BELFAST AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL

[AirGuru]

The old chestnut of yield im afraid. FR and EZY have a record of chopping routes with great LF's (90%+), only reasons could be potentially operational, or yield, where their aircraft would make them more money on other routes.

[True Blue]

I commented on this back at the start of March. I think we are now starting to see the impact of a dominant force, Easyjet. Looking at Saturday 15th Nov, last flight back here from Lgw is 4.15pm, Ltn is 6.05pm and Stn, 4.30pm. I think they have only 5 flights out of Bfs to London area on a Saturday. So for a football fan, these times are useless and a lot of people would like to fly over for a match on a Saturday as a day return. Whilst I understand that demand is lower on a saturday, I do not believe that there is not demand out of one London airport for a say 8.00pm departure by Easy. Last back from Lgw on EI is 6.00pm, also of no use. They have one back from Lhr to Bhd at 7.45pm. BA, 6.20pm. So only one flight out of London that would allow a day return to London for any reason over three airlines, but I think this is a very poor show from Easy. Why is this happening? I think the dominant force might deter other operators, like Norwegian. BA are only interested in Lhr and not too concerned about 8.00pm on a Saturday evening. EI are limited by the amount of metal they commit here and also lack of slots at both airports that they might allocate to NI. So I see Easy limiting flights to drive up yield and being able to do it because they have little effective competition. Maybe it is time to try and get FR back, never thought I would be saying that! But on my flight last month from Stn to Dublin at 8.00pm, it was full and some of the pax were travelling back to belfast.

TB

[jonnyc]

Changing topic but does anyone know how many controllers are actually based at BFS these days? With the lack of traffic I'm assuming there has been a reduction on shift coverage. Do people take reduced hours or get transfers anywhere else?

I take it there is always at least 5 people in the tower available at any time per shift?

Cheers.

[BFS Dude]

Does anyone no if Murcia, Alicante & Pisa will be available for Summer 2015 for Jet2? Currently not bookable on website, as all other routes are on sale.

[eastern wiseguy]

Jonnyc. Not the first chance of that on a public website. NATS would be extremely upset if their staff were to discuss numbers and manning in public.

[GAZMO]

Doubt if jet2 are going to do ALC MJV and PIS. They have announced 23 weekly flights and assuming the 5 cargo flights makes 28, 2 rotations for each BFS plane. Unless they are going to base a third plane at BFS?

[BFS Dude]

Okay thanks GAZMO another lose of routes for BFS unless they are planning on 3rd aircraft!

[GAZMO]

Another Jet2 plane would mean 14 rotations for a week. Certainly ALC, PIS and MVJ could possibly cover 7 of those. The other seven? Pula? Toulouse? Verona?....struggling here unless they look at key European cities

[BFS BHD]

Looking at Monday & Thursday there is 2 rotations in the afternoon.

Monday there is Mahon & Reus.

Thursday there is Ibiza & Reus.

So that means they would need a 3rd aircraft as Stansted cargo flight goes around 7pm.

So you never no BFS Dude and GAZMO! :)

[jonnyc]

@eastern, fair enough but I'm not expecting or asking anyone to divulge confidential information here.

It's more a question of is there a UK specific standard of cover per shift in the same way that there are different standards of fire cover?

[GAZMO]

BFSBHD
I hope you are correct. Would love to see a few new routes from. Jet2

[left rudder]

Note Arlene Foster talking up Canada flights on BBC today. Presume announcement due soon. Doubtless will be timed to maximise feel good factor for local elections.
Let's hope its a "proper" airline and offering year round ops.
Is Montreal an option for business connection or is the vfr traffic to Toronto the target market?

[Una Due Tfc]

Could be Westjet, their Dublin service fully booked out for the whole summer in about 4 hours apparently, although connections into Europe wouldn't be as good.

Air Transat seem to send A310s everywhere in the summer so they would be a decent bet too

[BFS BHD]

This is the news story here:

BBC News - Arlene Foster wants more Northern Ireland direct flights (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27009812)

[ILS25]

Have we not heard this all before though ?

[BFS BHD]

Nice to see TCX757T 757-200 G-JMCD from Glasgow training at BFS this afternoon for a few hours now departed back to Glasgow. :cool:

[NWSRG]

Panpan,

That's a very broad brush you've just used there...as a local PPLer, I always found the guys and gals at Aldergrove very helpful. GA will always take second place to commercial traffic, but I can't imagine another large airfield that would provide GA with the same level of service as I experienced at BFS. Even when the army and RAF were busy, GA was always looked after...was a lot of fun then!

[El Bunto]

Re: TCX training yesterday. Good to see Aldergrove taking some of this market from Shannon.

With the training discount Belfast is marginally more expensive per tonne for landings ( £3.75 vs ~ £3.50 ) but can still hopefully offer a saving in en route charges, fuel consumption due to priximity etc

[BFS BHD]

Anyone no what BFS are doing on runway 17 north of runway 25? Two NOTAMs out saying it is unavailable to taxi on for a month!! :

AIRCRAFT NOT PERMITTED TO TAXY FROM RUNWAY 25 ONTO RUNWAY 17 NORTH
OF INTERSECTION.
FROM: 16 APR 2014 04:30 TO: 16 MAY 2014 04:30

AIRCRAFT NOT PERMITTED TO TAXY FROM RUNWAY 17 NORTH AND TURN LEFT
ONTO RUNWAY 07.
FROM: 16 APR 2014 04:30 TO: 16 MAY 2014 04:30

[ILS25]

They're completing the rapid exit facility at the intersection. Basically they are cutting the corner off the north east section of the intersection allowing traffic to exit faster off 25 onto the north section of 17-35.

It's part of the runway works project that they didn't finish last year.

[GAZMO]

Questions? Why start it now when the summer schedule is underway?
Why was it not completed during the winter period when aircraft movement quieter?

[BFS BHD]

Thanks for the info ILS25! :)

[AIRPORT66]

Because its to cold to put that tarmac down in winter months it has to be a bit warmer so i am led to believe.

[richardnei]

"They're completing the rapid exit facility at the intersection. Basically they are cutting the corner off the north east section of the intersection allowing traffic to exit faster off 25 onto the north section of 17-35."


Is the runway really that busy! Most airports create rapid exits in order to increase number of movements on the runway.

[eastern wiseguy]

Richardnei.....perhaps not at the moment and it isn't a rapid exit in the traditional sense. It is a more gentle right turn .
As an (ex) ATCO there i can say that it will allow the inbounds on 25 to turn off slightly quicker and may increase the movement rate.
Planning for the future. I hope so anyway.

[GAZMO]

Noticed BEE132 diverted from BHD and landed at 22.36, any reason why it did not land at BHD?

[BFS BHD]

There was no movements aloud after 22:00 for WIP will be the same to Friday.

+ DUE MAINT NO DEPARTURES AFTER 2045/NO ARRIVALS AFTER 2100.
FROM: 16 APR 2014 20:45 TO: 18 APR 2014 21:00

[GAZMO]

Thanks for thank BFSBHD

[Letsflycwl]

Would it be a good idea if the Northern Ireland and Welsh Government put their heads together to entice an airline to operate to and from Toronto ? Both airports are crying out for a carrier and both had successful flights with Zoom until they collapsed.

Surely between the 2 governments they can get something sorted

[GAZMO]

Common sense, start flight in CWL and pick up at BFS, could probably be trice weekly

[Jack1985]

It seems common sense by the public for airlines is a different theory in NI, DUB has gone from pre 2008 having 12 flights PW to Toronto to now having 25 PW - Any demand from Ireland has been re-routed through DUB and it will continue to grow.

[Jack1985]

Airlines aren't a charity, That's all. Plus a 2hr drive from Central Belfast to Dublin is hardly hundreds of miles.

[GAZMO]

Unless you live on the north coast or north west then it's three hours!!

[True Blue]

But they don't matter.

[ILS25]

Jack1985

So everyone in Northern Ireland lives in central Belfast and would prefer to drive to Dub. Wise up !

And if that's the case the Newark service from BFS must be doomed :eek:

[Jack1985]

Unless you live on the north coast or north west then it's three hours!!

And yet most connections from the UK globally are via LHR where plenty of people use transport and/or car journeys to get there.

Jack1985

So everyone in Northern Ireland lives in central Belfast and would prefer to drive to Dub. Wise up !

And if that's the case the Newark service from BFS must be doomed

I should wise up? yet you have you guys posting about the demand no airline sees in NI, and which none of them are even thinking about......

[CallBell]

owenc But its not fair that Dublin gets all the demand this is a small island and it is craply that we have to drive hundreds of miles to get an international flight.


Dublin doesn't get all the demand, the demand is to and from Dublin. And the fact it is a small island means that services tend to centre on the place(s) with higher population density. If the airlines thought they could make better profits on BFS-XXX than DUB-XXX they would move the route. It's no longer a case of just making a profit, it needs to be more profitable for them.

[Una Due Tfc]

The BFS-EWR flight almost did disappear last year. Some last minute scrambling by government kept it going.

Look the fact is the airlines obviously don't think having a DUB-YYZ/JFK/ORD etc etc running simultaneously with a service from BFS would be as profitable as serving DUB and somewhere else. Airlines only have a finite number of aircraft and crews. A BFS-YYZ may well make money, but would it make more money than an extra CDG/LHR/FRA etc service to YYZ? And would those Airlines' DUB service still be profitable without the pax from North of the border? What about cargo? What about the pre-clearance for the US flights? That's a big enticement too.

Airlines are far more risk averse than they were pre 08. They will take the safer option every time now.

[ILS25]

The last minute scrambling put BFS on par (almost) with DUB regarding APD and the APD was the reason why united were threatening to pull the plug, so fairs fair in that regard. The demand was always there ! People still choose the BFS service over DUB even though they could get the pre-clearance advantage from Dublin.

I agree that the majority of long haul flights that DUB offer are not sustainable from BFS but I believe that Canada is doable.

I'm sure the majority of NI flyers would prefer to have a service at their doorstep (and I'm not just talking about BFS) rather than having to travel to DUB.

[Una Due Tfc]

I also agree YYZ would be doable, and profitable, but would it be more profitable than say Marseille, or Stockholm (2 Air Transat summer routes). I don't think it would. Like I said, only a finite amount of metal in every fleet, Belfast would have to be the most profitable rout not yet served for them to go for that.

[owenc]

Actually we don't.

We are flying from Dublin for the first time ever. We tried the flight from Belfast but it was over £3,000 and Dublin was only £2,000 plus there are two United flights in the summer with pre clearance...
I would love love love to fly from home but its not going to happen.

And I agree that the demand exists but it can't be sustained because the Dublin airport is stealing the passengers with their expansion. They now have four airlines offering flights to Canada.

[Una Due Tfc]

It's quite amazing really what the new motorway network on the Island has done to the likes of BFS and ORK, big bleed of pax to DUB who would have used their local airport instead. I genuinely didn't see it coming

[justanotherloser]

"And I agree that the demand exists but it can't be sustained because the Dublin airport is stealing the passengers with their expansion. They now have four airlines offering flights to Canada"

I'm sorry to break this to you, but nobody is stealing anything. BFS is quite free to expand physically in a similar fashion as Dublin has- nothing stopping it!

Here's the truth - the airlines want to fly to Dublin, because demand there is infinitely higher. It really is that simple. Sure, I believe BFS can easily support a Canada service, yet the owners of BFS seem incapable of attracting anything more substantial than the odd additional EZY frequency.

The airlines ultimately choose where they fly - so accusing airports of somehow physically ransacking passengers just sounds like throwing toys from a pram.

[Mlinnie]

Will Easyjet be basing an A320 at BFS for the peak summer months this year?

[BFS BHD]

Yes easyJet will base a A320 at BFS during the peak season, look on some of the morning seat plans for June, July and August. :)

[Buc Driver]

I know it still fairly early days, but is there any indication of a rise in numbers on the Gatwick service now that Flybe have departed.

[Straightahead]

There will be very little expansion at BFS until the management at BFS or the folks on the hill start paying new airlines to operate to places like Canada or Dubai.Its not a level playing field as friends flying to Australia saved over £400 each flying through Dublin.

[owenc]

Belfast cannot expand because Dublin has taken all the traffic that there is.

They built a new and second terminal and provided a pre-clearance facility obviously airlines are going to go there.

[owenc]

I actually think the airport has gone down hill over the past two years.. I can't see a Canadian route and I can never see a route to Dubai... perhaps maybe Qatar if they get to Belfast first.

(How do you quote?)

[Jack1985]

perhaps maybe Qatar if they get to Belfast first.

Not a hope in hell would Qatar launch BFS over DUB.

[CabinCrewe]

The TOM program for 2015 will go out on 24th April. Dont expect anything exciting for BFS (or many others apart from the usual compulsory winners)

[GAZMO]

From Thomson thread......no change or additional flights for 2015. Same old routes

[david1994]

While the TCX S15 programme slowly rolls out.. LCA is up to 2x Weekly on a Wed and Sun

[planenut321]

Where are you looking David?

[BFS Dude]

Any new routes for 2015?

[david1994]

Internal system and cant confirm any new routes at this moment in time schedules will be released towards middle of May but looking good with LCA up to 2 weekly.

