BIRMINGHAM - 5

[insuindi]

That is very impressive, looks like BHX served as an alternative to the Olympic (London) airports, who all had a drop in Pax number (except for LGW's +0.3%).

Of the other large UK airports only ABZ had similar growth +9.1% and LBA +5.8%, growth also for BFS +5.1%, GLA +3.2%, NCL +2.2%, and only MAN +1.8% and BRS +0.5%.

EMA -2.1%.

[ericlday]

'' looks like BHX served as an alternative to the Olympic (London) airports''...on what grounds can you base your assumption. It does not follow that increase in pax was as the result of Olympic arrivals/departures.

[insuindi]

Misunderstanding - nearly 9% additional pax volume must have come from somewhere, the additional capacity this summer through the bmibaby/Monarch overlap and the increase in air fares to London during the Olympic period have driven business from North of LON to BHX.

So this is not Olympic traffic, but people displaced from the LON airports/choosing to avoid LON airports/Olympic traffic.

EDIT:
BHX-ZRH now reduced to 14/7 for summer period 2013 too. Swiss European Avro replaces OLT F100 for the evening rotation.

[ssflyer]

Mini riot at luggage carousel in T2 on Friday 14th September after early arrival (22.45) of FR9162
Flight arrived 20 mins early and the T2 Border control was still open ( I think they close at 11pm).
After 20 minutes and no sign of luggage a pax spotted a lone staff member and asked where the luggage was,and as a regular traveller said " perhaps gone to T1?"
Staff member made a phone call and then vanished. Terminal now empty of staff (Border control left after checking last passport) with only the 150+ pax getting more and more frustrated.
Angry pax trying to leave through Customs but being told they could not return for luggage,others on mobiles trying to get through to Airport management/taxis/relatives etc etc
Pathetic announcements at 23.20 " luggage will be with you in 10 minutes" followed at 23.35 "luggage will be with you in 15 minutes" and even a lone staff member,accosted beyond Customs,saying there was a "problem with the belts".
Eventually staff,including security,arrived and unfortunately were verbally abused by some angry pax (no excuse) and they said there was a delay getting the luggage back from T1 (handler problems) but it would be back soon.
Luggage eventually arrived back at T2 at midnight, a full 80 mins after the flight arrival (some cynics may say this is normal for BHX)
The only subsequent announcement was that the drop off car park fee would be capped at £1 for the FR Girona pax, which did not help those who missed the last trains and those that had to pay much extra for their waiting taxis.
In retrospect one can understand what happened-the flight normally arrives after 23.00 and presumably both pax and luggage are transferred to T1.
The appalling thing about all this is the apparent unawareness of management of what happened and why nobody took ownership of the problem and got it sorted pdq
I think if pax had not kicked up a fuss then T2 arrivals would have been closed for the night,leaving the pax in limbo/no mans land until someone in T1 baggage wondered why nobody was collecting luggage off the Girona flight.
It would be nice to know the true facts. Was the baggage put on carousels at T1 by the handlers? Did they then have to collect the baggage and reload them?Was the further delay due to them being allocated to another flight or what?

[GAZMO]

Had a similar experience at Edinburgh a few years ago when arriving from BFS.....1 hour wait for luggage. They sent the luggage to International arrivals and could not figure out why nobody was collecting it. They had to collect, restack and deliver to domestic arrivals.

I can laugh at it now but it was not funny then.

Hopefully the Scots know BFS is domestic!!!!

[MARK 101]

Cant say too much on here but do find it amazing that regularly both in the departure lounge as well as the arrivals there are never any staff whatsoever. Do wonder about the security side of having 2-300 people basically unsupervised.I know there is cctv,but it doesnt really give a good impression of BHX, especially when things do go wrong..

[OltonPete]

Well here they are and in the main very good and perhaps some routes will never see such passenger figures again such as Rome and Nice. I can't say I monitored fares that much although what I paid for Venice was quite low for peak season but the longer Monarch routes seemed to be quite high and hopefully they made a bob or two.

CAA figures used for the passengers, the rest are estimated in some instances but with the aid of a BHX blog, libhomeradar and planespotters.net.

Some figures look amazing such as the increase in Cyprus routes but the net growth was nil due to the loss in charter passengers. Dalaman was the same but actually all Turkish routes in total were down except Istanbul.

Emirates recovered slightly (smaller decrease) and less than a third were on three class 77W's.

Prague's last full month for a while went out on a high with Lisbon not far behind.

I am not sure if Berlin is still in the honeymoon period but some outstanding figures although I realise some on here have said business is light.

I wonder if EI Regional will have scope to re-time Shannon next summer and squeeze in extra Knock flights,as that is one high load factor even if it was August (a mix of 66 & 72 seats used).

Some business routes such as Brussels and Copenhagen did see some seat reductions compared to last summer but other business routes did well for August such as Paris (AMS overflow?), DUS and FRA.

BRUSSELS...6691...(7921)...41 PAX...53%

LARNACA...8831...(5379)...192 PAX...97%

PAPHOS...4982...(3793)...192 PAX...95%

COPENHAGEN...5058...(5903)...70 PAX...75%

AVIGNON...1776...(1050)...52 PAX...65%

BERGERAC...1965...(1939)...58 PAX...70%

BREST...1319...(1749)...51 pax...66%

LA ROCHELLE...1351...(1458)...52 PAX...67%

MONTPELLIER...2870..(5664)...159 PAX...84%

NICE...13170...(7646)...116 pax...78%

PARIS...29315...(24683)...90... PAX...79%

PERPIGNAN...1194...(nil) 46 PAX/58%

BERLIN TXL...6575...(nil)...110 pax...79%

DUSSELDORF...13778...(12189)...51 PAX...58%

FRANKFURT...24514...(22973)...102 pax...66%

HAMBURG...5748...(2977)...40 pax...48%

HANOVER...5302...(5367)...53 pax...68%

MUNICH...14628...(13977)...86 pax...72%

STUTTGART...2667...(2642)...31 pax...40%

HERAKLION...3159...(nil)...176 pax...92%

CORK...7934...(7290)...53 pax...74%

DUBLIN...47657...(49918)...137 pax...75%

KNOCK...3793...(5797)...61 pax...92%

SHANNON...2940...()...47 pax...71%

WATERFORD...1429...(1343)...45 pax...61%

MILAN...8879...(4944)...91pax...65%

ROME FCO...14446...(nil)...147 pax...88%

VENICE...5112...(nil)...150 pax...86%

TRIESTE...2783...(2727)...155 pax...82%

MALTA...3237...(3184)...180 pax...95%

AMSTERDAM...33135...(41741)...107 pax...79%

FARO...26756...(23794)...169 pax...92%

LISBON...2059...(nil)...129 pax...86%

ALICANTE...33555...(26332)...173 pax...95%

ALMERIA...3703...(3501)...206 pax...96%

BARCELONA...10391...(nil)...148 pax...90%

GIRONA...6229...(4442)...173 pax...92%

IBIZA...14360...(10476)....180 pax...93%

MAHON...7596...(6905)...200 pax...93%

MALAGA...45017...(33378)...169 pax...93%

MURCIA...10580...(10530)...151 pax...90%

PALMA...34650...(23116)...162 pax...91%

REUS...4795...(4614)...171 pax...91%

ARRECIFE...11597...(9818)...187 pax...95%

FUERTEVENTURA...6868...(6465)...191 pax...95%

LAS PALMAS...8163...(6582)...186 pax...95%

TENERIFE...17833...(18935)...186 pax...93%

DUBROVNIK...3095...(843)...129 pax...83%

ZURICH...13374...(13569)...72 pax...74%

BODRUM...4545...(3489)...162 pax...93%

ISTANBUL...8147...(5451)...131 pax...80%

DALAMAN...11576...(7064)...187 pax...93%

PRAGUE...134 pax...(nil)...134 pax...91%

BUDAPEST...3120...(nil)...173 pax...92%

KAUNAS...3074...(3117)...171 Pax...90%

BYDGOSZCZ...4458...(4690)...171 Pax..91%

GDANSK/2823...(3258)...176 pax...93%

KATOWICE...4906...(3191)...175 pax...93%

RZESNOW...3192...(3231)...177 pax...94%

BRATISLAVA...4568...(4610)...176 pax...93%

ASHKHABAD...5597...(5540)...155 pax...84%

YEREVAN...477...(nil)...48 pax

DUBAI...40338...(41568)...325 pax...79%

ISLAMABAD...6791...(6655)...200 pax...57%

TORONTO...3374...(3379)...337 pax...98%

NEWARK...9567...(8762)...154 pax...91%

Pete

[groundhogbhx]

Pete, there are only 70 and 72 seaters in the fleet. The 66 seaters were reconfiged last year.

[OltonPete]

groundhogbhx

Cheers, planespotter.net still showing a few with 66 seats, they seem spot on with some airlines such as EK but not so hot on others.

Aer Lingus - Dublin summer 2013 showing three daily every day at present up two flights a week (weekend).

flybe

flybe seem to be adjusting ABZ again with 175's showing departing early morning to BHX & MAN but both evening flights now showing as Q400's which makes no sense at all.

Pete



Pete

[kasuga]

United cease using servisair at bhx wef 21 jan 13, this is obviously cost driven, however, should be interesting if menzies have the new contract

[FQTLSteve]

Returned to BHX last Sun 16th on last inbound from FRA op by A320 MIDO Brown interior, full a/c. Spoke tp purser, said very busy in main cabin at all times. LH must be doing something right, good news for BHX.

[nigel osborne]

FQTL Steve.

Re Lufthansa..

The load factor in August was 66%. However LH are soon to restart using their own metal on the route.They are dropping it from a BMI 320 back to their own B733/735/319 so a disappointing cut in capacity.

However it should insure increased load factor and at very busy times they usually upgrade to larger planes where necessary.

[GayFriendly]

Prague's last full month for a while went out on a high with Lisbon not far behind

I really hope that these two are picked up for next summer, both could fit into ZB route network quite easily (airframe availability permitting!)

I am not sure if Berlin is still in the honeymoon period but some outstanding figures although I realise some on here have said business is light

Have been booking for a number of weekend dates in Nov and Dec, most dates no cheapest 'Economy Basic' fares available and very limited 'Economy Saver' so cheap fares are selling out quickly, I think this route will stay but whether at daily i'm not sure. LH supposedly announcing a new loco carrier subsidiary for its European ops tomorrow, BHX-TXL would be an ideal candidate based on current low business pax uptake on this route?

[irishlad06]

In ref to the UA contract same thing has happened at BFS and Menzies won the contract, cheapest option.

[Suzeman]

Re Lufthansa..

The load factor in August was 66%. However LH are soon to restart using their own metal on the route.They are dropping it from a BMI 320 back to their own B733/735/319 so a disappointing cut in capacity.

However it should insure increased load factor and at very busy times they usually upgrade to larger planes where necessary.

AFAIK LH look at the short haul schedules and bookings a few days in advance to determine which types should be used on which flights to best accommodate the demand - a very useful and efficient way of using the fleet. They have been doing this for some years.

[worcsbert]

The change to Menzies was not a financial decision. Menzies put a tender in for all the UK stations (except LHR) and only won 3 contracts out of 7.

[GayFriendly]

Sorry worcsbert I have to disagree as far as BHX goes. I have heard straight from the horses mouth from a senior SVS manager that Menzies undercut them in cost by a substantial % to handle UA and thats what made the decision to move. I should imagine with both BFS and BHX being seen as 'thin' routes in the eyes of UA that every effort is being made by them to cut the cost base of these services. The other UK airport to have a change of handling for UA was?

I also hear (from a different source) that BE have terminated their contract early with Menzies at BHX over a series of disputes over reliability and handling issues, I wonder if UA know that?

It's such a pity that service standards, just like in most other industry sectors in this country come a poor second to the bottom line. You pay peanuts......

I would like to add that I have no affinity with either organisation just pointing out the facts as I have heard them.

[worcsbert]

I work for UA, and trust me it was not to do with price. They may have been cheaper but thats not the reason. That's why they didn't win DUB, SNN, MAN or GLA

[getonittt]

As many regular PPruners know, on this thread we have been saying for some time that berlin would be a good route to be served from BHX , and DLH come along and hit the jackpot , hopefully it can be served double daily by the time the new brandenburg is open ( 2018?? :rolleyes: ) Now if only someone can serve madrid...
As for MON at BHX i think their expansion so far has been a success, i flew to MXP this week and loads on both flights were very good and as can been seen from olton petes stats they seem to create their own pax rather than try and poach from others . Hopefully they have not been too damaged by the Aurela 737 shenanigans and have a solid winter 2012/3.

[OltonPete]

getonittt

Great to see the MXP loads holding up in September, as I must say I half expected to see one of the services end but I suppose with winter coming up things might get messy although flybe will be using the 175 soon.

As for Berlin, it is more than likely BHX will be losing Lufthansa rather getting increased capacity if this article is correct.

Lufthansa will create budget brand to cut costs in Europe - Business Traveller (http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/lufthansa-will-create-budget-brand-to-cut-costs)

The information is still sketchy and HAM & DUS could be affected as well. One German article apparently said Eurowings will provide some aircraft so I assume a similar model to flybe I assume on some routes.

