FINALLY I CAN REVEAL A NEW DESTINATION FROM BHX with bmibaby !!!

For all those that guessed some months ago about the new route with bmibaby from bhx its is ABZ!!!

Some were close with INV and i think someone even mentioned dundee ???

There will be two daily flights, i presume one first thing and second one in early evening/afernoon commencing from 29 October 2006.

Regards

bmibabyfc

Heard it on local radio news.

:ok:

Can't see 3 airlines on the route, assuming Flybe launch in Spring07.

So will bmi B & Flybe force BA off the route.

Will this make it a BACON sandwich.

(Coat, leaves...:} )

Brit 76's
 

Just a thought on this one, it is a very rare occurrence that a 767-200 will be used by TOM on a longhaul route these days out of BHX (The last one I can remember is a one-off FLL flight last winter). The furthest they normall stretch is the Cyprus / Turkey routes in the couple of months that one is based in summer. None the less, when the 767-200 are sold off, where will the extra European route capacity come from?

Also remembering that the summer based 767-300 also does the ACE, PFO, PMI*2, IBZ, GRO, should we lose longhaul will these routes be downgraded to a smaller aircraft or are we likely to see more W pattern flights rather than BHX based aircraft?

C17's are fairly regular in Birmingham. They bring wounded British servicemen/women for treatment in one of the Cities hospitals. Vc10's & C130's are also occasional visitors.

FC

probably an airport or airfield!!!!LOL

Quite true, BHX has a runway length of 2605m while say Cardiff has a lengnth of 2392m and CWL has 3 weekly Orlando flights One to POP and one to CUN with TOM on 767-2/3er so i cant see the runway being a problem. They also are not the only long-haul CWL operators. XL, Mytravel, Zoom to canada so its obviously the landing fees.

On the suject of transatlantics
 

Continental is showing double daily from 1/6/07 rather than 10 a week as now.

I tried a few test bookings over June & July and both CO27 & CO33 offered everyday.

2007 is looking a little brighter added to the Monarch increase, Flybe
Aberdeen, Galway & Aberdeen plus the rumoured 2 extras Baby's (if true).

Just need to keep the TOM 763!

Pete

I believe the runway at CWL is flat, well it certainly looked it last time i was there, BHX has a great big slope in the middle. Going off 33 is fine, you get gravity to help with acceleration, going the other way when it's hot and the wind is only just strong enough to stop you taking 33 you can get a huge drop in payload which would mean any freight booked gets dumped straight away. Eventually the freight goes to other airports that can take it and revenue drops, the economics of the route become questionable, therefore the route gets moved 45 miles up the road. The only way to keep these flights is to lenghten the runway so they can take max payload in any weather.

August Pax
 

Another dismal month apparently, BBC local news saying 6.2% down.

Knights in shining armour required or more than likely, equally old and
probably not too shiny 733's (or 734's per some rumours) in the form
of a baby?


Pete

Security personnel at Birmingham Airport ordered a man to turn his t-shirt inside out because it bore a drawing of two crossed guns. As he waited to board the flight to Newark, New Jersey, guards told Staffordshire design engineer Dave Osbourne the graphic represented a security risk

Actually, R/W15 is quite obstacle limited, that being the primary reason for the lower payload we can lift compare to a R/W33 departure. There are many large trees within the climb out area (other side of the A45) which cause problems to the single engine climb consideration. The airport is actively trying to sort this issue, but it should have been done years ago. I'm sure it won't be a quick resolution, as I believe most are under preservation orders.......

BIA could offer commercial incentives to it's use compare to NEMA, but chooses not to do so. NEMA on the other hand is very active commercially with operators. That includes existing ones, not just new start ups. If they want our long haul business, it's really up to them to go out and get it. BIA do nothing on this front, they seem to think the name 'Birmingham' will sell itself. Their danger is even with a longer R/W (still years away!), then it will only bring them on par with NEMA. Fees are cheaper there, and at that point having successfully, and hapily, run our long haul from there for many seasons, why should we move it to BHX? :ugh:

I think, sadly, BHX has a good few more years being left further and further behind in the doldrums. Having operated from here for the vast majority of my 23 year flying career to date, it's sad and dissapointing to see.:(

Just noticed this on the BHX website:

Departure BE 8146 to Birmingham 16:00

Arrival BE 8146 from Birmingham 16:45 expected 17:38

Would this be their new 195 doing some kind of special flight?

