BELFAST AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL

[BFS BHD]

Blackpool, Faro, Jersey, Palma, Murcia & Pisa still need to be added to the times. Maybe more added tomorrow morning :ok:

I think we could see Jet2 to East Midlands soon!

[FRatSTN]

I wouldn't be surprised to finally see Belfast-Malaga with Jet2 or perhaps an increase in the Faro route which is only once a week.

[BFS BHD]

What about SXF or BJV after TOM not doing BJV in 2014?

[BHD2BFS]

What about a weekly SFB route using one of the 757s?
I assume there is a few ETOPS aircraft as they fly to EWR

[david1994]

I see Jet2 have released Malaga :ok:

[BFS BHD]

Good news! You where spot on FRatSTN!

[BHD2BFS]

Is this at the cost of frequency of another route
Or an increase of operations at bfs?
But again it is the same old route, nothing new again

[Mlinnie]

Well at least it's something :ok:

Maybe this won't be at the expense of the reduction/cut of another route. Seeing as how the ALC flights will be done by a ALC based plane. Which frees up space for the BFS based aircraft

And in regards to East Midlands/Cardiff with Jet2. Who's to say EZY won't start them ? BHX was started and EZY don't have much presence there, only in the winter. But The BHX route seems to be going well !

[EI-BUD]

And in regards to East Midlands/Cardiff with Jet2. Who's to say EZY won't
start them ? BHX was started and EZY don't have much presence there, only in the
winter. But The BHX route seems to be going well !


Mlinnie,

It took easyJet a while to react to bmibaby's withdrawl from BFS to go onto MAN and even longer for BHX. These are much bigger markets than LBA or CWL. Also the previous track records on LBA and CWL wouldnt inspire easyJet with a 156 seats. Based on Jet2's loads on LBA, I am not confident that it would sustain a x2 daily 319. Add to that Jet2 were well established on the route and they tried a variety of schedules, so I'd rule out LBA. CWL is too close to BRS, so a no go as far as I can see. The best we can hope for is easyJet adding some capacity on BHX and MAN.

EI-BUD

[GAZMO]

Unless EZY wants to be innovative and operate through flights
BFS to CWL and on to European destination not offered at moment from BFS CWL is only a daily flight max.

Although against EZY focus they did eventually introduce flexi fares, allocated seating etc.

If there is a market for it why not

[GAZMO]

Does anyone know how many weekly flights to AGP next summer? Cannot seem to find the timetable on the website

[BFS BHD]

Its on the dropdown list but dont seem to give months to chose from yet so will have to wait to tomorrow to find out unless someone else on here no whats happening.

[GAZMO]

Notice AEA in from Valladolid tomorrow. Have noticed this previously coming to BFS. Is this a one off?

[BFS BHD]

Seems Jet2 has took Malaga of their list! Wonder why :eek:

[GAZMO]

Blip on AGP or just giving us false hope?

[GAZMO]

At least Palma has been uploaded for next year

[BFS BHD]

Gatwick......31348...+2%
Southend....9511....+4%
Stansted.... 23465...-2%
(Luton out out yet)

Birmingham....11381....+0%
Blackpool........879.......-47%
Bristol............18605....-4%
Edinburgh.......19753....-4%
Glasgow..........20147....-15%
Leeds..............4183......-6%
Liverpool.........33313....-17%
Manchester.....15404.....+17%
Newcastle.......15795.....-3%

[BFS BHD]

Larnaca....1158....-18
Nice....2120....+138
Paris....6731....-6
Lourdes....181....-59
Malta....2444....+15
Amsterdam....7471....-19
Faro....8793....-24
Alicante....5521....-47
Barcelona....4098....-46
Malaga....9194....-32
Murcia....2092....-29
Palma....6306....-6
Arrecife....2120....-68
Las Palmas....1227....-18
Tenerife....6384....+8
Dubrovnik....138....+35
Keflavik....430....0
Geneva....2792....+65
Antalya....1049....0
Dalaman....1197....-42
Krakow....3682....+8
Enfidha....1344....-14
Newark....6258....+14

Rolling year: 4269533......+1.6
PAX this month: 308319...-11.2

[Zag23]

who is doing Murcia at the moment ?

[IrishFlyer2013]

Jet2 operate BFS-Murcia.

[BFS BHD]

Kinahan hopes for route development at Aldergrove

Published on 17/05/2013 15:34

SOUTH Antrim MLA, Danny Kinahan has reiterated his call for further airline route development at Belfast International Airport.

The Ulster Unionist said: “It is essential that further route development at Belfast International Airport is a priority if we are to attract more airlines to Northern Ireland. Increased access and availability will greatly help in boosting our tourism economy.

“This week I asked the DETI Minister for an update on what mechanisms she is putting in place to attract airlines or to provide more slots at out airports.

“While it was promising to hear that she, along with my Party colleague Danny Kennedy, has met the Head of Airport Commissioning, Sir Howard Davies, I hope that this meeting will be built on and we will see tangible results in the future.”

Source: Kinahan hopes for route development at Aldergrove - Football - Antrim Times (http://www.antrimtimes.co.uk/sport/football/kinahan-hopes-for-route-development-at-aldergrove-1-5106489)

[BFS BHD]

Jet2.com from Jersey starts tomorrow! Arriving at 11:10 and departing 11:50.

TOM also starts on Thursday so expect the plane to arrive 'VERY' soon! I also hear it will be a Thomson Branded Aircraft instead of Sunwing Airlines.

[OnTheRamp]

Rumour has it that Jet2 have renewed the Royal Mail contract and will also operate the Stanstead route, currently done by Titan, with a BFS based 737.

[KNT544]

That would be a shame. I used to love dispatching the wee 146. I managed to see one late last week.

[True Blue]

Wonder what will come of this, if anything.

Ryanair In Talks With Belfast International | Business | The Irish News (http://www.irishnews.com/business/ryanair-in-talks-with-belfast-international-1257617)

TB

[ILS25]

Here we go again !:ugh:

[True Blue]

Will there be any pressure on either party not to be seen to fail again?

TB

[BFS BHD]

Biz Jet took off from BFS to Kerry would this be him?

[eastern wiseguy]

There were EXTREMELY strong rumours about this earlier in the year .......mind you nothing new there. Except the source was very believable.

[SecondDog]

Here we go again !:ugh:

Hehehe, sure we haven't had a good Ryanair rumour for ages, what else would we talk about?

[True Blue]

Jet2 now have AGP on sale from Bfs, 2 weekly starting April 14.

TB

[BFS BHD]

And Faro up to 3x weekly from 1x weekly.

[BFS BHD]

Some interesting movements today

Austrian Airlines A320 from Vienna
Air Mediterranee A321 from cork (going to Lourdes later)
Royal Air Force A330
Transavia B737-800
Thomas Cook B757-300 which was meant to be away at 15:45 yesterday.

[CCR]

Was the biz jet a Learjet?

[BFS BHD]

I found the reg of the plane and dont think it was him has its a USA reg:

C56X N575NR

[GAZMO]

good news on the LS front. Although Sun routes popular I would have preferred to see some key European cities.

With twice to AGP and another two to FAO are they looking at taking pax from EZY, EI or both?

[BFS101]

Is this LS growth at FAO/AGP at the expense of other routes? I see DVB is back to weekly for 2014. Anyone surmise an overall picture?

[BFS BHD]

Murcia & Pisa only ones to be confirmed with Jersey and Blackpool but they will likely be last.

[BFS BHD]

Sunwing B737-800 C-FYUH will be basing at BFS for the summer currently over Quebec. Due around 8 tonight for starting tomorrow morning :ok:

[BFS101]

TOM also starts on Thursday so expect the plane to arrive 'VERY' soon! I also hear it will be a Thomson Branded Aircraft instead of Sunwing Airlines.
Still to be full TOM livery??

