EI
 

Has one of EI's A319s gone tech or something ? Over the last couple of days I've noticed that an a320 has operated the LHR flights ?

I would assume maintenance.

EI 319s
 

I did hear that the 4 leased planes when with IBERIA were returned to lessor in very poor condition, absolute minimum line maintainace peformed and when first two taken into EI there was nothing but tech isues for weeks.

Here's hoping the next 2 are ready to use , otherwise SRB will not be impressed...

EPS is in for C check. Will be gone for a month.

From the outset whe EI launched the BHD timetable there was a period in Dec when there was to be A320's on LHR.

Would make sense to put an a320 on to cater for the Christmas demand.

I hear they interviewed passengers en route into BFS this morning on the diverted BE Southampton flight - and 100% of them indicated their preference for BFS!!! :)

A passenger plane has been diverted to Belfast International Airport after the pilot declared an emergency on Wednesday................BBC news

CAN BHD NOT COPE WITH EMERGENCIES? ANYBODY KNOW THE REASON FOR DIVERT OF DASH 8 AIRCRAFT?

Don`t know what the problem was but guessing by Kestrels post there was a flaps issue.

There is a certain irony that if BHD had their runway extension in place, incidents like this could well be avoided as crew would have a bit more tarmac to play with.:O

Well there's plenty of tarmac to play with at BFS, especially on the apron these days :zzz:

ILS - very true, I had the dubious pleasure of travelling from Aldergrove last week - last one to leave turn the lights off! It was very very quiet, its a shame that their management seem to have no real strategy thats obvious in public anyway. Many moons ago I remember flying around in a little R22 up there and it was a challenge trying to fit round the commercial traffic, I don`t think I would have the same problems today.:sad:

I still have a few contacts up there and they are concerned for their future prospects. There`s still rumours of closing at night from midnight for a few hours, would save a fortune on ATC and Fire section I suppose.

You would be mad to divert to BHD In an emergency situation. BFS is fully CAT III with a massive runway. Considering BHD has a short runway, tricky and bumpy approach at times depending on the wind I know where I would choose to go everytime...especially with a flap problem.

November Passengers 198373 up 9.4%.

London Gatwick carried an extra 15,389 passengers. (BFS number incresed by 82 so not affected)
London Heatrow carried an extra 16,122 passengers. (Down on last year accross two airports by around 4,000) but DUB alos dropped 2,000 even with BA doubling there flights from there. Aer Lingus would of being flying the A320 to LHR from BFS last November so thats a factor.

Be interesting to know what percentage on LGW used BE against EI. 15,000 extra pax is phenomenal for a first month, despite people saying nobody would use it, BE have been charging less than EI at times so that may have helped ease the drop. On LHR, EI had been dropping share at BFS for a long time before they moved, so the overall drop may well be proportionate. Interestingly EZY have dropped on STN some 3000 pax, despite last yr WW carrying over 7000, wonder if STN has been hit by LGW growth, LTN pretty much unaffected.

Interesting figures from caa

Although an extra 15K from BHD to LGW, assuming this is attributed to EI and divide by 90 flights in the month of November then LF not too good.
Agree I would love to find out the split between EI and BE
EZY have held up well on LGW, considering that their 10.15 weekday flight to LGW did not start until 10thDecember. As previously posted I think it will be better to wait until December figures are published to see the full impact
SEN and STN combined up 6K compared to last year, although as posted WW did 7K last year. My initial view not much movement to BHD on London routes except LHR.

EI on a downward slope to LHR, BA on the way up?

Just say EI added the 15,389 only then they still come out with a LF of 60% for the month. Not bad for a first month about the same as EZY BHX from BFS. What is the LF from LGW at BFS overall. Can't see it being higher.

EI are bound to of taken some pax of Flybe so I estimate that overall LGW for them had LF of around 65-70%.

EI of course are now competing with themselves on the BHD-LON market and some of their own loyal pax will surely have chosen LGW over LHR, especially given the pricing on the route. No doubt some media source or another will announce how many pax EI have flown in their first month, if not EI themselves. I do notice however BE are down to 3 rotations on LGW at certain points early next year, back to 4 for summer though.

Also noticeable that whilst EZY continue to grow into MAN, so also do BE, BE also have done well on LBA, it seems what LS have lost BE have gained.

ryanair
 

Just saw Ryanair land at BHD ? Whats up?

Ryanair from Prestwick, Derry Flight diverted to BHD. Passengers will be brought by bus to LDY.... Fog? not sure of reason