Birmingham-8
Join Date: Aug 2007
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can only agree with the above statement. Considering its only March the chaos has been getting worse recently. If BHX dont sort this out soon I dread what summer will be like, especially with QR, SV and the EK A380 all departing at virtually the same time .
There are huge plans and building going on , but none of it is due to be in place before summer 2024 !!!
Be interesting to hear from other airports if this is a local or national issue
There are huge plans and building going on , but none of it is due to be in place before summer 2024 !!!
Be interesting to hear from other airports if this is a local or national issue
Manchester is averaging 15 mins to get through after their terrible summer last year and as soon as the new scanners are on line should be even better and I believe Gatwick and LHR are the same
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Latest estimated security waiting times*T1: 0-15 mins T2: 0-15 mins T3: 15-30 mins
Join Date: Mar 2023
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Jet2 are getting their first A321NEO, G-SUNB, delivered imminently, probably within the next 10 days or so. It's currently doing test flights at XFW and I'm told was scheduled for delivery on the 31st, dont know if its been pushed back or not. Once more start coming online, the rest of the 321ceos will go down to BHX (some have said June/July), 757s I'm not sure on, think they will stay at Manchester for this summer.
Join Date: Aug 2006
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I think like all airports it depends on what time you go through. I recently flew out mid afternoon on a Saturday, arrived at security at 12.30 and what through in less than 10 minutes. But I've also faced long queues, early morning is the worst but nothing different to what I've experienced at MAN, LBA and EMA at similar times
Agreed the building work, although much needed is not going to be great and yes, Sunday late morning will be a nightmare with a 380 and 2 X 787 on the decks at the same time.
Agreed the building work, although much needed is not going to be great and yes, Sunday late morning will be a nightmare with a 380 and 2 X 787 on the decks at the same time.
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Turkmenistan
According to another forum, Turkmenistan have made announcement on Twitter that BHX - ASB flights plan to restart end of May, quote "will confirm shortly" - be great to see them back if it happens but not sure about aircraft as their 757's have been scrapped, the 777 is surely too big for this route leaving the 738....also I see they currently don't fly to ATQ which was the reason this route existed (although they do fly to DEL)
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According to another forum, Turkmenistan have made announcement on Twitter that BHX - ASB flights plan to restart end of May, quote "will confirm shortly" - be great to see them back if it happens but not sure about aircraft as their 757's have been scrapped, the 777 is surely too big for this route leaving the 738....also I see they currently don't fly to ATQ which was the reason this route existed (although they do fly to DEL)
Why would anyone fly via Turkmenistan rather than with QR or EK (or direct with AI) - are fares just super low?
Maybe their plan is a once or twice a week service with a the 777-200LR carrying lots of cargo - but again, isn’t this cargo we could do with Qatar, Saudi, EK and AI hoovering up?
Would much rather the QR and Saudi routes to have a successful start, and the EK, AI and Turkish routes continue to flourish!
I get the excitement for spotters, but I don’t really see how Turkmenistan starting would be good for BHX at all.
The Turkmenistan business model was surely flogging their seats at rock bottom prices through the myriad back street 'travel agents' in areas such as Birmingham, Leicester, Sandwell and Wolverhampton. Whether that market is still there with so many better options for getting to the subcontinent, who knows.
However given the nature of the Turkmenistan government I wonder whether, for the airline, if profit is a priority.
However given the nature of the Turkmenistan government I wonder whether, for the airline, if profit is a priority.
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Jet2 are getting their first A321NEO, G-SUNB, delivered imminently, probably within the next 10 days or so. It's currently doing test flights at XFW and I'm told was scheduled for delivery on the 31st, dont know if its been pushed back or not. Once more start coming online, the rest of the 321ceos will go down to BHX (some have said June/July), 757s I'm not sure on, think they will stay at Manchester for this summer.
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There will always be a market for rock bottom fares to Amritsar and Turkmenistan in the past survived against all the other competitors who have come and gone. If they do return I imagine a 737-800 would be the aircraft of choice and I’d guess it would be low frequency so doubtful it’ll be giving the likes of Air India and Qatar any sleepless nights.
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Turkmenistan
The Turkmenistan Airlines story is puzzling. They have already started flying to STN (a 777 landed yesterday), yet the FCO website (usually authoritative) still states that
"At present, entry to Turmenistan is prohibited except for Turkmen nationals, accredited diplomats and their families, permanently registered foreigners and invited employees of international companies and organisations"
So, who or what will fly with them? It can only be transit passengers or freight, and if they aren't currently going to the popular Indian destinations from BHX, it can only be freight.
I think the same may apply to a lesser extent to Saudia - I had a devil of a job getting a Saudi visa a few years ago despite an invitation from a professional colleague in the country.
"At present, entry to Turmenistan is prohibited except for Turkmen nationals, accredited diplomats and their families, permanently registered foreigners and invited employees of international companies and organisations"
So, who or what will fly with them? It can only be transit passengers or freight, and if they aren't currently going to the popular Indian destinations from BHX, it can only be freight.
I think the same may apply to a lesser extent to Saudia - I had a devil of a job getting a Saudi visa a few years ago despite an invitation from a professional colleague in the country.
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Saudi Arabia is now e-visa entry for UK passport holders for tourism visits or I've heard visa on arrival. Saudi has hugely loosened it's tight grip on inbound entry to try to boost tourism. With the attractive fares to a variety of Mid East and Indian sub-continent destinations being offered from BHX by Saudia + free stoppers in JED, I think Saudia will do (eventually) well out of BHX
Is there enough room for Turkmenistan as well as QR, EK AI and SV yes I think so, as long as they restart ATQ otherwise I'm not sure as that's the connecting traffic the route survived on - AI and T5 co exited at BHX before so I think there's still room for both
Is there enough room for Turkmenistan as well as QR, EK AI and SV yes I think so, as long as they restart ATQ otherwise I'm not sure as that's the connecting traffic the route survived on - AI and T5 co exited at BHX before so I think there's still room for both
Join Date: Aug 2007
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I think like all airports it depends on what time you go through. I recently flew out mid afternoon on a Saturday, arrived at security at 12.30 and what through in less than 10 minutes. But I've also faced long queues, early morning is the worst but nothing different to what I've experienced at MAN, LBA and EMA at similar times
Agreed the building work, although much needed is not going to be great and yes, Sunday late morning will be a nightmare with a 380 and 2 X 787 on the decks at the same time.
Agreed the building work, although much needed is not going to be great and yes, Sunday late morning will be a nightmare with a 380 and 2 X 787 on the decks at the same time.
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Just through security for EK40. Twenty five minutes to get through which I thought was good for the first day of Easter holidays. The Emirates lady organising check-in said all flights are full for the next week and they had to send passengers up to Manchester last night as the evening flight was "oversold ".
Interesting! What is the timescale, and which destinations? I imagine that if you told me you'd have to shoot me!
I suppose Mumbai is obvious for one destination, can't envisage any others unless it were a leisure orientated seasonal (winter) operation to Goa.
I suppose Mumbai is obvious for one destination, can't envisage any others unless it were a leisure orientated seasonal (winter) operation to Goa.
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I am clutching at straws, but I feel sure Goa was served by at least one of the large tour operators, possibly Thomson for at least one season. Not sure how much of a destination it might be for independent travellers though.
As an aside I don't know why Goa wouldn't worked for an IT destination from BHX, surprised really that it hasn't made a comeback given how much effort TUI are now putting into long haul here.
As an aside I don't know why Goa wouldn't worked for an IT destination from BHX, surprised really that it hasn't made a comeback given how much effort TUI are now putting into long haul here.