[david1994]

http://s30.postimg.org/zavfql2q9/2014_04_27_21_27_46.png

http://s29.postimg.org/y6ubhy3ev/2014_04_27_21_28_48.png

[BFS Dude]

Internal system and cant confirm any new routes at this moment in time schedules will be released towards middle of May but looking good with LCA up to 2 weekly.

How come on Thomas Cook social networking sites they say the schedules will be released on the 1st of May... :)

[BFS Dude]

Any more routes on Internal system david1994?

[BFS Dude]

There will be a one off flight to Las Vegas from Belfast departing on 5 July 2015 for 7 nights. I'm guessing it will be Thomas Cook doing the flight. :)

[GAZMO]

Notice flight JQ going to Palma tomorrow.

Anyone know the airline?

[BFS Dude]

Looks like Larnaca and Lanzarote are up to 2 times a week for TCX! :ok:

[GAZMO]

Good news

Any new destinations for TCX?

[BFS Dude]

No idea :)

[strawberry Ribena]

Gazmo- Albastar will be doing that pmi flight.

[BFS Dude]

Here's Thomas Cook Summer 2015 Schedule which does not include Antalya, Enfidha or Mahon but seems to use Jet2.com for Mahon:

Monday:
- BFS-DLM - 07:10-13:45
- DLM-BFS - 14:45-17:40

- BFS-BJV - 18:55-01:20
- BJV-BFS - 02:20-05:05

Tuesday:
- BFS-REU - 07:00-10:35
- REU-BFS - 11:35-13:15

- BFS-HER - 14:15-20:40
- HER-BFS - 21:40-00:20

Wednesday:
'''Empty Morning Slot'''

- BFS-LCA - 13:55-21:05
- LCA-BFS - 22:05-01:35

Thursday:
- BFS-ACE - 07:00-11:30
- ACE-BFS - 12:30-16:45

- BFS-DLM - 17:55-00:30
- DLM-BFS - 01:30-04:25

Friday:
- BFS-REU - 06:15-09:50
- REU-BFS - 10:50-12:30

- BFS-TFS - 13:55-18:20
- TFS-BFS - 19:20-23:55

Saturday:
- BFS-PMI - 06:00-09:55
- PMI-BFS - 10:55-12:55

- BFS-LCA - 13:55-20:50
- LCA-BFS - 21:50-01:15

Sunday:
- BFS-IBZ - 06:00-09:55
- IBZ-BFS - 10:55-12:55

- BFS-ACE - 13:55-18:25
- ACE-BFS - 19:25-23:40

[GAZMO]

Is this 2014 or 2015?

[BFS Dude]

Looks like Pegasus returns in 2015 for Dalaman for TCX for two weeks:

Outbound
Pegasus
Depart:
Belfast International
03 July 2015 at 09:35 hrs
PC 6452
Arrive:
Dalaman
03 July 2015 at 16:05 hrs

Inbound
Pegasus
Depart:
Dalaman
11 July 2015 at 06:10 hrs
PC 6451
Arrive:
Belfast International
11 July 2015 at 08:55 hrs


Edit: Also Las Vegas as appeared on the drop down list on flythomascook.com!

[GAZMO]

Thanks BFS Dude for update on TCX. Hopefully Antalya will fit in on the Wednesday AM slot and Enfidha will be operated by another carrier for TCX

[BFS Dude]

No problem. :)

Las Vegas flight now on sale departing 5th July and returning 12th July (One off flight)

Times for the flight is:

BFS-LAS - 10:10-11:05

LAS-BFS - 13:55-07:05

:ok:

[GAZMO]

Notice ADB1850 arriving from Gander tomorrow morning............the start of the long awaited Canada route!!!!

[BFS BHD]

That is an AN-124 thats due in :ok:

[BFS Dude]

I think the Wednesday slot will be filled with another Palma flight. :)

[BFS BHD]

Any rumors on any new routes or airlines this weather?

Have the new owners made any plans etc for BFS... :)

[GAZMO]

BFS BHD


Cannot see anything new for the rest of 2014.


Maybe we should start a "bucket list", SFO, SIN!!!!

[BHD2BFS]

If you look at therouteshop.com
Airports have found Belfast a viable route, Bordeaux was one of them
Maybe this is an indicator of possible future routes,

[AIRPORT66]

Maybe they will operate it all of next summer.

[GAZMO]

And hopefully at least twice a week to BOD

[El Bunto]

An-124 has just departed, westbound.

Not a peep about it on the airport website, their PR team was apparently too excited y the Giro.

In a similar vein their 'Cargo' page hasn't been updated in a while either..

Belfast International Airport is one of the most important regional airfreight centres in the UK, handling over 48,000 tonnes of air cargo in 2008.


Do try to show some interest in the freight business, chaps.

[GAZMO]

Was this the AN124 that arrived this morning from Portsmouth NFL?
Was this a charter flight or private

[El Bunto]

Yes the An-124 was the flight in from Houston via Portsmouth NH. Private charter for heavy equipment.

[BFS BHD]

Is Aegean Airlines still operating Rhodes for Olympic Holidays? I can get Heraklion but not Rhodes.

[GAZMO]

Going by wiki, not the most reliable source, yes they are doing both

[BFS BHD]

Wouldn't go with Wiki anyone can update it...

I'm looking on Olympic Holidays website and can't find it on there.

[GAZMO]

They operated Rhodes last year but cancelled Heraklion late in season. Rhodes I believe was quite successful

[AIRPORT66]

Rhodes is still there along with Heraklion operated by Aegean.

[BFS BHD]

Thanks AIRPORT66 :ok:

[BFS BHD]

I see BFS is advertising a new car park called 'parkandfly' seems to be beside the roundabout going into the airport opening Mid June. :)

Think it is the one that used to be 'Q Park; Park & Ride'

[GAZMO]

Thought there was enough car parks around BFS, but if it makes car parking cheaper one cannot complain.

Maybe there will be an influx of new routes so we will need extra parking space!!!!

Pity we could not get a few more around BHD!

[AIRPORT66]

£3 pound per day to park your car in it book under parkandfly.com i think

[GAZMO]

Does anyone know the web address to book parkandfly?

[ericlday]

Try 'park and fly belfast international airport' in Google.....a few options

[AIRPORT66]

biaparkandfly.com try that one belongs to the airport.

[El Bunto]

Not sure how finding parking links is difficult, given that *every* sectional page on the BIA website has its content pushed below-the-fold by a 'Get a parking quote!' panel.

Even the 'About Us' page... Belfast International Airport (http://www.belfastairport.com/en/about/)

Not a good user-experience.

