airport66
 

It has already started.

Airport66, the wiki page has always had people adding routes / airlines on rumors, the EI Regional rumor has been flying around since early this year, all because there was talks between EI and the airport about it..

CCR, as airport66 has said, its started, the press release image had an ATR, but theres been an EMB120 operated by swift air (who do operate for fedex express) sitting on the freight apron doing flights to CDG (i think) for over a month now.. some have said that its just the start, and a bigger aircraft will come along if the demand is there.

As for iceland express, think it was due to low bookings last year that it didn't operate from BFS (not well advertised), they did state they felt that both BFS and EDI should have direct flights for 2012... but we'll see if that happens

edit - heres the BBC article on the flights BBC News - Belfast flights to Iceland postponed until 2012

Iceland Express said the same about there DUB flights for 2012. Don't think either airport will see there next summer.

I doubt that even if Iceland Express decide to fly direct from BFS to KEF that they will be able to offer as low a fair as Easyjet on the route, even if you have to connect in London Luton. I purchased BFS - LTN - KEF return for £128 including all taxes and charges for next September. When i checked on Iceland Express, from LGW to KEF it was £208 return. Though i have no problem connecting somewhere if it will save me £80.

Aer Lingus aircraft for summer 2012.

2 A319 all routes except LHR
1 A320 LHR.

airport66
 

Could a A319 fly to TFS,or ACE is Rome still off the list for 2012?

Im assuming it can otherwise they wouldn't have listed the routes for the A319, im guessing they won't have as high density seating plan as an EZY A319... I wonder will they go for bulk loading instead of the ULD system, as each ULD has a weight of around 80kg empty.. which is a considerable amount when it comes to fuel burn

The longer runs won't be a problem for the A319.

BMI operate a 144 seat config (2 rows less than EZY) on some A319's which were very comfy even before the new slimline seats so perhaps EI will jump in the middle of the two and ptich for 150 seats?

The A319 at BFS made me interested to see what new markets it could open if the demand existed and EI had the interest. The map below is a quick reference using Airbuses figures for the A319/20. I used the max airframe empty weight and max airframe takeoff weight to make these rough calculations.

Light blue is A320, middle blue is A319.
Great Circle Mapper

If EI were to ETOPS certify an A319, they could certainly operate some transatlantics from BFS without the need or risk running an A330. Places like JFK, BOS, YYZ would all be theoretically possible but financially viable may be a different story.

the EI A319's are configured to carry 144pax, they are deffo coming to belfast but all could next year depending upon what happens to BHD-LHR and the BA/BD tie up.

any more news on aer lingus regional, i know someone said a couple of weeks ago a new airline was looking at check in desks, also i see on the aer arann page there is rumours it will be dropping london city and i know they have an atr 42 based there, is it possibly coming to belfast?

Little things - The Irish Times - Fri, Nov 18, 2011
Anyone any more information???

In my opinion if EI could get their hands on the Bmi route from BHD-LHR and operate a A319 on this it would be a good move. Providing the IAG takeover goes through as planned I doubt BA would keep this slot for a domestic, ie, BHD. It would make more business since for them to utilize this slot for a Long haul destination.
Maybe EI could have flights from BFS and BHD?? A320 from BFS and an intense service with an A319 from BHD. When BMI were the only carrier operating from NI to LHR they made a killing and maybe its EI's turn to do the same providing they could get a slot from LHR to BHD. Only a speculative idea from me but in my mind would be a good move :O

keep er lit
interesting idea but the days when the heathrow route made a fortune are gone. the fares are a lot lower and the choice of london airports is much greater.

The city will currently be trying anything to get business including AL, Jet 2, anyone. When FR were operating they had record passenger numbers and record losses, see the 2009 accounts. They tried to encourage EJ to do more than LTN, that didn't work, bmi and baby are now in diffs with uncertain futures and the total losses of the company that own them is now over £160m, including the unfortunate purchase price. If Aldergrove and COD closed tomorrow they still wouldn't be able to make enough profit to make a return on the investment. Anything they are doing is short term not strategic long termism.

Just a thought, what are the chances of EI doing as BMI did 10 years ago and moving their entire Belfast operation from BFS to BHD - that would secure the LHR route out of BHD.

ALLMCC; EI wont look at BHD, the profitable Canary Island routes would be gone straight away and the late arrivals from various European destinations wouldnt be possible anymore.

Aer Lingus for that reason not going to be an option, Jet2 is established at BFS and its QC aircraft work on Royal Mail work that is directly linked to BFS, who does that leave? Easyjet, who have tried and came back.

Perhaps its time that BFS looked to wooing BE over to BFS some flights e.g. BHX and one or two others. Perhaps BE would see merit in challenging BHD management, afterall, it would appear that BHD were happy enough to attract WW in on BE's patch etc. Most likely wishful thinking, given the legacy of BE at the City Airport.

EI-BUD

Airbus A319
 

It is now apparent from the Aer Lingus booking system that the 319s will feature in the BFS plan for 2012, they seem to be operating on all routes at some stage except the canary islands from what I can see.

LHR seems to get 320 during the week but most weekend flight seem to be 319, making way for 320 on more holiday orientated routes.

There do seem to be times when an A320 is needed on LHR and at the same time needed on TFS, so it may be that there will be 1 x 319 and 2 x 320, but some have commented that it is to be 1x 320 and 1x 319.

My guess would be that some flight ex Dublin may need 319 eg some of the newly proposed routes that FR will also start, eg Verona. Stockholm well served by FR so this scandinavian route may be thin enough and EI previous experience in Scandinavia would be slack enough, so may be the case for a 319.



EI-BUD

EI bud, you seem to know quite a bit about EI do you know if aer lingus regional will be making at appearance at bfs in 2012? Or if anyone else has any information on it

Had a look and EI LHR flights are all showing as A319 except sundays which would expect to be changed. Suprised to see FAO have a A320 everyday except sundays when it does LHR. Would of thaught LHR could sustain a morning A320 service.

Travelled through the airport today, and although the departures is a vast improvement, when arriving through the domestic arrivals, it looks like the most depressing place. Also what is with the vast amounts of white and red barriers, it makes the place look extremely tacky and tired