Belfast International-2
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Belfast
Age: 40
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It isn't a case of not agreeing. It more a case of agreeing that what you see (or are presented with by the media) might not be as clear cut behind the scenes. (For example, I believe the hall would have been capable of processing the current forecast loads but other factors at play have both caused and highlighted the bad times and painted them as ever present when they are not)
You say that the MD carries the can but that is really just a PR carrying of the can for those who want to wail at someone. He has actually done (instigated) a lot behind the scenes to improve performance.
I cannot really talk about the details (which is frustrating) but it could have been much worse than it has been if not for the efforts of many Airport and ICTS staff going the extra mile to assist.
I, like some of the others below/above believe that life should improve under the new contractor come October.
You say that the MD carries the can but that is really just a PR carrying of the can for those who want to wail at someone. He has actually done (instigated) a lot behind the scenes to improve performance.
I cannot really talk about the details (which is frustrating) but it could have been much worse than it has been if not for the efforts of many Airport and ICTS staff going the extra mile to assist.
I, like some of the others below/above believe that life should improve under the new contractor come October.
The hall desperately needs powered rollers and a screen to stop people from congrgating around the first body scanners. Hopefully thats on the list of things to fix.
I also don’t doubt it could have been much worse. Hopefully those staff who have gone the extra mile get recognised when the dust settles.
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I’m glad to hear the MD has made changes and has been working to try fix things. I guess my perceptions are based on what I see when I travel through and I haven’t witnessed any improvement.
The hall desperately needs powered rollers and a screen to stop people from congrgating around the first body scanners. Hopefully thats on the list of things to fix.
I also don’t doubt it could have been much worse. Hopefully those staff who have gone the extra mile get recognised when the dust settles.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Greater Aldergrove
Age: 52
Posts: 851
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flew from BFS to PVD and back over the last fortnight. I'm not into the BFS v BHD slanging match that sometimes happens on here, and I usually like to use BFS simply because it's handier for me. But this trip has highlighted how much BFS is in need of rebuilding. The whole place is tired, it has no natural flow, and is just getting a bit grotty. PVD handles 3.9 million passengers per year, compared to 5.5 million (or so) at BFS...and yet is a superb facility. State ownership probably helps though. We can only hope that the new owners commit to rebuilding. It's sorely needed for what is still our main gateway.
On a separate note, both outbound and inbound flights were full. And on both, the passenger load seemed to have a strong proportion of US travelers. The MAX 8 is impressive, and quiet...it was a comfortable flight. Let's hope we can hold onto it.
On a separate note, both outbound and inbound flights were full. And on both, the passenger load seemed to have a strong proportion of US travelers. The MAX 8 is impressive, and quiet...it was a comfortable flight. Let's hope we can hold onto it.
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flew from BFS to PVD and back over the last fortnight. I'm not into the BFS v BHD slanging match that sometimes happens on here, and I usually like to use BFS simply because it's handier for me. But this trip has highlighted how much BFS is in need of rebuilding. The whole place is tired, it has no natural flow, and is just getting a bit grotty. PVD handles 3.9 million passengers per year, compared to 5.5 million (or so) at BFS...and yet is a superb facility. State ownership probably helps though. We can only hope that the new owners commit to rebuilding. It's sorely needed for what is still our main gateway.
On a separate note, both outbound and inbound flights were full. And on both, the passenger load seemed to have a strong proportion of US travelers. The MAX 8 is impressive, and quiet...it was a comfortable flight. Let's hope we can hold onto it.
On a separate note, both outbound and inbound flights were full. And on both, the passenger load seemed to have a strong proportion of US travelers. The MAX 8 is impressive, and quiet...it was a comfortable flight. Let's hope we can hold onto it.
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Was through lanzarote last week 😁 and although they have similar pax numbers per year, their airport is a world away from BFS. Big ceiling fans, excellent flow of pax through security into departure area 30c outside, all environmental to keep place cool, big wake up call needed
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Was through lanzarote last week 😁 and although they have similar pax numbers per year, their airport is a world away from BFS. Big ceiling fans, excellent flow of pax through security into departure area 30c outside, all environmental to keep place cool, big wake up call needed
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ireland
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
While the Spanish often do rely on their airports for their major industry, they do a piss poor job managing most of them. Lanzarote is a beautiful exception (although far from perfect).
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Greater Aldergrove
Age: 52
Posts: 851
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes SD...but the USA is not Spain. While the USA is seen as the capitalist capital of the world, they still recognise that public ownership of infrastructure can work very well. The State of Rhode Island owns PVD and clearly they've put a lot of money into making it a great airport. It's an example of what can be done with a facility the size of Aldergrove, if the wider support is there for it.
I have no idea how we make that work in the model we currently have (never mind the lack of an assembly), but Aldergrove needs investment badly.
I have no idea how we make that work in the model we currently have (never mind the lack of an assembly), but Aldergrove needs investment badly.
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes SD...but the USA is not Spain. While the USA is seen as the capitalist capital of the world, they still recognise that public ownership of infrastructure can work very well. The State of Rhode Island owns PVD and clearly they've put a lot of money into making it a great airport. It's an example of what can be done with a facility the size of Aldergrove, if the wider support is there for it.
I have no idea how we make that work in the model we currently have (never mind the lack of an assembly), but Aldergrove needs investment badly.
I have no idea how we make that work in the model we currently have (never mind the lack of an assembly), but Aldergrove needs investment badly.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Greater Aldergrove
Age: 52
Posts: 851
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aye, if indeed it is us they are interested in. Fingers crossed. Lack of any type of government is what is killing us. Scotland will bin the APD long before we can do it and they will mop up all the services that it will generate.
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: N.Ireland
Posts: 1,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ballymena
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cardiff Airport, much smaller than Bfs and with Bristol not that far away, can support a 2 weekly flight to Madrid. Why has Bfs not been able to secure a route to Madrid? I know many people who go to Madrid but have to go via Dublin. Any views?
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Wales
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think CWLs relationship with Vueling helped with that. Also the focus is also just as much on inbound tourism considering IB are a Spanish airline and it is a seasonal route. June to September.
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Belfast
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The curse of outsourcing
Bet the "manager in charge" at he airport is having meeting with contact manager today
Then reports back to airport director saying improvement plan will be implemented.
What they mean is they passed the buck and their bad management has gone on to survive another bad report in the media.
Before outsourcing the management,team supervisor and staff involved would be writing reports and getting balliks kicked.
Then before outsourcing job satisfaction and team work would prevent most issues happening
Bet the "manager in charge" at he airport is having meeting with contact manager today
Then reports back to airport director saying improvement plan will be implemented.
What they mean is they passed the buck and their bad management has gone on to survive another bad report in the media.
Before outsourcing the management,team supervisor and staff involved would be writing reports and getting balliks kicked.
Then before outsourcing job satisfaction and team work would prevent most issues happening
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: N.Ireland
Posts: 1,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts