And that despite Vienna loads being absolutely dire, Laudamotion are joining the fray. Can't see Agadir lasting unless something fundamental changes either.

Munster v Saracens semi-final 15:15, Ricoh Arena, Coventry - Saturday, April 20th
 

[Wizz doing great on their new Cluj route, far better than Blue Air ever did. What a pity they're so dominant and big at Luton, I think a Wizz Base at BHX would go great guns. Still, with Luton becoming so busy and slot constrained at peak times,,perhaps we will continue to see new routes from Wizz in addition to krakow

Don't forget BHX is one of the most expensive airports to operate from so it would be difficult for a smaller loco to base themselves there. That and the ridiculous £3 for 5 minutes to drop off is not an incentive to fly from BHX these days.

I got just as annoyed about those drop off charges when they were only a pound. I got my taxi to drop me off at the International station and I took the free Air-Rail link. I also discovered that taxis from the station were cheaper than from the airport (where they have to pay a surcharge!

That only works during sensible hours.
Those enduring stupid o'clock second rotation arrivals will find the Air-Rail link closed and no taxis at the station anyway.

Air-Rail
 

I was less than impressed when arriving back on a Sunday 21.30 in mid-October to find only one working and 100's of pax but the BHX website claims it runs long hours and then a bus operates when out of action.

BHX website quote

TUI - Summer 2020 changes but not gone through them all - Thessaloniki doubled with Thursday added but the Thursday Palma, Malaga Agadir and Tenerife have all gone per the flight only which seems a bit of a change! Agadir still bookable in winter

Ryanair winter - Dublin reduced to 4 daily Tuesday and Wednesday. Porto remains bookable but Las Palmas and Verona just weekly still.

Pete

Another Flybe charter has gone, the Sunday Chambery ski flight for w19/20 is now on an Enter Air B738:

12:35/13:35 ENT271/ENT270

I have some sympathy (not a lot!) for airports with regard to these "hidden" extra costs for passengers, be it drop off, trolleys, fast track through security or any others I have overlooked.

Airlines no longer, and have not for some years, accepted that it is they who should pay for the services they require directly. So the airport has to make a decision, play hardball with airline customers, present or future, or hit the passenger directly to get the revenue that they can't extract from the carrier.

So far as BHX is concerned, the urban myth is that it's charges to airlines are way higher than those charged by other airports. That may well be the case for headline "full tariff" rates, but i guess that we may never know, or never be party to, what the airport offers in the way of incentives. It is to be hoped that the increased (exorbitant) drop of charge may go some way to allow the airport more flexibility to offer more competitive rates to carriers to encourage them to move in, or improve the range of routes / frequencies on offer.

There is a rumour that the ex MAEL hangar may have been acquired by TUI to expand there maintenance facilities, this may have been fuelled by the fact that two of the airlines B738s have visited the facility this week.

Hangar
 

Not heard about anything permanent but the Administrators were pretty clear that they would listen to requests for short-term leases until a buyer is found.

Needless to say if it was to become permanent it would be fantastic news.

On the negative side, Air Maroc Arabia is no longer bookable next winter - I am told it was a few weeks ago.

Pete

Given the loads you reported I don't think that's any surprise. They ought really to have looked for an IT operator to buy seats on the service; perhaps they did.

TUI have leased short term engineering/mods space in the "Diamond Hangar" at STN for B738 & B788`s previously.

I suppose the Administrators are happy to get whatever money they can get.. Flybe apparently have used it and the Gainjet B734 has been inside for ages.

ATNotts

Agadir is not having the best of time of it from BHX, TUI have cancelled it 3 times before it even started although it is looking good for next winter as it remains bookable but summer 2020 it has gone already.

Pete

Pete: What's happening over the RWY 33 ILS Saga ? I have not heard details of any progress in the matter.

CAT III

33 ILS
 

CAT 111-NDB If you are as old as me and remember the phrase from the Fawlty Towers German guests sketch "don't mention the war". Well it seems the new millennium version in BHX is "Don't mention the 33 ILS".

I am sure it is extremely complicated and well above my old head but the way it has been handled publicly is disappointiing and the vibes I get internally is even worse but that is only my interpretation and it might be way off-beam. Not so much touchy feely 21st century management more 1960's politburo but as I say I might be on the wrong lines.

I actually took it further but not as a single item and I don't want to go into this any further as there is little point but put it like this, a good analogy is with football and the North West Region, Premier League and Championship thinking and I don't need think that needs explaining any further although I hope the new BHX CEO will sort certain matters out take BHX up a division if you see what I mean.

Pete

Reply to Olton Pete
 

Message understood: OP. I was a "blue nose" during that all to brief period when the "Gypsy’s Curse 11" looked like a team with a secure premiership future.

Revised BHX SID's from May
 

CAP1778: CAP 1778 Birmingham International Airport Standard Instrument Departures from Runway 33: CAA decision

CAP1398a: CAP 1398a Birmingham International Airport Northbound Standard Instrument Departures from Runway 15: CAA decision

Reply to BHX5DME
 

Thanks I will digest (in part) those links tomorrow. Many thanks

CAT III

Pretty scandalous that the 33 ILS is down. Still. Nobody seems bothered about fixing a Precision 3D approach, for a preferred runway, at a major international airport.

If this was LHR or MAN it would have been fixed with a snap of the fingers.

Meanwhile it's RNAV, Overlay, Visual or Raw unless the weather craps out and there isn't a performance restricting tailwind on 15.

Wish I knew who to write to and complain.