Believe it. The deal is done. They are moving to the city and operating the domestic network I stated earlier, plus a smattering of sun routes and Geneva. The deal was put to them following the bmi baby decision to cease operations and agreed a number of weeks ago.
Join Date: Nov 2011
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I would have thought the bbc who were first to post the news would have credible sources. Of course EI's crews will be upset, in between delivering great service (and i mean that its not sarcasm) being upset at changes is what they do best. Be interesting to see how many aircraft are based there and will a further two A319's come on stream as predicted.
Join Date: Oct 2011
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If Aer Lingus do.move it wil.not be until 28 october due to current summer schedule. LPA. ACE. TFS will all be canceled which is why extra capacotyhas being added from DUB.
Last edited by EI-A330-300; 15th Jun 2012 at 10:39.
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It will also be interesting to hear if it will be the aerlingus regional planes operated by aerarran that will be doing all of the domestic services except the LHR ones which one would pressume will be operated by the 319/320's.
Interesting times ahead...............
Interesting times ahead...............
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can see it being a co-operation schedule between EI and BA from BHD to LHR though can still see then maybe basing the A320 at BFS to operate LHR, its still a possibility. They are allowed to dual base as they are an Irish Company. Would wait until there is official confirmation though, as anything is possible at this point.
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I can see why developing Dublin as the hub for the Island of Ireland would be of great benefit to the economy of the Republic, however I struggle to see how that and a closure of Aldergrove would benefit the economy of the North.
Surely, in the opinion of someone viewing this form afar, you have to accept the situation Belfast has 2 airports competiting which each other for services and this wont change. The closure of either will not benefit Northern ireland at all, would it.
Surely, in the opinion of someone viewing this form afar, you have to accept the situation Belfast has 2 airports competiting which each other for services and this wont change. The closure of either will not benefit Northern ireland at all, would it.
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Andrew R. Glad you're pleased with the news but I must ask, as there has always been an operator from BHD to LHR and you don't like the journey to
' Lough Neagh' why were you doing it every two weeks? doh!
' Lough Neagh' why were you doing it every two weeks? doh!
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I still think everything should be taken with a pinch of salt until it is officially confirmed by the Airport or Airline as below story makes me beleive:
Aer Lingus Belfast story is just 'speculation' - RT News
Aer Lingus Belfast story is just 'speculation' - RT News
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Standing by for rabid anti Harbour comments from the usual suspects
If there was to be one airport for Belfast, Belfast would have to be the choice for a host of obvious reasons, including:
- 24hr ops no curfews
- Significant and important cargo centre
- no caps on pax or flight numbers
- one of the longest runways on the Island of Ireland
- Room to expand when and if needed
- No conflict with local neighbours
- RAF faciities
why don`t both governments get behind Dublin as the Island of Ireland International Airport with all the choice that is currently there and consider closing Aldergrove. Dublin has a fantastic infrastructure now in place and I would suggest that for a lot of people it is as quick to travel to Dublin by car as it is to get to Aldergrove by the time you have dodged all the tractors on the dodgy roads leading to it!
To suggest that Dublin should supplement BHD as an alternative to BFS is a total nonsense. BHD does not have the capacity to handle the total passenger numbers and we have to be in a place to facilitate the numbers for tourism.
Now as Brian Ambrose has stated both are commercial entities and make a return, so they are able to continue on, however, my view is that Belfast needs one airport, and does not infer that I am anti BHD, I use it often and like the experience of the airport. I have watched it grow since the 80s. The airlines are the winners in all of these negotiations and my view is that in the long run the funds to develop the facilities will not be there and we will have 2 airports that resemble Prestwick.
EI-BUD
Join Date: Nov 2006
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You'd have to be stupid to drive 100 miles or spend 2 hours on the bus to Dublin airport to catch a flight to London or Birmingham or anywhere else. That suggestion that we should all focus on Dublin is absolutely laughable.
I'm really pleased EI are moving to a more central airport (ala BHD) for their UK ops. Let BFS stick to what they are good at, high car-parking charges and bucket and spade charters.
Well done Aer Lingus.
I'm really pleased EI are moving to a more central airport (ala BHD) for their UK ops. Let BFS stick to what they are good at, high car-parking charges and bucket and spade charters.
Well done Aer Lingus.
Last edited by Andrew R; 15th Jun 2012 at 11:44.
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AIRPORT66
Why is the BBC announcing that AerLingus are moving there operations from BFS to BHD why is the airline itself not doing this or is this just something that has been leaked to the press to try stir the pot a little in reference to car parking charges at Bfs they are charging 5 per day same as Bhd so when was the last time you parked your car there.