How many FBOs is enough at BFS?

[followthemarshaller]

Whilst looking at current FBO arrangements at EGAA BFS I notice that there are several choices for the corporate customer. Jet Assist - in the airport terminal, Woodgates Aviation - building new facilities and hangar on D site, Belfast Airport Handling in freight village and a new venture, Global Trek Aviation, opening on 31st March 2015.
Is there really enough FBO work for all these to succeed?

[x933]

I would have thought two was enough, personally.

Tobesure, tobesure.

:E

I'll get my coat - try the veal.

[N4565L]

The stats for the last year suggest that there is not enough terminal traffic to make even one FBO (as distinct from airline ground handlers) viable.

Woodgate have a well established & respected business based on their air taxi, ordinance survey & air ambulance work together with their AMO & MRO soon to move into their new hangar with co-located FBO. They have 50+ years in the business & will continue for another 50 !

Swiss Port & Heavy Weight/Belfast Handling are happy to concentrate on core business, airline PAX & cargo & EGAA is attracting more of both to the airport, so they can expect to be busy.

Corporate/GA traffic at EGAA is very thin on the ground, specially during the winter months.

The new venture has significant experience behind it. Attracting tech stop traffic away from EINN, EGPK & EGPC as well as BIRK & BIKF will be the route for them I believe. EGPK looks very vulnerable, it really can do without having to fight to keep it's tech stop traffic. Scottish government investment of GBP£10M will probably be the last major state aid to be put in. If it looses any of its military traffic it will feel the pain very quickly. Shannon on the other hand has a well established & competent sales & marketing team promoting it as well as some of the best FBO brands in the business. Universal, Signature, Westair & US Jet Alliance are safe, maybe even bullet proof.

Anyway, to answer the question, ONE, there will be a bloodied nose before long at EGAA & probably another one, maybe two further afield.

A big plus at EGAA is a BizAv friendly & progressive airport management team & new owners intent on promoting EGAA to all sectors of the industry.

Regards,

SixFiveLima

[followthemarshaller]

Interesting. Thanks for comments.
I often wonder why so little Corporate GA traffic at EGAA when EGAC seems to get its fair share. Location location location maybe, certainly very handy for the city centre. I hear the team at AV Flight made up of mostly ex Eurojet ops staff have been doing a sterling job.
Best of luck to the new ventures at EGAC...ding ding, round one. I will be watching closely to see who comes out on top.

[N4565L]

Yes, ex EuroJet lads have great reputation for excellent service at EGAC. Location only goes so far. Perception counts too, City Airport only handy if PAX going to nearby section of Belfast. Road traffic makes International an excellent choice for everywhere else, right across NI & into Republic. EGAA suffered for years for not promoting itself, new owners have upped the game & promoting EGAA as 24H CAT3.

SixFiveLima

[silverknapper]

65L

It's been a good while since I had the misfortune to have to use BFS. It was an organ harvest flight a good few years ago. We were semi frequent visitors. But after the last one I swore I'd never go back.

If this friendly and progressive management are in place they must have changed. Because we had nothing but security hassle every time. To the point that one guy wasn't going to let us on the airfield. With security passes from another airport, passports, licences and an escort from the FBO. The management wouldn't help and we had the horrid situation of a heart and lungs en route to the airport under a blue light escort, a patient being prepped on the mainland to receive it and an utter b£@£?!d of a jobsworth guard who was immune to all this and still wouldn't budge from his interpretation of the rules.

Only resolved by us calling the police.

If that's still the case word will get out and you'll never attract ferry traffic.

[N4565L]

Silverknapper,


I did hear about that crazy incident :ugh: & am aware of lessons learned & new security procedures implimented (although I am not EGAA based)

All that changed with new owners, chairman & new head of security :D

SixFiveLima

[22-04]

It has been a while since I have had the pleasure of flying into EGAA. But I've heard a number of good reports from other crew on the issues to do with access airside.

The airport has become more General/Business Aviation orientated in the last year, the new owners must know what they needed to tackle. It was like :ugh: at times with some of the staff that couldn't use common sense.

On the departure of EuroJet from EGAA, there was a good chance for the taking to set up an established and experienced brand of an FBO, to provide what we are all looking for in relation to an efficient and quality level of service without the extortionate price tag. :=

I'd have to say that it is a comparable location when looking to transit the north atlantic and does have advantages over the likes of EINN and EGPK. Operators tend not to venture too far from the tried and tested routes unless there is a really good reason to try something new.

When looking to visit Belfast the more options the better, it keeps everyone on their toes if the customer has the choice. :ok:

BIA are probably trying to expand the General / Business Aviation market, another FBO in the mix might separate the men from the boys.

Does anyone have any experiences with the current operators at EGAA? Who would you select for your next visit?




22-04

[globetrotter87]

Hi guys just been been looking around and found this thread.. I have used Belfast International in recent months and must say I found it very welcoming. We used Jet Assist who I think are quite new..

There seems to be a good choice at the airport and I think a 3rd is a bit strange.. To be honest I would have said WoodAir and Jet Assist would be plenty..

The guys at Jet Assist told us that the airport is quite quiet but with good fuel prices my boss was happy to use it on our way home.. Nice airport nice friendly staff and the Jet Assist security checkpoint was great..

will be watching with interest

[3legs]

i had the pleasure of being invited to the open evening back in October last year. Very impressed with the new set up and friendly staff there.

They had static displayed aircraft which were accessible from the FBO! This is something that would have never happened under the previous airport and security management.

Jet Assist have a friendly can do approach with competitive prices especially for fuel.

Give them a go :ok:

[hingey]

I'd like to second 3legs. JetAssist have their own security terminal, and whilst it's still EGAA security staff it seems to work a lot smoother than the old check point. Cheap fuel through JetAssist and very good service. Recommended.

h

[Gostomel7]

Their website not live yet. Anyone have an ops email or telephone for them? Have an flt to book in.

Bykovo.

[Gostomel7]

@Globetrotter87

Have you used WoodAir, are they Woodgate Aviation, what do you think, we have a series (well 3, maybe 4) of flights through EGAA or EGAC starting June, worth a try ? Used EGAC last time around but EGAA is 24H & CAT3.

Bykovo

[globetrotter87]

Have sent you a PM Bykovo..

Used swissport, jet assist & Woodgate and EGAC..

We like EGAA due to runway length and HR24...

Woodgate (woodair) have been there a long time but we got the feeling their ambulance work is priority they did an ok Job though..

Jet Assist are there around a year and we tried them when they opened as we used to use Eurojet they have spent quite a bit of money on vehicles for the ramp etc.. but the star is their fuel price and that private security checkpoint our pax love it compared to the old checkpoint 1 everyone else uses..

Swissport.. its just like using a commercial handler anywhere not for corporate and dont want corporate..

EGAC is a good airport avflight hold all the cards which is never good but clean service just like eurojet when they were there...

If i have to choose EGAA all day long and if I am lifting fuel or passengers I have to say Jet Assist impressed us... we did a day stop and they even have a separate crew lounge with a dark room with bunk beds..

[email protected]
[email protected]

I think. hope that can be of help..

[Gostomel7]

Hi Globetrotter87,

Thank you sir for the PM & very helpful notes. I have sent you PM.

Regards,

Bykovo