BIRMINGHAM - 6 [Archive] - Page 11

OltonPete

20th Oct 2014, 18:52

US Airways PHL

May 2009..... 3449 pax...28 flights....123 per flight...load factor....70%
June 2009.... 5622 pax...42 flights....134 perflight....load factor....76%
July 2009 .....5679 pax...44 flights....129 per flight...load factor....73%
August 2009. 7181 pax...46 flights....156 per flight...load factor....89%
September.. 5599 pax...41 flights....137 per flight...load factor... 78%

Source: CAA for the monthly pax and punctuality stats & config from planespotters.net - I assume one tech outbound flight in September.

I think they speak for themselves why it never returned although as chinapattern stated it was 2009 and although at the time most including me cheered it was not the brightest decision in hindsight, especially after about three years of will they won't they.

I actually looked to use it and fares were not bargain basement in economy but I have to say I didn't look too much at business fares.

CLT in my opinion is a non-starter.

It has to be JFK or ORD, daily and summer only to start. Note, the first month PHL started EWR was down 12%!

insuindi

Just can't see Hamburg lasting beyond the CR9's unless they can make a three or four a week on the A319 pay.

crewmeal

Re Mahan, a good result really with mainly transfer traffic as the target it will help Turkmenistan to continue with ASB having only just recovered from Air India starting. Were they ever looking at BHX or was it Honiley :ooh:

Lufthansa

LH956/7 next summer is showing as an A321 and despite the fact it is often an A321 it usually defaults to the A320 for anything more than a few months in advance.

Brussels Airlines

flybe still operating in November per the SN website - I assume the contact has been extended?

Pete

VickersVicount

20th Oct 2014, 20:17

The US/AA UK market is to be rationalised not expanded due to planned international 757 withdrawals. Would be surprised if a new station is opened. If A330s are going anywhere in the UK I don't think BHX will be first. I dont expect the current untidy Scottish 757 arrangement to last beyond next summer either in its current form.

EI-A330-300

20th Oct 2014, 21:37

100% will not be an Airbus service and both are withdrawing 762/3s gradually so 752 is most likely even if restricted. It really just depends on their motives for coming back to BHX and who is pulling the strings.

insuindi

22nd Oct 2014, 08:16

FlyBE Summer 2015 appears to be loaded (whether fully or not remains to be seen)
An initial glance at some destinations as it stands...
MXP 14/7
STR 12/7
HAJ 7/7 !
HAM 7/7
TXL 6/7 ! [in fact, frequency increase by adding a Wednesday flight appears effective from December '14 with Christmas break]
FLR 0/7 !
OPO 4/7
CGN 0/7 !
OSL 7/7
KEF 0/7 !

getonittt

22nd Oct 2014, 09:42

Also loaded Knock (5PW) Waterford (4PW) BOD (4PW) TLS (4PW)
The latter was one of the star performers this summer and at one time was showing as going daily for S15.

Cloud1

22nd Oct 2014, 12:34

Can someone just explain those frequencies

0/7 means what exactly?

simoncorbett

22nd Oct 2014, 13:30

cloud 1

number of days the service operates in a week

chinapattern

22nd Oct 2014, 17:31

Hopefully it's still a work in progress, I want to fly Birmingham-Florence next year!

GayFriendly

22nd Oct 2014, 17:37

Hopefully a work in progress, nice to see NQY back! I would be surprised to see FLR dropped as it was extended into the winter season. Loads seem to have been good and when I looked at flying there first week of Sept fares were literally sky high. No mention either of ALC, IBZ, PMI yet either. Am not surprised though about CGN (loads have been nothing to shout about) or KEF with Icelandair arriving on the route from Feb. Shame there are no new routes from BE for S15, lets hope there will be as no one else appears to have anything new for the BHX departure boards.....

insuindi

22nd Oct 2014, 21:23

received the FlyBE newsletter this evening:

"Summer 2015 flights now available!"

SUMMER 2015 HAS LANDED!

Summer 2015 flights are now available to book for travel up to the 3rd September! Fly from Birmingham to a range of destinations across the UK and Europe, including Oslo, Hamburg, Berlin and Perpignan.

Whether it's a city trip with friends over Easter or a family getaway during the half term or summer holidays, we've got it covered. Book now and get ready to take your seat!

With love from Flybe.

SUMMER 2015 FLIGHTS FROM BIRMINGHAM

Belfast
Paris CDG
Düsseldorf
Edinburgh
Bergerac
Guernsey
Glasgow
Hannover
Hamburg
Inverness
Isle of Man
Jersey
La Rochelle
Lyon
Milan
Knock Ireland West
Newquay
Porto
Oslo
Perpignan
Stuttgart
Toulouse
Berlin
Waterford
Aberdeen
Amsterdam
Avignon
"

That would confirm the lack of CGN and FLR.

cornishsimon

22nd Oct 2014, 21:31

Looking at the NQY-BHX numbers I just wonder how close Flybe were to running the route into Winter 14/15 !

Then again, I also wonder how close it was to the route going double daily on some days for Summer 15 considering peak days in Summer 14 were sold out

cs

OltonPete

22nd Oct 2014, 22:24

cornishsimon

I would say very close, as they were loaded for a brief period alas no times, fares or frequencies but the winter months for Newquay were there compared to the standard message for Alicante, Palma etc of the flight only operates until 25 October. It might just have been a glitch but I doubt it.

chinapattern & insuindi

Florence was always the tricky one as they have not got an aircraft to operate the route for 12 months. The 175 was awful once the temperatures increased in Florence. I used the service in April and with 85 pax and temps in the mid 20's it took off an hour late put down to a missing tow-bar - not broke just missing. I am now wondering if there were payload issues, as the climb-out reminded me of a Delta 727 I took out of Tuscon in temperatures of 100F. To be fair we seemed to have a fair bit of runway left when the wheels left the ground in was just a low and slow climb.

Cologne has definitely been the sluggish one of all the new routes and this is not a surprise if it is to end.

The schedule is far from complete with nine 175's required at night but only seven in the morning. There is at least one or two day-time gaps as well.

Some interesting ones - Jersey up to three daily in the week and the 175 on Waterford. Now it did well but a jet and I surprised nobody from across the water has not picked up on that. I only checked one week in June but the seat-map is definitely a 175.

Amsterdam remains 4 daily on the 175.

I thought Florence might just change into Pisa - the bus is a bit long but reasonably priced to Florence centre.

I also assume they have resigned with Brussels Airlines as summer 2015 in GDS is showing BHX-BRU operated by flybe.

Pete

j636

22nd Oct 2014, 22:43

and the 175 on Waterford. Now it did well but a jet and I surprised nobody from across the water has not picked up on that. I only checked one week in June but the seat-map is definitely a 175.

Not taking a winter break either, was off sale but back again.

78Whiskey

22nd Oct 2014, 23:12

Great news.

WAT-BHX E175 seems to be starting Sunday 29th March.

simoncorbett

23rd Oct 2014, 07:59

Also not on list but Bordeaux is loaded - no flights for winter 14/15 -i'm sure that has changed recently ?
from March 2015 returns on sat sun mon & wed according to web site
Simon

insuindi

23rd Oct 2014, 08:42

Bordeaux 4/7 still feastures in the timetable section of the website for winter, so yes, a very recent removal of the winter service (same happened to the new SOU-HAM route, which has been postponed to summer 2015 - and was due to start within a week!)

chinapattern

23rd Oct 2014, 12:09

I thought Florence might just change into Pisa - the bus is a bit long but reasonably priced to Florence centre.

There is also a train which runs directly from Pisa Airport to Florence which is quite handy as it means you don't have to change at Pisa Centrale.

111KAB

23rd Oct 2014, 12:21

Post deleted as a rehash of previous reports!

nigel osborne

23rd Oct 2014, 16:31

111KAB ,

Unfortunately this article is just another rehash of what has been repeatedly covered by the media and stated by Mr K numerous times already.:hmm:

Lets hope there is some actual significant news from the airport on new routes very soon.

Nigel

OltonPete

23rd Oct 2014, 18:16

Source: CAA for the passenger figures with libhomeradar and a BHX bl*g helping for the average per flight.

Most are pretty good with one of the best Istanbul figures although Air India dipped again. PIA due to the lack of flights recorded a 93% load factor and Emirates was up.

The core business routes in the main did well but Paris suffered 33 cancelled flights! Note Amsterdam not far of 50000 with Emirates third best with Dublin first nearly 60000 pax.

Cologne actually improved and on the whole flybe did well.

2013 in brackets

Brussels........12787 (10605).....53 per flight..66% load factor (more Q400's)
Dubrovnik.......4603 (3280).... 177 pax........88%
Split..............3118 (3034).....130 pax........75%
Larnaca..........8021 (7945).....191 pax........89%
Paphos.......... 2984 (4254).....187 pax........87%
Copenhagen... 9988 (6761).......97 pax........76%
Avignon...........110 ( 82).........55 pax.........71%
Bergerac...........85 (nil)...........43 pax........48%
Bordeaux.........2396(1138).......70 pax....... 82%
Brest..............145 (nil)............36 pax........47%
La Rochelle......186 (242)..........47 pax........53%
Lyons.............3839 (3586).......74 pax........84%
Nice...............5718 (6670)......130 pax.......70%
Paris CDG......25108 (31692)......93 pax........85%
Perpignan............0 (2326)...........pax...........%
Toulouse.........3360 (1085)......65 pax.........81%
Berlin TXL.........nil.. (5074)......... pax...........%
Cologne..........3097 (nil)......... 52 pax.........65%
Dusseldorf.....19310 (18083)... .60 pax.........66%
Frankfurt.......29536 (26616).. 125 pax.........79%
Hamburg.........2677 (2949)... ..53 pax.........60%
Hanover..........5883 (4119)... ..64 pax.........71%
Munich..........15877 (15218).. .97 pax.........79%
Stuttgart........6628 (4494).... .64 pax.........73%
Gibraltar..........3542 (3440))....136 pax.........78%
Athens............1590 (nil).......133 pax.........79%
Heraklion.........3373 (2821)....187 pax.........88%
Cork...............5942 (6367)......50 pax.........69%
Knock.............2614 (***)......44 pax.........56%
Dublin............58170 (46434)..121 pax.........76%
Shannon..........3976 (2745).....33 pax.........69%
Waterford........1887 (2036).....56 pax.........71%
Bergamo............nil (3725)
Florence..........3646 (nil)........73 pax.........75%
Milan MXP........8756 (5243).....73 pax........83%
Rome FCO........9951 (9729)....172 pax........82%
Trieste.............2235 (2147)...140 pax.......74%
Venice.............5541 (5424)...163 pax........76%
Malta..............3281 (3220)...??? pax.........??% A few KM pax included I believe
Amsterdam.....4860 (40529)....100 pax........87%
Faro............. 20569 (19607)..187 pax........92%
Oporto...........2475 (nil)..........73 pax........83%
Funchel..........3277 (2866)..incorrect split shown between schedule & IT
Alicante........332473 (29455)..,148 pax........89%
Almeria...........4559 (3473)....175 pax.........93%
Barcelona.......18303 (15378)..166 pax........91%
Girona...............nil (2478)
Ibiza.............12560 (13425)...141 pax.......87%
Mahon...........5627(6235)......166 pax.......85%
Malaga..........25576 (29555)...183 pax........92%
Murcia...........6436 (5669).....179 pax........95%
Palma...........25097 (24710)...157 pax........88%
Reus..............2555 (3681).....160 pax...... 84%
Arrecife........13391 (11379) incorrect split shown between schedule & IT
Fuerteventura 8001 (6674) incorrect split shown between schedule & IT
Las Palmas.....7620 (7693)...173 pax..........89%
Tenerife........19886 (15699) incorrect split shown between schedule & IT
Gothenburg....1356 (1305).....26 pax.........55%
Arlanda...........nil... (1171)...
Reykjavik........305 (o)..........44 pax.........50%
Zurich...........9435 (8769).....79 pax.........79%
Bodrum.........4550 (3389)....175 pax.........82%
Dalaman........9896(10326)...165 pax.........81%
Istanbul......11066 (10679)...129 pax.........82%
Kaunas.........2593 (2836)....162 pax.........86%
Bydgoscz......4605 (4001)....177 pax.........94%
Gdansk.........3074 (2582)....181 pax.........96%
Katowice......3252 (4224).....181 pax........96%
Krakow.........2844 (3013)....178 pax.........94%
Rzesnow......nil (3139)............
Bratislava.....4690 (4100).....175 pax.........93%
Hurghada......1371 (0).........180 pax.........80%
Sharm.........4075 (4408).....,163pax.........76%
Ashkhabad....4905 (3244)....144 pax.........76%
Dubai..........46033 (45085)...384 pax........90%
Delhi...........3130 (6327)
Amritsar.......3147 (nil)........176 pax..........69%
Islamabad....6228 (6869)......346 pax.........93%
Toronto.......1946 (1887)......243 pax.........91%
Newark........9033 (8967)....151 pax...........89%

Pete

ATNotts

24th Oct 2014, 09:47

Looking at Pete's excellent statistical report a couple of things come to mind.

