BELFAST AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL

[david1994]

ZT9071 / AWC07Y - B752 REG/GPOWH

[david1994]

The Transavia tomorrow will be PH-HZF

[david1994]

Tomorrows P70871 VERONA 07:25 will arrive tonight as LLP862P at 0047 from Humberside registration LYFLH

[GAZMO]

Notice from their facebook page that new clothing store is coming to BIA.


Does anyone know anything about this??

[david1994]

New route announcement for EasyJet tomorrow starts winter 2 weekly

[Bfs bloke]

The new clothes shop is called Traveller..opens 12th or 13th July in the new unit beside Starbucks.
They have a store in NCL as far as I'm aware.

[david1994]

Expect announcement today regarding Reykjavik 2 weekly Monday and a Friday I believe

[GAZMO]

Now that would be very interesting!!!!

Now on EZY website, flights from 12th December. Great news

[CARNMANORLAD]

Belfast (bfs) - reykjavik (kef)

begins 12/12/14

2 weekly

mon
depart bfs 1430
arrive kef 1650

depart kef 1730
arrive bfs 1945

fri
depart bfs 0805
arrive kef 1025

depart kef 1105
arrive bfs 1320

[BHD2BFS]

Great news, EZY has now launched 3 new routes in the last year since the takeover of BFS,

Is this new route at the cost of another route? Or will it in fact be an increase of flights?

[GAZMO]

With BCN not operating during the winter schedule its probably using the Mon and Fri slots

[AIRPORT66]

How long do we give this new flight before its axed bad choice i think how many people from NI want to go to Iceland maybe i am wrong think they should have brought Berlin back or another German city.

[ExoticSkier]

Excellent news, I assume travel agents are involved to help sell the seats?

BFS has a scheduled route that no other Irish airport has. I hope U2 can make it work.

[GAZMO]

I agree that BER would be a good idea, M,F and Sun. Other German city.....yes


Iceland if only available from BFS might see a few more ROI pax using BFS. However with Iceland only having a population of 380,000 cannot see too many inbound tourists.


I have been to Iceland before and it is a wonderful place.

[flying officer kite]

The new service to Keflavik should do well. EasyJet have seen large numbers of passengers using their other 4 services to Iceland, most of them filling the larger A320s. Add this to the fact that in general tourism in Iceland is getting bigger and bigger each year. It is interesting that BFS can now offer a scheduled service that no other airport on the island of Ireland can, so hopefully this will bring customers up over the border.


Incidently, winter in Iceland is very popular for Northern Lights themed trips- even if it is bl00dy freezing! Jet2 have operated the occasional charter in the past, aswell as Icelandair out of Dublin, both at much higher prices. Hopefully 2 flights a week over the middle of the winter will work out well for them

[El Bunto]

Now that's quite naughty, claiming to be flying to Reykjavik but actually using Keflavik which is about 50 km outside the city.

Not once is this difference mentioned in the Belfast International press release.

[yeo valley]

when easy started brs to kef last winter i thought the same as most of the postings on here. was started with a a319 but most ot the flts now are done on a a 320. the load numbers were good from the off, and a winter start at that. will be keen to see how it does from bfs.

[BCALBOY]

Keflavik is the main international airport serving Reykjavik .
It is Icelandair's main base from where they serve North America and the main airports in Europe including Heathrow.

Reykjavik airport is really a commuter airport handling mainly turboprops on domestic services in Iceland ,plus services to Greenland the Faroe Island.

I suspect this is why Keflavik wasn't highlighted in Easyjets press release , as serving Keflavik from Europe is the norm.

[EI-BUD]

Once upon a time in the 1990's Dublin was a daily charter in winter for shoppers coming from Iceland ... There is huge connectivity to the US with Icelandair.

Let's also recognise that easyJet have taken careful steps in opening routes to Iceland and they have a good steer on what to expect ... Great to see the opening a new route. For those that want winter short breaks it's good to see some variation on the options that are direct from Belfast.

[GAZMO]

Since this mornings launch the £31.99 fares have been disappearing very quickly.
Would be nice if someone in EZY could forward the number of bookings on day one!!!

[El Bunto]

I suspect this is why Keflavik wasn't highlighted in Easyjets press release , as serving Keflavik from Europe is the norm.

I see your point, but Keflavik airport itself makes no claims to serve 'Reykyavik' at all. That's an invention of the airlines.

I don't expect Easyjet to operate into a 1,500 metre runway but I do expect them to be honest about where they do fly. That was meant to be the difference between them and the Other One.

It also means another €20 per person on top of the flight costs and one-hour each way on the bus.

[fa2fi]

Icelandair also refer to KEF as Reykjavik.

[GAZMO]

Whats the big issue with airport name, Keflavik is the main airport for Reykjavik, and EZY have both names on the web site so no confusion.


Do we not have
Paris (Charles de Gaulle)
Milan (Linate)
London (Luton)
Stockholm (Arlanda)
etc etc etc
City name first Airport name second

PS its a lovely bus ride into Reykjavik

[Tower Ranger]

So it's a bit like calling Aldergrove Belfast then??

[Skipness One Echo]

So if not Reykjavik, exactly where does KEF serve?

[GAZMO]

Very similar tower ranger.........green fields into Belfast, lava landscape into Reykjavik

[BFS Dude]

Does anyone know why there is WIP at Alpha Taxiway the past few days?

TWY ALPHA CLOSED DUE WIP
FROM: 09 JUL 2014 08:00 TO: 11 JUL 2014 17:00
SCHEDULE: 0800-1700

Thanks

[ILS25]

Preps for AGL works and minor resurfacing.

[BFS Dude]

Thanks for that!! :)

[ILS25]

No problem.:)

There's going to be a new holding point on Alpha.

Alpha 3 (just east of the GAT)

[BFS Dude]

Thanks for that!

Any other work taking place around the airfield or due to take place soon?

Thanks! :)

[ILS25]

Nothing major that I know of.

I've been told theres quite a bit of AGL works to be completed on taxiways etc.

[BFS Dude]

Thank you ILS25! :ok:

[Waldo1]

Whats agl please?

[ILS25]

Aeronautical ground lighting.

The lights ;)

[BFS BHD]

The blue hanger at Delta Apron is starting to come down, i think its to be replaced with a smaller hanger for Woodgate.

Nice to see KEF added for BFS with EZY!! :)

[Husky One]

Virgin adding BFS-MCO next summer. Didn't see that one coming :cool:

[El Bunto]

Virgin adding BFS-MCO next summer. Didn't see that one comingInteresting, a rival to Thomas Cook on that run.

And if you ever wondered, as I did, why it's [K]MCO:

The old Pinecastle Army Air Field/Air Force Base was
renamed for Colonel Michael N. W. McCoy after his
death in a B-47 accident.

The base later morphed into the Orlando International
Airport, bearing the station identifier MCO, after
Colonel McCoy.

[BHD2BFS]

Virgin to Orlando?
Did I miss something?

[ILS25]

Any links to the source of this good news ?

[BFS101]

Potentially unrelated, but Virgin Holidays have recently opened two travel concession stores, in Dedenhams Castlecourt and Tesco Knocknagoney.

If true, I wonder will UA see a noticeable reduction? Does anyone know if Florida is a popular connection on the EWR??

[VickersVicount]

There is a to be a reshuffle of regional VS. Some changes at MAN, MCO from BFS and LAS (and unchanged MCO) from GLA. Should be announced around Oct if not sooner.
Around 25% on BFS EWR connect to Florida state which is largely similar to other regional EWR deps, although I think MAN and GLA are slightly higher.

[BHD2BFS]

Great news if true,
The new owners of BFS are obviously working a lot harder than the old
That means since they have came in EZY has launched 3 new routes, Turkish Airlines will arrive by 2016 and now Virgin from next summer ( potentially)
All they need to do now is give the international pier and intl arrivals area passport control area is very small) a renovation and it could end up being a good airport once again

[BFS Dude]

I hope this is true!! :eek:

[LAX_LHR]

Vickersviscount,

Sorry to hijack the thread, but the MAN news. Good or bad?

[NWSRG]

If the figure of 25% of UA traffic being ultimately destined for MCO, then that would work out around 300 per week (200 x 7 x LF of 75% x 25%). Of course, there would be a lot of seasonal variation. Add in the (not insubstantial) number who travel with EI from DUB, and perhaps we could justify a weekly flight all year and an extra flight in the summer months? But VS would have to win most of the business...but I think they are big enough to do that. Would they use the opening of an MCO service to justify a BFS base? Possibly the odd New York flight? Or what about a Little Red service to LHR? With FlyBe off the Gatwick route, prices appear to have gone up...so maybe VS could stir things up?

I hope the MCO service materialises. We used to fill 2 767s / A330s weekly to Sanford. I for one am hoping to fly VS BFS to MCO next autumn...:D

[adfly]

I'd be interested in what aircraft VS would use, the A330's have too many premium seats and filling a 455 seat 747 is a big ask outside of the school holidays. One thing that could happen is a couple of the A330's could be transferred from LHR/LGW as the 787's join and then be re-configured with less premium seats and used for these routes.

[Una Due Tfc]

Absolutely zero chance of a Little Red going to BFS. They are EI planes and crews remember, no way would EI compete with itself like that.

[owenc]

I would love to see concrete evidence of this. I would hope United wouldn't leave either.

[NWSRG]

Absolutely zero chance of a Little Red going to BFS. They are EI planes and crews remember, no way would EI compete with itself like that.

Appreciate that, but Little Red is not tied to EI for new routes...also, would EI turn down a guaranteed contract? AFAIK, VS take the commercial risk on Little Red routes...EI get a contractual income for running them...

[Jack1985]

Appreciate that, but Little Red is not tied to EI for new routes...also, would EI turn down a guaranteed contract? AFAIK, VS take the commercial risk on Little Red routes...EI get a contractual income for running them...

Are you seriously suggesting EI would contract out one of their aircraft to compete against their own mainline operations? What sort of common business sense would that be?

[NWSRG]

Are you seriously suggesting EI would contract out one of their aircraft to compete against their own mainline operations? What sort of common business sense would that be?

Why not? If there is additional demand in the market (the loss of FlyBe and rise in prices suggest there is), and VS are willing to take the commercial risk, then it could be easy money...EI returns on their own routes might take some impact, but the sum total could be positive.

[BHD2BFS]

BFS management have said they are working very hard to get a direct link back to LHR so could be plausible. And if EI are making more money on the LGW route now they could possibly drop LHR and increase LGW frequency, either way EI always win

[SealinkBF]

Could EI and VS not codeshare on BHD - LHR? The relationship is there, and EI do codeshare with BA who they also compete with.

[left rudder]

BIAL must ensure that any route development does not jeopardise the EWR operation

A regular, ideally daily flight to the NY area is essential to maintaining economic ties with USA.
Recent inward investment announcements have been encouraging with real growth in jobs and more to come.
To endanger this for short term gains would be a disaster for BIA and the local economy.

[NWSRG]

I think the Newark route is already in trouble. With the announcement that UA are pulling the service for nine weeks in the New Year, they must think they can use that 757 more profitably elsewhere during that period. The BFS - EWR route carries good loads, but maybe somewhere else would cost less and create more profit.

I hope it stays, as is is great to have that direct link. But I could see it dropping down from daily...or even being dropped altogether in favour of a stronger UA DUB - EWR offering.

Saying all that, if VS do arrive, maybe they would offer JFK / EWR two or three times weekly...

[EI-BUD]

VS would not need to touch a BFS LHR route. They simply could use EI for code share etc. there interest in such a market would be to feed long haul pax into the VS network.

[CLIPPER 33]

VS will operate 4 flights BFS MCO in summer 2015, Starts 25JUN - 16JUL and inbound 02JUL TO 23JUL with 747 equip.

[BFS Dude]

Where did you hear this?? Any weblinks??

[AIRPORT66]

If its true why could they not do it weekly all summer using A330 they would have got a lot of people interested in it.

[All names taken]

At a guess:
NI is a small catchment area
MCO is a school kid heavy route - the flights are over the school holidays.
Mums and dads taking their precious over to see Mickey and friends over the school break. No other demand.
Probably that simple.

[BFS101]

The provisional caa stats for June have been published.

Passenger numbers up 5.2% from June 13.

Whilst the EWR was down 1%, UA carried more on the BFS route than GLA, MAN and BHX in June. 9617 passengers carried.

[Aaron9890]

It will be good to see the 747 back in the Belfast skyline!!! :)

Virgin launches Belfast air service - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/virgin-launches-belfast-air-service-30434987.html)

[adfly]

Lets see how many airports have a daily flight to Florida in the summer:

LHR
LGW
MAN

If you meant weekly I can understand, but I very much doubt Virgin could fill a 455 seat 744 and make money if they operated all summer.

[david1994]

Wonder when its bookable?

[Jack1985]

If you meant weekly I can understand, but I very much doubt Virgin could fill a 455 seat 744 and make money if they operated all summer.

Exactly. Seems to me more of 8 peak summer rotations replacing Thomas Cook than a new route, although I'm sure spotters will love it. Anyhow any news is good news.

[left rudder]

Good news indeed but I feel that marketing do not understand the value of the grey pound

I would have thought that a weekly winter operation with an A340/330 would be profitable given the disproportionate number of retired people living here.
A large number of "OAPs" use DUB every year to escape to the winter sun so why not a BFS snowbird special!

[owenc]

Sorry but I think its bull that there isn't a summer market. I am in Florida now and have been here three weeks. I have seen 4 people from my town on four seperate occasions and not in Orlando either. In that time I have ran into other people from Northern Ireland countless time,funnily enough i've seen about 2 people from the republic but anyway.

I think maybe if they changed the aircraft type to one with less seats it would help. Don't think it could work in winter though.

They really need to start advertising now.

[owenc]

How can it be replacing Thomas Cook when it has 8 different flights?

[wesleyscott]

the 2 new Virgin Holidays stores have not long opened in NI and i believe the new flight goes on sale 1st August

[BFS BHD]

Flights go on sale on 25th July 2014.

A Boeing 747-400 aircraft will operate the seasonal service on Thursdays in June and July, commencing on 25th June 2015. The aircraft will be configured with 14 Upper Class seats, 66 Premium Economy seats and 375 seats in Economy. Seats will be going on sale this week through Virgin Holidays and through Virgin Atlantic from the 25th July.

Flight VS161 departs Belfast at 12.35 on Thursdays, arriving in Orlando at 16.05 local time. This route will operate from 25 June 2015 to 16 July 2015.
Flight VS162 leaves Orlando at 18.35 on Thursdays, arriving in Belfast at 07.25 local time. This route will operate from 02 July 2015 to 23 July 2015.

[BHD2BFS]

I wonder if sales are strong from the word go if they would consider August also?
This is very good news but I wonder how United will see it?
In the last few months EI now code share to LHR with air canada
And just this week BA started a code share with US airways from belfast, also when BA move Belfast to T5 this winter it will dramatically reduce the stress of travelling at heathrow especially if connecting to America

[owenc]

Yes thats what I was thinking. I wonder what the sales will be like when they are launched.

[david1994]

EZY will reduce to 5 AC as per normal in winter however it will stay at 5 for the summer no 6th aircraft.. from Spring however it will be 4x A319 and 1x A320 CONFIRMED

[BFS Dude]

So I guess EasyJet will be dropping some routes. Any idea what is being dropped?

[david1994]

All will be revealed when summer schedule is released.

[BFS Dude]

Okay thanks for that! :)

[GAZMO]

It's going to interesting which routes they may drop?

BCN and NCE might be top of my list and these slots being used to ALC so the five early morning flights to be LGW STN. LTN MAN. And BHX??

Might give LS an opportunity to pick up these routes?

[True Blue]

I have long thought that Bfs management rely far too heavily on Easyjet and that Easyjet are restricting capacity on routes to drive up fares. I was checking flights to try and go to a match in London 23rd August, there are 4 flights out of Belfast to London on a Saturday. 4. I understand that it is in Easyjet's interest to do this, but it is not in the interest of Bfs management to allow such a thing to happen and I really hope they are looking at all options, whether it pleases Ezy or not.


TB

[mart901]

True Blue

I often use BHX instead of LON airports because at weekends the prices are often silly.

[AIRPORT66]

I totally agree with true blue Easyjet are just moving things around and reducing capacity to suit there on greedy means reduce number of flights offered put the fares sky high that seems to be there policy now when it comes to Bfs. What have they recently given to Bfs a silly route to Iceland they know this won't last a crack its about time Bfs management had another carrier in to kick Easyjet up the back side and stop the relying on them once another airline comes in then they will change there attitude..

[flying officer kite]

Advanced loads for Iceland look quite good actually. Remember there is no direct scheduled service from Dublin, which will help

[AIRPORT66]

I totally agree with you but its the long term viability we are talking about here in a year look at it again once people have been once thats it maybe i am wrong but don't think it will last more than 2 years they look at there routes on a daily basis.

[owenc]

Its a bit daft to say that Iceland won't work at this early stage. Who are you to say that anyway??

[EI-A330-300]

Its speculation but given the comments about possible new LS routes, easyjet dropping Krakow is highly likely. Barcelona and Malta are possibly high on the list to and I guess all eyes will be on the new routes this summer to see how they preform.

The real question is will UK bases take a heavier load of UK flights to offset some capacity cuts.

[GAZMO]

I think KRK will survive. Last year over 48,000 pax with load factor over 95%

Agree BCN and NCE at risk, Malta probably weekly seasonal only

[NWSRG]

Folks,


The EZY departure for MAN last night seemed to take an unusual route away from BFS. Departing 25, it kinked left, before doing a circling 270 degree right turn back over the field. This was taking it ENE, and then she turned right again to head out towards the normal corridor towards IOM. Seemed a mighty unusual departure for MAN...180R for Edinburgh or Glasgow is normal, but back over the field for MAN?. Didn't see any conflicting traffic either...any ideas?

[eastern wiseguy]

Back in the day when i was a radar controller i might have been asked for a route like that to avoid thunderstorms. Looking at the EGAA weather that may not have been an issue .

The other option would be if there was traffic operating at high level over the Belfast city area. The outbound may have been in confliction with that AND with outbounds from the City and general inbounds it may have been easier to co ordinate a higher level from Scottish and pop the outbound out on the "wrong"way to keep it climbing above conflicting inbounds outbounds and operational traffic.

[david1994]

Jet2 to Zante, Las Palmas, Rome and Prague on sale now

[BHD2BFS]

Great news,
Obviously the new owners are allowing management to do what they are there to do. Seems like he old owners where holding aviation in Northern Ireland back,

I wonder if they want to try and entice EI back now? I always thought EI moving to BHD was a big mistake

[ILS25]

Great news.

Heard a rumour about EI a while back. As with most of the stories I hear I took it with a pinch of salt though.

[Mlinnie]

What type of aircraft will the extra based plane be?

[GAZMO]

Any new routes is always great news. Congrats Jet2................will there be anymore from Jet2
One aircraft = 14 weekly rotations
2X Prague
2X Rome
1X Zante
1 x LPA
4X ALC (operated this summer by ALC based aircraft)
!!!!!!!!!!!

[NWSRG]

The other option would be if there was traffic operating at high level over the Belfast city area. The outbound may have been in confliction with that AND with outbounds from the City and general inbounds it may have been easier to co ordinate a higher level from Scottish and pop the outbound out on the "wrong"way to keep it climbing above conflicting inbounds outbounds and operational traffic.

Thanks Eastern...makes sense. Didn't notice much else in the way of traffic, but then Planefinder isn't exactly comprehensive!

[BFS BHD]

Jet2.com 2015:

Airport 2014 2015

ALC 4 Weekly 4 Weekly
DBV 1 Weekly 1 Weekly
FAO 3 Weekly 3 Weekly
LPA 0 Weekly 1 Weekly
IBZ 2 Weekly 2 Weekly
ACE 1 Weekly 2 Weekly
PMI 6 Weekly 6 Weekly
AGP 2 Weekly 3 Weekly
MAH 1 Weekly 1 Weekly
MJV 2 Weekly 3 Weekly
PSA 1 Weekly 1 Weekly
PRG 0 Weekly 2 Weekly
REU 2 Weekly 2 Weekly
FCO 0 Weekly 2 Weekly
TFS 2 Weekly 2 Weekly
ZTH 0 Weekly 1 Weekly

[GAZMO]

ThanksBFSBHD

36 weekly flights , plus I assume 5 weekly cargo runs making 41, maybe one more route to come?

[mart901]

Really great news finally! :D

[GLAinsider]

Must say the timing of the start of the BFS-LPA service is very odd. The Pride Maspalomas festival takes place from 8 - 17 May in Gran Canaria. It attracts over 120,000 people from all over the UK and Europe every year. Festival will be over by the time the Jet2 service starts on 26 May 2015 though. Definitely an opportunity missed but I guess the new a/c simply won't arrive in time.

[EI-BUD]

GLAinsider,
You refer to pride mas palomas, there are no people in Northern Ireland who'd be interested in going to that . We are a god loving country here, those who might have been interested in such an event have reached out for help, as they've been advised by their betters that such people can be 'cured'. ;) :ugh:

[belfastmark]

Lol!! Terribly whitey reply!!! ^^^

On a serious note .. Surely they must be looking at the turkey market ? To me jet2 have a real section of the market to exploit with the likes of turkey, Greece perhaps even Cyprus. Just my opinion. Anyone agree.

[Waldo1]

Agree! A bfs to paphos flight would literally open up a whole new destination for the irish market...for everyone that used to goto cyprus, they would love to do it all again on a "new" part of the island

[El Bunto]

Norwegian Historical Flight DH Vampire apparently arrived yesterday; nothing mentioned on the airport news page though :(. PR folk still off on 12th Fortnight?

As far as I can determine this is the first Vampire over Aldergrove since 1987.

23 MU used to process them back in the 1960s.

[GAZMO]

With TCX not doing Antalya next year maybe an opportunity for Jet2 to pick up.

Big push on for Greek resorts next year

[AIRPORT66]

I would say the Bfs management will be watching to see what easyjet do in the next 6 months when they introduce there summer schedule and if they axe flights the airport will be concentrating on getting them replaced so will probably encourage Jet2 to take them up but the idea's mentioned above Turkey,Cyprus are really good possibilites seems Thomascook don't want to expand much we might get another new destination from Olympic holidays.

[GAZMO]

With one less EZY plane next summer, some routes have to go. My view is that NCE is top of the list with Malta and BCN cut in frequency ..........

[FRatSTN]

EZY's S15 schedule isn't released yet. Do we really know for certain that EZY will pull one plane out of BFS next summer. And if they do, do we even know if it will mean they will axe routes? They might just use more inbound aircraft from other bases?

[tigger2k8]

Well, after good few months of sickness I have returned to working which involves travelling quite often to the mainland, I have been travelling over the last 3 weeks and all I can say is there has been some change in the ground handling of easyJet, in a negative way, that's all I will say in this matter otherwise I will bore everyone.

Good news about Jet2, wasn't expecting that after all the route cuts we have witnessed over the last few years.

[midfieldgeneral]

FRatSTN. Internal email sent to all crew stating that Summer 2015 would have just 5 based aircraft but one of them being an A320. No news was revealed in the memo as to what routes are dropped, reduced in frequency or operated by out of base aircraft instead.

[BFS BHD]

Now on sale but only a few flights.

December:
Wed 17th
Sat 20th
Sat 27th

January:
Sat 3rd
Wed 7th

February:
Sat 14th
Wed 18th
Sat 21st
Wed 25th
Sat 28th

March:
Wed 4th
Sat 7th
Wed 11th
Sat 14th
Wed 18th
Sat 21st
Wed 25th
Sat 28th

:ok:

[BFS101]

Hopefully that might mean EZY are more likely to keep BCN for forthcoming summer seasons!! With rumours of BCN and NCE being dropped, its good to see these winter BCN flights confirmed.

