Derry/Londonderry 2

[shamrock7seal]

Crew efficiency would be better too if they did 4 sectors back to back instead of just two and the nothing.

[Amelia Earhart]

The Derry Journal covered the aircraft maintenance project today and it looks more sinister than initially appeared.

The project was originally planned for Derry and had a funding package in place. Apparently at the preliminary stage the project failed however it is only being revealed now that the Belfast project is copper fastened. Why was this news delayed?

Since Derry Airport first came up with the idea and had funding in place, when it didn't pass the preliminary stage why was the second company not engaged for Derry, why did it instead end up in Belfast?

At what stage did Invest NI approach the company for the Belfast project? On what basis was it decided which of the two companies should locate at each airport?

Why did Invest NI not propose both companies locate at LDY to create an industry cluster like they like to do in other industries in Belfast? The airport has sufficient land and sufficient landing slots to facilitate two such companies.

It's like the 1000 Stream jobs all over again. Or the film studios for Shackelton barracks. Or a thousand other examples........

I can't remember a single example when a Belfast project fell through but the Derry project completed, certainly not when government or any of its agencies are involved.

[GAZMO]

Ryanair sale
https://nitravelnews.com/news/ryanai...ith-seat-sale/

[Fly757X]

CAA stats for July 2018:

LDY movements:

779 (2018)

540 (2017)

Increase of 44.3%

Passenger numbers:

18,288 (2018) = 8% Increase

16,880 (2017)

Passengers per route:

- GLASGOW = 7712 = -2%
- LIVERPOOL = 4488 = +40%
- LONDON (STN) = 4599 = +6%
- PALMA DE MALLORCA (PMI) = 1,453 = +3%
- EDINBURGH = 36 (One off charter for Irish Open carrying the European tour representatives)

Overall again a positive month with increases and a steady loads all in the right places. I'm surprised at the movements being so high. Yes of course the Irish open brought a lot in the first week with Jets and Cameraships but not into the 200's. Will be nice seeing the increase on EDI next year all being well... Thoughts?

[speedbirdATC]

Originally Posted by Fly757X

CAA stats for July 2018:

LDY movements:

779 (2018)

540 (2017)

Increase of 44.3%

Passenger numbers:

18,288 (2018) = 8% Increase

16,880 (2017)

Passengers per route:

- GLASGOW = 7712 = -2%
- LIVERPOOL = 4488 = +40%
- LONDON (STN) = 4599 = +6%
- PALMA DE MALLORCA (PMI) = 1,453 = +3%
- EDINBURGH = 36 (One off charter for Irish Open carrying the European tour representatives)

Overall again a positive month with increases and a steady loads all in the right places. I'm surprised at the movements being so high. Yes of course the Irish open brought a lot in the first week with Jets and Cameraships but not into the 200's. Will be nice seeing the increase on EDI next year all being well... Thoughts?

It’ll be interesting to see if the EDI numbers can match or exceed the GLA numbers.
Those STN numbers surely suggest that this continues to be bmi’s best performing route. The argument for further rotations are clearly a no brainer.

[Fly757X]

Originally Posted by speedbirdATC

It’ll be interesting to see if the EDI numbers can match or exceed the GLA numbers.
Those STN numbers surely suggest that this continues to be bmi’s best performing route. The argument for further rotations are clearly a no brainer.

PMI also going very well. on average there was 145.3 people per flight out of a possible 148 (LF of 98%). Hopefully Thomson will potentially look at extending the service from the start of June to the end of August or potentially adding another route to supplement. They had two seasons to prove the viability, now it should be time to look for expansion. Only thing in my eyes that is stopping any expansion is fleet capacity but that's another topic.

Anyone know what happened to the Balkan Holidays rumours here? "Derry" was listed for a while on their site but has since been removed.

Anyway all eyes on Ryanair's S19 releases now. I seen a comment from the airport suggesting they would like to see increase to LPL in the near future. Should it be taken as a hint or a pinch of salt?

[speedbirdATC]

Originally Posted by Fly757X

PMI also going very well. on average there was 145.3 people per flight out of a possible 148 (LF of 98%). Hopefully Thomson will potentially look at extending the service from the start of June to the end of August or potentially adding another route to supplement. They had two seasons to prove the viability, now it should be time to look for expansion. Only thing in my eyes that is stopping any expansion is fleet capacity but that's another topic.

Anyone know what happened to the Balkan Holidays rumours here? "Derry" was listed for a while on their site but has since been removed.

Anyway all eyes on Ryanair's S19 releases now. I seen a comment from the airport suggesting they would like to see increase to LPL in the near future. Should it be taken as a hint or a pinch of salt?

LPL really needs to be daily. In fact you could argue for double daily on certain days, especially during football weekends.
It will be interesting to see what happens if/when the funding money arrives and how it gets spent also.

[Fly757X]

Originally Posted by speedbirdATC

LPL really needs to be daily. In fact you could argue for double daily on certain days, especially during football weekends.
It will be interesting to see what happens if/when the funding money arrives and how it gets spent also.