CGN's load factor isn't that much worse than HAJ - obviously yield is everything, but looking solely at the passenger numbers viability must be close run thing on CGN.

KEF was pretty bad, and it suggests that if Icelandair are to make anything of the route they are going to be relying really heavily on transatlantic connecting traffic, rather than point to point. Hopefully the American and Midlands business and leisure travelers will sign up to the idea of hubbing in Iceland.

CPH loads are pretty amazing, and suggests that their may be scope for a competing carrier on this route (Flybe perhaps)

Thinking of the FlyBe 2015 first release, we have to remember it is just that - a first release. Thinking back 12 months, the network for summer 2014 was much greater when it actually started than was suggested last autumn so it's not time for gloom and doom just yet!

SNNUS

24th Oct 2014, 11:31

AA BHX-JFK S15

Skipness One Echo

24th Oct 2014, 13:04

AA BHX-JFK S15
#nottwitter

*write more words*
Seems odd to be going into markets that need a B757, an airliner they're retiring at speed.

bazzab68

24th Oct 2014, 13:58

The word on the street is JFK daily 757. Possible be seasonal to start but we shall see.
If it comes off will certainly help silence bhx doubters, although still no real need for the extension as of yet...

Barry

nigel osborne

24th Oct 2014, 14:11

Would have preferred seasonal Chicago but at least it opes up One World for BHX.

Lets hope United stay around to NY too.

Naigel

davebham

24th Oct 2014, 18:27

Re One World - good point. Flew to LAX from LHR for a USA holiday this summer, then went LAX to BOS on AA and then BOS to LHR. Picked up a fair few Avios points but have resolutely told myself that is the last time I'm doing a USA holiday via Heathrow - but that means giving up the chance to accrue points.
So AA would be most welcome news for BHX.

If AA can hurry up and confirm, I can use them for next years holiday instead of United. Surely they wouldn't leave it too much later than now, as people start to book for next summer.

OltonPete

25th Oct 2014, 18:30

Still some highlights even if as we have got closer things have deteriorated.

The good - Three new flybe routes tomorrow but none first-timers- Berlin, Oslo and Hamburg. The latter seems to full outbound per the booking engine.

Oslo I assume is not selling as well as daily has recently changed to Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Like the removal of BOD this passed me by until today like another shocker l will mention later.

Ryanair Londonderry is to end on 18 November a tad early and I wonder now that flybe had a couple of gaps they can be persuaded to plug the hole?

Ryanair three based aircraft are very quiet and one does not depart until 10am each day.

The other shocker is United from 6 a week to 5 in January with Wednesday reinstated and Tuesday and Thursday removed (Westbound). To follow this is goes four a week for February without a flight for three days as Wednesday is removed as well.

Icelandair start Reykjavik on 5th Feb!

Paris sees the flybe 195 return and an Air France A320 on the morning service up from an A319.

Amsterdam should go all jet in the week and four a day by flybe making up for the loss of KL1423/3 mid morning. KLM do increase capacity on the first inbound to BHX to a 738.

Aer Lingus have increased Shannon from last winter to double daily and mainly AT72's plus added an A320 Dublin service on Thursday and Friday evening doubling up with EI276. The daily Stobart AT72 stays as well mid morning.

Extra frequencies from Monarch to Alicante, Hurghada and Las Palmas will help although Rome briefly stops in the New Year and Larnaca goes weekly for 4 weeks.

PIA are supposed to return to three a week but no sign of Air India going daily as yet.

IT looks okay with just one Thomson Las Palmas cancelled until Feb and Thomas Cook dropping a few seats when the A321 arrives in December but with what looks like two Freebird and the Thomson 787 here 6 days a week from Christmas it should be a reasonable winter other than the fact the runway is closed most nights due continued resurfacing.

Pete

groundhogbhx

26th Oct 2014, 22:57

Guest 112233

27th Oct 2014, 06:14

As usual. Olton Pete's post is highly informative. Air India daily, all PR puff and nonsense. I suspect from a reputational point of view that within in the industry, the PR comming from this Airport Company may be doing it no favours - look at the miserable list of failures - Air Blue ?

Much more importantly; the cuts to EWR services in the winter are probably more damaging and this does not only apply to BHX. "You cannot fly from here to there today and yes we have no Banana's " must be a big disencentive to the high fare paying commercial passenger.

As for patterns of Travel to North America long term - That's one for the experts.

The figures suggest there's a thriving demand for the established shot/medium haul from the place + Dubai - A bit like say Glasgow a post industrial Victorian city. But in perspective look at the passenger growth from Bristol (CDG being a bit of blot !). A conerbation 1/3 of the size of Brum (with a geographiclly larger/ more prosperous catchmemt) handeling something like 60 % of Birmingham's passenger throughput with short runway.

Perhaps the operating Co should be happy to broaden the medium haul destination base and do not forget Luton down the M1. A facility less limited now by its shorter runway, with the comming of the New Boeings and Airbus Aircraft.

ATNotts

27th Oct 2014, 08:38

A conerbation 1/3 of the size of Brum (with a geographiclly larger/ more prosperous catchmemt)

I believe that in fact Bristol is a more affluent city than Birmingham by some measures, though the apauling road infrastructure, and lack of decent rail connection to the airport ought to be a disadvantage.

OltonPete

29th Oct 2014, 19:41

BBC News - RAF jets intercept Latvian cargo plane over Kent (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29823148)

One delayed cargo flight - oh dear!

All the talk on the radio on the way home was the loud bang over Kent....now we know.

flybe

Wednesday Berlin on the Dash 8 added for a couple dates in December and then weekly until the end of the winter season. Hopefully just a gap-filler for the aircraft but an increase as Wednesday was never in the winter schedule.

United

Back to daily....well for one week only for the school holidays. I think they have done this for the last couple of years

BMI Regional

E145 back on the Gothenburg the last couple of nights.

Pete

JennyB

30th Oct 2014, 01:06

Why is there this constant whining about the runway closure? It has been going on for as long as I can remember, and I started there 29 years ago! It happens every winter and will continue happening every winter so get used to it!

I hope it doesn't continue happening for half the year, every year.

Before it was for three weeks, Mon-Thu, a touch different to the balls up that there is now.

splash&dash

30th Oct 2014, 17:04

Winter runway closures 2014/5.
Airfield repair works traditionally happens every year during November night time periods. This is mainly the quietest time.
The extended closure period this winter is to finish the runway resurfacing works which should have been completed last winter but ran out of time due numerous reasons. There is still roughly a quarter of the northern part of the runway to be resurfaced / re-profiled, new LED lights in this area to be installed (hence runway 15 CAT1) and landscape / snagging work to be completed from last winters works. Yes, it is an inconvenience but the runway resurfacing project needs to be completed asap. Hopefully this winter night closures will be the last lengthy works and will then revert back to usual November night closures from then on for just random repairs / upgrades. Lets hope the weather is favourable this winter too.

bazzab68

1st Nov 2014, 10:34

All

Daily from 5th may. Seasonal only.

Great news!

Barry

LAX_LHR

1st Nov 2014, 11:01

Aa130 jfk1900 – 0710+1bhx 757 d
aa131 bhx1000 – 1255jfk 757 d

davebham

1st Nov 2014, 11:55

Fantastic news!

OltonPete

1st Nov 2014, 12:14

I agree good news, there should be enough pax to go round with United and it is only seasonable.

SNNUS - Kudos. Not even the a.nutters on another forum had a sniff of this one although most of them have probably only heard of the one in Alabama ;)

flybe

More changes with Milan reducing to daily (most days until mid Feb) with early morning Tuesday and Thursday which is now the Hanover aircraft as that reduces from double daily in the week to two flights a day only on Mon, Wed Fri.

All very sensible in winter.

Pete

insuindi

1st Nov 2014, 14:00

@oltonpete

doesn't HAJ become double daily Mo Thu Fri? in which case MXP on Thu must be some other aircraft.

OltonPete

1st Nov 2014, 15:08

insuindi

Correct, Thursday is double daily not Wednesday.

Not sure how they have re-arranged it all with so many late changes.

I can't believe it but not only have they added a Wednesday Berlin on the Dash 8 they have now added a 5th Amsterdam on a Thursday with a Dash 8.

Aberdeen at times is only 4 daily on a Monday - this schedule has been messed with so many times I have lost count. This on top of the Oslo reduction (7>4), Bordeaux cancellation (4>0), Florence increase (4>5), Hamburg decrease (7>6) and Toulouse decrease (7>6>5).

Head-spinning.

Pete

insuindi

1st Nov 2014, 15:35

Florence appears particularly counterintuitive, increasing to 5/7 in March just before the route disappears in April?

cornishsimon

1st Nov 2014, 15:59

I really don't think that he full flybe sunmer 15 schedules have been releases as yet.

cs

EAGLE HIGH

3rd Nov 2014, 07:21

http://http://thebirminghampress.com/2014/11/direct-flights-launched-between-birmingham-and-jfk/

Good to see the return of AA (and BA) to BHX. Will this damage the united route in the same way Continental saw of the BA BHX-JFK?

ATNotts

3rd Nov 2014, 07:46

Good to see the return of AA (and BA) to BHX. Will this damage the united route in the same way Continental saw of the BA BHX-JFK?

I don't see that the two operations (BA and AA) are really comparable. BA's operation was with a BHX based aircraft, and all the costs associated with basing a one aircraft fleet running a single long haul route, whereas AA's is an away based aircraft with much lower costs as a result.

You could say that LH ran BA off BHX / FRA or AF ran BA off CDG, but the reality is that BA couldn't (apparently) make money from "the regions" (BHX wasn't alone in this problem).

Hopefully the AA operation will thrive, and perhaps continue through the winter, but the Midlands business community has to use it (the front end of it) to make it viable year round, and the Chambers of Commerce have an unenviable record of calling for more direct flights from Birmingham, only for their members to continue using LHR or other European hubs!

davebham

3rd Nov 2014, 11:00

I'm today trying to book flights for a holiday next summer on AA from BHX. It is coming up with ludicrous prices of $4223 at the moment for economy class, and $11000+ for business class! According to the Travel Agent I'm using, AA haven't released official fares yet. Is this normal when a new route is introduced?

insuindi

3rd Nov 2014, 13:49

@davebham - let's say not unusual, but not ideal.

RealFish

3rd Nov 2014, 16:58

Me too, Dave....but not at £2200.

I see that Skyscanner have a few of the early flights at around £340 ew.

davebham

3rd Nov 2014, 22:29

Yeah, I'm getting for jul/aug travel £951 return on United, and £2600 on AA!
They won't last long at BHX with those fares lol :)

Wolverhampton

4th Nov 2014, 06:45

I have also noticed the ridiculous fares quoted for BHX JFK return flights. I've notified both the airport and the airline that putting people off booking by having such high fares is far from beneficial.

simoncorbett

4th Nov 2014, 07:48

The default fares will be changed today ....

& then you can.....Book away

davebham

4th Nov 2014, 08:49

Thanks Simon. They've not changed yet, but I shall keep an eye out for them.

Wolverhampton

4th Nov 2014, 08:57

Just seen that a lot of fares have indeed reduced from the £2000 price to more normal rates. Also, AA have mentioned on their Facebook page in a reply that this is not a seasonal service and is "year round".

davebham

4th Nov 2014, 09:05

Yes, that's better - I'm getting £981 for my summer dates, to United's £951.

Fantastic.

EI-A330-300

4th Nov 2014, 10:35

Vueling to fly BCN next summer.

http://vuelingnews.com/2014/11/04/vueling-crece-por-sexto-ano-consecutivo-y-supera-los-100-aviones-en-2015/

davebham

4th Nov 2014, 12:08

Wow, it's all go at BHX at the moment isn't it?!!

Daza

4th Nov 2014, 13:06

"Vueling grows for the sixth consecutive year and over 100 aircraft in 2015"
...

