BIRMINGHAM - 6
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Air India
Air India and caution are a few words that are suited to the same sentance.
Last night you couldn't even book the route weekly let alone daily for next summer on their website.
I do hope they mean the 18 aircraft to be delivered and not the 18th to be operational as VT-ANI has not flown since 22 April 2014
VT-ANS will be number 18 and parts are arriving per the all things 787 Bl*g and ANR is waiting for its first flight and ANQ went into service on 1/8/14.
Another site claimed all this years 787's have been financed and really if that is true then November is achievable but it is not bookable.
Pete
Last night you couldn't even book the route weekly let alone daily for next summer on their website.
I do hope they mean the 18 aircraft to be delivered and not the 18th to be operational as VT-ANI has not flown since 22 April 2014
VT-ANS will be number 18 and parts are arriving per the all things 787 Bl*g and ANR is waiting for its first flight and ANQ went into service on 1/8/14.
Another site claimed all this years 787's have been financed and really if that is true then November is achievable but it is not bookable.
Pete
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Great news!! I remember people saying the route would never happen and that Air India would never come to Birmingham....great success story
Pleased to be proven wrong of course, and hope that the daily frequency materialises.
Great news!! I remember people saying the route would never happen and that Air India would never come to Birmingham....great success story
I don't think it was the route in question but the the string of 'fly by night' operators that caused the problem. Mint airways comes to mind.
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Air India
crew meal wrote
It certainly was questioned! "If Air India would ever start the flight", "Air India's terrible record of chopping and changing flights". People here questioned "why would secondary cities like Birmingham get 787 service"? (that was exactly what they were designed and to be used for) "Would Air India have the aircraft"? "Do the "right ethnic Indians" live in the region" and blah, blah, blah.
Oh and just how much other airports should get the service instead of Birmingham.
No airport would refuse an airline that wants to operate services, such as Mint. Some on this forum will turn any positive about Birmingham Airport into a negative. I support my local airport and will continue to post positive stories. I'm not surprised at your comments, some here hide their true agenda.
I don't think it was the route in question but the the string of 'fly by night' operators that caused the problem. Mint airways comes to mind
Oh and just how much other airports should get the service instead of Birmingham.
No airport would refuse an airline that wants to operate services, such as Mint. Some on this forum will turn any positive about Birmingham Airport into a negative. I support my local airport and will continue to post positive stories. I'm not surprised at your comments, some here hide their true agenda.
Last edited by Daza; 6th Aug 2014 at 13:30.
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Eastern promise?
Well it was lauded and applauded and even a government minister was on hand to see the first arrival...
But the short season of charters to China is now over and many, no doubt, will want to hear some feedback on the success, or otherwise, of the flights to Beijing.
So who will be the first to comment: China Southern Airlines, BHX management, Birmingham City Council, Caissa Travel Management or, indeed, tourism minister Helen Grant.
We are waiting...
But the short season of charters to China is now over and many, no doubt, will want to hear some feedback on the success, or otherwise, of the flights to Beijing.
So who will be the first to comment: China Southern Airlines, BHX management, Birmingham City Council, Caissa Travel Management or, indeed, tourism minister Helen Grant.
We are waiting...
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Monty Gordo,
Your really hoping they don't I detect.
The flights were a great success the front end packed out and only a few seats left in economy..both ways.
However its fair to say these flights were BHX led. I think that BHX will now say ..well we have proved we can fill the planes albeit only 6..now its over to the travel agents to take the lead if they want to.
Interesting today announced LHR have gained additional Beijing flights from Air China with the LGW flights moving over and both flights will now be A330s out of LHR.
So where does all this leave BHX ambitions to China ?
Well if their is no extra sched slots given to UK/Chinese airlines,next 12 months, then its certainly possible that the BHX China Eastern charters could be back next year perhaps with an expanded programme.
However that I think would now be left to the travel agents involved this year to ponder.
This might not happen though if the never ending rumours of MAN about to announce Air China actually get firmed into a full announcement.
Nigel
Your really hoping they don't I detect.
The flights were a great success the front end packed out and only a few seats left in economy..both ways.
However its fair to say these flights were BHX led. I think that BHX will now say ..well we have proved we can fill the planes albeit only 6..now its over to the travel agents to take the lead if they want to.
Interesting today announced LHR have gained additional Beijing flights from Air China with the LGW flights moving over and both flights will now be A330s out of LHR.
So where does all this leave BHX ambitions to China ?
Well if their is no extra sched slots given to UK/Chinese airlines,next 12 months, then its certainly possible that the BHX China Eastern charters could be back next year perhaps with an expanded programme.
However that I think would now be left to the travel agents involved this year to ponder.
This might not happen though if the never ending rumours of MAN about to announce Air China actually get firmed into a full announcement.
Nigel
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Why on earth....
Nigel, dear chap, why on earth did you believe i wanted to see a negative feedback? I like most on this BHX thread want to see success for the airport. But, without seeing the comments on those mentioned, i felt my comments should be seen at this stage as being neutral. Of course i am hoping that the feedback when it comes will be positive and will lead, hopefully, to an expanded programme next year.
Please read carefully what people DO say not what you THINK they say.
Please read carefully what people DO say not what you THINK they say.
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Yep you are right . I think it is because whenever a poster from anywhere but the midlands posts a genuine query regarding a BHX service on here the reaction seems to be that they have a hidden agenda . I'm sure some do , However , take a couple of posts recently that produced a knee jerk reaction :
I agree , didn't we have this before with Biman ? ' we will start services when we get the clearance from the American authorities to start the DAC-BHX-JFK service' We are still waiting........
I agree , to a certain extent , but it really is far too early for anyone to say that there will be a repeat performance for 2015 . The early feedback was that the flights were sold out inbound and the program was considered a success.
It just seemed like a strange way for the Air India guy to express it. If a daily service will definitely start in November then why not just say so? I assume they won't be waiting until the 18th 787's wheels are on Indian soil, then announcing the route to start the day after!
So who will be the first to comment: China Southern Airlines, BHX management, Birmingham City Council, Caissa Travel Management or, indeed, tourism minister Helen Grant.
We are waiting...
We are waiting...
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China flights.
As far as scheduled services go I think both BHX and MAN should be concerned.Until a new agreement can be reached no more schedules can be added to any airport.However like Nigel I hope an expanded charter program from BHX does happen.
One thing that I found interesting was with LHR flights going 2X daily using A330s.Thus moving the 4 flights from LGW and adding 3 more.However correct me if I'm wrong but the current LHR flights are B77W.I don't know what both aircraft types are configured to but any extra seats on the route is not actually that many.Someone is bound to know how many seats are currently on offer from both airports and what will be on offer when the new schedule kicks in.It would be interesting to know what the difference will be.
As far as BHX is concerned I know many of the retail units saw a big increase in sales,due to the Chinese being big spenders on luxury goods etc.
With the new complex at the NEC due to open next year which includes couture retail units to rival Bicester,or at least give them a run for their money this is another reason why any flight to China is a good idea from BHX.
One thing that I found interesting was with LHR flights going 2X daily using A330s.Thus moving the 4 flights from LGW and adding 3 more.However correct me if I'm wrong but the current LHR flights are B77W.I don't know what both aircraft types are configured to but any extra seats on the route is not actually that many.Someone is bound to know how many seats are currently on offer from both airports and what will be on offer when the new schedule kicks in.It would be interesting to know what the difference will be.
As far as BHX is concerned I know many of the retail units saw a big increase in sales,due to the Chinese being big spenders on luxury goods etc.
With the new complex at the NEC due to open next year which includes couture retail units to rival Bicester,or at least give them a run for their money this is another reason why any flight to China is a good idea from BHX.
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Monty Gordo,
It was your last bit.."we are waiting"
You had already made your point so wasn't sure why you added that.
However thanks for clarifying your post, and sure we both hope they will be back next year
Nigel
It was your last bit.."we are waiting"
You had already made your point so wasn't sure why you added that.
However thanks for clarifying your post, and sure we both hope they will be back next year
Nigel
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Winter Flybe
Monty - yes that was announced back in may together with the daily Hamburg .
Some tweaks for W14/15 ~ When the winter timetable was announced BHX-BOD was 5 a week but that has now been reduced to 4 , but to balance that out the Toulouse goes to daily with the addition of a Saturday flight.
Some tweaks for W14/15 ~ When the winter timetable was announced BHX-BOD was 5 a week but that has now been reduced to 4 , but to balance that out the Toulouse goes to daily with the addition of a Saturday flight.
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BHX-BOD.
Yes the Air China 77Ws had first class, the A330s don't. So if they can't make a go out of premium at LHR no chance anywhere else in the UK.
The extra A330s however do increase overall seats in business class.
Once again we see LGW have a long haul full fare airline switch to LHR when slots become available their.
Nigel
Yes the Air China 77Ws had first class, the A330s don't. So if they can't make a go out of premium at LHR no chance anywhere else in the UK.
The extra A330s however do increase overall seats in business class.
Once again we see LGW have a long haul full fare airline switch to LHR when slots become available their.
Nigel
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China flights
Nigel.
Thanks for the post.Very interesting that Air China can't fill first class/premium seats from LHR.
It would be interesting to know if many business seats were sold on our CZ flights,and whether any airline would gamble on a regular flight scheduled or otherwise if front end seats can't be filled.
As a matter of interest do Air Transat have a business section and how many seats are on their A330s.
Thanks for the post.Very interesting that Air China can't fill first class/premium seats from LHR.
It would be interesting to know if many business seats were sold on our CZ flights,and whether any airline would gamble on a regular flight scheduled or otherwise if front end seats can't be filled.
As a matter of interest do Air Transat have a business section and how many seats are on their A330s.
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12 August 2014
City delegation visits Asia to launch tourism workshops for Indian travel agents
Birmingham is being showcased to Indian travel agents as a leading global visitor destination, as tourist numbers from the country increase.
Visit Birmingham, the city’s official leisure tourism body, is currently running a six month training programme with Kuoni Academy for travel agents in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Amritsar. The sessions will raise awareness of Birmingham’s attractions; the city’s central location as a gateway to the rest of the UK; and its direct air links to Asia, following Air India’s commitment to increase its Birmingham-Delhi-Amritsar operation to a daily service from November.
The initiative builds on the rising number of visits to Birmingham from India – with a 71 per cent increase last year, from 8,261 (2012) to 14,131 (2013). The city attracts more visitors from India than any other destination in England outside of London, and is ranked second in terms of total numbers of visitors from India in the last four years.
The aim of the programme, which runs until September, is to train between 200 and 300 travel agents, some of whom already promote the destination, as well as new agents. The workshops will provide a grounding in Greater Birmingham’s tourism offer – including the region’s attractions, culture, heritage, retail and food – as well as the new developments set to transform Birmingham in 2015. These include the £600million redevelopment of New Street station and the new Grand Central shopping complex, anchored by the 250,000 sq ft John Lewis department store, one of the largest outside London.
Visit Birmingham’s Director of Marketing Services, Emma Gray, travelled to India this summer to launch the programme with a delegation that also included representatives from Birmingham Airport and The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Emma commented:
“Approximately 80 per cent of the Indian market book through a travel intermediary, so it made sense to invest time in launching our first training workshops in India to showcase to agents what our region has to offer.
“Birmingham’s profile is growing considerably on the international stage with a significant increase in visitor numbers and influential global publications such as The Times of India and China Daily highlighting the city’s leisure offer. It is clear that we are becoming an attractive holiday and business destination to people in India.
“Tourism plays a huge part in Birmingham’s economic success – with a £5.1billion boost in 2012. Initial sessions have been well received, so we look forward to welcoming a new wave of Indian visitors to the city as a result of this training programme and further campaigns in the Asian market next year.”
Birmingham attracted more international visitors last year than ever before.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that there were almost a million visits to the city in 2013 (941,000) compared with 713,000 in 2012 – a 32 per cent rise. This compares with an increase nationally of just 5.6 per cent and 8.6 per cent in London. Birmingham is now the fourth most visited city in the UK, behind London, Edinburgh and Manchester.
Mandy Haque, Sales & Travel Trade Relationship Manager at Birmingham Airport, said:
“Since Air India commenced direct Birmingham-Delhi-Amritsar flights last year, more than 80,000 passengers have used the four times weekly service and this week the carrier has announced that it is committed to launching daily services from November. This will deliver an extra 1,500 seats on the route and give more choice, flexibility and opportunity for Indian tourists to fly into Birmingham and explore the many jewels that this region has to offer.
“Educating travel agents is vital for airports as they can influence a customer’s decision on where they fly from so partnering with Visit Birmingham on this programme and developing new relationships in India was a great opportunity for Birmingham Airport.”
Debbie Beardall, Trade & Education Development Manager at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, added:
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Birmingham Airport and Visit Birmingham to boost awareness amongst Indian travel agents about the wealth of attractions, culture, heritage and beautiful countryside all within a stone’s throw of Birmingham.
“Shakespeare is extremely popular in Asia and the Shakespeare Family Homes in Stratford-upon-Avon, just 30 minutes from Birmingham, are already a magnet for visitors from India.
“The travel workshops have given us an opportunity to showcase just how much we have to offer for the multi-generation groups who visit from India, and we look forward to welcoming even more, once daily flights come into operation.”
