Bournemouth-5

[SWBKCB]

So is that the big hangar where the 747SP used to live? Is it used much now?

[Flitefone]

Originally Posted by SWBKCB

So is that the big hangar where the 747SP used to live? Is it used much now?

Yes, and the Qatari 747-8 that replaced the SP. Its the only hangar at BOH suitable for the largest wide body aircraft. Large hangar space is a rare commodity anywhere these days.

The GAMA hangar at Hurn is routinely and frequently used by multiple Corporate Jets - See the GAMA website.

FF

[SWBKCB]

Originally Posted by Flitefone

Yes, and the Qatari 747-8 that replaced the SP. Its the only hangar at BOH suitable for the largest wide body aircraft. Large hangar space is a rare commodity anywhere these days.

The GAMA hangar at Hurn is routinely and frequently used by multiple Corporate Jets - See the GAMA website.

FF

That's what I thought, too precious for a few biz-jets!

[dixi188]

Channex used to get their A300s serviced there when it was BASCO.

[Ascupart]

Poor data quality?

I was looking at CAA data and I noticed that there appears to be errors in flight data for Bournemouth, in particular with regard to cargo flights. According to the data, from the middle of 2022 until the end of 2023 there have been no cargo aircraft movements in Bournemouth. For example, have a look at January 2023:

Table 06 Air Transport Movements Comparison (PDF document)

It shows 270 air transport movements for the month in the month, all passenger and no cargo - unless I'm misunderstanding something this must be wrong given the air route to China.

Have I misunderstood? If not, is this an error of the CAA or Bournemouth airport?



Cargo flights:

[Flitefone]

CAA stats have been very slow on Cargo data reports for BOH, for some reason right from the outset in 2020, many months behind or missing altogether. Jan 23 is not a good sample month, the current arrangements with China began in April 23

[Sharklet_321]

950,000 passengers went through Bournemouth in 2023 surpassing CWL, SOU, INV. Only behind BHD which saw 2.1m. BOH is positioned 13th in the table if you assume all London airports as one group and Belfast airports as one group.

Significant increase on 2022.

More to come in 2024 when over 1m are expected.

Biggest December increases came from Krakow +24%, Geneva +31%.

[Sharklet_321]

New apron area BOH

New apron area BOH

Can someone explain why they haven’t built a larger apron area here? I thought the plan behind this new area was to free up the taxiway to ensure it’s free moving again. But apparently not? I don’t really see what value this brings other than some additional movement for vehicles around the aircraft.

[Groundloop]

If they parked the A340s on the apron with their tails overhanging the grass like the one on the taxiway then that would free up the taxiway.

[SouthernAlliance]

Originally Posted by Groundloop

If they parked the A340s on the apron with their tails overhanging the grass like the one on the taxiway then that would free up the taxiway.

Not enough clearance for a parked aircraft and operational taxiway, those 340’s are the longest commercial airliner

[SWBKCB]

Originally Posted by Sharklet_321

New apron area BOH

Can someone explain why they haven’t built a larger apron area here? I thought the plan behind this new area was to free up the taxiway to ensure it’s free moving again. But apparently not? I don’t really see what value this brings other than some additional movement for vehicles around the aircraft.

Is the apron finished in that picture - the a/c aren't on it.

[Boebus_1]

I understand the concrete extension is for ground vehicle ops only which will suggest it’s not designed to bear the weight of an A340.

[dixi188]

The taxiway with the enlarged apron area used to be runway 13/31 that closed around 60 years ago. There is a southern taxiway just visible in the bottom left of the photo, but I believe it is closed at the moment as it needs re-surfacing. (Don't get to see Notams any more).

[Flitefone]

B apron has the same bearing strength as the runway.

Originally Posted by Boebus_1

I understand the concrete extension is for ground vehicle ops only which will suggest it’s not designed to bear the weight of an A340.

The new B apron has the same bearing strength as the runway (source CAA), so it will be a procedural rather than weight matter.

FF

[shamrock7seal]

By all accounts Ryanair are very happy with the performance of the new Agadir route. The first flight on 1st April is almost sold out.

[GayFriendly]

Same at BHX looking at the one way fare on the 1st - but I'd be a bit worried if they weren't nearly sold out as it's the start of the Easter holidays and it should be a very busy Saturday at all airports!

Fares into May and June BHX-AGA are very cheap right now though - like anything with FR, they'll operate a route as long as it suits them (or any financial incentives involved run out!)

[Asturias56]

"like anything with FR, they'll operate a route as long as it suits them (or any financial incentives involved run out!)"

Which is why they're the most successful airline in Europe - forget the emotions - look at the bottom line

[Markushillman]

Originally Posted by shamrock7seal

By all accounts Ryanair are very happy with the performance of the new Agadir route. The first flight on 1st April is almost sold out.

Yes any Ryanair route that hasnt got at least 100 booked by now for Easter Monday, I'd say Ryanair would be a bit concerned. If you go into later April the flights are very cheap, and looking at the seating plan which is fairly accurate nowadays suggests rather light loads. Hopefully they have some fairly decent financial incentive to help the route build

[MARKEYD]

Never read to much into seating plans until at least 24hrs before a flight
Many people still take pot luck or forget they can check in until the day before

Good to see the Agadir route is going well , April
is always a shoulder month after Easter and nothing really gets going till May

[Markushillman]

Originally Posted by MARKEYD

Never read to much into seating plans until at least 24hrs before a flight
Many people still take pot luck or forget they can check in until the day before

Good to see the Agadir route is going well , April
is always a shoulder month after Easter and nothing really gets going till May

Yes noticed that when I have had to book a last minute flight with them 48 hours still quite a few seats, 24 hours when I had to book and about 30 or 40 seats extra were gone.

Hopefully the route really takes off into May