"From Barcelona-El Prat, the airline will sell a total of 15,500,000 of seats, 31% more than last summer. In addition, 143 routes with 50 based aircraft, some of them new, as Ancona will operate, Brindisi and Trieste in Italy, Birmingham and Belfast in the UK, Dublin in Ireland, Portugal and Madeira Faro, Geneva and Basel in Switzerland, Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Moscow (Sheremetyevo) in Russia. in the rest of the domestic market, also 9% increase in the total number of seats for sale, reaching a maximum of 7,069,230. in a year when Spain beat its record for tourist arrivals, Vueling has carried one in three passengers (33%) for domestic flights and has also positioned itself as the leader in transporting passengers from Spain to France, Malta, Cyprus and Croatia airline. "

http://vuelingnews.com/2014/11/04/vueling-crece-por-sexto-ano-consecutivo-y-supera-los-100-aviones-en-2015/

More positive route news :ok:

chinapattern

4th Nov 2014, 13:32

Great news; keep them coming!

j636

5th Nov 2014, 08:39

Barcelona begins:
1 June -3 weekly (M,F,Su)
22 June - 4 weekly (M,Th,F,Su)
3 August - 5 weekly (M,W,Th,F,Su)
7 September - 2 weekly (M,Su)

Fairdealfrank

5th Nov 2014, 23:18

You could say that LH ran BA off BHX / FRA or AF ran BA off CDG, but the reality is that BA couldn't (apparently) make money from "the regions" (BHX wasn't alone in this problem).
It could be that LH and AF were able to feed connecting pax through their hubs at FRA and CDG (respectively) as well as carrying point to point pax.

BA, on the other hand, could only carry point to point pax on these routes as its hub (LHR) was bypassed. If there weren't sufficient numbers........

Perhaps that is what is meant by "BA couldn't (apparently) make money from "the regions"" and this would also apply in the case of MAN, GLA, etc..

Hopefully the AA operation will thrive, and perhaps continue through the winter, but the Midlands business community has to use it (the front end of it) to make it viable year round, and the Chambers of Commerce have an unenviable record of calling for more direct flights from Birmingham, only for their members to continue using LHR or other European hubs!
AA would be in a similar position to AF and LH, carrying point to point pax and feeding connecting pax through it hub at JFK.

So it's a case of come on you Brummies, use the service and use it often.

insuindi

7th Nov 2014, 14:26

4U this weekend with special offer of 59.98 EUR return HAM-BHX-HAM, or £59.98 BHX-HAM-BHX (talking about a poor exchange rate...) for much of January to March. Feeling the pressure?

EDIT 13NOV14: Was on yesterday's BHX-HAM by BE (chosen over 4U due to later departure time), flight was uneventful, 50/88 (57%) load, but, so much better, an airbridge in HAM. Not sure if that was an exception or not, but much preferable to 4U's bussing around in HAM.

flyOU

7th Nov 2014, 15:45

ZB does not resume it flights from BHX to SPU, were the loads or yields so bad? Can not believe that; they could also first can reduce the flights from 3x to once per week?!

Monty Gordo

17th Nov 2014, 14:22

How come the figures for BHX were not included in the CAA's provisional list for October? Anyone know.

Ian Brooks

17th Nov 2014, 15:34

Probably waiting on BHX to send figures in

ATNotts

17th Nov 2014, 15:36

How come the figures for BHX were not included in the CAA's provisional list for October? Anyone know.

Perhaps because the figures were so high the CAA abacus had insufficient beads to count them all with - I wish!!! :O

Monty Gordo

17th Nov 2014, 18:17

Clearly pax for October will appear at some stage and, hopefully, will maintain the healthy increase as witnessed throughout the summer months.

However, with plenty of activity on the Elmdon site and seemingly an endless stream of Antonovs visiting, does anyone have any info on BHX's performance cargo-wise. Are figures on the up here also?

chinapattern

21st Nov 2014, 15:55

Quite a few upgrades to A321s in the run up to Christmas plus the A330 scheduled for the 19th and possibly the 21st. I'd be amazed if they don't go double daily next year.

insuindi

21st Nov 2014, 16:34

CAA BHX figures appeared

Oct'14 877,123, MoM +5.7%
Rolling Year 9,588,869 +5.9%

SWBKCB

23rd Nov 2014, 10:52

Monty Gordo asked about freight figures - this link has just been posted on the BOH thread. Interestingly, BHX behind ABZ and NCL?!

http://http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/80/airport..._Nat_of_Op.pdf

Ian Brooks

23rd Nov 2014, 11:41

Bad link on this

Monty Gordo

23rd Nov 2014, 11:42

ATNotts

24th Nov 2014, 07:19

Thanks for the link. I must admit that i was a little surprised at how BHX did compare against other airports ie ABZ and NCL. And also the gulf between BHX and MAN. Unfortunately the link does not show % movements month on month so it is difficult to see whether cargo handling at the airport is on a rising curve.

Although there are plenty of cargo charters operating through BHX at present, what we don't know is the tonnage each flight is carrying.

Because of the lunacy of "Just in Time" stocking, so beloved of accountants and the vehicle industry in general, it is perfectly possible that the AN12s and AN26s are carrying hundreds rather than thousands of kilos of cargo - just enough to keep a line running pending delivery of parts by truck.

Also, tonnage is a very blunt instrument with which to measure cargo. As many will be aware air cargo is often bulky, so whilst the weight might by low, the aircraft could be packed solid.

As Monty Gordo suggested overall cargo movements together with tonnage would perhaps provide a more accurate picture.

jon01

24th Nov 2014, 10:26

Monarch/Avro/Cosmos/Thomson/Dreamliner S15

Things are looking a bit better now

Ibiza has been added

There are 9 based aircraft required on some days, including Sunday where a second Dalaman has been added with an early morning departure

Kefalonia is now bookable on a Saturday using a Manchester based Small Planet aircraft

Also, the Sunday morning TUIfly Germany B738 to Palma appears to have been replaced with a based TOM aircraft, which I believe is on the Dreamliner. The B787 looks to be based all week, with a few short haul flights in between the long haul programme

nigel osborne

24th Nov 2014, 10:43

Jon

Re "Also, the Sunday morning TUIfly Germany B738 to Palma appears to have been replaced with a based TOM aircraft"

Yes the Air Europas, Thomson were to use from BHX too have also disappeared.

Nigel

OltonPete

24th Nov 2014, 19:28

jon01

I noticed that the Thomson Holidays Palma on Sunday has changed to Thomson from TUI but it seemed to me it has replaced the Sunday Dubrovnik. I assume you have been given the heads-up as the booking engine usually makes reference to the 787 and it doesn't at present.

Monarch

Certainly some days have 9 scheduled but the majority is 8 and it is difficult to believe it will up up back at 9. Also the timetable and booking engine don't match on certain flights with two Sunday Malaga's in the morning per the timetable but the booking engine shows one in the afternoon.

The Cosmos schedule is just as baffling with as you say a Saturday Manchester based EFL yet a couple of BHX based flights in the week.

flybe

Very volatile schedule with Edinburgh going 8 daily on a Monday in December, Berlin daily, a 5th Amsterdam on a Thursday and 4th Sunday flight. The New Year cuts are now in the booking engine with Stuttgart going down to daily, with one frequency cut from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast Tuesday-Thursday, Cologne, Florence and Inverness all see a flight cut on a Wednesday.

chinapattern - Turkish

The flight on 21/12 per the seat-map is showing as the A333 so quite an increase and yes an incredible amount of A321's to boot.

Pete

SWBKCB

24th Nov 2014, 19:53

Because of the lunacy of "Just in Time" stocking, so beloved of accountants and the vehicle industry in general, it is perfectly possible that the AN12s and AN26s are carrying hundreds rather than thousands of kilos of cargo - just enough to keep a line running pending delivery of parts by truck.

Many years ago, Mrs SWBKCB worked for the parcel carrier Elan, operating out of EMA. It wasn't unknown for Ford to bulk out the Merchantman with foam seat cushions... :eek: cheaper than shutting down a production line

jon01

26th Nov 2014, 09:43

Air India confirmed daily from 21 Dec 2014

Bookable now

111KAB

26th Nov 2014, 10:51

Aegean ups capacity from Birmingham (http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=2014332&c=setreg&region=2)

Fried_Chicken

26th Nov 2014, 12:28

On the subject of freight, there was a rumour 12months or so again of a new Cargo carrier starting long haul flights via BHX (if I remember correctly, it was a Far Eastern carrier using B777F via AMS/FRA). I'm guesing this was just a rumour and nothing ever came of it unless its still in the pipeline?

FC

Monty Gordo

26th Nov 2014, 13:06

Thanks FC, you raise, or should i say, remind us of a rumour from about 12 months ago. I would not be surprised if it was a rumour based on a good deal of fact as trade between the West Midlands conurbation and the Far East becomes increasingly important.

Just drawing out two of our iconic marques, Jaguar and Land Rover, must raise the possibility. And with the exponential development of both, and other developing companies, who knows...

Daza

26th Nov 2014, 14:48

Freight ops (at least at night-time) are extremely restricted at Birmingham, due to strict night noise abatement rules. Birmingham Airport is surrounded by housing on three sides. Remember East Mids is not far, surrounded by open countryside and with lots of space for aprons and hangers available, East Midlands is the Midlands freight hub.

Great news for AI and Aegean. The latter will operate a full UK Summer time season this coming summer. The first flight bookable is Sunday 29th March 2015. :)

getonittt

26th Nov 2014, 15:20

Many years ago BHX had a thriving overnight parcel operation with many aircraft and airlines and could have been the hub for the TNT operation (their HQ being atherstone ) but all overnight freight ops were shood away to Coventry or east midlands , with just FedEx remaining to this day and are the great survivor , so BHX could just concentrate on the bread and butter scheduled or charter passenger flights , indeed BHX's expansion had to be offset with restrictions on night time movements pro-rata. It has never been the same since apart from one remaining handler who does very well in the ad-hoc priority cargo business.
If this Asian cargo flight did operate it would not necessarily have to be night time (FRA has a total night curfew ) but it just doesn't fit into BHX's agenda.

Will101

26th Nov 2014, 17:19

I couldn't see BHX actually having room for a B77F, it just doesn't seem right for us to get one over EMA who actually have a decent freight network and not many restrictions over slots and noise.

groundhogbhx

26th Nov 2014, 20:06

The proposed freighter flight was said to be linked to MG, flying in parts made on all those machines they shipped to China when Longbridge shut.

MG doesn't seem to be doing as well as planned so maybe the freighter is on hold until demand picks up, if ever.

Monty Gordo

26th Nov 2014, 20:30

I don't think that is an accurate assessment of MG performance at the present time. The latest news article i saw referred to them as having opened a record number of dealerships throughout the UK with vehicle sales also hitting a record high.

I suppose it is a question of which assessment is right, if it is the view i have expressed then perhaps incoming cargo freight is still a possibility.

groundhogbhx

26th Nov 2014, 21:01

My assessment is based on the fact that I see just about every other make of car on the road but have never seen an MG

hillwalker2004

27th Nov 2014, 06:27

All in the eye of the beholder with MG, October new car registrations were 188 which is obviously a miniscule proportion of the market. Year on Year sales are at a record high but obviously from such a low base its almost meaningless. A little over 2,000 cars this year.

No way would it sustain any substantive freight ops other than occasional deliveries. The majority of the car is pre-assembled in China with just final assembly taking place in the UK.

BobBHX

1st Dec 2014, 10:25

After all the PR puff (and cost!!!) of the transfer facility, has anyone actually seen it in operation? Every time I arrive on the new pier the "facility" is well and truly closed.

insuindi

1st Dec 2014, 13:13

I think the transfer facility should be seen as a longer term investment, just like the runway. In essence the airport can now go to potential airlines and use the transfer facility as additional selling point.

Other than that I cannot imagine much connecting traffic outside maybe the mid-morning BE arrivals (e.g. from MXP, STR, HAJ) on to Scotland and N.I. on BE, and the same return for the early evening depatures to the same continental destinations.

Having said that - is there any provision for a border control in the transfer facility?

Fairdealfrank

2nd Dec 2014, 00:38

Transfer Facility
After all the PR puff (and cost!!!) of the transfer facility, has anyone actually seen it in operation? Every time I arrive on the new pier the "facility" is well and truly closed.

I think the transfer facility should be seen as a longer term investment, just like the runway. In essence the airport can now go to potential airlines and use the transfer facility as additional selling point.

Other than that I cannot imagine much connecting traffic outside maybe the mid-morning BE arrivals (e.g. from MXP, STR, HAJ) on to Scotland and N.I. on BE, and the same return for the early evening depatures to the same continental destinations.

Having said that - is there any provision for a border control in the transfer facility?

Amazed that this doesn't exist. BHX appears to have ambitions to be a major UK airport (as it should) and to be LHR's third rwy (nonsense), so there is no question, there has to be a proper facility for connecting pax.

BobBHX

2nd Dec 2014, 07:28

I agree that a transfer facility would make some sense for BE connections. However, the new facility is at the top end of the new international pier in T1, so absolutely useless for BE in T2.

getonittt

2nd Dec 2014, 09:19

Not quite right bob. I arrived at the old T2 from TLS last night on a delayed arrival and during the flight a number of pax that had onward transfers were made known to the Flybe staff so they could be rushed through when we landed. The transfer facility was clearly signed after baggage reclaim and before the exit to the arrivals hall.
One more point :
In my opinion the BHX-TLS should go back to daily from S15 and be operated by an E-jet , 2 hours is just too long on one of those dash 8 things . There was at least 50-60 pax on each flight , and this for the end of November, means it is an important year round route . Maybe airbus links with rolls Royce at derby helping.

BobBHX

3rd Dec 2014, 08:56

Thanks for the info getonnit. So there is a separate transfer facility at T2 - presumably it leads up to the T2 departure lounge.

Fried_Chicken

3rd Dec 2014, 09:37

Is there any info of a new tennant for the ex Eurojet hangar? There was a rumour that Flairjet/Marshalls were due to move in but that doesn't seem to have happened. It's been empty for a while now.

FC

insuindi

3rd Dec 2014, 10:55

Eurowings will start switching from Canadair 900 to Airbus 320 mid-February.

Lufthansa spokesman says that some regional routes will disappear as a result (HAM-FMM and TXL-FMM making the start).

As it happens I am booked on 4U BHX-HAM on 15Feb, which currently shows as a Germanwings A319 rather than the expected Eurowings CRJ900. However, currently a one-off in the schedule as far as I can tell. I cannot yet see 4U doing a six-weekly A319/320 run on HAM-BHX during summer... but maybe I lack imagination.

On DUS-BHX they could arguably cut down from 3 CRJ900 flights to 2 A319/320 ones, but that would be against a 4 daily BE service...

getonittt

3rd Dec 2014, 11:18

Bob :
It may not be a separate transfer facility in T2 but just a corridor connection to the new transfer facility that has been created near the central area.

Insuindi :
The BHX-HAM has been upgraded to an A319 on sundays only between 07/12/14 - 15/2/15 , you may have noticed that as a result the times have changed to mid afternoon.

Hotel Tango

3rd Dec 2014, 14:25

I am a regular on the DUS-BHX route. I have generally favoured the CRJ-900 operation because of the timings. I too am fearful that, at an average of 50-60 pax per flight at present, the change to Airbus will result in a frequency reduction. Guess I will have to switch to Flybe!

BobBHX

4th Dec 2014, 07:30

getonnit

The transfer facility I am talking about (two x ray machines and a walk through metal detector) is at the terminal end of the "new" international pier just before the steps down to immigration. I do not believe it is possible to get there from T2 as the entire first floor between T1 and T2 is taken up by the security area, the Servisair lounge and the corridor for pax to get to T2 after security.

If they opened up a post security entrance to T2 at the left side of the security area then you could have a secure corridor between T1 and T2 but to do that would (a) be far too sensible and convenient and (b) anger the great gods of retail who demand that all passengers have to pass through the temple.

crewmeal

4th Dec 2014, 17:58

Looks like a third EK service may be on its way to BHX. There seems to be a lot of chatter on certain forums reflecting this. As to what aircraft operates what lets wait and see what happens.

OltonPete

4th Dec 2014, 18:31

flight only showing an increase with Cancun staying twice a week.

Monday & Thursday Cancun
Tuesday & Wednesday Montego Bay (Tue just from Christmas)
Sunday Sanford then Bridgetown as this year

I assume Friday and Saturday Cruise flights as this year.

This winter has seen short-haul fairly late consolidations with Funchel and the Thursday Las Palmas reduced and today both 738's operating at times with the 757's parked or re-timed.

Yet Wednesday usually one of the quietest day of the week usually saw six flights using six aircraft including the 788 and an away based 738 from Enfidha.

However I am convinced the original schedule was arranged that one of the based flights aircraft was to operate RVN then FUE with the latter due back at 00.50 and the night closure delayed I assume in advance with BHX's agreement.

However they used four different aircraft with a spare 738 sitting on the ground until its schedule departure of early afternoon on the 757 flight to FUE, arriving back at 00.10 The week before the FUE arrived back early evening and I wonder how far in advance the airport new of the seemingly changed Thomson aircraft schedule?

Crewmeal

Rumours abound re EK but nothing substantial as yet.

Pete

kasuga

5th Dec 2014, 08:22

Apparently announcement due today at BHX, presumably the third EK daily service operating early morning possibly by B777.:ok:

Evanelpus

5th Dec 2014, 14:40

Seriously, can BHX sustain 3 x EK flights a day?

Put it another way, can EK justify operating 3 x a day to BHX?

chinapattern

5th Dec 2014, 15:23

Seriously, can BHX sustain 3 x EK flights a day?

With load factors hitting the 90s, business class selling out plus the extra cargo that could be carried I'd say the answer is a definitive yes - even the retimed AM arrival/departure during the DXB runway works didn't effect anything so obviously there is demand for an early morning departure.

getonittt

5th Dec 2014, 15:31

Evanelpus : I'll go easy on you as I guess others on here won't .As chinapattern has said both existing flights have at times been packed with both Pax and belly cargo . ppruners on here have said time and again that something has to be done , either an A380 upgrade on EK37/8 or a 3rd daily flight . thankfully it seems to be the latter and this will connect to a large bank of departures from DXB between 21.00 and 22.30 which include Delhi,Bangalore ,Mumbai ,Hyderabad , Lahore , Perth, SIN, & KUL.

Fried_Chicken

5th Dec 2014, 15:41

If Emirates do go 3x daily, will that be the nail in the coffin for any Qatar flight or will it make them sit up and take notice?

FC

chinapattern

5th Dec 2014, 16:09

If Emirates do go 3x daily, will that be the nail in the coffin for any Qatar flight or will it make them sit up and take notice?

I'd say final nail for the short/medium term - personally I think they missed the golden opportunity to launch BHX when they opened ATQ.

bhx bod

5th Dec 2014, 16:54

A number of flights this month and January are already fully booked including 4th January which is one of the new flights.
The flight on Xmas day is also full.
10million pax at some point in 2015 is definitely on the cards the way things are going.:)

hammerb32

5th Dec 2014, 17:39

Evaneplus - some more albeit anecdotal perspective, my brother in law travels to Dubai twice a month for his job, because he tried much harder than I at school he gets to go business class. In the last year he's been 'bumped' 7 times to other airports because business class from BHX was over subscribed. As I say it is anecdotal but gives you a feel the business end demand on the service.

OltonPete

6th Dec 2014, 18:04

Monthly figures provided by the CAA, average per flight this month has been estimated and was difficult due the summer running into winter with call-sign changes when checking libhomeradar. Also Monarch decreased some routes in week 2 & 3 before putting them back to peak summer levels for the half-term holiday so treat any route Monarch operate with caution.

Pakistan went from one of the highest monthly figures (2013) to one of the lowest but did average nearly 80%.

Air India was very low, although 350-400 less pax can be explained by one less rotaion due to the days of operation and Turkmenistan was up 1300 pax.

Emirates & United were good and Turkish operated one few flight due to the days of operation of the second flight and was still up.

2013 in brackets

Brussels........10950 (9589).....44 per flight..53% load factor quite surprised at the change from September
Dubrovnik.......2998 (2703).... 167 pax........80%
Split..............1227 (554)......123 pax.........71% no real argument with ZB dropping this for 2015
Larnaca..........5501 (7143).....172 pax........81%
Paphos.......... 3113 (4152).....173 pax........81%
Copenhagen... 9433 (7172).......87 pax........70%
Bordeaux.........2134 (nil)..........63 pax....... 71%
Lyons.............3820 (2797).......71 pax........80%
Nice...............2466 (2581)......123 pax.......68%
Paris CDG......33302 (30758)......99 pax........87%
Toulouse.........3198 (690)........59 pax.........76%
Berlin TXL.........659 (4670).......66 pax.........75% Interesting a few flights and 75%!!!!!
Cologne..........2914 (nil)......... 47 pax.........60%
Dusseldorf.....17945 (17748)... .52 pax.........60%
Frankfurt.......26725 (24744).. 113 pax.........71%
Hamburg.........3338 (2435)... ..60 pax.........67%
Hanover..........6516 (3825)... ..60 pax.........69%
Munich..........15722 (14486).. .94 pax.........77%
Stuttgart........6192 (4056).... .57 pax.........65%
Gibraltar..........3747 (3231))....144 pax........83%
Athens.............940 (nil).......118 pax.........70%
Heraklion.........2681 (2809)....149 pax.........70%
Cork...............6271 (6268)......51 pax.........70%
Knock.............2740 (1966)......44 pax.........57%
Dublin............62173 (49799)..128 pax.........78%
Shannon..........4137 (2670).....35 pax.........65%
Waterford........1900 (1779).....6o pax.........76%
Florence..........3376 (nil)........68 pax.........76%
Milan MXP........6764 (4004).....66 pax........70%
Rome FCO........7642 (8612)....173 pax........84%
Trieste.............1296 (1717)....93 pax.........49%
Venice.............3372 (4829)...130 pax.........64%
Malta..............3249 (2725)....181 pax.........96% A few KM pax included???? aside based on just FR
Amsterdam.....44829 (39060).....88 pax....... .80%
Faro............. 19310 (17305)..166pax..........83%
Oporto...........2475 (nil)..........62 pax..........62%
Funchel..........3116 (2231).....173 pax..........84%
Alicante........31429 (25011)..,167 pax........93%
Almeria...........3195 (2957)....178 pax.........83%
Barcelona.......18006 (10192)..155 pax........77%
Ibiza...............3948 (4128)...132 pax........65%
Mahon............3008 (3621)......178 pax.......78%
Malaga..........22527 (25404)...168 pax........84%
Murcia...........5390 (5175).....168 pax........89%
Palma...........18885 (18356)...138 pax........78%
Reus..............2555 (3681).....148 pax...... 78%
Arrecife........15867 () incorrect split shown between schedule & IT
Fuerteventura 8986 () incorrect split shown between schedule & IT
Las Palmas.....7427 (7637)...169 pax..........87%
Tenerife........21828 () incorrect split shown between schedule & IT
Gothenburg....1452 (1321).....27 pax.........73% based on the 135
Reykjavik........165 (o)..........41 pax.........47% A couple of flights after a 6 week lay-off
Oslo................391 (nil).......49 pax..........56%
Zurich...........8575 (8199).....70 pax.........71%
Bodrum.........3619 (2450)....164 pax.........77%
Dalaman........8176 (9413)...136 pax..........67% over capacity or I have estimated incorrectly?
Istanbul......10516 (10358)...120 pax.........77%
Kaunas.........2649 (2905)....147 pax.........78%
Bydgoscz......4554 (4770)....175 pax.........93%
Gdansk.........1702 (2882)....170 pax.........90%
Katowice......3236 (4045).....180 pax........95%
Krakow.........3081 (2860)....171 pax.........91%
Bratislava.....3148 (4686).....175 pax.........93%
Hurghada......1745 (0).........175 pax.........82%
Sharm.........3669 (4896).....,184 pax.........86%
Ashkhabad....5164 (3877)....145 pax.........75%
Dubai..........45130 (43000)...363 pax........86%
Delhi............6060 (7050).....178 pax..........70% 34 flights compared to 36 but still well down
Islamabad....5541 (9280)......277 pax.........78% one of the best months to one of the worst
Toronto........810 (943).......202 pax.........84%
Newark........8428 (8073)....156 pax...........92%

Emirates

Question asked: Seriously, can BHX sustain 3 x EK flights a day?

Depends on how Emirates go about it. An increase to another two class 428 seat 77W would be a tough ask without adjusting capacity elsewhere and May to mid July would certainly be interesting with the low season and Ramadan virtually joining up next year. I suppose a three class 77W is one way and try and sell first or do what they did with EK37/8 and leave it for business upgrades. The A332 would be ideal but they are a rare bird in Europe in EK colours and I think non-existent in Western Europe now.

[bhx bod - Good to hear re AI as the last two months have been average.

Pete

nigel osborne

6th Dec 2014, 22:05

BHX will probably continue to mirror MANs EK expansion.

So 3rd daily with the lunch going 3 class , with 1st class suites.

This also reduces the number of economy seats that would need to be filled on a 2 class. Can they fill 1st class though..fingers crossed.

Time will tell.

