Given the difference in operating costs of the Q400 and a posh 737 with wooden pews for seats and just as wooden cabin crew, I wonder how many of the actual and proposed routes by the four leafed midgit will actually be sustainable - very few I suspect.

I dare say that the travelling public will make up their own mind, especially when whatever deal the Aerial Bog Fairies have struck, comes to an end, but to my mind, "Flymaybe" is better than "fly perhaps and if you don't like it **** off".

A new relationship with BHX
 

BBC Midlands Today reported that the Birmingham deal was as a result of a "changed relationship" between Ryanair and the BHX operators, who previouly "did not get on together", and these new routes and base were imminently going to an un-named Scottish Airport before the BHX deal was struck.

All the numbers divide nicely, dont they? Five million extra pax over five years, up to a hundred destinations, ten aircraft......Still, keeps it easily understandable I suppose.....

EGCA

Good news?
 

I am no fan of Ryanair and their F*@k you attitude to customers, but I hope this will at least force Flybe to stop pretending to be a lo cost carrier. Their fares are often much higher than BA Connect before them, and to describe them as a low cost model is laughable. Feel sorry for Baby though.. they are going to struggle unless they invest in new kit and I doubt that will happen.

I think it was a Scots airport that it was making the choice between..If thats the case it's hardly a choice....
Anyway, as for room there will be plenty. Only two planes based initially with a total of 10 within 5 years. The new stand configurations will eat that up so nothing to worry about.
Nice to see we didn't have to do the usual airport breaking deal they usually demand. I think MOL saw some sense.....Might be good for all....I'll reserve judgement.

'Tis, dancin' with the Devil say's I'

Good news...or not?
 

So much for BHX management standing up to Ryanair....!

If, in the words of a spokesman, the airport has "snatched the deal from under the nose" of another UK airport, I can only imagine on whose terms the deal was finalised; to have concluded this in under 10 days sounds like an act of desparation to me!

I only hope the airport's management know what they are doing and have thought through the implications of their actions on their current based airlines and those who were actively considering BHX in the future - I know one man who has given this a great deal of thought...!

Ryanair open new base at BHX
 

Hi all
Who will be the ground handling agent for Ryanair at BHX.?

Handling agent
 

Servisair currently and no change I would have thought...

barry

I have to agree with call100. I think MAN is a different kettle of fish. When EZY announced their GB takeover I think FR marked MAN's cards as a future base.

I would be surprised if MAN don't see a similar deal that has been announced at BHX before EZY start to expand at MAN.

Congrats to BHX and FR for finally seeing the airport needs the low fares airline if they are to reach their very highly set goals. I'm guessing that FR is sharing the MXP bound aircraft out amongst their new bases at BOH, BHX etc.

Who is next...MAN? From what we have heard today about BHX taking the deal from under somebody's nose then I'm guessing that is it for a few weeks!

.

Presumably would have been Birmingham North?

:)

Flybe vs Ryanair
 

No objection to anything you say flyingisgr8 about Flybe vs Ryanair, but I just find it massively irritating that they consistently promote themselves as a low cost carrier. It is ridiculous!

Absolutely :D I know that FR are not everybodys favourite airline but it's great to see some new and lets face it exciting new routes at BHX that formerly meant driving to BRS, EMA amongst others. I know I have been shouted down before for my opinions on the relationship between FR and BHX but fact is FR do both put bums on seats and open new destinations from airports like BHX that other airlines, for whatever reason, cannot (or don't want to). Now happily it seems a deal has been struck that suits both parties (including a 'don't operate head-to-head against Baby clause????), lets hope FR do indeed deliver what they are promising and that BHX as a commercial organisation and its passengers profit accordingly in the long term.

effect on Bmibaby
 

When it comes to quotes like this

Some people seem to forget that a couple of years ago FR moved in the the birth place of WW EMA, Has WW shut up shop at EMA? NO! (and don't forget WW competes against both FR an U2 at EMA)

FR and WW are two completely different airlines in the way they operate and there is very little overlap in the routes currently operated by WW and the ones announced by FR, not forgetting WW mainly flies in to main airports as opposed to secondary airports preferred by FR. As with EMA the baby will hold its own at BHX it's there biggest base and they nearly have the number of A/C based in BHX right now that FR plans to have in 5 years time so in one respect WW is already one step ahead in having an established customer base with access to one of the UK's most generous reward programs (bmi diamond club). There is space for all 3 airlines (WW, BE and FR) to co-exist at BHX and competition is good for the market as for WW management I don't think they will be shocked at this news but they will ensure the baby lives to fly another day I would expect further expansion to be on the cards for all WW bases.

Bhx Fr
 

Great news for BHX, for jobs, for the travelling public and for the proposed runway extension:D. Some people who have replied to this thread would seem to be tasting sour grapes??!!:{
BMIBaby have nothing to fear there are no overlapping routes and they do have a superior service to Ryanair. Like it or not passenger numbers count with NIMBYs' and the Media. Apart from BMIBaby, no other airline has commited themselves to growth at BHX so what do BHX managers do, wait for Flybe to add an extra Dash 8? They have done what all other UK airports have done and got a significant LOCO presence. BHX has a great variety of carriers full service and LOCO and unlike some airports isn't relient solely on one or two carriers.
Heres to claiming back 5th place for passengers in 2008!
Daza

Fr Bhx
 

Well said GF, We have something to celebrate at BHX dont forget that LH will start HAM in March so legacy airlines still like BHX too!!
Daza

The whole FR BHX & EMA situation looks to me like the EZY LPL & MAN situation. I think both airlines will do well, both basing quite a few a/c, but at different airports - 1 main hub, 1 smaller regional airprort.

SAM-EMA

Bmi comments
 

I would strongly disagree with the previous comments that Bmi Baby have nothing to fear with the arrival of Ryanair. THe EMA base for WW has been on hold effectively since the arrival of FRs base there. Same can be said of EZY at EMA.

FR will venture into WW markets and more likely BE routes. BE is a growing airline and Ryanair is set to put a challenge to them, I would expect an announcement on the BHX BHD routes soon.

I believe FR will set out on a mission to hurt its rivals and BE has offered that challenge,esp in BHD about the debate on Runway extention. Wouldnt be surprised to see FR on MAN BHD also soon, but thats for another forum.

While I agree alot of Ryanairs passengers are impulse flyers who may not otherwise have flown, they do certainly have a big Business travelling flyers. However, alot of these dont admit to flying FR. Besides with the sheer level of profits that FR produce it simply isnt all cheap cheap seats!

Great to see our innovative Irish airline set up yet another new base, good luck to them. I am a very satisfied Ryanair customer. Apart from always getting the best deal they always get me there in a new plane on time and with online check in/priority boarding I always get to choose my seat to the place that I want to go!!!

& apparently more new routes (not to be operated by Ryanair) to come! Qatar or Etihad perhaps?

FC

Fr Bhx
 

EI-BUD
Flybe are not growing from BHX they have a history of starting routes and just as quickly discontinuing them I could list many. Flybe are not Low Fares and have in fact just replaced BACON in terms of routes and fare structure. Birmingham is a much larger airport than EMA with UK second city with more that 1,000,000 people there is room for many airlines low fares and legacy.
Daza

FR
 

On the news (bbc1) they intervied O Leary and he said over the next 5 years another 80 new routes from BHX will be announced

Quite right - BE is a regional airline, not a really a full loco.