BMI REGIONAL-2
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"The routes are operated in conjunction with Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt Int'l)."
Plenty of similar reports, particularly in Swiss and German media.
I think we can take the LH code very much for granted.
Plenty of similar reports, particularly in Swiss and German media.
I think we can take the LH code very much for granted.
As they did in December regarding Liverpool.
German carrier Lufthansa is working with Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) on possible new routes.
In an exclusive interview with ECHO Business the airline’s UK & Ireland general manager Christian Schindler revealed that talks have taken place on a potential link-up with bmi regional, and he outlined plans for a new low-cost Lufthansa airline launching next year which will be based entirely at European bases outside Germany.
New LJLA chief executive Andrew Cornish acknowledges that German routes, particularly business destinations, are poorly served at the moment.
Lufthansa has previously discussed opportunities in Liverpool but Mr Schindler said the market would not suit their, or subsidiary German Wings, models.
However, Lufthansa code shares with bmi regional, which is starting to develop a bigger presence at regional bases.
It currently flies to Frankfurt and Munich from Bristol, and Brussels from East Midlands and Newcastle. Mr Schindler said: “That works very well. They feed in with our network on these routes and to Lufthansa hubs.”
He said bmi regional’s 50-seater Embraer aircraft would suit the Liverpool market: “bmi regional is a new company and there are opportunities. Frankfurt and Munich is a possibility for Liverpool.
“We are always looking for partners and it might be an option for bmi regional and us to work together.”
Looking further ahead he outlined plans by Lufthansa to establish a bigger presence in the short haul leisure market with the launch of a new operation next summer.
He said: “This will be a new platform that can be based anywhere in Europe. It could be in the UK, but it is not yet finalised. not even the brand.
He explained that the new model is based on the strategy that budget airline easyJet used to substantially boost traffic by turning its focus from its UK bases and establishing a range of hubs in other countries throughout Europe to extend routes between the UK and other European cities.
Mr Schindler said: “Like easyJet, when it went outside its home market to build up traffic, it will be just point-to-point and much more leisure orientated.”
He said where, and how many aircraft it will involve, has not yet been decided, but added: “It will be outside Germany.
“There could be several bases outside Germany and they could be anywhere. Where it is sustainable is where it will grow in terms of bases.
“One base will be a starting point, but there could be several bases in one country. It depends where there is business and where we can make money.
“It is an opportunity for Liverpool to target,” he added.
Mark Povall, LJLA director of air service development, said: “Our analysis shows that Germany is an underserved market from Liverpool with flights only to Berlin at this moment in time.
“However, we continue to explore the opportunities to develop new routes to various German cities, with a number of airlines including Lufthansa and bmi regional, in terms of looking at both point-to-point routes and for onward connections via a hub airport, such as Frankfurt.
“There are many companies across the city region who do a lot of business in Germany and combined with a strong German inbound leisure market, both sectors would benefit from more direct services with Germany.”
Mr Schindler also revealed that Merseyside’s growing automotive sector is helping to boost business at Lufthansa’s Manchester Airport hub.
Lufthansa operates 81 flights a week from Manchester, excluding German Wings, and reported that, up to October, it had carried 800,000 passengers at Manchester, which is a 7% increase, whereas capacity across the airline was relatively flat.
Mr Schindler said the automotive industry, which he views as Halewood’s Jaguar Land Rover plant, the Ellesmere Port Vauxhall factory, together with their suppliers, was a strong performer in this period: “This market is developing positively.”
In an exclusive interview with ECHO Business the airline’s UK & Ireland general manager Christian Schindler revealed that talks have taken place on a potential link-up with bmi regional, and he outlined plans for a new low-cost Lufthansa airline launching next year which will be based entirely at European bases outside Germany.
New LJLA chief executive Andrew Cornish acknowledges that German routes, particularly business destinations, are poorly served at the moment.