Nigel

All names taken

7th Dec 2014, 17:20

Just reading the last few posts, it's not clear whether or not EK are going for the third daily. Is it still just conjecture?

OltonPete

7th Dec 2014, 20:15

All names taken

Just rumour

KLM

Back to five daily in summer and to all mainline Sunday - Friday with exception to high season. Four x 737-700 and 1 x 738. Again an increase on 2014.

The only 190 scheduled is KL1425/6 on a Saturday and KL1421/2 high season.

Lufthansa

Still showing a daily A321 on LH956/7 with 2 x A320's and 1 x A319.

Air France

AF1064/5 the lunchtime flight now shows as the A320. Not an increase in seats as yet as AF1164/5 is an A320 in the week and AF1064/5 on a Sunday plus of course if the 195 is pulled by flybe then another loss of seats.

SAS

SK2533/4 the morning service still showing an upgrade to the A319.

Ryanair

As promised they have increased Barcelona to 6 weekly all summer. Despite the base dropping to three outside of August I would say only one flight a day less most days due to the away based flying.

Monarch

Still fiddling with the high summer schedule with a high season night Palma switching to Malaga. There was original two then it went to two night Palma's now back to one. Still looking like 8 based with one or two adjustments and still no Almeria.

Flybe - Hopefully Tuesday will bring some answers.

Pete

nigel osborne

7th Dec 2014, 20:17

All names taken..

hmm.. think its a bit more than conjecture...

Nigel

OltonPete

7th Dec 2014, 23:04

Showing 4 a week from 23/10/2015.

With American bookable the same dates now there will be plenty of choice to the States next winter. United loads this month and last have been good.

Pete

LAX_LHR

8th Dec 2014, 09:48

Icelandair increases are for half term only. Back to 2 weekly in November.

OltonPete

8th Dec 2014, 14:45

LAX_LHR

I only have access to Amadeus and the FI is only showing two weekly in November as you say and the AA JFK not at all after the first few days do you know anything different as we were lead to believe it wasn't seasonable.

Pete

111KAB

8th Dec 2014, 14:47

On the Monarch Facebook page they have today announced they will not be operating Birmingham > Almeria in 2015

LAX_LHR

8th Dec 2014, 15:31

Olton Pete,

Icelandair increases do seem to be just for 3 weeks surrounding October half term. They have increased GLA to 5 weekly, MAN to 4 weekly and LGW to 8 weekly for, so far, the full bookable winter period. Therefore quite surprising the BHX is only a temporary increase, but, as its a new route, maybe they are being cautious, as the USA (no doubt their primary market) has never been a strong point at BHX.

As for AA, when initially rumoured, the talk around the office was a seasonal flight, so, was surprised when it was announced as year round. AA do however, only take bookings 330 days in advance, so, even MAN only has the finnair codeshare on MAN-JFK available to book oats the 330 day period.

Therefore, there will be a short wait for the flights past November to be bookable.

OltonPete

8th Dec 2014, 15:54

111KAB

No surprise if 8 based but on the other hand they only increased it last year. The clue was that Thomson offered it and then quickly changed it to their own aircraft except they didn't have a spare slot at BHX during the summer 15 schedule and it was withdrawn completely.

LAX_LHR

Cheers for that, maybe 4 a week in winter was a little surprising although andectol evidence is that New York was booking well via KEF but that was before AA announced and of course winter is a wholly different ball game.

United up to the last day or so seems to have been packed out but the fact they only fly six a week in winter is a bit of an indication that things are marginal in winter but not too dissimilar to other European secondary airports.

Pete

j636

9th Dec 2014, 10:38

AA have no plans at all to operate JFK during the winter currently however BHX gets a longer season than EDI.

Securing the route again in 2015 should be the main focus!

jon01

9th Dec 2014, 11:48

From the Flybe Twitter feed:

'Flybe to launch new routes from Birmingham - Bastia (Corsica) and Biarritz - stating in March 2015'

It looks like these are only one a week services

Bagso

9th Dec 2014, 12:56

FlyBe thread suggesting 5 routes dropped Ex Bhx ?

ATNotts

9th Dec 2014, 13:57

FlyBe thread suggesting 5 routes dropped Ex Bhx ?

Of the five, I'm not in the least surprised about KEF, and won't lose any sleep over ALC and PMI, however FLR, and to a lesser extent, CGN are disappointing.

CGN has been tried, and failed by more than a few, and when all said and done the )rail) journey between DUS and Cologne isn't that arduous - provided the DB train drivers can be bothered to work that is!

Perhaps as has been mentioned previously, the 175 just isn't the right equipment for FLR, and there isn't a spare 195 in the plan.

LAX_LHR

9th Dec 2014, 14:50

Turkish go 12 weekly from 23rd June.

2 daily on Mon/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun.

B737 used on all flights.

davebham

10th Dec 2014, 10:19

AA have themselves said via their Facebook on announcement that the BHX-JFK route is year round, not seasonal.
Has this now changed?

jon01

10th Dec 2014, 12:19

Turkish go 12 weekly from 23rd June.

2 daily on Mon/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun.

B737 used on all flights.

The increase is from the start of the S15 schedule in March

Centre cities

10th Dec 2014, 14:19

Currently showing no flights which were previously bookable at BHX are.

Knock, Waterford, Porto, Toulouse, Oslo and Hamburg.

Add this to flights already dropped, Cologne, Florence, Palma, Alicante, Reykjavik and Hanover cut from 2 to one and this could be a very large decrease.

The press release for BHX stated 25 routes, this would match the above being dropped.

Most of these routes were launched last year, if they got it so wrong I don't hold out much hope for the new routes being launched this year.

Perhaps it is just a timetable update.

Centre cities

GayFriendly

10th Dec 2014, 14:38

Well if all this pans out to be true, BE have gone right down in my estimation. Launch a load of new routes in a blaze of glory, only less than a year later drop them all? Absolutely p**s poor behaviour by BE that smacks of complete and utter lack of direction in long term strategy and planning and just down right embarrassing for BHX. I personally wouldn't have given BE the pleasure of doing a press release for them.

Like centre cities says, let's just hope it's timetable issues and updates, although the route figures are certainly not saying that.

At least there is good news from AA, TK and of course new to BHX for 2015, Icelandair and Vueling.

insuindi

10th Dec 2014, 16:09

Full press release now available
https://www.flybe.com/corporate/media/news/1412/

TXL mentioned as winter route extended into summer.
HAM not.

25 routes total according to press release. Someone do the maths? [EDIT: Obviously CC did already do the maths above!]

OltonPete

10th Dec 2014, 17:09

Oslo a winter route as well?

I have to say thought the BHX press release was an error yesterday but the clue was in the number of flights and as CC has stated it all ties up.

I would say at least two to three aircraft less.

Oil has gone down, loads have been brilliant therefore one can only assume that they haven't been able to get the yields although Hamburg and Oslo operating in winter won't give you enough time to prove a route.

Porto was marginal due sector length, Florence had great loads, decent fares alas the 175 is not the right aircraft for the route. Knock, Waterford, Toulouse have operated a little longer and they would have good yield data and it is difficult to see these getting replaced.

Cologne...no comment and the sun routes are served already so no complaints there. Iceland has another operator about to start.

Therefore you can understand some more than others but Oslo is it has gone is bizarre and why start Hamburg in competition - was there any route planning done beforehand?

I pity BHX having to send a press release out trying to talk it up!

I would have said some are off sale whilst they amend their timetable but the BHX is clear if read carefully.......which I didn't!

Pete

Centre cities

10th Dec 2014, 17:10

How to spin a positive press release boasting more choice when you have cut so many routes which are not mentioned.

Never let the truth get in the way of a story. story get in the way of the truth.

Centre cities

insuindi

10th Dec 2014, 17:38

@OP

minor note: I'd assume FlyBE has their oil hedged like most (all?) carriers, i.e. the lower oil price will not yet help the current cost base.

LNIDA

11th Dec 2014, 07:32

Norwegian new routes between BHX, MAD/AGP/BCN

Norwegian is growing internationally and expanding its route network in Europe. The company is adding ten new routes from next spring between Spain and various European countries. Norwegian is launching flights between Barcelona and Birmingham, Dubrovnik, Trondhjem, Stavanger and Billund. We will also launch three new routes between Madrid and Catania, Dubrovnik and Birmingham. Furthermore, we will operate two new routes between Malaga and Birmingham and Edinburgh in addition to a new route between Helsinki and Pula.

“Norwegian has become one of the world’s largest low cost carriers. Now, more than 40 percent of our traffic is outside of Scandinavia, which illustrates a significant international expansion over the past year. We look forward to both our crew and passengers flying on the new routes,” says Thomas Ramdahl, Chief Commercial Officer in Norwegian.

Many new frequencies
Furthermore, many new frequencies are added on existing routes. From all the Nordic countries, Norwegian will add departures to popular destinations in Spain, Italy and Croatia among others.

“Our passengers appreciates our product with new aircraft and free WiFi. We have many popular routes from Scandinavia and now we are giving our passengers more opportunities to fly with us to some of our fantastic destinations,” says Thomas Ramdahl.

New routes in 2015
Barcelona-Billund |summer route |two weekly departures |first flight June 1st
Barcelona-Stavanger |summer route |two weekly departures |first flight June 4th
Barcelona-Trondhjem |summer route |two weekly departures |first flight June 3rd
Barcelona-Birmingham |full year |two weekly departures |first flight June 1st
Barcelona-Dubrovnik |summer route |two weekly departures |first flight June 3rd

Madrid-Catania |summer route |one weekly departures |first flight April 4th
Madrid-Dubrovnik |summer route |two weekly departures |first flight March 31st
Madrid-Birmingham |full year |three weekly departures |first flight March 31st

Malaga-Birmingham |full year |three weekly departures |first flight December 11th
Malaga-Edinburgh |full year |two weekly departures |first flight March 31st

FlyboyUK

11th Dec 2014, 08:10

Good to see Norwegian flying into BHX and no doubt a welcome return for the MAD route. BCN is looking rather crowded with different operators.

Will101

11th Dec 2014, 15:46

Whilst I think seeing Norwegian make a return to BHX is going to be quite nice I'm thinking of the state of BHX-BCN. Vueling and Norwegian will start next year alongside flights already in place to Barcelona as well as nearby Girona and Reus from the likes of Thomas Cook, Thomson and Ryanair. I'd be quite surprised come Summer 2016/2017 if at least 1 of them hasn't pulled off the route.

j636

11th Dec 2014, 16:56

AA have themselves said via their Facebook on announcement that the BHX-JFK route is year round, not seasonal.
Has this now changed?

As of now they have no plans officially. It has being added to the website x5 for winter but nothing confirmed.

Great to see DY and no surprises from Fly Maybe. Management change routes and strategy more often than they have hot dinners!

Little surprised ALC was not included with DY.

purebeef

11th Dec 2014, 19:46

Well done BHX, the airlines are starting to take note.

I still think we are going to get a big route soon,possibly an LA or Beijing and I think it may well come from Norwegian, they are perfect for BHX :D

GayFriendly

11th Dec 2014, 20:12

Got to give the guys at BHX credit, Icelandair, Vueling, American and now Norwegian, four new airlines so far for 2015 (I know AA has been at BHX before but it was a while ago!), I can't remember if that has ever happened before? A toe in the water by Norwegian, perhaps a prelude to a possible base in future years? They are exactly the kind of airline BHX desperately needs to expand it's European offerings and claw back leisure pax lost in recent years to BRS, EMA, MAN and LTN.

Sad to see BHX-Ireland routes soon down to just ORK and DUB, but these are the big population centres I guess.

The big route announcement, well the ball is rolling at quite a speed now, despite the recent side kicking from BE, so who knows?

GayFriendly

11th Dec 2014, 20:19

Hang on, just remembered, Norwegian are not new to BHX either, they operated BHX-WAW for a year or so, can't remember exactly when. Still, very good news though

eggc

11th Dec 2014, 20:50

Not sure if it is the economy, just natural growth or airlines are figuring there is actually life outside the M25.

BHX, NCL, EDI and MAN all adding numerous new routes recently, which has got to be good for the regions...and long may it continue.

LNIDA

11th Dec 2014, 21:09

If i recall correctly Norwegian came of it when they moved out of WAW about the same time bmibaby went on it??

It will be interesting to see if they can replicate the same growth they've enjoyed in LGW, I suspect other Spanish destinations will follow, probably some Scandi-land & German routes as well.

I suspect Manchester will be next up from Spain

The pricing from BHX looks very aggressive

Well done BHX

OltonPete

11th Dec 2014, 21:38

insuindi

Indeed they did have some oil hedged and probably at a higher rate than the current market rate but this surely would have been more prominent this last summer. If your maths are up to it then you can work it out at $1055 per tonne for H1 2014/5. I am getting on a bit but I doubt fuel would be much of a problem on Dash 8 routes but maybe on the longer jet routes. Berlin burns about 2.5, I believe.

Whatever they are hedged at, why start Oslo & Hamburg for a few months?

Norwegian

Madrid and Malaga, great and Barcelona is interesting. BHX has had three operators on a route in the past and it has usually ended in tears so four will be a big ask................The equivalent of three daily to BCN in August!

Turkish

Now sorted in GDS with the extra Friday and Saturday flight showing from 3rd April 2015

American

Definitely now only displaying to 1 November at present. Fares albeit high were loaded to 5th a couple of days ago.

Pete

jon01

15th Dec 2014, 08:17

S15 Update

Monarch currently showing 8 aircraft based all week, with only 7 required on a Wednesday

Denim Air are showing a based F100 at weekends, currently with slots to Innsbruck on Saturdays for Inghams

08:00/18:25 DNM7001/7004 23MAY-26SEP

The aircraft operates a 'W' pattern through Manchester. Estonian are showing on the Saturday Salzburg service

jon01

16th Dec 2014, 14:38

November 2014 CAA provisional passenger totals:

646,275 (+10.1%)

Rolling year Nov 13 - Nov 14:

9,648,057 (+6.3%)

whateverg

17th Dec 2014, 00:30

Porto appears in Ryanair's drop-down list of destinations when you try to edit a search on their website. Is this a possible return to the route and thus competition for Flybe?

BHX5DME

17th Dec 2014, 07:05

FlyBe have dropped BHX to Oporto so fingers crossed Ryanair will restart it

BHX5DME

19th Dec 2014, 17:34

Birmingham is named 'one of the top 10 cities in the world' - UK - News - The Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/birmingham-named-one-of-the-top-10-cities-in-the-world-9933668.html)#

GayFriendly

19th Dec 2014, 17:44

Porto has been in the FR drop down list of destinations from BHX since they dropped it so I don't think it means they are going to re-start the route. In any case since when did FR actually start a new route at BHX.....

Have been looking at Norwegian website there are some very keen fares for BHX-MAD and BCN. I really hope these routes do well and persuade DY to set up more routes from BHX, they have very modern aircraft and excellent service on board having flown with them from LGW before.

All we need now is an additional MEB route (come on QR!) or frequency (come on EK!) and the return of China Southern charters and summer 15 looks set fair at BHX (well for now at least....)

crewmeal

19th Dec 2014, 17:58

Birmingham - In Top 10 World Cities to Visit !

That and an extended runway plus other bits and pieces and poor old BHX still can't attract any new long haul destinations. Here's to hoping.............

Daza

19th Dec 2014, 18:24

Birmingham is a great city, it has a fantastic airport too. Lots to be positive about in 2014 and for 2015. 2014 has seen passenger numbers up significantly month on month. 2015 new holiday choices and destinations for Thomson and an extra based aircraft from Thomas Cook. American new long haul route to JFK, Air India daily from this Sunday, Iceland Air start in the new year, with easy one stop to USA. Turkish Istanbul up to 12 a week, Veuling to Barcelona and great news about Norweigian starting new routes hopfully just the start for them. Balancing this Flybes fleet changes mean in the short term routes have been lost. Hopefully EK will have good news soon. 2015 at Birmingham Airport looks good. It would be good if others recognised positive steps of course many here aren't what they seem or have a hidden agenda.
Daza

Centre cities

19th Dec 2014, 22:40

Daza.

I can not see a hidden agenda. I can see a reporting of facts, new routes secured and routes lost.

On the subject of summer 2015 yes there are some big positives as you have listed but the negatives also need reporting and discussion as well. Hopefully more big positives to come.

The Flybe route losses will impact and the original Thomson increases that you mention have all but been wiped out on subsequent brochure releases.

Whilst Vueling and Norwegian are good why have they both gone for Barcelona making 4 carriers on the route. Positive yet sure to end in tears for one or two.

Centre cites

Hangar6

19th Dec 2014, 22:51

Well as long as the biggest route by pax numbers aircraft movements and avail seats continues to boom, DUB, then I can see S15 being good for BHX

Bagso

20th Dec 2014, 07:25

Well as long as the biggest route by pax numbers aircraft movements and avail seats continues to boom, DUB, then I can see S15 being good for BHX

Suspect DUB is booming due preclearance , low fares with RYR etc and EI offering good prices for connections to US.

BHX like MAN s/b campaigning to get this option it would benefit airports where US carriers operate from one terminal so there would be a competitive advantage over dominance of LHR without being seen to be anti competitive.

crewmeal

20th Dec 2014, 09:15

ATNotts

20th Dec 2014, 10:14

Whilst it is excellent news on the short haul side especially with DY re establishing itself in the Midlands, and I'm sure there will be other routes to follow given time, my comments were addressed at the expense of extending the runway when no long haul carriers use it to its full potential. That's all!

To be honest, I'd say that none of the UK regional airports that have extended / added long runways (+ / - 3000m) really find them being used to the "full potential"

I'm thinking here not only of BHX, but EMA and also MAN - then there's Stansted that finds little use for it's 3000m runway - in terms of flights that actually require the length to operate from the airport.

The extended runway gives the airport the flexibility to attract longer haul flights, but as 747s get superceded by the shorter field twins, then the requirement for 3000m runways will diminish, but this no way belittles BHX's extending of 15/33.

LAX_LHR

20th Dec 2014, 11:51

No aircraft will use a full runway to take off (not safely anyway), but at MAN the VS B744's and now the CX B777's get plenty of tarmac usage, not to mention the A380.

nigel osborne

20th Dec 2014, 14:45

Daza Centrecities.

Daza overall an excellent year for BHX and next year looks even better.

However not sure all the Fly Be cuts are all to do with aircraft changes.

Agree with Centrcities ,this is a discussion Forum and we shouldn't be looking at trying to wag fingers at people who report both good and some bad.

Censorship on a forum like this would be regrettable !

Looking forward to BHX having a great year in 2015 and this being reported on here as it develops. Also looking forward to discussing if BHX gets any bad news and peoples views on that too.

Nigel

Nigel

ATNotts

20th Dec 2014, 14:47

No aircraft will use a full runway to take off (not safely anyway), but at MAN the VS B744's and now the CX B777's get plenty of tarmac usage, not to mention the A380.

Indeed, but I've seen a few "hairy" takes-off from BHX pre the runway extension in my time.

What I was inferring was that none of the airports really (yet) gets it's monies worth from the expensive tarmac that they've put down, rather than looking for aircraft to scrape off the end after a 3000m take-off run; to do so would be a miscalculation.

Fairdealfrank

20th Dec 2014, 16:29

BHX like MAN s/b campaigning to get this option it would benefit airports where US carriers operate from one terminal so there would be a competitive advantage over dominance of LHR without being seen to be anti competitive.

Like DUB, Both BHX and MAN would appear to be suitable for US pre-clearance, but will the airlines pay for it?

It would be very difficult if not impossible to do at LHR.

eggc

20th Dec 2014, 16:32

Am I right in thinking BHX, MAN etc could want pre-clearance all they want, but it is purely down to the US if an airport is selected for it ?

pwalhx

20th Dec 2014, 16:43

I understood there has been a suggestion that the US would like further pre clearance points, the stumbling block may be the UK government allowing it rather than the Americans.

Skipness One Echo

20th Dec 2014, 19:27

US preclearance would be used for about an hour a day at BHX, EDI or GLA. It's not nearly as efficient as MAN/DUB. Even LGW has little business case for preclearance.

Fairdealfrank

21st Dec 2014, 00:55

US preclearance would be used for about an hour a day at BHX, EDI or GLA. It's not nearly as efficient as MAN/DUB. Even LGW has little business case for preclearance.
Was thinking that physically BHX and GLA would be suitable from the point of view of one terminal. Did question whether the airlines would pay for it (i.e. weak business case), and the fewer the airlines, the more it will cost them. In all cases, it would be a morning operation.

You're right, MAN is definitely the best option for the UK, LHR probably the worst (too complicated to organise).

Facelookbovvered

21st Dec 2014, 08:27

It seems Spain is a very important market for DY the problem with using Spanish based aircraft is that whilst the flight times South from the UK tend to be good the return flights back from Spain can be very very early and Brits are not fans of getting up at 3-4 am to travel to the airport.

Suzeman

21st Dec 2014, 22:31

You're right, MAN is definitely the best option for the UK, LHR probably the worst (too complicated to organise).

There's only going to be one facility per airport if it comes to MAN / BHX or wherever. This would mean that all airlines wanting to use it would have to use the same terminal or have passengers bussed and alliance synergies would be compromised. So not an easy one to solve on a multi terminal airport.

j636

21st Dec 2014, 23:21

Was thinking that physically BHX and GLA would be suitable from the point of view of one terminal. Did question whether the airlines would pay for it (i.e. weak business case), and the fewer the airlines, the more it will cost them. In all cases, it would be a morning operation.

You're right, MAN is definitely the best option for the UK, LHR probably the worst (too complicated to organise).

I expect its a very weak business case and not sure the US would even consider such airports. While DUB is a much larger scale and not a fair comparison airlines will pay €16 million just to use it and this doesn't include standard USPC charges which they will pay either clearing in DUB or the US.

As for LHR unlikely BA would even benefit unless they were to move terminals. US airlines will be top of the queue, the US don't want a repeat of what happened in the UAE.

Suzeman

22nd Dec 2014, 10:01

US airlines will be top of the queue, the US don't want a repeat of what happened in the UAE.

Can you enlighten us what happened there please?

The facility at Abu Dhabi seems to be expanding the number of flights going through it next month; looks like extended operating hours

Etihad Airways operates flights to the following destinations in the U.S. - New York (EY101 only), Chicago (EY151), Washington (EY131), Los Angeles (EY171), and Dallas (EY161). Guests flying to above destinations in the U.S. will use the CBP facility at Abu Dhabi Airport.

Please note: Starting from the 15th of January 2015, this service will be available for the Etihad Airways flight numbers EY103 to New York (JFK) and EY183 to San Francisco (SFO).

bazzab68

22nd Dec 2014, 10:30

EK have today announced the 3rd daily flight. Great news although long expected!!!

Emirates Adds Third Daily Rotation to Birmingham :: Routesonline (http://goo.gl/4yizON)

Barry

eggc

22nd Dec 2014, 11:15

Fab news :D:ok:

j636

22nd Dec 2014, 11:38

The facility at Abu Dhabi seems to be expanding the number of flights going through it next month; looks like extended operating hours

No US carriers use the facility as they don't serve Abu Dhabi. There has caused problems in the US side, if they don't benefit then there is a problem.

The US approached the UAE and wanted to have it in Dubai but they were told Abu Dhabi.

Just back to costs the US cover 20% of staff costs and Abu Dhabi 80%

BobBHX

22nd Dec 2014, 11:58

I've never used the pre-clearance facility at DUB but I have between Canada and the US. The problem is that the area must be physically separate from the rest of the terminal so that, once through immigration and customs, the passengers are isolated from other passengers. Short of having a portacabin on the tarmac, I don't see how BHX could host such a facility and, as has been pointed out, it would only be for an hour or so a day - not worth paying US staff to relocate.

Daza

22nd Dec 2014, 12:49

More good news! Morning departure to DXB added! :D Link http://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/meta/news/2014/12/ek-three-article.aspx
First class too!! Heres to all those doubters that said Birmingham couldn't fill first class seats!
Daza

GayFriendly

22nd Dec 2014, 12:49

Fantastic news!! And finally EK offering First Class from BHX. This is a big vote in confidence of BHX by EK. Only slight downside I guess is that I highly doubt we will see QR or EY at BHX for the foreseeable future (unless EK know something we don't and have got in there first....). Summer 2015 shaping up to be a good one. Will this extra frequency help offset (on paper at least) pax lost by the BE route cull?

Daza

22nd Dec 2014, 12:54

I wonder how long some here will find something to moan about with this announcement? :ugh::ugh::ugh:

davebham

22nd Dec 2014, 12:56

I've just booked a flight to JFK from BHX on American. Very impressed on competitiveness of fares.
I've paid £521 for a direct return - the cheapest I could get from any London airports for the same dates was £45 more expensive.
I don't mind paying £45 more to fly from BHX, as it's so convenient, but to actually be paying less is fantastic - especially as this is over the school half term period.
I hope people make full use of the long haul offerings at BHX - it's a case of use it or lose it!

eggc

22nd Dec 2014, 12:59

I'd say it is more likely to make EY and QR sit up and take note that there is a significant market ex BHX, and why are they not getting any of it ! It's very unusual that one of the ME3 has such a large market to themselves.

crewmeal

22nd Dec 2014, 13:15

Brilliant news for BHX. If the loads hold up there is no reason not to change one of the flights to a 380 in the future. Well done EK for your investment in BHX.