[insuindi]

OltonPete

All non-hub routes (FRA/MUC, possibly DUS) will be most certainly be affected. The new low cost carrier will absorb all of Germanwings, Eurowings and LH Berlin as it stands. EDIT: LH Cityline will remain seperate, as it operates out of FRA/MUC. Future of Augsburg Airways is unclear. Accross all LH Group companies the 70 seaters will be taken out of the fleet.

The total fleet size of new holding is said to be 90a/c.

Ex-Germanwings (+LH Berlin?!) will have fleet of A319/320, Eurowings will initially continue to operate under their own callsign (with their fleet of CR900). Edit ends.

If the yield is OK and holds up on LH's BHX routes I wouldn't think that the above combination of airlines would result in a route cull - possibly the name would change from LH to whatever they dream up now for their new baby.

[kasuga]

Interesting if menzies are in the process of losing flybe, this contract seems to be a poison chalice for all handling agents.

Will be intetesting to see how menzies handle united as they are a very demanding customer with a high expectancy of standards.

Could this result in a price war at bhx, with menzies dropping their prices even lower to gain new contracts ???:bored::uhoh:

[Cloud1]

What source of information do we have, other than a post on here, to prove Menzies have lost Flybe?

I would be surprised because it would mean Flybe are back to the drawing board and being in a position like this would mean it is in the favour of the other Handling Agents. Flybe are not likely to go back to Swissport which leaves only Servisair.......could they now charge what they liked?? Flybe will need a handling agent afterall and options would be extremely limited.

Will believe this one when I see it

Maybe with an additional contract it will give Menzies the boost they need to increase resource?

[groundhogbhx]

Cloud1

I heard this in the office last week, attributed to a source inside Flybe who was smacking their head against the wall because of the latest batch of delays.

Problems doing the rounds recently include only having one driver on shift and no headset trained staff on one morning, bags missing flights (sometimes all the bags), Airport staff taking over the BSA as there weren't enough Menzies staff capable of working in there, half the staff sent to EMA to cover the Flybe startup there, not enough staff to cover leave and sickness.

If half of that is true then I can understand why there would be a sickness problem, the staff must be under an incredible amount of pressure to get the job done:eek:

It would seem that flybe's desire to keep handling costs down could be coming back to bite them. Everyone who has handled them since they started their expansion at BHX has had the same problem, flybe don't want to pay what it actually costs to provide the service levels they put in the contract. The handling agents always hope that other contracts can help cover the deficit, which may be fine until the aircraft start going off schedule when the impact hits the other airlines and service levels fall across the board. Aviance got dragged down, then Swissport and now Menzies. The first two managed to get their reputations moving back up after losing the contract, Menzies don't have that luxury.

[MKY661]

Birmingham Airport Now Closed due to Monarch flight ZB467 (Operated by Aurela) from Nice overran the runway. Flights diverting to East Midlands and Liverpool.

Brum plane skids off runway - ITV News (http://www.itv.com/news/story/2012-09-21/plane-skids-off-runway-at-birmingham-airport/)

Pic Here:
Monarch flight. Aurela Airways Plane skidded off runway after landing at Birmingham Airport | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mldphotos/8008951013/)

No Injuries have been reported.

[Evanelpus]

Manarch need to finish this wet lease with aurelia before they do long term damage to monarchs credibility.

Is this based one todays incident alone or are you aware of other problems between Monarch and Aurela?

[runway08]

^Indeed I think the other recent Monarch incident was with an Air Explore 737 and not Aurela specificly.

[Burpbot]

All three incedents that made the news that I am aware of we're aurela!
Lig tfs and now Bhx

[Dannyboy39]

BBC mentioned that it was an Aurela that went tech for 2 days in TFS.

[TSR2]

Manarch need to finish this wet lease with aurelia before they do long term damage to monarchs credibility.


From the Monarch Airlines website News section.

We have suspended the use of Aurela Airlines.

[ssflyer]

Monarch | 2012 News - Flights - Monarch flight ZB467 21st September 2012 | Flights News (http://www.monarch.co.uk/news/flights/2012-news/flight-zb467)

[SWBKCB]

Shameless teflon shouldered "nowt to do with me, guv" modern management speak.

[runway08]

Hi dannyboy39, This was the incident I was speaking of.

Incident: AirExplore B734 near Limoges on Jul 24th 2012, loss of cabin pressure (http://avherald.com/h?article=4532b22b&opt=0)

:ok:

[OltonPete]

dannyboy39

The BBC were correct in stating it was the same aircraft involved in the Tenerife 51 hour delay.

Up to that point the aircraft had a very good dispatch rate, as I had unfortunately pointed out the day before the TFS incident :\. Since then it has also had a fairly good run up until today.

The Air Explore has been also been behaving itself recently as well.

The incident also affected the new Monarch Munich service, which launched today and it ended up departing over an hour late.

[ATNotts]

The BBC were correct in stating it was the same aircraft involved in the Tenerife 51 hour delay

However they were a bit wide of the mark when it came to "skidding off runways" (I think taxiway might have been the word they were looking for); and as for being taken to a siding - well I guess it's joined Thomas the Tank Engine for being a real naughty engine!!!

[darkbarly]

Was this the same aircraft I observed carrying out a missed approach to Rwy 33 at lunchtime today?

[OltonPete]

darkbarly

Per flightradar24 replay the 733 landed first time and the go-around was the Air Explore Boeing 734 which was next in line to land.

[darkbarly]

Jeez, double if not triple unlucky for Monarch pax today. Thanks OP.

[FlyboyUK]

As I posted in the rumours and news topic on the incident...


The 15 threshold end of the runway is ungrooved concrete which has the potential to be slippery when wet. The position of the aircraft from the photos looks like it may have gone into the grass during the turn onto the A taxiway. Perhaps they took the turn too fast and slipped off the side? I suspect the flaps/slats were retracted during the after landing checks as they turned off the runway and would fit with this theory.

This senario happened at the other end a few years ago with a well established UK operator when the 33 threshold area was also concrete. That end of the runway has since been covered in asphalt.

A look at google earth clearly shows the concrete areas (dont bother with apple maps, the image is very old!)

[OltonPete]

kasuga

Correct, I do remember driving home from work and it was parked up on the 70's or 80's but I couldn't remember the day or if it was pre-planned swap, as it did fly back home the other week for routine maintenance and was away for just over a day.

The Nice this morning was covered by Monarch A320 "BB" but the Titan might also still be in.

[nigel osborne]

Flyboyuk.

It was only raining lightly and if a EK 77W can make the turn, then a 737 should have no issues,unless their was a steering or brake problem. :confused:

[Alex757]

Pax reported juddering in Nice, which occurred shortly before leaving the tarmac at BHX ... maybe some sort of steering issue? Anti skid? dunno.

[Burnie5204]

Report on the news I saw said that in Nice the juddering was accompanied by a sudden change in direction "as if the brakes had locked up" (or words to that effect) before being corrected back to its original track.

[crewmeal]

So what's happened to this aircraft now it has been towed away? Parked on a remote stand awaiting a CAA/AAIB? or has it sneaked off back to Lithuania?

[OltonPete]

crewmeal

Per flightradar24 and libhomeradar the aircraft has remained at BHX. PK was on the local news Friday night stating the AAIB were on site.

As for the schedule it has thus far been covered by a Monarch A320, which positioned in Saturday morning and operated Nice and Tenerife yesterday and Nice this morning.

The Nice as a co-incidence has reduced to four weekly from daily this week but the second flight of day for the aircraft continues until the end of the month at BHX so the schedule can't be covered with 7 based.

Lufthansa

The Frankfurt aircraft type from the end of October seems to be changing quite a bit with more A319's and A320's appearing especially on the night-stop which was listed as the 733.

Ryanair

They have added a third Arrecife during the Christmas and New Year period on a Wednesday but alas that service operated all winter last year.

flybe

As mentioned on the flybe thread the winter schedule is still being altered with no day trips available on Stuttgart with the morning service moved back to 09.55 departure ex BHX. Aberdeen is now 2 x 175 and 2 x Q400.

The 175 is showing on the first Amsterdam on a Sunday only.

Still nine based at present but will we see STR go daily?

[FlyboyUK]

@ Nigel Osborne

I agree that they should have been able to make it perfectly fine, but they didn't for some reason, just like the incident the other end a few years ago.

[nigel osborne]

Flyboyuk.

Remember a Dan Air 727 at BHX going off, near the end of 15 in snowy conditions.Went off at some pace, undercarriage torn off and a wing pointing up, nearly a disaster.

We do seem to have quite a few plane emergencies for a quietish airport, and far more than much busier airports like LHR.

[FlyboyUK]

The one I was referring to was, I believe, a Flybe which slipped off during the turn off at the other end when that was concrete and wet. Can't quite remember when it was, but was a good few years ago now. You could see the wheel tracks in the grass for ages after.

[nigel osborne]

Flyboyuk

Their have been so many incidents with Fly Be Dash 8 bone shakers, hardly surprising you can't remember the exact one :bored:

[Sprogston Green]

Didn't a Tom 767 also slide off some years ago the fuel farm end (end of 15).

might be wrong - getting old

[grundyhead]

Sprogston Green

http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/dft_avsafety_pdf_025503.pdf

[Sprogston Green]

Cheers Mr Grundyhead

[jabird]

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2012/09/24/birmingham-airport-more-attractive-to-travellers-than-heathrow-says-lufthansa-97319-31897869/

Good for Lufty in supporting Brum, but without wanting to spoil the party, 17% growth includes new routes with a zero base line.

I'd much rather be reading about 5% yoy growth from Flybe and Ryanair - although again this would need to be offset against the loss of baby, which should be more obviously reflected in ZB figs.

[Whiskey Zulu]

by kasuga: Also about 6 weeks ago it had taxied out and one of the servisair ground crew noticed a bald patch on nose wheel, the a/ c returned to stand whilst an engineer was called, however, in the interim period a family of 4 decided that they had booked to fly with monarch and not "this ageing aircraft" and promptly offloaded themselves , incidentally, the capt made the decision to carry on with the bald nose wheel, the canvas was visible underneath.

What absolute rubbish kasuga!! I was on that aircraft! A puncture was detected on pushback from a large screw embedded in a tyre. I saw the photo that the captain took of it. The tyre was changed prior to departure, so how dare you accuse the Captain of departing with an unsafe aircraft. No only is that libellous and subject to possible legal action against you, it's a downright LIE!! :mad:

[Burpbot]

Plus if you knew anything about aircraft tyres, you would know a bald patch is not an issue! Most operators are able to ADD a tyre for between 3 and 30 flights, from first detection of visable braid, depending upon individual maintenance procedures!

A screw in the tyre is a worry! Not about the operator but serious concern for FOD at the airfield! Good spot by the ground crew, assuming they did a thorough FOD check prior to allowing the aircraft on stand as per the AOI's ;)

[kasuga]

Whiskey zulu at no point was any mention made thay the a/c was "unsafe."..;)

[Whiskey Zulu]

kasuga, you stated

'incidentally, the capt made the decision to carry on with the bald nose wheel, the canvas was visible underneath.'

If you don't consider bald tyres unsafe, then you obviously know as little about aviation as your original post suggested!

And you LIED!! why exactly??

[ericlday]

WZ......he is probably a journo in the making.....high degree of imagination !

[Whiskey Zulu]

He has deleted his original post, which I shall take as an admission of guilt! :=

[TCX69]

SWISS from 28OCT12 is reducing Zurich – Birmingham operation, where it’ll reduce from 3 to 2 daily. Mid-day service from Zurich is being cancelled.
Schedule:

LX420 ZRH0715 – 0805BHX 100 D
LX424 ZRH1715 – 1805BHX 100 D
LX421 BHX0840 – 1135ZRH 100 D
LX425 BHX1850 – 2140ZRH 100 D

LX420/421 operated by Helvetic Airways, LX424/425 by OLT Express

[munster]

WZ

'incidentally, the capt made the decision to carry on with the bald nose wheel, the canvas was visible underneath.'

If you don't consider bald tyres unsafe, then you obviously know as little about aviation as your original post suggested!

for your information - the 737 maintenance manual allows the A/C to be released with canvas showing on the tyres!!

[OltonPete]

Swiss

Yes I can't believe airlineroute.net have only picked up on that today, I posted it here on 1/9/2012 and it had been missing from GDS at least a few days before that.

I notice that they are often very slow with some airports and too quick with others and often have to retract what they have posted.

Ryanair

Christmas extra's now building with Arrecife, Las Palmas and Tenerife.

ACE is four Wednesdays in a row, LPA three and TFS one all away based aircraft but better than nothing. FUE remains just weekly!!!

Forgot that the cut afternoon Dublin on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays also operate over the Christmas & New Year period.

[Planeaddict]

Any recent news about a service to India, Doha and ORD?

Also, what have Airblue said when earlier in the month there was rumours that they would start BHX with A340s?

[GayFriendly]

planeaddict - I wouldn't hold your breath on any of these for the immediate future although none are entirely off the BHX radar:

QR to DOH - has been confirmed but sadly not when....QR waiting for 787 deliveries and I can't imagine that BHX is top of the list even when they do get eventually delivered. But it would seem that QR ops are on the (distant?) horizon

ORD - again long wished for by BHX, perhaps a service could start after runway extension finished?

