Air Iceland will be year round service. So up against EZY over winter months for point to point. Nevertheless good we have 2 carriers on such a route.

I see the operation hours must be totally out the window several Flybe now scheduled to land past 2130 in the summer months, perhaps this is subject to change?

Icelandair*

Operated by Air Iceland*

Indeed CaptainDoony, and the flights from your airport take 5 mins less and I notice no problems.

Yes not a diversion or all engines out glide yet!

New owners announced.

Sold: George Best Belfast City Airport has a new owner - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

About time !!!
 

http://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/minister-backs-inquiry-calls-to-end-seat-sales-limit-at-belfast-city-airport-35335671.html

Here we go with the sour grapes and mud slinging.

The seats for sale cap was a daft idea from the outset.

If I remember correctly, the seats for sale limit was in place for the old cattle shed that used to be a terminal and was related to fire safety. How it transferred over to the new modern facility that was built I have no idea!

Lets hope the noise monitoring system doesn't rely on data from the radar as it appears broken more often than not by the rate of notams recently.

It's based on info from two stations at Kinnegar and Nettlefield.

Aer Lingus switching slots with Shannon from the end of March. First departure to Heathrow now at 8:45am.

International Routes: Passenger Numbers
 

Aer Lingus routes have done well in 2016, although passenger numbers will fall next year given Aer Lingus have reduced frequencies on all routes.

Malaga: 67,618 (76% LF) up 24.2%
Faro: 67,151 (75% LF) up 13.7%
Palma: 29,135 (76% LF) up 253.8%
Alicante: 28,669 (75% LF) new route

Despite December stats being out, BHD flights to BRU and AMS are unavailable, but passenger numbers up to November are as follows;

Amsterdam: 38,379 (LF between 72% (0J 80Y) and 78% (9J 65Y) depending on configuration). Average 57 seats per flight.
Brussels: 18,065 (LF approx 55%). Average 52 seats per flight.

With December figures included, Amsterdam will most likely surpass 40,000 which isn't bad for the first full year of operations. The replacement of the Fokker 70 with the 88 seat E175 by October will add up to 10,000 extra seats next year, allowing the route to expand. I can't see a second daily flight being added, however, unless load factors exceed 85-90%.

Even though the Brussels flight had a rough start due to the Brussels Airport bombing several days before flights commenced, passenger numbers are pretty pathetic (Vueling cancelled BCN with approx 65% LF). And to make matters worse, SN are planning on retiring the BAe 146 within the next year, replacing it with an A319 which is an increase of over 50 seats per flight. Unless BMI Regional operate the flight with ERJ145s or SN start a huge ad campaign, I can't see the route lasting.

Brussels Airlines
 

Expect the RJ100 to be replaced by a SSJ100 operated by Cityjet and not an A319.

Oh yes I forgot about that... It's nice that one 'rare' aircraft type will be replaced by another unusual specimen, instead of reverting to the all too common A320 family.

Boots retail unit closure.
 

I have just been informed the Boots retail outlet airside bhd is to close in March. Reason given is they refuse to pay the large increase of rent imposed by the airport. Business is Business but I will miss this store for the good value food offering when compared to the other outlets airside, not to mention handy availability of last minute chemist needs.
A shame that a compromise couldn't of been found as nobody is a winner here, the passengers lose a service, airport lose rental income and boots are having to lay off staff. I can't imagine there is a queue of other retailers waiting to occupy such a small space.

Same happened in BFS maybe, 5 years ago? Superdrug was quick to come across.. if the demand is there, someone will fill the spot

Has SN thrown in the towel on BHD Brussels? Gone from the booking system end of March .. ��

Bookable again from 31 October 2017 onwards. Also customers with existing bookings for Summer travel have not received cancellation notices. Might be something to do with the Superjet wet-lease?