FR@BFS
 

Seems just about everyone at BFS knows that Ryanair will be taking up apron space in the very near future, in fact they even know that the work in progress in the old baggage bay is in fact a dedicated FR lounge!

What I would like to know is whether MO & AH know.

since when did FR have dedicated lounges?????

Hey Bel H .....whats the truth in this?..seems every few months we get another "yes they are ..no they aren't" sort of story.What news of routes dates times?(Allmcc need not reply)

I too heard yesterday to expect an announcement before Christmas regarding Ryanair starting services from BFS - I look forward to hearing what new routes they will bring to the province. Should be good for all concerned in aviation business in N.Ireland.

I've already been into BFS with FR. Fog div from DUB, approx 1900.

Sat on ground for yonks until crew were going out of hours and DUB just getting worse as predicted. Only then did anyone even think about ringing round for coaches. 130 pax dropped off outside a chaotic, empty, busless, taxiless DUB terminal at 0300.

PS - anyone else in this predicament, walk across car park to Great Southern Hotel, 10 Euro tip to night porter, taxi ordered and there in 10 mins.

Wiseguy, you say no need to reply but can't resist it! Can't wait for this to happen - the beautiful "orange" fireworks display above BFS would be unmissable! - the only question I have is who will be brave enough to light the "blue" touch paper?

On a positive note, would be nice to see some of the vast empty space at BFS being put to some use!

Replies/usual childish abuse awaited in due course!

ALLMCC, much as i have no interest in the BFS/BHD debate which seems to be your raison d'etre, I'd love to know where all this space is at BFS. Last time I was in we were number 6 for approach and the apron was chocked full of boeing's and buses. The freight apron was busy too. Smell the coffee..its a CAT3 International airport with a nice big runway and a 'regional' sized spare. The city is perfectly adequate too..as a regional hub.

omoko joe

Sorry when I was referring to "space" I was referring to the " terminal building" and not to ramp space!. Agree BHD is a regional hub (but much more than a spare!). However, judging by most of the routes operated from BFS, it considers itself to be also!

Herein lies the problem.

Was taking to some workers at Aldergrove and was told that Ryanair have signed a contract to begin flights in Feb '04.

Also last night Ryanair were operating training flights into Aldergrove in the very early hours carrying out a number of touch and go's and go-arounds.

omoko joe

Excellent post. An accurate and truthful appraisal of the present situation.

richardnei

Ryanair have arrived at BFS on a couple of occasions recently to operate training flights but only because the weather at Prestwick was unfavourable. At least it gave them the opportunity to check the place out .

I have no axe to grind or appear contentious but I have also heard from a previously ' very reliable source' that Ryanair will indeed be starting up at BFS in February. Very good news for the travelling public of Northern Ireland as I would assume that the airline will be opening up new European routes instead of competing on existing domestic routes.
As I look after traffic entering and leaving the Belfast TMA it is also welcome news to me that traffic levels will increase.

"Last time I was in we were number 6 for approach and the apron was chocked full of boeing's and buses"

"Sorry when I was referring to "space" I was referring to the " terminal building" and not to ramp space!"

DUH! Load factors must be bad

(ALLMCC need not reply)

Good news about FR coming to Belfast International.

As for Belfast City Airport (personally, I'd rather use the Dutch pronunciation of the word 'City'):

Only one wee runway
Only wee taxiways (and not enough of them)
Only a wee apron
Only a wee terminal, where one can't even buy a decent meal
Loads of wee portacabins, because the terminal is too wee
Only one wee CAT I ILS
Only wee approach and runway lights
Only wee airport opening hours

In other words it's just a WEE airport, not big enough for the aeroplane that I fly.

But, ALLMCC, you could always try writing to Santa!

;)

Triple RS
Thanks for your invaluable contribution. Obviously wee haven`t got all the big toys but I think you probably know from experience it`s not the size but what you do with it!!
(personally I prefer the Dutch pronounciation of aerosol )

Part of Ryanair's route announcement yesterday was that the announcement of a new hub was imminent. But they declined to elaborate on it's location.

From this thread it seems the smart money will be on Belfast?

Triple RS

And what is this "big" aeroplane of yours - a Spruce Goose perhaps - have you ever actually been to Belfast City? - big toys are all very well, its the no of passengers on them that actually matters!

All the rest (ex Tower Ranger - good post!)

If this is all supposedly happening in February then why has it not been officially announced? - new routes (and closings) revealed by FR yesterday (lets try these ones & see how they go).

TBI might own BFS but in name only because we all know who REALLY calls the shots there - looking forward to the fireworks!!

I suggest ALLmCC you ask MOL.

As to pax figures ...let me type s..l....o....w...l.....y BFS is streets ahead as I pointed out to you in NUMEROUS earlier threads(how's the runway resurface answer coming? no conferring...)

As to your "fireworks" I am of the opinion that with VERY few exceptions EZY and RYR go head to head..perhaps you could include those instances in your answer.

Scrap my last comment. The new bases are Rome and Girona.

Eastern Wiseguy, since you ALWAYS think you know best, we'll see what happens - are you really vain enough to think that if MOL opens a hub at BFS that he'll be content to operate just a couple of silly routes to the continent (even if the subsidies are available)?

If subsidies aren't available, then he'll do the next best thing and concentrate on domestic routes such as STN, LPL which will bring him into DIRECT competition with EZY - I am really amazed that you can't see that! - and do you really think that EZY will just sit back & let MOL crucify them? Wake up and smell the coffee!

Maybe now you'll see what I mean about fireworks! And the end result will benefit nobody!

I must admit I hope that any European routes will be served by Easyjet rather than Ryanair, I fear that all Ryanair will do is fly to the middle of nowhere in France and Germany and then go head to head with Easyjet on UK routes, this is not what NI PLC wants or needs.

Buc Driver

At long last a sensible post from somebody who has a true grasp of the situation - however, if the rumoured sale of TBI goes ahead then the whole low cost situation at BFS could be turned upside down as top priority for any new owner is bound to be to address the inherent causes of continually reducing revenue.

Perhaps this is the reason why all the rumours about FR have not got beyond pure conjecture!