Belfast City Airport-2 [Archive]

West Brit

22nd Sep 2017, 12:34

Basically it should be sold for development. There is no money to be made with 2 Belfast airports. The value of the site must be worth more to the owner if it had a change of use. This site would be prime for development as an extension to Titantic quarter, housing/office/leisure and sport. What an opportunity to create an urban village!
Most jobs would be relocated to BFS! BFS would be able to spend and spend on new facilities creating a very large airport the size of Glasgow!! Links to the airport would be improved....

Or we could just go down the current road of 2 airports competing for chunks of a relatively small market. With no money to invest in their infrastructure.....

mart901

22nd Sep 2017, 13:35

And yet both have grown turnover in the last year.

West Brit

22nd Sep 2017, 15:06

At least West Brit has a predictable response!:roll eyes

A realist!

It seems not a long time ago when Mr A and the team were on a roll and growing the business quite spectacularly, now there is a question were they just lucky or at that stage were the Aldergrove management just incompetent?

Yes, the runway extension? (never happened) It is a constrained facility if you haven't noticed.
KLM can't even get an early departure at 06.00. Holiday flights are restricted, with runway length and curfew.
So if there were other opportunities for the facility eg closing down and developing, would the owner not at least look at them?

West Brit

22nd Sep 2017, 16:06

The runway extension was refused by planners. There is no flexibility in the curfew! Nothing to do with BFS but locals who actually do deserve to have a nights sleep. Guess what? there is a curfew at London City and even Heathrow so management will have to work with that!

West Brit

22nd Sep 2017, 16:13

The runway was refused unofficially ie BHD knew there was no hope or they would have pursued it.

mart901

22nd Sep 2017, 16:45

At least West Brit has a predictable response!:roll eyes:

Where do you get the figures for increased turnover Mart? I suppose the big question is if there is increased profit? I wonder what the new Harbour owners are thinking, investing at a time a company is on a downward trend while almost every other regional UK airport is on the rise. It seems not a long time ago when Mr A and the team were on a roll and growing the business quite spectacularly, now there is a question were they just lucky or at that stage were the Aldergrove management just incompetent?

Fascinating how a few years can make such a difference, will it swing round again to Harbours favour in another few years or is the loss of the London market too difficult to replace?

Margins improve as revenues rise at Belfast City Airport - Belfast Newsletter (http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/business/margins-improve-as-revenues-rise-at-belfast-city-airport-1-8140532)

True Blue

22nd Sep 2017, 18:47

KLM knew the rules when they picked Bhd as the airport of choice. If they wanted a 6.00 am departure, why did they pick Bhd then? Whatever made them think that they could such an early departure considering the location? Have they no experience from Lcy? Stupid or what?

cuthere

22nd Sep 2017, 18:52

Stupid or what?

€519m profit in 2016. Or what is your answer

True Blue

22nd Sep 2017, 18:57

Where did I question their profitability?

A320.b744

22nd Sep 2017, 23:20

CAA stats for July (but still not June!) are finally out.

Icelandair carried 1,014 passengers on their new KEF route, which gives an average load of 39 pax (53%). It sounds bad, but Icelandair's other Q400 route to ABZ has a similar load factor (59%) despite running for a couple of years.

AMS on the other hand is performing very well, with KLM carrying 5,214 passengers in July (up 22% on 2016). This gives an average load of 85 pax. Given that the route was operated mainly by Cityjet's RJ-85s (95 seats), that gives a load factor of 89%. For the E175 these figures would give a 97% load factor. There is some real potential for an upgrade to the E-190 next summer, or even a second daily flight.

Aer Lingus' summer routes are all down given the reduction in frequencies. FAO (-19%), ALC (-45%), AGP (-20%), PMI (-23%). Aer Lingus carried 8,524 fewer passengers on its summer routes this July than in 2016.

Domestic services as a whole are fairly flat, with 225,477 domestic passengers in July compared to 227,705 last year, representing a 1% decrease.

Overall, 257,633 passengers used BHD in July, down 4.5% on last year.

SWBKCB

26th Sep 2017, 19:38

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/routes-belfast-city-confident-of-new-owners-commit-441475/

Alteagod

27th Sep 2017, 17:15

Might BA reinstate one of the axed rotations they had planned for w17/18 or might the much rumoured but never arrived BACF LCY BHD appear post the FR LGW announcement?

ECR

1st Oct 2017, 10:35

Unfortunately I can't see BA backtracking on their LHR schedule reduction or introducing any new routes. I would love to see them try the LCY or LGW routes and think it might work as they could pick up a certain amount of premium traffic as they offer a proper business class with Club Europe on domestic services these days. It would also provide feed for their other routes from LGW and LCY.

OneBellEnd

2nd Oct 2017, 18:27

https://www.dublinairport.com/latest-news/detail/icelandair-to-operate-new-dublin-reykjavik-service

The curse of UK Air Passenger Duty again. Like KLM, Belfast launches flights only to be overtaken by a bigger Icelandair operation from DUB ...

Still - real optimism about sense finally prevailing. This kind of mindless self-harm by Treasury can’t go on forever. Especially once they only have the well-being of the UK to consider.

A320.b744

2nd Oct 2017, 18:38

It's not the curse of APD, it's the fact that Dublin is a much bigger airport with a much larger market than Belfast. Honestly I'm surprised that it took KLM and Icelandair this long before commencing flights to Europe's 15th largest airport.

If anything BHD should be congratulated for being the first airport on the island of Ireland to have KLM, Icelandair and even Brussels Airlines (albeit with less success) commencing operations.

CaptJ

6th Oct 2017, 09:38

Bad News

BA has cancelled flights out of the City for the summer schedule.

So much for the claim that the previous cancellations were due to poor load factors over the winter. (untrue in any case).

We are now 6 flights a day down to LHR/LGW. This is reflected in already high prices for the winter holiday period

globetrotter79

6th Oct 2017, 10:17

CaptJ: do you have a source for this?

GAZMO

6th Oct 2017, 10:23

Not good news!
Can another airline use these LHR slots or just BA

sinbad73

6th Oct 2017, 11:10

CaptJ: do you have a source for this?

London Heathrow changes - Summer 2018

In response to commercial feedback and demand, British Airways have announced a number of changes to our schedule for Summer 2018. The changes will be processed on Thursday 05th October and Friday 06th October.

• New route from London Heathrow (LHR) to Almeria (LEI) in Spain
• Suspension of routes from London Heathrow (LHR) to Kos (KGS), Montpellier (MPL) and Biarritz (BIQ)
• Increase in frequency from London Heathrow (LHR) to Inverness (INV) and Basel (BSL)
• Reduction in frequency from London Heathrow (LHR) to Belfast (BHD), Edinburgh (EDI), Glasgow (GLA) and Istanbul (IST)
• Day of week change from London Heathrow (LHR) to Tallin (TLL)
• Reduction of season length, day of week change & increase of frequency from London Heathrow (LHR) to Nantes (NTS)

New route to Almeria
Flight Number Route Timings Days of week Commences
BA 420 LHR – LEI 13:15 – 17:00 TUE, SAT 27 MAR 2018
BA 421 LEI – LHR 17:50 – 19:35 TUE, SAT 27 MAR 2018

Route Suspensions
• Kos and Montpellier will be suspended from 30th September 2017
• Biarritz will be suspended from 24th September 2017

Frequency increase and decrease
• Increase INV frequency from 7 to 10 per week
• Increase BSL frequency from 25 to 26 per week
• Reduce BHD frequency from 38 to 31 per week
• Reduce EDI frequency from 76 to 74 per week
• Reduce GLA frequency from 67 to 66 per week
• Reduce IST frequency from 21 to 14 per week

Day of week change to Tallin (from Saturday to Friday)
Flight Number Route Timings New day of week Commences
BA 876 LHR – TLL 15:45 – 20:35 FRI 27 MAR 2018
BA 877 TLL – LHR 21:25 – 22:30 FRI 27 MAR 2018

New schedule for Nantes
Flight Number Route Timings Day of week Commences
BA 386 LHR – NTE 13:05 – 15:25 WED 03 JUL 2018
BA 387 NTE – LHR 16:10 – 16:25 WED 03 JUL 2018
BA 386 LHR – NTE 13:20 – 15:45 TUE, FRI 03 JUL 2018
BA 387 NTE – LHR 16:30 – 16:45 TUE. FRI 03 JUL 2018
BA 386 LHR – NTE 13:30 – 15:50 SUN 03 JUL 2018
BA287 NTE – LHR 16:40 – 16:55 SUN 03 JUL 2018

Advice for agents
Please refer to Standard Customer Guidelines for Flight cancellations

Regards,
British Airways

CaptJ

6th Oct 2017, 12:20

CaptJ: do you have a source for this?

Yes, the email and text of the cancellation of my connecting flight returning from Las Vegas.
Getting fed up with this. Third time this year. I would have been better off connecting through Dublin. I'll now be sitting in T5 for longer than the duration of the coach ride back to Belfast.

BFS BHD

6th Oct 2017, 18:53

Is it confirmed that Aer Lingus is dropping Alicante and Palma for S18?

EI-A330-300

6th Oct 2017, 19:04

Not due to return, lot of hastle involved running then.

BFS BHD

6th Oct 2017, 19:28

Thanks EI-A330-300! Not looking good for BHD with EIN dropping ALC & PMI and BA reducing LHR service! Hopefully BHD will have some good news soon.