City delegation visits Asia to launch tourism workshops for Indian travel agents
Birmingham is being showcased to Indian travel agents as a leading global visitor destination, as tourist numbers from the country increase.
Visit Birmingham, the city’s official leisure tourism body, is currently running a six month training programme with Kuoni Academy for travel agents in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Amritsar. The sessions will raise awareness of Birmingham’s attractions; the city’s central location as a gateway to the rest of the UK; and its direct air links to Asia, following Air India’s commitment to increase its Birmingham-Delhi-Amritsar operation to a daily service from November.
The initiative builds on the rising number of visits to Birmingham from India – with a 71 per cent increase last year, from 8,261 (2012) to 14,131 (2013). The city attracts more visitors from India than any other destination in England outside of London, and is ranked second in terms of total numbers of visitors from India in the last four years.
The aim of the programme, which runs until September, is to train between 200 and 300 travel agents, some of whom already promote the destination, as well as new agents. The workshops will provide a grounding in Greater Birmingham’s tourism offer – including the region’s attractions, culture, heritage, retail and food – as well as the new developments set to transform Birmingham in 2015. These include the £600million redevelopment of New Street station and the new Grand Central shopping complex, anchored by the 250,000 sq ft John Lewis department store, one of the largest outside London.
Visit Birmingham’s Director of Marketing Services, Emma Gray, travelled to India this summer to launch the programme with a delegation that also included representatives from Birmingham Airport and The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Emma commented:
“Approximately 80 per cent of the Indian market book through a travel intermediary, so it made sense to invest time in launching our first training workshops in India to showcase to agents what our region has to offer.
“Birmingham’s profile is growing considerably on the international stage with a significant increase in visitor numbers and influential global publications such as The Times of India and China Daily highlighting the city’s leisure offer. It is clear that we are becoming an attractive holiday and business destination to people in India.
“Tourism plays a huge part in Birmingham’s economic success – with a £5.1billion boost in 2012. Initial sessions have been well received, so we look forward to welcoming a new wave of Indian visitors to the city as a result of this training programme and further campaigns in the Asian market next year.”
Birmingham attracted more international visitors last year than ever before.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that there were almost a million visits to the city in 2013 (941,000) compared with 713,000 in 2012 – a 32 per cent rise. This compares with an increase nationally of just 5.6 per cent and 8.6 per cent in London. Birmingham is now the fourth most visited city in the UK, behind London, Edinburgh and Manchester.
Mandy Haque, Sales & Travel Trade Relationship Manager at Birmingham Airport, said:
“Since Air India commenced direct Birmingham-Delhi-Amritsar flights last year, more than 80,000 passengers have used the four times weekly service and this week the carrier has announced that it is committed to launching daily services from November. This will deliver an extra 1,500 seats on the route and give more choice, flexibility and opportunity for Indian tourists to fly into Birmingham and explore the many jewels that this region has to offer.
“Educating travel agents is vital for airports as they can influence a customer’s decision on where they fly from so partnering with Visit Birmingham on this programme and developing new relationships in India was a great opportunity for Birmingham Airport.”
Debbie Beardall, Trade & Education Development Manager at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, added:
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Birmingham Airport and Visit Birmingham to boost awareness amongst Indian travel agents about the wealth of attractions, culture, heritage and beautiful countryside all within a stone’s throw of Birmingham.
“Shakespeare is extremely popular in Asia and the Shakespeare Family Homes in Stratford-upon-Avon, just 30 minutes from Birmingham, are already a magnet for visitors from India.
“The travel workshops have given us an opportunity to showcase just how much we have to offer for the multi-generation groups who visit from India, and we look forward to welcoming even more, once daily flights come into operation.”
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ZB
So, announced today that ZB will pull out of EMA at the end of this winter programme (which incidentally goes totally against a press release in Nov announcing that they had struck a deal with MAG to grow at EMA....). There appears to be a very comprehensive top to bottom review going on at ZB, although very sad for the staff at the EMA base, I hope that BHX comes well out of it, they have been committed to BHX so far. Depending on who and what you believe it seems the plan is higher frequencies on key routes and more city destinations as they turn fully scheduled next year, I hope BHX is a key part of this plan. I wonder where the two based EMA units will end up next summer? Interesting times ahead at ZB for all concerned.
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The initiative builds on the rising number of visits to Birmingham from India – with a 71 per cent increase last year, from 8,261 (2012) to 14,131 (2013). The city attracts more visitors from India than any other destination in England outside of London, and is ranked second in terms of total numbers of visitors from India in the last four years.