Belfast International-2

[EI-BUD]

Originally Posted by passportstamp

I hadn't realised this until now - that's not great news.

I hope it's incredibly slim - but what are the chances of them pulling out of BFS entirely?

Never read such rubbish.
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[True Blue]

Cuthere, can you not take anything that is said against Ldy? How many pax per day is using this service? What is the cost to the tax-payer? Another example of the billions that is being wasted at the moment as government/authorities tremble at the possibility their poor planning could have serious consequences. Lots of people who were paid to do a job caught with their trousers well and truly around their ankles.

[cessnarocket]

The North of Ireland has always been far too small to have three airports, never more so than the current climate. Surely only one can survive this and maintain profitability which there is only one suitable candidate . If we take a step further as an island perhaps only one airport will make commercial sense in the worst case scenario (commercial air traffic supressed for 5 years or more) and that would be Dublin.

[True Blue]

No it wouldn't. When it is too far to travel from Belfast or Ldy to Bfs how could they possibly be expected to travel to Dublin for a flight?

[panpanpanpan]

Originally Posted by cessnarocket

The North of Ireland has always been far too small to have three airports, never more so than the current climate. Surely only one can survive this and maintain profitability which there is only one suitable candidate . If we take a step further as an island perhaps only one airport will make commercial sense in the worst case scenario (commercial air traffic supressed for 5 years or more) and that would be Dublin.

Quite correct. All of Irelands freight, North and South could easily be routed through Dublin. Long haul and holiday flights easily accommodated via Dublin as well especially with the USA customs facility and fantastic road connectivity. All that would be needed would be a modern and efficient regional airport in Northern Ireland. We already have a good example of that in Harbour.

[BFS BHD]

easyJet - Winter 2020/21

Looking at BFS based aircraft times for next winter with all the increases to UK routes it seems BFS may be getting a 7th aircraft. Possibly a new UK route? LBA, EMA? Could change times etc to make it just six aircraft.

[EI-BUD]

Originally Posted by cessnarocket

The North of Ireland has always been far too small to have three airports, never more so than the current climate. Surely only one can survive this and maintain profitability which there is only one suitable candidate . If we take a step further as an island perhaps only one airport will make commercial sense in the worst case scenario (commercial air traffic supressed for 5 years or more) and that would be Dublin.

Belfast absolutely warrants an airport due to the volumes that absolutely can profitably sustain an airport. I don't think imho that LDY is essential, Belfast is not far away. As an island, the main gateways in terms of key infrastructure would be DUB, BFS and ORK.

Sadly I don't see the BHD business recovering to a, sustainable level unless easyJet can be persuaded to start ops. There is no other show in town. Given the Ryanair were already scaled back at BFS, there is no case for easyJet even being to look at BHD.

[panpanpanpan]

I really don't think Harbour is finished by a long way just yet. This set of circumstances has pretty much changed the outlook and game plan for everyone. As is always the case there are plusses and minuses for every airport on our small island. Dublin has leapt ahead of everyone in the last 30 years in terms of facilities and infrastructure, Harbour has invested in new facilities and has benefitted from improved infrastructure and will continue to do so when the last part of the west link project is complete. Aldergrove is exactly the same as I remember going on holidays from it 30 years ago! Same tired and grubby 1970s style building, same poor roads to get there, same promises of change that never actually materialise.

Who knows where any of our airports will be in 5 years? Will Aldergrove owners be keen to massively invest in a business that has taken such a hit or will they adopt a wait and see approach? Where will our local holiday market be? Will it recover or will we see an increase in UK tourism? Harbour and Aldergrove generally chase 2 different markets, Aldergrove have always been on record saying the bulk of their business is holiday summer flights whereas Harbour is steady throughout the year without the same peaks and troughs of traffic levels. Harbour CEO was on Radio Ulster recently stating that the FlyBe routes have been backfilled but for obvious reasons not yet active.

Where would Aldergrove be if EZY didn't survive this current situation in its present format. EZY could be a different beast than it is now in a few years time.

Bottom line is simple. None of the armchair CEOs on this forum have the first clue about the negotiations and deals being done with any of the airports. Their opinion doesn't count for squat. Incidentally I apply that statement to myself as well before the aerosexuals and spotters get all offended. I'm pretty sure though that the local airport CEOs don't come to Pprune for advice, thankfully!

[passportstamp]

Is it even possible for EZY to be at BHD, given the runway length?

[Captain_Caveman]

Originally Posted by passportstamp

Is it even possible for EZY to be at BHD, given the runway length?

Those of you with a memory will remember that there used to be a Luton - Belfast City service for a while when easyJet was in dispute with TBI who were operators of both LTN and BFS at the time.

[Husky One]

You could get to Lanzarote from BHD in a bus if you wanted to but before that breaks all over Facetube - it’s not happening.

[GAZMO]

Virgin have announced 2021 schedule. BFS - MCO in operation although reduced. Not mentioned but I assume only weekly flight

https://travelweekly.co.uk/articles/...-2021-schedule

Video on Covid 19 steps that EZY are taking

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/v...-39223325.html

[GAZMO]

Looks like EZY have put back the start of the season to 1st July rather than previously 1st June
However some domestic flights in June from BFS
BHX - 3 weekly
BRS - 4 weekly
GLA - Daily
EDI - Daily
LPL - Daily

IOM, LON,NCL, MAN - 0

[True Blue]

A flight I have booked to London early June is still on sale as of now. Where did you get that info from?

[GAZMO]

.TB
You are correct LGW showing one daily flight. My mistake I looked at London all airports f for first week in June but must have only looked at STN and LTN

[allnamestaken1]

It seems LGW is operating from beginning of June 1 flight per day,it wasn't showing as operating when i checked yesterday.

[True Blue]

It has been on sale for a while now, as I have been checking on a regular basis. Until recently, all flights to London airports were on sale, within the last few days most were taken off sale leaving just 1 flight to Lgw. At the moment, they are showing a full programme from 1st July.

[BFS BHD]

Ryanair - Winter 2020/21

Ryanair seem to have put a 2nd weekly flight on sale from BFS to Alicante for Winter 2020/21 on a Monday.

[True Blue]

Ezy has put the start date for Lgw back to 17th June. I have not checked other routes.

[GAZMO]

EZY

Seven routes confirmed for starting in mid June. Also video re steps taken by EZY re Covid 19

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/b...-39223408.html

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/v...-39223325.html