Air passenger duty an anchor on tourism growth says airport boss - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

It was also mentioned on twitter.

The article also says that BHD lost out on a Madrid route with Iberia Express to Cork because of APD.

Mr ambrose did not say he will be announcing more airlines or routes, it has been worded as "similar business announcements"
From what I've learnt about the management of both airports is they like to brag if they have and real solid news or announcements

This makes me think it has been carefully worded. It could be similar "aviation announcements" which could be anything from airlines to a new shop in the terminal "similar" meaning about his airport
I don't wish to sound negative but I think if euro wings or LH announce a German route from BFS it would be a real blow to BHD as these are the airlines that would usually like City

There was another article - can't remember which one - plus a couple of twitter posts saying new routes were in the running over the coming months (i.e. not immediately).

I agree that if Lufthansa Group were to open a BFS route - could happen given their endeavours at BHD failed - it would be catastrophic for BHD.

Mr A talking any about quality over quantity...I wonder if he has tried this line with his shareholders as BFS heads towards 6 million?

I think Ambrose should take whatever routes he can get. Passenger numbers will most likely fall this year given that Aer Lingus and Flybe have reduced frequencies, which would be two years in a row at a time when most UK airports are recording double-digit growth.

You have to remember though that legacy Airlines pay more at airport so klm would pay for example may be more than 4-5 rotations by a LCc would pay

Yes but having a LCC paying low fees is better than having no airline paying no fees.

flybe capacity cuts
 

looks like Flybe down in movements by over 10% this summer.

That's pretty much in line with their national figures - they're cutting up to 18% of current capacity by 2020. 6 Q400s are being disposed of the year, and a further 9 are going over the next 2 years. The E195 leases will also expire over the next couple of years. I went into detail about this on the Flybe thread a few weeks ago, but long story short, BHD (and all most other bases) will probably lose an aircraft over the next 2 years.

Depends if BE decide to expand at BHD post the Routes conference.

They're cutting back everywhere else and there aren't any real opportunities left for Flybe from Belfast. They were unable to make European flights work, and pretty much all potential new domestic routes (DSA, JER, NWI etc) have been tried, tested and axed by the airline. Routes Europe would have little to no effect on Flybe's network plans at BHD.

Anyone know why Titan are operating for EI tomorrow?

May be to do with late receipt of a 320, that was due once EZV and EZW left the fleet. Tuesday also op by Titan.

Thanks EI-BUD

Just had a cancellation come though from British Airways.
Looks as if the Winter schedule BHD-LHR has been cut right back.
The fares are through the roof as it is!
Looks as if we'll all be considering the delights of Gatwick from BFS this winter. Or Dublin if making a connection.

So down o x4 daily and what looks like more sensible schedules between both EI/BA in terms of gaps throughout the day.

There was speculation about BHD-LCY with BA so prehaps it may happen yet.

I wouldn't go so far to say it's a sensible schedule with a large gap between 08:50 and 13:05 with two of early departures within 15 minutes of each other and further reductions at weekends.

Looks like BA down from 38 rotations a week to 26 for the winter. The Easy and Ryanair pressure has finally told on BA.