GAZMO

6th Oct 2017, 21:33

From BT
Emergency crews attend Belfast City Airport after plane returns after take off - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/emergency-crews-attend-belfast-city-airport-after-plane-returns-after-take-off-36203401.html)

SealinkBF

6th Oct 2017, 21:46

Thanks EI-A330-300! Not looking good for BHD with EIN dropping ALC & PMI and BA reducing LHR service! Hopefully BHD will have some good news soon.

As a passenger, I am always amazed to learn of routes like Palma not doing well. Of course, the explanation must be that the market is saturated, yields etc. No route is sacred I suppose.

EI-A330-300

6th Oct 2017, 22:00

Doing well and making a profit isn't good enough for EI, they will place the aircraft where they get the biggest return simply because they have not really expanded their short haul fleet in a long time just maximize profit.

The change of crew is also a pain when doing such route planning.

Alteagod

7th Oct 2017, 08:54

I thought VY were taking over the EI sun routes next year?

canberra97

7th Oct 2017, 13:41

Where did you get the idea that VY were EI sun routes?

EI-BUD

7th Oct 2017, 14:25

Alteagod,

VY for Aer Lingus , outrageous nonsense. Did you just make that up?

Jerry123

7th Oct 2017, 15:17

Why would it be outrageous nonense? They are both IAG airlines and Vueling has a base in Malaga so would be a good candidate to take that over if EI doesn't want to operate it anymore.

EI-BUD

7th Oct 2017, 15:40

Jerry123,

Where did the suggestion of VY come from?

Who said EI doesn't want to opetate it?

Jerry123

8th Oct 2017, 07:49

West Brit

8th Oct 2017, 08:52

Yes a couple of sunshine routes out of BHD is right up there in the IAG priority list!

Alteagod

8th Oct 2017, 10:25

More like a contractual liability

j636

8th Oct 2017, 10:43

The poster you replied to.

EI may not be able to in a couple of years. They will be an EU airline, with Brexit coming up it may well be easier for IAG to have VY to operate routes from Spain and possibly Portugal to Northern Ireland. Unless EI is willing to do it using W patterns from the continent.

The never ending Brexit departure day, EI and all other airlines will have access, if they don't UK ones will be cut out and the Goverment cannot afford to let it happen.

It would be difficult for VY to capture the EI customer base if there was a switch.

Jerry123

8th Oct 2017, 14:46

As with Brexit everything is unknown but EI might have to get an UK AOC to operate from the UK. Why would IAG bother with that when they have airlines that could cover those routes.

BCALBOY

8th Oct 2017, 15:34

The more likely problem for Aer Lingus , as an EU based airline , is being able to operate a UK domestic route i.e . Belfast to Heathrow ,rather than a route between a UK point to anywhere in the EU.

Having said that the simple solution for IAG ,would be for BA to take over the
EI services on BHD/LHR.

EasyJet are securing the Austrian Aoc to allow them to operate intra EU ,not to secure the rights between UK and EU countries which I guess are assumed will be reciprocally allowed.

mart901

16th Oct 2017, 09:27

Belfast City Airport - Hurricane Ophelia | Flight Disruption (http://www.belfastcityairport.com/Flight-Disruption)

El Bunto

17th Oct 2017, 18:48

Q200 aka DHC-8-200 subbed in on the Air Iceland run from Keflavik today, I think that's a first. Didn't realise they even had the range for it.

panpanpanpan

23rd Oct 2017, 19:38

Belfast City Airport baggage handler strike suspended - BBC News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-41719364)

Whats that all about I wonder? I'm sure the Harbour management wouldn't be keen on that kind of publicity! A few words to Swissport to get their house in order asap I would bet!

A320.b744

28th Oct 2017, 16:07

CAA stats for August are finally out.

Icelandair carried 1,232 passengers on their KEF route, which gives an average load of 47 pax (64%). The average load since the route began in July is a modest 59%.

AMS is continuing to benefit from being operated by Cityjet's RJ-85s (95 seats), with 22% growth over the last year (same growth as in July 2017). 5,227 passengers used the route, giving an average load of 85 and load factor of 89%. As I mentioned with the July stats, KLM would be silly not to put the E-190 on the route next July and August, as the demand is clearly there for growth on the route.

Aer Lingus' summer routes are all down given the reduction in frequencies. FAO (-20%), ALC (-42%), AGP (-21%), PMI (-30%). Aer Lingus carried 8,787 fewer passengers on its summer routes this August than in 2017, and 17,311 fewer passengers over both July and August.

Overall, 264,928 passengers used BHD in August, down 5% on last year.

BAladdy

28th Oct 2017, 16:44

Does anyone know what the loads have been like on T3's IOM and NCL services

Alteagod

28th Oct 2017, 17:57

Its been operated on a J31 for a while so if numbers are lowish yield is probably okish. Not sure of exact numbers

A320.b744

28th Oct 2017, 18:05

Does anyone know what the loads have been like on T3's IOM and NCL services

July:
BHD-IOM 360 pax - average 9 pax
BHD-NCL 432 pax - average 10 pax

August:
BHD-IOM 435 pax - average 9 pax
BHD-NCL 499 pax - average 11 pax

The average load does of course assume that no flights were cancelled during the periods in question.

A320.b744

7th Nov 2017, 14:28

CAA September stats are out. Here are the most important points;

227,691 passengers used the airport in September (-6.9%). The rolling passenger figure is 2,556,420 (-5.2%).

Minor growth on domestic routes.

Stable growth on KLM's AMS route (+11%).

Big drop in Aer Lingus' summer routes due to a reduced schedule, with both ALC and PMI dropped during September, and FAO (-14%), AGP (-14%).

Icelandair's KEF route is still performing poorly (LF 52%), but it should be noted that it's doing much better than Icelandair's other UK Q400 route, ABZ. The average LF for BHD-KEF since July is 57%.

CaptainDoony

7th Nov 2017, 15:57

ABZ figures aren't setting the heather alight, but your comment still leaves me sratching my head :confused:

July - 84%
August - 70%
September - 61%

A320.b744

7th Nov 2017, 16:08

Apologies, I was under the impression that ABZ was still operated x4 weekly. Lack of demand on the route has evidently led to a reduced schedule - x3 during summer and only x2 during winter.

BFS BHD

24th Nov 2017, 19:23

Some news for Belfast City...

Belfast City Airport - Newcastle and Isle of Man | Sunday Flights (http://www.belfastcityairport.com/News/SUNDAY-FLIGHTS-BELFAST-CITY-ISLE-OF-MAN-NEWCASTLE)

BFS Dude

28th Nov 2017, 00:29

Talk on another website that there is going to be more Bucket and Spade routes announced next week!

Any idea what airline is doing the routes and what the routes are?

Alteagod

28th Nov 2017, 09:15

Maybe someone taking on the routes dropped by EI. Had heard seadlings of a potential chat that could be considered as a posible rumour of BE doing some charter work ex BHD next summer. Maybe something to do with that

BHD2BFS

28th Nov 2017, 12:10

Duno if Flybe have spare ejets as I think they are going to fill some gaps left by monarch

Maybe ba cityflyer?

Refuellerman

28th Nov 2017, 12:50

Fly be have a spare dash at bfs

Startledgrapefruit

28th Nov 2017, 15:32

OneBellEnd

28th Nov 2017, 17:15

Relatively new niche tour operator JetsGo who serve Manchester, flying once weekly to Majorca in peak summer holiday season out of BHD. Don't know the airline being used.

mart901

28th Nov 2017, 22:16

Has this been announced?

EI-A330-300

28th Nov 2017, 22:19

Just saw elsewhere EI may not be flying the A320 down to FAO/AGP next summer. Suggestion it will be moved to DUB and a Boeing may be leased to operate out of BHD. No idea how reliable the info is.

A320.b744

28th Nov 2017, 23:10

DUBSHNORK20

28th Nov 2017, 23:41

Yes I’ve also been made aware of this. Asl Airlines IRL EI-STA is supposedly operating all routes next summer

A320.b744

29th Nov 2017, 00:34

Reduced seat capacity on the B733 compared with the A320 equates to a 15.5% reduction in seats. Will they make up for it with an increase in the number of flights, or will the downward trend in capacity continue?

GAZMO

29th Nov 2017, 17:28

jetsgoholidays have the holidays to PMI on their website, Sunday flights 24th June to 9th September

BFS BHD

29th Nov 2017, 17:35

Flights times show it will be a Palma based aircraft.

Refuellerman

29th Nov 2017, 18:15

The last time i was on eista it was a bit of a piss plane, bit of a nursing home smell

Cozy F

29th Nov 2017, 18:57

Germania aircraft apparently operating the weekly Palma on a w pattern. Interesting.

richardnei

29th Nov 2017, 19:02

The last time i was on eista it was a bit of a piss plane, bit of a nursing home smell

It's gets used a lot for pilgrimage flights to LDE and DBV plus all the holidays charters from DUB. Plane is worked hard.

richardnei

29th Nov 2017, 19:10

jetsgoholidays have the holidays to PMI on their website, Sunday flights 24th June to 9th September

Are this lot Atol protected. Can't find anything, but says on the website that they are fully bonded and protected. A search on the CAA site didn't show anything for them.

DC9_10

29th Nov 2017, 22:32

EI-BUD

29th Nov 2017, 22:36

You have to love the clap trap spouted on her about EI @ BHD. The airline will in the next 2 weeks celebrate 10 years of scheduled operations at Belfast, having served both airports over that time with based aircraft.

The airline has been very adaptable in the market, it acquired 319's as a better fit and had to contend with what is a very seasonal market. Off season the market is challenging.

Furthermore, it moved to BHD to pursue a more business orientated offering. Sadly due to the IAG piece, the LGW route was forgone. They have stuck with it, and now they are offering something that is sustainable.

It is easy to say that BA could do LHR. Many sources say that EI is leaner and lower cost, a good reason for them to be on the route from an IAG perspective. The collective LHR piece is picking up the passenger numbers. BA themselves took a hatchet to LHR BHD , hardly a vote of confidence as BHD bore the brunt of the cuts to facilitate leisure services ex LHR....

I think it is high time Aer Lingus were cut some slack, and rather recognised for being emergent and focussed on something sustainable for the future. They have stuck at it when others have cut and run...

richardnei

29th Nov 2017, 22:48

No ABTA or ATOL certificate. Apparently bonded by the Spanish Tourism Ministry. No registered head office details on their website and only a Facebook page or email to contact. Belfast call centre number also. Most dubious is the reviews on the website from customers who have given 100 % ratings. Experience always comes up with someone who isn't happy so would not trust the reviews either. I'd rather book Jet2 holidays, Thomas Cook or Thompson. At least your money's safe.

See there’s a short video clip from the announcement. It’s been a very successful year for BHD apparently!!! Although no ABTA or ATOL protection rings alarm bells, especially with recent failures or Monarch and Low cost Holidays to name a few.

https://nitravelnews.com/news/new-mallorca-route-launches-from-belfast-city-airport-with-jetsgo-holidays/

Husky One

29th Nov 2017, 23:32

I'm not sure I buy into the somewhat rose tinted description of EI's northern operations.
In reality they came in and massively misjudged the market, assuming they could smash Easyjet on its own patch. They lost a fortune and hastily started experimenting with routes before retreating to BHD following a large spat with BFS.
In 10 years they have reduced to 1 airframe doing 1 route, have no based pilots and a handful of cabin crew. It's good they run the LHR because frankly BA are bleeding us all dry on it but let's not dress it up as a great success. Their LGW base was a similar story but now totally extinct.

El Bunto

30th Nov 2017, 06:33

JETSGO HOLIDAYS SPAIN SL

https://www.empresia.es/persona/reilly-daniel-james/

Daniel Reilly, the Liverpool teenager who started Nexus Airlines out of his 'bedroom'. They had chartered a Futura aircraft but I don't think they managed to fly a single customer before they went bust.

His next airline venture was JetXtra which operated out of Humberside in 2013 with a Cityflyer E190. Had a bit of a rough patch after launch when the CAA ordered them to stop selling tickets, until they got themselves ABTA and ATOL bonded. Still appears to be operating but now owned by Sporting Events Global Ltd

Correction: it seems at this point he started his first Spanish-registered company JetXtra Holidays SL. CAA can't interefere with that! But before lauch the name was changed to...

... JetsGo in 2015, again with a Cityflyer aircraft but now from Manchester, having talked with Liverpool airport in 2014 but not launched there.

He is certianly persistent.

BFS watcher

30th Nov 2017, 06:53

See there’s a short video clip from the announcement. It’s been a very successful year for BHD apparently!!! Although no ABTA or ATOL protection rings alarm bells, especially with recent failures or Monarch and Low cost Holidays to name a few.

https://nitravelnews.com/news/new-mallorca-route-launches-from-belfast-city-airport-with-jetsgo-holidays/There are no enemy tanks in Baghdad

OneBellEnd

30th Nov 2017, 09:09

Gee! Hadn't actually realised this Jetsgo thing was the venerable child star of Nexus 'fame'!!

Plane.Silly

30th Nov 2017, 09:40

Or of Jetxtra, Must have some deep pockets to start with, or knows a lot of bigwigs.
Why not just expand the Jetxtra side instead? Though with the new Holidays venure, it's looking suspiciously close to Jet2 and their operation (difference being Mr Reilly doesn't own any planes)

A320.b744

30th Nov 2017, 11:31

Flybe is commencing flights to Doncaster/Sheffield on 15th June. The flights will operate x4 weekly, and will be flown by the E175.

http://www.belfastcityairport.com/News/FLYBE-ANNOUNCE-BELFAST-CITY-TO-DONCASTER-SHEFFIELD

El Bunto

30th Nov 2017, 19:54

Or of Jetxtra, Must have some deep pockets to start with, or knows a lot of bigwigs. A bit of both I think, his family was fairly wealthy from construction and I'm sure they can also open a lot of doors at that level. Nexus was bankrolled by a software company for example.

Just discovered today that Mr Reilly lost use of the JetXtra name after leaving the partnership with Sporting Events Global Ltd who continue to run the Humberside services. The partnership had been established in order to use SEGL's ATOL license but to do that they took all the revenue from bookings ( per CAA requirements ) and de facto became JetXtra.

I would assumed that the Spanish bonding arrangement prevents that having to happen again, so he remains in control of JetsGo and its revenue.

Brakefan2

2nd Dec 2017, 13:00

If that's true then is this the beginning of the end of Aer Lingus at Belfast? Even if EI were to continue using an A320 for the sun routes, there is almost no business case for EI to remain at BHD. They only operate one route during the winter, and it is in direct competition with a fellow IAG airline. The only suggestions that I can come up with are that EI are planning on reintroducing BHD-LGW, or that EI are holding the LHR slots until IAG can use them more efficiently on other routes. From IAG's point of view, it would make a lot more sense, and would be a lot more efficient, to have BA solely operate BHD-LHR, and to have BACF or even Vueling operating any sun routes from BHD.

Is there any contributor out there (EI-BUD maybe?) that has access to the load factors between BA & EI on the BHD/LHR route in recent months. I use EI frequently and it's always busy ( albeit out on EI 30 and back on EI37).
It would be interesting to know. I'm sure Mr Walsh glances over them occasionally while Mr Ritter holds his breath!

Alteagod

2nd Dec 2017, 16:13

As said by myself before the YIELD that IAG recieve as a group to from LHR is in the top performers in the IAG group. Load factor
is no longer any guide for any carrier any longer and espically with Club Europe on Domestic on BA. I know that take very little notice of load factor. OTP is king then Yield then possibly load factor. Happy to give details as a PM but not on an open forum

Startledgrapefruit

17th Dec 2017, 19:29

The administration staff have been shifted to a new complex outside the terminal and the old administration offices are being converted to retail.
So the rumours say a new airlines. Green turboprops are mentioned.

fjencl

17th Dec 2017, 19:35

Mmmmmmmmmmm wonder who that could be "green turboprops"
:rolleyes:

BFS BHD

17th Dec 2017, 19:35

Sounds like the Stobart Air service to Carlisle Airport that's due to be announced early next year.

Alteagod

18th Dec 2017, 11:31

Stobart maybe back on the ORK route?

OneBellEnd

20th Dec 2017, 15:03

How are Air Iceland getting on with their Reykjavik connecting flights? Hope they're picking up adequate transatlantic passengers.

Topically I see on the Birmingham thread that Icelandair are stopping BHX flights from mid January, seemingly due to Primera launching direct flights from Birmingham starting next summer into the main three North American markets in NYC, Boston and Toronto.

West Brit

21st Dec 2017, 12:13

Major problems with fog. EI LHR diverted to 'Dublin' and Exeter appears to be heading for 'Prestwick'. BFS seems to operating ok. One BE diverted to BFS.

BFS watcher

21st Dec 2017, 15:47

By all accounts EI pilots not allowed to divert to BFS unless it is an emergency. Not great for passengers as they are currently stranded in Dublin waiting for a bus.

Startledgrapefruit

21st Dec 2017, 16:16

Very bad down in the city today. Not only cloud below the cranes. Base was in the floodlights at the oval. Could not even nick a goose Frome the park for Christmas it was so bad !!

NWSRG

21st Dec 2017, 16:24

By all accounts EI pilots not allowed to divert to BFS unless it is an emergency.

Any idea why? Seems churlish to say the least...

EI-A330-300

21st Dec 2017, 16:56

That is not the case regarding EI and BFS.

Straightahead

21st Dec 2017, 19:37

If this is not the case give me 1 good reason why they diverted to DUB.There were no weather issues at that time so surley passenger welfare comes first. A Flybe that diverted to BFS had busses supplied to take their paxs to BHD within 1 hr of landing.

cuthere

21st Dec 2017, 19:43

What I don’t understand is why the EXT-BHD ended up in PIK. Why didn’t it go to LDY once the weather at BFS went to pot? I’m sure the passengers would have been happier to at least be on the same island.

Husky One

22nd Dec 2017, 01:15

Since EI and BFS had their huge fall-out, EI seldom divert there. You'll often see Cityjet and the Ryan's but not EI. Passenger convenience is trumped by politics.
As for LDY.. it's not a realistic option and doesn't feature in the diversion plans of any of our serving airlines. If LDY wishes to feature in anybody's future plans it needs to start again with a blank page. There's nobody up there with a clue about realistically running a regional airport. local councils and airports just don't mix. The money that was awarded to BMIR for their STN service could've started a national airline, employed a hundred staff and had a European network. Instead they got a double daily pencil jet that is regularly sub leased to a variety of turboprop operators.

West Brit

22nd Dec 2017, 06:26

EI never divert to BFS, I think that they should make their customers fully aware of this, as this is a great inconvenience.

SWBKCB

22nd Dec 2017, 06:46

local councils and airports just don't mix.

Somebody should tell MAG!

Instead they got a double daily pencil jet that is regularly sub leased to a variety of turboprop operators.

Last I can find is 23 May?

cuthere

22nd Dec 2017, 07:05

Christ Husky. Merry Christmas to you too!
FR have used LDY as a div for NOC on occasion, though not that recently. Stobart/EIR divert there when Donegal is out. Seems to work okay.

As SWBKCB said, there hasn’t been a turboprop on the LDY-STN route since May, though what that’s got to do with a BE EXT-BHD diverting to PIK at the same time as BE flights from LPL and LBA were landing at City is beyond me.

I reckon I’d rather end up on the same island as the airport I’d intended flying to in an ATR than end up in PIK.

dantheflyboy

22nd Dec 2017, 08:04

cuthere

22nd Dec 2017, 08:06

Thanks Dan. Question answered. The BHD website was never updated with this information. I have an interest as I’m off to Devon today, returning tomorrow, not that I’m expecting any issues.

El Bunto

22nd Dec 2017, 09:57

Since EI and BFS had their huge fall-out, EI never divert there. EI never divert to BFSHuh? EI-EDP went into International just after midnight on 11 December when it was too late for City arrival. Offloaded pax and positioned to Dublin, then back up to City a few hours later to commence scheduled service.

No emergency, just very late.

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/ei-edp#fcb8a41

Not an FR24 glitch, plenty of witnesses.

Husky One

22nd Dec 2017, 11:45

I've taken the opportunity of changing never to 'seldom' to satisfy the pedantic.
Whatever way you dress it up, Aer Lingus make a point of avoiding BFS. It is not their commercial alternate and I'm pretty sure BFS couldn't care less either. The only losers are the passengers who face a 100 trek instead of 20.

Straightahead

22nd Dec 2017, 11:51

Ten aircraft were waiting to land due fog. BEE Ext service requested BFS but was told was full and took pik option to refuel then returned to Bhd.So passengers got back to destination quicker than having to bus from international.Dont know where you get the 10 aircraft.There were 5 in the Magee hold and BFS had plenty of room for them all

EI-A330-300

22nd Dec 2017, 13:50

BFS fan boys its been 5 years since they moved, I think most of you need to let it go at this stage.

Just to add if the full comment was correct, they may have said the same to EI.

SecondDog

22nd Dec 2017, 16:19

I can tell you 100% that BFS do not turn away EI just for being EI. Like you say, it has been 5 years and their money is as good as anyone else's.

I also doubt BFS would have declared full but you are just getting into he said/she said at this point.

Fly757X

22nd Dec 2017, 18:55

A320.b744

31st Dec 2017, 15:24

November was a very good month for BHD, with the airport recording 2% growth. However the rolling passenger figure is 2,558,113 which is down 4.4%.

Domestic routes generally performed very well, with double digit growth on most routes;

Cardiff (+58%), East Midlands (+29%), Exeter (+25%), Leeds (+11%), Liverpool (+24%), London City (+25%), Southampton (+10%).

There were decreases on 3 Scottish routes however - Edinburgh (-9%), Glasgow (-20%), Inverness (-6%).

Only two international routes operated during November;

AMS is continuing to perform well (+27%). It should be noted that BHD-AMS is now performing better than INV-AMS when KLM announced the introduction of a second daily flight on that route.

KEF continues to perform poorly, with an average load factor of just 36%. However I did hear that a) several flights were cancelled and b) the route was operated a few times by the Q200, so this may have affected the figures.

Alteagod

31st Dec 2017, 18:36

BHD AMS is inneed of a second rotation

Alteagod

16th Jan 2018, 19:44

Any confirmation if ASL operating the EI sun flights this Summer?

mart901

16th Jan 2018, 20:56

Nothing showing on website, still states operated by EI.

fjencl

17th Jan 2018, 07:17

Yes it's ASL operating for aerlingus using a 737-300.
Only the faro and malaga route only

Alteagod

17th Jan 2018, 08:34

Will ASL be based in BHD then?

fjencl

17th Jan 2018, 08:42

Yes it will.

El Bunto

17th Jan 2018, 10:08

BHD AMS is inneed of a second rotation

An early departure would seem useful, to integrate with the lunchtime departure waves from Amsterdam. KLM933 / 934 to-from Dublin does that nicely.

EI-A330-300

21st Jan 2018, 20:20

ASL replacing EI appears to be for BA ops starting next month and running until end of the summer.

mart901

21st Jan 2018, 20:36

For LHR, for BA?

EI-A330-300

21st Jan 2018, 20:47

No EI are to operate some LHR-HAM and LHR-DUB beginning next month and expected to continue throughout summer because they have to move aircraft to LGW and fill MON slots.

So ASL are reported to operate BHD-FAO/AGP while EI need to source a second aircraft peak season to also cover their own and BA ops.

mart901

21st Jan 2018, 20:58

Those LHR ops be on a W?

EI-A330-300

21st Jan 2018, 22:13

Would expect night stops and W will be rotated via HAM and LHR to get back to DUB. I don't know the finer details.

BHD2BFS

21st Jan 2018, 22:22

So no Ei crew based in Belfast for the summer?

Alteagod

22nd Jan 2018, 12:07

Im confused. Who is doing what for who from were. ASL ops all EI or just the Sun routes?

EI-A330-300

22nd Jan 2018, 22:29

ASL may be operating AGP/FAO service on behalf of EI this summer.

So no Ei crew based in Belfast for the summer?

Believe cabin crew are still based for LHR, would expect if ASL happens any seasonal crew will be offered employment at DUB.

Alteagod

23rd Jan 2018, 10:54

Makes sense

BFS watcher

2nd Feb 2018, 10:16

The nimbys win again!

Belfast City Airport late-night flight 'failures' criticised - BBC News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42905325?ocid=socialflow_twitter&ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbcnews&ns_source=twitter)

BHD2BFS

2nd Feb 2018, 13:28

I must admit “exceptional” in my eyes would refer to an emergency or a “special flight” such as military or royal.

A Flybe Dash running 30 minutes lates would not really be an execrational circumstance.
LCY has strict operating hours, late flights get cancelled or div to Southend.
It could be seen the same rules should apply for BHD and any delays go to BFS

Cozy F

2nd Feb 2018, 14:44

Interesting.

Suppose it's too wild to theorize any possible connection in this "maladministration"to the former Head of NI Planning Service, followed on by the former Head of theCivil Service, being members of Belfast City Airport's Board?

SealinkBF

2nd Feb 2018, 23:08

Alteagod

3rd Feb 2018, 13:15

The local communities get a large ammount of money from BHD community-based fund that is paid for by the levies on delayed flights so a bit of a double edged sword. I think the core issue is what is exceptional. I do not think you can class late running a/c because of weather in Glasgow for example as exceptional but you could argue late due crew sickness is exceptional.

Startledgrapefruit

3rd Feb 2018, 16:57

And the man in the posh house with the 2 Mercedes says"
Forget about those jets dropping the speed brakes and flaps over Belfast at 01.00 in the summer time when we keep our windows open as its too warm.
They are not the ones that waken us up.
we don't speak of them."
Nimby Verse 3 chapter 11-15

True Blue

3rd Feb 2018, 17:24

Really amuses that the local residents are seen as the villains here. The airport has been given a set of rules to operate to, rules that they have accepted. A government dept was given the job of monitoring all this, but like many gov depts, decided not to do what they were paid to do. This week we discover that they didn't even have a definition of what "exceptional circumstances" meant. Why? Well what about this for a reason, neither the airport nor the gov dept were taking the rules seriously, any delay for any reason is ok, just come on in. After all these years they have been found out.

It was posted on here some weeks back that KLM would like a 6.00 am departure out. Well if they want that and they knew the operating hours before they started, or should have, why go to Bhd then?

Well done local residents, hopefully for once big industry and government that says one thing and does another will now have to play by the rules. Just a very small step to show that people can't always be walked over, as has been happening too much recently.

Startledgrapefruit

3rd Feb 2018, 17:31

Probably 0.0001%of residents !

True Blue

3rd Feb 2018, 17:40

Some day, Startledgrapefruit, you might be on the receiving end of an organisation that isn't playing by the rules. I'm not sure you will shrug your shoulders and say, I'm only 0.00000000000001%, I don't matter. We have seen enough of big organisations thinking they can use the rules to suit themselves, usually at the expense of us on the street and some day it could be you. I've had enough of "big" thinking the wee guy doesn't matter, whether it is a private company or gov dept. And remember, if you are a tax payer, you were paying for a gov dept that decided just to not bother doing what it was supposed to do. Seen that before?

Startledgrapefruit

3rd Feb 2018, 19:31

Have you ever been to one of their meetings ?
When they had them they had a lot of empty seats.
Now they don't seem to have public meetings which for a residents group is strange.
Anyway back to the news.
Builders are in and administration are down in their new rabbit hole.

vrb03kt

3rd Feb 2018, 21:17

I really don’t understand why such a small city/province needs 2 competing airports in close proximity.

Startledgrapefruit

3rd Feb 2018, 21:57

City was there first.
( Buys popcorn and waits for fight )

mart901

3rd Feb 2018, 22:49

vrb03kt

Seriously can we not have this debate again. I'm waiting for the flegs to go up. Its like them uns up there. Shoot me now. We have two airports, get over it. And just for the record, we're a country, not a county.

A320.b744

4th Feb 2018, 07:21

If all delayed flights were forced to abide by the 21:30-06:30 curfew, then it just makes matters worse. If a delayed flight is forced to divert to BFS, then obviously that aircraft will need to position itself at BHD before its morning departure. No flights are allowed to arrive before 06:30, meaning there is no chance that an aircraft diverted to BFS the night before would be ready for one of the airport's 06:30-07:00 departures. Consequently these flights are delayed, causing further delays throughout the day, and consequently leading to the aircraft being diverted to BFS again. Think of the time and money wasted by airlines and airports for diverting all delayed flights.

In addition, the vast majority of local residents moved to the area after BHD recommenced commercial flights in 1983. These people actively chose to live in close proximity to BHD, so they have absolutely no right to complain about aircraft noise. If they didn't want to be disturbed by aircraft, they shouldn't have moved to the area - it's as simple as that. BHD made the right call by allowing delayed flights to land at the airport past the curfew.

mart901

4th Feb 2018, 07:36

A320.b744

Absolutely right. And it doesn't really matter what happens at BHD there's people on this forum who plainly and simply don't want it to exist for whatever reason. Any new route or growth is apparently as a result of some form of corruption or won't last and the slightest decline is supposed to be the beginning of the end. People shouting in here in defence of the poor residents of Holywood and Helen's Bay with swimming pool and room for a pony who apparently can't cope with the noise but would gladly have Emirates landing hourly at BFS, if only for spotting opportunities, regardless of how much noise it created for the people of Crumlin, Templepatrick etc who let's face have much bigger and noisier aircraft flying over, and right through the night at times.

West Brit

4th Feb 2018, 09:20

Those recorded delays amount to 1 every night during that period. So if I had moved to under the flight path and read the agreement I might have put up with the noise during the day as growth is restricted. Also I would have said to myself that only flights after 9.30 in 'exceptional circumstances', but every night!.
Airlines who operate from there know the game plan and do so at their own risk/cost. Good to see that this issue is being looked into.

SecondDog

4th Feb 2018, 12:18

I see the dearth of routes news has sent everyone into Norn Irn mode again.... Where did I put my popcorn....

A320.b744

4th Feb 2018, 13:33

BHD may have lost their LGW, LTN and STN services over the years, but without doubt BHD is still the best airport for those wishing to fly to London. Both LHR and LCY are by far the two most convenient London airports - the other London airports are more hassle than they're worth. Aer Lingus, British Airways and Flybe also offer a much higher quality of service than easyJet and Ryanair.

Even when looking at domestic services in general, the high frequency of services from BHD makes it far more convenient than BFS. The only place where BHD falls behind is it's European offering, but at least BHD has links to two of the major alliances - BFS doesn't even have one alliance link.

Alteagod

4th Feb 2018, 13:44

A very key point indeed the ability to feed into an alliance carrier's

sealink

4th Feb 2018, 17:50

Not sure if already meantioned, sorry if so but I’m sure a walk through tax free store is being created during the terminal works.

El Bunto

4th Feb 2018, 19:23

so they have absolutely no right to complain about aircraft noise. Of course they have a right to complain. An airport is just a business that has to abide by environmental regulations like any other business. Indeed it is the public that make a special concession for an airport to extend its pollution outside its perimeter.

I'll be most of the local residents moved-in after the Sydenham Bypass was built, but they still have every right to complain about someone sounding their car horn between 23:30 and 07:00.

mart901

5th Feb 2018, 15:11

Who is operating the SZG flights this year?

Jamie2k9

5th Feb 2018, 15:24

Believe the tour operator are only doing ad-hoc service and using Jet 2 as required.

BFS101

5th Feb 2018, 16:11

There is a BE flight to Salzburg on a Saturday.
E175 arrives from BHX, out and back to Salzburg, and then home to Birmingham in the evening.

Not sure of the tour operator.

mart901

6th Feb 2018, 10:50

Belfast City Airport - £15 Million Infrastructure Investment (http://www.belfastcityairport.com/News/BELFAST-CITY-AIRPORT-%C2%A315-MILLION-INFRASTRUCTURE)

sealink

6th Feb 2018, 12:47

This is excellent news and I’m sure they have plans to use the available space in a more efficient way. As mentioned freeing up previous admin space. Good job.

mart901

6th Feb 2018, 13:20

They'll have spent the last half year looking at the business and planning. The way venture capital works they will invest heavily now and look for a return further down the line. They won't own it forever.

fjencl

6th Feb 2018, 13:27

Did somebody mention on here that eastern airways was coming to operate from BHD, when is this and what routes will they be operating and for who.

sealink

6th Feb 2018, 13:37

Maybe to offer an early departure on the current NCL and IOM routes

Alteagod

13th Feb 2018, 16:03

I ask out out genuine interest but with all these Boeing max and Airbus neo and LR models now on the market is it possible to use BHD for longish flights even the likes of LCA or SSH. Im not interested in market yield or the economic side just purely on performance is it possible. Its pure conjecture.

A320.b744

13th Feb 2018, 16:51

By the looks of things, the only aircraft out of the A320ceo, A320neo, B737NG, B737MAX families that can (or will be able to) operate out of BHD at MTOW are the A318 and A319neo. The runway would need to be extended by about 150-200m for a fully loaded A320neo, and by almost 500m to allow for a fully loaded 737-8MAX.

Looking at the figures, it seems that, in theory at least, it is possible for an A319neo to operate BHD-LCA or BHD-SSH, but an A320neo would require a passenger limit of about 160 (hence making it pointless to use an A320neo over an A319neo). However, the lack of interest from airlines in the A319neo means that it is extremely unlikely that BHD will ever see the introduction of these types of routes.

stewyb

13th Feb 2018, 17:02

Have you not thought about the airports next door neighbour and the CS100/300 series? I would say set up perfectly for BHD!

GAZMO

13th Feb 2018, 17:26

January Stats

163,523 passenger, slightly up on last year

2738 aircraft movements, slightly down on last year

Alteagod

13th Feb 2018, 17:51

Thank you for that. Great detail

sealink

14th Feb 2018, 17:29

I'm pretty sure I remember a Thomas Cook 321 operating from BHD years back

BFS101

14th Feb 2018, 18:17

You’re right sealink, to Reus I think.

Alteagod

14th Feb 2018, 18:56

Split load with BHX i think

BFS101

14th Feb 2018, 19:45

Not sure if this historic link will work, but more details here -

http://www.niaviation.co.uk/index.php?topic=3181.0

A320.b744

16th Feb 2018, 13:42

Air Iceland Connect is closing its Keflavik base and disposing of its Q400s, meaning KEF-BHD will be axed on 13th May. ABZ will also be cancelled, as well as domestic services from KEF. The average load factor since July is about 50%, so the route was already on the rocks. This leaves Belfast with only winter seasonal flights to KEF with easyJet.

The only positive is that so few passengers used the service that its cancellation will have almost no impact on BHD passenger figures.

The use of the Q400 will definitely have had a negative impact on the route's success. It will be interesting to see however if Icelandair do eventually return to the Belfast market, be it from BHD or BFS using their B737 MAX fleet. I also wonder if WOW Air will give the route a go, as Icelandir's prices from BHD were rather extortionate.

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/64466-air-iceland-connect-to-cut-fleet-quit-uk

https://worldairlinenews.com/2018/02/16/air-iceland-connect-to-drop-flights-from-keflavik-including-the-uk/

BFS101

16th Feb 2018, 13:43

Icelandair to end their Belfast service. Last flight to be on 15th May.
Such a shame after the UA withdrawal, that FI could've offered the one-stop service to many destinations in North America. Customers with bookings after that date can opt to fly from Dublin, or refund.

Poor advertising, poor scheduling, wrong aircraft from BHD, lack of demand??

GAZMO

16th Feb 2018, 14:43

Wonder if this will encourage EZY to continue the KEF service into the summer or is there more money to be made on the sun routes?

BFS watcher

16th Feb 2018, 15:50

As Mr A and Ms B have been saying "our strong network of blue-chip airline partners"......that's 4 carriers gone in less than 3 years (Veuling, SN Brussels Citywing and now Icelandair). Not good for Northern Ireland if we keep losing airlines.

mart901

16th Feb 2018, 16:52

It's not good news but it's part of bigger cuts, ABZ, BHX and some domestic routes have all gone. Shame.

OneBellEnd

16th Feb 2018, 19:59

Another loss for Belfast with the airline basically transferring services to Dublin.

Is the KLM BHD operation sound, or will that end up floundering at the dead hand of DUB expansion too?

Surely the air tax burden in Northern Ireland has to get sorted soon?

SecondDog

16th Feb 2018, 20:38

Aye Stormont will get right on that I'm sure.

EI-A330-300

17th Feb 2018, 01:33

Tax may be an issue but lets not blame it on KEF loss, the route was 100% geared to long haul and not O&D and it failed to capture the market here and from the US.

El Bunto

17th Feb 2018, 07:21

Another loss for Belfast with the airline basically transferring services to Dublin.

No, the airline is basically going bust and is retreating to the size it was 10 years ago, flying between Iceland and Greenland with a couple of 25-year-old Dashes.

The Dublin services are nothing to do with Air Iceland but Icelandair are underwriting any tickets that people want to transfer.

DC9_10

17th Feb 2018, 09:58

Nothing to do with easyJet trouncing them on route also. Don't worry though as Ms Best will put a positive spin by announcing the new route from Belfast s favourite airport to Carlisle International. 3 weekly with fares from was it £69 or £79 one way. That's according to someone called Alteagod who also claimes BA,s most profitable route is LHR to BHD. Obviously wasent around in the days of up to 3 Tristrars 4 757s and 8 DC9s daily to LHR and Dan Airs BAC 1-11s 4daily to LGW

mart901

17th Feb 2018, 10:36

DC9_10 air Iceland connect are cutting a number of routes as has been said its the airline more than anything. The route was aimed at North America and Canada connections not people wanting an alternative to Krakow for the weekend. Reality is it was overpriced, price is the big driver and the US/Canada is becoming more and more competitive. I don't suppose they ever believed they would damage EZY in any way. And also, the lack of willingness of people in NI to use anything other than DUB for transatlantic whether direct or otherwise is a big factor. Its exactly the same mentality on a different scale that affects BHX, people get on the motorway to LHR because they feel they need to fly from a major airport to get to the US etc, regardless of price in some cases. I was discussing with someone recently in work Norwegian and their Stewart flight, the argument being landing and taking off too far from New York so instead spend 2.5hrs to get to Dublin airport and save 20 minutes using pre-clearance but have to queue for 1hr for the privilege. However that aside back in BHD the combination of LHR and AMS are still popular for connections.

A320.b744

17th Feb 2018, 10:54

Wonder if this will encourage EZY to continue the KEF service into the summer or is there more money to be made on the sun routes?

easyJet initially operated BFS-KEF year round, but even before Icelandair entered the market, they cut it to winter seasonal due to a lack of point-to-point demand. WOW Air might find the route more appealing, and given their low fares they would be a more attractive option for both point-to-point and connecting passengers.

mart901

17th Feb 2018, 10:59

A320.b744 I'd agree

DC9_10

17th Feb 2018, 14:34

Norwegian have also had an impact. FI ain't cheap and the two times we have used Nowegian last summer from BFS, the service was fantastic. On time all 4 flights out and early return. Me and Mrs DC9-10 even managed a full fry up at Isobeals in High Street after an early return from Stewart. Granted we had lifts with fambo to drive us. I'm sure Cutters would have something negative to say as I live in Liverpool, but o no, he's banned.
.

Cozy F

17th Feb 2018, 15:47

Have any of Vueling, Brussels Airlines or Icelandair actually lasted a full year at BHD in recent times?

Startledgrapefruit

17th Feb 2018, 16:12

Brussels - Changing of the fleet
Iceland- changing of the fleet
Vueling- throw darts at map and see what works
Whoosh- strange name. not getting on that
City jet- London city ? not near heathrow ?
Easyjet- ok we forgive you
anything that used "That j31"- its that J31
Airwales- its Wales

The list goes on

DC9_10

17th Feb 2018, 16:18

No lad Neither did Bmi, bmi baby,Manx, Gill air, Capitol, Loganair, Air UK Brymon,Air Berlin ext. Lingus next for the chopping board after Eastern. EI Sun routes chartered to ASL on a clapped out 737 300. Tech all the way. Oh are Jetxtra sill starting who are not bonded by ABTA/ATOL also.

Alteagod

17th Feb 2018, 16:46

Fun packed summer abead then. KLM well I think jury still out on that one. They really could do with second or third flight. I take it from all the who ha that the routes conference did fiddly squat for either BHD or BFS!

DC9_10

17th Feb 2018, 16:53

KLM want a 6 am departure. Wrong airport. Jet2 8 new routes. EZY 3 New routes. BHD soon to be culled NCL and IOM. Let's face it, it's cancelled every other day.Oh no, they got Carlisle international.

Startledgrapefruit

17th Feb 2018, 17:02

When you factor in airline failures rather than routes

Also the route conference gave the reps a nice wee weekend break in sunny Belfast

DC9_10

17th Feb 2018, 17:10

Let's face it though, BHD is the losing airport though.

A320.b744

17th Feb 2018, 20:22

Startledgrapefruit

Good analysis. Yes BHD has seen a heavy turnaround in airlines over the years, but without doubt the vast majority of them were cancelled for reasons other than a lack of demand. Poor planning from airlines is the main reason why these flights failed.

Alteagod

17th Feb 2018, 20:39

Totally agree

OneBellEnd

17th Feb 2018, 21:03

Poor planning on the part of the airlines, maybe?

But remember these airlines have hundreds of markets to assess, so they have to depend upon some ‘local’ guidance.

Ryanair we’re convinced for some time they could get Harbour’s runway extended, KLM presumably went there coz they felt the operating hours weren’t an issue, especially early morning, and Icelandair were presumably told they could stick on a prop up the North Atlantic due to tax for North American connections not applying?

Maybe on that basis somebody is saying more than their prayers!

BFS watcher

20th Feb 2018, 18:31

There are lots of rumours flying around about KLM, they either go twice a day or pull and focus on Dublin. Would not be great for NI if this happens or for BHD. Easyjet piling the pressure on point to point with KLM yields being hammered. They really need that before 0600 departure to get into the morning outbound departure ex Schipol like most UK airports. Their tactics of trying to force the Easyjet BFS-AMS to Lelystad would not come to fruition until 2020 at the earliest. So this summer crucial.

Alteagod

20th Feb 2018, 18:40

Oh dear thats not good if they do. Is the rumour based on any credible sources or assumtions made based comments on here. I must admit once a day is a bit piss poor

True Blue

20th Feb 2018, 18:55

So they knew the operating hours before they started there. If it is so important, why not move up the road, they can have 24 hours operating?

A320.b744

20th Feb 2018, 20:47

There must be a major reason why KLM chose not to return to BFS and to instead to fly to BHD, because from the outset KLM made it clear that if the route was successful they'd add a second daily flight.

BHD generally has 9-10 departures 06:30-07:15 using overnight-based aircraft, hence the slot restrictions. However, it would be possible to use gates currently used for 07:15 departures for both a 06:30 and 07:15 departure by a) bussing passengers from the gate to the aircraft parked on the apron to the west of the terminal (I've seen this before with a few Aer Lingus flights) or b) towing the aircraft from the apron to the gate after the first flight has departed.

BHD management need to do all they can to keep KLM at the airport, because the airport has essentially reverting back to its network of 5 years ago when it was just Flybe plus a link to Heathrow.

mart901

20th Feb 2018, 21:38

What makes anyone think KLM aren't doing well on the route? Take a look at the figures. It's grown consistently from the outset. There is really no logic in saying they will scrap the route, they have upped the aircraft size over time also. They knew full well EZY were competing with them when they arrived. And all this talk of BHD dying a death. Get real seriously. Pop down there any weekday and see the queues, business people who's firms have paid out decent money to fly flexibly on BA/EI/BE, passengers connecting via LHR, AMS. Yes the onslaught of FR hasn't helped in some ways, it brought the loss of LGW and a reduction in summer sun from EI. If you want to look at failures look at BFS - BA, KLM, BD, WW, UA, mytravellite etc etc etc...... ��. Tell you what, imagine you want flight to LHR, whoops can't get that at BFS, that one seems to only work for BHD. You want to go to BHX, there's 2/3 daily from BFS against 7 at BHD. You want a carrier with onwards connections, whoops can't do that from BFS but there's a choice of 4 from BHD. Now I'm a fan of both Belfast airports and this is not a dig at BFS, but please let's see it in proportion. Not long ago BFS had a blank departure screen in winter from about 10am till late afternoon and it was like that for many a year, meantime BHD was steady with arrivals and departures all day. I'm glad BFS is on the up, and give it time BHD will be bouncing.

OneBellEnd

20th Feb 2018, 21:46

Think the main issue for KLM to seriously consider an increase in frequency from Belfast is that, due to the longer range to Schiphol than from the UK mainland, the morning connecting flight would really need to leave BHD BEFORE 6am. Why they hadn’t foreseen that as a problem at the outset is anyone’s guess.

BHD2BFS

20th Feb 2018, 22:30

ECR

21st Feb 2018, 00:02

Unfortunately I don't think there is any chance whatsoever of BA introducing BHD - LGW, although I would be delighted to be wrong.

Cozy F

21st Feb 2018, 00:45

Heard speculation of Firnas Air to operate the Carlisle.

A320.b744

21st Feb 2018, 01:50

BHD is not spending money for no reason. And it’s not to impress its current airline clients. They clearly have serious talks with other airlines in the pipeline and now that Fr is off the LGW route and EZY has the monopoly I really can see BA introducing a LGW maybe 3 times a day to connect passengers in an ever growing route network
Have heard there is another airline in the pipeline to open a base at BHD

Firstly, BHD management have been having 'serious talks' with airlines for years, and have been unsuccessful in their key goal of securing a German and Nordic route. Undoubtedly part of the reason for the refurbishment is to woo new airlines, but the main reason is that management have finally realised that the terminal is simply unfit for purpose at peak times.

Regarding Gatwick, BA will not introduce BHD-LGW. Over the past few years they've slashed their Gatwick domestic operations, and have move to a point-to-point leisure network. If LGW is to be back on the departure boards at BHD, Aer Lingus will be the most likely contender.

Have you any idea what airline is planning on opening a BHD base, and what is the current timeline? Will Aer Lingus Regional take on Flybe in the UK domestic market, or is it going to be a curveball like bmi Regional or Loganair?

Heard speculation of Firnas Air to operate the Carlisle.

If that's true I doubt that the route will last through the summer.

El Bunto

21st Feb 2018, 07:27

Well they'd better hurry up and find an AOC, then. Not listed on either the Guernsey or UK registers.

West Brit

21st Feb 2018, 09:08

So airlines are all about set up a BHD with viable routes. However they are holding back until the airport spends 15 million pounds in decorating!

EI-BUD

21st Feb 2018, 11:33

KLM can't do pre 0630 am departure, nothing to do with parking stands, only the opening hour restrictions, not about 'slots'. I think the suggestion of KLM axing the route is crazy and purely speculation, nothing more.
I cannot comment on there point to point v connecting pax, but ex Dublin they vast majority of pax are onward bound, they don't do a huge amount in point to point.

Didn't they get mega ££££ incentive to launch the route?

mart901

21st Feb 2018, 11:38

Believe it was more marketing support than anything but it's available to anyone and from any NI airport, pot of money set aside for route development. Both BRU and KEF had similar support and AMS has out lasted both of them, if that's any indication.