Hotel Tango

22nd Dec 2014, 14:58

More good news! Morning departure to DXB added!

and mayhem at security during the morning rush perhaps? :{

Monty Gordo

22nd Dec 2014, 15:51

With the Emirates new of this morning it is pleasing to be able to transfer some of what were rumours into the confirmed bracket.

About this time last year there must have been considerable work being done behind the scenes to set up the ground-breaking China Southern flights from Beijing. So, are there any rumours abounding on this front?

If they are going to return, i would assume that details are being worked out as we speak... Remember it is not long to March when the announcement was made early in 2014.

Here's hoping...

GayFriendly

22nd Dec 2014, 16:40

Daza, since when did you become self-appointed judge and jury on what can and can't be said on this thread? Sure, you are entitled to your thoughts and opinions and to interpret posts as you read them, but then again so am I. It's called freedom of speech, right? I would have far more respect for you if you actually engaged in debate or put your ideas forward (as eggc has done) rather than stamping your feet like a kid and using pointless smilies when someone dares to write something you don't like.

And do me a favour, please can you explain exactly HOW my post has, in your words, 'found something to moan about' when it begins, as it does, with the words 'Excellent news!'

P.S You're a bit slow responding to Hotel Tango.....

Doors to Automatic

22nd Dec 2014, 17:42

Huh? Where exactly was Daza criticising your post GF?

MerchantVenturer

22nd Dec 2014, 17:45

EK

Will first class be on all the BHX rotations or just the new one?

ATNotts

22nd Dec 2014, 18:12

GayFriendly

I'm with Daza on this one - it was almost a given that someone (not necessarily yourself, so please don't take this personally!) would manage to find a downside to this announcement, sure enough we've got two already!!

I think it's a Brummy trait (speaking as an ex-pat Brummy) to see the glass half empty rather than half full!

CabinCrewe

22nd Dec 2014, 18:21

and heres another... offering F class and filling it is a whole different ball game. If they thought they could fill them why has it taken over 10 years ?
Cant see it being offered on all rotations as its a significant drop in capacity for the cheap seats
:}

OltonPete

22nd Dec 2014, 18:34

Hi MV

It is looking like EK42/2 only.

Also the fares at certain times even in economy are higher than EK37/8/9/40.

Shame if DXB is the destination, as it is a much better arrival time.

As for glass half-full, it is a difficult one as you have to be realistic as well as positive and it is probably best not drift off into fantasy like some threads.

Want some more positive news - American showing well into November now and it appears to Friday - Monday and Wednesday ex BHX or daily except Tuesday and Thursday in old money.

Saturday morning in summer will be interesting -

UA27 07.10 EWR
AA130 07.00 JFK
EK41 07.05 DXB
TOM797 06.50 MBJ

Pete

GayFriendly

22nd Dec 2014, 18:49

As for glass half-full, it is a difficult one as you have to be realistic as well as positive and it is probably best not drift off into fantasy like some threads

Well said OP! Positive: a third EK flight which is amazing news on top of Norwegian, increased TK, daily AI, FI, AA, new destinations from TCX and TOM and new flights by Vueling. Realistic: if QR or EY were thinking of starting flights into BHX, they might be thinking again now. That's not moaning, just being realistic....and just stating my opinion, I could very well be wrong!

AT Notts - I too am an ex-pat Brummie, perhaps with me it's a case of 'you can't take the Brummie out the boy' Although the only glass half full problem for me right now is my wine glass, so excuse me and cheers

Daza

22nd Dec 2014, 19:15

GF what makes me think I meant you? As you say I have just as much right to my opinion too. I knew which of you would bite! If Birmingham Airport landed 10 new airlines some here wouldn't be satisfied. This is great news Birmingham Airport is thriving. I'm from Lichfield me and members of my family have been employed there in the past 20 years it's about time Brummies we're proud of Birmingham and Birmingham Airport like Mancunians rightly are about their city. I make absolutely no apologies for commenting on some of the constant whining and moaning here. I know some who do it are not who they say they are and have definite hidden agendas. Let's get back to talking about Birmingham Airport.

MerchantVenturer

22nd Dec 2014, 19:16

Thank you Pete and CabinCrewe re your responses to my first class query. The third daily rotation is very good news for us punters in the West Country too as it's yet another long haul option from BHX if we don't fancy travelling east to Boris's bete noire.

Dihaz

22nd Dec 2014, 20:31

Great news for BHX!!

The problem for QR is not that they don't take BHX seriously, they simply do not have enough frames to do it. Having said that, it was marginal between EDI and BHX - launching EDI made much more sense for QR.

Hope to see them in BHX soon though - Im told 2015...
It will make commuting back home for me from DOH much easier... :-p

cornishsimon

22nd Dec 2014, 20:35

Certainly the Ek news is good for punters further afield than BHX. Don't forget that BE are tied in to offer connections via the flybe network with Ek flights at LGW, MAN, BHX etc.

If pushed it should help to push punters through the flybe network to the likes of NQY, IOM, JER

cs

GayFriendly

22nd Dec 2014, 21:43

Daza, I agree there are some on here with an agenda, although I can moan I can assure you I'm definitely not one of them! And 10 new airlines, the posh wine would for sure come out if that ever happened!! We've already got 4 for 2015 and that is incredible news which I (positively) commented on a few posts back. The airport as you rightly say is thriving and the 10 million pax figure must surely be in reach next year.

It may not always come across but I am proud of the airport and it's achievements. I will try to make sure this comes across better in future. Here's to a cracking 2015 at BHX and I look forward to being part of the hopefully 10 million next year when I take flights from BHX to Berlin, Madrid and Barcelona and that's just for starters!

Ringwayman

22nd Dec 2014, 22:23

Thought BE only interlined with EK with codesharing being done with EY (just need to look at the MAN arrivals/departures to see extensive it is).

Rather think EK's decision was a "no-brainer" as putting an A380 into BHX and keeping it 2 daily would only result in a minimal increase in capacity. This 3rd service allows plenty of room to grow the route in the medium term and then introduce an A380.

Daza

22nd Dec 2014, 22:38

Gayfriendly I sent you a pm

LNIDA

22nd Dec 2014, 23:39

Well word on the vine at Norwegian is that the new routes are just the start with further announcements due in the new year. TFS/LPA for winter 2015/16 & more med routes & frequency for S16 + Scandinavia and long haul when the 787-900's replace the 2 8's at LGW all subject to DoT granting US rights which is far from certain.

Well done BHX

cornishsimon

22nd Dec 2014, 23:52

BE don't codeshare with Ek.

However if you book via the Ek website for a random weekday in May15, Ek will offer you BE coded connecting flights for say NQY-DXB via BHX, MAN or LGW.

No it's not code sharing but surely this ticketing agreement or whatever you want to call it will help feed the BE domestic network at BHX ?

cs

chinapattern

23rd Dec 2014, 10:00

Excellent news regarding EK - more important is the addition of first class which is a true vote in confidence. Lets hope than in twelve months time we are still as positive; if this flight does well and AA can make JFK work then it might make other airlines sit up and take notice.

FQTLSteve

23rd Dec 2014, 15:27

I heard from an employee of Norwegian that they may set up a base in BHX in the near future.

ssflyer

23rd Dec 2014, 15:29

Prices in J for dates to BKK on the new BHX flight are at least 25% more than the other two daily flights so their pricing matrix is squiffy at the moment-I am sure it will settle down
SSF

getonittt

24th Dec 2014, 14:13

I heard from an employee of Norwegian that they may set up a base in BHX in the near future

Good for them . It won't bother EZY , they are happy milking the BFS route and seasonal ski flights . It may wake up the Ryanair sleeper cell but ultimately it will impact MON the hardest as I suspect NAX would want to operate routes already served.

BHX5DME

31st Dec 2014, 12:12

31 December 2014
http://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/~/media/Images/content/news/Knock%20route%20web.ashx?h=183&w=275Flybe to operate three times weekly flights to Deauville from Birmingham Airport next summer.

Birmingham customers will be able to fly direct to Deauville for the first time this summer following Flybe's announcement to add this third new French route to its 2015 Summer schedule.

The three times a week service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays between 22nd June and 26th September 2015. One way fares from £24.99 including taxes and charges are available for booking now at www.flybe.com (http://www.flybe.com/).

Deauville is a fashionable, internationally renowned beach resort located in northwest France and known as the Parisian Riviera. It is famous particularly for its sandy beaches and for hosting prestigious horse racing events, polo matches and the annual Deauville American Film Festival.

Paul Simmons, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer comments: “We are pleased to offer passengers this brand new route to Deauville as part of our 2015 Summer schedule that boosts further the large selection of flights to great city and sun destinations from Birmingham.”

William Pearson, Birmingham Airport’s Aviation Development Director, added: “Flybe’s decision to introduce this new service to Deauville from Birmingham Airport is great news for passengers in the region who are looking to get away for a relaxing break in the summer. This picturesque seaside town in northwest France, known for its famous race course, harbour, sandy beaches and choice of luxurious hotels, is an excellent addition to Flybe’s network of flights from Birmingham.”

Flybe will operate 26 routes from Birmingham for Summer 2015 with a total choice of up to 339 flights a week that includes two other new French summer routes - to Bastia on the northern tip of the French island of Corsica, and to Biarritz, a luxurious seaside town well known for hosting premier surfing events.

Highlights of new summer route to Deauville (DOL) from Birmingham (BHX)

Effective for travel 22nd June - 26th Sep 2015

Tues/Thurs/Sun
Operated by 2x2 88-seat Embraer 175

Tues
Dep BHX 1155 Arr DOL 1350 Dep DOL 1415 Arr BHX 1410
Thurs
Dep BHX 1205 Arr DOL 1400 Dep DOL720 Arr BHX 1715
Sun
Dep BHX 1100 Arr DOL 1255 Dep DOL 1320 Arr BHX 1330

One way fares from £24.99 including taxes and charges.

Daza

31st Dec 2014, 13:33

As people know I am genially positive about new routes (I'm getting my hat and a knife and fork) but at the moment I am concerned about the direction of Flybe. Three weekly flights to a very secondary French regional airport for a few months yet they dropped 11 routes from Birmingham including TLS, CGN, WAT, OSL etc. Can they really make more money operating these routes? I wonder if they are as directional-less as they were before the whole "reorganisation." I do however hope the route works. :}
Hat tastes nice yum!
Happy New Year Ppruners!
Daza

ATNotts

31st Dec 2014, 14:02

Daza

Notwithstanding the "society" destination, racecourse and nice beach, how that is supposed to attract your average Midlander I really don't know, and I doubt there will be too many French accents to be heard on the service - after all the french only tend to go abroad to places where they can speak french and eat french food - pretty much like your average Brit. really!

Still, when all said, it is a new destination, certainly in the modern era (I reckon it might have been flown back in the 50s or 60s but haven't checked) and shows that however misguided, or not, they may prove to, FlyBe are still committed to BHX.

OltonPete

31st Dec 2014, 14:55

In comes Deauville gap-filing for one of the 175's (Bordeaux Monday and Wednesday) but less fanfare for the removal of another French route.

Perpignan has gone and although once weekly it was bookable not long ago.

Daza - The flybe situation is perplexing and with most of routes there was an indication of a slow start or tailing-off even if they haven't really given them time to bed-in.

However the worrying aspect is Toulouse and Waterford and if they can't make money with a 70-85% load factor on a Dash it is worrying. I have monitored fares on both of these and Waterford you could say is "soft" in winter but Toulouse is a mystery although I am sure they are using sophisticated yield-management, which to the untrained eye (mine) is not always that clear.

Ryanair

Trieste has also disappeared from the Ryanair site after many years of operating. More significant the base seems to be remaining at three for the whole of summer with Trieste gone, a couple Dublin frequencies chopped and some away based flying the schedule now seems to fit three. August was showing four based but overall still only between one or two flights less than 2014.

Pete

OltonPete

31st Dec 2014, 15:48

Passenger figures provided by the CAA. Load factor and average pax per flight from libhomeradar and a local blog.

The November total was good and this is reflected in the main. As you can see OSL, KEF, NOC, CGN, HAM were not great but Waterford and Toulouse were amazing November figures. Waterford is the highest flybe load factor service to get the chop (outside of Med routes) since Perpignan operated many years ago on the 146.