Would be a big loss, should BFS loose NCE and BCN, especially as BCN had two operators on the route at one stage, EZY seeming to hold their own; and that NCE operated daily at one stage, and has been an established summer route for years, again facing EI competition at one stage.

I wait with bated breath, to see what EZY have in store for BFS 2015, hopefully being more positive than negative.

[GAZMO]

Hopefully the good news will continue to flow at BFS

LPA now starting earlier with LS, still surprised they don't start it even earlier with the Easter school hoildays falling in the first few weeks of the summer schedule

Anyone know when EZY will load S15 schedule?

[FRatSTN]

Isn't it normally September time when the release the "Spring" timetable that goes up till June. Then the "Summer" season from June/July till October next year gets released about mid October time?

[ILS25]

Not airport related but this is absolutely disgusting.

'No permission' for Maze aviation days - UTV Live News (http://www.u.tv/News/No-permission-for-Maze-aviation-days/522ab283-462d-4144-a104-e7df10bdef70)

So much for moving forward in this god forsaken country. A real shame for the good people and volunteers at the UAS.

Shame on you our so called political leaders :*:ugh:

[Solar]

ILS25 +. 1

[Kinder]

Wizz Air is coming to Belfast International. First route from April 22, Belfast to Vilnius.

[eastern wiseguy]

Good to see them back :)

[El Bunto]

So much for moving forward in this god forsaken country. A real shame for the good people and volunteers at the UAS.The UAS committee picked the Maze site despite objections and warnings that it would lead directly into a thicket of politics. There is probably no one site more historically senstive in the whole province. They chose to go ahead anyway.

They made their bed amongst thorns and rocks. Why are people surprised that it is lumpy and uncomfortable?

[Dee747]

Wizz Air is coming to Belfast International. First route from April 22, Belfast to Vilnius.

Flew to Vilnius on Ryanair from Dublin a few years back. Lovely place to visit for a short break. Some beautiful architecture and a real mix of the old Soviet-era and the very new. Damned good beer too (if I can recall properly .....). Maybe time to head back.

Good news all round. :ok:

[AIRPORT66]

Really good news for Bfs and hopefully more to come wonderful what a new owner can do.

[mart901]

Great news. Good land transport there, cheap to get to places like Riga and Tallin by coach.


From memory this is 2nd time round for Wizz at BFS?


Wish them every success!

[BFS BHD]

Good News for BFS !!! :)

[BFS Dude]

Nice to see the new owners bring new airlines and routes to Aldergrove! :)

[BHD2BFS]

Great news
4 weeks and 4 airline announcements
I wonder if this is the last of it
If BFS new owners managed to entice EI back the could launch EIR routes and compete with flybe
Would BA move to BFS if they are offering good deals to airlines that didn't exist with old owners?

[stab3.5up]

Ei a more likely move. Heard they talking to LDYas well. BA invested too much in BHD.

[ILS25]

Not as much as they invested in BFS all those years ago. They practically built the place.

[panpanpanpan]

I`m sure there are some relieved managers at Aldergrove seeing some much needed new money coming through, at the same time I wonder are there some worried managers at Harbour who perhaps thought they had a chance at getting some additional trade?

I would be surprised if Aer Lingus went back to Aldergrove to put themselves directly against Easy again, I have heard from several people in the know that they are doing very well at Harbour and have plans to expand their route network.

[BHD2BFS]

From what I have heard there may be a few surprises when they announce W14

[david1994]

From what I have heard there may be a few surprises when they announce W14

W14? Winter 14/15 has been out for ages do you not mean S15?

[SecondDog]

It will be interesting to see if the chat from the EI thread comes to anything, where they are talking about a Halifax from BHD on a modified Airbus. It would be a sickener if they got a Canadian route before BFS do, even with all the good news recently, that would be a big kick in the criggs if it were to come about.....

[stab3.5up]

Were flybenotment to be doing agp over the winter frmbhd?

[Cozy F]

Hey Dog, 2 immediate probs with your EI BHD theory I reckon - Halifax and modified. The only Canadian route that'll obviously work is BFS - Toronto, and it's a gift for Westjet with new fleet.

[Shamrock350]

It will be interesting to see if the chat from the EI thread comes to anything, where they are talking about a Halifax from BHD on a modified Airbus. It would be a sickener if they got a Canadian route before BFS do, even with all the good news recently, that would be a big kick in the criggs if it were to come about.....
The rumoured Halifax route is to be from Dublin, not Belfast City.

[EI-BUD]

In terms of Halifax, can't comment on that , but Mr Ambrose stated that they were in discussions a out a 'North American 'route. May indicate that they were discussing a WestJet route to St.John's and on to Toronto. With a 737-700 could be a potential runner ... Though that was earlier in the year.

BFS have had losses to BHD, I don't think we will see transfers going to BHD anytime soon, LS fixed at BFS due to freight, Canaries routes, EZY won't move and the rest need long opening hours ...

However, what about KLM all the hype about that has faded... Any potential ?

EI unlikely to move until at least end of 5 years at BHD. Besides BHD gives a point of difference to them over the competition ...

[SecondDog]

The rumoured Halifax route is to be from Dublin, not Belfast City.

SecondDog... off on a tangent again. Curse all you guys who pay close attention, rumor mongering is no fun if you nip it in the bud like that.... ;)

[BFS Dude]

I see on Belfast International Airport wiki page that someone put Budapest starting from 10th September 2014 for Wizz Air, I think it is to late for putting flights on sale that close is it not?

[BCALBOY]

Notice BA have cancelled 1 rotation on a lot of short haul services tomorrow incl BHD . 1340hrs dep is can't presumably due to anticipated weather situ. The other BHD deps look like there now full as result .

ABZ ,EDI,GLA,MAN,NCL,ORY,BRU,AMS,MAD,ZRH,FRA,DUS all losing a flight as well .

[BHD2BFS]

I doubt Wizzair will start BUD at such short notice but I expect they will start it in the near future
Budapest is a base for them and Budapest airport is looking for an airline to start the route

[GAZMO]

Again congrats to management at BFS, hopefully Budapest in the future.
Flight time from BFS not great as you get in to Vilnius at 1.40 am!

[BFS101]

Not completely relevant but.....


Virgin Holidays plans to open a further 10 new retail outlets in Tesco stores by the end of November, starting with one today in Swindon.

It has already opened shops within Tesco superstores in Dover and Knocknagoney, Belfast.

Other cities earmarked for new retail premises this year include Hastings in East Sussex and Basildon, Essex.

Virgin Hoildays is aiming to have a total of 29 'Retail Lite' stores, which average 250 sq ft and have been designed to accommodate customers who have already done their research and maybe even received a quote but want the security of a face-to-face meeting before they book.

The operator said bookings at the new Belfast store were 176% above its target.

Good to see the Belfast retail store doing well. Hopefully this will translate into sustainable demand for VS flights from BFS.

[BFS BHD]

Passengers Rolling Year: 4,055,427 -1.8
Passengers This Month: 424,498 -1.3

Domestic Routes:
Gatwick........ 40,412..... +9
Luton........... 22,982..... -3
Stansted...... 25,385..... -2
Birmingham... 12,541..... -9
Bristol.......... 20,454..... 0
Edinburgh..... 19,550..... -8
Glasgow....... 19,594..... -8
Jersey.......... 2340...... -4
Liverpool....... 35,016.... -3
Manchester... 16,176.... +11
Newcastle..... 16,131.... +2

International Routes:
Dubrovnik...... 1142...... -55
Larnaca........ 2100...... -32
Bordeaux...... 1063...... --
Nice............. 4055...... +14
Paris............ 8140...... +3
Lourdes........ 3765...... +77
Corfu............ 1465...... --
Heraklion....... 3431...... +77
Rhodes.......... 1323...... -19
Genoa........... 126........ --
Pisa.............. 1137...... -54
Verona.......... 296....... 0
Malta............. 2649...... +6
Amsterdam..... 11,436.... +1
Faro.............. 15,436.... +21
Alicante.......... 14,091.... -1
Barcelona........ 5181...... -1
Ibiza............... 7614..... +44
Mahon............. 4874...... +3
Malaga............ 14,745.... +27
Murcia............. 2571...... -31
Palma.............. 28,303... -1
Reus................ 8778...... +36
Arrecife............ 5390...... -6
Las Palmas........ 1465..... -51
Tenerife............ 5693..... +35
Antalya............. 1697..... -46
Bodrum............. 2894.... -48
Dalaman............ 8999..... +4
Burgas............... 3291..... -31
Krakow.............. 4635.... +14
Sharm El Sheikh... 1653... +10
Enfidha.............. 1916.... +101
Newark.............. 9759... -1
Orlando.............. 1243... --

[GAZMO]

Thanks BFSBHD for stats

Bit of a mixed bunch. BOD only 85% LF, can it survive next year?
AGP, IBZ, FAO,TFS doing well

Question with KRK doing so well up 14% last month and with a load factor of 95.5% last year why is EZY reducing schedule in winter period?

[david1994]

Krakow passenger do not check in hold baggage nor do they spend anything onboard so no money being made.

BOD is doing very well with 85% LF EZY only needs 47.7% to break even

[GAZMO]

Interesting comment from Belfast Telegraph interview with Uel Hoey of BIA


"Our initial feedback from colleagues in Virgin Holidays is that their inception into the Northern Ireland marketplace has been extremely well received and that booking activity on next year's summer Florida programme is very buoyant, and we are also engaging with Virgin to assess other opportunities from Belfast International Airport"

Any suggestions of possible other routes?

[flying officer kite]

According to some staff across the water Virgin's soon-to-be-delivered 787-9s may soon grace the local airways on the Orlando route

[stab3.5up]

I heard from a source close to Vigin that we may see up to 16 flights next season

[ExoticSkier]

Great news regarding VS.

Personally speaking I believe VS will be the Canadian breakthrough that BFS have patiently been waiting for.
They have a strong brand ideal to take over where Zoom, Fly Globespan & Air Transat left. So no hints needed to guess where I think they would fly next.

Good luck to VS, we all hope to see a lot more of you in BFS.

[AIRPORT66]

The Krakow flights seem to down till 2 flights on some dates around november but then it goes back up till 3 per week.

[GAZMO]

Yes KRK down to two in November. Think its a shame as 95% LF last year, but read david1994 comment. Malta reduced as well to weekly flight only in November
Can VS do through flights via BFS eg GLA via BFS to USA or Canada?

[NWSRG]

Can VS do through flights via BFS eg GLA via BFS to USA or Canada?

Interesting idea...but I think this approach may have had its day. Passengers like point to point now, and GLA can support MCO (at least once a week) in its own right. Maybe sharing an aircraft would be a possibility? A 787-9 based in GLA, but doing MCO on a Saturday ex-GLA and a Sunday ex-BFS or somesuch? The same aircraft could possibly do LAS on a similar basis?

Although I'm sure the VS route planners know this game better than I do! :)

PS. Just thinking...the GLA flights are flown by LGW based 744s...so perhaps just share an LGW frame (744 or other).

[GAZMO]

Notice two TCX flights to Reus tomorrow.....must be popular
Is this a special flight?

[AIRPORT66]

That has been going on for the past few weeks one is operated by the based aircraft and the other is operated by a Glasgow based 757 arrives in early in the morning.

[GAZMO]

Thanks airport66.
Reus seems to be doing well this year for TCX

[BFS BHD]

Qatari Air Force A7-HHH A345 has landed from Paris Orly ORY airport a while ago parked up between Stands 25 and 26. :ok:

[GAZMO]

Maybe a new route to Doha with Qatar!!!

[BFS BHD]

Departing back to Paris Orly soon. :)

[Keyvon]

Yet another new Wizzair route: Katowice (Poland), Tue-Sat, from next 31 March.

[BFS BHD]

Graham Keddie appointed as Managing Director of Belfast International Airport

Belfast International Airport today announces the appointment of Graham Keddie as Managing Director, effective 1 September 2014. Mr Keddie joins from Hermes Airports where he was Executive Commercial Manager, responsible for all commercial revenue at Larnaca and Paphos airports in Cyprus.

More here: New Managing Director at Belfast International Airport - Belfast International Airport (http://www.belfastairport.com/en/news/8/379/new-managing-director-at-belfast-international-airport.html)

[True Blue]

could Bfs become airport of choice for Wizzair? I think they now do not use any other airport in Ireland. They used to use Cork but left it when FR took up the challenge I think.


TB

[GAZMO]

Interesting choice as very close to KRK operated by EZY. Would love to see BUD and Warsaw
Again congrats to BFS and Wizzair

[Husky One]

Interesting to see the changing dynamics in BFS operations. Easyjet are becoming increasingly seasonal, claiming there is no money in European routes in winter. Reducing the based aircraft to 5 and rearranging a few deck chairs to appear to have an interest when really everything European is launched at the expense of something else. The money they are making on UK routes must be substantial though as they are consistently overbooked and thus charging silly money. Jet2 on the other hand seem quite happy to concentrate on the European side of things. I'd say they'll have more based aircraft than EasyJet within 18 months. A little pressure from Wizzair may well see the KRK route canned by easy too. Katowice is close enough to dilute the yield.
Interesting times ahead.

[BHD2BFS]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the hold easyjet had over previous owners is gone, and new owners won't take any s!*# my honest opinion is if easy do start dropping routes left right and centre and begin charging crazy money to key UK destinations whilst reducing frequency of the same time, we will see Ryanair appear in the next 18 months

On another note I was expecting BUD to be the 2nd route announced, but the more the merrier, maybe it will be 3rd to be announce soon :ok:

[SecondDog]

New Managing Director at BFS
Graham Keddie appointed as Managing Director of Belfast International Airport

Belfast International Airport today announces the appointment of Graham Keddie as Managing Director, effective 1 September 2014. Mr Keddie joins from Hermes Airports where he was Executive Commercial Manager, responsible for all commercial revenue at Larnaca and Paphos airports in Cyprus.

More here: New Managing Director at Belfast International Airport - Belfast International Airport (http://www.belfastairport.com/en/news/8/379/new-managing-director-at-belfast-international-airport.html)

Interesting to see them go outside the local group of MD types that normally pass these things around them. New owner maybe taking more of an interest than at first was thought?

[owenc]

Any new information about the Orlando flights?

Will they operate to August now?

[BFS Dude]

Can anyone confirmed what Jet2 are to based at BFS in Summer 2015?

Looking at seat map its looks like 3x B733s but on Tuesday mornings they need 4x B733s.

Are they still running the STN and EMA cargo runs if so will there be another aircraft needed for them?

Still a few gaps, One on Monday afternoon, a few on Tuesday and a few on Wendsday. Any one know what they are planning on doing them days?

Also does anyone know what day Easyjet will put Summer 2015 flights on sale?

Thanks!

[stab3.5up]

BHD must be looking for somenews on routes with al this fanfare aboug the reberth going on at BFS.

[mart901]

I think BHD had its big year last year, BE is doing well on a fair few regional routes including MAN which is back in growth.

Time for BFS!

[eastern wiseguy]

It's as it ever was. Two airports 12 miles (as the crow flies) apart pitching for the same traffic.

When i was at BFS there were times when it was on the up...other times BHD referred to us as a carpark near Antrim.

It will never change....mind you with the exception of EIN and VAA the airlines which relocated from BFS to BHD have traditionally rolled over and died. Air UK BMIBaby even oldies like Capital and Gill Air.

Good luck to them both....but especially BFS.

[ILS25]

Plenty of negative press for BFS today. One search lane open for several flights. An absolute shambles. :ugh:

Who makes the decisions up there? The cleaning staff ?
Oh wait there can't be any cleaners, the place is filthy !

Surely management can't be that incompetent !

[BFS Dude]

Is Aer Lingus move back to BFS rumor true? Anyone heard anything?

[ILS25]

Heard that rumour months ago, and several times since that. Took it with a pinch of salt then and still do.

Would be great to have the heathrow link back again though.

[GAZMO]

Well this is a rumour website!!
Would be nice to see them back

Any guess what the next new route will be. Five announcements in six weeks. My bet is on BUD

[stab3.5up]

Were they not as in EI talking to LDY?

[BFS BHD]

I was looking on Low Cost Holidays website and came across some flights without a airline code or flight number with them:

Wednesday- Malaga Departs: 08:20, Arrives 15:45

Thursday- Lanzarote Departs: 11:05, Arrives 20:50

Friday- Tenerife Departs: 14:10, Arrives 00:05

Saturday- Palma Departs: 07:30, Arrives 14:10

Sunday- Malaga Departs: 06:10, Arrives 13:30

Don't see anything else at the minute...

But see a Alicante operating with a aircraft from ALC on Saturdays without a Airline code or flight number:
Arrives: 09:10
Departs: 10:10

[GAZMO]

Maybe TCX TOM will bring in other aircraft operators?

[easyboy14]

Maybe Aer Lingus? :oh:

[BFS BHD]

Could maybe be Aer Lingus thats been rumored for a while now? :confused:

[GnRdL]

Regarding ALC, maybe new schedules for Jet2 on Saturday.

[keep_er_lit]

Rumour I heard about EI was trans Atlantic. Maybe a 757 like they have used in Shannon and Dublin as a pathfinder

[Mlinnie]

Could it be Monarch?

[j636]

It will be a current carrier at the airport. Put 2 and 2 together from some posts over the last 2-3 months and you should work it out.

Only questionable one is ALC schedule. Need to check but its most likely a mistake.

Am not going to confirm names but the answers are in this forum.

[GAZMO]

Interesting comment J636

CURRENT operator at BFS, rules out MON, EI, BEE

EZY only five planes next summer?
LS just announced 13 extra weekly flights?
TOM and TCX........would need to be doing more than the routes BFS BHD found?
VS hasn't started yet

Times of flights interesting...especially to ACE. Maybe some aircraft based at other UK bases.

Maybe someone else can come up with the answer

[tigger2k8]

Strike at Belfast International Airport - UTV Live News (http://www.u.tv/News/Strike-at-Belfast-International-Airport/eb1e681f-0017-4f40-8797-880ab6d5d272)

Was wondering how long it would take before this would happen, When travelling through saw a lot of normally happy faces before the change over of service provider to a lot of rather sad faces afterwards with Swissport.

I would say they will more than likely reach an agreement before it happens.

[SecondDog]

(http://www.u.tv/News/Strike-at-Belfast-International-Airport/eb1e681f-0017-4f40-8797-880ab6d5d272)Strike at Belfast International Airport - UTV Live News (http://www.u.tv/News/Strike-at-Belfast-International-Airport/eb1e681f-0017-4f40-8797-880ab6d5d272)

Was wondering how long it would take before this would happen, When travelling through saw a lot of normally happy faces before the change over of service provider to a lot of rather sad faces afterwards with Swissport.

I would say they will more than likely reach an agreement before it happens.

I hope you are right tigger. I know people don't like to be affected by these things but those guys have my sympathy for the harsh realities of life with their new employer. Menzies seem like a dream in comparison (And I didn't like 6 on 3* off either)

[ILS25]

Feel sorry for the guys and girls at Swissport. Its another headache for the airports new MD who has just took up his post. This on top of the PR disaster last week.

[GAZMO]

Does anyone know when EZY can opening flights for summer 15?

[SealinkBF]

I asked them on Twitter as I am looking at April next year. They said "September" but didn't give a date.

[BFS BHD]

Flights from 29th March 2015 to 31st May 2015 will be released by next week and June, July and August will be up in October some time. :)

[GAZMO]

Thanks for that BFS BHD
Wonder how they are going to manage routes with only five aircraft?

[BFS BHD]

Likely a few routes reduced and more flights done by other bases? Guess we will have to wait and see. :)

[BFS BHD]

GAZMO, Spring 2015 flights now on sale. :)

[GAZMO]

Thanks for that BFS BHD

[GAZMO]

Don't see much change in EZY for spring. Extra flight to/from LGW on a Monday. Other UK destinations same, although JER only appearing weekly at moment but starting earlier 16/5/2015. Maybe second flight will start later.


European Routes


ALC 7 weekly
AMS 7 weekly
BCN 4 weekly
BOD 1 weekly starts 16/5
FAO 8 weekly
IBZ 1 weekly starts 24/5
KRK 3 weekly
PMI 8 weekly
AGP 7 weekly
MLA 2 weekly
CDG 6 weekly
NCE 2/3 weekly
KEF 2 weekly

[shoe shine]

Have just be told the planned industrial action on Monday has been postponed. Can anyone confirm this is the case?

[BFS101]

Easyjet to Marrakesh???

From Business Traveller Easyjet announces 11 new summer routes - Business Traveller (http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/100827/easyjet-announces-11-new-summer-2015-routes)



Easyjet will operate 11 new summer routeshttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/icon1.png (http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/100827/easyjet-announces-11-new-summer-2015-routes#) including
extending its winter service between London Gatwick and Reykjavik.

The budget carrier will also fly between Glasgow and Marrakech; Belfast and Marrakech; Manchester and Funchal; and Edinburgh and Funchal.

It will also launch six routes from London Luton — to Basel, Copenhagen, Lyon, Munich, Naples and Rome.

Sophie Dekkers, easyJet’s UK Director, said: "We're continuing to deliver an unrivalled network of routes across Europe that appeal to business travellers.

"With over 12 million business travellers flying with us each year, it’s clear flying Easyjet makes business sense."

[GAZMO]

Great news. Fantastic destination. When do they go on sale?

[BFS101]

No idea, literally just stumbled across the article.

[GAZMO]

Interesting it's not on the Easyjet Media page. Could it be a typo? Hope not

[FRatSTN]

I hate to burst anyone's bubble but I think it's a mistake; Should it not read Belfast - Reykjavik??


easyJet Media Centre (http://mediacentre.easyjet.com/stories/8623)

[BFS BHD]

I hate to burst anyone's bubble but I think it's a mistake; Should it not read Belfast - Reykjavik??

Yep I think it should read Belfast-Reykjavik as well FRatSTN. But you never no! :)

[owenc]

No its not a mistake.

Its on both wikipedia sites.

[BFS BHD]

No its not a mistake.

Its on both wikipedia sites.

Don't think its going to happen just because its on wiki. Anyone can edit that site.

[owenc]

How long is the flight to Iceland? 90 minutes?

The one from Glasgow keeps showing up at 50 minutes but that seems way too short.

[owenc]

50 minutes from Reyjavik to Glasgow!? Right.. :uhoh:

Ok two hours is alright I suppose with the distance being 860 miles.

[Straightahead]

Had a look at the early release of the 2015 summer schedule April-June.Must say the NI public have been sold short by Easyjet.Only 5 based aircraft for the summer and all flights especially European routes are very very expensive and they have only been on sale a few days.This year there were 2 flights to AGP,PMI and FAO on certain days.With only 5 aircraft for the summer there are about 600 seats less each day so we pay double the price next year.

[GAZMO]

The EZY routes are only up to the end of May.
The additional Wednesday flight to FAO and PMI plus the additional AGP may still come on board when full summer schedule is released. Cannot remember if these additional flights ran for the early part of summer 14 or just from June onwards
Maybe someone at EZY can supply info

[True Blue]

What does surprise me is the schedule on a Saturday to London. From memory 5 flights to all the London airports and not one early morning departure. At times you almost get the impression they want to destroy traffic to London on a Saturday then they can claim there is no demand.

[GAZMO]

Have to agree TB. Three arrivals on Saturday 13.20,13.25 and 13.40
Think they would spread the flights a little better.
Also I cannot figure out why they have a 7.25 and a 8.15 departure to LPL on a Saturday, one of which is an A320. Didn't realise LPL was that popular on a Saturday morning?

[Husky One]

The extra summer rotations were operated by aircraft 6. It's gone. No more.
It has ceased to be. Anything extra would have to operate as a W pattern.

[GAZMO]

Well at least there is two extra flights to Iceland and one to LGW with EZY and LS have an extra to AGP ACE and MJV next summer

[BFS BHD]

There has been a lot of survey work taking place at BFS at the moment. Taking measurements on the grass near runways and taxiways and around stands. Anyone know what they are up to? :)

[GAZMO]

Was there not a comment previously of a new taxiway?

[tigger2k8]

They do the survey once a year normally.

[BFS BHD]

Thanks for that tigger2k8 :)

[ESCNI]

Also I cannot figure out why they have a 7.25 and a 8.15 departure to LPL on a Saturday, one of which is an A320. Didn't realise LPL was that popular on a Saturday morning? Football ... Liverpool, Everton, Man Utd, Man City, etc, etc

:ok:

...and, for the same reason, they (usually) have a flight back on Saturday evening too.

[SecondDog]

Originally posted by Straightahead:

Easyjet Summer Schedule 2015 April-June
Had a look at the early release of the 2015 summer schedule April-June.Must say the NI public have been sold short by Easyjet.Only 5 based aircraft for the summer and all flights especially European routes are very very expensive and they have only been on sale a few days.This year there were 2 flights to AGP,PMI and FAO on certain days.With only 5 aircraft for the summer there are about 600 seats less each day so we pay double the price next year.

Now we definitely need EI to come back in and makeup the shortfall, I wonder if there is any merit in the rumors at all?

[BHD2BFS]

I think the airports fighting for the same old airlines in pointless

Personally I think now is the perfect time for Ryanair to come to BFS, let's be honest if ezy have a childish strop and start dropping routes I'm sure Ryanair will happily make up the shortfall and they are not the money grabbing airline that they used to be, and I know from recent experiences they are far more pleasant to fly with know

[SecondDog]

Aye but they (FR) wouldn't just want to 'make up shortfall'. Therein lies the problem of bringing them in. EZY have coexisted with EI before so I think that is a more realistic option.

As for the two airports 'fighting over the same old airlines' That just takes us into the whole BFS vs BHD thing again, which is short sighted. I see it more as a case of an airport attempting to get as much business as it can (If the other can't compete then so be it) And I mean that in both directions before the BHDers get worked up ;)

[panpanpanpan]

As for the two airports 'fighting over the same old airlines' That just takes us into the whole BFS vs BHD thing again, which is short sighted. I see it more as a case of an airport attempting to get as much business as it can (If the other can't compete then so be it) And I mean that in both directions SecondDog, that`s quite enough of rational thinking on this matter! Imagine two individual competing companies being allowed to get on with it, ridiculous!!! So according to some of the armchair experts on this board anyway.:ugh:

[BFS Dude]

I see on another thread that Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomson Airways are to release their Second Edition Summer 15 Brochures this week wonder will we see anything new or any increases to the Schedules for 2015 at BFS? Anyone heard anything?

[madgav]

SecondDog, that`s quite enough of rational thinking on this matter! Imagine two individual competing companies being allowed to get on with it, ridiculous!!! So according to some of the armchair experts on this board anyway

Yes but with all due respect (correct me if I'm wrong), this thread isn't about the benefits of the free market economy. I suspect that most posters on this thread are, like myself, enthusiastic about continued growth, stability and sustainability in routes from our local airport(s). Something which it has been argued that having two airports for a city the size of Belfast is not conducive to :ok:
For the record I have nothing against either airport and am more than happy to use either :ok:

Just an opinion from a long time reader of this thread, *very* occasional poster :)

[SecondDog]

Yes but with all due respect (correct me if I'm wrong), this thread isn't about the benefits of the free market economy. I suspect that most posters on this thread are, like myself, enthusiastic about continued growth, stability and sustainability in routes from our local airport(s). Something which it has been argued that having two airports for a city the size of Belfast is not conducive to :ok:
For the record I have nothing against either airport and am more than happy to use either :ok:

Oh, well it makes absolutely no sense for there to be two airports so close together in a market like ours with a much bigger player 2 hrs down the road. It is absolute nonsense to have them both! If we were starting now from scratch there would be Aldergrove and a private airfield down below.

But since there already are 2 airports in Belfast (or in the greater greater Belfast area :rolleyes:) there is nothing else for it until someone comes up with a coherent Aviation strategy for Northern Ireland that will focus development in one area. (Good luck with that btw :ugh:)

[mart901]

Spare me the BFS/BHD argument, tribalism is just so boring.

[BFS Dude]

Anyone else hear about a new route or two to be announce in the next week or so?? :oh:

[GAZMO]

At the current rate of route announcements I am surprised there hasnt been one this week.
No idea but if I had to bet I would say Wizz with another route

[ExoticSkier]

A post by another user in the W6 thread suggests it could possibly be Riga....

[SecondDog]

Spare me the BFS/BHD argument, tribalism is just so boring.

At what point did my post become tribal as opposed to logic based assessment?

It is a great failing of this country to use tribal defensive arguments to sustain things that are not logical or sensible for its own future. That is why Dublin has been able to laugh at us squabbling while they become the now uncatchable major hub for the geographical entity upon which we live.

The BFS/BHD argument may be repetitive and usually pointless now but I stand by what I said, If you were to sit down as a government and plan an effective air travel strategy for the province, based on currently available resources it would not put the one international airport the country needs on the side of Belfast Lough with a short runway incapable of launching services to long haul destinations and flying restrictions due its city location. You wouldn't have LDY either if you want to be brutally honest because we don't have a market for more than one airport.

Of course that view wouldn't suit the people who work at BHD/LDY and many Stormont folk but the way we are going is only sending business 2 hrs down the road to a foreign country's (again technically correct if not to everyone's view) shiny new airport. This gives BFS (as NI's only realistic choice for an international airport as things stand) no chance to garner the business needed to reinvest in it's renovation and repair in order that some of the approachable emerging airlines might be impressed enough to start/increase services.

You should have also noticed that my post says that because their are two airports for Belfast (and because noone in government is brave enough to have the above discussion or create said strategy) that there is no alternative to the current balls of a situation where the two fight over the same carriers and fail to create the capital needed for future growth.

There is nothing tribal about me or my post, how about some creative response. Maybe you see some great scheme whereby BFS/BHD can reach a point where they both offer a great routemap and are happily making money and Dublin's control over our aviation industry slackens off.

As for the new route from Wizz, Riga would be nice!

Dog

[BFS Dude]

Any more on more flights to Orlando with Virgin with the B787s?

[True Blue]

Very well said SecondDog, exactly correct. But stand by to be shot by those who can't see past having their wee Bhd on their door step for the bigger picture. I told a friend from New Zealand who was staying with us last week that we, a land of about 1.6m, have 3 aspiring international airports. He laughed at me and wondered what sort of idiots we were. Sadly, he saw Dublin as our main international airport.


TB

[stab3.5up]

Should we be reading anything into all the ryanair billboards around belfast then??

[tigger2k8]

also some in Ballymena, was surprised to see

[cuthere]

Ryanair billboards around Belfast are nothing new. As an example, when they were still flying from Belfast airport back in the day, billboards for flights from there were frequent sights around Derry.

Having said that. I'd love to see FR at BFS. They'd shaft the management to within an inch of their lives, pi$$ EZY off, and make an already grim airport even worse. I wonder would they insist upon some kind of update to the wooden signs that get hung at gates, giving the place the feel of a 1970s third world terminal? All's missing is the cigarette smoke and heat.

[GAZMO]

Agree well said second dog...........pity nobody on the hill is listening!

[BFS BHD]

Well seeing that Ryanair has removed all flights ex LDY for S15 you never know what they are planning... :)

What are Ryanair advertising on the billboards???

[stab3.5up]

Fares from £19.99 I think

[NorthSouth]

All's missing is the cigarette smoke and heatAnd the toilet signs marked "Men" and "Wemmen" (I embellish only slightly!). Got me when I went there in my "Gents/Ladies" innocence in the 70s. Needless to say I didn't tarry :hmm:

[BHD2BFS]

I'm sure the old destinations will be signs will be changed relatively soon. Id recon the new owners where very surprised to see them still being used

I think renovating the internationals pier is of higher priority along with all the toilets, look like something u find in a public carpark

And if ryanair do come I don't to honk they will necessarily be calling all the shots, it's not as if the airport is desperate to get them

I'd be more interested in knowing what kind of demands ezy have

[madgav]

At what point did my post become tribal as opposed to logic based assessment?

It is a great failing of this country to use tribal defensive arguments to sustain things that are not logical or sensible for its own future. That is why Dublin has been able to laugh at us squabbling while they become the now uncatchable major hub for the geographical entity upon which we live.

The BFS/BHD argument may be repetitive and usually pointless now but I stand by what I said, If you were to sit down as a government and plan an effective air travel strategy for the province, based on currently available resources it would not put the one international airport the country needs on the side of Belfast Lough with a short runway incapable of launching services to long haul destinations and flying restrictions due its city location. You wouldn't have LDY either if you want to be brutally honest because we don't have a market for more than one airport.

Of course that view wouldn't suit the people who work at BHD/LDY and many Stormont folk but the way we are going is only sending business 2 hrs down the road to a foreign country's (again technically correct if not to everyone's view) shiny new airport. This gives BFS (as NI's only realistic choice for an international airport as things stand) no chance to garner the business needed to reinvest in it's renovation and repair in order that some of the approachable emerging airlines might be impressed enough to start/increase services.

You should have also noticed that my post says that because their are two airports for Belfast (and because noone in government is brave enough to have the above discussion or create said strategy) that there is no alternative to the current balls of a situation where the two fight over the same carriers and fail to create the capital needed for future growth.

There is nothing tribal about me or my post, how about some creative response. Maybe you see some great scheme whereby BFS/BHD can reach a point where they both offer a great routemap and are happily making money and Dublin's control over our aviation industry slackens off.

Great post, very logical and not tribal at all :ok:
Having done the "2hrs down the road" thing I wouldn't be in a hurry to do it again, after a long return journey it's horrid knowing you have a 2 hr drive home. Never say never but Dublin would have to be *much* cheaper for me to consider flying out of - that's for practical/logical, not tribal reasons :). That said however I'd imagine there is still a sizeable populus here who would never use it for tribal reasons :O

I told a friend from New Zealand who was staying with us last week that we, a land of about 1.6m, have 3 aspiring international airports. He laughed at me and wondered what sort of idiots we were. Sadly, he saw Dublin as our main international airport.

Oh dear. Definitely not for me, I'd happily pay a bit more to fly from my local airport. Shame all our airports are fighting each other instead of mounting a half decent challenge to Dublin - combine them and we would have an airport the size of GLA (look at the routes they have despite even nearer competition from EDI).

All that said, it's been great to see some great new routes recently announced from BFS, I wish them success and hope they stick around! :ok:

[GAZMO]

Have to agree Madgav....flying out of Dublin might be ok, but for me it's a 2.5/3 hour journey home when I get back so try to use BFS when possible especially after TA flight

[owenc]

I agree aswell. I live in the NW and I've only flew to Dublin once recently and that was to America. If I were to fly aout of there again i'd be going to America or Dubai, nowhere else.

Flying from Dublin clearly extends your journey by quite some time meaning a very early start. It wasn't really worth it the last time I have to say, we ended up being awake 24 hours just to get to Florida and the amount of time wasted in that airport was pathetic. Personally the only people who could really use that airport are from Newry.

And yes tribal reasons, I know people from Coleraine who won't use Eglinton - yes I know pathetic.

[madgav]

Yes living just north of Belfast I tend to forget it's 3 hours from the north west and 4 from parts of Donegal. All the more reason to have a strong BFS :D
Completely different story if you live in Newry.... but argument applies the other way too since Belfast is just as accessible as Dublin from a lot of areas south of the border.
For Dubai I would prefer to connect - plenty of options since EK serve 6 UK airports (sadly not Belfast - yet?). If just connecting in the middle east then there are even more options, I've used both Dubai and Doha (twice) for connections to Asia.
The US is slightly different since I hate flying in the 'wrong' direction, but even then I'd prefer to connect so long as the price is right, I just hate that 2 hour drive after a long flight!

Not sure what most businesses do but our company only book us travel ex BFS or BHD.

[cessnarocket]

Anyone heard what the new md promises. I've been told he called all staff in for meetings. Any inside info be appreciated

[BHD2BFS]

Any ideas as to why Belfast is now appearing on the germanwings website?
Can be selected but does not give a destination

[GAZMO]

Very interesting........assume we will have to wait and see.
Probably lots of speculations later on this thread

[BFS BHD]

Passengers this month: 419,854 -1.5
Passengers rolling Year: 4,049,132 -0.7

Domestic:

Gatwick: ..............39,658 +5
Luton: .................22,995 -8
Stansted: ............26,146 -4

Birmingham: ........12,717 ...-20
Bristol: ................21,382 ...0
Edinburgh: ..........20,447 ...-7
Glasgow: .............21,027... -8
Jersey: ................2534 .....+2
Liverpool: ............36,752 ..-6
Manchester: .........16,365 .+4
Newcastle: ...........16,193 .+2
Newquay: .............594 .....=
Oxford: ................4 .........=

International:

Dubrovnik: ...........1457 ....-37
Split: ...................40 ........-
Larnaca: ..............1704 .....-31
Bordeaux: ............1303 .....-
Nice: ...................3887 .....-3
Paris CDG: ...........7743 .....+1
Paderborn: ...........17 ........-
Corfu: ..................1861 ....-
Heraklion:............. 3302 ...+138
Rhodes: ...............1632 ....+23
Genoa: ................122 ......-
Pisa: ...................1375 .....-44
Verona: ...............123 ......-
Malta: .................2670 .......+1
Amsterdam: .........11,666 .....0
Faro: ...................15,843 .....+21
Alicante: ..............14,292 ......-1
Barcelona: ............5319 .......+7
Ibiza: ...................6920 .......+35
Mahon: .................4685 ......+12
Malaga: ................15,516 ....+25
Murcia: .................2594 .......-31
Palma: ..................27,988 ....+3
Reus: ...................9041 .......+56
Lanzarote: ............4290 .......+12
Las Palmas: ..........1825 .......-50
Tenerife: ..............6388 .......+27
Antalya: ...............2103 .......+35
Bodrum: ..............1745 ........-40
Dalaman: .............7091 .......+52
Burgas: ................2870 ......-31
Krakow: ................3948 .....-3
Sharm El Sheikh: ...1331 .....-11
Enfidha: ................269 .......-
Newark: ................9423 .....-4
Teterboro:............. 8 ..........-
Oil Rigs: ................16 ........-

[EI-BUD]

Iberia AirNostrum is due in Monday; will be one Monday to/ from Madrid and one again later in the week Thurs/Fri. Will be CRJ1000. Charter flight for Musgrave.

Would be nice to have regular Madrid route ... Alas, unlikely !

[GAZMO]

Have to agree EI Bud just flew BHD LHR MAD XRY would be nice to have direct to MAD air Nostrum great flight from MAD to XRY

[carsonEGAD]

Very interesting........assume we will have to wait and see.
Probably lots of speculations later on this thread

Any ideas as to why Belfast is now appearing on the germanwings website?
Can be selected but does not give a destination

I read on another forum that Germanwings are having a codeshare although who with remains to be announced.

[EI-BUD]

If German Wings brand comes to Belfast in the form on a code share with an existing carrier , it can only be EI ex BHD on the LHR route. German Wings operates soon ex T2...

Or perhaps with United on their EWR BFS route, but for that to work German Wings would need a quite early arrival into BFS to interline ?

[stab3.5up]

I would guess it would be a summer season flight aimed at german tourists doing the Fermanagh lakes type tour. Did deutsch BA not doo some kind of thing like that many moons ago? Maybe 4U is going into BHD

[Una Due Tfc]

Or the whole Game of Thrones theme tour thing, which, I believe, has been massively successful. You know, to my shame, the only part of "Norn Iron" I've visited is Belfast. I must change that next year, do the Giant's Causeway and drop in to the Distillery of the best whiskey on the Island (the 10 year old is nicer than the 16)