So if the JAN passenger figures are correct, the WW move to BHD has been a total failure - how long will they stay there and lose money?!!!

Anyone know how the CWL-BHD figures have been? With BE on their own the route was having increasing loads month on month.

Gate 22, that's a bit of a sweeping statement. What exactly are you basing your conclusion of total failure on?

I take it back. The figures for BHD give the correct total overall for the month, which I thought would be right. The problem is that the figures shown on the domestic route stats didn't include the WW figures. So 'total failure' was based on inaccurate analysis by me.

Sorry have I missed something or is there some rumour that baby are setting up base at Stansted?

Pamann..

Baby are opening a route from Belfast to Stansted with a Belfast-based aircraft at the end of March.
When it fails, as I expect it will, they will drop it. I don't think Baby would set up a base at STN, they are none too good against strong competition, and at STN they are up against the strongest (FR & EZY).

LGS6753
 

Erm... I know they are starting up shop on the BHD-STN route that is not however what I asked.

There is however a lot of talk about STN in this thread so was asking the question as per my previous post.

You obviously speak (or type) with a tone that disagrees with baby @ STN but that is not what I am asking thank you.

I believe the only talk of a Stansted base is on here, and is merely speculative

Thank you pwalhx.

LGS6753
 

less of the negativity . . . . it will not be dropped . . . . forward bookings very strong. do you want to see success on this baby route?

Does anybody know when bmibaby will release their schedules for Birmingham for November onwards?

I`m one of those super organised people who likes to book WELL in advance - I`m going to go to the MTV Europe Music Awards in Belfast !!

I think they went very early last year? mid March rings a bell, but talk of bigger thrust ratings suggest new winter routes so it may delay it, most loco have their winter program on sale by mid late April to early May

Travelling from BHX to BHD is unlikely to change in terms of times and BE will still be on the route

Bhd - Stn Ww
 

Maybe it's just me but if I was a route analyst or network planner this route would possibly be the furthest thing from my mind, don't see a necessity for it personally and without any bias either way my money would be on six months max for operation.

Yeah its a kinda curve ball route alright.

Well FR seemed to do OK on it so why not Baby?

Cost base for one. Also Ryanair have a consistently profitable and ruthless business plan. BMI Baby have the "airliners.net pateneted magic dartboard of route planning".

FR did so well on it that they no longer operate the route. FR have fuel efficient aircraft.

FR vs WW
 

As much as FR never have been and never will be my cup of tea, ethos wise, they unquestionably do LC better than most, and therefore have the nous to make pretty much anything work. Baby on the other hand, well, the complete reverse in true of them in my mind, I actually like many aspects of the Airline, however they don't seem to make too many things work well, unfortunately for them I would fear that Lufthansa somewhat agree.

A lot of nonsense and unfounded speculation in this discussion!
However one supposed fact about the Ryanair vs bmibaby Belfast saga is that Ryanair pulled out of Belfast in a typical toys out of the pram dispute with the airport over the proposed runway extension. Not because they weren't making money on the route - which would indicate there's no reason why the route can't be profitable for bmibaby.

That is of course if that was the real reason and not an excuse to get out without losing face. BAA airport fees are good for that....

Well everyone at BHD and WW seem to be happy with the change of airport with pax numbers up significantly on both BHX & EMA.

STN is an all new ball game, WW are more or less unknown at STN and will not be the first people think of in that part of the country when wishing to fly to NI, i would expect early sales to be stronger outbound from NI in a morning and the reverse in an afternoon.

I don't think it will be price sensitive in FR terms so if they can get the volume up to mid 80+ i suspect they will be happy.

Not sure where BOAC4ME is coming from, one is a very profitable low service airline with 300 aircraft all over Europe (many parked) the other is probably break even at best low service airline with 12 aircraft + 2 summer aircraft.

It seems to be common currency that bmi proper is still burning cash, so if WW is more or less break even then its probably good for forward cash flow and paying a share of Toad Hall.

The move to BHD probably required bmi (WW) to comimit an aircraft to STN as part of the deal to bring pax numbers back up following FR going walkies, if so then i expect the airport charges to WW will be very low for the first 6-12 months, but i have to agree STN was not obvious move for WW in terms of route planning, sometime you have to run a route at a loss! part of the big picture? if any one knows what it is please tell:confused::confused::confused: