Birmingham-7

[jon01]

Icelandair showing 2 x B737 Max 8 (C8 Y152) flights per week for summer 2018

From May 2018 the B737 Max will operate Mon & Wed flights, with Fri & Sat B757 operated

[BHX5DME]

FlyOne will be back in S18
Showing as A320 weekly on a Saturday

[OltonPete]

Geneva continues in summer 18 and is EasyJet UK (EZY flight numbers), it is a Luton based A319 Monday Wednesday & Friday. In at 17.45 out 18.15, The daily service ends earlier 24 March.

The service which restarts next Tuesday at 3 a week is easy Swiss.

Belfast shows

Monday 3 daily with the first an A320
Tuesday 2 daily
Wednesday 3 daily (flexes from 2/3)
Thursday 3 daily
Friday 3 daily
Saturday 1 daily
Sunday 2 daily (down one) all flights on the 319's except Monday morning

[FQTLSteve]

When will BHX August pax figures be released, many others were released more than 12 days ago?

[Sholto Douglas]

If you are referring to the CAA statistics then hopefully they may, according to their website, be released tomorrow when the next update is due.

Unfortunately the CAA appear to be either very slow in collating the individual airport data, or the airports themselves have become inefficient in supplying the information in the first place. It never ceases to amaze me that Inverness and Belfast City are two of the last to be provided.

[nwoody2001]

I think they are more referring to the point that BHX has not yet release its own figures for Aug which they would normally have done so by now

[BHX5DME]

Looks like BHX are waiting to announce going through 13m pax and record August figures, maybe at Routes this weekend

[Lassie]

Don't know official figures but August was the 30th consecutive month of record passenger numbers.

[Flying Wild]

Just a shame that the infrastructure (security queues, baggage delays, handling delays, border force queues) can't keep up. Yes, it's down to the respective agencies' manning, but it still reflects on the airport as a whole.

[Lassie]

100% agree with you. Airport has the potential to be excellent but is let down by poor planning & mismanagement.
More appreciation & investment needed towards the customer experience rather than just profit margins. I know it's a business but this summer has been shambolic at times & the continual blame towards border force/swissport/airlines has become tiresome.

Let's hope the new chairman will focus on rebuilding the reputation of the airport so it can reach its potential.

[Hotel Tango]

Let's hope the new chairman will focus on rebuilding the reputation of the airport so it can reach its potential.

As a frequent user I'll echo that.

[ATNotts]

Pedant alert! The open position is CEO, not chairman. The two are totally different.

[FQTLSteve]

Just seen on the Bristol thread that CAA figures have been released. BHX July figures were published on the Airports Web Site news section on 15 August, we're 8 days on from that this month, are they imminent?

[Alvechurch]

Still not up on BHX website but have appeared on CAA.
Still looking pretty healthy:

August Pax: 1496213 up 16%

[Lassie]

Pedant alert! The open position is CEO, not chairman. The two are totally different.

I'm well aware of the fact the open position is CEO but the chairman of BAL is also new in his role, hence the comment.

[BHX5DME]

Wizz are dropping Sofia from BHX from November, Bristol is loosing Sofia & Warsaw

[Burpbot]

Alvechurch, prob still stuck in arrivals so can not post the figures yet ��

[Fried_Chicken]

A new African start up Vule Airways have announced they would like to start Entebbe to BHX (& Stansted) using a B777

[VickersVicount]

sounds fanciful. Will be interesting to see if that ever sees light of day.

[insuindi]

Eurowings is no longer taking bookings for the originally planned TXL-BHX "Christmas market" flights this Christmas season.

[jon01]

Birmingham hits 13 million (Sep 2016 - Sep 2017)

Birmingham Airport hits 13 million milestone :: Routesonline (http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/274938/birmingham-airport-hits-13-million-milestone/)

Which should put the rolling 12 months equal to or slightly above Edinburgh and with continued growth for the remainder of 2017, put BHX up to 6th place in the 2017 UK airport league

[OltonPete]

It seems BHX has got off fairly lightly from the Ryanair cull with FR664/5 Dublin the main victim on Monday, Friday and Sunday leaving just 4 Dublin flights on those days but 6 on a Tuesday!

easyjet

Summer 18 is shaping up well with Belfast mid June to end of August showing no reductions therefore an extra service each weekday compared to 2017.

Also add the continuing GVA at three a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Maybe the future is bright........

[jfy1999]

The new Hilton hotel is taking shape. Picture credit "PerpetualBrum" on SkyscraperCity

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4363/37305930416_e079b10958_b.jpg

[nigel osborne]

I did read the rooms are in kit form for self assembly.

Certainly a big hotel.An excellent addition for BHX.

[nigel osborne]

It seems BHX has got off fairly lightly from the Ryanair cull with FR664/5 Dublin the main victim on Monday, Friday and Sunday leaving just 4 Dublin flights on those days but
easyjet

Summer 18 is shaping up well with Belfast mid June to end of August showing no reductions therefore an extra service each weekday compared to 2017.

Also add the continuing GVA at three a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Maybe the future is bright........


That's good news for BHX.

We seem to get a small upgrade each season from Easy Jet now.

Next move hopefully 5ba week then another destination..like pulling teeth but making progress 😀

[j636]

It seems BHX has got off fairly lightly from the Ryanair cull with FR664/5 Dublin the main victim on Monday, Friday and Sunday leaving just 4 Dublin flights on those days but 6 on a Tuesday!

Rather odd scheduling even before the cuts to have 6 on quiet days.

[planedrive]

Who knows what might happen with EZY next summer if the rumours of a Monarch acquisition are to be believed! Guess we'll find out tomorrow! (29/9)

[nigel osborne]

Still no announcement as of 11am.

[toledoashley]

It's a very odd day to make an announcement though - traditionally anyway.

[ATNotts]

Were there to be no announcement today it will make some of the armchair pundits and doom-mongers on the Monarch thread look a bit daft.

[Burpbot]

ATN Notts, I wish there was a like button!

Only bad news comes on a Friday, surely everybody knows that!!!

[ssflyer]

A post on the Monarch thread says the announcement will now be next Tuesday...

[FQTLSteve]

Monarch will be a huge loss, can another carrier fill the gap? I speak as a victim as I was due to fly ZB974 to Malaga this afternoon.

[chaps1954]

The gaps will be filled but at a cost as fares will rise and extra flight will be added but not at the same numbers of Monarch flight
so a net loss over all.A big loss to LGW/LTN/BHX/MAN and LBA.
The people that were to fly seat only will probably have accommodation etc booked so will be keen to try
and rearrange flights but packages will take longer to sort, the only good thing for pax is that most routes are
covered by other airlines as well.

[jon01]

So, because of the sad loss of Monarch, I believe the following scheduled routes have gone:

LIS
NCE
VLC
VCE
ARN
PVK
GIB
KTT (Dec only)

I would imagine Jet2 would pick up NCE and VCE, but what about the others? Thomas Cook maybe as there are some Airbuses up for grabs now?

Maybe now Vueling and Norwegian will restore dropped flights for the coming winter and summer 18

[MKY661]

I doubt GIB will come back, heard loads have been poor.

[Centre cities]

I doubt that any of these routes will operate in the summer of 2018.

BHX will face a huge challenge maintaining passenger numbers next summer.

The Monarch base was 9 aircraft.

Jet 2 have increased by 2 for summer 2018 leaving a deficit of 7.

Also with the loss of the loss of Norwegian, Vuelling, Cobalt, United, the Emirates reduction and wider circumstances concerning the state of the economy, the pound and the security situation 2018 is not shaping up well

2017 will be the zenith passenger number wise for the next few years.

[getonittt]

It took 5 years for the gap to be filled after BMI baby ceased ops to get lost routes back such as PRG,LIS & NCE . MON will not leave a gap, it will be a Chasm .

[jon01]

It looks like Jet2 are adding capacity to Spain and Portugal, bookable from Tue 3rd Oct. Also at LBA & MAN

[FQTLSteve]

On MAN thread it mentions IAG looking at Monarch assets maybe Vueling could expand at BHX?

[Centre cities]

I do not think that routes will be one of those assets, pilots/fleet/slots maybe.

[canberra97]

Monarch aircraft fleet are not assets as they are all leased and therefore they will be returned to their lessors, Monarch don't own any slots so no assets there, eventually those slots will just be distributed to other airlines, routes are not assets either as any airline is able to pick them up themselves at no extra cost.

What assets did Monarch actually have for the creditors to sell off?

Although Monarch crew were obviously assets to the company they are not a financial asset which can be sold on by the creditors, as individuals they find themselves unemployed.

This whole saga is so sad and could and should off have been dealt with far sooner.

[jon01]

One extra Jet2 aircraft to be based here, flights now on sale

[Harry Wayfarers]

I doubt that any of these routes will operate in the summer of 2018.

BHX will face a huge challenge maintaining passenger numbers next summer.

The Monarch base was 9 aircraft.

Jet 2 have increased by 2 for summer 2018 leaving a deficit of 7.

Also with the loss of the loss of Norwegian, Vuelling, Cobalt, United, the Emirates reduction and wider circumstances concerning the state of the economy, the pound and the security situation 2018 is not shaping up well

2017 will be the zenith passenger number wise for the next few years.



Never mind the poor unfortunatate souls who are waking up to discuss how they may now pay the mortgage finding themselves suddenly unemplioyed, you just concern yourself with registration spotting!

[Centre cities]

Harry

Where did registrations come into this post. Are you seeing something I am not.

How am I not concerned for the future of the employees. Sad as the Monarch failure is with the uncertainty it has caused for the employees and customers (of which I am one) it has happened. The aviation industry is no different from many others where people have lost jobs and in the current economic climate will continue to do so.

Airports are businesses and employ a lot of people. It will not be just Monarch people that are affected but everyone from workers in retail units, to check in to ground staff.

The airport is a business and needs to protect its revenues and future growth prospects. This will be a challenge.

[Burpbot]

As the Monarch crew turned up for the fateful meeting with creditors knowing they had lost their livelyhoods! They could not access the car park to go to the meeting as BHX had killed everyone's passes despite the car park being paid for till end of oct already!! Nasty cheap scum sucking Airport to the end! Well done for helping your biggest customer! Rot in hell!!! I hope karma takes you out!!!!!!

[Harry Wayfarers]

I think you'll find that check-in are ground staff!

The post was regarding BHX maintaining passenger numbers, who, other than spotters and enthusiasts, gives a :mad: about passenger numbers, there was no concern shown whatsoever regarding the job security of staff etc

[hammerb32]

Harry, not every post on the subject needs to have a job security of staff footnote. Common sense should tell you that many people will be reliant on pax numbers not least the poor staff from monarch who will need at least one of the BHX airlines to go into some sort of expansion mode if they wish to remain in the industry.

[AirportPlanner1]

I think you'll find that check-in are ground staff!

The post was regarding BHX maintaining passenger numbers, who, other than spotters and enthusiasts, gives a :mad: about passenger numbers, there was no concern shown whatsoever regarding the job security of staff etc

Most stupid comment of the week. With a drop in pax numbers comes less income, less staff, less overtime, tenents leave, more jobs are lost. The original poster said nothing insensitive or unreasonable.

[Harry Wayfarers]

The staff directly, and some indirectly, employed by the failed airline are out of work, been there, done that, got the tee shirt.

Handling agents do not quote airlines and/or employ/pay their staff on specific passenger numbers, on load factors, they quote and employ/pay on aircraft types and/or seating capacities, whether an aircraft is 50% or 100% occupied the same staff are employed/paid, likewise air traffic controllers, firefighters, runway inspectors etc. are not employed/paid per passenger, it takes the same amount of these personnel regardless of any specific load factor.

So it is not about an airport bettering a number of passengers statistic better than the previous year(s), there might be fewer aircraft flying around the UK skies this week than there were last week but the UK population hasn't dropped in numbers to reflect that and soon things shall recover whether the replacement aircraft be flying from BHX, MAN, EMA or wherever.

[jon01]

At last there is now an airport press release about Jet2 expansion, which mentions further increases for s18. So it looks like 7 or possibly 8 aircraft will now be based next summer

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/media-information/news/2017/10/jet2com-and-jet2holidays-adds-over-55-000-winter-seats-from-birmingham-airport-in-response-to-increased-demand/

[eggc]

You know Jet2 are a great set-up, finger on the pulse and in tune with the market place. In the face of such bad news its pleasing to see someone absolutely nailing it.

Their roll back to traditional package holidays has been a master stroke. The public are loving it, flights (inc cases), transfers, hotels with reps are proving the do-it-yourself of the last 10 years is wearing a little thin with holiday makers. They should charge a little more and offer free allocated seating and inflight meals and they are there.

Well done Jet2.

[FRatSTN]

They should charge a little more and offer free allocated seating and inflight meals and they are there.

Or just introduce an Economy Plus type product like Thomas Cook are doing? Another good example of how to pull it off, especially when you think how close to the brink they were only 4 or 5 years ago.

[crewmeal]

Perhaps those employed by Swissport who looked after Monarch should now turn their attention to other carriers to ensure baggage is loaded and unloaded correctly, aircraft are met on arrival, passengers escorted to immigration, all the normal duties that ground staff do. Or are they planning a cull at the end of Oct?

[Burpbot]

Swissport have axed a lot of staff along with other companies due to Monarchs demise! It's not just the airlines staff that suffer!!!!

The death of decent airlines and employment is upon us! The industry is no longer a decent career!

I wish everyone effected my best wishes for the future, I hope it's onwards and upwards from here.

[Flying Wild]

Rumour has it, jet2 will be self handling next summer. So even less "pressure" on swissport.

[irishlad06]

I know STN has been confirmed as self handling next summer as they will have at least 10 based units - not sure if BHX will be but makes sense however it would need that required manic number of 7 based aircraft to make it work financially for the company.

[OltonPete]

Firstly I would like to pass on my best wishes to all Monarch crew in their quest to get back in the air and just say it was a pleasure flying a few times from BHX to Venice, Rome, Skiathos and more recently Preveza.

Good to see Jet2 react in a speedy and dignified fashion in adding several flights even if it is to their benefit. Seven aircraft scheduled at times from February although I realise this might be end up as six once the schedules are sorted. Malaga is the only route at present which hasn't had too much added.

United

Gone now as of today and a water cannon salute to boot, which I am told is not unique but celebrating an airline pulling out which could annoy some of those affected by the loss of the route even if it was only a few local staff.

Final seat maps today show 148 in on UA27 with 14 business, 35 economy + and 99 economy and 134 out with 16 business (full) 30 economy plus and 88 economy.

Qatar

Interesting post by MV on the Bristol thread and I am wondering how much the Cardiff service will affect the BHX route, which is hardly producing stellar numbers although September might have been different with Emirates reducing to two flights a day.

[crewmeal]

Interesting post by MV on the Bristol thread and I am wondering how much the Cardiff service will affect the BHX route, which is hardly producing stellar numbers although September might have been different with Emirates reducing to two flights a day.

Something I said in the Cardiff thread when the route was first announced.

If the figures in UA's business class are that good why did they give up on BHX?

[jon01]

Eight Jet2 aircraft to be based and new routes added

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/media-information/news/2017/10/jet2com-and-jet2holidays-adds-250-000-summer-seats-from-birmingham-airport

[Mr Angry from Purley]

Whats the impact to BHX with loss of Monarch - including who handled them?

[jon01]

Swissport jobs to go with the loss of Monarch and now Jet2 contracts next March? But Jet2 could employ Swissport staff, so maybe not too bad

[chinapattern]

Jet2 - Bodrum, Dubrovnik and Venice. Rome start date brought forward to February and increased to x4weekly.

Thomson - Izmir & Venice

[OltonPete]

Thomson seem to be going to 8 based next summer, 7 short-haul and 1 long-haul (Sunday & Monday the long-haul is elsewhere at times).

Monday Corfu changed to morning from a night flight and Arrecife returns in the afternoon which disappeared when Hurghada was added

Tuesday 2nd Palma in the morning and Tenerife in the afternoon

Wednesday. When Podgorica was added it required a reshuffle and I think Ibiza moved from pm to am (2nd PMI) and a second Rhodes afternoon added

Thursday Ibiza added am and Larnaca pm

Friday Venice (New Thomson/TUI route as it previously P & O) added am and a second Dalaman pm

Saturday - Girona moved to AM leaving Izmir ADB added in the afternoon and Las Palmas. One Verona and Salzburg still showing as Flybe.

Sunday - Second AM Malaga added and Zante PM

Thomas Cook

Now showing 5 away based aircraft with Antalya Sunday added - could be another one which converts in a based aircraft possibly?

crewmeal - United

Often told a lot of business was upgrades but whether that was true I have no idea. Premium Economy was the one area which always looked light compared to business which was full most days throughout the year

[Plane.Silly]

The Jet2 expansion can only be a good thing here; they're essentially picking up where Monarch left off, even if package holidays were only 5%of ZB's business.
They weren't afraid to take on STN with the colossal Ryanair programme and an 'underserved' package holiday market so presumably they like a good challenge. This setup from Thomson/Thomas Cook, combined with Jet2's 8 based operation from next summer... Should be a very interesting one indeed

[jon01]

The 5th based Jet2 aircraft goes into service at BHX today. Initially SmartLynx A320 YL-LCP is based, until a B738 becomes available

[David Sharpe]

I reckon that Jet 2 have added 13 additional weekly departures commencing from today (or 39 x weekly extra return services between today and the end of the month) Unless I have missed something it looks like 2 extra departures each day apart from Wednesday, when there is only 1.


Monarch were timetabled to have 533 departures during the month of October, of which I think 19 operated (on Sunday 1st October, should have been 20, but the night Ibiza was cancelled)

[cheesebag]

I'm out to MCO next Friday via DUB and EWR.... is it noticeably quieter at the moment?

[bhx bod]

It is much quieter now.However it is the end of the season so naturally it will get quieter around now.
The loss of MON has had an effect,especially in the early part of the day(3.30am-7.30am).
The departure lounge and security search areas seem deserted at times,compared to just a few weeks ago.

[Hotel Tango]

The departure lounge and security search areas seem deserted at times,compared to just a few weeks ago.

Yes it was so strange last week. Loads of security lanes open and only one or two passengers in each. There was usually a whole bunch of MON afternoon departures at that time.

[ssflyer]

Half term hols start shortly, when many flights will be full

[Seljuk22]

SAS to launch ARN-BHX next summer.

[OltonPete]

One out one in as they say, plus one continuing.

SAS - I would say not the full schedule as a Friday A319 in at 08.00 and a Sunday B736 and that is it in the various booking engines.

I believe Arlanda is not an A319 base and 736 is being slowly withdrawn.

Aegean Athens - off sale for summer 18.

Blue Air Larnaca - on sale and again away based at the moment three times a week, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday

Thomas Cook have added night Tenerife flights in November on Friday and Saturday

[jon01]

Emirates are reinstating a third daily flight on peak dates during winter 17/18 due to demand. At the moment some flights have been added in early January 2018

17:30/19:05 EK2643/2644 B77W (02, 05 Jan)

[BHX5DME]

Air Transat pull out of BHX lets hope Primera announce YYZ soon

[Centre cities]

Air Transat pull out of BHX lets hope Primera announce YYZ soon

Is it still difficult to get a UK/Canada licence or does it fall under the present Eu/Canada open sky agreement.

Centre cities

[SWBKCB]

From a regulatory point of view, nothing has changed yet so the existing Open Skies agreement would apply

[kgoodall]

Air Transat pull out of BHX lets hope Primera announce YYZ soon

Where did you get the info from? It's still bookable (and I am indeed booked for the first flight of the season next year).

Cheers!

[BHX5DME]

17 per week in S18
Nice increase !

[GayFriendly]

Air Transat

Yes still very much alive and bookable for S18 - unless you have insider info that has yet to translate to the website? It must be very costly for them to operate a once a week schedule into BHX in terms of crewing, HOTAC and positioning. One hopes it something that Primera might take a look at, or Canada Rouge - like Orlando, Toronto is another shameful route from BHX when it comes to frequency.

Turkish

Didn't see that coming - perhaps a reaction to pick up some of the demand from the loss of the 3rd EK flight? Whatever, it's a nice surprise!

[111KAB]

From Birmingham Mail ....


Airline scraps flights to Spain from Birmingham Airport - Birmingham Mail (http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/business/airline-scraps-flights-spain-birmingham-13801581)

[southside bobby]

NAX confirm all Spanish destinations (5) from BHX cease wef this Saturday 28th.

[Navpi]

I thought Norwegian was known?

Are they not pulling all regional flights to Spain ?

[jon01]

The start of season report for winter 17/18 is out, courtesy of ACL Airport Coordination Ltd:

American Airlines CANCELLED Cancel their New York – JFK scheduled service.
bmi regional NEW Plan to introduce a 6x p.w. scheduled service to Gothenburg – GOT (cont' from S17).
bmi regional NEW Plan to introduce a 6x p.w. scheduled service to Nuremberg – NUE (cont' from S17).
Brussels Airlines CHANGE Reduce frequency from 23x to 17x per week on Brussels – BRU.
Emirates CHANGE Reduce frequency from 21x to 14x per week on Dubai – DBX.
Emirates CHANGE Will introduce an A380 aircraft on the EK39/40 service (lunchtime) taking EK upto double daily A380 operations at BHX.
Eurowings NEW Plan to introduce a 2x p.w. scheduled service to Hamburg – HAM. Operated by Germanwings – 4U during S17.
Eurowings NEW Plan to introduce a 2x p.w. scheduled service to Salzburg – SZG starting in early December.
Eurowings NEW Plan to introduce a 4x p.w. scheduled service to Vienna – VIE.
Flybe NEW Plan to introduce a 6x p.w. scheduled service to Hamburg – HAM (cont' from S17).
Flybe CANCELLED Cancel their 12x p.w. Rotterdam – RTM scheduled service.
Flybe CANCELLED Cancel their 3x p.w. Nantes – NTE scheduled service.
Flybe CANCELLED Cancel their 7x p.w. Luxemburg – LUX scheduled service.
Germania CANCELLED Cancel their 1x p.w. Chambery – CMF charter service.
Jet2.com NEW Four aircraft base at BHX, operating to Southern European destinations. *Update, since this was compiled, Jet2 is now 5 based, becoming 6 from Dec*
Monarch Airlines CHANGE At the time of writing of this report, Monarch Airlines' AOC remains suspended and the slots remain allocated to the carrier.
Norwegian CANCELLED Is no longer planning to operate during W17. Routes terminated include Malaga – AGP, Las Palmas - LPA and Tenerife South – TFS.
Ryanair CANCELLED Cancel their 2x p.w. Palma-PMI scheduled service.
Small Planet Airlines CANCELLED Will terminate their 1x week service to Tenerife South- TFS.
Thomas Cook (UK) NEW Plan to introduce a 1x p.w. scheduled service to Marsa Alam - RMF and Amilar Cabral – SID.
Thomas Cook (UK) CANCELLED Will terminate their 1x week service to Las Palmas – LPA.
Thomson Airways CANCELLED their 1x p.w. Punta Cana – PUJ charter service.
Thomson Airways NEW Plan to introduce a 1x p.w. every two weeks charter service to Goa – GOA.
Thomson Airways NEW Plan to introduce a 1x p.w. every two weeks charter service to Phuket – HKT.
Thomson Airways NEW Plan to introduce a 1x p.w. scheduled service to Hurganda – HRG.
Thomson Airways NEW Plan to introduce a 1x p.w. scheduled service to La Romana – LRM
Turkmenistan Airlines CHANGE Plan to increase frequency from 3x to 5x per week on Ashgabat – ASB..
United Airlines CANCELLED Will terminate their 4x p.w. service to New York, Newark – EWR.
Vueling CANCELLED Will terminate their services to Malaga-AGP, Alicante – ALC and Tenerife South – TFS.
Wizz Air CANCELLED Will terminate their 3x week service to Sofia – SOF.
____________________________________________________________ ________________________________

A total of 317,269 seats down on the previous winter, but I believe Jet2 have added more seats since this report was compiled (Monarch had a total of 494,824 seats available)

Notable seat increases:

Aer Lingus
Blue Air
bmi regional
Eurowings
Jet2
Thomas Cook

[jon01]

Primera Air to Toronto from 23 June 2018, 3pw

Update: The Birmingham Airport news release is wrong, stating that flight commence in May (I thought they read these forums, or maybe it was just PK when he was there)

[nwoody2001]

The Primera Schedule as it currently stands...


Monday
A/C1 PF051 BHX 17:45 – EWR 21:00
A/C1 PF052 EWR 22:30 – BHX 10:30 (+1)
A/C2 PF053 BHX 17:15 – BOS 20:15
A/C2 PF054 BOS 21:45 – BHX 09:30 (+1)

Tuesday
A/C1 PF051 BHX 17:45 – EWR 21:00
A/C1 PF052 EWR 22:30 – BHX 10:30 (+1)
A/C2 PF055 BHX 16:10 – YYZ 19:40
A/C2 PF056 YYZ 21:10 – BHX 09:30 (+1)

Wednesday
A/C1 PF051 BHX 17:45 – EWR 21:00
A/C1 PF052 EWR 22:30 – BHX 10:30 (+1)
A/C2 PF053 BHX 17:15 – BOS 20:15
A/C2 PF054 BOS 21:45 – BHX 09:30 (+1)

Thursday
A/C1 PF051 BHX 17:45 – EWR 21:00
A/C1 PF052 EWR 22:30 – BHX 10:30 (+1)
A/C2 PF055 BHX 16:10 – YYZ 19:40
A/C2 PF056 YYZ 21:10 – BHX 09:30 (+1)

Friday
A/C1 PF051 BHX 17:45 – EWR 21:00
A/C1 PF052 EWR 22:30 – BHX 10:30 (+1)
A/C2 PF053 BHX 17:15 – BOS 20:15
A/C2 PF054 BOS 21:45 – BHX 09:30 (+1)

Saturday
A/C1 PF051 BHX 17:45 – EWR 21:00
A/C1 PF052 EWR 22:30 – BHX 10:30 (+1)
A/C2 PF055 BHX 16:10 – YYZ 19:40
A/C2 PF056 YYZ 21:10 – BHX 09:30 (+1)

Sunday
A/C1 PF051 BHX 17:45 – EWR 21:00
A/C1 PF052 EWR 22:30 – BHX 10:30 (+1)
A/C2 PF053 BHX 17:15 – BOS 20:15
A/C2 PF054 BOS 21:45 – BHX 09:30 (+1)

[rouelan]

Primera Air to Toronto from 23 June 2018, 3pw

Update: The Birmingham Airport news release is wrong, stating that flight commence in May (I thought they read these forums, or maybe it was just PK when he was there)

It is Primera own press release that is wrong ! It is STN that is due to start in May (according to booking engine) and not BHX as stated in the PR

[GayFriendly]

Great news from Primera - and perhaps method to Transat's madness?

Primera quite literally have to work for BHX, the airport has taken a lot of knocks recently with airlines pulling out. 3 scheduled transatlantic destinations is a good result bearing in mind the disappearance of AA, UA and TS.

I have seen increased advertising for Primera incl. The Metro, Leamington Spa station and around the Bull Ring. But it's going to need a lot more than that to make the general public aware and more importantly, get them booking!

[canberra97]

GayFriendly

In your post 76 you wrote that TS was still very much alive for summer 2018 but in your above post you have included them as disappearing along with AA and UA.

Are TS still at BHX for summer 2018 as there seems to be some confusion as to them remaining.

[GrahamK]

No flights available on Canadian Affair for BHX for S18 so it does indeed look like Transat are gone

[canberra97]

Well I guess with the A310s leaving the fleet at TS they probably felt that a once weekly summer only flight from BHX to YYZ wasn't viable with a A330 and the aircraft would make more money elsewhere but it's a shame to lose another long haul airline at BHX.

[Skipness One Echo]

They’re replacing them with A321Neos so not quite sure that is the thinking. TS also dropped EDI which was later picked up by AC Rouge.

[chaps1954]

I don`t know Skipness as Manchester is going all A330 so maybe no A321 over Atlantic
at least at present

[Beanjet]

Norwegian are stopping all flights to Spain from BHX. Yet another drop in capacity, I know current based airlines are trying to increase capacity to fill the gap after monarch but will it be enough? Prime time to attract some new airlines (I heard a rumour of easyjet but is probably someone's pipe dream).

[Centre cities]

I believe that Norwegian are ceasing many flights to the UK from Spain, not just BHX. With the Jet 8 based aircraft for 2018 this takes capacity on the main holiday routes to the level of that before Jet 8 arrived and Monarch left, somewhere between the capacity offered in summer 2015/2016. Of course Veuling have all but withdrawn as well to the holiday hot spots.

The Easyjet rumor surfaces every now and again but always seems to have little substance, more likely is an increase from Ryanair. Ryanair were not able to advertise the usual extra flights/saving holidays bye bye Monarch fanfare this winter as they had just cancelled flights as there was on one to fly them. As this settles down and passes into history I would expect some increase for summer 2018.

Capacity will not reach 2017 levels but perhaps the yield per seat may be better for those that remain.

[FQTLSteve]

As a very frequent user AGP-BHX losing Norwegian, Vueling and Monarch is quite a blow, add Vueling good BCN connections gone too, not looking good. I'm not aware of Monarch's yield but during last winter period the A321's were pretty much full all the time, including the rows of extra legroom seats. It looks like a few connecting flights with Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Swiss etc. I always take extra legroom seats so the choice is bad, I've looked at some dummy bookings there are days without even one direct AGP-BHX direct service! I don't use Ryanair. A terrific reduction in choice.

[simoncorbett]

FQTL Steve....
have you seen prices for flights since the demise of Monarch ?
Looked at ALC & AGP for March next year prices have gone thru the roof, such a shame to lose Monarch as they offered good service/flights. Now they, Vueling, Norwegian etc have cut back it seems to be due to supply & demand RYR LS etc have now been able to charge more

[canberra97]

They’re replacing them with A321Neos so not quite sure that is the thinking. TS also dropped EDI which was later picked up by AC Rouge.

Yes I am totally aware of that as well as TS previously dropping EDI which was picked up by AC Rouge but the point is that TS won't receive the first of those 12 leased A321LR's from AerCap until Spring 2019.

[FQTLSteve]

simoncorbett
I agree with you re: Monarch, great service and really good flight times. I have a second home in North Wales and need time to get to the airport, so Monarch provided excellent flight times without having to stay over at the airport. I have looked at options, I think Vueling are still doing BCN this winter, and there is an option with Iberia vis MAD to AGP but I'll need to stay over the night before. I am really staggered at the reduction in seats it must mean leakage to other airports. Monarch a great loss to BHX, and the end probably of the long run of impressive growth. BHX-AGP needs 2x daily even in the winter.

[ATNotts]

I am really staggered at the reduction in seats it must mean leakage to other airports. Monarch a great loss to BHX, and the end probably of the long run of impressive growth. BHX-AGP needs 2x daily even in the winter.

But on the other hand ensured the carriers that remain are making good (proper) yields. It would have been low yields that did, at least in part for Monarch.

Sometimes enthusiasts are too quick to look for new services / increased capacity / higher passenger figures without considering the business consequences.

That said in the case of BHX/AGP it has been a bit of a case of famine to feast to famine. A happy medium (and you don't find many happy mediums!) would be preferable.

[FQTLSteve]

ATNotts I understand they need to make a proper yield, but as you say the reduction for this winter is far too severe and IMO is not serving the market requirements, why can't Jet2 do at least a daily BHX/AGP this winter? Monarch used A321 last winter and sometimes an additional A320 too, there are only 737's now?

[ATNotts]

That's an easier one. The winter normally provides very poor yields for airlines and tour operators to the Med destinations, so anything that will raise yields during that period will make a big positive difference to balance sheets over 12 months.

[EGPO]

With all these airlines ( Monarch aside) leaving the most well used route across the UK even from DSA they have Thomson and Flybe serving the destination.
Maybe the answer is that other growing loco. ' Wizzair, modern fleet and frequently buying new aircraft .
A lot more 321's on existing routes now ( DSA) plus , Wizz are opening a UK operation and at least one base.
They could easily do Alicante to BHX and Fit in another return trip from another UK Airport before one final BHX Run.
Plus they may start to offer new destinations as well.
After all your running out of Airlines .
It's been a bad year in the industry this year . The sad demise of Monarch has truly created a mess for many .

[ATNotts]

From whichever side of the Brexit fence you sit (and possibly from your stated location you sit on neither) until HM Government makes it clear, with the EU, on exactly what position our commercial aviation industry will find itself on 30 March 2019, it's likely to be 2 more rocky years.

[southside bobby]

Peak Brum?...
It appears apparent BHX in particular was highly unlikely to support both a major MON base & a new & expanding EXS base..
With the expansive EXS operation among the larger airports BHX was the one in line for a noticeable shake up/shakeout.
The NAX & VLG withdrawal probably bear witness to a finite market for BHX & recognition that one dominant albeit expanding player in this segment will prevail.
Some posters wish-lists for destination provision & frequency must undoubtedly be disappointed.

[ATNotts]

I don't believe for a moment that we have reached "Peak Brum", but certainly there was probably too much capacity too soon on some routes, not only for the carriers but also for the terminal infrastructure, so a fall back in PAX numbers might prove a blessing in disguise.

NAX has retrenched from the UK / Med market generally, BHX isn't the only victim, and the Vueling situation appears somewhat similar.

There are plenty of possibilities for new destinations that would probably work with the right carrier and frequency, but through no fault of the airport, too much capacity has hit the traditional bucket and spade destinations, and this has now been (over) corrected, probably temporarily.

[BHX5DME]

Looking like two based 788's

Langkawi (Malaysia) and Bangkok run from Dec until the end of March.

Plus Aqaba, Muscat, Dubai

Goa is weekly instead and on a Monday/Tuesday and a second Bridgetown added on a Thursday. Montego Bay Tuesday & Wednesday, Cancun Monday & Friday.

Thursday BGI is from Christmas but the aircraft operates to Sanford for part of November.

[ssflyer]

I presume the Tui Aqaba, Muscat, Dubai flights are for cruises, not holiday destinations?

[Hotel Tango]

I wonder if NAX are intending to expand their German operations in the wake of BER's departure? This might then be the reason for reducing their UK operations.

[CabinCrewe]

I presume the Tui Aqaba, Muscat, Dubai flights are for cruises, not holiday destinations?
SS
You presume correctly, which makes me surprised this warrants two 'based' season 787s

[LGS6753]

ACL have published "start of season" data for W17:

https://www.acl-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/BHX-W17-Start-of-Season-Report.pdf

[Centre cities]

Which if it still includes the Monarch movements, which it appears to do, means nothing on the headline figures.

[chinapattern]

The schedule has started to be loaded with some of the usual suspects bookable as well Prague returning and Rome carrying over.

[Centre cities]

Glad to see that Vueling are continuing their BHX-AGP direct service through the whole winter season minimum x2 weekly, not generous but at least another option (plus connection options via BCN and MAD).

Not as far as I can see. Two flights per week to Barcelona and connect at Barcelona for Malaga.

Centre cities

[FQTLSteve]

Centre cities...Yes my mistake. I received an email this morning from them advertising AGP-BHX showing winter schedule, I didn't check the flight details properly. Apologies for my lack of attention to detail.

[GayFriendly]

Having just looked at a very comprehensive BHX scheduled timetable for winter 17/18, the demise of Monarch and withdrawal of Vueling and Norwegian sees frequency and choice from BHX on traditional winter sun routes slashed. Jet2 have admirably added some capacity but the hole Monarch have left behind is nowhere near filled. I'm not saying that 5 airlines on the same route is financially sustainable (e.g. BHX-AGP) but I doubt what is left (basically Jet2 and Ryanair) will satisfy all the demand for travel on these routes this winter: increased leakage to other airports is inevitable but in my opinion unnecessary. I was booked to fly Monarch BHX-FAO in Nov but am now having to fly out of Bristol instead, due to my travel dates. I should imagine I'm just one of thousands whow have had to do this. Hopefully Summer 18 will see an improvement in frequencies if not choice of airlines.

Summer 18 will indeed be interesting. At present, BHX has lost Aegean, Air Transat, Cobalt, Norwegian and United. Flybe are down to 10 aircraft. In terms of destinations, no more Athens, Brest, Gibraltar, Limoges, Lisbon, Luxembourg, Nice, Nuremburg, Paris Orly, Preveza, Rennes, Toulouse, Valencia. Perhaps small fry in terms of individual route performance, but they all mean lost passengers, lost revenue to BHX and reduced choice.

On the bright side though - Jet2 of course add aircraft and Pisa, Almeria and Thessaloniki as well stepping in on a number of Monarch routes, SAS start Stockholm and Primera start Newark, Boston and Toronto which could revolutionize trans-Atlantic travel from BHX. TUI and Thomas Cook also see expanded operations with Varna and Marsa Alam back on the departure screens and Podgorica a first from BHX, amongst other increases. Winter 18/19 sees TUI start Langkawi and Bangkok which shows continued commitment to long haul leisure routes from BHX.

By no means is it a glass half empty situation at all but summer 18 will have a very different feel at BHX to the one just gone.

[nwoody2001]

a very interesting time ahead indeed. Yes lots of Gaps in the schedule and following my recent Calcs, as things currently stand, seat capacity for next summer is reduced by circa 10%. that said, I expect that a lot of work is being done behind the scenes to find extra capacity to expect news over the coming few weeks which may well respond to this drop...


A balance needs to be found. Yields were killed this summer. great for passenger choice but awful for sustainable passenger services. we have now gone to the other extreme with demand going through the roof! a re-balance needs to be struck over the coming months to find a suitable middle....

[Plane.Silly]

It's great that other airlines have picked up some of the excess capacity. At short notice, there was never going to be a full replacement to MON's schedule.

Definately agree with nwoody, we need S18 to take stock, and replenish the yields to balance the supply/demand. May lose out in the short term, but with the insatiable growth of FR/LS and others, S19 might be back on track. What we don't want is another oversupply to kill the market again

[All names taken]

I think S17 will be seen as a peak performance year for a number of UK airports. The continued uncertainty of Brexit (eg will Brits have visa free travel to the EU come March 2019?) will have an effect on people's planning as will a slightly gloomier economic outlook and the weakness of the Pound. I think people will still take their Summer holiday whatever the cost but will cut down on short breaks / weekends away etc.

On the point of 10% seat capacity reduction S17/S18 (as it stands now) that is indicative of the over-supply from S17.
I know many aviation enthusiasts will say 'yes but the planes were full' but clearly they were full of too many people not paying an economically sustainable price - hence no more Monarch and all the other airlines exiting. Take it to the ultimate extreme and give seats away for nothing you will have almost 100% load factor.

I would not expect the 10% lost capacity to be fully made up as that would imply another round of over-supply, losses and more tears next Winter. Some more capacity will inevitably appear but the full 10% would be daft and ultimately undesirable if we want sustainability over the long term.

[ATNotts]

Very fair analysis, and if Catalunya were to go thoroughly pear shaped the outlook could become extremely dire. Thankfully, at the moment, both sides in that spat appear to be keeping their heads. Long may that continue to be the case, but still I wouldn't be booking my holiday on the Costa Brava 6 months ahead in the current climate.

[Plane.Silly]

Take it to the ultimate extreme and give seats away for nothing you will have almost 100% load factor.

Case in point...Ryanair. It's the only reason you see fares as low as £2 sometimes (previous promotion, i think it was a black friday event) , it's as close as they can get to giving them away, but it's the only way they'll fill the flights no one really wants

[Centre cities]

Ryanair is an advertising/marketing ploy. Judging by the Ryanair results they do not operate flights that nobody wants and if they do it is pulled pretty quickly.

Overcapacity can not be blamed solely for the Monarch demise at BHX and elsewhere although extra competition did not help. Were they not in the same mess last year without the Jet 2 presence at BHX.

[inOban]

I agree that many airports will struggle to sustain numbers over the next year. Recent routes have had long enough to prove that they can generate real income rather than PAX at loss leading fares.

[Skipness One Echo]

(eg will Brits have visa free travel to the EU come March 2019?)
You mean like the way we did before there was an EU? Am going to go out on a limb and say "yes".

[thetimesreader84]

S1E

You mean like the way we did before there was an EU? Am going to go out on a limb and say "yes".

Are you willing to state c. £2000, and your families only chance of a foreign holiday on it?

Or would you wait until closer to the time and see which way the wind blows?

At the risk of thread drift, I can see an “ash cloud” style scenario, where if we crash out of the EU without any agreements in place, flights will be grounded for a few days / weeks until the various legal issues are sorted, as no one (I.e insurers, etc) wants to put their head above the parapet and say “the documentation is legal, go flying”

[Heathrow Harry]

"Judging by the Ryanair results they do not operate flights that nobody wants and if they do it is pulled pretty quickly.2

maybe that's the secret of making money from an airline................

[Skipness One Echo]

@thetimesreader84

On Brexit, Willie Walsh himself, no fan of Brexit, stated this week there was “zero” chance of this happeneing. It would be an insanely self inflicted and avoidable wound and no credible person on either side has suggested this was remotely likely, not even Hammond who was misquoted.

Cutting Lufthansa KLM and Air France out of the UK market just won’t happen, even in a no deal WTO scenario. Contingency and planning is (finally) underway to smooth even the bumpiest no deal scenario.

[thetimesreader84]

S1E

Last comment on it, as I don’t want to derail the thread further.

I agree, it’s a vanishingly small chance of “no deal” grounding flights, however I have a small feeling something will be overlooked (“Paragraph 4, subclause b, section 4.2.4 part ii, which states no non-eu carrier can have aircraft insurance not based in the eu” or some other equal nonsense) that would ground flights for a period of time.

I’d put the chances of that happening the same as the unpronounceable Icelandic volcano blowing up again. Long odds, but not impossible.

Personally I’ll be waiting until closer to the time before booking holidays, but I’m cautious like that.

[jon01]

Summer 18 will indeed be interesting. At present, BHX has lost Aegean, Air Transat, Cobalt, Norwegian and United. Flybe are down to 10 aircraft. In terms of destinations, no more Athens, Brest, Gibraltar, Limoges, Lisbon, Luxembourg, Nice, Nuremburg, Paris Orly, Preveza, Rennes, Toulouse, Valencia. Perhaps small fry in terms of individual route performance, but they all mean lost passengers, lost revenue to BHX and reduced choice.

Flybe to Brest is still operating in 2018

Flybe have a weekly charter to Preveza

Flybe require at least 11 based aircraft to cover the s18 schedule

[Burpbot]

Ryanair is a cancer on this industry! It is sadly now terminal hence most canaries flights now twice or more than they were last year! Well done people you are about to reap what you sewed!

[OltonPete]

Finally.

Source CAA: 1362559 up nearly 13% (1208581 for 2016).

Emirates 55489 down 10% but a reduction in 26% in seats due to the loss of EK41/2. Average 462 per flight at 89%. I thought it might have been higher.

Qatar Doha 11556 average 193 at 76% a slight improvement (down 10% on September 2016)

Air India 13788 average 230 @ 90% - I believe one of the best months yet and time for an increase?

PIA Islamabad 7237 down but average 329 per flight at 88% due to a reduced frequency but much better load factor.

Turkish 13377 up 4% average 129 around 80% load factor, Rumours it might go back to double daily but certainly seems to have picked up and possibly EK traffic.

Newark - 8631 up 10%... Time for an increase.....whoops forgot the service has gone (Manchester- Newark... 8511 pax down 4%).

[True Blue]

So two recent experiences of Birmingham.

1. Arrived on 30th Oct about 11.30 am from Belfast. All deplaned onto 2 buses and then driven to the other terminal(2?). Belfast passengers on Ezy have to use the "special" door so we pulled up and waited for the door to be opened. We stood on the bus for about 20 minutes at a guess. One lady was suffering from the fact there was no room and was on the point of passing out. Some of the pax were hammering the glass to the driver asking him to open the doors to let some air in, it was quite warm, but he just looked round and then ignored us. After the long wait, they decided this door wasn't going to open so we set off on another short tour to drive to the airbridge just behind where we were sitting to then be let off and climb the stairs into the airbridge. There were some older people there, just left to their own devices. It was a shambles and clear that the staff didn't care what was happening. I know some will defend due to security etc, the old lame excuses that are always trotted out but our treatment was disgraceful. Birmingham seem to have a bit of an issue with Belfast pax, they are seen as 6th class. I wonder when someone in authority in this country will have the courage to stand up and challenge some of the *** we have to put up with. Our flight was on time.

2. Returning from another journey last night. The big screen at security said the waiting time was 13 minutes from when you scan your boarding pass, we were able to walk most of the way to the top of that walkway. We then waited 20 minutes plus. So what is the point? Is the screen with the waiting time displayed an attempt to be helpful, so why not get it right? Or are they pretending to be helpful but don't care a toss? I also have to say, that area was filthy, as I pointed out to the security manager on duty when addressing the time issues.

Overall, a very poor experience, all of it very easily fixed but it won't be. Poor poor management.

[ATNotts]

Belfast flights have historically been treated differently to other UK domestic flights as a result of thankfully historical "troubles". You have no idea what the cause of the delay was, perhaps airport technology, perhaps the late arrival of security personnel at the gate, which cannot be laid at the door of the airport company.

So far as queues at departure are concerned, the biggest problem is going to be Joe Public, who often appear to be oblivious to the security requirements with regard to stuff like liquids, belts, shoes, electronics etc, even though these rules haven't changed substantially for many years. It doesn't take many obstreperous passengers, arguing with security officials about what does and what does not constitute a liquid, or why they have to remove belts to extend waiting time by 8 minutes. It doesn't matter how well prepared you are for the ordeal of security, it's usually "the other guy" - bit like the post office queue.

I'm not trying to defend the airport management, but I'm afraid this is just one of a number of frustrations that confront air passengers today, and have done really since the late 1970s.

[GayFriendly]

Excellent post ATNotts on security. I too am constantly dumbfounded at how dumb people are when passing through security. As you say, general rules haven't changed for years yet there are still people who appear gobsmacked when they have to put liquids into a single bag, therefore holding up everyone else with their stupidity.

I will agree, the security queuing time screens at BHX are rarely spot on. They're there for a guideline time. I passed through last week, it said 11 minutes, I was through in 5.

As for EZY pax woes, it's not the first time I've heard of this kind of thing happening. Baggage often takes an age to appear. Why not move EZY flights to arrive at what was T2, cutting out the bus frustration at least? It's only 3 flights a day which could easily be slotted in?

On a different note, the first Phuket flight takes off today, a historic first for BHX as it's the first time we've had a non stop regular flight to Thailand. I wish TUI every success, although it is rumoured that it has already been dropped for next winter in favour of Langkawi.....

[chinapattern]

I’d like to think I have it down to a fine art - I make sure I have nothing in my pockets, I don’t bother to put my watch on, my iPad is in hand ready to go through separately, all liquids bagged correctly, I wear shorts/trousers that don’t need a belt and in the summer months I put on a pair of flip flops! I can honestly say I never hold anyone up.

[OltonPete]

GF

Phuket just about to land now and tomorrow sees Goa restart after many years so another first I believe with two direct different Indian destinations on the same day, assuming the Delhi fog doesn't have other ideas. Did you note the operating times of yesterdays AI113/4 or should I say today right in the middle of the night runway closure :oh:

Obviously Thomson operated Goa in the past and Air India used 707's but via Moscow and I doubt they operated at the same time.

Two TUI 787's again tomorrow with Cancun - It might be tough times with Monarch, United and Norwegian gone but there are glimmers of hope and although the two TUI 787's this winter is only fortnightly and covering 3 days but it is progress with next winter looking even better,

[GayFriendly]

Pete

I think the only glimmers of hope with long haul from BHX (apart from Primera) are the niche charter routes and TUI are certainly showing commitment to BHX on that front. Wouldn't it be great to see 2 x 787 based in the winter?! I'm still amazed that we don't have Vegas and Cuba served from BHX with charter flights.

You are right about Goa and AI 707's but these would not have operated on same days as AI in their original form finished at BHX in 1984, well before Thomson started Goa. So yes another historic first as you say, double India flights from BHX on the same day, Delhi fog depending! Rumour has it that Goa is weekly next winter as opposed to fortnightly so it must have sold well - having been there I'm not surprised.

[GayFriendly]

Chinapattern

Absolutely loving your work. Shame you're in the minority when it comes to such thorough preparation....

[Hotel Tango]

No mention that EWG has switched the DUS to a DHC-8 (on all 3 daily flights it seems) or did I miss it? It was still the A319 last Monday. Went back on a DHC-8 this evening.

[jon01]

Only about 50% of flights are on the Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter Dash 8s, there are still A319/A320s operating many flights, generally weekends and midweek

[SWBKCB]

Also LGW DHC-8's are appearing regularly on many UK routes over the winter

[Buster the Bear]

One was seen at Heathrow last weekend.

[Hotel Tango]

Only about 50% of flights are on the Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter Dash 8s, there are still A319/A320s operating many flights, generally weekends and midweek

Well, all three flights on Friday were with the Dash 8. For a Friday that surprised me.
On a seperate note, EWGs time keeping is becoming noticeably poor these days. Out of 21 Eurowings/Germanwings rotations I have flown this year 9 were in excess of 15 minutes behind schedule of which 5 of the 9 were in excess of 1 hour. Having looked into it, the primary cause seems to be that in their quest for maximum utilisation an insufficient buffer exists to cater for delays.

[Fairdealfrank]

@thetimesreader84

On Brexit, Willie Walsh himself, no fan of Brexit, stated this week there was “zero” chance of this happeneing. It would be an insanely self inflicted and avoidable wound and no credible person on either side has suggested this was remotely likely, not even Hammond who was misquoted.

These things are always reciprical so very unlikely, in reality a "third country" style agreement would be reached, with individual countries if necessary.

In reality, it's just remainiac scaremongering, otherwise GVA, OSL and ZRH are going to become very important European shorthaul hubs.

[FQTLSteve]

Fairdealfrank, GVA, OSL and ZRH won't be any different to other EU cities as they're all under the same EASA and ECAA regulation which also covers non-member states of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro. All of this is under the jurisdiction of the ECJ, it certainly is not scaremongering, hopefully we would remain within these agreements but AF/KLM, LH, SK, etc. won't allow UK to operate in Europe with different regulations, they're on record to this effect. So ECJ is a requirement. Complicated.

[ATNotts]

We don't really need to have the "telephone box hamster wheel" (ref. JB) imported into this forum, it remains to be seen whether we're dealing with "project fear" or "project reality".

For all concerned it is to be hoped it is project reality that wins the day.

[Lassie]

Malaga & Majorca announced from May 2018
B738 from £35

[jon01]

Using a BHX based B738 with 189 seats

14th May - 27th October 2018

Malaga daily departure at 09:00 (08:40 Sunday) and returns 15:15 (14:55 Sunday)
Palma daily departure at 16:45 (16:25 Sunday) and returns at 22:35 (22:15 Sunday)

Fares from £31 one way

[01475]

Primera face an interesting time.
They are entering incredibly competitive markets with the unique selling point of being unknown and too small to market themselves effectively. Err... good luck?

If I was desperate to do what they're trying to do I think I'd want to be a FlyBe franchise, or something.

[Plane.Silly]

to their credit, they're giving it a good shot, when the incumbants are making it look scary to join in. Primera obviously fancy their chances now MON have gone.

The AGP sector is a decent time, not so much for PMI though, but they had to fly something for slot 2. Best of Luck

[toledoashley]

Does anyone know if any Monarch people have gone there - it does have a wiff of the sort of idea Monarch was planning.

Also, would it have been possible to schedule the 321's on Palma (like Norwegian have with the MAX at Edinburgh to Oslo).

[ssflyer]

Advertising is the key.

[OltonPete]

toledoashley

Re Palma on the 321 between Transatlantic - not really

Newark in 10.30 out 17.45 and the 738 is scheduled at 2.20 out and 2.30 back with an hour turnaround it would be impossible and they would surely need 90 minutes (which it is) on the Newark turn.

Jet2

It seems more capacity added with the seat-maps showing at least one 220 seat A321 based. Operator shown as Jet2 - Titan?

It is a slow process but capacity is getting added back from the Monarch loss.

[chaps1954]

I didn`t think 2018 could beat 2017 for interest but with Monarch going and Jet2
absolutely kicking butt for 2018, I wondered at one point what were they going to do with all those 738s but now I wonder if there will be a follow-up order because I would guess that will soon be No1 in UK.

[Buster the Bear]

Two completely different aircraft types for Primera and that means two completely different crew ratings. Are They leasing in another airline to operate the short haul, or committing their own crew and airframes?

[Plane.Silly]

I wondered at one point what were they going to do with all those 738s but now I wonder if there will be a follow-up order because I would guess that will soon be No1 in UK.

Jet2 growth has been very impressive, but for number 1 in the UK? by fleet size, they're 4th, behind BA/U2/BE, (though vs BE, LS are only 7 a/c behind (and have much larger a/c too)

They keep winning awards for their service, both their airline and holidays arms, so for the customer, they may well be #1 in that respect.

[chaps1954]

Sorry meant Holiday because they are No2 at present

[Plane.Silly]

Makes more sense. Having the 2nd largest ATOL is probably even more impressive, given they only started 10 years ago. To hit #1, they'd need to double their current volume of hols pax, which may require upto double the current fleet. will be one hell of a stretch, but it makes you wonder where they could add another 70 odd planes across the network? I'm sure BHX would accomodate a few more :)

[chinapattern]

Rumour has it they might be making a return. They planned a comeback a good few years back but nothing ever came of it.

[nwoody2001]

And look who else has just made a big announcement???

Air India to Fly Non-Stop from Birmingham to Amritsar
https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/media-information/news/2017/11/air-india-to-fly-non-stop-from-birmingham-to-amritsar/

Anyone able to discover if this replaces 2x weekly BHX-DEL flights or is in additional making is 9x flights a week?

[nwoody2001]

Unfortunately I have had confirmation that this is not growth....

We are switching from 7x weekly BHX-DEL to 5x weekly BHX-DEL & 2x Weekly BHX-ATQ

[kfsimpson]

Did your source state whether the BHX aircraft will continue on to DEL on these two days, or will we have to connect on an internal flight? Thanks.

[Rutan16]

It will have to go onto Delhi as that’s the home base.

This reversal is very much as a result of very heavy political lobbying both locally and at the Amritsar end and not really the result of blue sky thinking at Air India !

Currently AI operate a positioning/revenue services AI461/462 from/to Delhi on two days a week to swap over frames. So this we simple continue onto Birmingham .

No capacity boost just a juggling of the card deck to please a few vocal politicians in the Indian Punjab imho

[ATNotts]

Opening the door, perhaps, for a direct MAN/DEL service? No evidence or rumours, just "blue sky thinking".

AI will start making money when they stop bowing to pressure from local politicians.

[OltonPete]

Of course Rutan16 is right this is political and nothing to do with taking the service forward otherwise the 77W would appear on the direct Delhi legs or a higher frequency secured although interestingly a poster on another thread stated bi-laterals would need to be sorted (no idea).

Anyway lets have a look at the service as some very interesting and in some cases myth-busting stats. Sorry about the format but I lost patience

.......Sept......................August...............July.. ............June...............May

ATQ....6551.(6141).....6679.(6250)......6109..4529)......606 7.(3975)....7192.(5084)
DEL....7237.(6218).....6020.(6484)......6781.(6433).....6461 .(4517)......4835.(2970)
Total.13788.(12539)...12699.(12734)...12899.(10962)...12528 (8492)....12027 (8054)
Average... 230. 90%........205...80%.........208..81%.........209.....82%... ..194...76%

May and June the typical basket cases for loads going east were well up nearly 50% in May. Obviously what we don't know is at what cost in terms of fares on offer were promoted in order to obtain these significant increases.

What we do know Turkmenistan upped their frequency in the same period and logic dictates there has been a fare war although I have no proof.

What the September figures show (assuming not a one-off) that rearranging the deck-chairs is probably pointless in commercial terms and just further proof in my opinion that this is political.

Air India have a few more 77W's due although I believe the 788's are almost all here? I am sure AI would not want a 77W tag Delhi - Amritsar but something by the way an increase must be fast approaching if they want the service to progress otherwise Turkmen will be happy and it seems Uzbek could also be back on the table.

And for ATNotts... it is difficult not to mention competition from other UK airports but I will leave that to User001...oops LAX_LHR although I think that has been adequately covered on the Manchester thread.....and BHX threads on other forums :)

[BAladdy]

BACF have begun operating there timetable for S18.

IBZ is no longer available to book for S18. Flights to FLR expected to also be dropped in the coming days.

[RealFish]

It seems that rumours of its demise 'have been greatly exaggerated' !

New timings though;

Dep BHX 06:00 Arr 09:20;
Dep FLR 10:05. arr 11:30

[chinapattern]

Just goes to show that not everyone knows everything! Really good to see FLR continue.

[OltonPete]

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/media-information/news/2017/11/october-passengers-figures-for-birmingham-airport/

Remarkable for such a depressing aviation month.

BACF

Can someone explain Florence - do BA know they were supposed to be pulling the service :cool:. Oh actually increased as on the 190. I thought the service might get pulled due to all the weather and thus crewing issues encountered at Florence but in fact a super result in the end with much better flying times.

Palma is interesting - poor loads at times this year but doubled! I don't think I will be rushing to book the 03.30 inbound :ooh:

[OltonPete]

I am not picking up any direct flights after 15 January.

Anyone aware of a schedule change or glitches in the system,

All flights on their website via Glasgow after 15/1

Not heard that this was one of the services in jeopardy.

[chaps1954]

See what you mean Pete very strange and some big fares as well, checked MAN and that is showing daily so I don`t know what`s happening

[sinbad73]

OltonPete

Must be a glitch as I can still see them on the GDS

[110Cornets]

It's still in the GDS, but zero'd out after mid Jan. Offering via GLA as noted by OP.

THU 18JAN18 BIRMINGHAM/REYKJAVIK 18/0000 18/2359
1 BHX KEF 1225 1510 FI 495 C0 D0 J0 Z0 Y0 A0 E0 M0 B0 K0 75W B E
«B» Q0 T0 VC HC G0 L0 SC OC NC UC
P0
2 BHX GLA 1040 1155 BE 786 WA RA YA TA BA SA VA KA UA HC DH4 C E
MC LC ZA QA PC IA EA XA AA NA
GC OA
3 KEF 1255 1515 FI 431 C9 D9 J9 Z4 Y8 A5 E5 M9 B9 K9 75W B E
Q9 T9 V9 H9 G9 L9 S9 O9 N9 U9
P9

[OltonPete]

Some positive messages from Social Media but alas a false dawn I believe.

[jon01]

With Icelandair going, this must open up the door for WOW Air or Primera

[All names taken]

There seems to have been a lot of reverses for BHX recently unfortunately.
Open question: do people think that this could be related to introductory incentives coming to an end? Some of these services seem to turn up for a certain period of time and then disappear.
Interested in people's thoughts.

[Plane.Silly]

Whether it's down to expiring offers or just the size of the market, i think it all boils down to the demand. Even if a huge subsidy exists, if the airline can make more money by operating a different route, they're likely to do that.

Everyone sees reverses, but it also means an opportunity of other airlines. The exiting airline will have stirred up some demand, meaning a new entrant to the route can capitalise on this + their existing market, making it slightly more popular and more likely to last.

Unless it's a heavily competed route, in which case it's purely competition and any excess will quickly be snapped up Take PMI for example, ZB left, now we have a daily Primera and extra LS services to plug the gap. Popular routes don't stay empty for long, they're all chasing the money

[ATNotts]

It occurs to me that Primera and Icelandair are largely chasing the same market - economy / budget travellers to the USA and Canada. While Icelandair offer connections to numerous airports across North America, the main draws are probably New York and Toronto, and it may be that they have seen a downturn in forward bookings, such that they have decided to pull the plug ahead of the Summer season. After all, Primera are offering daily service to New York, with more seats per day than UA were, and a 4 x weekly Toronto, so again more seats than Transat were.

It wouldn't in the least surprise me if incentives weren't coming to an end as well.

It's extraordinary how cyclical the industry is, often airports, including the likes of Manchester, take two steps forward and on step back - BHX is taking it's step back in 2018 by the look of things.

[EastMids]

The market overheated last summer - too many airlines chasing too few passengers, and there were even some deals to be had at silly [low] money in the peaks, when on occasions airlines were selling just to put bums on seats and cover DOCs for the pax that were filling the cabin. Maybe some incentives are coming to an end, but is there really anything that stops them being extended if BHX wants to keep the traffic? I think there's some rightsizing going on right now, and what is left will be more robust in the long term.

[chaps1954]

I can see BHX is getting squeezed from North and South and South East and something was going to give i:e some of the more marginal routes. Primera may just be the airline that BHX have been waiting for and they may have just arrived at the right time and as they say one story ends and a new starts ( I hope so )

[CabinCrewe]

Icelandair confirmed as gone. Figures not too bad, but would be surprised to see Wow.

[Hotel Tango]

Seems my EWG flight on Monday will be operated by CSA A319!

[FQTLSteve]

Not sure if this has been previously reported as I've only just received this in a subscribed service from routes online, maybe this will finally enable BHX to get a scheduled Chinese route?
https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/276161/uk-airports-set-for-new-routes-to-china-as-flight-rules-are-relaxed/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=the-hub&utm_campaign=the-hub-EU&utm_content=the-hub-20171215

[nigel osborne]

Bearing on mind the last round of increases airlines could have picked BHX last year..yet they were only interested in LHR and LGW.
Think any further increases in Chinese slots may benefit EDI and Manchester.

[pabely]

So Birmingham, as expected, has been allocated the honour of hosting the games.
I wonder how much extra traffic this will generate with some one off flights from Canada,India & Oz? Did Manchester Airport get a boost in 2002?

[Sholto Douglas]

From what I recall Manchester did not gain a lot of extra flights. I think most Commonwealth competitors flew on their national carrier(s) scheduled services into Heathrow.

[chaps1954]

Yes you are right Sholto as many had training bases not even in the area

[pabely]

Same thing happened during London 2012 but partly due to the higher number of teams. The cycling is going on in Lee Valley nr London so that is well out on the Birmingham area.
Oh well, I'm sure there will be lots of flags promoting the event anyhow!

[Navpi]

From what I recall Manchester did not gain a lot of extra flights. I think most Commonwealth competitors flew on their national carrier(s) scheduled services into Heathrow.

It was a non event as far as I recall at least aviation wise.

Boots will be busy :)

[Rutan16]

A few biz jets that’s about all - every one else will be on schedules via London .
Manchester had from memory a return Qantas flight nothing spectacular

Rarest ever sports related must be the Air Koryo Il62 for the student games in Sheffield.

Even the Olympics are a let down for extras and in fact reduced the general tourism numbers in 2012 !

[ssflyer]

"Boots will be busy :)
I believe that "requisites" are provided to all athletes -on request and complimentary.

[chaps1954]

Yes that Il-62 was nice in MAN but they sent the same one twice, seems we have to rely
on football of all codes for interest

[compton3bravo]

Both Luton and Stansted were very busy with executive movements Rutan16 for the 2012 Olympics. Commonwealth games a different matter though.

[Rutan16]

Did say biz jets and dignitaries of all sorts . Fewer so team charters which i am sure the poster was trying gauge.

Fact is these days many sports men and women arrive as individuals compete and move onto other events.

Few stay the period .

[GayFriendly]

I've just read on EDI thread that QR are to start using the A350-9 on DOH-EDI from 1/7/18. An interesting development and a fair increase in J seats compared to the 787 which indicates they must be seeing demand for seats up the front end despite recent poor load factors. I wonder what plans QR have for BHX? Personally I'm worried that both our ME services will now see significant squeeze from CWL and STN but I'm more worried about QR.

[chaps1954]

I think QR are reducing their 787 fleet next year by transfering to other operations
but for the life of me cannot remember which ones (Italy rings a bell)

[ATNotts]

It's important to remember that these service aren't for the sole benefit of UK outbound traffic, and that Birmingham / the Midlands and Cardiff / South Wales are destinations in their own right for business and leisure passengers. Stansted is 2 hours drive, parking is diabolical - almost nearer to Cambridge than Stansted! Cardiff, given the useless road links, and pretty inadequate rail infrastructure makes it unappealing for Midlands destined passengers.

BHX will stand or fall on it's own merits, and frankly I'd expect Stansted to struggle with a 3-class offering, since most inbound passengers think of LHR and LGW as the main London gateways. Could see it doing OK with 2 class, but we'll see.

[chaps1954]

I think it will do very well as Emirates have a knack of marketing very well and are a very strong brand especially North East London and Essex

[Jerry123]

Meridiana soon to be Air Italy i believe.

[Seljuk22]

They will get 2 A332, but not sure if those will be from QR

[Jerry123]

Aer Lingus are getting 2 QR A332s i believe.

[daz211]

I’m unsure as to when you last visited STN the parking is brilliant very convenient and offers parking to everyone’s need you can park in front of the terminal one level down in easy walking distance to the terminal or a few minutes free bus ride with a very convenient FREE drop off pick up zone situated in the same car park of course there are parking companies on the outer limits of the airport but all airports have this type of parking.
What people seem to forget is STN is the most convenient airport for the business/City district of London and not forgeting Cambridge and all it has to offer STN has an exceptional transport system for cars coaches and trains
I think once passengers have experienced STN and it’s convenients they will soon choose it as a first choice for London.

[southside bobby]

Yes more slightly stereotype comments concerning STN & an underestimation of EK themselves.

Without rehearsing again all the views/reasoning & stats quoted by EK & MAG for the commencement of STN it is not thru any default that the 3 class B777 is being introduced from day one.

Whilst Midlands traffic thru BHX will not really suffer dilution perhaps,an unknown factor for BHX could well be traffic from the Cambridge Corridor for which the STN service is being heavily marketed.STN will also give residents in East Anglia another choice of departure airport.

Only EK know at present if their Cambridge traffic flows North to BHX or South to LHR & LGW or perhaps obviously both.

It is apparent EK & MAG possess that marketing knowledge hence the EK banks at DXB the STN service deliberately connects with.

Together with the North & East London catchment, this service is going to be a winner & whilst not wishing to claim "One Echos`s" prize of a brussel sprout for first mention of the "big bus" it could well prove to be a quick upgrade only hindered perhaps by the greater belly cargo uplift of the B777 already being jumped over by EK Skycargo.

Happy days for STN & the best Christmas present.

[canberra97]

southside bobby

I don't always agree with you but on this occasion your post is absolutely spot on and I totally agree with everything you have written.

And quoting you it's definitely the best Christmas present ever for London Stansted Airport. :-)

[Skipness One Echo]

Daz211 in fairness, Stansted is not the best airport for access to the City, that’s LCY. Sadly STN has never (?) been able to support a single flight that was aimed at connecting to the square mile. Business travellers just won’t use it and Lufthansa, SAS and all gave it a go. Even American (twice) and Continental tried it out, the yield just has never been there up front.
It will be genuinely surprising if STN remains with F being offered by EK, in a good way, am not saying it won’t work, as Emirates are the exception to many rules.

[nigel osborne]

I’m unsure as to when you last visited STN the parking is brilliant very convenient and offers parking to everyone’s need you can park in front of the terminal one level down in easy walking distance to the terminal or a few minutes free bus ride with a very convenient FREE drop off pick up zone situated in the same car park of course there are parking companies on the outer limits of the airport but all airports have this type of parking.
What people seem to forget is STN is the most convenient airport for the business/City district of London and not forgeting Cambridge and all it has to offer STN has an exceptional transport system for cars coaches and trains
I think once passengers have experienced STN and it’s convenients they will soon choose it as a first choice for London.

Hmm let's be honest here,

STN is a low cost airport and the only reason Emirates are going into it is because Heathrow and Gatwick are slot restricted.

[chaps1954]

Ah but MAG want it to be something else Nigel and are sitting on a gold mine and
just waiting for the right time which is I guess just about to arrive

[inOban]

There are certain posters who continually state that all the airlines at LGW would rather be at LHR. Now it's being suggested that airlines are choosing STN because LGW is full.
Looking from the other end of the UK, I would suggest that the SE of the UK covers such a huge and wealthy population that it can sustain the same destinations from several airports, and certainly DXB should work. I'm curious to see where next.

[crewmeal]

I'm worried that both our ME services will now see significant squeeze from CWL and STN but I'm more worried about QR.

I can understand your worries when carriers decide to expand into nearby airports. But I don't think that QR and EK are likely to expand at the expense of their well established routes that are doing well. From what I gather QR are doing very well at BHX.

However BHX needs to get its act together regarding ground services. For example immediate improvement in baggage services ready for the summer, handling agents to meet and greet arriving aircraft when they arrive on stand.

[The96er]

Wishful thinking I'm afraid - and it'll be the same at all U.K stations outside of LHR. Until the CAA are prepared to regulate ground handling, nothing will change, in fact, expect it to get worse.

[canberra97]

Hmm let's be honest here,

STN is a low cost airport and the only reason Emirates are going into it is because Heathrow and Gatwick are slot restricted.

Emirates could have easily gained slots at either LGW or LHR if they really wanted to but they felt that there was better opportunities by starting Stansted to Dubai.

Emirates last year announced a fourth daily LGW to Dubai but before it was uploaded on their systems it was cancelled, they could have announced their intention to go ahead with the forth daily flight from LGW but instead chose Stansted and for good reason to.

Again if Emirates wanted to they could easily have gained slots at LGW, although it's continuously said on these threads that both LHR and LGW are full airlines can find the slots if needed as other airlines have done recently.

Stansted is a world class airport despite it's image as a low cost airport, sure it's dominated by low cost carriers such as Ryanair, Jet2, EasyJet but there's no rule to say that it is just a low cost airport that's a ridiculous view. Stansted has gained quite a few new airlines over the last two years and the addition of Emirates is great news for the airport as it tries to attract long haul carriers adding to its current airline portfolio.

And not forgetting that 6.5 million people in the catchment area of Stansted including north and east London, Essex, East Anglia, the Cambridge corridor including Cambridge itself and and university as as well Peterborough, the Scientific and pharmaceutical institutes, a wealthy catchment area as well.

STN to Dubai with Emirates wasn't an if it was a when will it ever start as it's an obvious route for Emirates expanding their choice of London departure points giving the airline a full coverage out of three main London airports, the route has been along time coming but it was a inevitable.

Emirates will have all the relevant data to show how many of their passengers that currently use LGW or LHR come from the Stansted catchment area.

STN to Dubai with Emirates has success written all over it and I'm sure that we're soon be discussing an upguage to a A380 or the addition of a second daily flight before we know it.

[Centre cities]

Would not the new EK service be better discussed on the EK or Stansted thread.

[FRatSTN]

Well in fairness, if you were to look back at the original question posted which was how the new service would impact EK and QR at BHX, it's hardly irrelevant input.

STN is a valuable addition to EK in it's own right for reasons discussed and is not going to be a hindrance to BHX. STN may be dominated by the likes of FR, EZY, LS, but it is not run or managed as a low-cost airport in any greater capacity than the likes of BHX or EDI believe me.

[OltonPete]

Barcelona has appeared in their booking engine from October after the Palma ends but not yet bookable.

[Skipness One Echo]

There are certain posters who continually state that all the airlines at LGW would rather be at LHR. Now it's being suggested that airlines are choosing STN because LGW is full.
This has literally never been claimed by anyone to my knowledge. Let’s not overstate someone’s position to misrepresent. easyJet and Norwegian dominate LGW in a way that economies of scale make a (full scale) move unlikely. What IS said often, is that airlines serve the airports best suited to markets they are competing in. This is why Primera may succeed where AA and UA were losing. They were competing with themselves in that they offered a huge number of seats out of LHR which were, certainly on AA, a far superior hard product. Whereas local point to point low cost is a different segment which is capable of being much more focussed and costs less to fly.

In fairness, I remain puzzled as to why easyJet backed away from STN and EMA and aren’t even on the radar for BHX.

[chinapattern]

Barcelona has appeared in their booking engine from October after the Palma ends but not yet bookable.

Looks to be daily which I find extremely odd; Vueling decrease frequency for the winter months and I don’t think MON were anywhere near daily in the winter either. Given all the uncertainty in Catalonia at the moment surely there are more viable options?

[nwoody2001]

Maybe but with Norwegian and Monarch now not on the route, BCN is one of those routes that has gone from feast to famine in capacity terms. On one day of the week this summer (Thursday I think) we have only 1x flight a day operated by Ryanair!

Though I must admit, to start the route daily in the winter season is brave. However, it’s still not bookable yet to maybe things will change?

[southside bobby]

Primera

& nothing showing yet in STN`s short haul destinations for Winter18...so hopefully a work in progress.

[Fried_Chicken]

With Emirates starting DXB-STN with a B77W, it'll be another place they can truck freight down to in addition to trucking freight up to NCL & GLA.
I'm guessing less chance of the dedicated Emirates freighter to BHX that has previously been rumoured?

[BHX5DME]

Primera Barcelona now bookable

[Centre cities]

And Malaga also shows as extended for the winter period

[chinapattern]

TUI following TCX’s lead and resuming flights to Enfidha.

[Fairdealfrank]

Again if Emirates wanted to they could easily have gained slots at LGW, although it's continuously said on these threads that both LHR and LGW are full airlines can find the slots if needed as other airlines have done recently.

Slots are bought or leased from other carriers not "magiced" out of thin air.



Quote:
There are certain posters who continually state that all the airlines at LGW would rather be at LHR. Now it's being suggested that airlines are choosing STN because LGW is full.
This has literally never been claimed by anyone to my knowledge.

That would be me.

There is a certain amount of truth in this. However, that doesn't mean every carrier at LGW would rather be at LHR. To suggest that would very very silly wouldn't it.

That said, there is a steady flow of mainly longhaul, new entrants to the London market, that obtain LGW slots with the intention of shifting accross to LHR when the opportunity presents itself. There is plenty of evidence to support this fact.

[canberra97]

And do you actually think that I'm not aware of that fact!

When I wrote easy to gain slots at LHR like other airlines have done recently I was obviously referring to slots being sold or leased by the airlines not magicked out of bloody thin air!

You trying to make me look stupid?

[Centre cities]

Interesting fare difference Birmingham and Cardiff for a booking in July on the same days. BHX £880 and Cardiff £548. Wow.

[yeo valley]

Could be low pax take up out of cwl to generate the low fare.

[ATNotts]

Possibly, also promotional lead in fare to attract passengers in the first few months; remember many prospective customers will live to the east of the Bristol conurbation, who would otherwise consider flying from LHR, and I wouldn't mind betting that fares down the back end are similarly competitive from LHR. Another possibility is that bookings are already good from BHX and the algorithms that drive fares may have raised the bar on certain dates already.

I very much doubt there is any "conspiracy" against BHX. But we love conspiracy theories!

[Rutan16]

ATNott almost no one from Bath Chippenham or Swindon is likely to consider Rhoose or even know this option exists !

I really think this flight will fail miserably to be honest and I don’t like to say so it’s not in my nature, because I normally hail any regional service.

[Jerry123]

You know this how? They are advertising it properly over the bridge and there is a thing called Skyscanner. CWL will be an option for them just as much as BHX is. But the routes primary targets will be South and West Wales and Bristol travellers heading to Heathrow and Gatwick.

[ATNotts]

Rutan16

I was thinking specifically of the Bristol conurbation, not the areas you mentioned, but as per Jerry123, if the price is right I think a few could be attracted away from LHR from a bit further east.

Time alone will tell.

[BAladdy]

VLM To begin 5 x Weekly service to ANR from 12FEB18

VLM Airlines will operate flights from Antwerp to Birmingham, and to Maribor via Munich starting 12th February 2018 - Aviation24.be (http://www.aviation24.be/airlines/vlm-airlines/vlm-airlines-will-operate-flights-antwerp-birmingham-munich-maribor-starting-12th-february-2018/)

[BHX5DME]

New route to Chania weekly on a Mon from 30th July until 3rd Sept. It looks to be an away based 738.

PF 2941 BHX 16:10 CHQ 22:00
PF 2942 CHQ 12:30 BHX 14:40

[OltonPete]

Source: CAA

767910 for November 2017. Shown as down 2% on the CAA site and I assume rounded up as over 1.5%.

I estimated 780000 which would have been flat but looking at the individual routes I can't see where I have over-estimated other than Doha which was appalling again and EK I thought might be slightly higher. I assume I over estimated some frequencies.

Air India at 86% was leading Scheduled long-haul, Dubai was up, Turkish was up, Icelandair was up and Pakistan International was up as well leaving Doha on the naughty-step which is still a worry.

[SWBKCB]

"Why is Birmingham Airport not realizing its potential - What to do with a problem like Birmingham - Simon Calder"

http://http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/birmingham-airport-bhx-manchester-gatwick-luton-stansted-heathrow-airport-shakespeare-stratford-east-a8156521.html

[crewmeal]

leaving Doha on the naughty-step which is still a worry.

So spill the beans Pete, how bad is it? Will we see a cut in the schedule? Interesting times for BHX when CWL get their 787.

[crewmeal]

Why is Birmingham Airport not realising its potential? | The Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/birmingham-airport-bhx-manchester-gatwick-luton-stansted-heathrow-airport-shakespeare-stratford-east-a8156521.html)

[CabinCrewe]

leaving Doha on the naughty-step which is still a worry.

We are assured elswhere dire regional loads with QR to DOH are of no concern and J and underbelly are more than enough. I remain unconvinced that this is sustainable indefinitely. CWL launch will be very interesting to monitor.

[OltonPete]

Hi Crewmeal

CAA November stats show Doha 7957 down from 10243 which averages out at 133 pax per flight or 52% load factor.

Things improved in December as you would expect and I have certainly not heard of any cuts in frequencies.

November was a poor month for Qatar at BHX, MAN & EDI but BHX was certainly the lowest in terms of pax per flight and load factor.

Emirates was up (average 469 or 76%) but so was capacity as the third flight in November 16 did not operate all month which goes to show it is not a great month unless of course you are flying BHX - India and then it is fantastic. Although AI was actually down a few hundred but still 86% load factor and Turkmen went from 3 a week to 5 adding 2000 pax (up 78%).

Article

The only new aspect to this is lets say the number of disputable quotes or loose interpretation of some facts - as the saying goes to misplace one passenger is unfortunate, misplace 2 careless but misplace 2 million :hmm.

The article also mentions or certainly could read as double daily both Doha and Dubai which if the former was correct would make the November figures look even worse :).

Nice quote about East Midlands being a busy hub for "Ryanair and others" - hub and others which I presume should read base and Jet2 and wonderful if you want to go to the Med or Poland.

Also Solihull not much more than an hour away from London. I think the speed limit is 70mph in this country and much as Chiltern trains have improved they leave you well short of Heathrow and ditto Virgin trains from Bham International.

I know I am being a bit pedantic and I realise that the 2017 passenger figures are not officially finalised but the slightest bit of research would show it is going to be around 13 million and more than comparable to EDI, LTN, STN and Manchester. Even 2016 was 11.6 million which is nowhere near 11 million but I suppose 13 million and was one of the fastest growing airports in the UK doesn't fit with the article (Okay we need to emphasise was rather than is).

It has been a difficult end to the year with Monarch, United and Icelandair but Jet2, TUI, Primera (albeit unproven) and the double daily A388 are positives. No mention in the article of BHX's main claim to fame that it is one of the few airports in the world taking two 615 seat aircraft a day - plenty taking 517/9 seat 380's but few 615 seat aircraft.

By the way year to date is 12,203,151 therefore 796849 required for 13 million and December 2016 was nearly 850K but I didn't even get the December 17 estimate to 800K but December is a very difficult month to judge and I am usually wrong by underestimating most years.

CabinCrew

I have not seen that explanation used for the BHX service but we like to think that we live in the real world here :)

[inOban]

BTW, why doesn't BHX publish its own monthly data in the second week of the month as most airports do? We know the year-end total for its competitors.

[SWBKCB]

Despite OltonPete's response, the problem is that this one article will have more than impact on the general perception of BHX than all the posts on Pprune - whether it is factually accurate or not (try Googling Birmingham Airport - for me the story comes up third after the official website and the wiki page).

[Alvechurch]

Although anyone seeking information on Simon Calder's airport and airline experience will quickly find that he was originally an aircraft cleaner at Gatwick Airport. He then rose to the giddy heights of Security Officer.
Not sure how he became the Independent's Travel Correspondent based on that.

[SWBKCB]

Although anyone seeking information on Simon Calder's airport and airline experience

And how many will do that?

[ATNotts]

There's an old adage, all publicity is good publicity, and whilst I don't think that altogether holds true there's nothing particularly negative, and as Pete points out more than a couple of iffy "facts" within it.

If Monarch hadn't hit the buffers Calder wouldn't even have written the article, but as it is Monarch's failure hit BHX harder than anywhere else and gave him an excuse (reason) to srite t article.

As for the man himself and his knowledge, there's a few few on PPRuNe who are a deal more knowledgeable than Simon Calder.

[LAX_LHR]

Never mind most Ppruners having more knowledge, My 2 year old son has more knowledge of aviation than Calder!

[crewmeal]

As demonstrated this past week on BBC's 'Rip off Britain' Simon's knowledge on how to save a few Euros on a cup of coffee in Venice knows no bounds. He is so au fait on opening times on Barcelona's museums and churches and how to save a euro or two.

A year ago I asked a question about travel using his own website and didn't even get a reply.

[LAX_LHR]

I agree his actual destination knowledge is quite good. It’s just his aviation knowledge, he thinks he knows more than he does and that’s what makes him look silly.

[SWBKCB]

Never mind most Ppruners having more knowledge, My 2 year old son has more knowledge of aviation than Calder!

Ah, but does he have a national audience? (yet! :ok:)

[LAX_LHR]

He certainly commands the room at the moment, so, you never know lol

[canberra97]

Relating to the article written by Simon Calder I personally thought it was accurate as is most of his reporting as I find him very informative and extremely knowledgeable and I always try to find one at least one fault when ever he is on the TV or in his article and not once have I done so.

Working in the business that I do I have always been surprised that I have never met him personally!

So changing the topic what do others think of his suggestions on renaming Birmingham International Airport to Birmingham Shakespeare Airport?

Or even Birmingham Ozzy Osbourne International Airport lol

[EastMids]

So changing the topic what do others think of his suggestions on renaming Birmingham International Airport to Birmingham Shakespeare Airport?


Hardly an original idea by Calder - it was suggested back in 2015 when the Chinese flights were happening