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George Osborne @George_Osborne Sep 12
Great to see new direct #UKChina flight from Manchester to Beijing by China Hainan Airlines. Another step in creating a #NorthernPowerhouse
Great to see new direct #UKChina flight from Manchester to Beijing by China Hainan Airlines. Another step in creating a #NorthernPowerhouse
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Re China
On a theme The China Forum have just appointed a new chap to be based over there to "strenghthen ties"
All the froth is here......although it does raise a slight concern.
The usual line of ......
"hope to commence direct service to China soon" is missing !
Is it me or has the theme changed of late ?
At least Cathay are given some airtime
David Percival MBE appointed to co-chair Manchester China Forum - Manchester Evening News
With slots in and what now must be masses of cargo space sold to frieght forwarders maybe we worry unduly !
On a theme The China Forum have just appointed a new chap to be based over there to "strenghthen ties"
All the froth is here......although it does raise a slight concern.
The usual line of ......
"hope to commence direct service to China soon" is missing !
Is it me or has the theme changed of late ?
At least Cathay are given some airtime
David Percival MBE appointed to co-chair Manchester China Forum - Manchester Evening News
With slots in and what now must be masses of cargo space sold to frieght forwarders maybe we worry unduly !
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Years of experience of dealing with China and particularly anything government related is you need patience.
We were told an announcement in the New Year, so maybe we will soon, after Chinese New Year.
We were told an announcement in the New Year, so maybe we will soon, after Chinese New Year.
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after Chinese New Year.
I thought that was two weeks ago ?
Playing devils advocate actually letting the Cathay route "bed in" might not be such a bad idea although a few on here have suggested it's a different market !
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In other news you can only feel for the (geographically challenged) 100 passengers on there way from Manchester to Belfast which had to divert due snow.
Read how the full dramatic story unfolded below. (Note those of a nervous disposition should look away now).
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....anding-8750720
Quoting another equally excitable journalist, the M E N goes on to convey the full horror, the sheer panic on board in that final dramatic approach as the pilot of the stricken plane made an agonising decision to "abandon The landing" and "engage engines"
OR as some of us have heard on ATC
"as Belfast City is closed due snow we would like to divert to Aldergrove Sir"
Absolutely terrifying stuff !
One clearly shaken passenger was even quoted as saying ;
"Everyone was calm, passengers were just asking each other 'where's Aldergrove?' and how will we get to Belfast? "
Not only did they have to divert to Aldergrove located some 15 mins away, they were all faced with the sheer terror of wandering around a major airport terminal located a mere 20 miles away from the City Centre with only a bus, taxi or hire car available !
Deep breathe everybody , Thank God they made it........!
In other news "Pope still resides at Vatican".
I thought that was two weeks ago ?
Playing devils advocate actually letting the Cathay route "bed in" might not be such a bad idea although a few on here have suggested it's a different market !
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In other news you can only feel for the (geographically challenged) 100 passengers on there way from Manchester to Belfast which had to divert due snow.
Read how the full dramatic story unfolded below. (Note those of a nervous disposition should look away now).
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....anding-8750720
Quoting another equally excitable journalist, the M E N goes on to convey the full horror, the sheer panic on board in that final dramatic approach as the pilot of the stricken plane made an agonising decision to "abandon The landing" and "engage engines"
OR as some of us have heard on ATC
"as Belfast City is closed due snow we would like to divert to Aldergrove Sir"
Absolutely terrifying stuff !
One clearly shaken passenger was even quoted as saying ;
"Everyone was calm, passengers were just asking each other 'where's Aldergrove?' and how will we get to Belfast? "
Not only did they have to divert to Aldergrove located some 15 mins away, they were all faced with the sheer terror of wandering around a major airport terminal located a mere 20 miles away from the City Centre with only a bus, taxi or hire car available !
Deep breathe everybody , Thank God they made it........!
In other news "Pope still resides at Vatican".
Last edited by Bagso; 2nd Mar 2015 at 12:57.
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Oh dear. The MEN is getting quite a reputation for producing non-stories such as this. They urgently need to employ a sub-editor who can tell the difference between a newsworthy incident and a routine standard procedure. Or have they axed sub-editors to save money?
In other heart-stopping news, a Manchester journalist dropped a chip on the floor at his newspaper's main office yesterday. Distressed colleagues screamed in horror until a cleaning professional arrived to clear up the mess. "I thought that the weight of the chip hitting the floor would cause a collapse of the building," screeched one panic-stricken employee. There have been no reports of fatalities so far.
