Belfast International announces big Aircraft Storage Deal

[Professor Pat Pending]

Belfast International Airport (BFS) have announced a significant aircraft storage deal with airline '2 Jets'.

'2 Jets' have contracted to store one of their Boeing 757 aircraft at the airport.

In a ground breaking deal, BFS Airport Management (Sic) have allowed the aircraft to be stored at one of the airports prime gates as a non-flying "billboard". Usually, aircraft are stored in remote areas of an airport.

Airport Planning Manager Bill No-Gates said "This is a tremendous coup for our airport. It gives '2 Jets' passengers the impression that they are flying to Tenerife and other 'surprise' destinations, on a large, fast aircraft, yet they get to fly in a somewhat smaller, slower aircraft. This gives their customers more time to experience their renowned customer service".

When asked about the aircraft being parked at a gate that could be used by a variety of other aircraft throughout the day, Mr No-Gates replied "Extensive market research has shown that passengers from other airlines have expressed a wish to begin their journey from our airport on a coach. Accordingly, we have invested considerably in a fleet of coaches to transport passengers from their gate to the aircraft. As a bonus, by parking other aircraft further away from the terminal, it gives a greater proportion of passengers from other airlines the opportunity for more exercise in the course of boarding their aircraft, and reduces carbon-emissions because their aircraft is now lighter. Our new gates have a warren of corridors and stairs to heighten this experience", he said.

When asked if the aircraft should be towed to another gate or parking area, Mr No-Gates replied "This would cause delay to other airlines, as we would have to use one of our Coach Drivers to escort the towing team, so it's really not an option."

2 Jets' PR firm, Bodgit & Scarper Associates were unavailable for comment.

:E

[The_Bean_Counter]

Egg sell int

[tallseabird]

I remember reading a while ago that if a movable object doesn't move for 28 days then planning permission must be sought for the structure!

[Frankfurt_Cowboy]

Very BBC Three. Did it take you the whole eight years to come up with that??

[Kev 1]

Me thinks Prof Pat Pending needs a life! Correct me if Im wrong but airlines dont get to decide where to park their aircraft, its up to the handling agent/airport to move them around is it not?

Maybe Prof Pat Pending should try and climb onto the airframe and put up his own banner instead, oops some-idiot already tried that last week, oh well...

[Husky One]

Well I reckon he has a point. I'm beginning to wonder if that 757 is actually real or just a cardboard cut-out. Seems daft to leave it on a stand that doesn't require buses while the aircraft that actually generate some cash for the place are stuck on remotes.

[I'm pi$$ed off]

The aircraft sits for anything up to 5 days (and possibly 7 days) on a stand that could be used frequently by other operators.

So, Kev, why would an airport disadvantage all other operators at an airport where gates are at a premium, when other parking areas are available for an aircraft that is not in use for long periods of time? :=

Any 'customer' has a right to inquire about questionable practices that disadvantage them, have they not? :hmm:

[wounded-crow]

Well first of all pi$$ed off its the WINTER DUH!!!!! tell me what Low cost carrier in the uk fly's all their aircraft all the time during our sunny winter months!! why send a half - 2/3rd full aircraft somewhere when you can fill an 737 for the same route! its called BUSINESS MANAGEMENT! unlike Easyjet and Aer Lingus we don't send our aircraft downroute with 24+1 on a 180 / 148 seater just to give the impression that we are busy in the winter :8. prof pat just sounds jealous, :oh: he obviously works for menzies! :ugh: anyone got a tissue!!!!

[I'm pi$$ed off]

I didn't say that this thread was about an airline's inability to sell seats or compete with other operators, Crow. But, seeing as you mentioned it, thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Since you know so much about them, can you answer the two questions I asked earlier?

No?

Thought not!

[Straightahead]

A very witty posting from Professor Pat.We all know what B757 he is talking about parked on stand 21.The aircraft operates at least 3-4 times per week.This is a suitable stand for this size of aircraft.There are no suitable remote stands anymore as delta is now used for night stopping business jets.So better the devil you know than the devil you dont know.As for bussing yes quite a bit at the moment but immigration have recently put a stop to processing domestic passengers through the international arrivals corridor, such a shame as this area had been utilized for years when there were no charter traffic.Hence the increase in bussing domestic arrival passengers that park from stand 21-29 especially first thing in the morning.The new east stands soon to be ready for business and BUSSES in the next few weeks.

[Husky One]

yes but as the crow has started it.."Boeing 757 and the low cost model..discuss" Clearly the entire low cost world has missed out on this uber-efficient low cost money spinner. Last time I checked Easyjet were making barrels loads of cash. That seems more like BUSINESS MANAGEMENT to me :rolleyes:. PS the 737 NG has 149 seats not 148..oh dear another empty seat :{

[I'm pi$$ed off]

That aircraft has not flown that often per week for some time now, straightahead.

Also, there is more than enough room on Delta Apron for this aircraft and 3+ biz jets; it's just a matter of logistics. To have THE prime stand on the international pier denied to all other operators is pretty poor logistics. Hopefully when the new stands open, that aircraft can be towed there for it's protracted stays. That's logistics; even when using domestic flights on 21 it will cut the need to bus passengers from a domestic flight by 50% compared with using one of the new stands. And use of Gate 21 is becoming more important with the increase in international flights. Oh, and there's always stand 25 for the aircraft that, as we speak, sits on 21; it didn't go to TFS to-day.......... again.

As a frequent traveller from/to BFS, when faced with choice of the "hike" to the 'International Lounge', or standing for 10 minutes on a bus waiting to be taken to a remote stand, I know which gate I would prefer..... Gate 21!

P.S. I had occasion to arrive through Gate 29 the other day. Lovely water leak through the new ceiling at the lift! No Health & Safety notice to warn us poor members of the travelling public. Another reason for not using 28 & 29.

[wounded-crow]

well husky, i didn't say easyjet were not making any money nor did i say Jet2 were not either. As a ratio i would say they are making more money per flight than alot of others...... as i said ''it is the winter'' so ANY operator cannot expect to fill ALL aircraft and they have to maximise profits however they can. and pi$$ed off to answer your previous 2 questions.... I DON'T WORK FOR BIA but looks like they have their priorities right for a change instead of licking Aer Lingus' green rear hold!! and yes customers have the right to ask/question whatever they want but only when they have a relevant question about a situation that quite frankly is not any of their business.

[Husky One]

Perhaps Jet2's 75 is simply rehearsing for Duxford. :hmm:

[Danmadole]

Aforementioned 757 positioning back to BFS today following ops for Air Finland. It moves!:eek:

[I'm pi$$ed off]

Think it was flying for Finnair; good to see someone getting some lucrative work.

A "little bird" told me that, before it went off to Finland, it had been moved from Stand 21 last week and parked behind the Control Tower for it's long term parking. Nice to see that Belfast International Airport Ltd (BIAL) recognise that the aircraft should not be parked on a prime stand for extended periods; hopefully they will continue to enforce that policy. :ok:

Oh, and Crow? It is my business. As I said, I'm a customer, and if customer service is lacking, as it clearly was in this case, then I will complain. :=

I don't expect to be coached to/from my flight when a viable alternative is available. Your contempt towards customers is frankly astonishing. :rolleyes:

[Mohawk]

Actually, it was moved so that the engineers could carry out engine runs, not for "long term parking!"

By all accounts the A/C is going to be very busy come the end of March / begining of April, so you'll hardly see it after that! :)

[Husky One]

'busy' as in flying around or 'busy' as in carrying passengers? The 2 don't necesarily go hand in hand :hmm: