Assume the SFP 738 will be used?

Possibly not, as it looks like all the routes will be operated from other bases rather than a BHD based aircraft, so you'd need a SFP based at ALC/AGP/PMI/FAO...

Precisely. As they’re all bases using the Irish Registered frames it’ll be highly unlikely that BHD will get them as they’re are only 15 frames left on that AOC. Most are with Malta Air which will operate BGY.

Something must've changed on that front regarding SFP airframes. All the Southend routes have historically been solely with SFP based aircraft for that reason. For Summer 21 however there's a mix of based and non-based sectors there meaning it may no longer be exclusively SFPs anymore.

Fly757X

Do you mean there are only 15 EI-registered frames left in the fleet, or 15 EI registered frames unaccounted for, base wise? I thought there were still well over 200 on the EI register.

Sorry for maybe being a little unclear there. At present there are only 15-16 Irish frames which are SFP equipped. But yeah you’re quite right there is well over 200 still however most arrived before FR began receiving their SFP frames. :ok: My mistake!

Thanks, that makes sense to me now! I suspect they’ve done some numbers and for the majority of the time, AGP off 22/04 is fine. Of course, when the stars align and get you a hot, still day with 189 adults and 60 sets of golf clubs on the way to FAO, who knows what’ll happen.

Quiet a big win for BHD to get FR back.

Surly they won't stay at BFS if they have a good summer (operationally) from BHD.

Hard one to call. Depends very much as you say on how it works out for them. I just hope the travelling public actually travel this summer. In all honesty I would have thought a safer bet would have been domestic type NQY,JER,GCI, maybe even ORK,KIR as destinations for Summer 21 not by FR but as possibles by other carriers. But good luck to them on a very extensive timetable

KIR and ORK is an interesting idea and one that could be tested in the current climate, also a quick ring trip. However, no base at either end puts paid to that idea. Stobart would be a better operator for that, unlikely though.

GAZMO

Belfast becomes a FR base or just incoming flights from other bases?

Nope not a base, it's just flights coming in from other bases as you've mentioned.

No commitment required by FR our outlay. Canny move but I hope we get even a limited W21/22 operation from them. I believe other carriers still sniffing around BHD for potential routes.

Have you heard or have any idea what airlines are interested?

Eurowings has been mentioned and LGW rumours persist. FR may have pipped Eurowings to the post unless they looking at German routes

If there are other airlines in the frame for mainland Europe I'd guess Volotea (Northern Italy or France) , Eurowings (New BER base), Transavia (Orly) and Wizz (Luton). Beyond that I'd say few other hot options at this moment. I'd completely discount any Ryanair domestically this year, but who knows.

I would tend to agree 100% but in all honesty I think we are just about at what's going to happen unless a couple of domestic crumbs appear.

Alteagod

Rumour I heard is T3/GR lgw to bhd using e190/e195

Not sure if airlines can still apply for 3 pair daily lgw-bhd slots?

I thought the 190 was too expensive for LGW as they charged the same as a 737 or A320 ?

There has been fierce rumours of a LGW route for long time but have become more intense in recent weeks. The money was on it being EI but T3/GR, why not.

allan1987

I can't imagine any airport being confident in Eastern running a trunk route. You'd just about get the ink dry on the advertising and they'd pull out.

As noted above, A320-size makes more sense on that route due to Gatwick's charges. Would seem more strategic to convince Lingus back onto the route.

Can`t help but wonder how long it will be before they pull off the announced Gibraltar routes

If the flight is not an early departure from BHD probably no point operating it. Stobart had been awarded slots for LGW but it was late afternoon so they didn't pursue it. Maybe T3 might get one of there own for morning and get a deal for the Stobart slot.

Or you could get our MLAs to lobby for slots to connect the regions............oh that's right that would be stopped by their bosses. They like flying in to LHR and first class treatment.

BA appear to be operating an A321neo on the LHR-BHD flight tomorrow morning.

11:20 arrival
12:10 departure

I believe the inbound sector is bunged. Probably people getting home to Ireland before the compulsory hotac in Dublin from Monday.

Is this for Stobart Air BHD - LGW? can this be done on an ATR72-600 or will need to be on e190?

No reason why not on ATR. Probably best a/c to use until market picks up.

LGW has been on cards almost since EI pulled out.

Did Stobart not plan 5 airframes in BHD for full programme so they must have other routes up the sleeve

Once their current offering gets back to “normal” whatever that will be it’ll need 5 frames as is. A sixth one will need to be sourced for LGW if it comes to the fore.

127,988 divided by 1,306 = 98 so could be either, though ATR more likely.

Actually re my previous I now understand 7 airframes had been earmarked for BHD for S21 so that would indeed make LGW possible as well as at least 1 or 2 more destinations. But like all things is covid dependent and what the new owners of Stobart have planned when they get there hands on them.

Compulsory hotac started Friday, yesterday, so that theory doesn't stack up. I'd be surprised if the flight was bunged. The other was to look at this is, if compulsory hotac is required in DUB it is possible more would look to use BHD to avoid it, but a negative pcr test within the lady 72 hours means you avoid the hotel stay, I can't see this issue driving numbers at the moment. Maybe in summer yes.

Separately, comments about LGW, totally see ATR as the wrong aircraft. Too slow given the competition is all jet, and too hotly contested by easyJet ex BFS. Would seem illogical to go into a market that may take from Aer Lingus' own London route into LHR. Surely there are other routes more attractive ex BHD where they could contest and have more success, CWL, BRS, LPL, some of these closer in terms of timings. JER would also seem a good bi weekly opportunity.

Alteagod

I cant see ATR 72-600 being used to LGW.

Found this here

https://www.pressreader.com/search?q...type=1&state=1
I found this press reader

This would make sense if 7 airframes have been earmarked for BHD

As it seems for EIR S21 12 ATR's is needed

5 ATR 72-600 BHD
4 ATR 72-600 DUB
1 ATR 72-600 ORK
1 ATR 72-600 KIR
1 ATR 42-600 CFN

So that would leave 1 ATR 72-600 spare for the new owners but would still need another 2 planes. So not sure if the new owners would be planning to bring back the 2 Embraer E190's.

That would make 1 ATR 72-600 and 1 Embraer E190 based in BHD for the new owner

So, a total of 7 Planes based in BHD.
and somewhere else the 3rd plane would be based

Allan1987
I understood the 2 Embraer have not flown since Sept and that they were being returned to the lessor in the near future.

I had meant to add in my previous post, if any airline was to be interested in LGW route it would be Wizz Air?

While im not sure about Wizz Air being interested, both Embraer''s where flown to BZG in January for storage. Think this was return to lessor.

Whatever the reason, it was almost full - 21 in Club and 166 in Euro Traveller

Fly757X

There might also be a tranche of B737 MAX by July which should be capable of full passenger load out of BHD? Ryanair quoted (albeit in January) that they hoped to have 24 by summer and they would be deployed on ‘UK routes’.

A Ryanair training captain who is very active on social media recently posted a picture of himself in the MAX simulator. Might be complete coincidence but he is based in Girona so maybe the Spanish bases will be the first to get the MAX for summer?

Could be but in all honesty it’s the same situation as the SFP frames. I highly doubt they’ll be earmarked for the bases that will be operating to BHD. There was also a few articles recently stating they will be UK based initially and I’ve seen other folk from DUB/STN/MAN in the simulators for it too.

I see T3 restart SOU today. Hopefully greenshoots of recovery for BHD

I see that Easten Airways ATR 72-600 flew HUY-BHD as EZE961 today and is Parked there
are we expecting an announcement tomorrow?