India - as has been documented on here, ATQ should be a route from BHX but it seems to be the long haul poisoned chalice. Traditional low yields I guess make this a tricky one to work. If QR do start they would offer a BHX-DOH-ATQ connection routing albeit only a 320 from DOH-ATQ which could help satisfy demand complementing T5 existing services via ASB.

Air Blue - sadly just a spotter fantasist who hacked the Air Blue website, obviously desperate to see an A340 at BHX! However I could see them starting as they did at MAN with the 320, they didn't flat out deny they wouldn't do the route when they made a statement regarding the website hack.

[nigel osborne]

Gayfriendly, planeaddict,

Re Qatar..to make matters worse their first 787s deliveries are now further delayed, as they are not happy about the poor quality of the interiors being fitted..:eek:

who knows what extra delay that will have on our supposed new service :rolleyes:

Nigel

[chinapattern]

On the MON thread it's reported that their BHX/MAN/LGW-MXP flights are all ending but nothing confirmed. Must admit I expected Flybe to be the first to axe MXP in the face of FR launching Bergamo this winter. Hopefully MON could look into launching PSA from BHX; and perhaps LIS next summer.

[jabird]

ust admit I expected Flybe to be the first to axe MXP in the face of FR launching Bergamo this winter

Except BGY isn't MXP, is there not still some business demand left in northern Italy?

Now as for the long term plans at BHX, I can't even get a bus or train to make a 6:40 flight this morning - from the WEST side of Coventry. Now do the fantasists still think people are going to get a train up from London, using a service not even built yet that doesn't even go straight to the terminal?

[GayFriendly]

jabird I have the same problem travelling from Leamington to catch an 0700 flight in two weeks, I am staying at the etap the night before. It's a problem systematic to a lot of UK airports, public transport doesn't operate early or late enough for flight schedules. London must be the only major world city to have a subway network that closes at half midnight until 5am!! Ridiculous.

In other news, rumour has it that PIA are to axe MAN and AMS flights as part of a route review and a tie up with TK. PIA have hotly denied this and flights are bookable on these routes over winter. The PIA press release does however ominously mention that all routes are being reviewed for profitability - does anyone have any reliable info on how BHX performs for PIA? I worry that if they were considering a shut down at MAN then BHX would go too? They have been pretty loyal to BHX on the whole so it can't be a bad route for them?

[chinapattern]

PIA

You never know what to believe from PIA. From what I can tell the loads are always good. The way things stand now I'd be inclined to believe MAN would be more important to them as it's where all their JFK flights transit through. However their were rumours a while back that they were planning on axing all North American flights, then a few months later it was reported they were actually going to increase them and re-instate IAH so who knows?

But on the plus side BHX doesn't have the competition from Air Blue which have just upgraded, or very soon will, MAN ops to an A340.

Monarch

BHX/MAN/LGW-MXP all ending 03/11/12

Qatar

Fingers crossed the rumours of QR joining oneworld are false; we all know oneworld don't do BHX!

[crewmeal]

Fingers crossed the rumours of QR joining oneworld are false; we all know oneworld don't do BHX!

Well the Arabian press have got hold of this one:

Arabian Aerospace - Qatar tipped to join Oneworld alliance (http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/qatar-tipped-to-join-oneworld-alliance.html)

[GayFriendly]

It would make perfect sense - with QF having got into bed with EK and the Gulf proving ever more popular to make transit connections on to Oz, Asia etc Oneworld need QR, BA cannot effectively compete for all this traffic by itself against the might of the Gulf carriers. I think this means the 'will they won't they come to BHX' QR rumour will now drag on for even longer!

[ericlday]

(Reuters) - Qatar Airways has no plans to join the oneworld airline alliance, its Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker said on Sunday, dismissing reports that the airline had become the newest member of the group as "rumor."

Asked if the carrier would join oneworld, which includes British Airways, owned by IAG (ICAG.L), Baker said: "No, we will not. It's all rumors."

He was speaking on the sidelines of a conference in the UAE capital.

Alliances were set up in the 1990s to help airlines take advantage of each other's marketing and traffic in the face of tightly controlled bilateral traffic rights, but so far the Gulf carriers have refrained from joining as they build big networks.

[davidjohnson6]

Along with the French regional seasonal routes (Avignon, Brest, Bergerac, La Rochelle and Perpignan), Dubrovnik also seems to have disappeared in Flybe's summer 2013 schedule.

Is this a definite loss, or a "may appear on sale in a month or so" ?

[GayFriendly]

I think the same happened this year, French seasonal routes only operated for 6 weeks or so from mid July and were released later than first summer release. I should imagine that with the fair to middling load factors on these routes they are under review - if they don't operate I assume there will be quite a bit of airframe downtime for the BHX base?

DBV operated from May this year and appeared in the original release, perhaps ZB affected load factors this summer which is why BE haven't released it. I haven't heard that ZB are dropping any routes for next summer so hopefully they will fill the gap that BE might leave on this route.

BHX have been seen to be cosying up to bmi regional and Chicago Airport at the Routes Conference in Abu Dhabi......lets hope there are positive announcements for BHX to come from this conference.

[S78]

Rumours circulating around BHX of a 16/11 start date. Mon, Wed, Fri (I.E. the days when PIA don't operate) with A330 equipment.

Nothing on Shaheen Air's website (or should I try facebook:E ).


Anyone heard anything?

[GayFriendly]

A deluded spotter has seen that Shaheen have acquired an A330 and has made a '2+2 to make 5' rumour.......or is it indeed a bold move to launch long haul ops by a growing regional airline? They have tried the UK before, flying ISB-LBA, although it didn't last long. Can't remember why they stopped so quickly. Be nice if rumour was true to see them fly to Lahore and Peshawar instead of ISB.

[Planeaddict]

This Shaheen Air service doesn't sound like a bad idea, they need their A330s for something, but I have a feeling it is a rumour.

I'd suggest contacting Shaheen Air themselves and see if it's true.

Oh, and they stopped ISB-LBA after a few months because they ran out of aircraft (they had it on lease I believe), even though the flights were full a number of times but they brought in PIA as a replacement and it is still going strong so all is well ;)

[jabird]

I took the last flight out to DBV. I wasn't exactly expecting it to be busy, but just 4 onboard (crew said full for the return).

Any comments on why BE don't drop prices further - afaik, £56 is lowest they go on this route.

If they halved that, they might pick up a few more punters Ryanair style, ditto for other routes. Bums on seats they wouldn't otherwise have.

FR back TRS-BHX was 2/3 full, also a route which is summer only, but a few more rotations left. Not a bad LF considering this is now the off season for the Adriatic.

[OltonPete]

jabird

Very appropriate timing in respect of your Trieste comments with Ryanair releasing some summer 2013 schedules.

With Krakow, Bergamo and Barcelona new for winter, if they continue Ryanair will need either to add another aircraft, add more away based flying or cancel existing routes.

Indeed that load factor for Trieste is very good for October and I am always amazed it operates as long as it does and the aircraft not switched to sunnier climes. 2012 was the forth year of Trieste and usually a critical time as fees will probably be increasing (or discounts ending) and it is often when routes sail off into the sunset. 2009 saw 12768, 2010 16204 and 2011 16825 pax . Thus far 11342 and heading to be down.

Hardly any change in the few routes released for 2013 other than Malaga moving forward to early afternoon on a Tuesday and Thursday when the aircraft sat and did nothing even in high summer during 2011 & 2012.

Malta is released for summer barely a few weeks after getting released for winter (what the....), which also happened last year. TFS and LPA are back to summer frequencies and not as per the winter reductions.

Pete

[ATNotts]

Any comments on why BE don't drop prices further - afaik, £56 is lowest they go on this rout

Simple; when you're running business, profit is more important than bums on seats. Don't work hard, work smart!

[FlyboyUK]

Surprised no-one has commented on the tethered kite that was discovered off the end of 33 yesterday evening. NOTAM out for landing 33 and take-off 15 only due to the obstruction.

Apparently the police couldn't find where it was tethered from. When we landed the police helicopter was hovering in the location of the kite so as to mark its position

[justplanecrazy84]

Has anyone got any info on how BHX are getting on at the World Routes Conference?
Any news or rumours?

[nigel osborne]

justplanecrazy.

Re routes conference, not aware of any in the past that have directly resulted in quick new services for BHX.:eek:


As BHX said, they attended to promote the runway extension to the Worlds airports. Its also a great way to network and meet people from airlines ,marketing teams normally just speak to on the phone.

Throw in lots of food, merryment and back slapping.. made it marginally better than a political party conference perhaps. :yuk:

It does however give other airports time to look at what BHX has to offer.

If, and ONLY IF they already have a keen interest in coming here, might tip the balance in favour of a new service in the future ;)

Nigel

[justplanecrazy84]

Lol! Thanks nigel :ok:

[Suzeman]

As BHX said, they attended to promote the runway extension to the Worlds airports. Its also a great way to network and meet people from airlines ,marketing teams normally just speak to on the phone.


Oh no they don't.....Any good airport marketing team will be off site much of the time visiting contacts or hosting airline reps at the airport.

Throw in lots of food, merryment and back slapping.. made it marginally better than a political party conference perhaps.

Can tell you haven't been to either Routes or a party conference.

Routes brings virtually all airline planners and airport sales teams into one place at the same time. There are formal short meetings timetabled between two parties rather like speed dating and there is plenty of useful networking and meetings takes place outside this. You would not usually expect anything to come directly from Routes, but I can assure you that useful leads will be followed up in the months to come by both parties, both on the phone ;) and at face to face meetings .

Party conferences are very useful to network with politicians at all levels from ministers down to grass roots party members - particularly helpful when an airport might want to garner some support for an infrastructure project or lobby about some policy such as APD.

Not sure which airports now attend party conferences as exhibitors, BAA and MAN used to for sure along with BA. Senior execs from Airports will often attend and host fringe meetings or private dinners. It's the way the system works.

Be there or be square. :ok:

Suzeman

[jabird]

Simple; when you're running business, profit is more important than bums on seats. Don't work hard, work smart!

I was comparing an outbound flight with just 4 passengers to an inbound with c. 120. Now I accept the circumstances were very different (last of season out v still going for next few weeks, different destinations, and E195 v 738) - but my point was that MOL is still nearly filling his planes in what should be the off season.

He does this by dropping yield. I totally agree that profitability is the key issue, but I was expecting maybe 10 or 20 people to show up for the BE flight. There are other ways of getting back to the UK from DBV itself (as used by one couple on the flight), other places to fly back from (4 or 5 other airports between DBV and TRS), Croatians returning home (the other 25% of the passenger list was taken up by a UK based businessman returning to Tivat) and so on.

One thing about profits that is always a constant - empty seats do not earn you a penny.

[mattjwood]

Surprised no-one has commented on the tethered kite that was discovered off the end of 33 yesterday evening. NOTAM out for landing 33 and take-off 15 only due to the obstruction.

Apparently the police couldn't find where it was tethered from. When we landed the police helicopter was hovering in the location of the kite so as to mark its position

Im also surprised no one commented on this. I was working that day ( police ) and the kite was tethered somewhere on my patch. It was proving difficult to find the kite due to the darkness. I went off duty soon after so I have no idea when it was found... I can only presume the search began again at sunrise.

Quite surprising how a kite can even get as high as that!

Matt

[ericlday]

Hence......''High as a kite'' but then it may refer to the bird !

[BobBHX]

"Qatar Airways has no plans to join the oneworld airline alliance, its Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker said on Sunday, dismissing reports that the airline had become the newest member of the group as "rumor.""

Yesterday Qatar confirmed it was joining Oneworld.

So we may see Oneworld back at BHX eventually.

[nigel osborne]

BobBHX.

The other way to look at it..is.. can we trust anything that Mr Bakar says after this saga..perhaps including his earlier statement that they will be starting from BHX.:confused:

Also One World doesn't do BHX, apart from a loose Fly Be affiliation. Not sure if that has any detrimental effect on us now getting Qatar ,hopefully not.:ooh:

Nigel

[BobBHX]

Nigel

I think we should give Mr Al Bakar the benefit of the doubt for the moment. QR are having problems with Boeing regarding 787 deliveries. Better to be vague about start dates than announce a date and then have to cancel due to lack of aircraft.

I won't completely believe it until the tyres actually hit the tarmac at BHX (in all probability the new extended tarmac). However, I would think there's a better than even chance it will happen.

QR is an excellent airline and I would switch my Asia travel to them in an instant if they had a service from BHX.

[nigel osborne]

Bobbhx.

Yes like you, its never nailed at BHX until the planes on the tarmac,

Qatar will be a great airline for BHX its a 5 star airline and will certainly shake Emirates up a bit.

They have 30 B787s ordered and 30 options, so depends how far up their wish list we are as to when we will see them at BHX.