In other heart-stopping news, a Manchester journalist dropped a chip on the floor at his newspaper's main office yesterday. Distressed colleagues screamed in horror until a cleaning professional arrived to clear up the mess. "I thought that the weight of the chip hitting the floor would cause a collapse of the building," screeched one panic-stricken employee. There have been no reports of fatalities so far.
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Hainan airlines birmingham
Have birmingham airport shoved there foot in?
GREAT Festival of Creativity in full swing: UK companies are finding new opportunities in China - Real Business
GREAT Festival of Creativity in full swing: UK companies are finding new opportunities in China - Real Business
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Hainan
Guys I think you're jumping the gun a bit. If you read the article, Hainan are operating 17 return flights BHX-PEK for a Chinese outbound tour operator (interestingly they are a German company HQ in Hamburg), I assume in during July/August. Although I am an avid BHX supporter and this is undoubtedly great news for BHX, I don't see this as BHX nabbing Hainan. China Southern operated some flights last year but they haven't launched scheduled flights from BHX.....having said that BHX are working as hard as MAN for a Chinese flight and if flight info for MAN has gone from GDS who knows? Only time will tell....
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I could understand the logic of AI choosing BHX over MAN because of the Indian community in the West Midlands. However, China is very different with the large Chinese community here and the Chinese investment in Airport City.
If, and I stress if, MAN were to lose out to BHX on a scheduled service to mainland China, it would be exceedingly embarrassing for MAN to put it mildly. What is worrying is, as LAX states, all references to MAN have disappeared from various systems. That said, as Bagso has pointed out, there have recently been some signs that with a glass half empty could easily be interpreted as potentially bad news.
Interesting that on another site, it is rumoured that MAN are in serious talks with SQ for the route to go non-stop again next year and with CX for Hong Kong to go daily from October (although the writer also suggests Hainan slots are still in). I guess if there is bad news, the best way to counteract it is with plenty of good news.
If, and I stress if, MAN were to lose out to BHX on a scheduled service to mainland China, it would be exceedingly embarrassing for MAN to put it mildly. What is worrying is, as LAX states, all references to MAN have disappeared from various systems. That said, as Bagso has pointed out, there have recently been some signs that with a glass half empty could easily be interpreted as potentially bad news.
Interesting that on another site, it is rumoured that MAN are in serious talks with SQ for the route to go non-stop again next year and with CX for Hong Kong to go daily from October (although the writer also suggests Hainan slots are still in). I guess if there is bad news, the best way to counteract it is with plenty of good news.
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MANFOD,
In reality I don't think the demand of any 1 city outside of London would be enough to sustain a China service, it would have to be aimed at all of the major cities, as you say there is a large Chinese community in Manchester, there is the traditional tourist attraction of Liverpool and then there are the large business links between Brum and China. I'm sure Leeds and Sheffield will also have their links, for this reason MAN would appear to be the central Airport of the 5 cities. These flights ran last year from BHX and from memory were a sell out so it was odds on a repeat of some sort was on the cards, a massive leap though to go from a short run of charters to any long term scheduled service.
In reality I don't think the demand of any 1 city outside of London would be enough to sustain a China service, it would have to be aimed at all of the major cities, as you say there is a large Chinese community in Manchester, there is the traditional tourist attraction of Liverpool and then there are the large business links between Brum and China. I'm sure Leeds and Sheffield will also have their links, for this reason MAN would appear to be the central Airport of the 5 cities. These flights ran last year from BHX and from memory were a sell out so it was odds on a repeat of some sort was on the cards, a massive leap though to go from a short run of charters to any long term scheduled service.
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You make a fair point hammerb32 and I think MAN would see itself as the natural focus for serving those cities in its catchment.
Just a further thought. Do I recall reading some time ago that MAN were in talks with both Hainan and Air China? MAN have, until recently and quite naturally, always referred to Beijing but not a specific airline. If it were not Hainan, is it possible Air China are still in the frame or is that grasping at straws?
Just a further thought. Do I recall reading some time ago that MAN were in talks with both Hainan and Air China? MAN have, until recently and quite naturally, always referred to Beijing but not a specific airline. If it were not Hainan, is it possible Air China are still in the frame or is that grasping at straws?
