The risk is though that they end up causing a lot of damage which ultimately ends up with fewer employed. Look at the mess Flybe 1 left. Plenty of businesses out of pocket. Loganair lost millions because they decided to fight a pointless war.

and I doubt IAG will be happy if the CEO of Emerald prioritises his maintenance firm’s partners over the deal he has with them.

Flybe2 will have a fight on their hand. IAG will play hard. Easyjet will too. That’s why everyone has said Flybe2 needs to find it’s niche. I’m not sure going head to head with other operators (most of which have frequent flyer schemes or decent offerings to lock pax in) is the answer.

The Birmingham base could work but it needs sensible decisions. I’d have stuck with a base there and go big from there and then expand.

https://www.belfastcityairport.com/n...st-City-Routes

Emerald Airlines plans base at Belfast City Airport

www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/emerald-airlines

Emerald Airlines plans to open a base at Belfast City Airport and will fly to EDI, GLA, BHX, MAN, EXT and LBA Airports, with more routes likely to be added throughout 2022.
This will also with British Airways and Aer Lingus regarding code sharing and other co-operation so that can maintain the continuity and benefits of the current services offered by both airlines at Belfast City Airport

shame to lose BACF BHD-GLA Emb190 on the route (assuming it will go)

I think the BACF was only every a short term plan until Summer 22. At least they seem to be keeping the LCY. I woukd say thats some cash cow for them as for the rest, selling with no C class on other routes probably big part of decision to stop routes.

Has anyone heard when Emerald might actually start flights from BHD? Are we to assume late March? Suppose they woating for the UK AOC before making any definite plans or announcements.

Indeed, they can't begin to advertise or sell seats until they've obtained their UK AOC and operating licence. According to ch-aviation, this is expected to happen by June, so I suspect it'll be early/mid-July before they actually start operating any flights from/to BHD.

Could be interesting if that's the case, since it gives Flybe a chance to steal a march on them, supposing they start in late March.

I don't see that to be the case... All Emerald's BHD routes are currently flown by Aer Lingus and BA Cityflyer, if the changeover to Emerald operating is delayed then I'm sure they wont leave any of those routes vacant. The A320/E190 operation will be extended, or they'll find a suitable interim solution, including wet leasing from Emerald's Irish AOC. IAG will not leave any gaps in their Belfast network, after all the work they've done in the last 2 years establishing themselves as the dominant force at BHD.

No gaps for flybe 2.

Except that the schedules aren't of the frequency that Flybe would probably be looking to offer, and reading other threads it seems as though BA Cityflyer don't have the resources to up frequencies presently. If nothing else it would give something for Flybe to go at. Whether IAG would look to divert resources to the BHD operation to see off any potential competition from Flybe is of course another question altogether.

Indeed the big question. Certainly BCA owners I doubt want to see a repeat of overdependance on one carrier again which potentially could include the IAG group.

It's actually a moot point whether BHD-LCY is a "cash cow", or even profitable/worthwhile. I've been a user of the route for many years, WHEN it has been offered, back to the original Flybe (who started off with a 146 jet, but then knocked back to their smallest aircraft, a Dash-8-300). After they had given up for a while Scot Airways had a shot, with an even smaller Dornier 328. That didn't work out in the end either. BACF long ignored it until quite recent times. I really do hope they manage to make a go of it, but the route does have a poor history.

I understand the reason behind the reduced in-flight service on the other BACF routes from BHD is the minimal flight time (especially to Glasgow, it's just 90 nm) meaning what they actually gave a shot to at first proved unworkable. Plus premium class on non-London domestic services has long had little or no uptake. LCY is a particular problem compared to Heathrow because there is no space or ability to have a lounge at LCY for the high end regulars, as was very apparent with the jury-rig they had to do in the departure gate for the premium New York service from there, so to be competitive with Heathrow BACF feel they have to do it on the aircraft, where in all classes it is better than BA Mainline do.

Random question, can someone please advise when Belfast Harbour Airport renamed to Belfast City Airport? Thanks.

I'm sorry I can't tell you exactly when, but I worked for a travel agents in East Belfast from 1990-96. At that time we had to hand write tickets, I don't remember issuing tickets with "Belfast Harbour" but I do remember issuing tickets with "Belfast City". This was usually followed by the passenger asking "is that the international?"

Alex

I'm not entirely sure, but I think this change night have happened when British Midland over from BFS. That would have been 2001. Incidentally that was about the same time as the current terminal opened. That might help.

It would seem to have been around early 1987, or perhaps late 1986.
Winter 86/87 timetables for Manx Airlines and Jersey European Airways, two user airlines at the time, refer to Belfast Harbour Airport.
The Summer 87 timetables for those same airlines use the name Belfast City Airport.
However, another user, Loganair, didn't change the name in its timetable until the January 1988 edition.

So the jungle drums around Sydenham Airport are alive that a new carrier is to to be announced soon for BHD. Anyone any thoughts on whom this could be.

Flybe 2.0 I would suspect

Surely there is only one airline this could be......Flybe!!!

Who else could it be? When do we think we might see the announcement? Friday or Monday?

I believe tbh its actually as well as Emerald and Flybe unless VY coming back down the road!