Nigel

[GayFriendly]

I think we should give Mr Al Bakar the benefit of the doubt for the
moment

The man is clearly a crazed motormouth! We deny we are joining Oneworld, a few days later they do. You gotta love the guy! He has already given start dates and frequency for a new BHX service, trouble is that was back in 2007.......as I have said before I am sure there are other destinations ahead of BHX for a QR 787 service so I think we could be waiting a while. Although I do not doubt BHX is on the QR radar, best chance of seeing them at BHX in the next year or two will be if there are snow or fog diversions from MAN or LHR ;)

[crewmeal]

A nice array of pics courtesy of JetPhotos to remind you of QR in BHX

JetPhotos.Net Aviation Photos-Country Search: Qatar Airways loc-Birmingham/Elmdon Int\'l Airport - EGBB (http://www.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?aircraft=-2&airline=Qatar+Airways&country=loc-Birmingham%2FElmdon+Int%27l+Airport+-+EGBB&photog=-2&category=-2&year=-2&keywordrange=all&keywordlimiter=2&keywords=&sort=1&genre=1&size=-2&mainsearch=search&displaymode=1&display=15)

[brummybird]

Lots of rumours circulating about 2 "large" new mainatinance hangars being built at BHX. Does any one know who the tennants will be? Are the ageing Flybe ones to be replaced?

[Les Behan]

Anybody heard of a company called Dnata, rumour has it to handle Emirates..

United Kingdom | International Airport Services | Ground Handling Services | dnata (http://www.dnata.com/english/ground-handling-services/international-airport-services/UnitedKingdom/united-kingdom.aspx) ;)

[nigel osborne]

brummybird,

The hangar rumours have been circulating for a while.

They were bore drilling recently in the vicinity, but that said they are currently evaluating building an engine testing facility close to the biz jet hangar so could be to do with that.

I have done my best to trawl Solihull Council planning applications site and I can't find any new ones submitted recently. The last one submitted was for the biz jet one.

So if they are planned in very early stages I would think.

Nigel

[Suzeman]

Anybody heard of a company called Dnata, rumour has it to handle Emirates..


Hardly surprising as they have been doing all handling at DXB for years and are an offshoot of EK / Dubai state.

http://www.theemiratesgroup.com/english/our-brands/ground-handling-cargo/dnata.aspx

[groundhogbhx]

The UK arm of Dnata is what is left of Aviance, used to be called Plane Handling at LHR.

[worcsbert]

I know another handling agent has been poking their noses around BHX not sure which company though.

Also there is a very strong rumour Qatar have appointed a station manager at BHX. The normal way they do new station starts is to appoint the station manager and bring a team from another station to operate the operation while new a new team is trained...it is only a rumour though! Lets see what happens!!

[crewmeal]

Congratulations all round to BHX for winning this award.

Birmingham Awarded Airport of the Year - Birmingham Airport (http://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/meta/news/2012/10/tarnsport-award-article.aspx)

All it needs now are the carriers. But that's an ongoing saga in this forum.

[jubilee]

Good job it did not include the car park.
J
Security tightened at car park near Birmingham Airport

Security has been stepped up and victims are being compensated after 86-vehicles were broken into during a three-day crime spree at a car park near Birmingham Airport.
Tweet (https://twitter.com/share)

The car park is run by valet company Stress Free Parking, an independent meet and greet service which looks after cars for travellers flying out of the airport and charges around £70 a week.
The firm has revealed it is paying for damages done to cars and increasing patrols at the site and increasing night time security.
But some victims, including Kingswinford father-of-three Trevor Mountford, feel the firm should go a step further and fork out for items taken as well.
The 71-year-old from Kidderminster Road, who returned from holiday in Corfu to find the sat nav from his Mercedes stolen, said: “I am still trying get the cost of my losses out of the company as I think it is fully responsible for the care of the vehicle contractually.”
The break-ins took place at the firm’s parking site in Terminal Road, Solihull, between September 13-15.
Police said at the time the crime spree was “almost unheard of”.
Stress Free Parking spokesman Jonathan Priestley said security patrols had been increased, adding: “We have also ensured that there is now full-time night shift security in operation on site and every night of the week.
“We would like to express our sincere sadness to those who have been affected.”
Mr Priest said the firm had been working closely with Birmingham Airport and the police. He said: “We are committed to ensuring that an incident such as this does not happen again.”
Birmingham Airport spokesman David Lavender said: “Independent meet and greet operators, such as Stress Free Parking, should ensure they have all of the necessary measures in place to be safe and secure.
“They must meet certain criteria before being granted a licence to operate at this airport.”

[Monty Gordo]

While i can understand the point you are making Jubilee i think your comments are a bit wide of the mark.

Firstly, any off-site parking company while serving the airport is not part of the airport company. Likewise, any problems with rail services to and from the airport cannot be blamed on the airport itself.

And to link problems in Smethwick with the airport is, frankly absurd.

BHX has won an award, a prestigious award, let us acknowledge and respect that. Don't let us try and do it down through rather spurious means.

[ElBogster]

Jubilee I totally agree with Monty Gordo, you should remove those references, they have no place in the thread.

[nigel osborne]

Jubilee,

Firstly I can only think you included the cases of extreme violence in the thread by mistake .:confused:

Not sure any violence was used in these vehicle thefts, thank god.

Birmingham Airport and NEC car parks have been subject to sporadic spates of multiple vehicle crime for years. How many Ford Cosworths were broken into on the airport car parks some years ago, during an event,certainly well over 20. :eek:

Any airport or business having huge car parks are going to get cars broken into on a regular basis, unless you put night security every 50 metres.:ouch:

Nigel

[jubilee]

Sorry gents posted in a rush this morning, offending parts removed. Just copied and pasted the article,was supposed to be a light hearted retort to the airport winning the award, and I agree the other articles should not have been included.
MG, although the car park reference is to an outside company, the people who have had cars damaged, or property stolen, will associate it with Birmingham. It was after all a meet and greet company.J

[OltonPete]

Source: CAA

Another good month but well short of the record September.

946337 up 4.7% rolling year 8838663 up 2.6%

Movements 7995 -0.2% rolling 83960 -0.2%

Record September was 2005 at 1022998 with 2008 next at 984127.

Seems to come in at number three.

Sneaked past Luton - only just but back to normal next month no doubt.

Pete

[jabird]

I have done my best to trawl Solihull Council planning applications site and I can't find any new ones submitted recently. The last one submitted was for the biz jet one.

I would have thought that hangars would come under PDR (permitted development rights). After all, they do not substantially affect the definition or operation of the airport, nor do they mean a significant increase in capacity.

CVT tried using PDRs for the whole portakabin operation, and that turned out to be a step too far, as the terminal clearly had significant impacts outside the airport perimeter.

The airport seem to believe they could add a "third" terminal without needing a public inquiry - something I very much doubt, but I wouldn't expect a couple of hangars to be a major issue.

[nigel osborne]

Jaibird.

I can only repeat that the biz jet hangar is found on Solihull Council planning site, and its application also appeared in the Birmingham Mail and Solihull Papers.

The new ILS tendering was also advertised in the local papers 6 months before they appeared .

As was the new Watchman Radar few months back ,and the feasibility for the engine running/testing facility under the 106 agreement few weeks back. As was the new pier

You also seem to forget that their are houses directly opposite on the Coventry Road within 200 metres and in clear sight of the current hangar.

BHX did put a planning application out to Solihull Council few years back to build a bund, to block out the noise from any future development at this location.Again application was in the Birmingham and Solihull papers

It was actually an attempt by BHX to dump the spill from the 20 stands instead of having to pay for it being taken off sight. The Council spotted this feeble attempt and blocked the so called bund. :ooh:

Anyway getting back on topic, sorry...

Therefore why would any new hangar be omitted from this process , when everything else wasn't :confused:



Nigel

[jabird]

Nigel,

Thanks for the clarification. All I was pointing out was that there are some things airports can do within the realm of permitted development rights, and that I would have thought a hangar might be one of them.

Obviously not.

[groundhogbhx]

I had to do a planning application to put the air-ground ariel on the end of the old pier for Groundstar. You might have been able to see it from the Tristar Hotel if you used a telescope but still had to go through the process, and pay the fees!!

[brummybird]

looking through Solihull planning applications I was rather surprised just how many there are for the airport. In fact there doesn't seem to be one in for the bizjet hangar it'self just for an advertising sign on it!!!! Talking to a Flybe engineer they haven't heard about their hangars been replaced, they are probably listed along with the old terminal building.

[jabird]

I had to do a planning application to put the air-ground ariel on the end of the old pier for Groundstar. You might have been able to see it from the Tristar Hotel if you used a telescope but still had to go through the process, and pay the fees!!

Don't know the specifics of each case, but some developments are exempt from needing planning permission as they are deemed not to be significant changes from what is already there.

CVT tried this for the whole portakabin terminal. In this case, it was found that, although the temporary terminal could remain, it did need permission.

So I'd have still expected PDRs to still come into play for anything less than a new terminal or major extension.

So that case surprises me even more!

[radar707]

There will be new hangars built to house a new maintanance facility for 787 types, it will be the only one outside the US so expect to get a fair bit of business

[pabely]

Who is building that? MON Goldcare Centre?

[nigel osborne]

Radar 787,

If that happens it would be great news, but your comments are not entirely correct in part.

Monarch have spent a large sum of money upgrading their Hangar at Luton to handle 787s including TUI ones. Furthermore MON were boasting in Airliner World only last month that this facility would be used to maintain LOT new 787s (about to be delivered) and other future carriers?

BA also have upgraded their LHR maintenance base to handle both theirs and 3rd party 787 work.

Can you specify where your info has come from and provide any start timeline to keep all us Brummy spotters excited.:ok:

Nigel

[nigel osborne]

Jaibird,

I think BHX are looking at all options to make money including possible new hangars, so I would not be surprised to see some more going up.

Just that I can't find reference to them yet.I would be a very pleased bunny if they have been kept secret and start to go up soon, especially as some have said on this thread they are dedicated 787 ones.

Lets keep everything crossed :)

Nigel

[jabird]

Yes - sounds like good news for the airport. Now, about those Qatar 787s ...

[Mr @ Spotty M]

The hangar that will be used for the LOT B787 maintenance will be the MAEL Manchester hangar.

[splash&dash]

Rumour has it that the new hangar (if) it's built will be big enough to house 2 777-300s. Obv big enough for 787s too. Allegedly positioned on top of compass base so that will be repositioned somewhere else.
I hope it does get built. Would be a major asset to BHX and make us more attractive to airlines.

[Burpbot]

Since when has Bhx had a compass base??

[nigel osborne]

spashand dash.

BHX has been craving a proper maintenance hangar for years.

Qualitair even got as far of submitting plans for a 3 bay 747-400 facility at BHX many years ago.

Plans showed it would have been built behind the current Fly BE hangar..

A number of the Worlds 747 airlines pledged full support for it..however they refused to stump up any cash in the end and Qualitair pulled out..story of BHX for quite a few years..almost getting stuff.

Lets hope these rumours produce something substantial

Nigel

[HoneyBunny]

Qualitair and subsequent management buy out company Airline Maintenance Associates even set up a college in Solihull to train apprentices.I pulled my application (which had been successful)to the RAF when I was offered a place with AMA,only for the project to drag on for several years until we had a recession,the plug finally pulled and my aspirations of becoming an aircraft engineer ended!
I always wondered though how they would of made a building that big fit into a small space.
Not so sure about anything getting built that big now,with airlines looking for the cheap option a lot of work goes to overseas MRO's.Maybe something along the lines of the shelved Ryanair hangar,used for minor repairs out of the weather for 'spotty M'.

[OltonPete]

Passenger figures: CAA Provisional stats

Average pax per flight and load factor: libhomeradar, BHX blog and planespotters.net for configs but still estimated due to moveable business sections, cancellations and diversions.

Obviously we are never going to know the profitability of most of these routes but load factors are moving upwards in the main.

September is normally a strong month for business routes and IT's still usually hold up and although well below the record September they appear to be good.

September will be the last month where BMI Baby contributed and their figures held up to the end. In fact the Prague and Lisbon last BHX outbounds must have been reasonable going by the average pax.