Lufthansa has previously discussed opportunities in Liverpool but Mr Schindler said the market would not suit their, or subsidiary German Wings, models.
However, Lufthansa code shares with bmi regional, which is starting to develop a bigger presence at regional bases.
It currently flies to Frankfurt and Munich from Bristol, and Brussels from East Midlands and Newcastle. Mr Schindler said: “That works very well. They feed in with our network on these routes and to Lufthansa hubs.”
He said bmi regional’s 50-seater Embraer aircraft would suit the Liverpool market: “bmi regional is a new company and there are opportunities. Frankfurt and Munich is a possibility for Liverpool.
“We are always looking for partners and it might be an option for bmi regional and us to work together.”
Looking further ahead he outlined plans by Lufthansa to establish a bigger presence in the short haul leisure market with the launch of a new operation next summer.
He said: “This will be a new platform that can be based anywhere in Europe. It could be in the UK, but it is not yet finalised. not even the brand.
He explained that the new model is based on the strategy that budget airline easyJet used to substantially boost traffic by turning its focus from its UK bases and establishing a range of hubs in other countries throughout Europe to extend routes between the UK and other European cities.
Mr Schindler said: “Like easyJet, when it went outside its home market to build up traffic, it will be just point-to-point and much more leisure orientated.”
He said where, and how many aircraft it will involve, has not yet been decided, but added: “It will be outside Germany.
“There could be several bases outside Germany and they could be anywhere. Where it is sustainable is where it will grow in terms of bases.
“One base will be a starting point, but there could be several bases in one country. It depends where there is business and where we can make money.
“It is an opportunity for Liverpool to target,” he added.
Mark Povall, LJLA director of air service development, said: “Our analysis shows that Germany is an underserved market from Liverpool with flights only to Berlin at this moment in time.
“However, we continue to explore the opportunities to develop new routes to various German cities, with a number of airlines including Lufthansa and bmi regional, in terms of looking at both point-to-point routes and for onward connections via a hub airport, such as Frankfurt.
“There are many companies across the city region who do a lot of business in Germany and combined with a strong German inbound leisure market, both sectors would benefit from more direct services with Germany.”
Mr Schindler also revealed that Merseyside’s growing automotive sector is helping to boost business at Lufthansa’s Manchester Airport hub.
Lufthansa operates 81 flights a week from Manchester, excluding German Wings, and reported that, up to October, it had carried 800,000 passengers at Manchester, which is a 7% increase, whereas capacity across the airline was relatively flat.
Mr Schindler said the automotive industry, which he views as Halewood’s Jaguar Land Rover plant, the Ellesmere Port Vauxhall factory, together with their suppliers, was a strong performer in this period: “This market is developing positively.”
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Although much speculated, the new BM flights ex-MUC aren't yet carrying LH codeshares.
The BM fare classes look aligned with LH's, but the flights are still only bookable through BM, and BRN/LGG don't appear as destination options on LH's website.
I wonder if there's going to be a 'prove yourself' period, as BRS-MUC/FRA were before they became codeshares, and if that's intentional or just a reflection of process times within LH?
The BM fare classes look aligned with LH's, but the flights are still only bookable through BM, and BRN/LGG don't appear as destination options on LH's website.
I wonder if there's going to be a 'prove yourself' period, as BRS-MUC/FRA were before they became codeshares, and if that's intentional or just a reflection of process times within LH?
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The Route Map online has now been updated:
Still no LH codes showing up on the new ex-MUC routes.
If things keep developing like this, they'll need a frequent flier programme. I think 'Diamond Club' would be a good name, and BM should definitely avoid copying LH's Miles and More (which is quickly becoming the stingiest FF programme in Europe).
Still no LH codes showing up on the new ex-MUC routes.
If things keep developing like this, they'll need a frequent flier programme. I think 'Diamond Club' would be a good name, and BM should definitely avoid copying LH's Miles and More (which is quickly becoming the stingiest FF programme in Europe).
Last edited by Bristol_Traveller; 14th Jan 2015 at 12:30. Reason: Whoops. That image is a bit big.
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Another Swedish regional route dies then.
It seems the scandinavian market is extremely difficult to make any money out of. The only routes that seem to perform consistently are the ones between the major cities, and even then there's little room for more (as the GSE-BMA one is now stopping, and from the sounds in the news would have done soon even if GSE had continued operations).
It seems the scandinavian market is extremely difficult to make any money out of. The only routes that seem to perform consistently are the ones between the major cities, and even then there's little room for more (as the GSE-BMA one is now stopping, and from the sounds in the news would have done soon even if GSE had continued operations).
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As I posted above, the LH codes ARE confirmed. In fact, for MUC-RTM they are LH5260-5265 and bookable for less than 100Euros return. LGG and BRN have been added to the LH booking mask as destinations, and will be bookable shortly.
Gothenburg-Birmingham and Gothenburg-Stavanger are indeed no longer on sale after the end of March. Oddly enough Gothenburg-Kalmar and Kalmar-Berlin remain on sale - is this just a mistake or is there an intention to continue these 2 routes ?
Edit - As of 26Jan, seems that Gothenburg-Kalmar-Berlin-Kalmar-Gothernburg round trips have been cancelled on Tues+Wed for S15
Edit - As of 26Jan, seems that Gothenburg-Kalmar-Berlin-Kalmar-Gothernburg round trips have been cancelled on Tues+Wed for S15
Last edited by davidjohnson6; 27th Jan 2015 at 00:41.
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Ref the GOT/KALMAR/BERLIN route
Has anyone any idea about this ? It is confirmed of course the GSE operation with sparrow is finished and the GOT/Birmingham, GOT/Stavangar finishes on 27/03. But the kalmar and Berlin route still is bookable into the summer and has a morning departure from GOT and arrival back to GOT by lunch time with the aircraft sitting around for the rest of the day. It's really strange? May be the sparrow people will use the aircraft n the afternoon? The Birmingham route was the best performing route of all of the routes from GOT so the logic in dropping it in the first place beats me???
Any insight is welcome??
EJ
Has anyone any idea about this ? It is confirmed of course the GSE operation with sparrow is finished and the GOT/Birmingham, GOT/Stavangar finishes on 27/03. But the kalmar and Berlin route still is bookable into the summer and has a morning departure from GOT and arrival back to GOT by lunch time with the aircraft sitting around for the rest of the day. It's really strange? May be the sparrow people will use the aircraft n the afternoon? The Birmingham route was the best performing route of all of the routes from GOT so the logic in dropping it in the first place beats me???
Any insight is welcome??
EJ
Looks like the previously nonstop Karlstad-Frankfurt route will now have a stopover in each direction, becoming Karlstad-Jönköping-Frankfurt-Jönköping-Karlstad effective 01 March 2015
Last edited by davidjohnson6; 13th Feb 2015 at 11:52.
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Someone able to confirm 6/w BRS-DUS with effect April 27? Reported on a German forum, but nothing on the airline's website or elsewhere.
If true, not surprising. It was an obvious gap, as airports such as NCL, GLA and LBA all have DUS links.
EDIT:
To answer my own question - uploaded on the DUS website:
MoTuWeThFr:
BRS - 19:50 DUS 2020 - BRS-BM 1867/8 ERJ-145
Su:
BRS - 17:25 DUS 1755 - BRS BM 1867/8 ERJ-145
If true, not surprising. It was an obvious gap, as airports such as NCL, GLA and LBA all have DUS links.
EDIT:
To answer my own question - uploaded on the DUS website:
MoTuWeThFr:
BRS - 19:50 DUS 2020 - BRS-BM 1867/8 ERJ-145
Su:
BRS - 17:25 DUS 1755 - BRS BM 1867/8 ERJ-145
Last edited by virginblue; 17th Feb 2015 at 14:39.
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Yes, UK-DUS is an interesting market. Although it must be said that some DUS routes from the UK were canned, e.g. SOU by BE and EDI by LH - both routes I used when they were still there.
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As per the BRS thread, BM will have six ERJs at Bristol from the end of April. Another three will do the new MUC flights. Three for the BRS/EMA/NCL-BRU flights, two at ABZ. One based at Karlstad, one at Bremen. Plus the one on the ACMI contract with Sparrow in Sweden.
That makes 17. If the fleet mix is still 14 ER4s and 4 ER3s, it means one spare - so they will be running a tight ship this coming summer. Even tighter if I missed another ACMI contract....
As far as I know, one of the ERJs at Munich will be an ERJ135. Not sure where the other three will be based. The new BRS-DUS/CDG flights are on ERJ145, and the Karlstad-based ERJ135 will be replaced with an ERJ145.
That makes 17. If the fleet mix is still 14 ER4s and 4 ER3s, it means one spare - so they will be running a tight ship this coming summer. Even tighter if I missed another ACMI contract....
As far as I know, one of the ERJs at Munich will be an ERJ135. Not sure where the other three will be based. The new BRS-DUS/CDG flights are on ERJ145, and the Karlstad-based ERJ135 will be replaced with an ERJ145.
What's the relationship between bmir and Sparrow ?
All flights to/from Gothenburg and/or Kalmar will cease in bmir's name. A Kristianstad-Kalmar-Berlin route will be run under Sparrow's name with a BM flight code and bmir providing an ACMI leased aircraft. Anyone able to explain what the contracts between Sparrow and bmir is intended to achieve and why ?
virginblue - is bmir still operating for Air Lituanica in the summer ?
All flights to/from Gothenburg and/or Kalmar will cease in bmir's name. A Kristianstad-Kalmar-Berlin route will be run under Sparrow's name with a BM flight code and bmir providing an ACMI leased aircraft. Anyone able to explain what the contracts between Sparrow and bmir is intended to achieve and why ?
virginblue - is bmir still operating for Air Lituanica in the summer ?
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My understanding is that Air Lithuanica is planning to operate an Embraer 170 this summer. But the BM ER4 still shows up on certain flights in the GDS. Apparently work in progress.
The question is of course whether BM would have a frame available, assuming that the fleet currently stands indeed at 18 frames. I find it difficult to believe that they would schedule all 18 frames for daily operations across Europe, given that they also operate corporate shuttles for Airbus. I doubt that Airbus is accepting the risk of an AOG without a spare in BM's fleet.
The question is of course whether BM would have a frame available, assuming that the fleet currently stands indeed at 18 frames. I find it difficult to believe that they would schedule all 18 frames for daily operations across Europe, given that they also operate corporate shuttles for Airbus. I doubt that Airbus is accepting the risk of an AOG without a spare in BM's fleet.
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I have to correct myself - the MUC operation requires only two dedicated aircraft, not three as I previously suggested. With one spare, another frame would still be available for Air Lithuanica.
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MAN-ABZ cancelled eff 28MAR according to Airline Route
More shifts of frames around the network?
I think that also means end of bmi serving Manchester airport after many many years, including the halcyon days of having A330's operating long-hauls to the Americas. That's a bit sad.
More shifts of frames around the network?
I think that also means end of bmi serving Manchester airport after many many years, including the halcyon days of having A330's operating long-hauls to the Americas. That's a bit sad.
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Yes also heard about MAN-ABZ being dropped but not a huge surprise considering BE also operate the route with higher frequency.
BM seem to be focusing on routes that will be able to feed LH primarily which isn't a bad model as it takes some of the hassle of filling the aircraft away.
cs
BM seem to be focusing on routes that will be able to feed LH primarily which isn't a bad model as it takes some of the hassle of filling the aircraft away.
cs
