Belfast International-2

[BFS Dude]

Any development plans for the airport this year? I know there is a Premier Inn to be built.
New £5m hotel to take-off at Belfast International Airport - The Irish News
Any new stands or air bridges? Or terminal works?

[A320.b744]

CAA November Stats

November 2017 saw 402,982 passengers using BFS. That is a 2.1% decrease on last year. The rolling passenger figure is 5,865,297, suggesting that December also saw a decrease in passenger numbers, given that 5.84 million used the facility in 2017. These decreases are almost entirely due to Ryanair cancelling their x5 daily BFS-LGW service.

Domestic figures are largely positive, with several routes reporting double digit growth.

BRS (+7%), EDI (+8%), GLA (+17%), LTN (+25%), STN (+16%)

LGW figures fell by 33,248 (38%) to 53,410 following Ryanair's decision to axe their service. However, compared with November 2015 figures of 39,070, passenger numbers have actually increased by 37% over the last two years.

International figures are very good, with double digit increases across all Iberian and Eastern European routes.

FAO (+30%), ALC (+15%), AGP (+17%), ACE (+12%), FUE (+70%, LPA (+17%), TFS (+14%)

VNO (+14%), GDN (+13%), KRK (+13%), WMI (+19%), WRO (+13%)

BGY (+16%)

SXF is the only major disappointment (-34%), despite only a 31% decrease in seats following a shift from x3 weekly to x2 weekly.

Routes operated for the first time in November 2017 had the following load factors;

MLA (70%), SWF (54%)

Other interesting points to note include;

Despite only having figures for January-November, 3 domestic and 29 international routes have already exceeded their 2016 figures (16 of these routes are operated year round).

For the first time ever, two international routes have exceeded 200,000 passengers - ALC and AGP - and this is the first time since 2007 that any international route has managed to reach 200,000.

[CabinCrewe]

Originally Posted by A320.b744

SWF (54%)

oooft!
Cue theories of excellent yields and cargo

[Una Due Tfc]

No cargo worth mentioning in a 737’s hold, especially on a route at the very limit of the aircraft’s range.

[BFS BHD]

Originally Posted by BFS Dude

Any development plans for the airport this year? I know there is a Premier Inn to be built.
New £5m hotel to take-off at Belfast International Airport - The Irish News
Any new stands or air bridges? Or terminal works?

I think there may be new stands but don't know when it will happen.

[OltonPete]

November STATS

Just to add BHX was not one of the routes showing an increase in November but it was not all doom and gloom as there were six fewer rotations which resulted in 141 pax per flight at 88% compared to November 16 of 138 pax per flight.

The downside I would say (most the important aspect) is that it appears at times fares have gone down a little. Obviously to monitor this accurately you need to be viewing regularly which is difficult to say the least and it is only my opinion but I do sample check a few times a week at least.

[Refuellerman]

Originally Posted by Una Due Tfc

No cargo worth mentioning in a 737’s hold, especially on a route at the very limit of the aircraft’s range.

Ha no cargo at all, the pax have to leave their shoes behind its that tight!

[vrb03kt]

On the max or just the NG?

[owenc]

Originally Posted by Una Due Tfc

No cargo worth mentioning in a 737’s hold, especially on a route at the very limit of the aircraft’s range.

737MAX can travel further than New York.

[PinOnTheRight]

In theory, yes. In reality, with passengers and a winter westerly jet stream, no.

[AIRPORT66]

Does anyone know when the second part of the Easyjet announcement is happening.

[Refuellerman]

If the a b757 used to be on the limit out of bfs then the max hasnt really had the test yet

[MaverickPrime]

Does anyone know if BFS management are still trying to attract a middle eastern carrier? It would make my day if they secured a route to the ME, preferably with EK!

[A320.b744]

Yes they are, and the most recent responses from the airlines in the media are;

Emirates:"Belfast is not currently on our radar" - May 2017
Etihad Airways: .....
Qatar Airways: "considering daily flights to Belfast" - June 2016

I doubt that BFS will secure a Middle Eastern route until the airport has cemented itself in the > 6 million passengers category (ie post 2020), but given most recent route announcements, I'd say B788 QR will be the airport's best bet.

[Plane.Silly]

Shame the EK order for B787-10's can't come sooner. with a 300 seat capacity, i'm sure that'd be the perfect size for them

[MaverickPrime]

Cheers folks. One can always dream, but I think an EK 77W is just too much for Belfast right now, even the 7810 is probably too big.

I would have guessed that QR’s 788 would fit the bill better, or even EY’s A332. However, considering EY’s woes at the minute and their smaller size I would have thought QR would be the only realistic contender. Hope to see something to the ME in the coming years!

[BFS BHD]

Jet2 has put the one off New York flight on sale. Departing 15th Nov and arriving back 20th Nov. On the B757 again.

[DC9_10]

Travelled through last week. Usually hand luggage only but had to check a bag in. Must say the entrance to the check in hall is in much need of refurbishment. Cold and unwelcoming and would not make for a good first impression. Mr Keddie should get this sorted as a priority.

[GAZMO]

Increase in flights to Bulgaria to three per week

https://www.belfastairport.com/blog-...-international

Looks like six extra flights

[SecondDog]

DC9_10

In all seriousness, why would this be a priority? I know it needs a renovation but as a functional area, it does what it says on the tin. Lets you into the building, which gets better from that point as far as the departures area before taking a downturn again at the departures gates. I think Mr Keddie knows fine well which areas make him some money. No coincidence his reign has seen improvements in car parking and retail provision, given those are his big revenue generators...