These were in order of the busiest routes but I have removed the IT pax so Palma was this months winner

PALMA DE MALLORCA---24996---171 pax per flight---93% load factor
DUBLIN-- 43,570---129 pax---71%
DUBAI ---41,088---342 pax--83%
AMSTERDAM--- 37,670---106 pax--83%
MALAGA---32498---174 pax---91%
PARIS CDG--- 32,300---97 pax---85%
ALICANTE---28131---172 pax---91%
DALAMAN---11700---195 pax--96%
FARO---21208---171 pax-89%
TENERIFE---16451---183 pax-97%
FRANKFURT MAIN-- 25,540---111 pax---72%
IBIZA---13840---177 pax-91%
DUSSELDORF--- 17,630---54 pax-63%
ARRECIFE---11375---190 pax---90%
MUNICH--- 16,438---99 pax-79%
LARNACA---7858---187 pax---94%
ZURICH ---13,605---76 pax-77%
MAHON---5575---186 pax-87%
PAPHOS---5130---183 pax---92%
LAS PALMAS---8262---188 pax-96%
ROME (FCO)--- 10,466---150 pax---85%
BRUSSELS--- 9,935---45 pax---55%
REUS---4493---173 pax-91%
HERAKLION---3045---179 pax-93%
MILAN (MXP)--- 8,885---95 pax-70%
ISTANBUL--- 8,614---144 pax-84%
BODRUM---3551---148 pax-85%
FUERTEVENTURA---6601---194 pax---96%
NEW YORK (EWR)---159 pax---94%
ISLAMABAD--- 7,852---245 pax-72%
NICE--- 7,674--110 pax---74%
HANOVER---5599---57 pax-65%
GIRONA---5828---171 pax---91%
COPENHAGEN ---7,393---82 pax-78%
CORK ---7,329---52 pax---73%
MURCIA SAN JAVIER--- 7,255---158 pax-88%
BARCELONA-- 7,036---153 pax-91%
BERLIN (TEGEL)--- 5,946---99 pax---70%
DUBROVNIK---3869---138 pax---90%
VENICE--- 5,640---147 pax---84%
HAMBURG--- 5,104---47 pax-55%
ASHKHABAD-4,926---145 pax---80%
BYDGOSZCZ--- 4,375---168 pax-89%
BRATISLAVA ---4,283---165 pax-87%
MALTA---2831---177 pax-94%
ALMERIA ---4,082---206 pax-96%
KATOWICE ---3,929---164 pax-87&
STUTTGART ---3,341---38 pax-49%
RZESZOW--- 3,080---171 pax---91%
GDANSK--- 2,925---163 pax---86%
BUDAPEST--- 2,831---157 pax-83%
KAUNAS--- 2,779---154 pax-82%
IRELAND WEST(KNOCK)--- 2,679---46 pax-64%
SHANNON---2,640---46 pax---63%
TRIESTE---2,376---132 pax-70%
MONTPELLIER----2,356---147 pax-78%
PRAGUE--- 1,012 ----127 pax---85%
WATERFORD--- 980---31 pax---51% - only that high % due to the F50 operating often
LISBON--- 730---122 pax-82%
AVIGNON--- 202---51 pax-65%
LA ROCHELLE--- 158---40 pax---51%
BERGERAC ---148---37 pax-48%
PERPIGNAN-- 95---48 pax---61%
BREST--- 87---44 pax-56%

Pete

[OltonPete]

Two new routes started this week - Madeira last Monday and Sharm El Sheikh today.

Monarch Launch New Winter Flights to Sharm El Sheikh from Birmingham - Birmingham Airport (http://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/meta/news/2012/10/monarch-launch-new-winter-flights-to-sharm-el-sheikh-from-birmingham.aspx)

Monarch Airlines Celebrate Inaugural Flights to Madeira from Birmingham - Birmingham Airport (http://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/meta/news/2012/10/monarch-celebrates-inaugural-flights-to-madeira-from-birmingham.aspx)

Both are firsts for BHX as schedule flights.

Next is not a first but welcome is next Monday with easyjet Belfast.

Pete

[fjencl]

Does anybody know if Cello aviation received there 2nd aircraft yet.....???

[nigel osborne]

Honneybunny

Yes remember the portacabins they had at Solihull College.

The Qualitair plans showed it would be dug down with a ramp to help fit in.There was plenty of room as it was going behind the current Fly Be hangars on the old car parks.

How many times was Birmingham Airport close to getting something only to be dashed at the last moment.Rotten luck allround.

Most big airlines have their own or Alliance partner hangars now.Having said that Monarch in Airliner World said last month they are struggling to find enough hangar capacity in the UK for 3rd party work.So their must be business out their to be had.

Nigel

[justplanecrazy84]

Just read this...
Thomson Airways Outlines Boeing 787 Operations from May 2013 | Airline Route – Worldwide Airline Route Updates (http://airlineroute.net/2012/10/18/by-787update1/)

What are the chance of TOM using the 787 on some of the long haul flights from BHX?

[GayFriendly]

I haven't heard when they will be used from BHX, it's disappointing TOM have not chosen to use them from BHX but they must have their valid reasons. NCL and BRS have no 787 ops either next summer. Give it a few years though and the 787 will be so commonplace, people will be all nostalgic about the 767. Make the most of the 767 at BHX before the 787 eventually renders it into a rare bird!

[nigel osborne]

Gayfriendly,

TOM have just picked the airports with the longest runways to operate their 787s . EMA has one longer than ours and is doing Florida and Cancun.

Bit puzzled as don't TOM do a Cancun from BHX with a 767 direct ?.

Expect we will get one in 2014 shared with EMA when our runways extended.

Nigel

[Buster the Bear]

Runway length? You can operate a full 787 to Orlando from Luton.

[oceanhawk]

Runway length has got nothing to do with it. As buster says it can get off short runways to our destinations. Commercial make the decision as rto where the aircraft operate from, not the airline, it's the tour operator. All Tom long haul will be done on the 787 in a few years time.

[PhilW1981]

My understanding was a lot of these early 787 deliveries are being made with the aircraft significantly over it's spec weight in exchange for significant price discounts to those operators taking them. This would potentially rule out BRS, BHX and LTN.

[OltonPete]

PhilW1981

The website all things 787 have the first two Thomson 787's as Line Number 92 and 94. They are not yet built but very very close to being started.

The same site has it that it is hoped that line number 90 will be the first to be on spec although that is not confirmed and hence I assume Thomson have taken a cautious view.

Should be no problems in 2014 but I assume it could be earlier if Boeing start delivery them on spec to Thomson.



Pete

[Centre cities]

7 hour delay on the depature last night, Ryanair operated the flight in reverse AGP/BHX/AGP a decison it appears made prior to the scheduled depature time as the inbound arrived on time.

I assume a cost cutting excersise, better to have 1 very annoyed set of passengers insead of 2 not so annoyed as BHX aircaft had finished their rotations far earlier than the eventual depature time. Or can they magic a crew from Spain and not from the UK.

About time Denied Passenger Rights was in force in the UK and that airlines started calling passengers customers which is exactly what they are.

Centre cities

[nigel osborne]

Busterbear/oceanhawk.

Yes as I said am a bit puzzled, aas you say Orlandos easily reached off a shorter runway, although not sure about Cancun ?

I would have thought that as one of TUIs biggest bases BHX would have got the 787.

Perhaps another reason is the work on the runway extension.Their will be restrictions next year on the ILS in bad weather,and from later next year night closures at BHX 5 days a week when they start to join the current runway to the extension.

Perhaps TUI didn't want to risk early morning disruption to flagship 787 long haul arrivals at BHX :confused:

Nigel

[FQTLSteve]

I came back on ZB979 from AGP yesterday evening MON A320 it was 50 mins late in, although tailwind got us back in 2h10m. Also same flight on Monday was >4 hrs late op by Air Explore. In fact there were a few delays to arrivals from UK in particular at AGP Myesterday evening.

[jabird]

About time Denied Passenger Rights was in force in the UK and that airlines started calling passengers customers which is exactly what they are.

I would be quite happy with any airline calling me a passenger, as that is also what I am. A customer is merely a generic buyer of a product or service. My local council calls me a customer, and that I most certainly am not.

There could be any number of reasons why a flight is delayed. Was it down to something the airline could have reasonably controlled, or was there another reason? Did they let people know what was going on? Most airlines collect mobile numbers these days, so a text alert would be nice to save me wasting time at the airport. Not sure if Ryanair can send a reverse charge text though!

If I was SLF waiting to head off for some sunshine in AGP, I don't think I'd give a damn where the plane or the crew came from, as long as they did what they could to minimise the delay.

Is there really any reason to suggest Ryanair ops at BHX are any worse than the other base players?

[OltonPete]

I could have a rant of how a 1/3 or my flights with Ryanair have been disrupted but it actually only equates to two flights out of six (changed the departure airport and used my aircraft for another delayed service).

This sounds disgraceful but when put into context I was just unlucky (although seething at the time) and in the general scheme of things they are not that bad at BHX.

As for the Malaga flight on Friday I am not sure what happened, as the aircraft due to operate it is normally inbound from the Canaries but for some reason this was changed and the delayed Reus aircraft (PF) was ear-marked for it.

The Reus aircraft normally goes to Montpellier and I suspect that due to the delay, FR switched the aircraft to Malaga (24 hour operation?), as by the time the Reus got back it was 20.00 and there might have been problems with opening hours or ground-handling or weather at Montpellier????

I assume the aircraft when it did get back from Reus went tech or there was a crew hours issue or perhaps Ryanair just thought it better to operate it from the Malaga base.

However you could say that at least the Malaga passengers did eventually get there, which was more than the Bratislava-BHX ones last night. I have a feeling they were left abandoned after the inbound (yes PF again) diverted to BRNO along with the STN & LTN services. The aircraft positioned back empty and the next BTS - BHX is Tuesday!!!!!!!!!!! Unless of course FR arrange something today.

Monarch on the other hand have had a summer littered with delays but have not cancelled a single service although some pax have had to wait a couple of days in one instance. Swings and roundabouts?

Pete

[OltonPete]

The schedule seems to have settled down and it looks like good news as it now showing three based aircraft as per 2012.

Assuming 3 x 757's then there is no capacity reduction. There has been a big shake-up in terms of moving routes to different days compared to 2012.

Some flights seem to have moved to Monarch schedule (Faro & Paphos) with Freebird taking the Saturday Dalaman with an extra Enfidha as well. However Saturday sees Alicante back in summer for the first time in years.

The Tuesday Malta which is shown as BHX based times but the airline is listed as Air Malta. I assume not on the Thomson Air Malta, which is the same day.

Pete

[Scorchio]

:ok:

Phew....glad I didn't pass on any 'duff' gen !

[OltonPete]

Scorchio

Yes you were spot on, it was certainly a long time coming in respect of the booking engine and there are a couple of surprises such as Almeria and re-instating Alicante but it appears to be a good result for BHX in the end considering the doom and gloom in the press.

easyjet - One day to go and they are back at BHX, also with the choice of pre-booking seats on Geneva it is clear that one service this winter is upgraded from the A319 to A320. The Saturday afternoon which appears to route BRS-GVA-BHX-GVA-BRS is a 320 service per the seat map.

Pete

[OltonPete]

EZY195, the first flight is airborne, it was due out at 19.20 and was showing in the climb on FR24 at 19.18 :eek:

Hopefully not due to a light load although as EI-BUD mentioned on the Belfast thread Manchester was a slow starter.

Pete

[worcsbert]

first EZY196 had 140+ pax on it. good loads for the future too

[Cloud1]

worcsbert - where did you get your figures from as they do not match what I have obtained from staff at the departure station.

Certainly not a full flight today - however still respectable figures for a 'new' route. Plenty of advertising in local media by all accounts according to the family up north

[OltonPete]

easyJet Launches Belfast International - Birmingham Airport (http://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/meta/news/2012/10/ezy-belfast-article.aspx)

EZY196 is the first outbound from BHX and I understand the figure worcsbert posted was pretty close to the expected total and the first inbound to BHX was somewhat less, probably indicated by the fact it departed stand 10 minutes early at BFS and arrived 25 early at BHX (50-60 pax).

Pete

[Planeaddict]

There are quite some rumours around which I would like someone to either quash or say it's true. First there's Airblue, then there's Shaheen Air, then there's a service to Oslo.

I'm guessing India won't happen for a while?

[worcsbert]

The figures were from a servisair manager directly

[ATNotts]

There are quite some rumours around

Would these be rumours, or a spotter's wishlist? From where do they (the rumours) originate.

[Monty Gordo]

Not sure whether i have missed something on another thread, but the papers here in Portugal are talking of significant expansion of routes from Lisbon.

It is a pity that given what is being termed as relative success with both current and a new route route from Bhx, Lisbon has not been added along with Edinburgh et al.

Surely someone will realise the opportunity...

[OltonPete]

As posted on the Loganair thread - Dundee ends 2/12. Loads were very average to say the least.

Air Transat Toronto now showing in GDS as an A310 next summer - a bit of a surprise.

Ryanair - summer 2013 now has a few more routes released including Murcia, Dublin & Arrecife.

Planeaddict

Air Blue & Shaheen - believe it when the aircraft are on the BHX tarmac

Qatar - believe it when bookable in GDS or the Qatar website

Norwegian - just a rumour

Monty Gordo - Lisbon you would think would be considered when you think the loads Baby got and the prices charged

Pete

[CabinCrewe]

The TS schedule at this stage can never be relied on. Recently GLA was daily A330 now is 6 weekly A310 with YVR now a share with YYC.

[Daza]

Local midlands press report the past few months passenger increases look to be continuing.
Link to express and star article Birmingham Airport will see 6pc rise in travellers « Express & Star (http://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport-news/2012/10/26/birmingham-airport-will-see-6pc-rise-in-travellers/)
Good news :ok:
Daza

[nigel osborne]

I attach the latest runway extension plan for BHX which I assume was the last draft.

You can see the new A45 loop has been dug down behind the end of the runway.This to allow a bridge to be added if needed in the future.

The new footpath/bridleway however stays at runway level so should get a nice view of the extension, albeit through the 9ft high perimeter fence.

What strikes me is how much closer to the road the runway end is compared to now. Although the modern jets can stop very quickly even in bad weather these days.

http://www.solihull.gov.uk/Attachments/A45_Corridor_Proposals.pdf

Nigel

[Monty Gordo]

Has anyone any news? Has the route been dropped for summer '13, or is it still to be loaded?