[BFS BHD]

Here's the link for the new car park:

https://secure-booking.biaparkandfly.com/biaparkandflynewbooking/CarParking/CarParkingEntryPage.aspx

[GAZMO]

Thanks BFS BHD. Not the easiest web page to find.


Why do you think BFS needs another off site park?, Comos, McCausland, Easypark, Killead plus the main and long stay parks, surely enough choice and keen price for the 4 million pax

[ILS25]

Because it's always been there, they're paying rates for it so they may as well use it. It was normally used during the really busy periods during the summer months when the long stay was full but this past few years the long stay has never reached maximum capacity so the park and fly has lay empty.

I guess they offer parking there at a reduced rate hoping it will take away from the other offsite parking companies. Makes perfect sense.

[AIRPORT66]

Since Flybe left the Gatwick route do we know how many pax are using EI and Ezy.

[GAZMO]

The BFS and BHD to LGW caa stats for April are not published as yet. Probably on the website within the next few days. That should give us an indication of pax
Judging by EZY website for BFS to LGW the flights for certain days are either fully booked or very high prices

[GAZMO]

Heard on radio news this morning that the long awaited rail station may be soon.........................provided funding available!!!


http://www.u.tv/News/Major-railway-extension-proposed/b5e2ae3a-a8c0-40d6-9d82-d9092e512c46

[eastern wiseguy]

Not JUST funding. An increase to 10 million is a target which is extremely unlikely to be achieved in the short to mid term. It is a catch 22 situation . No significant routes to attract pax.....therefore no railway....no railway equals no increase in pax numbers ....therefore no "demand" for more destinations. And the circle continues. No joined up transport policy from the idiots on the hill is ultimately to blame.

The document also includes the potential for a railway line that could connect Belfast International Airport to the network.

However, for it to be viable, the report says passenger numbers at the airport would need to increase significantly from the current 4m to 10m.

[GAZMO]

In bygone days when the Belfast Derry line went via Lisburn to Antrim I found the trains fairly packed. Good catchment area, Knockmore, Ballinderry, Crumlin etc


When I use BFS I always drive. Train down to Antrim from up north never seems to correspond with the 109a Bus Service to BFS from Antrim Station, and if you cannot get bus then its a taxi from Antrim Station


Chicken and egg situation

[BFS BHD]

AIRPORT66 said;

Since Flybe left the Gatwick route do we know how many pax are using EI and Ezy.

Stats are out for Gatwick now:

BFS: (Easyjet)
2013: 31348
2014: 39302
+25%

BHD: (Aer Lingus)
2013: 33101
2014: 21243
-36%

[EI-A330-300]

So Aer Lingus had a load factor of 82% for the month, what did BFS have?

[GAZMO]

Assuming its a A319 load factor by my calculations 91.28%

All flights from LGW to BFS tomorrow fully booked. Maybe need an A320 for LGW

[EI-A330-300]

vAssuming its a A319 load factor by my calculations 91.28%

but we know that they use lots of 320's so its lower than that. Anyone know the breakdown of aircraft for the month.

[GAZMO]

I have seen A320 on STN and LTN. Do they use A320 on LGW?

Looking at Flightstats for next two days A320 operating at times from LTN,EDI,LPL and NCL

Will stand corrected if they use on LGW

[AIRPORT66]

Nearly all the Lgw flights from Bfs are airbus319 with the exception of maybe a friday evening the teatime flight is an airbus 320 good results for april.

[GAZMO]

Cannot see the A320 on the EZY service from or to BFS on Friday. Even if there is one A320 the overall LF are good, and judging by the prices yields are good as well

[BFS Dude]

I see on wiki someone as put Air Canada to Toronto from BFS starting 1st May 2015, I no wiki is a good source but as anyone heard anything about this?

[GAZMO]

If it appears on wiki without reference it's probably false

[j636]

There was 2 A320 (each way) during the month of April.

[GAZMO]

Thank J 636

I am sure someone can work out the exact percentage but over 90% LF by my calculations.

On the LGW flight today and 100% full. Maybe a few more A320 needed

[BFS Dude]

Anyone no if these routes will go on sale sometime from BFS:

Jet2:

Alicante, Murcia and Pisa

Thomas Cook:

Antalya, Enfidha and Mahon

Thanks :)

[AIRPORT66]

Antalya is not operating next year.

[BFS Dude]

Thank you AIRPORT66 :)

[GAZMO]

Notice ABR423J to Split in the morning. Is this a one off charter?

[cessnarocket]

Major announment for bfs within 48hrs ... new airline

[GAZMO]

Now don't keep us in suspense!!!

At least give us a slight clue?

[cessnarocket]

Unconfirmed route but looks like turkey or middle east

[GAZMO]

At long last management at BFS doing something

[BFS Dude]

Where did you hear this from??

Any idea of airline??

[EGAC is Better]

Turkish Airlines wouldn't do themselves much harm if they started a couple of weekly rotations to IST with timed well onward international connections to Far East and domestic connections to Antalya and Dalaman.

Plenty of people with holiday homes in Turkey who would make use of such flights and local travellers heading to Far East could one stop to many places direct from BFS.

Could be a good move. Fingers crossed!

[BHD2BFS]

Any idea of aircraft type?
A320? B737?

[True Blue]

We travel to Turkey at least 3 times a year. just back 2 weeks ago, used TK out of Dublin. No charge for food/drinks plus 30kg of checked luggage. If this happens, my experience tells me they may be cheaper than TOm/TCX to get to Turkey, although there will still be a market for package holidays. TK service to Ist is very good with a massive number of onward connections. Will be a very good development if it happens.

TB

[GAZMO]

-cessnarocket has gone quiet so we will have to wait and see

Maybe Qatar'!!!!!!

[BFS BHD]

Maybe Qatar'!!!!!!

I think Qatar would fly into Dublin before they look at flying into BFS.

[BHD2BFS]

Who ever it is they aren't too concerned about airport appearances, last time I was in the international pier the carpet was covered in holes and badly marked walls

[NWSRG]

Turkish is the 4th largest airline in the world, by number of destinations. If it is TK, then this could provide some great connections to the middle east and beyond.

[GAZMO]

Well done cessnarocket you certainly have started a debate/ comment on this thread

[cessnarocket]

Confirmed info ..... turkish embassy taking residency in bfs perhaps this is an indication who knows

[cessnarocket]

Lets hope this is not the only news we get :(

[stab3.5up]

Maybe its pgt

[tigger2k8]

Any news stories anywhere or all still word of mouth?

[GAZMO]

All quiet on the news front!!!