Be8146
 

EasyPilot

I have not seen any reports that the 195 has been in today. The only
thing of note was a Jet 738W on delivery from Boeing Field
en route to India. The 195 was definitely in yesterday early evening but I am not sure if it N/S etc.

The flight number is similar to the one that undertook "the fear of flying
course" a few months ago.

Just a guess though

Pete

Of course, I forgot about the fear of flying courses.

Thanks Pete :ok:

Fear of flying course
 

EasyPilot

Yes just used a well known search engine, found a fear of flying course
today at BHX connected to a well known airline.

Mind you the comedians on this forum, could have a field day with such
phrases as "fear of flying" and "the 146" ;) all assuming it was a 146 and not a Dash 8:bored: .

Only joking, I have my first Dash 8 flight soon :ooh:, mind you I will
pleased if I have been on my last 146/RJ100 - never did take to them.

Pete

BEE8146 was indeed a 146, a 300srs if I remember correctly

The E195 on Saturday arrived from Glasgow & departed to Exeter around an hour later

Fried Chicken

Did anyone notice the other brand new a/c type at BHX on saturday afternoon apart from the smart EMB195?

Lufty flew in their new CRJ900! :ok:

that and the brand new Jet Airways 737 800 delivery flight from Seattle to India it was a week for spotters out there.

BMI Baby
 

Just the three extra aircraft for BHX then!

One in Jan and two for Summer 07

Routes to be announced shortly.

Just Glad BHX management have taken the pax decrease seriously
and somebody has taken up the challenge.

can baby smell the Bacon?

On another forum it mentioned baby as the wounded animal after
pulling out of DTV. Wrong airline surely?

Pete

Any rumors about possible new routes?

All the latest on the new BHX routes direct from the bmibaby website today.They seem to be up for the expansion and more jobs at least!!
MR120:ok:
Release date : 2006-09-19
bmibaby announces further expansion at Birmingham International Airport
60% year on year growth in capacity at Birmingham
Three additional Aircraft based at the airport taking total to Eight
Many new destinations and increases in weekly flights expected
Airline consolidates position as number one carrier in the Midlands
More local jobs created
bmibaby, the award winning airline with tiny fares has today (Tuesday 19th September 2006) announced a significant expansion programme at Birmingham International Airport starting in January 2007. Capacity will increase by 60% year on year with the addition of three Boeing 737 aircraft taking the total number of bmibaby aircraft based at Birmingham International Airport to eight.
The expansion consolidates bmibaby’s position as the largest carrier at Birmingham and the largest carrier in the Midlands region. bmibaby is expected to be announcing several new destinations and an increase in frequency on some existing routes. Fares will continue to start from just £13.99 one way including taxes and charges.
bmibaby managing director, Crawford Rix, said:
“I am pleased to announce phase one of bmibaby’s rapid expansion programme at Birmingham International Airport starting in January 2007. We will be increasing our capacity by a massive 60% year on year as we increase the number of Boeing 737 operating from the airport to eight.
We will be introducing a number of exciting new destinations to compliment the thirteen European destinations that bmibaby currently serves from Birmingham International Airport. The new destinations have not been finalised as we are still in the process of compiling a short list of European destinations that offer the market potential and infrastructure to cope with the significant injection of passenger volumes that bmibaby will drive. The plan is to conclude discussions with short listed airport destinations over the next few weeks.
Fares will continue to be aggressively priced, starting from just £13.99 one way, including taxes and charges.
bmibaby remains the largest carrier in the Midlands and we have more exciting growth developments planned over the next 12 months as we consolidate and build on our number one position”
The addition of the new aircraft will create over 100 jobs directly with bmibaby and hundreds more are expected to be created in and around the region as a direct response to the increases in services.
bmibaby will be introducing one aircraft for January 2007 with the additional two aircraft arriving in time for the start of the summer season.
bmibaby only started operations at Birmingham in January 2005 but has grown rapidly to become the major carrier at the airport. The airline also flies to Alicante, Amsterdam, Belfast International, Bordeaux, Cork, Edinburgh, Knock, Nice, Malaga, Palma and Prague from Birmingham International and is the only major low cost carrier to allow free travel for infants (under 2 years of age) on board all its flights
Earlier this month the airline launched another new double daily service from Birmingham International to Aberdeen which commences flying on the 29th October 2006. Bookings are already ahead of expectation and can be made online now at bmibaby.com.

BMI Baby
 

Only a couple of rumours which have been repeated here such as
Glasgow and Paris.

However I think BHX is thinking more like new destinations, Rome (ex BA)
has been mentioned, in fact Italy is absolutely pathetic from BHX with
just two BA 145's to MXP.

For summer there must be room for Rome, Pisa & Venice and if they
are after Bacon, MXP.

Also BHX is still a bit weak on ex Eastern block flights and Prague
could probably take two a day as well at the moment.

All good stuff for once unless BACON announce another round
of cuts or seat reductions (these RJ100's just keep slipping away).



Pete

I see a couple of Wizz Minibuses have diverted to Brum tonight due to the runway closure at Luton. I know Wizz have diverted to Brum several times in the past so it appears to be their alternate should Luton be unavailable. Will we ever see them operating scheduled passenger services to BHX? They certianly have an interesting route structure

FC

Wizz
 

FC

Considering the number of times they divert in and the lack of
Eastern European destinations from BHX you would expect a few
rumours but I can't say that I have heard any credible ones.

Centralwings, LOT and even Malev were rumoured a couple of
years ago but not Wizz.

Perhaps the infamous BHX landing fees have kept them away
on a more permanent basis.

Pete

Talking of Eastern European services
 

Per CAA provisional stats for August: -

BHX-KRK 2177 pax or 121 per flight, 81% load factor.

Shame SkyEurope cease for 6 weeks until mid December.

Not sure how much money was made in August as there were offers, I believe
but at least an improvement.

Will Baby be looking East with their new routes?

Pete

BMI Baby summer 2007 partial release
 

Alicante, Bordeaux, Malaga, Nice & Palma released for summer 2007.

Obviously no new routes yet but certainly some major changes in respect
of times.

The Alicante and Malaga on a Monday - Friday has barely changed within
a 30 minute time span since 7/1/05.

However Malage now departs at 6am (Palma at 6.05am) which is 50
minutes earlier than the first departure now on a Monday - Friday.

Hopefully (for Joe public if not the crew) this is to fit in plenty of
new destinations.

Any news on potential routes?

Pete

OltonPete

Pete - I gather you are talking ZULU time, aren't you? Otherwise I have made a habit of seeing these flights out an hour late... :=

I agree baby should definitely be looking East (and South-East, to Italy) for new routes, instead of doing more AGP/ALC/PMI etc. where there is a choice of probably half a dozen airlines (including the charter outfits) out of BHX.

Cheers :cool:

Rumour has it that BA are to contract out all ground handling!! I suppose all the "VULTURES" will now be fighting over who gets the contract. My moneys on Aviance..Then after they lose it 3 weeks later maybe Swissport,then servisair, then ASS.

baby to operate x3 flights on a saturday in the summer to AGP

should be very interesting to see the load factors....

regards

bmibabyfc

Flywho and BHX
 

Does anyone know if the airline has applied for slots as they are due to commence ops within the next few weeks (:rolleyes:) and well slots are useful to have, well first an a/c might help as well. Heard it said they had an ex tap 310 but no-one has seen it and surely by now they must be fitting it and painting it for there launch

ALC Route
 

Shame I cant get a flight down to ALC on a Friday pm over the winter.

BMI's release is still too early fo next summer (13:20) and with MON at 06:45 I am hoping that FlyBe will have held onto the 15:15 slot.

Any guesses anyone ?

Now that MON & BMI have released (Summer 2007) I cant understand why FlyBe are dragging their feet. There customer services said "sometime in November" :ugh:

Do I try and book time off or wait hopefully for FlyBe to have retained 15:15 :confused:

Three way bun fight at BHX
 

The year 2006 will probably be classed as one to forget for BHX but
things seem to be hotting up for 2007. With Baby's announcement of three more aircraft for 2007 (rumour 10 by 2008) it has prompted flybe
to react.

Although I have not seen the ads myself, it is believed that they claim
to be (or will be) BHX's largest operator with 1.2 Million pax compared
to BA's 370000 (BACON is probably double this figure).

However the reality is that BHX goes down to four flybe based aircraft
from November (until March) whilst Baby are to add a sixth in January
and BA still have eight night stoppers and five early morning inbounds.

Anyone have any idea of flybe's plans or is this just spin in the
style of MOL?

Considering Baby will have eight craft with around 50 movements a day
(2 million+ seats) it will take some flybe expansion to match .

Pete

Things can only get better. When I looked at BHX website earlier in the summer I was surprised at some of the glaring omissions from the European network, even given that BE proclaim BHX as one of their greatest hubs.