Flybe must be not been able to sell sufficient higher fares after the initial batch of cheap seats were sold although with TLS I have not seen any evidence of fare variation or constant cheap seats (Waterford fares did tail-off in November).

Paris is again a worry when the 195 leaves as Air France for next summer is still showing 2 x A319's and 1 x A320. Therefore a net loss of 180 seats a day.

DUBLIN............. 62,025............135 per flight........87% load factor
DUBAI................45,891............382.................. ...89%
AMSTERDAM...... 41,886.............90......................77%
PARIS (CDG).......33,421............102......................81%
FRANKFURT........25,380............106...................... 67%
ALICANTE...........15265............178..................... ..89%
DUSSELDORF......16,761.............58....................... 59%
MUNICH.............14,781.............92.................... ... 76%
MALAGA............11458.............169..................... .. 87%
SHARM EL S........4502..............173...................... 81%
BRUSSELS...........9053...............42.................... ...52%
ISTANBUL...........8,291.............101.................... ...67%
COPENHAGEN...... 8266...............83........................66%
FARO.................7700..............167.................. .... 83%
NEWARK............ 7,581.............152.......................90%
ZURICH.............. 7,449...............72...................... 72%
HANOVER........... 6287...............61....................... 69%
CORK.................6,294..............57.................. ......79%
ISLAMABAD.........5,908.............246..................... ..73%
LAS PALMAS........3923..............140...................... 70%
ASHKHABAD ........5,502.............162.......................87% way up
STUTTGART........5,379...............55..................... ..62%
BARCELONA.........5,376.............158..................... . 82%
HAMBURG........... 4,663...............50..................... 55%
BYDGOSZCZ........4,511.............174...................... 92%
MILAN (MXP).......4,484...............61...................... 69%
BRATISLAVA....... 4,224..............162......................86%
DELHI/ATQ......... 7,024..............207......................81%
LYON................ 3,479...............58...................... 66%
LARNACA............3119...............173................... .. 81%
HURGHADA..........2045...............126.................... . 60%
SHANNON...........3,282................36................... .. 71%
KRAKOW.............3,176..............176................... .. 93%
GIBRALTAR..........3,022 ..............121..................... 70%
FUNCHAL.............3,020.............157................... .. 74%
GDANSK..............2,929..............163.................. ... 86%
COLOGNE............2,928...............49................... ...63%
KAUNAS..............2,879..............160.................. ... 88%
MALTA...............2,878...............169................. ... 89%
KATOWICE..........2,834...............177................... . 94%
FLORENCE...........2,663............... 61.................... 69%
ROME (FCO)........2,576 ..............143.................... 67%
TOULOUSE..........2,541 ................55.................... 71%
BERLIN (TXL)......2,388.................57.................... 65%
KNOCK............... 2,170................ 47.....................60%
PALMA .............. 1,805................ 87.................... 45%
WATERFORD....... 1,565................ 60.................... 77%
OSLO ............... 1,541................ 45.................... 52%
DALAMAN.............602................151.................. .. 70%
KEFLAVIK........... 1,456................ 56.................... 64%
OPORTO.............1,346................ 48.................... 55%
GOTEBORG..........1,214................ 24.................... 66%
VENICE................601 ...............100................... 50%
TENERIFE........... ????? wrong split between schedule & IT
ARRECIFE............????? wrong split between schedule & IT
FUERTEVENTURA..????? wrong split between schedule & IT

Pete

compton3bravo

2nd Jan 2015, 05:00

Personally I think the route planning department must have taken leave of their senses in deciding to operate a three times weekly schedule to Deauville from Birmingham. I have stayed in the area and although very nice it is very expensive even by French standards. Also I cannot see many or any French people from that area wishing to travel to Birmingham in that period when like its more famous counterpart in the South of France is to be seen and ´promenade´.
The main event in August is the racing festival with more prestigious racing taking place on a Sunday - guess what the timings are for the aircraft to leave around midday - oh dear. So in fact if you wanted to go to the races you would have to leave on a Thursday and return on a Tuesday. Sorry cannot see it working - I would thought keeping Waterford would have been a better bet. Also Flybe are operating a twice weekly Exeter-Deauville service at that same time. Enough said.

MANFOD

5th Jan 2015, 08:21

RVRs at BHX.

Just curious as to whether any of you guys can explain how BHX manages to retain RVR's of over 600m and sometimes in excess of 1,500m when the met vis. is given as 100m. In fact, early yesterday evening the vis was only 50m for a time but the lowest RVR on the half hour weather reports was 600 and then 750. Did any flights have to divert?

Have BHX got some secret formula for keeping the fog off the runway and on the grass?? Seriously though, did the wall of thick fog thin out along the runway so that at the 15 end it was ok for landings. 50m met vis often means RVRs more like 150-200m which even with modern aids can cause problems for some aircraft.

Here at MAN, we often get the reverse effect. Early yesterday incredibly we were in LVPs despite a met vis of >10km but at the touchdown an RVR was fluctuating between 600 and >1,500m. Still not sure why it necessitated LVPs, but the met kept predicting a deterioration in the vis. to as low as 200m which never happened. A good job it was Sunday and not a weekday with the influx of flybe flights, or the holding delays would have been a real headache.

darkbarly

5th Jan 2015, 10:04

Flying over an airfield the runway can appear perfectly clear, but once on final approach at 200' or 100' agl the runway can be significantly obscured as you are now looking through the 'breadth', rather than depth, of the obscuration. RVR, although not a perfect system, better represents this than met or observed vis.

BHX Is no exception, other than fog tends to form initially, and earlier than forecast, at the 15 end as it is lower, but there are so many variables that you cant predict exactly where the fog will nestle or for how long.

Not too long ago the 15 end claimed a cessna citation on an organ transfer flight, the crew flew straight into the glideslope antennae. The other end was clear(ish), the tower could see the fog bank but not the burning aircraft contained within nor the blue lights on the rescue rigs.

OltonPete

6th Jan 2015, 21:55

Currently showing 4 daily in the week during summer 2015 down from 5. Not a lot of seats lost from 11 May as all flights are showing from then, as the RJ100, which is an extra 17 seats per flight over the Dash.

KLM is still showing ll mainline this coming summer except at the weekend and high-summer and is also back to five daily - another increase.

Lufthansa still showing the A321 daily on LH956.

MANFOD

Sunday was remarkable with very low visibility all around the West Midlands but BHX actually received diversions from Luton, Oxford and Coventry!

I do remember the days when the iRVR readers were new and the vis appeared to be 10K yet the RVR was 150m, as Darkbarly has explained away below. More recently it seems the other way around where BHX's RVR's don't spend much time below 200.

Pete

chinapattern

9th Jan 2015, 14:15

Cathay Pacific will start to code-share on Flybe fights between BHX-AMS/CDG.

Cathay Pacific / flyBe Expands Codeshare Partnership from mid-Jan 2015 | Airline Route (http://airlineroute.net/2015/01/08/cxbe-codeshare-jan15/)

This summer will see quite a few oneworld carriers appearing on the departure boards through codeshare; AA, BA, IB, QF and CX. Not bad considering this time last year there was zero oneworld presence at all.

Balair

9th Jan 2015, 15:00

That's good news.

With regard to code share flights, at least BHX (as with most airports) list them on their Arrival/Departure boards, unlike EMA, which appears never to be bothered to list the few which are operated through that airport!

It shouldn't surprise me however as communicating accurate information to the travelling public always seems to be a major problem for EMA.

Balair

Apologies for the thread drift, but Chinapattern's comment triggered an issue I have with EMA which continues to irritate me, as you can see above...!
I think I had better take a chill pill and not let their failings bother me so much...!

Fried_Chicken

12th Jan 2015, 12:14

A Smartlynx A320 positioned in last night to operate the MoD flight that was previously operated by Hamburg Airways. I'm not sure if this is a permanent thing.

FC

Bagso

14th Jan 2015, 18:18

Gatwick is currently showing adverts which includes the Birmingham Airport Logo with a strap line that suggests massive support for a second runway.

The first quote is even from the Bhx CEO.

I have to be honest I find that absolutely staggering and totally at odds with the frenzied responses by BHX to the airport comission.

Thinking privately that they may need additional capacity is one thing .....

BUT actively promoting its expansion over your own airport ?

Well I find that simply jaw dropping !

hammerb32

14th Jan 2015, 19:28

Bagso, from memory the 2 airports have been aligned in their thought process publicly for 6 months. If you think it through it does make perfect sense, an expanded Gatwick is of little threat to BHX, an expanded Heathrow is a massive threat. It maybe a little symbiotic but it does add up.

Bagso

14th Jan 2015, 20:08

That is an excellent point.

Gatwick is more of a threat to airports in Northern France

Maybe it is indeed double speak ? :ok:

insuindi

15th Jan 2015, 13:03

27MAR15 appears to be the last flight for GOT-BHX (in fact according to bmir thread here, all bmir GOT operations cease).

insuindi

15th Jan 2015, 14:27

CAA provisionals are out:

2015 BHX: 9,698,349 Pax, +6.4%

(Dec '14 BHX: 621,457 +8.8%)

chinapattern

15th Jan 2015, 16:08

Another route likely to be left unserved - can't see anyone taking it up. And lets face it if Flybe did it would be gone again in six months!

Fairdealfrank

15th Jan 2015, 17:05

bhx bod

16th Jan 2015, 15:09

The former MON 757 G-MONJ left BHX just after 13:30 this lunchtime.I believe it was on it's way to Kemble.
A sad day:{

fjencl

16th Jan 2015, 16:41

I see a recruitment agency is looking for experienced cabin crew for
work at BHX airport May 2015 - Sept 2015.....on a320 aircraft.

Any ideas who the airline will be ????

chinapattern

16th Jan 2015, 16:57

I'd say it's probably Thomas Cook who are leasing a few A320s from SmartLynx for the summer.

fjencl

16th Jan 2015, 17:01

cheers for that

bhx bod

16th Jan 2015, 17:07

Smart Lynx also appear to be operating the MOD flights to Hannover and Paderborn,at least for the foreseeable future.
Whether they intend using locally based crews on these flights I don't know but it is possible.

fjencl

18th Jan 2015, 17:58

Any ideas what routes the smartlynx a320 thats operating for thomas cook this summer will be doing......

TCX69

18th Jan 2015, 21:09

Any ideas what routes the smartlynx a320 thats operating for thomas cook this summer will be doing......

Monday
ZTH/BOJ

Tuesday
DLM/ADB

Wednesday
MAH/DLM

Thursday
PMI/BJV

Friday
PFO/AYT

Saturday
FAO/ADB

Sunday
KLX/DLM

BHX5DME

19th Jan 2015, 21:53

Birmingham Airport has reported its busiest year ever in 2014, which ended with another record month in December.

Over the 12 month calendar year, the gateway handled 9,707,449 passengers; an increase of 6.5% compared to 2013.

It also celebrated seven record months in April, May, June, July, August, November and December and recorded Dublin, Dubai and Amsterdam as the top three routes.

During December, 622,317 passengers travelled through the airport, an increase of 8.4% compared to the same period the previous year and the busiest December since 2008.

Chief executive, Paul Kehoe, says: “During 2014 we experienced seven record months and saw the completion of a major package of infrastructure works that has prepared the airport for future passenger growth.

“The passenger records have been achieved as a result of airlines introducing new routes and more people realising the ease of travelling to and through Birmingham Airport - and the coming year looks equally exciting as we prepare for American Airlines, Norwegian and Vueling to start operations in the summer.

“We also expect Dubai to overtake Dublin as the busiest route this year, as Emirates get set to launch a third daily service from August, and with more capacity being offered by Turkish Airlines, Air India, SAS, Brussels Airlines, Aegean, Thomson and Thomas Cook, travellers can expect more choice than ever from Birmingham in 2015.”

International services saw the biggest number of passengers in December, with 464,190 travellers taking flights from Birmingham during the month, an increase of 10.7% compared to the same month in 2013.

Scheduled traffic in December was up by 8.6%, with the most significant growth seen on flights to Hamburg (+116.3%), Stuttgart (+59.7%), Las Palmas (+46.9%), Alicante (+37.4%) and Knock (+36.4%).

Charter traffic increased by 6.2% in December, with growth seen on services to Montego Bay (+100%), Lapland (+89.2%), Enfidha (+58.6%), Cancun (+43.1%), Rovaniemi (+28.3%), Paphos (+28%) and Bridgetown (+25.3%).

During December, scheduled traffic accounted for 91% of the total figure, with charter passengers making up the remaining 9%.