Bet a lot of guys will be clued to this thread tomorrow

[stab3.5up]

Im almost moist with expectation as to this news re new carrier

[ILS25]

The only thing I know regarding the Turkish rumour is that the First and Deputy First Ministers are meeting with the Turkish Ambassador tomorrow.

[True Blue]

I see Zante and Gran Canaria are on the wiki page as Jet2 destinations for next year. Wonder if this is accurate?

TB

[BFS Dude]

Hello,

There is currently a few gaps in Jets schedule at the moment so they could ass a new route or two :)

[GAZMO]

Jet2 I think have announced 23 weekly flights for S15. This plus the 5 mail cargo evening flights makes 28 thus double daily for each plane.

Don't know what they are doing with their ALC based aircraft?

[El Bunto]

There's also a single Saturday night out / Sunday morning return mail flight for Jet2 :)

[ILS25]

Turkish ambassador in Belfast to discuss future Istanbul flight.

[BHD2BFS]

We all automatically think BFS when talking about the Turkey route.
But is it possible for 319/320 to travel from BHD!

[GAZMO]

I am no expert but I think it would be a little too far for A319 etc from BHD

[True Blue]

most UK routes are B738.


TB

[BFS Dude]

Just seen in the Belfast Telegraph that BFS have been talking to the Turkish Ambassador and Turkish Airways would not comment on it. So who knows!

[flying officer kite]

It all depends on performance etc. but if they can handle a fully laden 321 to Reus on a summer day, an A319 to Istanbul should be manageable..i suspect anything bigger might be a problem though.

Another option could be a flight triangle. Turkish do that at a few airports in Europe

[ILS25]

Nothing new confirmed then.

I wouldn't hold my breath either.

[airhumberside]

Zante and Gran Canaria are on the wiki page as Jet2 destinations for next year. Wonder if this is accurate?
They are listed in the Jet 2 Holidays Summer 2015 brochure

[GAZMO]

Great news

Just need ALC and PIS now

[BFS BHD]

Good news for Jet2!! :)

[BFS Dude]

Here is Jet2.com schedule for Summer 2015 from Belfast International Airport:

Alicante: 4 Weekly (Mon, Fri, Sat & Sun)
Malaga: 3 Weekly (Tue, Thurs & Sat)
Reus: 2 Weekly (Mon & Thurs)
Dubrovnik: 1 Weekly (Sun)
Las Palmas: 1 Weekly (Fri) (NEW)
Ibiza: 3 Weekly (Tue, Thurs & Sun)
Lanzarote: 2 Weekly (Wed & Sat)
Palma: Daily (Mon, ...)
Mahon: 1 Weekly (Mon)
Tenerife: 2 Weekly (Tue & Fri)
Faro: 3 Weekly (Mon, Fri & Sat)
Zante: 1 Weekly (Wed)

[True Blue]

so are Murcia and pisa going?

TB

[GAZMO]

Maybe have to wait a little longer to see about ALC, Pis and MJV

Going by BFS Dude schedule for. Jet2 there are six flights on a Monday. Five flights on a Saturday and Thursday. Does that mean a third aircraft?

[BFS Dude]

Sorry its 5 on Monday as well, Malaga is Tue not Mon as i had done now fixed. :)

[GAZMO]

Just looked at EZY BFS to LGW for next 3/4 days.........Surely A320 would be needed or even additional flights????


Sat 31 May


Sold Out Dep 10:15 Arr 11:35
Sold Out Dep 13:55 Arr 15:15


Sun 01 Jun

Sold Out Dep 07:00 Arr 08:20
Sold Out Dep 16:50 Arr 18:10
Sold Out Dep 19:35 Arr 20:55
Sold Out Dep 21:55 Arr 23:15


Mon 02 Jun


Sold Out Dep 06:20 Arr 07:40
Lowest Fare £206 Departure 09:30 Arrival 10:50
(http://www.easyjet.com/EN/Booking.mvc#)
Sold Out Dep 13:55 Arr 15:15
Sold Out Dep 18:00 Arr 19:20
Sold Out Dep 19:20 Arr 20:40


Tue 03 Jun



Sold Out Dep 06:20 Arr 07:40

[yeo valley]

It would be nothing to do with school half term time would it, as the rotations shown. only a thought or are the ezy routes to lgw doing good??.

[GAZMO]

No half term in Northern Ireland. With BEE withdrawal from LGW route the A319 tend to be fully booked on peak days or if you can get a seat to LGW it is a crazy price

[Falcon666]

It's just not LGW that's hard to get.
Even LTN and STN are nearly fully sold out for the same days.
Tend to agree with London capacity problem unless something else is going on

[OltonPete]

GAZMO

It is half-term in England and I would say there is some influence on one or two routes although I bow to greater knowledge on the BFS-Gatwick.

BHX shows £94 Saturday (£29 next Saturday), Sunday both flights completely sold out back to BHX (although not uncommon) and Monday morning £176. Even today £102 and £94 one-way BFS-BHX (much higher than the norm).

Manchester flights are not showing sold out but high fares as is Bristol and Newcastle.

Pete

[left rudder]

Interesting to read most recent posts re Easy pricing policy
Low cost airline my eye!
Just another example of the cynical and immoral approach this company have to their customers.
Sooner we build a tunnel to Scotland the better!

[Calmcavok]

Aviation is not low cost. The ability to get on a flight for a tenner is, to me, a crazy notion. That's why Ezy, FR etc, only offer the first few seats at the lowest price. From then on, the price will go up, by how much is dictated by demand and milking the yield. If you look to book a week or so before during the English half term, don't be surprised to spend £200+!! I think a return flight to England or Scotland for less than £100 is a bargain.

Often at late notice, switching to the more legacy type carriers will get you a better fare, especially when you factor in bags etc.

[GAZMO]

Maybe some of you guys can explain the pricing / availability based on my previous post re EZY BFS to LGW

Just checking web again and
Sunday 19.35 now available
Monday 18.00 now available
Monday 19.35 now available
Tuesday 6.25 now available
.????

[Ringwayman]

If they have lower costs than a "legacy" airline then they can comfortably describe themselves as low cost. If you are thinking of paying only £5 or £10 for a ticket, then you are in need of a low fare airline. It's not rocket science, is it?

[BFS Dude]

So cessnarocket what happened to the announcement.... ;)

[ILS25]

Apparently in the final stages of negotiations.

Hope it comes to something.

[BFS Dude]

Cheers ILS25 :ok:

Any idea when it could be announced?

[Waldo1]

Do easyjet not base any 320 at bfs? Are any routes even operated by other 320s coming in?

[ILS25]

BFS Dude, sorry that's all I've heard.

Fingers crossed. The place certainly needs a boost.

[stab3.5up]

VLM maybe.

[BFS Dude]

Okay thanks ILS25.

Who's VLM stab3.5up?

[Una Due Tfc]

A Belgian airline bought by Cityjet years ago and absorbed by them. Cityjet's new owners are resurrecting them

[BFS Dude]

Thanks for that. :)

[BFS Dude]

Anymore info if the talks are over and if we are going to get this new airline? :)

[GAZMO]

BFS DUDE we will just have to keep our fingers crossed. Maybe someone at BFS can give us a hint?

[BFS Dude]

Yup hope it all happens now!

Does anyone no when Las Palmas and Zante will go on sale for Jet2.com??

[GAZMO]

Timetable section of the Jet2 website appears to be down at moment, maybe they are uploading? Tried jet2holidays website but could not find?


Maybe someone can enlighten


Passed the "Parkandfly" car park this morning.......not one car!! Is it open for business?

[BFS Dude]

Jet2s timetable up again but nothing different on BFS drop down list.

Park and Ride starts 19th of June until the 8th of September inclusive.

[GAZMO]

I see someone posting fAlse new routes on Wiki. I think it was EZY flying to BHD from BFS that gave it away!!!

[Danmadole]

How many times does it need to be said on this site that the BFS wiki page is full of nonsense compiled by kids and uninformed anoraks?

There appear to be people on various local "forums" who take pleasure in starting false rumours by cross-populating this garbage. :ugh:

[El Bunto]

I think it was EZY flying to BHD from BFS that gave it away!!!

Well to be fair they *have* flown that route a few times, they just didn't offer any revenue seats on it :)

[GAZMO]

UA76 cancelled this morning. Anybody know the reason?

[BFS BHD]

The Turkish Ambassador to London, Unal Cevikoz, formally inaugurated the office of the new Northern Ireland Consulate of the Republic of Turkey at Belfast International Airport recently.

The event was supported by the Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy MLA, and South Antrim MP, Rev Dr William McCrea.

Ambassador Cevikoz said that the value of trade between Northern Ireland Turkey was worth £120 million per year, but that that was a fraction of what stood to be gained through closer links, including a direct air service between Belfast International Airport and Istanbul. The newly appointed Honorary Consul, David Campbell, touched on the value of major infrastructural projects that were underway or planned in Turkey and he, too, supported efforts already underway to promote an
air route to the rapidly growing Instanbul hub airport with its vast network.

Airport marks new era in NI-Turkey relations - Belfast International Airport (http://www.belfastairport.com/en/news/8/350/airport-marks-new-era-in-ni-turkey-relations.html)

[True Blue]

See someone has posted on Wiki that the Ist service will start May 15. I know it is not the best source of info.


TB

[GAZMO]

TB
Turkish flight info on wiki was posted on the same day as the joker posted EZY was going to operate BFS to BHD. So at moment false unless someone else knows different

[BHD2BFS]

How many times have we heard that BFS is talking with airlines? Between Canadian, American, Middle Eastern. And nothing ever materialises

I can't blame BFS for trying and I do wish we had these routes but obviously DUB is gradually becoming the one stop shop for all travel to the island of Ireland

[GAZMO]

For posters information


BlueSky Business Aviation News - blueskynews.aero (http://www.blueskyexecutiveaviation.co.uk/issue_275/Jet_Assist_opens_at_Belfast_International.htm)

[BFS Dude]

Any insiders from BFS know if BFS are still in talks with Turkish Airways to Istanbul or have they done the deal and going to be announced soon?

Thanks. :)

[GAZMO]

Maybe it's like waiting for a bus and suddenly three come along at once!!!!

That would be nice!

[GAZMO]

BFS Dude


Maybe of interest.......all to do with money


Lucrative Air Route Hits Subsidy Stumbling Block | Business | The Irish News (http://www.irishnews.com/business/lucrative-air-route-hits-subsidy-stumbling-block-1359947)

[eastern wiseguy]

If it is simply a matter of reduced fees at an airport....and the range for the load and prevailing conditions (including aircraft type)can be achieved......I wonder if there is another airport in the area that would cheerfully poach them?

[flying officer kite]

Range is not an issue for Turkish. If needs be, their 739s have an endurance of 7-8 hours, hence why they send them deep into central Africa direct.


Anyway, as a comparison, a charter flight to Paphos is 700km further than Istanbul, so if a fully jammed charter 320/321 can do it, i'm sure a lighter, 2 class aircraft can manage with room to spare

[EI-BUD]

Turkish fly Dublin Istanbul with 738's and Airbus no issues whatsoever for the distance and Dublin runway shorter than BFS, so a total non event in terms of being an issue .

[BHD2BFS]

I think eastern wise guy is referring to BHD
Could a a319 with 2 class cabin get to turkey non stop?

[BFS Dude]

I see Jet2s System is down to book flights same with the timetable part.

Wonder are they putting Las Palmas and Zante on sale tomorrow?

[eastern wiseguy]

BHD2BFS......too obscure for my own good . That's EXACTLY what I was inferring.

[AIRPORT66]

It does not matter what Belfast airport they go to Turkish airlines want a start up subsidy to get the route up and running they have been in talks with Bfs for a long time now and would say that is were they want to be.

[BFS BHD]

It is understood the service freeze to Newark Airport is a temporary measure being implemented as part of the airline's cutbacks.

It has also halted services at Dublin, Manchester and Rome.

Belfast International Airport has said it is "naturally disappointed" by the decision.

The airport has said 850,000 passengers have travelled via the route in the nine years since it was introduced.

"We have been kept fully informed by United who assure us that it is their intention to resume normal service on the Belfast-Newark route from the 11 March next year," a statement from the airport said.

Belfast to New York route suspended - UTV Live News (http://www.u.tv/News/Belfast-to-New-York-route-suspended/cb1fd845-1aa4-44ca-b03c-18f4b1e537b8?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)

[eastern wiseguy]

Airport66

With respect ,if the mob at the docks offered a better deal (subject to runway length capacity etc etc ) THAT is where THY would go. There is no such thing as loyalty when the bottom line is being addressed.

[GAZMO]

Disappointing news
I use EWR every year in early January and return mid January to from MIA. Looks like it will have to be LHR in Jan 2015!!!!
Last trip full on way out, probably 70% on way back

[El Bunto]

Stunned that United are suspending Belfast services whilst maintaining near-simultaneous services from Newark to both Edinburgh and Glasgow.

UAL161 departs Newark 19:35 local
UAL36 departs Newark 20:05 local

Yet NI, with UAL77 running at > 80% load factor, won't have any service?

[garybell]

On a completely different tack.
Need to travel from Belfast to Gothenburg in Sept. Any good suggestions apart from looking on the web

[flying officer kite]

If you collect BA airmiles/Avios, try Manchester-Gothenburg with Sun Air, and use a Flybe or Easyjet to connect

[BFS BHD]

Now on sale at 4pw!

Operates Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

BFS-ALC - 07:30-11:35
ALC-BFS - 12:20-14:30

===============================

Murcia now added at 2pw!

Operates Monday and Friday.

BFS-MJV - 15:10-19:10
MJV-BFS - 19:45-21:45

Looks good!!!

[EGAC is Better]

I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if this move by UAL was a short experiment to see how many BFS customers continue to use the airline out of DUB. The writing is clearly on the wall long term unless they get more money from Stormont so perhaps this is a negotiating tactic.

Frankly, driving to Dublin and clearing immigration before you fly is still easier and cheaper than incuring UK APD by going via Heathrow or another mainland port. Most BA prices from Belfast are almost the same in £'s as they are in €'s if you use Dublin. ie. £500 from Belfast, €500 from DUB.

There is obviously a market for the direct NYC route if loads are over 80%. Maybe Aer Lingus could be tempted to relocate a 757 if the new Toronto route does well enough to warrant an A330. Their code share agreements with JBU would cover a lot of North American and Carribbean destinations via JFK. If UAL are playing hardball, find a new supplier for the route then show them the door.

[ILS25]

We priced to go to newark for 4 of us a while back.

United from BFS was £500 cheaper than United from DUB. That was for the same dates in August.

[AIRPORT66]

Same happened when we booked are flights to Newark worked out cheaper from Belfast by 280 pounds this was being discussed at lunchtime on bbc newsline and now they are talking about another route development subsidy being created so may be its united looking some more money.

[GAZMO]

Looking at Jet2 for S15 there appears to be a few gaps and also very busy on Saturday AM


Mon
AM FAO and PMI
PM MAH REU & MJV


Tues
AM ALC, AGP & TFS
PM IBZ


Wed
AM ACE & PMI
PM Nothing


Thurs
AM ALC, PMI & AGP
PM IBZ & REU


Fri
AM FAO & PMI
PM MJV & TFS


Sat
AM ALC PMI, AGP ......busy
PM ACE & FAO


Sun
AM ALC DVB & PMI
PM IBZ


Assuming mail run Monday to Friday evening and as BFS Dude indicating LPA and Zante, must be an extra aircraft?

[owenc]

Well it wasn't cheap for us. Booked for MCO for 5 weeks at the end of next week and it was £3,500 from Belfast and £2,200 from Dublin.

Of course we booked Dublin.

[david1994]

Jet2 Las Palmas and Zante was a misprint in the brochure this will not be happening as confirmed by Jet2 Operations.

[GAZMO]

Thanks David1994

With the timetable as present maybe there could be a few new routes. Always thought LPA would do well

[EGAC is Better]

Frankly, driving to Dublin and clearing immigration before you fly is still easier and cheaper than incuring UK APD by going via Heathrow or another mainland port. Most BA prices from Belfast are almost the same in £'s as they are in €'s if you use Dublin. ie. £500 from Belfast, €500 from DUB.

Just read the replies and my post. I wasn't clear what I meant above. I was talking about using BA the whole way as an example ie. Belfast to NYC via LHR and DUB to NYC via LHR. The point I was trying to make is that if UAL disappeared from Belfast it may still work out easier and cheaper to continue to fly with them direct from Dublin rather than going one stop via a GB airport.

On a point of interest, do we still pay full APD if we fly to the East Coast of USA via London? Or is the APD worked out on the basis that the journey originated in Belfast where different rules are in place?

[NWSRG]

On a point of interest, do we still pay full APD if we fly to the East Coast of USA via London? Or is the APD worked out on the basis that the journey originated in Belfast where different rules are in place?

The APD reduction only applies to direct flights into the relevant distance bands ... so going via LHR still incurs full whack.

I think the United move is very bad news ... it's been great having the direct service (and loads seem to have been good by all accounts), but this doesn't bode well. If United concentrate on DUB, they probably lose very little in passenger numbers, and get to close down the BFS operation, saving costs.

[EGAC is Better]

The APD reduction only applies to direct flights into the relevant distance bands ... so going via LHR still incurs full whack.

:ok: Many thanks NWSRG.

I agree with you completely about it being a worrying move. As you say UAL can consolidate in 2x DUB's and 1x BFS in DUB. If their B764/788/772 weren't so dense with Business seats they could replace three aircraft with one and still serve a large portion of the current overall market. The savings in closing a base plus the extra money made by redeploying B752's would all make very good business sense. Shame mind you.

[BFS Dude]

david1994 said;
Jet2 Las Palmas and Zante was a misprint in the brochure this will not be happening as confirmed by Jet2 Operations.

Will there be any new routes to fill in the gaps with the 3rd aircraft now coming next year?? :)

[GAZMO]

Their timetable for S15 is all over the place at the moment. With ALC AM Four times a week, being serviced from BFS rather than ALC based aircraft there is certainly opportunity for some new routes.
DBV is now on Sunday AM so will adjust my previous post. Maybe someone close to jet2 can give us some insight

[david1994]

All im saying is wait for a few months then their might be an announcement

[BFS Dude]

Okay thanks for that david1994! :)

[GAZMO]

Anybody know anything about WX878 to LBA tomorrow?

[El Bunto]

Anybody know anything about WX878 to LBA tomorrow?


Interesting, multi-sector flight Belfast -> Leeds -> Dublin.

Nothing on the public Dublin arrivals list for it which usually means it's a sports or corporate charter.

[El Bunto]

Aegean Airlines A320 arrived about 30 mins ago. Charter or summer regular?

[GAZMO]

Regular summer charter service for Olympic holidays. They are also, I believe starting a summer charter service to Heraklion later this month

[GAZMO]

Just noticed another strange flight on Monday to Iceland on flightstats Estonian air OV8718
Is this a one off charter?

[david1994]

Just noticed another strange flight on Monday to Iceland on flightstats Estonian air OV8718
Is this a one off charter?

