BELFAST CITY AIRPORT (BHD)

[virginblue]

My excuses for hijacking this thread for the following:

I plan to fly into BHD in August, spend some time in town and then take a flight from DUB. I was wondering how much time I should allow for taking the 705X Express Bus to Dublin Airport for a T1 departure on a Thursday evening (9:55 pm). I will already be checked in as I will be travelling with a carry-on only and I presume that late in the evening security should be no big issue.

Main question is: How is road traffic between Belfast and Dublin these days? Do the bus timetables allow for some slow moving traffic or are they somewhat optimistic? Choice is between a 5:30 and 6:30 pm departure and I would prefer to start as late as possible.

[EI-BUD]

Virginblue,

Traffic and timings on buses usually very reliable, especially leaving from the bus station as most exit directly out onto the motorway and and quickly on their way south. If there was an accident and a tail back, certainly no slack in the schedule for that. I'd take the earlier one. There are buses on the hour and half past the hour. Travel time quite consistently 2 hrs.

Flying at 955 (guessing FR To STN or BHX, or BE to CWL),
Check in online so go through passport control at 830, to be on the safe said, though passport control very quiet at that time.
I'd actually take the 6 bus! Or 530.. To be early.. If you need more info, pm me...

[cessnarocket]

Late night flights at BHD ..

I noticed this evening both Heathrow BA and Ei delayed beyond the 2130 curfew
Also fly be man after 2200 hrs
London city looks to be on the ground just before 2300.

Surely all 4 can't be exceptional circumstances??
Perhaps a blantent disregard for the curfew??

[BFS watcher]

Originally Posted by cessnarocket

Late night flights at BHD ..

I noticed this evening both Heathrow BA and Ei delayed beyond the 2130 curfew
Also fly be man after 2200 hrs
London city looks to be on the ground just before 2300.

Surely all 4 can't be exceptional circumstances??
Perhaps a blantent disregard for the curfew??

Happening almost every night however unlikely anything will be done as City Council now responsible for planning!

[West Brit]

Is there not a fund where airlines are fined landing after 21.30, where the amount increases the later the breach?

[panpanpanpan]

I have flown back from Heathrow to Harbour 3 times this year on the last flight of the day, on each occasion we have landed after 11pm. The cabin crew I was chatting to said that as long as we were back in Belfast before midnight then there wasn't a problem, there were a few passengers concerned that we would end up in Aldergrove with the hassle of their cars being in Harbour carpark! Not sure how that would work, I imagine that British Airways would be responsible to get you back to Belfast to collect your car.

Was the curfew abolished along with the seats for sale a few months ago maybe?

[El Bunto]

Was the curfew abolished along with the seats for sale a few months ago maybe?

Hard curfew cut-off remains 23:59. Runway closes, lights-out.

Soft cut-off at 21:30. Naughty boys & girls get written into the Black Book, but whether fines are actually levied is at the discretion of airport management.

[SecondDog]

Originally Posted by El Bunto

whether fines are actually levied is at the discretion of airport management.

Hahahaha. Good one Bunto 😂

[eastern wiseguy]

Usually the problem was getting the appropriate staff to hang on. Overtime would have been paid HOWEVER,that didn't always happen......ATCO going out for the evening ...if you know what I mean. Not a lot the cabin crew could do about that Panny ole chum.

[HeathrowDictator]

Unless things have changed in the last few years, ATCOs were specifically rostered for a "late finish" shift whereby you start a bit later and have to be prepared to stay back as required for any extensions.

-HD-

[stab3.5up]

I think all the company's at BHD work to similar understanding

[Tower Ranger]

How it used too work;
ATC get a call requesting an extension of hours and as they are contracted to work a "reasonable amount of overtime" the answer is usually yes. Overtime is paid hourly at 16 mins past each hour and if its a decent extension a local take-away is ordered. ATC have turned down extensions in the past but rarely for home based A/C unless, as Eastern said, there's already a plan.

[stab3.5up]

Not sure the new DUB AMS twice a day from OCT with KLM will be good news for the BHD route. At least KLM gets its early departure time denied by BHD regulations.

[eastern wiseguy]

Thanks TR.............

[cessnarocket]

Thanks for the input about staff, however with regards to the legality of extensions is it permittable to grant Willy Nilly up to 2359? Surely this is a major breach of planning?
I'm surprised aldergrove and the residents groups have not snatched onto this like a bulldog.

[ILS25]

Originally Posted by cessnarocket

Thanks for the input about staff, however with regards to the legality of extensions is it permittable to grant Willy Nilly up to 2359? Surely this is a major breach of planning?
I'm surprised aldergrove and the residents groups have not snatched onto this like a bulldog.

I don't think anyone cares anymore. Nobody really listens to the few residents that seem to care and Aldergrove have enough on their plate to be concerned about a few flights breaking a silly curfew down the road.

[HeathrowDictator]

The extensions are for locally based aircraft only.

That said, it has been known to afford others the option - Dave Cameron being one, and a certain act who was running late for the Tenants Vital gig being another. There are probably more, but it was never a regular occurrence.

The usual NIMBY comments come from those who most likely bought houses in the area post-1983 after the airport opened and wondered why they paid less for them. Unfortunately noise complaints happen with any airport, and BHD certainly does their bit to protect residents, with a regional support fund and noise preferential procedures to minimise the impact as much as possible. You are never going to please everyone though, other than those who just love to moan!

-HD-

[cessnarocket]

So can we confidently say BHD opening hours are now 0630-2359 for based aircraft?

[panpanpanpan]

So can we confidently say BHD opening hours are now 0630-2359 for based aircraft?

I think the only thing "we" can definitely say is that we don't know! If its such a burning concern why not ring the airport and get put through to Mr A and ask him?

I think ILS 25 has it about right, at this particular time Aldergrove don't really care, Harbour is stagnant at best, going backwards in all probability whilst Aldergrove are on the upward swing of a growth curve. Why spend time, energy and money on a problem that isn't causing any real concerns to them? Doesn't make sense. A few years ago in the Harbour glory days then it was a different beast, at that point Harbour were increasing at the expense of Aldergrove and therefore by fair means or foul Aldergrove had to fight back. I would suggest there are still rumblings going on behind the scenes but nothing that people posting on here will ever know anything about.

[HeathrowDictator]

So can we confidently say BHD opening hours are now 0630-2359 for based aircraft?

If you cross check the Air Pilot entry:

EGAC AD 2.3 OPERATIONAL HOURS

1. Aerodrome Operator
Winter: 0630-2130. Summer: 0530-2030. To cover the possibility of an aircraft which departs within 15 minutes of normal aerodrome closing time having to return, the aerodrome operator will normally retain sufficient services and equipment for 15 minutes after the actual time of departures.

Then:

12. Remarks
The airfield may remain open beyond the published airfield opening hours until 2359 (local) as per local planning agreement. Delayed aircraft scheduled to operate 0630-2130 (winter) 0530-2030 (summer) if required must request extended opening from the airport duty manager.

Not sure why this thread keeps descending into BHD bashing from the BFS brigade, it is quite immature really. Both airports have their own unique merits. Having flown from both my preference is BHD because of the modern nature of the terminal and in my opinion better attitude of security staff - however there were cheaper fares available from BFS on the routes I wanted to fly.

Anyway back on topic, how has the transition to NATS gone for ATC? Any potential for EFPS to be introduced in the near future?

-HD-