Would be a shame to see it go as it has, I think, been a popular destination from BHX.

[j636]

OP,

Have LH increased capacity from BHX in 2013 looking at the summer schedule and its showing 3 A320's and 1 B737.

[BHX2FRA]

Have LH increased capacity from BHX in 2013 looking at the summer schedule and its showing 3 A320's and 1 B737.

OP may have additional comments but whilst bmi ran 3 returns on this route since Summer 2011 until yesterday on behalf of LH, it operated an A320 (A319 for the first month). The fourth return operated by LH had varied equipment, so next summer looks as it was until yesterday. Winter 2012/13 looks to have reduced capacity.

[OltonPete]

j636

I totally agree with BHX2FRA interpretation and the only aspect I am not sure off is when the winter schedule changed did the summer mirror it for a few weeks (3x 735 and 1 x 733).

The more I think about it I am sure it did and it has reverted to the summer 2012 capacity.

Monty Gordo I think Dublin is the only city route released for summer from BHX but if the base stays at four there will be a lot juggling to do, such as routes operated from other bases or cancellations.

Winter 2012/3

Very unusual start to winter due to the staggered school holidays which has seen Thomas Cook and Ryanair taking advantage with extra flights, Monarch seemingly going for a half-way house with six based until Wednesday and Thomson matching the Birmingham school holidays.

Tomorrow sees the start of SAS Stockholm which is no doubt one of the more interesting new destinations. Ryanair did quite well to an airport near the Swedish capital but fares were soft and it is a tough one to call in terms of future prospects.

It starts with a MD80 so just 150 seats a day to fill before reverting next Sunday onwards to the 736/G/8 mix.

flybe started their new service to Amsterdam today with the 175 (65 seats taken or blocked at one point) although the second flight of the day on the Q400 went an hour late.

easyjet go double daily Monday - Friday on the Belfast with Geneva and Grenoble starting 15/12/12 with one A320 a week on GVA .

Lufthansa Hamburg is now just 6 flights a week mid afternoon but Berlin maintains daily until the New Year when Saturday stops for 8 weeks. The LH952/3 Frankfurt also stops completely for six weeks in the New Year.

Monarch don't start anything new to early December (Grenoble) but SSH, FNC and MUC increase whilst the established routes decrease. Some are extremely disappointing with one LPA and this also includes seats for Thomas Cook which was a 235 seat aircraft last winter. Tenerife is also reduced and again Thomas Cook have taken seats on their service.

Air France sees a slight increase with the A319/320 starting on the evening service - starts tomorrow.

Thomson I understand this winter are using 3 x 757's and the 763 part week although I haven't seen the cruise schedule.

Thomas Cook go from three aircraft in summer, two last winter to one.

Ryanair start Barcelona & Bergamo in a week or so, continue with Palma and restart Krakow. Kaunas and Gdansk have gone but Budapest and Malta remain. Three operational but who knows how many based as three additional frames arrived to day empty from Madrid, Valencia and Bergamo.

Aer Lingus has shuffled the pack a bit with the same number of mainline flights on Dublin but Regional of course have Knock and flybe Waterford.

Long-haul is much the same with United six a week (minus hurricane), PIA is still three a week but should go back to four and Turkmenistan four.

Turkish is of course and increase on last winter with it now daily.

Swiss - less said the better although the axed lunchtime does pop up now and again.


Pete

[chinapattern]

Have TCX dropped Banjul this winter?

[getonittt]

The inaugural SAS to stockholm today also operates with a BD3954 codeshare flight number ....why?

[Occams Razor]

Reduced capacity for diversions then. Damn.

[ericlday]

Better economic sense to be paid a regular amount per month than waiting for occasional diversions.

[Daza]

Chinapattern wrote Have TCX dropped Banjul this winter?

The flight is bookable on Thomascook and Gambia Experience website, first available date is showing as Tuesday 13/11/2012. :ok:
Daza

[OltonPete]

FlyboyUK - cheers

ericlday - Yes that would be good but are we sure FR pay anything, the rumours about last year indicated it was somewhere between nothing and minimal but all hearsay ;)

SAS - any loads for the first ARN flight?

chinapattern - I understand Banjul survived the cull although to be fair the second aircraft didn't do much last winter and they are using Monarch to TFS and LPA, it is just a shame that Monarch have reduced their flights to these destinations compared to last winter.

Pete

[nigel osborne]

ericlday.

Good hypothesis.. however they are not paying BHX a penny Im told !!

Nigel

[chinapattern]

I did think that with TCX's severe reduction this winter Banjul would have been cut; good to see this flight survive as it shows that there is demand for charter traffic beyond the Canaries and Alicante.

[bazzab68]

Just wondered why other airfields up and down the country are announcing new routes and yet bhx is again being left behind.. Yeah we have had a few extras after baby were closed down but alas nothing of any significance since.

Barry

[ericlday]

Don't get greedy, you had Monarch basing aircraft with new routes.

[ATNotts]

New routes or total lack of them

If these new routes are just more Ryanair, then I'm sorry EMA, LPL and MAN are welcome to them. BHX has increased frequencies from Turkish, a new route from SAS (Stockholm), new routes Scheduled routes from Monarch.

I am guessing that Ryanair would have approached BHX as well as MAG (MAN and EMA) and Peel (LPL) and in all probability BHX said "no deal"! BHX will be the winners in the long run - so will all it's passengers who will continue to have real choice, and not be paying the bills that Ryanair doesn't want to pay.

[Daza]

ATNotts wrote If these new routes are just more Ryanair, then I'm sorry EMA, LPL and MAN are welcome to them. BHX has increased frequencies from Turkish, a new route from SAS (Stockholm), new routes Scheduled routes from Monarch.

I am guessing that Ryanair would have approached BHX as well as MAG (MAN and EMA) and Peel (LPL) and in all probability BHX said "no deal"! BHX will be the winners in the long run - so will all it's passengers who will continue to have real choice, and not be paying the bills that Ryanair doesn't want to pay.

I whole heartedly agree! :}

[nigel osborne]

atnotts

Hi Andrew re Ryan Air, I was sort of with you until you got to the bit about BHX telling them "No deal"

Im told BHX are to accept 13 Ryan Air park ups this winter, 4 have already arrived. BHX are letting them park for free in the hope of "continuing to have a good working relationship with them"

Both EMA and MAN told Ryan Air they would have to pay a full park up fee,so Ryan Air took up BHX free offer.

So has our over generous offer helped us..er nope.. Ryan Air have just announced expansion at EMA and MAN and nothing at BHX.

Not only will we be getting no money from them.. 13 planes will block out the remotes and cancel out most chances of getting any fee paying diverts as there will be nowhere to park them. :ugh::oh::mad:

"Barrell" and "over" come to mind !!

Nigel

[ericlday]

Nigel

Is that the same management that is spending £xx millions on extending the runway and expecting long haul to come flooding to BHX.

[Laasjet]

Nigel

As we both know, Ryanairs other name is conair.

[nigel osborne]

ericlday.

Yes lol !

Nigel

[ATNotts]

Nigel

BHX are letting them park for free in the hope of "continuing to have a good working relationship with them

Does anyone know what the parking deal actually is - apart from of course the airline, and the airport management?

It would surprise me if anyone working for the airport company would voluntarily divulge such information in these forums, as a tap on the shoulder and a brown envelope containing their P45 would surely follow pretty swiftly.

I would suggest therefore that the "fact" that Ryanair are getting free parking is rather more conjecture than actual fact. If anyone wishes to prove me wrong, PM me - for heavens sake don't put it on these pages!

[BHX5DME]

Birmingham Airport responded to the consultation on the Government’s Draft Aviation Policy Framework on Wednesday 31st October. It has called on the Government to pursue a set of short-term aviation policies designed to make the best use of existing capacity at UK airports.

• Birmingham Airport has argued that aviation can boost UK manufacturing and rebalance the economy.
• Existing evidence shows that the Midlands has a competitive advantage within the UK economy for manufacturing exports.
• Businesses in the catchment area consider the lack of long-haul connectivity from the region to be restricting their growth.

Birmingham Airport has called on the Government to support the Midlands economy, by implementing four key policies:1. Implement a differential tax regime at airports with spare capacity
2. Implement a congestion charge at congested airports
3. Create and market a network of national airports
4. Unilaterally liberalise air service arrangements from this network of national airportsThese recommendations are proportionate to the current level of supply-side intervention in the market and would incentivise airlines to establish new routes from UK airports instead of moving to foreign hubs.Paul Kehoe, Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport, said: “This submission is taking the Government for its word. If it is serious about making the best use of existing capacity at UK airports, it needs to balance capacity restrictions on airports in the South East with policies that encourage airlines to use other UK airports. This will help rebalance the economy away from a dependence on financial services and the South East as the sole engines of growth. “Business leaders in the Midlands are calling out for greater long-haul connectivity from Birmingham Airport. They know that the economic fruit of aviation doesn’t fall far from the tree. It is time for the Government to branch out and pursue policies that unlock the potential of UK manufacturing.”Birmingham Airport’s full submission can be found here http://www.westbournecoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Birmingham-Airport-APF-submission.pdf

[getonittt]

Birmingham Airport has called on the Government to support the Midlands economy, by implementing four key policies:1. Implement a differential tax regime at airports with spare capacity
2. Implement a congestion charge at congested airports

If that were to work would that not be counter productive? Let's just go for a higher tax regime for airports who insist on having London before their real name.

3. Create and market a network of national airports
4. Unilaterally liberalise air service arrangements from this network of national airports.

Really the airports have little say , it's the airlines that call the shots , but i congratulate BHX for continuing to lobby for their slightly bigger piece of a large cake.

[Daza]

From Summer 2012 Birmingham-Berlin will see an upgrade on weekdays to an A320 (319 at weekends) :ok: Lufthansa S13 European Operation Changes as of 01NOV12 | Airline Route – Worldwide Airline Route Updates (http://airlineroute.net/2012/11/01/lh-europe-s13update2/)
Daza

[chinapattern]

BHX's arrivals board shows two Thomson long hauls tomorrow morning - one from Cancun, one from Montego Bay. I'm guessing one is a cruise charter?

[ssflyer]

I see the Ryanair forum is full of extra aircraft for Liverpool,Manchester and East Midlands (and others)
One presumes that BHX management were not prepared to cough up?

[vectisman]

'One presumes that BHX management were not prepared to cough up?'

Another way of looking at is that they have not been willing to give things away for nothing!!

To be honest I doubt if the other airports did either as there are plenty of other takers. Increasingly in the UK with its mature markets Ryanair has to pay the going rate like everyone else.

Furthermore the number of extra flights and aircraft at the other airports are not huge, just made to look that way with the usual hype.

V.

[OltonPete]

chinapattern

I think it is just the cross-over from the summer and winter schedules with the last Montego Bay arriving.

Cruise flights this November look terrible compared to past years.

The Thomson long-haul schedule next week consists of Cancun next Saturday and that is it until a Friday Bridgetown cruise starts mid month.

Montego Bay which used to run all winter was then reduced to jusr November early December and March, is now just March.

In the past there has been Dominican Republic & Goa but APD if not totally to blame has shrunk the Thomson long-haul offering in winter. Not even a November Sanford, which really does sum things up.

Ryanair

Pretty much agree with vectisman the devil is in the detail. Liverpool appear to be getting back what they had a few years ago and we need to see the schedule for EMA as they had seven in 2011 all operating, seven in 2012 but one just did the equivilant of a flying club C152 (bumps and circles).

If they get 8 operating then it will be an achievement.

If as mentioned on the Thomson thread one 757 turns into a 738, BHX will need something else to cover the BMI Baby losses as at the moment Monarch is nine based although some sources suggest it might be ten. Although April - June should be similar at present but July onwards could show a big decrease.

Pete

[Navpi]

Birmingham does not have a cat in hells chance of being heard in respect of UK Aviation policy, it is all about hubs , you have to have critical mass. Because of historical precedent LHR has that, it may be unpalitable but numerous long haul airlines applied to serve Manchester in the 60s 70s and 80s, all were turned down as the designated UK gateways were LHR and PWK.

Demand "existed" but was not met that is the harsh reality.

Manchester had demand but did not get the rights.

Birmingham never had demand but never had the rights.

The result has led to is a polarisation on LHR that will never change !

We can huff and puff but the extension will make bugger all difference, if you think it will , you are deluded!

[GayFriendly]

Having flown four times BHX-TXL and about to do my fifth later this month am really not surprised that it will go to 320 ops, all my flights have been packed solid. I am so pleased that this route is doing so well, although how it will fare under the proposed LH low cost operator we will have to see.

Rumours of a new UK LS base, BHX has been mentioned as a possibility. If it is to be BHX then I hope they have the balls to make a mark and not simply go head to head on Med/Canary routes. BHX does not need another FR leeching off other airlines if they dare to launch a new route and failing to do anything positive for the airport. Although at least they do make the 80's stands look busy in winter, it looks quite impressive as you go past on the train ;)

Anyone know how ZB have impacted pax loads BHX-MUC for LH? I flew out and back last week with LH and both flights very lightly loaded (barely a third full), my flights were on days that ZB also flew. I hope my experience is not representative of LH pax loads on this route since ZB started.

[OltonPete]

GayFriendly

Not sure how to take the LH news as I was under the impression Berlin routes would be the new "entity" of Germanwings/Eurowings and a mix of CR9's and A319's but I assume there will some 320's involved.

Jet2 - I can only see the same destinations as FR, ZB and TOM with maybe a Prague and Pisa but probably jumping the gun here anyway.

Munich - Well those loads are certainly well below the norm but are Monarch having it any better? Friday night the outbound went via Luton and the inbound didn't even bother coming back. Yes BHX's website actually had cancelled against a BHX Monarch flight a very rare sight indeed.

Talking of Monarch, does anyone think they might be wanting to share some good news with us all re BHX?

Pete

[getonittt]

It also looks there are adjustments from the S13 timetable for the DLH berlin flight with weekdays going to a midday flight and then the saturday will be a late evening arrival and sunday will be a very early morning arrival in BHX. Seems rather odd but plenty of time for things to change.

[GayFriendly]

Talking of Monarch, does anyone think they might be wanting to share some good news with us all re BHX?

What do you mean OP? Is there an announcement rumoured/imminent?

[OltonPete]

GF

New Hangar now on "D5 architects" website.

I posted it on the Monarch thread in the end - now seems to be in the public domain although much rumoured locally that something was brewing.

Huge development for all concerned.

Pete

[BHX5DME]

D5 Architects LLP - News (http://www.d5architects.net/index.php/html/news)

[Hotel Tango]

It's a HANGAR for goodness sake!

[insuindi]

I'm become a regular on MUC-BHX since summer, and just flown in on the packed morning arrival in BHX. However, Friday 5pm was maybe 50% load on LH, normally far busier, but probably impacted by the Bavarian holiday on 1st Nov. Friday/Monday two weeks ago both flights were busy (you'd expect on a Friday afternoon and Monday morning...).

Flights have a lot of BMW employees aboard, shuttling in from MUC for the Hams Hall plant, so that part of the demand will be fairly stable for a while even in the face of competition (I assume BMW&LH have according contracts in place).

I'll continue to fly this route for the forseeable future, will provide an update.

[ssflyer]

"Flights have a lot of BMW employees aboard, shuttling in from MUC for the Hams Hall plant"
and remember the days when BMW had a dedicated daily flight from MUC for staff trying to sort out Rover!

[Occams Razor]

New Hangar now on "D5 architects" website.
I can only see mention of the Eurojet hangar on their website, dated 2nd January 2012 - am I missing something?

[OltonPete]

Occams Razor

It has been removed and I trust someone somewhere has an an uncomfortable Monday:ooh:

However if you Google D5 Architects one of the hits is historic and you can see what I and several others saw yesterday.

Bless, you can only cover your tracks so much, just hope nobody got into too much trouble.

The possibility was hardly a secret locally but there was no final confirmation although I suppose until Monarch and BHX issue a press release it is still not final.

Pete

[Occams Razor]

Thanks Pete. Great news!

[justplanecrazy84]

I'm surprised BHX haven't submitted plans for a new cargo facility, I know EMA has a good rep for their cargo facility but I would have thought BHX would be quite attractive for some cargo companies?

[insuindi]

to add to yesterday's post re MUC - my colleague happened to fly on Monarch BHX-MUC-BHX (Fri-Mon), both flights with very light loads (her estimate is around 40 - ca. one per row). As reported, the BHX-MUC flight stopped over in LTN where the plane got "pretty full".

[ATNotts]

justplanecrazy84

Problem with BHX and cargo is that night operations are quite heavily restricted because of the airport's proximity to Birmingham and other urban areas. EMA is much more remote from heavily populated areas and as such doesn't suffer quite so much with constraints - though the residents in villages like Wilson and Melbourne would like there to be.

Regular cargo ops, unfortunately tend to be at night, as you will know.

[insuindi]

During January and February LH will reduce FRA-BHX down to 3 daily rotations, with a mix of A319 and 733/735. Given the plans by LH to remove further 30odd aircraft, it will be interesting to see whether the 4th rotation will return as currently planned.

[OltonPete]

insuindi

Yes odd this year in particular as last winter the BMI A320 was operating the other flights offering a lot of capacity but LH952/3 has "rested" in past winters although it was a good few years ago. Saturday Berlin also stops in the New Year until March and on a completely different note so does the Tuesday Stockholm from December.

A CR7 dropped in today on the lunchtime LH954 which is a big drop from an A320, although a couple of weeks ago LH954/5 was down most days as the CR7 for this week and last week.

As for the Monarch Munich the Friday flight routed BHX-LTN-MUC-LTN and the LTN-BHX services was cancelled.

This will be an interesting one to watch with Milan gone already and they have yet to fill the sectors released by the MXP ending.

I still would have thought 2 x LPA, 3 x ACE and 7 x TFS a week would have been a better bet this winter rather than than 1, 2 & 6 respectively and competing on MUC.

Pete

[Centre cities]

The LH Frankfurt is 3 per weekday from xmas until the 18/2/13 when the 4th flight resumes. This service as mentioned has taken a break in previous years.

Interesting to note as a comparison that the Manchester Frankfurt remains as 4 daily.

Centre cities

[justplanecrazy84]

As from the 4th June '13 SAS will be using their new 168 seater Airbus A320 on their CPH - BHX route.

SAS Airbus A320 Operation Update as of 06NOV12 | Airline Route – Worldwide Airline Route Updates (http://airlineroute.net/2012/11/06/sk-320-update2/)

[Planeaddict]

I remember reading here a few weeks ago that there was a rumour floating around that Shaheen Air would start BHX three weekly with A330's, starting November 16th. Surely if that WAS the case, they'd have announced it by now? As with Qatar. I remember back in 2000 when Emirates started, they announced it in July of that year I think, and it started in December so it must have been confirmed a month earlier.

[OltonPete]

More routes released this week - LDY, MPL, KTW, BTS, GDN, BZG, KUN, RZE & & TRS joining ALC, DUB, FAO, FUE, LPA, ACE, IBZ, MLA, AGP, MJV, PMI, REU & TFS.

This leaves current operating routes Budapest, Barcelona/Girona, Krakow and Bergamo to be fitted in.

I was not convinced MPL, TRS KUN or GDN would return and I assumed they would make way to fit in BUD, KRK and BGY.

The four BHX based schedule is almost full and can't accommodate all the above routes but hopefully most could be operated from away based aircraft such as BUD, GRO/BCN and BGY.

Pete

[GayFriendly]

FR - Good to see that they have bought back most of their seasonal routes, MPL and NCE now the only non Paris French destinations served from BHX after BE route cull and loss of LYS by AF - at one time BHX could boast French flights to BES, LRH, EGC, BIQ, PGF, MRS, AVG, TLS and BOD! Brummies obviously prefer getting the ferry to France! Really hope to see BUD, KRK and BGY remain for the summer but with FR you just never know what they are upto.

SK - how are initial loads on the ARN? Apart from BHX website I haven't seen any advertising for this service at all! Have heard it is bookable summer 2013 but with SK financial woes again who knows if this route will survive.....

ZB - Any new destinations for summer 2013? LIS and PRG are still unserved after demise of WW but would have thought they would have announced these by now if they were going to fly them next summer?

[insuindi]

Noticed that Monarch has pulled the Saturday MUC-flights for the rest of this month.

Also, [EDIT:] for flights between now and into early December [EDIT END] ALL returns can be had for £40 on BHX-MUC (promo price + £10 further off with GIVEME25 code). If you don't have any plans yet for the coming weekend...

[GayFriendly]

Also, from now until early December ALL returns can be had for £40 on BHX-MUC

If thats not a whiff of desperation I smell in the air I don't know what is? I always found BHX-MUC an odd choice by ZB but it is still bookable for S13, although i'm sure they won't be able to carry on for much longer charging fares as low as this. I wonder how it is performing out of MAN and LBA?

[ATNotts]

They are going to find this one a tough nut to crack until the start of the winter sports season in the Bavarian and Austrian alps. Once the season kicks in there should be reasonable demand from UK skiers travelling to resorts in the Chiemgau Alps, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bertesgartenerland, and the Allgaue, not to mention Salzburgerland and the Tirol over the border.

I guess this is why they have knocked the Saturday rotation on the head until early December.

I imagine that Monarch will keep the route running through the next few lean weeks to retain their slots at Munich.

[insuindi]

BHX +3.3%. Interesting how LH doubled pax figures on BHX-HAM compared to Oct last year, as ex-HAM the BHX gain is nearly the same as the loss for MAN and LTN ex-HAM.

[Daza]

insuindi wrote CAA Oct BHX +3.3%

The CAA figures show passengers were up in 4.3% in October despite the loss of BMIBaby and the year to date passengers are up 3.3% :ok:
Daza

[insuindi]

you are right of course. Which makes it good figures, but aligned to the market development. Even though EMA figures clearly show, that not everyone got out of the BMIbaby story that lightly.

[OltonPete]

Here are the actual figures

Source: CAA

October 2012 passenger figure 795903 +4.3% - rolling year 8871488 +3.3%

ATM's: October 7506 +2.4% - rolling year 84099 +0.4%.

Dubai down again but only 2% and load factor 76%

As posted on the Belfast thread easyjet averaged 111 pax per flight - 71%

The star continues to be Turkish up 54% at 8686 or 140 per flight around 85-90%.

Stockholm averaged 70 per flight for the three flights (6 sectors) operated.

Still working on the rest but CDG was up again by 14%, DUS +10%, Amsterdam only down 10% and Munich up 22%.

Pete

[Daza]

Thanks for the analysis OP.
Not too bad a start for ARN. Lets hope with SAS and its problems that they stick with the route. Hopefully Turkish will continue to flourish maybe the planned Summer increase to 10 services a week will soon turn into twice daily?
Daza

[GayFriendly]

Very positive figures OP! Nice to see, BHX has done well considering the loss of WW. Am happy to see ARN and BFS off to a solid start, perhaps the BFS loads will help convince EZY to poke their toes a bit deeper into BHX waters?

Daza I think TK will eventually go double daily, as at MAN. They are aggressively expanding and offer an ever increasing and well timed range of connections through their IST hub to numerous destinations particularly Africa and Central Asia. They tend to be cheaper than EK and European carriers too - two years ago I flew MCT-BHX and back with TK for around £350 at Christmas time! I think EK were around the £550 mark.

[scott737]

Interesting that Dubai was 'only' 76% load factor in October.

I know it's only a snapshot but I flew BHX-DXB return earlier this month and Business was full both ways with Economy pretty busy too. If this is indicative of November, I'd expect this month's figures to be higher. I wonder if the A380 is on Emirates' radar yet for BHX ops?

Scott

[nigel osborne]

Daza,

Wonder if their is a link between TKs fantastic increases and Emirates continuing slide.. 76% load factor must be the lowest for some time..It was fairly static in the medium 80 % for a long time.

Hopefully the slowdown in decline means it can recover soon ?

Nigel

[ATNotts]

If that's a regular occurence then I would have thought that Emirates wouldn't be too worried if there are a few seats in steerage empty.

The money is made from passengers who turn left on entry, not right!

[nigel osborne]

ATNOTTS.

Hi Andrew, yes agree money is made in business class but its a merky world.

For example some friends of ours have recently returned from Australia with Emirates from BHX.Although they only paid for economy they were upgraded to business class.

They spoke to 4 other people in BC cabin and they told the same story. United is similar, regularly put economy passengers in business class to fill it up.

Perhaps we will never know how many up front actually pay !

However if EK upgrade our flts to 3 class including a 1st class cabin that will probably indicate levels actually paying up front have increased :ok:

Nigel

[GayFriendly]

However if EK upgrade our flts to 3 class including a 1st class cabin that will probably indicate levels actually paying up front have increased

I should imagine a 3 class 777 will be the next upgrade at BHX for EK, long before the A380 is considered. It is indicative of the historic weakness of front end yields from BHX when GLA gets 3 classes on its DXB service before BHX on a route started quite a while after that from BHX. I could be wrong but think that BHX and NCL are the only two class European ops by EK now

Out of interest, do Armavia still fly into BHX and if so how are they doing load wise?

[nigel osborne]

Gayfriendly,

Agree with you about BHX struggling to attract enough front end passengers.

Thing is airlines such as Etihad, and Qatar have VIP house pick ups for 1st class passengers, and being between LHR and MAN , BHX front end passengers get split.

Certainly in the UK BHX and NCL are the only 2 class EK airports left in the UK.Not sure about Europe. :O

In relation to Armavia, it stopped again, but managed to beat their first attempt of 1 flight with 3 this time before they stopped. :)

Nigel

[Laasjet]

Gayfriendly

As anticipated, Armavia died a death.

The owner has put the business up for sale and is said to be negotiating with potential buyers in Australia, Russia and Italy and so on.

They have recently reached a new leasing agreement for their Sukhoi 100 due to claims of $4 outstanding.

Gives some idea of the outfit and I would guess that we will not be seeing them soon.

David

[OltonPete]

scott737

Yes I thought the passenger figure for October and load factor would have been higher but when I checked back there were still 13 three-class versions most in the early part of the month.

This month there have only been two three class so hopefully things have improved. Manchester & Glasgow were similar load factors to BHX by the look of their figures.

EK only operate two-class 77W's to BHX, NCL & IST in Europe on a regular basis and I believe Copenhagen is changing from three class next year. They have done brief periods on HAM, Rome and they have appeared at Dublin as well.

I would probably go for 3 x 360 seat 77W's if they were to expand as the 9am BHX departure would meet the Dubai-India/Pakistan/Bangladesh departure bank.

A three class 380 and three class 77W would add only a few extra seats and reduce cargo capacity. They could operate the two-class 77W on the evening like they did at first at MAN but that would add less than a 100 seats a day.

easyjet

Good start although fares have been low, tomorrow morning is still only £50 plus £9 although tomorrow night is £155 one way. Monday morning inbound is also only £40 which seems reasonable but I suppose in the short-term it is all about building market share.

By the way flybe Belfast City was up 5% in October.

The cruise flight to Bridgetown starts again tomorrow by Thomson but overall these seem less than last November.

SAS have sent in 738's the last two days but whether this was load related I don't know.

Pete

[bazzab68]

Peter/all

The 738 were Load related as England had a football game in Stockholm and numerous fans utilised the service to get there. I must also add that since its start the people using this flight have been mainly Sweedish people and suits travelling direct rather that going via another port.

All in all a good start to a new route and perhaps along with the new BFS by Ezy doing well will help the airport attract other carriers to perform direct flights to other points around Europe. Madrid??? Prague?? Lisbon anyone...?

Regards
Barry

[Monty Gordo]

OP

The October stats are certainly intriguing, particularly when judged against Bhx's rival, Edinburgh....

While in October Edinburgh recorded a decrease in passengers by 2.8% giving a running yearly total of 9,216,135 Bhx's increase of 4.3% improved their running total to 8,871,488.

Now, should this + and - trend continue methinks it will not be too long before Bhx overtakes Edinburgh to reclaim 6th spot.

All-in-all good stats for Bhx.

[OltonPete]

bazzab68

Of course, it might have been a friendly but still quite a few fans - almost worth paying SAS prices just to see that goal live :)

Today it is the 700 although last week it was down for the 800 in GDS. It is good that like LH they can juggle the fleet.

Monty Gordo

Over-taking EDI will be a tough ask with easyjet basing more aircraft and at present BHX does not have a full replacement for the BMI Baby flights. Also TOM rumoured to be 2 x 738 and 3 x 757's which is another loss. However still time for things to happen with rumours on a few fronts next week.

Pete

[getonittt]

Also Overtaking EDI would be a tough task because of the sheer amount of domestic traffic that airport handles, i don't know the figures because EDI-london airports are not in the stats but i'm sure just that route alone would dwarf BHX's whole domestic total for that month ( 68000 for Oct) . And what is BHX's best domestic route? EDI of course!

[GayFriendly]

Rumours on the EDI and GLA threads that FR have patched up differences with new EDI owners GIP and some axed routes are starting to re-appear in the FR booking engine from EDI. With increases from EZY, none of this will sadly help BHX to catch up with EDI.

However, as for domestic pax from EDI, according to the site of truth Wikipedia, in 2011 7 out of the top 10 routes for pax from EDI were domestic (BHX 7th with nearly 289,000 pax). LHR and LGW alone accounted for around 1.9 million annual pax, theres also LTN, LCY and STN to add to that! With such hefty flows to LON, BHX can hold its head high that with a much smaller domestic market, far more of its annual pax throughput travel internationally than from EDI!

[OltonPete]

Monthly figures per the CAA and the load factors are my estimates using a BHX blog, libhomeradar plus the configs from planespotters.net. The 2011 figures are in brackets.

A mixed bag on the business routes with Stuttgart, Milan, Brussels, Frankfurt, Zurich & Copenhagen down but DUS and CDG up. Munich load factors have dropped with ZB on the route but on a brighter note Venice & Rome seem to be doing fine. Sharm figures are not shown as they include some IT pax in the schedule figures.

BRUSSELS...10029...(11206)...40 PAX...49%

LARNACA...6992...(5252)...184 PAX...91%

PAPHOS...4640...(3039)...178 PAX...88%

COPENHAGEN...6943...(7370)...75 PAX...75%

MONTPELLIER...1998..(2636)...111 PAX...59%

NICE...2724...(3275)...97 pax...56%

PARIS...31382...(27490)...91... PAX...78%

BERLIN TXL...5618...(nil)...94 pax...67% (one cancellation)

DUSSELDORF...16637...(15122)...49 PAX...58%

FRANKFURT...22860...(down 5%)...97 pax...64%

HAMBURG...4179...(2094)...49 pax...56%

HANOVER...5663...(5438)...56 pax...70%

MUNICH...15375...(12280)...82 pax...64%

STUTTGART...3241...(3817)...36 pax...46%

HERAKLION...2434...(nil)...135 pax...77%

CORK...6547...(6574)...53 pax...73%

DUBLIN...44952...(44592)...128 pax...71%

KNOCK...2931...(4077)...47 pax...66% (based on 62 sectors - cancellations?)

SHANNON...2973...(2926)..47 pax..66% (based on 62 sectors- cancellations?)

WATERFORD...1357...(1043)...45 pax...41%

MILAN...4756...(4247)...63 pax...49%

ROME FCO...7524...(nil)...145 pax...80%

VENICE...4570...(nil)...134 pax...77%

TRIESTE...1790...()...112 pax...59%

MALTA...3275...(3009)...182 pax...96%

AMSTERDAM...37606...(41975)...98 pax...78%

FARO...19016...(19601)...170 pax...85%

Funchal...826...(nil)...137 pax...79%

ALICANTE...25361...(24297)...174 pax...88%

ALMERIA...3159...(2814)...176 pax...82%

BARCELONA...3422...(nil)...132 pax...73%

GIRONA...5761...(4100)...160 pax...85%

IBIZA...3834...(4159)....153 pax...80%

MAHON...4397...(5845)...169 pax...79%

MALAGA...26490...(28309)...172 pax...88%

MURCIA...5964...(7988)...166 pax...88%

PALMA...18603...(12710)...160 pax...84%

REUS...4052...(3394)...156 pax...82%

ARRECIFE...11480...(10425)...185 pax...94%

FUERTEVENTURA...6936...(6382)...183 pax...91%

LAS PALMAS...7660...(6854)...174 pax...89%

TENERIFE...16242...(16132)...187 pax...94%

DUBROVNIK...2529...(0)...141 pax...81%

ZURICH...11679...(12166)...66 pax...67%

BODRUM...2095...(o)...131 pax...75%

ISTANBUL...8147...(5451)...131 pax...88% (based on 155 seats for the A320/738)

DALAMAN...8286...(5028)...147 pax...76%

PRAGUE...nil pax...(nil)...

BUDAPEST...2975...(nil)...165 pax...87%

KAUNAS...2894...(0)...161 Pax...85%

BYDGOSZCZ...4435...(+6%)...171 Pax..90%

GDANSK/2949...(2913)...165 pax...87%

KATOWICE...4467...(2640)...160 pax...84%

RZESNOW...3059...(3054)...170 pax...90%

BRATISLAVA...4122...(4260)...165 pax...87%

ASHKHABAD...4751...(4821)...132 pax...70%

DUBAI...39006...(39938)...315 pax...76%

ISLAMABAD...6601...(7804)...254 pax...76% MAN & LHR well down as well)

TORONTO...1497...(1948)...185 pax...77%

NEWARK...7148...(8574)...155 pax...92% -

Pete

[GayFriendly]

Rumour on the MAN thread that AI are to start twice weekly service from 5th Jan with the newly delivered 787's.....wouldn't they have to give up slots at LHR to start this? I thought that was the whole reason BHX services ended to protect their LHR slots? Who knows with AI??

[Fairdealfrank]

Quote: "Rumour on the MAN thread that AI are to start twice weekly service from 5th Jan with the newly delivered 787's.....wouldn't they have to give up slots at LHR to start this? I thought that was the whole reason BHX services ended to protect their LHR slots? Who knows with AI??"

MAN-BOM on AI? Would say not a chance, good though it would be to have more long haul ex-MAN (or BHX, GLA, etc.. for that matter)! Would expect it to be more likely with 9W if at all.

Suspect that the likes of EK, EY, QR and TK already have this particular traffic sown up!

[Ferneylfc27]

Hello mate, I like my airplanes but I ay got a clue about what the numbers are that you have put down.Be greatful if you could tell me what they mean.thanks Dan

[chaps2011]

Ferneylfc27
Which numbers are you talking about and I will try and help

[Ferneylfc27]

The numbers by the destinations for example Brussels 10029 (11206) 40pax 49%......I know it's to do with passenger loads but don't know what they are.

[justplanecrazy84]

Great news! :ok:

300 Jobs At Airport - ITV News (http://www.itv.com/news/central/story/2012-11-20/300-jobs-at-brum-airport/)

[spottilludrop]

Brill news for us:ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok:

monarch have been great news for us

[ATNotts]

How long before the first negative posting on this extremely positive news?

Hangar too small; takes us space where diversions could be parked; noise; polution etc etc??

Seriously, even though it was probably the worst kept secret, brilliant job - well done BHX and Monarch!

[hammerb32]

Some good room to expand in the future as well, really good news.

[walterthesofty]

Another very positive point is these will not be the normal airport minimum wage jobs but highly skilled and well paid, great news for the midlands.... just a pity they did not expand at LTN!

[GayFriendly]

Great news for BHX, anything that helps breathe life into the region and peoples lives through the creation of quality jobs has to be applauded. Monarch have been nothing but good news for BHX! The ITV article mentions AA as a potential customer, I assume that this hangar will see quite a few airlines visiting that don't normally come to BHX?

[chinapattern]

Fantastic news! This is probably a stupid question but would the runway extension allow MON to attract customers from much further afield to use the facility? Or wouldn't it be an issue as the planes would be flown in with no passengers/cargo and could manage most places with it's current length?

[LGS6753]

Certainly MAEL is the source of unusual movements at LTN - Seychelles 767s for many years, Fedex A300s and 757s at present, many others too.

[Ferneylfc27]

The numbers that are on olton petes page for example Brussels 10029 (11206) 40pax 49%.i think it's something to do with passenger loads but ain't to sure.thanks

[bread&water]

Ferneylfc27

I believe the "numbers" are

Outbound passengers (this month this year)
Outbound passengers (this month last year)
Average number of passengers pre flight (this month this year)
Average Load Factor = number os passengers / number of seats available (this month this year)

B&W

[NJTCF]

Will the hangar be facing the Kilo taxiway? If it is will this be closed when the new hangar opens?

I see they are rebuilding a new compass bay nearly finished near L1.

As the old < NEW > compass bay would have been smack bang in the middle of the new hangar.

It will be interesting if they resurface Lima or as the locals know the cross wind runway.

Will be interesting what they do with parking Stands 505 + 506. Think Eurojet are going to have to have some more concrete/apron put down in front of there Hangar. Think the road in front of there hangar will have to be re routed at some point.

At times earlier on this year with all the AN-12 movements the Elmdon apron was crying out for more apron parking. My thought is if the Kilo taxiway goes they might as well close Hotel. Take a line straight down Foxtrot. And where the Helicopter aiming point used to be build a new taxiway towards L1. And tarmac the whole area west of a new Foxtrot taxiway for parking:ok:

[Centre cities]

From looking at the artist impression it does not really make any difference to the existing parking and taxiway arrangements apart from moving the compass area.

Centre cities

[jimmysam]

Yes it artists impression does imply a new area adjacent the old runway:

http://s18.postimage.org/gxafzfaa1/Monarch_s_new_maintenance_hangar.jpg

[NJTCF]

Thanks Jimmysam for the picture.

That will have a definite affect on parking for stands 505 + 506.

Glad to see Kilo Taxiway is staying open. A lot of aircraft that land on 33 exit at Kilo. If that was to close would mean exiting at Bravo and then crossing the runway at Limo. Which at Busy times is not always that easy.

[Mr @ Spotty M]

Yes MAEL have brought in many aircraft from various airlines over the years, alas Air Seychelles was due to TOM and not MAEL.

[Businesstraveller]

http://freeradio.orioncdn.co.uk.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Monarchs-new-aircraft-maintenance-facility-at-Birmingham-Airport-426x202.jpg

[brummybird]

NJCTF- couldn't agree with you more about parking at Elmdon and your suggestion to take foxtrot straight out at the old heli landing point, something I have always said would allow increased parking capacity over at Elmdon which as you rightly say can get extremely chockablock with a few larger aircraft nightstopping in such a restricted area made even more restricted by the new roadways, an accident waiting to happen.

I could never understand why they didn't the Eurojet apron as an opportunity to lay more concrete. The biggest mistake BHX made was to build the Menzies cargo shed in that position, taking up valuable parking space from the old apron.

Great news for BHX however, we have been crying out for decent hangarage and maintainence facilities for years, now we have Flybe, Eurojet and Monarch.

I still can't find any planning application, also wonder how this development fits in to the published masterplan?