ELL8718
EGAA
16/06/2014
13:30
BIKF
Registration Mark ES-AEB

Also Balkan Holidays tomorrow is Registration Mark LZBHG

[BFS Dude]

Have you heard about any new routes or airlines at BFS david1994?? :)

[BFS BHD]

Passengers This Month: 363920 +2.8
Passengers Rolling Year: 4041435 -4.7

Domestic:

GATWICK--------39106 +13
LUTON-----------21185 +0
STANSTED-------25553 +7

BIRMINGHAM-----16581 +28
BRISTOL---------19247 -4
EDINBURGH-------19564 +0
GLASGOW--------20568 -2
LIVERPOOL-------34463 -1
MANCHESTER-----17527 +13
NEWCASTLE------16631 +4

International:

DUBROVNIK-------961 -22
LARNACA---------1666 -23
NICE-------------2781 +4
PARIS CDG-------6966 -5
LOURDES---------2397 +12
CORFU-----------516 0
HERAKLION-------1443 0
PISA-------------413 +2
MALTA-----------2407 +9
AMSTERDAM------8570 +2
FARO-------------14331 +30
ALICANTE--------12858 +19
BARCELONA-------4649 -7
IBIZA-------------2606 +10
MAHON-----------600 +5
MALAGA----------12859 +22
MURCIA-----------2277 -17
PALMA------------20588 +9
REUS-------------3715 +36
ARRECIFE---------3860 +62
LAS PALMAS------551 -62
TENERIFE---------5128 +38
ANTALYA---------1385 -4
BODRUM----------1525 +23
DALAMAN---------3840 +106
BURGAS-----------227 +20
KRAKOW----------3979 +6
SHARM EL SHEIKH-168 -2
ENFIDHA----------1126 +426
NEWARK----------8176 +1

[Waldo1]

anyone know what happened last night that the Gatwick flight diverted to Glasgow?

[tigger2k8]

Delayed inbound then with the runway works and fog the aircraft couldnt land

[GAZMO]

Can anyone tell me who is operating UX 291/292 to and from Palma tomorrow

[AIRPORT66]

UX is Air Europa they do it on behalf of Thomascook.

[GAZMO]

Thanks airporter66 I thought Air Europa used AEA as their code

[VickersVicount]

They do. Just depends if it comes up as ICAO or IATA code

[left rudder]

Just a thought on this diversion.
Surely DUB would have been the logical option from the passengers perspective.
Would not surprise me if GLÁ was chosen to optimise revenue.

Sorry to be cynical but,........

[david1994]

Dublin wouldnt take us as our handling agents "Sky Handling" which handles our DUB Diversions was unable to accept.. So we went to GLA as its an operational base for us and easier for pax and crew to be looked after by our regular handling agents.

The flight was meant to operate back but we had no hours left as we already done 4 flight before this as we started at 1155 local.

[left rudder]

Thank you David
Cynicism unjustified.

[GAZMO]

Have to agree with david1994 and EZY statement that it was unfortunate that runway maintenance and fog caused the initial diversion. I'm sure crew would have loved to get back to base as well, but I believe airlines are very strict once crew have reached a certain number of hours

[GAZMO]

Notice a 3am departure to LBA in the morning. Flight code suggests repositioning flight. Has there been an extra LS aircraft at BFS. Two departures in morning to Palma and Faro??

[david1994]

CELA (Cargo QC) going to LBA at 0310 while GDFE is coming from EDI

[El Bunto]

Thanks airporter66 I thought Air Europa used AEA as their code

Unusually for a charter airline Air Europa are IATA members (http://www.iata.org/about/members/pages/airline-list.aspx?All=true), so they use both allocated codes ( IATA and ICAO ).

Generally the IATA code is used on the travel booking side and the ICAO for operations.

IATA has a tendency to issue their codes to all 'big' airlines even if thy're not members, presumably to try to encourage use of their system; Volotea and Easyjet are examples where IATA codes have been allocated to non-members but are ignored by all sane people.

[GAZMO]

Thanks guys for the explanations

[adfly]

These days Air Europa are primarily a scheduled airline.

[GAZMO]

With EZY starting BOD and JER tomorrow does anybody know if advanced bookings are good for these routes?

[david1994]

For next few weeks:

BOD:

28/06 - OB Y139 / IB Y48
05/07 - OB Y135 / IB Y124
12/07 - OB Y112 / IB Y139

JER:

28/06 - OB Y142 / IB Y59
01/07 - OB Y135 / IB Y68
05/07 - OB Y137 / IB Y118
08/07 - OB Y97 / IB Y121
12/07 - OB Y117 / IB Y111

[GAZMO]

Thanks David1994


Figures not looking too bad on both routes. Even surprised with an OK LF on the first flight back from JER

[OltonPete]

Absolutely no gripe with the new routes from Belfast but it has certainly affected capacity on the BHX service from the Belfast area (Manchester the same).

Today is the first day without a BFS-BHX (other than Christmas Day) since the service started and the next four inbounds (two tomorrow and two Monday) are fully booked. With Tuesday morning chopped the next seat available is Tuesday evening.

I am sure flybe don't mind although their weekend offering is quite limited and in fact all three inbounds today are sold out as are the first three tomorrow (out of four) although there is limited capacity on BHD-BHX Monday flights. The next "just fly" fare on a Saturday BHD-BHX is 12 July, which I can't ever remember seeing before on a domestic sector to BHX with the exclusion of major trade shows at the NEC.

I realise this will be easyjet's yield management at work and that there is probably more to be made per ticket on other routes but with such a short sector I would have thought at least the Saturday flight would have been squeezed in.

May figures by the way 16581 up from 12921, average 124 pax at 80% which is below the network-wide load factor but this is probably down to the morning BHX-BFS Tuesday-Thursday sector, which can be light.

Pete

[GAZMO]

Nice to see Orlando on the departure board tomorrow. Pity its only for a couple of weeks


TCX414ORLANDO

[GAZMO]

From NI Travel News




"Belfast will have a much sought-after and long overdue global airline operating direct flights to the Continent and onwards to around 300 world destinations in two years time.


It's expected that rapidly expanding global carrier Turkish Airlines will begin operating a three or four rotations a week service from Belfast International Airport to the airline's hub airport, Istanbul Ataturk the year after next - 2016."

[mart901]

Olton Pete

In fairness to BE I've booked flights this weekend BHX-BHD and up until recently they were available at pretty low fares, cheaper than EZY. When I booked it was £49 return, £10 cheaper than EZY (who I was originally intending to book with), meaning the missus and I could both fly return for under £100, with a load of flight options. EZY were unable to offer me a Saturday flight, poor really. Still 7 different flights to choose from weekdays and often vastly cheaper than LON airports, especially now SEN has finished.

[GAZMO]

Couple of strange flights arriving tomorrow night? Can anybody enlighten?
RC7256 VAGAR 21:05 21:05 21:05
AWC907Y LONDON STANSTED 22:00 22:00 22:00

[El Bunto]

Vagar ( Faroe Islands ) is a football charter on Atlantic Airways, probably a 146 / RJ. They love their football up there, something like 30 teams for 50,000 people, same population as Bangor! Will depart around 23:30.

Not sure about the 22:00 Titan but I'll have a dig around. Edit: inbound positioning for Lourdes charter on Sunday morning. Might be a 767 as was the case last year.