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Nabbed or .......handed over on a plate with a handsome tip and a best wishes card ?
I really, really hope not !
It was suggested 14 months ago that MAN should simply court the Travel Agency involved in the BHX flights many of the tourists were heading to Liverpool, Chatsworth, etc so this really should have been an easy sell should it not ?
Maybe some MAN execs s/b on the the first flight to China Southerns / Air China HQ Tuesday ?
Actually there is no maybe in decisive action !
I really, really hope not !
It was suggested 14 months ago that MAN should simply court the Travel Agency involved in the BHX flights many of the tourists were heading to Liverpool, Chatsworth, etc so this really should have been an easy sell should it not ?
Maybe some MAN execs s/b on the the first flight to China Southerns / Air China HQ Tuesday ?
Actually there is no maybe in decisive action !
Last edited by Bagso; 2nd Mar 2015 at 19:18.
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a massive leap though to go from a short run of charters to any long term scheduled service.
"These flights form part of a long-term plan aimed at scheduled flights from China to Birmingham".
Of course, it does say "long-term" but it's not unreasonable to ask whether this affects MAN in the great China scheme of things.
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Air Fares for Non-Stop flights.
Just checked out fares to New York for early October. (out 1st, return 12th).
AA on their web site came with £719 for the direct 211/210 flights.
For the privilege of flying via LHR on the BA shuttle and AA101/100 the fare shown was £527.
Now I appreciate flying direct non-stop will often carry a premium, but doesn't this look excessive? Are AA keen to fill up all those economy seats from LHR at the expense of MAN, or are they just confident they will sell the MAN flights anyway?
It may change so I'll keep monitoring the fares.
Just checked out fares to New York for early October. (out 1st, return 12th).
AA on their web site came with £719 for the direct 211/210 flights.
For the privilege of flying via LHR on the BA shuttle and AA101/100 the fare shown was £527.
Now I appreciate flying direct non-stop will often carry a premium, but doesn't this look excessive? Are AA keen to fill up all those economy seats from LHR at the expense of MAN, or are they just confident they will sell the MAN flights anyway?
It may change so I'll keep monitoring the fares.
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MANFOD, from memory last year the same blurb accompanied the China Southern flights last year, seems like he usual marketing lines. If Hainan have backed out of MAN I would suspect from an armchair point of view that Cathy coming in would be the bigger obstacle.
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MANFOD.
Perhaps not as surprising as you think.
The Chinese PM chose BHX not MAN to fly into due to business ventures etc.for a visit to JLR. Who have recently opened a huge factory in China and plan at least 1 more.
Recent press reports saying West Midlands now the biggest business market outside London for China.. whether that is actually true I don't know.
Think there is still hope for MAN in that BHX flts are still charter and the Chancellor named MAN for the next Chinese link so could still be announced.
However it may well be that the focus is now on BHX and that if this greatly expanded programme from 3 last year to 17 or 18flts this year if a success ,perhaps could lead to sced flts from Brum perhaps next year ?.
Don't give up hope yet though you could still get themat MAN.
Nigel
Perhaps not as surprising as you think.
The Chinese PM chose BHX not MAN to fly into due to business ventures etc.for a visit to JLR. Who have recently opened a huge factory in China and plan at least 1 more.
Recent press reports saying West Midlands now the biggest business market outside London for China.. whether that is actually true I don't know.
Think there is still hope for MAN in that BHX flts are still charter and the Chancellor named MAN for the next Chinese link so could still be announced.
However it may well be that the focus is now on BHX and that if this greatly expanded programme from 3 last year to 17 or 18flts this year if a success ,perhaps could lead to sced flts from Brum perhaps next year ?.
Don't give up hope yet though you could still get themat MAN.
Nigel
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BHX have done brillantly to get China Southern last year and now Hainan this year and with a massive increase in the number of flight.
They have built great relationships with the airlines, the tour operators and tourist agencies and really raised the profile of BHX in China.
There is no doubt this will lead to a schedule service but probably not for a couple of years.
If Manchester are going to have a China service this year it needs to be announced in the next few weeks or I cannot see it happening.
They have built great relationships with the airlines, the tour operators and tourist agencies and really raised the profile of BHX in China.
There is no doubt this will lead to a schedule service but probably not for a couple of years.
If Manchester are going to have a China service this year it needs to be announced in the next few weeks or I cannot see it happening.