BHD2BFS

21st Feb 2018, 11:42

Could klm not settle for a 6:30 dept?. Have the flight boarded early and aircraft lined up on the runway?

West Brit

21st Feb 2018, 12:22

KLM & BA hopefully will move up the road. If they do then I will be able to use them.

Alteagod

21st Feb 2018, 14:54

Aye may well yet happen. As David Lloyd George said an Irish solution to an Irish problem. We all know never does not exist in aviation as an option

A320.b744

21st Feb 2018, 16:30

KLM has 3 main waves of European flights (2 morning, 1 evening), as well as a more spread out fourth wave in the afternoon.

The most popular wave for UK/Ireland flights is the third wave, with 17 out of 18 airports (including BHD) operating during this period. The first wave includes 14 airports, and the second wave includes 15 airports.

The early morning wave of KLM European flights depart the UK/Ireland between 05:55-06:30, and arrive in Amsterdam between 08:10-09:00. A 06:30 departure from BHD would arrive in AMS at 09:05. However, the final European arrivals in this wave are at 09:15, meaning a 06:30 departure from BHD would be feasible.

If however it is impossible for KLM to operate out of BHD during the early morning wave, it is completely feasible to add a second daily flight during the second morning wave, with departures between 09:00-10:00, and arrivals in AMS between 11:00-12:00. Several UK/Ireland airports have their first KLM departure during the second wave.

Operating during the second wave would allow for almost the same number of connections to European, Asian and North American destinations as if BHD had a first wave departure.

Alteagod

21st Feb 2018, 17:39

A very considered and sound assessment of a difficult situation. A second flight would seem to make sound commercial sense

El Bunto

21st Feb 2018, 19:46

I'm not sure what's difficult about it, the KLM morning flight from Dublin goes eastbound at 08:40 to catch the second wave. As has been pointed-out several times. And it doesn't even require an overnight stay.

True Blue

21st Feb 2018, 19:54

Maybe the pre 6.30 flight requirement, if there is one, is an excuse to pull the service? Seems they could schedule another departure for another bank at Ams quite easily.

EI-BUD

21st Feb 2018, 22:09

A320,that sounds like a good analysis,I.e. the detail about the waves, so it seems on the basis of that a non arguement to suggest that they want an 06:00 departure.

BHD will have a new DSA route with BE this summer, and that will comfortably cover the loss of the KEF route. US connections are comfortably catered for via LHR AMS, or some obviously drive down to Dublin.

Nonetheless, despite the investment talked about and recent sale, it seems hard to see , in the face of current incumbents in the market ,it seems hard to see any of the airlines at BFS moving over.

Ryanair now have some examples of a 738 with short field capabilities, so in the fullness of time it is conceivable that they could operate to BHD from UK airports, and they did have what appeared publically to be a great relationship with BHD. Clearly, the need to serve currently unserved routes to get an attractive deal, so BRS, STN and LTN would appear to be the only gaping opportinities, though all of that is speculation.

A320.b744

2nd Mar 2018, 18:13

December was a rather good month for BHD, with the airport recording 1% growth. 182,563 passengers used the airport in December. However the rolling passenger figure is 2,558,428 which is down 4.0%.

Domestic Routes

Domestic routes generally performed well, with strong growth on most routes;

Aberdeen (+12%), Cardiff (+56%), East Midlands (+17%), Exeter (+6%), Inverness (+2%), Leeds/Bradford (+8%), Liverpool (+42%), London City (+49%), Manchester (+2%), Southampton (+6%)

Five routes experienced a fall in passenger numbers however;

Birmingham (-2%), Edinburgh (-3%), Glasgow (-21%), Heathrow (-4%), Isle of Man (-66%)

International Routes

Only two international routes operated during December;

AMS is continuing to perform well (+18%), with 3,145 passengers in December.

KEF continues to perform poorly with an average load of 24 pax, which gives an average load factor of just 33%.

A320.b744

2nd Mar 2018, 18:41

Below I've calculated the total passenger numbers based on CAA Jan-Dec stats.

2017 total passenger figure is 2,558,428 (-4.0%).

Domestic Routes;

BHD handled 2,350,693 domestic passengers in 2017 (-0.5%). The majority of routes saw modest growth, though 6 routes saw a fall in passenger numbers.

1. *Heathrow - 686,687 (-0.3%)
2. Manchester - 287,251 (+7.8%)
3. Birmingham - 269,092 (+4.9%)
4. Edinburgh - 172,135 (+4.0%)
5. Leeds/Bradford - 166,872 (+4.9%)
6. *Glasgow - 163,541 (-3.7%)
7. East Midlands - 148,897 (+3.2%)
8. London City - 121,661 (+8.6%)
9. Southampton -118,840 (+1.3%)
10. Cardiff - 50,909 (+16.6%)
11. *Aberdeen - 42,261 (-0.5%)
12. Exeter - 36,249 (+11.4%)
13. *Liverpool - 35,170 (-64.1%)
14. Inverness - 33,097 (+9.3%)
15. *Isle of Man - 10,864 (-53.6%)
16. *Newcastle - 3,633 (-63.3%)
17. Newquay - 3,534 (+110.5%)

International Routes;

BHD handled 207,735 international passengers in 2017 (-19.3%). 2017 was a bad year for international traffic, with Brussels Airlines axing their service to Brussels, and Aer Lingus slashing capacity on all of their international routes from BHD.

1. *Malaga - 57,175 (-15.4%)
2. *Faro - 56,236 (-16.3%)
3. Amsterdam - 46,528 (+13.4%)
4. *Palma de Mallorca - 17,887 (-38.6%)
5. *Alicante - 13,982 (-51.2%)
6. Keflavik - 6,392 (NEW)
7. *Brussels - 3,856 (-80.5%)
8. Salzburg - 3,562 (+629.9%)
9. *Verona - 2,118 (-41.1%)

2018 will likely see a further decline in international passenger numbers, given that ALC, KEF and PMI have all been cancelled. It looks like 2017 will be the last year for a long time that BHD handles more than 200,000 international passengers, unless the airport can attract new international routes.

Alteagod

3rd Mar 2018, 08:36

They need to pull some rabbit out of the hat to buck the trend. They would need a high frequency route to stem those kind of reductions. A London route perhaps or get KLM to stop arsing around and put a decent schedule in place.

A320.b744

3rd Mar 2018, 19:53

From the start of the summer season, Eastern Airways will be operating at least two of Flybe's four daily flights to LCY. The seat map has 76 seats, meaning it's going to be operated by one of Eastern's E170s. The flight time will be reduced from 1hr35 to just 1hr10.

fjencl

3rd Mar 2018, 20:31

Wow that's great news. How long will they be operating there for. The embraer 170 beats the dash 8 anyday !!!

A320.b744

3rd Mar 2018, 20:51

Wow that's great news. How long will they be operating there for. The embraer 170 beats the dash 8 anyday !!!

Eastern operate the route almost every day until mid July, and then on select days until the end of October. The winter schedule hasn't yet been released, so I don't know if this is a long term move.

panpanpanpan

7th Mar 2018, 18:07

A320.b744

7th Mar 2018, 18:27

Belfast City Airport - Routes Europe Marketing Awards 2018 (http://www.belfastcityairport.com/News/BELFAST-CITY-AIRPORT-ROUTES-EUROPE-MARKETING-AWARD)

Am I living in some kind of parallel universe or what is going on? Nominated for doing what exactly?:confused:

"Voted for by airlines, the awards recognise the route development work carried out by airports across Europe"

It's baffling that BHD have been nominated for this award three times in recent years, given that just two airlines that have commenced operations from the airport over the last decade have remained, while 10 airlines have axed BHD from their route network. Clearly BHD's marketing strategy is not working, as there have simply been too many key routes and airlines lost after just 1 year of operation.

Alteagod

8th Mar 2018, 09:11

What I must have over mrdicated...an award for what exactly. Surely in jest!! BHD really needs some additional capacity. Prob too late now for S18

mart901

8th Mar 2018, 18:36

BE have put on sale winter 18/19. No major cutback on MAN, on an odd few weeks there is one less rotation on some midweek days but many weeks its 7x daily. NCL showing 2x daily but no fares loaded currently. No obvious other major changes.

A320.b744

9th Mar 2018, 06:59

Flybe are increasing the frequency on BHD-LCY from May, adding 12 extra weekly flights (x35 weekly in total). There'll be an extra morning and evening service during weekdays (x6 daily), and an extra service on Saturday and Sunday.

https://www.irishnews.com/business/2018/03/09/news/flybe-boosts-key-business-route-from-belfast-1273864/

LBIA

9th Mar 2018, 07:09

Looks like the new BHD-LCY rotation comes at the expense of 6x BHD-LBA rotations. (Reduced from 29x to 23x weekly)

A320.b744

9th Mar 2018, 09:32

As mentioned above by Mart901, BHD-NCL is being increased to x2 daily. Both flights are operated as NCL-BHD-NCL, instead of NCL-BHD-IOM-BHD-NCL, as it is currently.

The morning NCL-BHD and afternoon BHD-NCL rotations are also being marketed as ABZ-BHD and BHD-ABZ, respectively, in the same way that NCL-IOM is currently operated; i.e. BHD-ABZ gains an additional daily frequency, albeit with a fuel stop in NCL.

BHD-IOM is remaining at x1 daily, with the following schedule;

BHD-IOM 11:20-11:55
IOM-BHD 15:20-15:55

The aircraft operates IOM-GLA in between the two BHD sectors, but I have been unable to find where the aircraft goes before and after the IOM rotation.

According the current schedule, the Eastern Jetstream operating BHD-IOM will be sitting on the apron at BHD all morning and all evening. It seems quite plausible that the Jetstream could be operating BHD-CAX twice daily, with the aircraft being based at BHD.

OneBellEnd

9th Mar 2018, 10:44

mart901

9th Mar 2018, 13:14

Interesting 'Keep looking over Here, Don't look over There!' approach.

Certainly LCY is increasing in frequency in the summer months, but the schedule appears to virtually half in size back to three daily in winter 18-19. Together with normal off-season cuts to niche routes like Inverness, Exeter and Aberdeen, the cuts mentioned on Leeds and more radical cuts on EMA.

And I don't actually see any 'live' seats on sale on the website in winter for Isle of Man and Newcastle - so maybe the jury's out altogether on those??

Of course I'm open to being re-conditioned and suitably corrected. :)
IOM/NCL are operated by a franchise carrier who hasn't put any seats on sale. This is pretty normal practice, Eastern wouldn't be the airline to be so far in advance normally. It would be same situation with EI and EIR, not all seats go on sale immediately.

EI-A330-300

9th Mar 2018, 22:18

Interesting 'Keep looking over Here, Don't look over There!' approach.

Certainly LCY is increasing in frequency in the summer months, but the schedule appears to virtually half in size back to three daily in winter 18-19. Together with normal off-season cuts to niche routes like Inverness, Exeter and Aberdeen, the cuts mentioned on Leeds and more radical cuts on EMA.

And I don't actually see any 'live' seats on sale on the website in winter for Isle of Man and Newcastle - so maybe the jury's out altogether on those??

Of course I'm open to being re-conditioned and suitably corrected. :)

Would say its a bit premature to assume LCY freq next winter is complete.

irishlad06

10th Mar 2018, 10:14

So it looks like Eastern nights have 2 aircraft based at BHD.

Definately the E170 for the LCY flights - not sure if it has another rotation in the morning as there is a gap. Currently the aircraft does

BHD-LCY-BHD-XXX-BHD-LCY-BHD-LCY-BHD

The Saab or emb for the IOM route does nothing early morning then

BHD-IOM-GLA-IOM-BHD

I can’t see any other sectors or who the aircraft gets to and from BHD

Alteagod

10th Mar 2018, 10:38

Is that offering a GLA via IOM? Are they opening a base at BHD? Maybe doing there own thing as T3. Possibly see ORK back on the J41!

A320.b744

10th Mar 2018, 10:41

Is that offering a GLA via IOM? Are they opening a base at BHD? Maybe doing there own thing as T3. Possibly see ORK back on the J41!

GLA isn't available via IOM, but ABZ is available via NCL.

A320.b744

12th Mar 2018, 10:15

Loganair has been confirmed as the airline operating Carlisle flights.

Fly to the Lake District from Southend Airport | Echo (http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/16080308.Fly_to_the_Lake_District_from_Southend_Airport/)

Flights are operated x6 weekly using a Saab 340, and are on sale from £39.99 one way.

MTWT---
CAX-BHD 10:45-11:35
BHD-CAX 12:05-12:50

----F-S
CAX-BHD 15:25-16;15
BHD-CAX 16:45-17:30

BHD2BFS

14th Mar 2018, 19:32

I see Jet Go holidays will be using Germania for their package holidays operating on a Sunday morning

Alteagod

15th Mar 2018, 10:30

I wonder is that a w pattern or a PMI based aircraft?

A320.b744

23rd Mar 2018, 15:37

In January BHD handled 163,123 passengers, a 3% increase on last year.

Domestic Routes;

The majority of domestic routes saw impressive growth;

ABZ (+7%), CWL (+52%), EMA (+15%), EDI (+5%), EXT (+5%), INV (+26%), LCY (+42%), LHR (+3%)

Five routes saw a decrease in passenger number;.

BHX (-2%), GLA (-10%), IOM (-65%), LBA (-1%), LPL (-21%)

International Routes;

AMS continues to perform well (+12%), and it is clear that a second daily flight is needed as soon as possible.

KEF unsurprisingly is performing poorly, with a load factor of just 26%, and SZG passenger numbers are down as well (-45%).

GAZMO

23rd Mar 2018, 16:28

Feb 2018 174,427 passengers. I believe similar to last February

BFS BHD

23rd Mar 2018, 16:45

Feb 2018 174,427 passengers. I believe similar to last February

Where did you get that information from?? :)

GAZMO

23rd Mar 2018, 17:07

BFS BHD

Stats are published on BHD website. Rolling total for 2018 is published so subtracted A320. B744 figure. 337550 for first two months of the year

Belfast City Airport - Performance & Statistics| Belfast City Airport (http://www.belfastcityairport.com/Community/Environment/Performance-Statistics.aspx)

BFS BHD

23rd Mar 2018, 18:30

A320.b744

23rd Mar 2018, 20:49

Feb 2018 174,427 passengers. I believe similar to last February

Yes, very similar - just 0.7% growth in February.

Alteagod

23rd Mar 2018, 21:12

Get that flipping second AMS and maybe a STN or a LGW a few times a day

A320.b744

23rd Mar 2018, 22:04

Get that flipping second AMS and maybe a STN or a LGW a few times a day

Getting that second daily AMS flight should be BHD management’s top priority.

What airline would operate a potential BHD-STN route though? The only airlines I can think of are easyJet and Ryanair, neither of which would operate from BHD.

Given that Ryanair have returned their LGW slots to IAG, is Aer Lingus now allowed to resume BHD-LGW? If not, I can’t see the route making a return in the near future.

Given that Flybe’s BHD-LCY route seems to be performing well, and will soon be operated up to x6 daily, I wonder if BA CityFlyer will go into competition on the route. I’m surprised that BA have allowed Flybe to establish such a strong foot hole on the route.

GAZMO

23rd Mar 2018, 22:26

With EZY availability for the winter period maybe EZY will increase flights to AMS in winter 18/19

DC9_10

24th Mar 2018, 09:28

Alteagod

24th Mar 2018, 11:49

Even if they gave IAG bacl the slots are IAG allowed to operate?

Cozy F

24th Mar 2018, 12:55

BCALBOY

24th Mar 2018, 14:33

The remedy slots are to enable a competitor to operate.
IAG could have continued to operate the BHD/LGW service and provided the LGW slots
From elsewhere.They chose to provide the slots by chopping BHD/LGW.

BA had to provide remedy slots on ABZ and EDI when they absorbed BMI.
They actually increased frequency on ABZ aNd made available the slots from elsewhere.

ECR

24th Mar 2018, 14:41

Don’t believe so. They’re “Remedy Slots”, a trade-off for the EU sanctioning the acquisition of Aer Lingus by IAG.

If IAG started operating the same route again, the measure would cease to be a Remedy!

I don't think that is the way the remedy slots work. I think IAG are obliged to provide 5 slots available if an airline wants to provide competition of the Belfast and Dublin to London routes. I don't think there is anything stopping IAG also operating the route if they want to.

Understandably though the Belfast - Gatwick route was sacrificed to provide some of the slots as Aer Lingus would come off badly if in competition with both Ryanair and Easyjet.

I don't think there is much chance though of IAG using the slots for Belfast again though, as they think they can make more money using them elsewhere.

To be honest though, I think it could be profitable if IAG were operate the route under BA, as it would benefit from connecting traffic from other BA services at Gatwick as well as business one and one traffic. It don't think BA would need to compete with Easyjet in price in quite the same way as Aer Lingus would need to do.

Chris_747

25th Mar 2018, 17:03

Jets Go are not bonded by ABTA/ATOL They claim they are bonded by Spanish regional government funding. I asked them directly and also questioned BHD on social media some months ago and still awaiting a reply. Definitely would not book my holiday with this outfit.

Bit silly to be trying to claim they are not bonded or insinuate they are dodgy, if they didn't have the required licensing or bonding the CAA would have shut them down years ago since they launched from Manchester a few years back, especially after what happened with lowcost having a tiny bond for the size of their operation. Airports are not generally stupid, they do due diligence on any operator who they are looking to work with and one of the first things they'd check is to make sure an airline or tour operator is licensed etc before they start supporting them.

As always when booking flights with any operator, just book with a credit card and you're given full protection anyway under the consumer credit act. I had my money back in my account a week after Monarch went under as I had booked with a credit card.

OneBellEnd

25th Mar 2018, 19:34

Chris_747

25th Mar 2018, 20:07

That last post looked suspiciously like a ‘vote of confidence’ in a football manager!

Indeed use of a credit card offers some protection to the consumer in the regrettable event of any problems. Equally people can also fly from BFS to Palma with Thomas Cook, easyJet, Jet2 & TUI, all offering greater flexibility on a schedule much more intensive than one flight weekly
Also, wouldn’t give too much credit to airports covering all eventualities through due diligence of airlines or operators. Pressure exists to grow business and it may well be just a matter of doing a deal with whoever shows interest!?

Still, good luck to them. It’s great to see new operators giving the NI market a go. Far too many are one season wonders or never even try at all.

Just a bit fed up of people always looking for some reason to put something down, seems to be a British culture thing more so than anything, it's like some people are actually willingly wanting companies to fail and people to lose their jobs, like over in the BHX thread about Primera, rather than just getting behind them and saying good luck as you have.

I stand by my comment about an airport due diligence though, having worked in route development before, we wouldn't put our brand name and money behind an airline or tour operator unless we knew they were a genuine outfit and had the required licensing to operate, regardless of commercial pressures, egg on face if it turns out they don't like Waterford last year. Given there are so few smaller operators these days, the CAA are all over any start-ups that are announced like a rash to make sure they are above board.