I'd say keep it well away from the LCC's at all cost. Ryanair may have helped the airport strive in the early 2000's but left it as a mess between 2014-2016. I would say earmark some of it for BHX/MAN but also a route to DUB. The international connection will prove vital to the local economy. Especially after the rapid growth Dublin has seen as of late. I would've liked to see Flybe return and operate much to the extent they do at Knock but with their situation with Stobart etc I would say they will look at clearing that up to see the fleet their left with for their own Schedules from their main bases. However at the moment I would hold it back. If (as the airport have said) BMI and Loganair are in negotiations at present. I would push as much out of the airlines before you release the funding.

[Fly757X]

Originally Posted by Keyvon

New for S19 is a charter flight to Bourgas (Bulgaria) with BH Air on Mondays during school holidays (Jun, 17 to Jul, 22).

Was reading through and stumbled on this... It was a a departure airport listing on their website for a while. I take it is was quietly axed before it was officially announced?

[scodaman]

Anyone know what the Flybmi STN load factor was for July 2018?

[cuthere]

Scodaman,

try reading the thread. The figures are listed comprehensively above.

[Fly757X]

https://www.derryjournal.com/news/co...oute-1-8626638

Maybe I'm missing something here but surely it would be in BMR's best interests (considering it's success) to retain this route, even if the PSO is scrapped? Also from the interviews I've read from figures within BMI they're intention is to expand (overtime) in LDY. It seems strange that the council are still plugging for funding to secure what seems to be a very profitable and secure route. Of course the airline will want all the funding it can get but it must be viable without it?

[TartinTon]

What makes you think it's profitable? There's normally a reason why routes are PSO routes. High loads guarantee nothing and despite the garbage in the local press of BMI "fleecing" passengers on fares, a cursory look at their website tells a completely different story apart from the peak Mon/Thu/Sun flights

[cuthere]

What makes you think it's profitable?

Other than Flybmi saying multiple times that it’s profitable, and their best performing route....nothing.

[scodaman]

If reports are correct the the Flybmi Derry pso contract was for 2 years which means it is up March 2019 as per story below. Almost like Brexit lol.

Recently the airport ceo on Radio Foyle said that the route may again go to tender when the 2 years is up for AN Other airline(s) to apply.

However, at the moment it is possible to book Flybmi Derry - STN for well past the end of the PSO window so I wonder does this mean that initial feelers by Derry City Council has revealed that no-one else is interested after the end of PSO date, even if it goes to tender?

“Flights will begin on Sunday 26 March and the government will fund the route over the 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years.”

Read more at: https://www.derryjournal.com/news/bu...oute-1-7835068

[TartinTon]

Originally Posted by cuthere

Other than Flybmi saying multiple times that it’s profitable, and their best performing route....nothing.

Really? Must have missed that...any sources/articles you can point to?

[Cyrano]

Originally Posted by scodaman

However, at the moment it is possible to book Flybmi Derry - STN for well past the end of the PSO window so I wonder does this mean that initial feelers by Derry City Council has revealed that no-one else is interested after the end of PSO date, even if it goes to tender?

More likely the route is open for bookings in order to allow as much forward-booking activity as possible, and one of three things will happen in due course:

• the PSO will continue, bmi will get the new contract, and nothing changes;
• the PSO will continue with another airline, but the timings will be similar (since that's part of the PSO) and bookings will be transferred over to the new operator (with customers having the right to cancel, e.g. if the London airport is changed)
• the PSO will cease, and passengers who have booked will be refunded. This should be known well in advance of the EU261 compensation window (2 weeks before departure) so no compensation will be due, just a refund.

[Fly757X]

Originally Posted by TartinTon

Really? Must have missed that...any sources/articles you can point to?

https://www.derrynow.com/news/first-...-flybmi/223179

There is also a few more general ones pointing to future expansion from LDY or at least the CCO is "keen". I could only see the CCO saying something along those things if the PSO itself is profitable. There was also a few from when it launched saying it was its fasted selling route. Whilst yes there is no certainty on profits but if the aircraft leaving LDY have a load factor 20% higher than their average I would say they must be spinning a pretty good profit.

[virginblue]

Originally Posted by cuthere

Other than Flybmi saying multiple times that it’s profitable, and their best performing route....nothing.

It could be profitable for flybmi because of the PSO, but not without it?

[Fly757X]

Originally Posted by virginblue

It could be profitable for flybmi because of the PSO, but not without it?

Ultimately that is what a PSO is supposed to do, however this PSO seem to come about in a mad rush to prove the viability of the airport. Locally it was perceived that if there was no London route, it would mean no airport. It seems to me anyway that this was just a way to entice an airline in before the 28th of March (obviously this didn’t come to pass) to ensure the direct continuation of the route. It also raises the question about other routes operated under a very similar schedule in their network however with a lower Load Factor and also without the PSO contract in place. What’s the deal with them? Maybe I’m just massively over thinking things again! However it does leave me curious about what “success” this route does actually have.