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?

December CAA stats
 

Looks like BHD down 6% in December. New shareholders wont be happy!

Has Brussels been axed. Tried booking flights for my brother in April and nothing coming up. Going from Dublin now.

This has been discussed already - see previous page. Flights are no longer on sale for the Summer season, but are back on sale from October. It's possibly something to do with the RJ100s being retired before the Cityjet SSJ contract begins.

Just spoke to a mate who works on the ramp. Apparently it's cancelled.

My experience with alot of employees at airports is that although they do have alot of knowledge, it can often be slightly off, for example, cancelled could well be cancelled for the summer.

Generally only the people in the management area will be able to tell you the real story.

In my experience, no airline would cancel a fledgling marginal route in the peak spring and summer months to reinstate in long winter months at the end of the year.

An airline with an aircraft shortage might.

I agree. The RJ100s are being retired at a faster rate than the A319s, A320s and SSJ100s are being delivered. Though I must admit it's strange that SN would retire its RJs before having the capacity to operate a full schedule, especially during the summer season.

The fact that flights are on sale for the winter season would strongly suggest that the route's not being scrapped completely.

Maybe flybe could cover the route for them?
Large flybe base with crew already trained on the product... Makes sense

In addition to the Whisper Jets being removed dear old Lufthansa are acquiring 100% stake and will be moving the SN brand under the Eurowings umbrella.

Many changes and operational reviews coming at Zaventem over the next few months.

And I bet you got a little damp when you saw that BFS watcher.

The BHD figures have to be taken in context. For one thing around 17,000 less pax that were using LGW. Several key routes BHX, MAN and the Scottish ones have grown nicely, despite EZY. LPL is core EZY territory and despite BE doing well for a while EZY will guard it well, especially with FR on the scene.

Confirmed. City to Brussels flight is cancelled. Happy belated Christmas DC_7493837 and BFS Watcher (who won't have noticed as they watch BFS.....apparently).

Brussels was always going to be a hard sell as the terrorism that Belgium has experienced would (ironically) put a lot of people in Northern Ireland off.

Pity to see any European route go, but Brussels airport incident probably put a lot of people off. However I thought it would have bounced back, just like Paris

Wonder if any other airline will try

To suggest Cutters, anyone would be gloating over the loss of a route, especially due to terrorism is definitely scrapping the bottom of the barrel, even for you.

Brussels flight cancelled, BBC NI link

Belfast City Airport: Brussels Airlines ends service - BBC News

KLM have changed the times for the Sunday flight from Amsterdam, now scheduled to arrive in Belfast at 10:10 and away again 10:40. Not quite early enough to catch the third departure wave from Schiphol, though, but should be fine for the fourth at ~ 14:00.

When's that effective to/from?

As of yesterday, apparently. Also as of today Brussels Airlines have axed the Monday service, confirmed on their online timetable.