It'll be interesting to see where WW will operate next year. I'm guessing Shannon, Rome and Perpignan as definites, they could easily knock BA off BHX-BCN too and anything that competes with EMA's Polish routes would seem like a shrewd move (WAW?) I'd be surprised though if they started ARN or another Stockholm airport, it just doesn't seem like WW territory.

Answers on a postcard:)

New BMI Baby Routes
 

I'd say Shannon is very unlikely given Ryanair's dominating presence there. Bar Aer Lingus to Heathrow there are now no other short haul operators from Shannon to the UK and Ryanair will do everything possible to keep it that way.

BMI Baby
 

Jongeman/en2r

Very little leaking out, which I suppose is the way it should be.

Also if they go down the 4/5 a week service there could be a load
of new destinations. PGF would be interesting as that would be head
to head with flybe but I would not be too surprised if they try
Shannon & Jersey.

Some routes as you say are crying out for services such as Rome,
Stockholm, Budapest (3 or 4 a week), Pisa, Venice and I assume
that there will be some BACON hunting such as Glasgow and
perhaps Paris.

I still find it hard to believe, 9 miliion pax a year but no Rome
or Stockholm but 15 EDI's, 12 Gla's & 11 CDG's (no lo cost) etc.
Supply and demand I suppose.

Pete

That is a shocking statistic alright!!
Regarding Shannon, Flybe tried the route before. I remember on Sunday evenings my flight to Charleroi was at the same time as the BHX flight. Flybe's loads were very poor! But indeed I think someone else like WW could make it work. A bit of marketing like. Nice short flight too.
(Out of spite Aerlingus will probably then introduce SNN - BHX :} )

I see Wizz operated a Gdansk flight through Brum early this morning (using an MD82) due to the nightly runway closures at Luton. Come on Wizz, start some flights from Brum, you know you want to! :ok:
Fried Chicken

Sorry . . . . ..
 

. . . . if I'm getting boring but could anyone on the "inside" tell me of FlyBe's BHX to ALC route plans for next summer ?

As you are aware they have released all the southern routes leaving just BHX out in the cold for 2007 post March.

If they know their routes and slots for Southampton, exeter and Norwich why not BHX ?

I really am keen to know if they are going to do a 15:15 Friday to 19:35 Sunday as my family live by ALC and I am looking at time of work for the ZB and WW flights because theya re too early on Fri.

Thanks in advance ....


Rich

Flybe are building new offices in the middle of the remote 70's and 80's stands at the moment so an expansion of services looks promising :ok:

IMA possible routes desperately needed from BHX by anyone as previously mentioned are Rome FCO (much more convenient than CIA and was doing well before BACON ruined it with their ARJ) also Easy are virtually filling their A319s daily out of EMA and in competition with Ryan, VIE , ARN, GVA, CPH (give SAS some low cost competition!).

How about a crack at MOW?, RAK?, ATH?, OSL?, SOF?, LAX? (weight restricted 767 or 777?), ATL?, or BUD? anyone? or am i dreamin?:E

New Routes??
 

splash&dash

"How about a crack at MOW?, RAK?, ATH?, OSL?, SOF?, LAX? (weight restricted 767 or 777?), ATL?, or BUD? anyone? or am i dreamin?"

LAX - definitely dreamin;)

RAK - Maybe in the future, seems to be all the rage at the moment
ATH - I would use it but I don't think that is a particularly good basis
for a new service :) - could this be done as an overnight in
summer?
Budapest - Got to be at least 4 a week
Oslo - should be a service but what type - WW a bit big with 149 seats?
ATL - Bring it on but I fear a 757 to JFK is the best we can hope for
from DL in 2008 perhaps :ok:
SOF, MOW - If it was my money - no chance.
CPH - Definitely after SAS downgrading the evening to a Dash
ARN - :ok:
VIE - :ok:
GVA - Okay at the moment BACON daily and WW 5 a week in winter.

CVTDog - After Faro and Murcia were pulled for the winter I thought
that was it for the sun routes but rumour has it AGP and
ALC safe for next summer but can't help with the times
or frequencies.

Just want to know what flybe have in mind let alone Baby.

Pete

flybe SNN
 

Charlie Roy,

Regarding Flybe's SNN operation, the loads were not all that bad, even at the end. The real problem was yield after FR began the EMA route. Even in the final days, the loads were still quite healthy. Plus, break even load on the Dash 8 is quite low.

Certain days had low loads yes, but that's not uncommon. I was watching the loads on SNN-BHX with interest being from the SNN part of the world but employed by flybe at the time.