Is there any noticeable diffenerce to passengers on the Sunwing Aircraft compared to TOM owned, IFE, pitch etc??? Do we get a short straw, or absolutely no difference???

[BFS BHD]

Changed at the last minute i think.

And no in Sunwings colours with Thomson Airways logo on the winglet :)

C-FYUH Sunwing Airlines Boeing 737-8K5(WL) - Planespotters.net Just Aviation (http://www.planespotters.net/Aviation_Photos/photo.show?id=371675)

[IrishFlyer2013]

C-FYUH is in TUIFly colours. It has the Sunwing Logos & decals instead of the TUIFly logo's and decals.

C-FYUH is ex D-ATUH of TUIFly.

There will be four Sunwing aircraft operating for Thomson Airways this summer. FYLC is the only one in full Sunwing Airlines livery. It positioned to DUB yesterday from Quebec. FTLK is based in EDI and is also ex TUIFly but it is painted in "Hapag-Lloyd" livery. FLZR is ex Thomson Airways G-FDZR so it is in full Thomson Airways colours. FLZR is based in LBA at the moment.

[BFS BHD]

Whats the chances of Jet2 adding Rome from BFS?

[GAZMO]

There is probably a market for a twice weekly flight to Rome
With LS naturally concentrating on summer routes there are a lot of idle planes in the winter months. Maybe Berlin. Madrid or Lisbon???

[dublinaviator]

Didn't Aer Lingus try Rome from BFS and it was a complete flop?

[GAZMO]

EI did not do a good job on the FCO route, very little promotion or marketing, not like the big spend they have had on their Belfast London routes for last six months. If BFS can can manage AMS, CDG etc, surely Rome is feasible with a long lead time and promotion.

Remember EI chopped and changed their European destinations rapidly from BFS.......BUD, CDG, AMS, FCO, BCN, ALC etc tried, little promotion .....withdrawn

[EI-BUD]

Gazmo, I wouldn't necessarily agree with all you say. EI did market their routes, they launched in what has been the hardest winter season in over years, add FR flooding the market for cheap impulse travel at prices as low as £1 all in, I booked many myself, EI did market the flights. Granted not as heavily as current LGW , which is an exceptionally aggressive campaign. Though when EI arrived they had tv adverts selling the routes widely.

I wouldn't agree Fco was a flop, maybe marginal is a better word as loads reasonable in summer. Alc did well but with a new approach of having a winter operation euro routes don't fit and do given the distance and 1 airframe they are going to utilise if on the strongest routes.

Gva, nice plus canary routes all tried , canaries a success though nice and gva not so, GVA could do well over ski season say x2 weekly nos that they are well established.

CDg started when BE joined the market with a daily 195, so in effect the route went from 1 ezy daily to x3 daily wasn't sustainable.

The problem here is summer has demand winter very lean, and so size of EI operation will reflect this.

[mart901]

I'd say any airline that tackles european city routes from Belfast is a brave one given history. EI have gone for high frequency on sunshine and Lon, although how that pans out over the next 12 months is anyones guess. They did hint some months back they would consider euro city routes from BHD but who knows. I think the best thing for all the airlines in the Belfast market is to draw passengers back from Dub.

[CARNMANORLAD]

Anyone know why TOM1472 BFS-ACE is delayed by 2.25 hours this morning. I thought the a/c that arrived from YYZ last night was to operate this route?

[BFS BHD]

I would say it as went tec :)

[CARNMANORLAD]

I would say it as went tec

Great start to the season, especially with the 1st flights to ACE for both BFS & LDY today, suppose it happens!

[BFS BHD]

Now got his clearance to ACE. Should be on the move very soon.

[GAZMO]

With BE withdrawal from the LGW market will EZY up their frequency to six flights on the busier days

[elle may clampit]

Certainly ought to be an option to ezy to up frequency on BFS - LGW to 6 daily - with a new pool of slots to play with in Gatwick.

BA LHR is still the biggest Belfast - London route in terms of six daily frequency, but if anybody has an appropriate presence at another London airport to provide a genuinely competing business alternative to BA, surely it must be Ezy on BFS - LGW?

[BFS BHD]

Looks like the works on the runway are near done with only a few Hundred meters to go!

Picture:
https://twitter.com/Anglewise1/status/337855841514450946/photo/1

[BFS BHD]

British Airways diverting from Belfast City Airport coming from London Heathrow:

BA 1426 London Heathrow 01:00 01:00 DIVERTED FROM



Also Jet2.com Early morning Alicante arrival starts tomorrow anyone no what aircraft will do the run?

LS 302 Alicante 09:40

[GAZMO]

TOM not having a great start to the season?....delays assume tec problems

Wonder if BA will realise the benefits of flying to an airport that is open 24/7?

[GAZMO]

TOM not having a good day. The flight from LPA now cancelled. So both LPA and ACE both had difficulties.

Anybody know reaso for LPA cancellation?

[BFS101]

The Thomson delay has made the local news.

BBC News - Thomson apologises to NI travellers (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-22667942)

[BFS BHD]

Aegean Airlines- A320
BH Air- A320
Freebird Airlines- A320
SATA International- A320
Small Planet Airlines- B733/A320
Travel Service Airlines- B738
Onur Air- A321
Freebird Airlines- A320
NouvelAir Tunisie- A320

Any others please add them :ok:

[Mlinnie]

How often will the TCX B757 be at BFS ?

[BFS BHD]

I no their B753 will be operating into BFS from Palma every week (GLA-PMI-BFS-PMI-GLA). Not sure of any others that will be in :)

[BFS BHD]

Just took off from BFS as CRL 831. It came in last night from hangover as CRL830 F-GTUI as a troop flight.

[EI-BUD]

I noticed Jet2 departure from what looked like leaving the main runway this evening at BFS... have they kissed and made up with BFS management, now they must feel the runway is 'safe'??

[GAZMO]

EI BUD likewise whilst waiting for a friend to arrive last week also noticed LS taking off main runway towards Lough Neagh, most likely their LBA flight

[BFS BHD]

Been using the main runway for a couple of weeks now :)

[GAZMO]

First TOM flight to Sharm today. Wonder how popular it will be?

Also notice another flight in from Vienna. I have seen a few OS flights recently from Vienna. Is this going to be more regular or just one off charters?

[IrishFlyer2013]

Also notice another flight in from Vienna. I have seen a few OS flights recently from Vienna. Is this going to be more regular or just one off charters?

The Vienna flight will be a regular charter service until June. An Austrian tour operator has organised them. They have also organised a weekly flight to Dublin. Austrian Airlines will operate both of them.

Tourism Ireland | Corporate Website | - About Tourism Ireland Marketing Programmes (http://www.tourismireland.com/Home!/About-Us/Press-Releases/2012/Tourism-Ireland-Welcomes-New-Flights-From-Austria.aspx)

First TOM flight to Sharm today. Wonder how popular it will be?

It should be popular. Thomson are bringing it back for Summer 2014 so it must be proving popular for this Summer season.

[True Blue]

Regarding the issue LS had with the runway. The last few times I have arrived at Bfs I noticed a couple of 737-300?'s sitting in TNT colours. I assume it is another operator not TNT themselves. Did they have any problems with the runway?

TB

[eastern wiseguy]

True Blue....no. Jet 2 were alone in their concerns.

[IrishFlyer2013]

Aegean Airlines- A320
BH Air- A320
Freebird Airlines- A320
SATA International- A320
Small Planet Airlines- B733/A320
Travel Service Airlines- B738
Onur Air- A321
Freebird Airlines- A320
NouvelAir Tunisie- A320

Air VIA can be added to that list as well. They are operating flights to Bourgas for Balkhan Tours. They will operate this route will an A320. These flights operate every Friday. Balkan Tours Holidays in Bulgaria (http://www.balkan.co.uk/)

BH Air are operating flights to Bourgas for Balkhan Holidays. This flight operates every Monday morning. Bulgaria Holidays, Flights to Bulgaria, Croatia Holidays, Montenegro and Slovenia (http://www.balkanholidays.co.uk/)

Aegean will only be operating BFS-RHO for the summer season. BFS-HER has been dropped and it will operate from NCL instead. All details on the Olympic Holidays website.

BFS-LCA will be operated by Small Planet this summer instead of Aegean as previously stated.

[True Blue]

I see LS has released Murcia for S14, 2 flights a week. What has gone wrong on that route, not that many years back it was daily, almost daily and they used to have a 757 on it? Why the large cut back in capacity?

TB

[True Blue]

I was thinking on the topic of further route expansion from Bfs and wondering if between Ezy and LS, we are at a stalemate at the moment. Any new routes are going to have to be somewhere like Turkey, yet I see neither being able to do that without adding an extra unit or dropping some of what they have. But is there the demand to keep an extra unit busy all week? I know that they could bring in an aircraft for part of a week, but do they need to do that if they can keep it profitability employed elsewhere? They could do a W from elsewhere, but again, do they need to do that? Just not sure where further route expansion will come from at the minute. Turkey seems like an opportunity, yet Thomson are dropping Bodrum and Tcx will be down to one a week next summer. Not that long ago, we had about 5 flights a week to Bodrum. Izmir has gone as well. Ayt and Dlm seem to be stable.

TB

[IrishFlyer2013]

I was thinking on the topic of further route expansion from Bfs and wondering if between Ezy and LS, we are at a stalemate at the moment. Any new routes are going to have to be somewhere like Turkey, yet I see neither being able to do that without adding an extra unit or dropping some of what they have. But is there the demand to keep an extra unit busy all week? I know that they could bring in an aircraft for part of a week, but do they need to do that if they can keep it profitability employed elsewhere? They could do a W from elsewhere, but again, do they need to do that? Just not sure where further route expansion will come from at the minute. Turkey seems like an opportunity, yet Thomson are dropping Bodrum and Tcx will be down to one a week next summer. Not that long ago, we had about 5 flights a week to Bodrum. Izmir has gone as well. Ayt and Dlm seem to be stable.

TB

New routes would have to be to Turkey. Flights from BFS to a Greek Island could work as well. Jet2 could also make BFS-ACE year round.

Jet2 would be able to operate new routes from BFS without adding an additional aircraft to its BFS base.

I have looked at the schedule for Belfast for Summer 2014. I have come across six gaps in the schedule. The gaps are Mon, Tues, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat afternoon. So there is room to add flights from BFS to say Turkey or even a Greek Island.

Here is the Summer 2014 schedule for Belfast Int'l so far. This is based on July 2014:

Sunday
LS333/4 DBV 0700 1130 1205 1440
LS361/2 PMI 0700 1050 1125 1325
LS377/8 MJV 1510 1910 1945 2155
LS397/8 IBZ 1530 1920 2000 2200

Monday
LS361/2 PMI 0700 1050 1125 1325
LS305/6 FAO 0710 1020 1055 1415
LS303/4 REU 1505 1845 1920 2105

Tuesday
LS361/2 PMI 0700 1050 1125 1325
LS395/6 MAH 0755 1145 1230 1430
LS381/2 TFS 1505 1950 2025 0055

Wednesday
LS361/2 PMI 0700 1050 1125 1325
LS387/8 AGP 0755 1205 1240 1455
LS377/8 MJV 1510 1910 1945 2155

Thursday
LS361/2 PMI 0700 1050 1125 1325
LS303/4 REU 0755 1135 1215 1400
LS397/8 IBZ 1515 1915 1945 2145

Friday
LS361/2 PMI 0700 1050 1125 1325
LS305/6 FAO 0710 1020 1055 1415
LS381/2 TFS 1505 1950 2025 0055

Saturday
LS361/2 PMI 0700 1050 1125 1325
LS305/6 FAO 0710 1020 1055 1415
LS387/8 AGP 1430 1840 1920 2135

BFS-ALC is being operated by an ALC based a/c for S14 and PSA,JER & BLK have not been loaded for S14 yet.

[GAZMO]

Jersey and Blackpool are normally covered by BKL based aircraft.

LS have probably found ALC as being more popular than Murcia. Hopefully the gaps will be filled by new destinations soon

[LBIA]

Jet2's Belfast - Jersey route is actually operated by Leeds based Boeing 737-300 aircraft on W-Legs. The 2x Belfast based aircraft also operate some of the Leeds flights that are going to be axed at the end of this month, so some gaps are going to appear in the schedule.

The latest rumour I've heard is that jet2 are going to require a 3rd based aircraft at Belfast next year due to picking up the London Stansted overnight Royal Mail work. I was told that the flights will be operated by closing the Exeter base and moving the freighter, Boeing 737-300F, G-CELW to Belfast...

[BFS BHD]

I'm nearly sure one of the Jersey flights is done by a BFS based plane :confused:

[IrishFlyer2013]

BFS - JER is operated by a BFS a/c every Saturday and by LBA based a/c every Tuesday.

[blues-on]

Does anyone know what's happening Thomas Cook's winter ski flight? A local travel agent is muting that it maybe a goner! :confused:

[GAZMO]

Another flight in from Vallodlid tomorrow. Is it a charter?

[BFS BHD]

Noticed on BFS Twitter this:

You can fly direct to 80 destinations from @BELFASTAIRPORT . Find out more at Belfast International Airport (http://www.belfastairport.com/en/destinationmap/) … #wherewouldyouliketoflyto

80 really? Where? I count around 50 :ugh: Wheres the other 30 odd routes?


-----------------------------

Also a B747 inbound to BFS!!

From Flight Radar 24;
Airline: Japanese Air Force
Flight: JF1101
Aircraft: Boeing 747-47C (B744)
Reg: 20-1102
Altitude: 38000 ft (11582 m)
Speed: 449 kt (832 km/h, 517 mph)

Due around 16:30 :ok:

[BFS BHD]

Austrian Airlines has launched a brand new charter series into Belfast from Austria operating in May and June using an Airbus A320.

New inbound charter flights from Austria and Spain land at Belfast International Airport - Belfast International Airport (http://www.belfastairport.com/en/news/8/248/new-inbound-charter-flights-from-austria-and-spain-land-at-belfast-international-airport.html)

[EI-A330-300]

C-FYUH is in TUIFly colours. It has the Sunwing Logos & decals instead of the TUIFly logo's and decals.

Noticed the above heap of scrap at DUB since Tuesday, being announced we will be waiting at least 6 hours to depart due to technical problems, It should of being left in Belfast or sent to the scrap yard.

[AIRPORT66]

Why should it have been left in Belfast keep it in Dublin where it belongs.

[jonnyc]

Just noticing tonight that with 17 in use all arriving a/c are going into the hold. Is there a set procedure that dictates that only one a/c can be released from hold to approach at a time?

I'm guessing that the required backtrack would lead to the requirement for further spacing.

[EGAC is Better]

Noticed the above heap of scrap at DUB since Tuesday, being announced we will be waiting at least 6 hours to depart due to technical problems, It should of being left in Belfast or sent to the scrap yard.

EIA330,

In response to the fiasco of the 2 day late ACE flight a couple of weeks back, somebody noted over on the Thomson thread that Belfast is a more important market to them than DUB. The ensuing reshuffle of aircraft reflected this and maybe that's why the 'heap of scrap' ended up down there.

AC

[GAZMO]

First of the seasons flights to Madeira staring later today

[IrishFlyer2013]

Noticed the above heap of scrap at DUB since Tuesday, being announced we will be waiting at least 6 hours to depart due to technical problems, It should of being left in Belfast or sent to the scrap yard.

FYUH did go tech quite a bit last week. She based in LBA now, FYLC is in DUB and FLZR is in BFS. There were 2 a/c changes in PMI today.

[BFS BHD]

As TCX got their full W13 flights on sale only seem to find ACE & TFS on sale.

[IrishFlyer2013]

BFS - LPA finishes at the end of October. TCX have dropped LPA for S14 and W13/14. TCX have replaced Mondays LPA flight with another flight to TFS for the Winter. TCX will operate up to 4 weekly flights from Belfast to Tenerife for the Winter.

The ski flight to Lleida has been dropped as well.

[BFS BHD]

4x TFS
2x ACE

thats it? :sad:

[IrishFlyer2013]

You do have NBE returning at the end of February and DLM returns during April 2014.

TCX are doing one flight to Rovaniemi in Dec as well.

[BFS BHD]

Thanks for that

[ILS25]

IF Abertis are prepared to let the "jewel" of their airport portfolio go, surely the for sale sign will be up at BFS

AENA preparing for London Luton airport takeover - report | Business | The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/10820222)

[SecondDog]

IF Abertis are prepared to let the "jewel" of their airport portfolio go, surely the for sale sign will be up at BFS

AENA preparing for London Luton airport takeover - report | Business | The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/10820222)

Is it not already sold??

[ILS25]

Is it really ? Who purchased it ?

[BFS BHD]

Jet2 Pisa flight for 2014 is down to 1 weekly.

[GAZMO]

There are still a few blanks in S14 schedule , and possibility of new destinations?

[blues-on]

That is very disappointing about the LLeida flight. I've used this TCX for the last 8 years for skiing and the flight was always full (first week of February). I was supposedly booked this year again. What happens now?

[ExoticSkier]

I flew on this route mid march, there was only 62 passengers on the outbound the return was much better with a load factor at about 80%.

I hope Llieda [great little airport] is restored by another carrier, perhaps BE will commit with an e-jet?

[Long time reader first time posting :}]

-ES

[BFS101]

I take it Andorra will still be offered as a ski destination using EZY flights to BCN, was it Direct Ski that offered these packages?? So the Thomas Cook group have no ski presence in NI now, leaving Thomson / Crystal, Topflight, Inghams, Direct Ski and then the DIY packages.

Regarding LS, as if we needed more proof, the moving away from the more unique and 'out of the ordinary' destinations, to whack capacity onto AGP, FAO, ALC that are already easily accessible with other operators. DVB obviously was popular to increase the flight to twice weekly S13, but then this was maybe slightly overkill, as back to weekly S14... Could Pula not have taken the other DVB slot to still offer something new??

[Zag23]

if we get the same sort of weather as we did this year, what about cave hill? :ok:

[BFS101]

The walk back to the top, from bottom of the piste takes a little long!!

[Zag23]

sure arñt we used to long walks to go on the piste. my nearest pub is half mile walk. :)

[GAZMO]

Still afternoon slots for LS aircraft Monday to Friday. I think all existing routes have been announced for S14. Any suggestions for these gaps!!!!!

[BFS BHD]

What about Jersey think one of the flights are done by a BFS aircraft.

[Mlinnie]

TCX to LPA dropped ? :eek:

Lets hope LS will come in and take it over :ok:

Llieda was done by a BFS based aircraft wasn't it ? Maybe an A321 would be too big for that route, same with LPA...

Wonder what will be filled in all of LS's summer gaps ? :E

[SecondDog]

Is it really ? Who purchased it ? Just a rumour, heard TBI were interested a few weeks back. I haven't flown out in a while so not heard anything recent, just figured deal would be done by now.

[ILS25]

TBI is 90% owned by Abertis and 10% by Aena so surely that can't be right ?

[SecondDog]

TBI is 90% owned by Abertis and 10% by Aena so surely that can't be right ?

TBI was the name I was told but maybe with the idea that Aena have been mentioned for Luton, maybe it is some form of buyout with the TBI people in line to run things?

Sure sounds like smoke and mirrors but we know that they can do magic up there so who knows.... ;)

[j636]

Just after reading that Bus Eireann and Translink have introduced an extra 10 daily services between Belfast and Dublin from 2 June to 21 September. 7 of the extra 10 daily are non stop services between Dublin Airport and Belfast and take just 1h50m. Now there is an hourly airport services 24/7+ the 7 daily non stop services that operate. Won't help Belfast and NI stop the traffic bleed to DUB.

http://buseireann.ie/pdf/1367495210-001X.pdf

[GAZMO]

What translink need to do, and promote is that the Dublin bus service will run to BFS not just BELFAST

[BFS BHD]

Is Jet2 doing BFS-STN-BFS-STN-BFS for Royal Mail? Does that mean the end of Titan 146?

[BFS BHD]

Seems to be a A320 (G-EZTD) on the Malaga flight for EZY is this the A320 thats going to be based here?

[KNT544]

No. Saturday AGP are done by NCL crew. BFS will see a number of 320 aircraft over the summer including a brand new one - G-EZWJ from mid July.

[BFS BHD]

Thanks for that! :ok:

[scodaman]

What happening tonight? Couple of jets circling and looks like one is now on it's way to Dublin.

[BFS BHD]

Easyjet landed 17 after go around on 35 due to being to high, Thomas Cook diverting to Dublin due go around on 35 due to wind.

[BFS BHD]

G8 movements have started with USAF helicopters arriving today to stay for a while! :cool:

[dde0apb]

I requested 17 yesterday after a go-around due to crosswind on 07 but was told 17 was unavailable. Anyone any idea why?

[BFS BHD]

I think there was work at the 35 end in the turning circle :)

[dde0apb]

Hmm.. A C177 doesn't need very much of an 1800m runway to land into 16kt wind. Could have stopped by the 07/25 intersection. Probably should have been more assertive with ATC. Although I appreciate that if there were vehicles / people etc at the 35 end it's probably technically occupied. Even so it would have been safer to have used 17 than run the gamut of the turbulence coming off the hangars to the south of 07.

[BFS BHD]

I think i heard you talking to tower today! :)

[eastern wiseguy]

Probably should have been more assertive with ATC


And they would have told you politely to **** off. If the runway was closed...it was closed. We have a rule which does not permit making an approach to a closed runway.

[SecondDog]

Quote:
Probably should have been more assertive with ATC

And they would have told you politely to **** off. If the runway was closed...it was closed. We have a rule which does not permit making an approach to a closed runway.

With some the Tower controllers in Aldergrove? it might not have been too polite either (but quite correct in their refusal) I imagine 17/35 will be out of service regularly over the next week or so, they can't use it with aircraft parked in some of the parking bays (too high)

[GAZMO]

Two milatary flights tonight
Is this to do with g8

[BFS BHD]

Yes you will see more in the coming days! And both where C-17s USAF :ok:

[eastern wiseguy]

Why does this site censor F E C K ?.......hey ho....made me look grumpy :E

[SecondDog]

Yes you will see more in the coming days! And both where C-17s USAF http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/thumbs.gif

If they can get anywhere near the place, it should be spotters paradise over the next wee while

[2leeet]

Any idea at all when AF1 will be landing? Will it be kept in aldergrove for the 2 days and will you be able to get anywhere near the airport to watch all the others come in?

[El Bunto]

Airport and surrounding roads goes into lockdown mode today; no access to non-authorized / non-screened persons. Definitely no casual spotting. Lasts until Wednesday next week I believe.

Can't have the commoners gazing upon the King.

VC-25 may nor may not come into Aldergrove, if it does then I'd guess Monday morning followed by a motor cavalcade into the city for the Waterfront presentation.

Most of the other delegations seem content to turn-up on Sunday evening or Monday morning.

Edit: and then everyone will fly off home again on Tuesday afternoon / evening. All this disruption for a few hours signing documents. Haven't they heard of video conferencing?

[ILS25]

Agreed. Or dump them all off at an airbase in the u.s desert somewhere. No inconvenience to ordinary folk and no £80m plus bill to the taxpayer.
I see the psni have even got new baseball caps with g8 stitched into them, and i'm not joking.

[eastern wiseguy]

VC-25 may nor may not come into Aldergrove

What would the alternative be?

[BFS BHD]

Seen USAF helicopters doing touch and goes at BFS today :)

[NWSRG]

What would the alternative be?

Visual approach to 15 at EGAB...:E

She'd likely get stopped ok, and lightly loaded, she might even get out again, but they'd have fun turning thon thing round. :)

[El Bunto]

What would the alternative be? Dublin was mooted, as was Knock. The 'family' are visiting Dublin as part of the trip.

However this morning's helicopter rehearsal pretty much pegs it as Aldergrove.

Wouldn't expect prior to Monday morning though.

Edit: sounds like Dublin is acting as overflow for some of the supporting contingent like yesterday's Il-76.

Edit2: '76 arriving at Dublin after a stop-and-drop at Aldergrove.

ipernity: RA-78816 IL-76MD Russian Air Force - by eigjb (http://www.ipernity.com/doc/306033/21269415)

[El Bunto]

Reference EGAA NOTAM for Monday

[GibbyNI]

I seen a large transport going into Belfast (BFS) today just before lunchtime 12:30. Anyone know what type it was ? I assum it's G8 related.

Cheers

[BFS BHD]

That would of been one of the C-17s that are in atm :)

[El Bunto]

I seen a large transport going into Belfast (BFS) today just before lunchtime 12:30. Anyone know what type it was ? I assum it's G8 related. Yep, as BFS BHD notes there have been at least three C-17s in this morning depositing various artifacts of the Pharaoh. Another pair into Dublin I believe.

Meanwhile the Canadian PM trundled into Dublin on a CANFORCE A310 just after lunchtime.

Edit: I think all the Belfast C-17s have now departed.

[ara01jbb]

Meanwhile the Canadian PM trundled into Dublin on a CANFORCE A310 just after lunchtime.

Freshly painted too, although somewhat controversially not in the red/white colours of Canada, but the red/white/blue colours of his own Conservative Party :E

Stephen Harper's jet gets red, white and blue makeover - Canada - CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/06/07/pol-pm-plane-paint-job.html)

[BFS BHD]

PM Arrival AT BIA - YouTube

Japan PM Arrive at BIA - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeF_F_U_65I&feature=youtu.be&a)

[ILS25]

Yawn :zzz:

If only the management at BFS would put as much effort into getting some new airlines and routes as they have preparing for the two day G8 pantomime.

[BFS BHD]

Anyone no what Enter Air B737-800 was at BFS for today?

[tigger2k8]

Part of the G8 operation

[BFS BHD]

Titan Airways as now won the contract to run BFS - STN with a B737-300!

More Info here: Royal Mail Operation Extension (http://www.titan-airways.com/news/royal-mail-operation-extension.html)

[BHD2BFS]

If jet2 lose the EMA contract and have no more cargo flights, would they move to BHD,
EI have seen a slight increase in pax numbers on the 3 European routes they have

Just a thought

[GAZMO]

Cannot see LS moving as many of their flights arrive after 9.30pm and likewise they advertise convenient flying times so departures not too early in the morning

In the 50th year it is still disappointing that management have not issued any new operators or routes. Maybe since the G8 is over they will be able to concentrate on this

Previous rumour of FR coming to BFS. anybody heard anymore rumours?

[ILS25]

FR rumours have died a death, again. Plenty of rumours going about regarding the sale of BFS though, one of them being that it will be under ownership of NI plc once more. Made me laugh quite a bit that one.

[eastern wiseguy]

Saddler.........yes Tornado callsign Marhamxx.

[SADDLER]

Good man thanks,what was it doing, seemed to be up near the coast.

[jonnyc]

Eastern, do you guys get prior knowledge of these guys coming i.e. do they need to file a plan or is it just a hand-off call from Scots Mil that alerts you to their pending arriving?

[eastern wiseguy]

Jonnyc. A bit of both really. There will sometimes be a prior co ordination that an aircraft would like to do a "practice diversion" and that it will happen at xxxx time. Sometimes it is a freecall by the aircraft. There is nothing set in stone.In terms of fast jets though I have never seen a flight plan.

[BFS BHD]

Anyone no if Aegean Airlines is still doing Rhodes and if so when does it start?

[BFS BHD]

Just showed on the deps page on their website

A3 4485 Rhodes 22:15 :ok:

[jonnyc]

Thanks for clarification eastern.

[Mlinnie]

EZY A320 arriving from Barcelona ?

Is this the A320 based for the summer ?

[BFS BHD]

Yes it is :ok:

[FRatSTN]

OUCH! Wednesdays in January give a pretty shocking departures board!

Only 28 departures
Everything is EasyJet
Everything is UK domestic
And there's virtually no flights in daylight hours!

EZY254 06:15 London-Stansted
EZY832 06:35 London-Gatwick
EZY130 07:00 Manchester
EZY182 07:00 London-Luton
EZY191 07:10 Birmingham
EZY463 08:10 Glasgow-International
EZY481 08:15 Edinburgh
EZY548 08:20 Newcastle
EZY602 08:20 Liverpool
EZY844 08:40 Bristol
EZY834 10:30 London-Gatwick
EZY258 14:05 London-Stansted
EZY836 14:35 London-Gatwick
EZY608 15:40 Liverpool
EZY838 17:05 London-Gatwick
EZY612 17:15 Liverpool
EZY552 17:30 Newcastle
EZY195 17:35 Birmingham
EZY487 17:45 Edinburgh
EZY467 18:10 Glasgow-International
EZY266 18:20 London-Stansted
EZY614 19:50 Liverpool
EZY469 20:15 Glasgow-International
EZY138 20:25 Manchester
EZY720 20:55 London-Southend
EZY842 20:55 London-Gatwick
EZY186 21:00 London-Luton
EZY448 21:00 Bristol

[BFS BHD]

What does the busiest day look like?

[GAZMO]

Probably picked the worst day for flights
During winter period looking at the quietest month of January there are a number of International flights (none on Wednesday) when February kicks in then increase on some routes CDG, AMS etc

EZY to ALC three weekly
EZY to AMS four weekly
EZY to BCN twice weekly
EZY to FAO twice weekly
EZY to GVA five weekly
EZY to KRK three weekly
EZY to AGP three weekly
EZY to MLA twice weekly
EZY to CDG four weekly
LS to ACE twice weekly
LS to TFS twice weekly
UA to EWR four weekly
Plus TCX flights

[BFS BHD]

Also

LS to Lanzarote 2 weekly
LS to Salzburg 1 weekly

And for TCX

Lanzarote 2 weekly
Tenerife 2 or 3 weekly

----------------------

Final LBA-BFS tomorrow for Jet2 :(

[BHD2BFS]

with flybe desperate to cut costs and save money, could BFS management not poach flybe with a great offer
I really wonder sometimes what management do at that airport, they cant manage to keep the airlines they already have never mind attract new ones
easyjet really has the upper hand now to control what they pay in the line of fees
bye bye easyjet = bye bye BFS

[GAZMO]

I am surprised that BFS management to not try for the BE routes that do not overlap with EZY, SOU, EXE, ABZ,CWL, INV and since LBA finishes tomorrow that as well
It would certainly help BE finances

[mart901]

Apart from the possibility of lower landing fees I can't see any benefits whatsoever for flybe to chuck itself up against fierce low cost competition and loose all its spent years building up, high frequency and city airport appeal to business pax. They would probably be as well to abandon the Belfast market all together as do that. Even Ryanair is nowhere to be seen despite the rumours, that must say something.

[GAZMO]

Mart901
My comment was that BE should only move a couple on planes to BFS and serve the non competitive routes such as SOU, ABZ, EXE etc.
MAN, BHX, GLA, EDI and NCL should stay at BHD. I would agree it would be crazy to move their total operation, only those routes which there is no competition

[TSR2]

and serve the non competitive routes such as SOU, ABZ, EXE etc.

And there may be a very good reason why there is no competition on these routes.

[mart901]

I can't really see what value it would add to anything really. A split operation means increased costs, two lots of just about everything.... and a confusing message to the buying public. BE's Belfast operation is totally BHD driven, point to point high frequency, and in fairness most of its regional flights to the UK are growing, even MAN up against EZY is holding its own. Moving part of an operation into EZY territory is surely asking for a retaliation.

[GAZMO]

Assume a one off charter to Vagar this afternoon.

TCX is busy this afternoon with three departures.....the start of the school holidays

[eastern wiseguy]

Linfield playing up there?

[GAZMO]

Just noticed the EZY web.....early morning flight tomorrow to LGW for £5
Better get in quick. I remember a few ago same on the BHX route.....IT guys must be slacking

[GAZMO]

Still a few afternoon gaps on the Jet2 for S14

AM both BFS aircraft fully utilised

PM both BFS aircraft fully utilised on Sat and Sun, but only one aircraft utilised Mon to Fri

BKL normally serves BFS with their aircraft and JER still to come, but that leaves a few slots still free. Is it too muchz to hope for a few new routes?

[BFS BHD]

Won't be anywhere far as remember it has to do the EMA cargo flight around 7pm maybe EMA or Cardiff or maybe more BLK and Jersey flights served by BFS based.

[BFS BHD]

Is all the gaps filled for Thomas Cook yet?? :)

[Mlinnie]

With EI launching a year round DUB-YYZ service does this further jeopardise BFS' chances of reinstating a YYZ service ? Or maybe Air Transat would consider moving up to BFS ?

[SecondDog]

With EI launching a year round DUB-YYZ service does this further jeopardise BFS' chances of reinstating a YYZ service ? Or maybe Air Transat would consider moving up to BFS ?

It certainly doesn't look like there is anything imminent at BFS. Unless there is bias towards EI in DUB that might peeve off some of the other carriers, a move up the road seems unlikely.

[BFS BHD]

With other airports getting new routes from EZY will BFS see anything new? :confused:

[AIRPORT66]

I don't think you will until abertis is kicked out the door and hopefully that is not to far away.

[BFS BHD]

What new owners could buy BFS? BAA maybe? :confused:

[clareview]

Talk above of a Flybe split site operation between BHD and BFS is, to me, never going to happen - Flybe, in a previous guise as Jersey European tried it and it did not work (BA, Easyjet {Luton from BHD} and I think bmi also tried and gave up) - it does not make economic sense and is confusing for the passenger.

[BFS BHD]

Anyone no how the TCX Orlando flight done today PAX wise?

[SecondDog]

Anyone no how the TCX Orlando flight done today PAX wise?

Bound to be full, sure there is only what 4 of them all season?

[BFS BHD]

Looks like JER-BFS is dropped for LS. JER-LBA is on sale for 2014 but BFS isn't! :rolleyes:

[GAZMO]

Dropping JER.....very surprised as I have used this service at least twice each year at different times and the flights have normally been full

[BFS BHD]

Looks like Blackpool isn't running in 2014 as well! No UK routes from BFS for LS! :ugh:

[BFS BHD]

Airport reappoints air control company

BELFAST International Airport has reappointed NATS to provide air traffic control services at Aldergrove for the next five years.

More info: Airport Reappoints Air Control Company | Business | The Irish News (http://www.irishnews.com/business/airport-reappoints-air-control-company-1271373)

[GAZMO]

Anyone known about flight in from Verona today?

[panpanpanpan]

I love this bit of management speak - "We put in a bid that was in line with the airport's cost aspirations and which reduced our own costs, while achieving a commercial return,":yuk:

Translated as "The airport told us what they were prepared to pay so we had no choice but to cut our costs to the bone while still trying to cream some profit off the contract.":rolleyes:

It still begs the question, has the airport been paying way over the odds over the last contract duration? Why could costs not have been reduced previously? Why does airport management not do a Birmingham and do their own thing?

[El Bunto]

Re: air traffic control services

Why does airport management not do a Birmingham and do their own thing?A couple of reasons:

1. Controllers have historically been reluctant to transfer to posts in NI, so such staff usually have to be locally hired and trained ( instead of just putting out job ads to attract qualified applicants ). $$$. Look at the history of Ulster Radar for an example!

2. Aldergrove Radar has en route responsibility which under UK law can only be provided by NATS. So they would have some NATS staff on premises anyway, might as well give them terminal ATC too.

[j636]

June passenger numbers down 12.5%, one thing that stands out is that FAO lost approx. 10,000 passengers even though Jet2 came on the route. BHD figures not up yet.

[BFS BHD]

Thomson Airways to Reus is back down to 1 weekly for 2014 :(

[GAZMO]

LS have been operating FAO for two years with their Saturday flight.
The 10,000 drop probably due to EI move to BHD. Will be interesting to see BHD figures in a few days and maybe somebody could work LF
On positive note EWR appears to be doing well
Shame about TOM going to one weekly to Reus, but at least LS are going twice weekly from next year

[BFS BHD]

Cologne showing on Jet2s website for BFS but no times added yet! :eek:

[BFS BHD]

Now added think one off flight in December

LS4054 Dep: Arr:

16:15 17:10

[BFS BHD]

Now changed to November :confused: :

LS4053 Dep: Arr:

07:30 10:30

[CARNMANORLAD]

Stupid timings! Who wants to go to Cologne on a Saturday and return the following day? Would a Friday dep not be more suitable? A few hours to look at all the Xmas markets isn't enough. Also £171 return, I'll give it a miss thanks!

[GAZMO]

They seem to have the same cologne flights from NCL and GLA.

Would agree a weekend would be better than just overnight.........

[shoe shine]

Good news for Aldergrove this morning, new owners!

[ILS25]

God bless america !

[IrishFlyer2013]

Great news! :D

Abertis have sold BFS to ADC & HAS Airports world wide.

Airport Development, Operations, Management | ADC & HAS (http://www.adchas.com/)

[eastern wiseguy]

Very positive news. Good luck to all concerned. This WILL be the start of something big.

Go get 'em!!:ok::ok:

[BFS101]

From bbc BBC News - American firm to buy Belfast International Airport (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23406276)

[BFS BHD]

BFS now confirmed it as well:

Airport sale agreed - Belfast International Airport (http://www.belfastairport.com/en/news/1/266/airport-sale-agreed.html)

[BFS BHD]

Not sure how true this is but this is on BFS wiki site:

It has been announced by Belfast International Airport senior staff that the airport is in talks with many major airlines to start long haul routes. As of 2013, the only scheduled long haul destination is New York Newark, flown by United Airlines. The airport hopes to add flights to Toronto, hopefully by 2014, operated by either Air Canada or Air Transat, however Air Canada is the preferred airline of choice. Also, Etihad Airlines is planning on opening a route from it's Abu Dhabi base, however it is believed that Boeing 787-9 aircraft will be used, which will not be delivered to the carrier until 2015. Austrian Airlines is also believed to be planning on starting seasonal flights between Belfast and Vienna: the airline currently flies from Belfast to Innsbruck, and flies inbound charter flights from Vienna. belfast International Airport is also in talks with Lufthansa Group and Air Berlin, to begin operating flights to Germany: currently only inbound charter flights operated by Denim Air connect Belfast with Germany. In addition to this, Air China is believed to be planning to fly from Beijing to Belfast, as many Chinese businesses have been investing heavily in Northern Ireland in recent years, and is Northern Ireland has become a tourist hotspot. It has also been announced that if all of these routes come into operation, Belfast International could become a Star Alliance "Mini Hub", whereby passengers could fly between New York and Vienna, for example, via Belfast. A Star Alliance Lounge could also be constructed for passenger comfort, however this, according to Belfast International Airport, is unlikely.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belfast_International_Airport

[LAX_LHR]

however this, according to Belfast International Airport, is unlikely


Id say that statement just about sums up the entire paragraph......

[NWSRG]

Hopefully this is good news...they must see a future in BFS if they are prepared to invest in it. And being a US company, they will naturally consider strengthening links across the Atlantic. BFS has had a sense of a bit of a ghost town at times for a while now...hopefully the new owners will inject some new ideas. YYZ would certainly be viable as a once or twice weekly. Not sure about a Chinese or Middle Eastern route, but who knows...a few more European links would be nice. LH to anywhere in Germany would be a good start.

[BHD2BFS]

it looks like the other 3 airports this new company own have all had new terminals and large investments in the past few years, hopefully BFS will get this new treatment and get a new modern terminal

[LTNman]

Hopefully this is good news...they must see a future in BFS if they are prepared to invest in it

They have bought a portfolio of airports. BFS will have to fight for new funding as the new money could go elsewhere.

[SecondDog]

They have bought a portfolio of airports. BFS will have to fight for new funding as the new money could go elsewhere.

Well, 2 Airports plus the American operator's contracts (Luton obviously will have to suffer the Abertis money drain for a while longer)

BFS becomes probably the biggest airport in the group so hopefully any funding will be ploughed in there first, they really do need a new terminal!

[carsonEGAD]

It has been announced by Belfast International Airport senior staff that the airport is in talks with many major airlines to start long haul routes. As of 2013, the only scheduled long haul destination is New York Newark, flown by United Airlines. The airport hopes to add flights to Toronto, hopefully by 2014, operated by either Air Canada or Air Transat, however Air Canada is the preferred airline of choice. Also, Etihad Airlines is planning on opening a route from it's Abu Dhabi base, however it is believed that Boeing 787-9 aircraft will be used, which will not be delivered to the carrier until 2015. Austrian Airlines is also believed to be planning on starting seasonal flights between Belfast and Vienna: the airline currently flies from Belfast to Innsbruck, and flies inbound charter flights from Vienna. belfast International Airport is also in talks with Lufthansa Group and Air Berlin, to begin operating flights to Germany: currently only inbound charter flights operated by Denim Air connect Belfast with Germany. In addition to this, Air China is believed to be planning to fly from Beijing to Belfast, as many Chinese businesses have been investing heavily in Northern Ireland in recent years, and is Northern Ireland has become a tourist hotspot. It has also been announced that if all of these routes come into operation, Belfast International could become a Star Alliance "Mini Hub", whereby passengers could fly between New York and Vienna, for example, via Belfast. A Star Alliance Lounge could also be constructed for passenger comfort, however this, according to Belfast International Airport, is unlikely.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belfas...tional_Airport

I don't see that at all on the Wiki page, are you sure it wasn't someone that edited it and decided to fool you and you saw it before the "Wiki" people deleted it?:p

[SecondDog]

I don't see that at all on the Wiki page, are you sure it wasn't someone that edited it and decided to fool you and you saw it before the "Wiki" people deleted it?http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Surely noone would do such a thing on such a reliable information source as wikipedia ??:eek:

I think the big clue was when they said that AirCanada was a preferred operator of a Totonto flight (like they'd turn anyone away at this point)

[BFS BHD]

Yes its now off wiki some people are wasting their time editing the site for stupid things like that!! :rolleyes:

[El Bunto]

Perhaps if people stopped quoting 'Wikipedia says...' then others would have less motivation to edit it maliciously.

Anyway, back to Belfast. I'm considering writing to a couple of airports ( Aldergrove and Bristol ) about the absence of drinking water on the airside of security. I appreciate that the shops sell bottled water at a nice mark-up, but when those close in the evening there is no potable water available.

Any insights as to regulations that would be pertinent? Surely confining pax to a restricted area without such a provision is at a minimum a health issue.

Dublin, to their credit, provide water fountains.

[BFS101]

Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993, a supply of potable drinking water must be made available to all employees of a business. However as health and safety legislation is very much geared towards the employer / employee relationship, it does not extend to customers.

Not sure that there would be any statutory duty on the airport to provide free potable water, but simply more a customer service issue.

[BFS BHD]

Does ADC & HAS take over straight away or is there a date for take over? :confused:

Thanks

[Fairdealfrank]

Quote: "Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993, a supply of potable drinking water must be made available to all employees of a business. However as health and safety legislation is very much geared towards the employer / employee relationship, it does not extend to customers.

Not sure that there would be any statutory duty on the airport to provide free potable water, but simply more a customer service issue."

AFAIK, and correct me if this wrong, there is a "duty of care" in health and safety legislation. Employers have a "duty of care" to employees and customers/visitors and employees have a "duty of care" to each other and also to customers/visitors.

Whether or not this includes a supply of drinking water, who knows, but as you say it's a general customer service issue.

[SecondDog]

Anyway, back to Belfast. I'm considering writing to a couple of airports ( Aldergrove and Bristol ) about the absence of drinking water on the airside of security. I appreciate that the shops sell bottled water at a nice mark-up, but when those close in the evening there is no potable water available.

Any insights as to regulations that would be pertinent? Surely confining pax to a restricted area without such a provision is at a minimum a health issue.

Dublin, to their credit, provide water fountains.

Are you talking about passengers or for staff?

Surely in the case of passengers, some planning occurs so that when the airside retail closes at night, there should be no passengers left requiring water?

For staff, is there not a potable water source in their rest rooms etc?

[ILS25]

Now that you have said that I'm sure it won't be long that 'Vending Fountains' appear at BFS.

£1.00 to drop off passengers, £1.00 for a smoke (which I do agree with), and now £1.00 for a 5 second shot of water pumped straight from Lough Neagh.

[SecondDog]

and now £1.00 for a 5 second shot of water pumped straight from Lough Neagh.

Lets hope noone from Business Development sees this.....:ugh:

Totally agree with the smoking charge mind you, bogging habit.

[ILS25]

Was having a look through the airports facebook page and they had posted a picture of Bruce Springsteen there last week.

Someone commented "hope he didn't use the toilets in the baggage hall they were around before his first album came out"

Say's it all really and it did make me laugh.

[Another_Dude]

Any info on the cyprus airways flight today? Is it operating for olympic holidays or is it for the far side

[IrishFlyer2013]

It's for Olympic Holidays. There operating BFS-LCA instead of Small Planet Airlines.

[BFS BHD]

IrishFlyer2013,

Do you no what Thomson will base at BFS in 2014?

Sunwing B738 Or Thomson B738? Or bigger which i don't see coming. :)

[IrishFlyer2013]

IrishFlyer2013,

Do you no what Thomson will base at BFS in 2014?

Sunwing B738 Or Thomson B738? Or bigger which i don't see coming.

I would say a Sunwing 738. That's what TOM have based in BFS since the Summer 2011 season. It would be nice to see there own metal in BFS and DUB for that matter.

I'm sure we will know for definite closer to the time.

[BFS BHD]

Thanks mate

[AIRPORT66]

Thomsons own B737-800 is based at Bfs.

[BFS BHD]

Belfast International Airport is delighted to confirm that the Avro Vulcan XH558 aircraft will be available for limited public viewing on Sunday 11th August at Belfast International Airport.

The iconic Avro Vulcan XH558 which will be one of the star attractions at the 2013 Newcastle Festival of Flight will overnight at the airport after swooping in to delight the crowds on Saturday 10 August.

Belfast International Airport is offering 200 lucky members of the public a once in a lifetime chance to get up close and personal with this amazing aircraft. The Vulcan To The Sky Trust will be on site at the airport and are offering a series of 20 minute tours which will include a short safety briefing, a history presentation about the aircraft type and the XH558 herself and then some time under the wings to look up close and take photographs.

More info: Vulcan XH558 on display at Belfast International Airport - Belfast International Airport (http://www.belfastairport.com/en/news/8/267/vulcan-xh558-on-display-at-belfast-international-airport.html)

[SecondDog]

Vulcan XH558 on display at Belfast International Airport
Belfast International Airport is delighted to confirm that the Avro Vulcan XH558 aircraft will be available for limited public viewing on Sunday 11th August at Belfast International Airport.

The iconic Avro Vulcan XH558 which will be one of the star attractions at the 2013 Newcastle Festival of Flight will overnight at the airport after swooping in to delight the crowds on Saturday 10 August.

Belfast International Airport is offering 200 lucky members of the public a once in a lifetime chance to get up close and personal with this amazing aircraft. The Vulcan To The Sky Trust will be on site at the airport and are offering a series of 20 minute tours which will include a short safety briefing, a history presentation about the aircraft type and the XH558 herself and then some time under the wings to look up close and take photographs.

This must be happening on the AAC Base? It just doesn't seem possible that the draconian security management would authorise this on the civil side...

[eastern wiseguy]

No.....it is BIAL not on the south side of the airfield.

[jonnyc]

Anyone know if the Vulcan will arrive at BFS before displaying at Newcastle - perhaps on the Friday afternoon/evening?

Also, is there an actual display at Aldergrove on the sunday before it departs?

[Tower Ranger]

@Eastern, shouldn't you be changing your name to "Western Wiseguy" now that you're riding off into the sunset?

[eastern wiseguy]

Not gone yet.......just retired and still in the area. I will let you know when I leave.......are you around for for my leaving do?

[Tower Ranger]

Wish I was, only had four days back in the North before heading back to the land of sand, will try to catch up before you head off!
(apologies for the thread drift folks)

[GAZMO]

Notice an LS flight in from LBA tonight and returning to LBA 30 mins later. Anyone know the reason for this flight?

[Belboy]

Does anyone know how much of the sale price is being attributed to Belfast?

[Aaron9890]

Haven't been on this forum for a while but i just noticed on the BFS wikipedia page (which i know isn't reliable whatsoever) that Thomas Cook are starting flights to Orlando International next year. Is this true?? If so, maybe it's the start of these long haul routes we were promised...

[canberra97]

Aaaron

If you look back a few pages this has already been discussed.

The information is there and I think it was posted about two months ago, if you search those pages I am sure you will find the posts regarding the TCX Orlando flights but I beleive it is a one off flight but I stand corrected on that without having to troll back myself.

[BFS101]

Appears to be just two departures to Orlando, 1st and 8th July 2014, now using McCoy.

[AirGuru]

McCoy ?

Also CWL has experienced this, we have a one-off on the 9th April (circa to MCO), and CWL-SFB is showing as a destination in the back of the TCX Summer 2014 brochure, but not bookable on the website for the Summer.

[BFS101]

McCoy ?
Yes TCX are going to use McCoy (MCO) rather than Sanford.

[AirGuru]

Correct, but in the brochure for both CWL and BFS, it shows as SFB. I have been in contact with TCX and apparently they are to run throughout the Summer, weekly, just have not yet been released. Released by the end of October.

[BFS101]

Would be excellent if that comes off...

Shocked that they will wait until the end of October to release these seats missing out on early bookers, if they are basically ready to roll. Especially as many of these bookings could be worth £1000's in commission when you take in car hire, park tickets etc.

Nevertheless good news.

[AirGuru]

Exactly, thats what i was thinking. Missing out unnecessarily on 2 months of bookings is indeed quite a lot of time, and the same mistake that MON made last year here at CWL offering their fortnightly flights.

Yes, apparently should be released by the end of October though. If you look on the thomas cook website they have a new weird search engine, put in your destination as 'Florida' then the list of departure airports is shown, excluding the one-off charters. The CWL one off charter is on a Thursday, so for the brochure to show a Saturday departure is quite interesting for next Summer. We'll have to wait and find out, hopefully TCX comes to their senses and announce it sooner rather than later !

[SecondDog]

Correct, but in the brochure for both CWL and BFS, it shows as SFB. I have been in contact with TCX and apparently they are to run throughout the Summer, weekly, just have not yet been released. Released by the end of October.

Do you mean weekly from CWL or BFS or both?

Would be excellent if that comes off...

Shocked that they will wait until the end of October to release these seats missing out on early bookers, if they are basically ready to roll. Especially as many of these bookings could be worth £1000's in commission when you take in car hire, park tickets etc.

They might be hedging their bets to see if the new owners offer anything to them? The florida flights will be full regardless (hence the dismay over the last few years that there have only been one or two flights a year to SFB despite the fact they could fill a weekly flight for the summer from BFS without much trouble)

I hope there is an expansion of this route next year but I'll wait and see.....

[AirGuru]

Weekly from both airports, CWL and BFS.

[BFS101]

I wonder, should TCX launch weekly MCO flights, would this have a notable affect on UA's numbers. I wonder how many passengers use UA as a alternative to a direct Belfast flight??

Off the subject, I came across old holiday brouchers in my attic, and came across dedicated Falcon Holidays brochures featuring Florida / Dominican Republic / Mexico from Belfast. And that Cheiftain Holidays had a dedicated Barbados brochure from Belfast, using Monarch 757's. Also amazing to see the capacity BFS had to Canada and Florida in the early 2000's. Airtours in particular highlighting the Orlando flight in their programme that was operated by a leased 747 season long, the flight originating in MAN.

[Aaron9890]

On another note... what would everyone thoughts be if Ryainair did in fact start operations at BFS?? It would certainly be beneficial to us customers but would they scare Easyjet off or do you think it would create some good competition? I would like to see Ryanair start up at BFS if i am honest with you....

[carsonEGAD]

I'd rather see some 'full fare' carriers such as LH, AF and LX than Ryanair start operations from BFS but I can only dream on...

[CCR]

Would like to see Ryanair start up in BFS too.
Think it wouldn`t impact Derry too greatly. The distance between Derry and Belfast International airports is a similar distance between Ryanair`s 2 bases in Munster. Ryanair operate 10 routes out of Shannon and 24 out of Cork so there is room for Ryanair to have a 2nd base in the north.
Think Easyjet would hold their ground in BFS too.
Ryanair and Easyjet both operate out of Gatwick, Standsted and Luton and fly to largely different destinations.
That said the only room Ryanair have for expansion is in their winter schedule until their next order of jets starts to be added to the fleet from Sept 2014.

[garybell]

Those were the days !!
Remember going to Florida with Bluebird Express on an American Trans Air Tristar (I think). Flew from Belfast to Dublin. Dublin to Kelflavik. Kelflavik to Bangor and Bangor to Orlando.
Some passengers from Dublin had driven to Belfast Airport and boarded.
Some passengers from Belfast had driven to Dublin Airport and boarded.
What a shambles.
Also went to Florida with Rich International Airlines on a Tristar and Leisure Uk on a brand spanking new 767. (Many years ago)
More recently went with Thos Cook on a 330 that had all the toilets except Premier downstairs. Never seen that before.