bmi moves to Belfast Harbour
 

just heard that bmi will announce tomorrow that they are moving their flights from BFS to BHD...

can't wait to see the A321 trying to get in/out of BHD! :eek:

Nobody EVER believes me :(
we aim to please, it keeps the cleaners happy

JY used a Transaer A320 on LGW-BHD flights over the Christmas hols in 93...has to be parked on a distant stand (something to do with the jet blast damaging the then fragile terminal)

"can't wait to see the A321 trying to get in/out of BHD!"
Boys boys boys how many times have i to tell you,performance on the bus going into BHD is not a problem.
I tell you what come over in october and i'll show you the perf. book

Read it and weep :p

Rgds K.I.L.

Also nice new A320 stand markings at the shiny new terminal at BHD-so no more remote parking. Co-incidence or what!

Have fun BMI mates with BHD, despite having a brand new terminal they have not spent out on taxiways and a huge backtrack for 22 departure is still required. The runway is as rough as a badgers bum to say the very least and not drained well.
We on the CRJ at British European are very very careful here as there is no room for error.We rarely flex and on the occasions we do I often wonder if we could stop when the other seat calls V1.

Also the departures are very busy with a stop at 3000ft to stay below BFS traffic and a noise abatement procedure like BHX - designed not to fly over the wealthy folks houses!. The early track change after T/O from 04 is an example. The SID's date back to BHD's turboprop origins and neeed a change. That apart the ATC are very friendly and handling is very good - enjoy.

Never mind departures even with 04 up the lough and a tailwind. What about that nice short landing - hope the thrust reversers and brakes are good on the A321, and that the runway is always bare and dry. I seem to recall that JEA had a little mishap with a 146 there a while back on a wet runway. Hope the bmi boys don't land long - at least there's not a petrol station at the end of the runway as Southwest discovered at Burbank. The safety margin of error is surely reduced when you are used to having 2800 metres to play with and a CAT3b ILS as opposed to 1760m and an uncategorised/almost CAT 1 at BHD.

Announced on their website... its true...

Another pain in the side for JY... Thats another very profitable market they had all to themselves gone down the plug hole.

[ 02 August 2001: Message edited by: Copenhagen ]

bmi british midland announces major initiative for Northern Ireland travellers


bmi british midland has demonstrated its commitment to air travellers in Northern Ireland with the announcement of a major upgrading of facilities with the transfer of bmi services to Belfast City Airport. The move to the City Airport will also provide greater choice for travellers to London Heathrow from Belfast.

With the start of the carrier’s winter timetable on 28 October 2001, bmi customers will be able to take advantage of the new purpose built state-of-the art terminal facilities at Belfast City Airport. An investment programme over the coming years will see the development of additional facilities, including lounges, tailored specifically to meet the future needs of bmi travellers.

Austin Reid, chief executive officer, bmi british midland said:

"Air travel remains extremely competitive and we have for some time been looking at ways of upgrading and improving our services for our customers in and out of Northern Ireland.

“We believe that our move to Belfast City Airport will provide us with all of the opportunities we need to give travellers the highest levels of service. We will also now be able to offer the consumer a greater choice when flying to London Heathrow. The location of the airport and its proximity to where our customers originate gives it tremendous appeal, which we anticipate will also attract an even greater number of passengers to bmi. Motorways and public transport also make access to the airport extremely good.

"Nearly 70 percent of all of the passengers flying to Heathrow choose to fly with us, so it is vital that we take into account their future needs. The investment programme we are committing to, in partnership with the airport, will enable us to do just that. They will be able to enjoy the very best both on the ground and in the air."

All staff employed by bmi british midland at Belfast International Airport will be transferring to the airline's new home at Belfast City Airport, where work is set to commence in time for the transfer of services on 28 October 2001.

As Copenhagen says.... OUCH for Jy /BE!! now let me think, travel in a shiny spacious 321 or a 20 yr old air france couloured 146...Hmmmmm!! BHD to LCY couldbe in trouble.
I guess the competition may wake BE up mind you (EXT that is )

I was down at BHD the other day. Seen the markings on the stands for the A320. First impression was NO WAY! How are they going to get A320's in and out of BHD without killing everyone in the process. You are right about the fragile terminal. I remember the days when BHD was just a one room shead with a couple of desks. Mind you that was only six months ago (heh) so so its been worse in the past. Good to see the new terminal up and running and a nice new website too. Someone's been spending money. I have just one question though. How come its not listed as a customs airport? Since they are doing international flights to CDG they must have customs no????

Oh yes and one other thing. How come we dont have a belfast city flying club yet??? Would be handy instead of trapsing out the newtownards or aldergrove all the time.. Possible investment opportunity there for any one with the cash to spend.

Happy Flying.

Captain-Ireland says re BHD's new terminal - "someones been spending some money!"

- yes Bombardier of Canada who own the airport upgraded the place as part of the CRJ and Dash 8/200,300,400 deal paid for by good old British European, who this year awarded the staff a 0% payrise because they are skint!

note: Bombardier purchased the aerodrome from Shorts some years ago with a clause that no aircraft would ever be final assembled at that location after the last Tucanno flew the nest! - what ever happened to made in Great Britain?

bmi must have done their homework on this one so I don't think this constant reference to A321s into BHD is an issue. However, I do think it is a risk moving to an airport with such limited landing facilities. Aldergrove's CAT III sees a fair bit of use during the winter months.

ES ;)

I think the move is great news for everyone, except the greedy bu&&ers at TBI, the owners of BFS.
BFS has become nothing more than a shopping mall, with zig-zagging corridors forcing people through shops, and of course, with the expansion of the low cost operators, the whole Airport has become more like a Sunday market.
It's only a matter of time until BA relocate lock, stock and barrel to BHD and I am sure the runway and instrument facilities will be updated as required.
On the subject of low vis, rtemember that BHD sits at sea level where as BFS is 250ft up, at the bottom of a basin. Therefore BHD is much less affected over the winter months than BFS.

I notice that the press release gave no details of EMA-BFS, which must surely be switching to BHD as a result? Also, no details of new MAN/LBA-BHD routes which you'd think would also have been mentioned -if they were happening?

Finally, it's interesting that the press release quotes that bmi's share of the BFS-LHR market as 70%. With this equating to over 700k pax per year, I can't imagine TBI are too chuffed about the move!

682

With BHD closing at 21.30 will BMI be cutting back on flights? :confused:

Yes they're reducing to 7 per day.

I travel between LHR and BFS on ID90, I want to know, is BMI going to stop there BFS Fights :confused:

Seems like good news for BHD.

As to the debate regarding the ability of an airbus getting into the city, I would imagine it is something that has been carefully considered by BMI. There definitely is not the same margin for error at BHD

Jacksman, that is not entirely true - Bombardier purchased Short Brothers plc from the British government in the late 80's, with the airport being part of Shorts. Shorts is now a division of Bombardier Aerospace.

Captain Ireland - the flying club is a good idea and probably would be operationally feasible considering the UAS operated from there until it closed in the mid 90's (not sure exactly but I started UUJ in 1995 and was told that there would be no further intakes to the squadron).

Good Luck!

G.B.
Yes,bmi are moving the whole operation to BHD ,so if you travel ID90 you no longer have the flexibility of the 2 airlines.
Good Luck :(

Is the greasy spoon still there?

Went there yesterday on lates, landed where I should for a change, and made the intersection, Tower says "Oh you're practicing for City then are you", fair comment I suppose. This then brought it all to our minds so we looked at the perf books (in a A320 yesterday) and it seemed all OK. R/W 1821m long (I believe that was the figure) so about 70m shorter than the x-vector at BFS, which is fine, but no mucking around searching for the nice touchdown, just plonk it down. Other couple of interesting "facts/statements" from some of the locals over there:

1. 60% or so of the pop. of NI, live within 15 miles of BHD, much more than within 15 miles of BFS.

2. The ILS is APPARENTLY having an upgrade to CATIIIA by late this yr, before winter.

Bus. pax should love it, much closer, but some of the staff aren't quite so sure, they are all very happily installed around BFS.

Cheers, Safe Flying
Kiwi1 :p :D

Kiwi1
I`ve also heard the CAT III rumour from a reliable source.
Hope every one enjoys the kind Southerly winds blowing over the Holywood hills on a dark Winter`s night !

Suspect Belfast's popularity(?) as a training route will diminish somewhat...

MAN-BHD is in the pipeline, according to Austin Reid (makes sense I 'spose)

Cat 3 not likely till next yr - and then you know how long it takes for work like that to get finished. Anyway, in FG I'd prefer to have BFS as an alternate to BHD than the other way around!

More needed is a parallel taxiway - big backtrack = delay & pain ITA

Am more annoyed about loss of the Hilton at Templepatrick as the crew hotel - nice place..

TBI got too greedy charging bmi £9+ per passenger against £3 for Go and Greasy!
Glad to see they paid for it with a 14p fall in the share price today!
Reliably informed that only the B737 will have weight restriction out of BHD and that 320 can happily carry round trip LHR fuel plus a full load of pax out of BHD.
With Catlll in autumn it will be a good operation - just think of the savings on diversion fuel as BFS becomes the No.1 instead of GLA! :p

Would bmi be eyeing up British European for a merger? They did this to Business Air started the EMA-EDI with a Fokker while Business Air used a SAAB then next thing we know we get British Midland Commuter.

Kiwi
Question,by x-vector at BFS do you mean the intersection?
Sorry for my ignorance but i'm only an ATCO!!
:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Hey Anne ! what makes you think that BFS would accept you in the event of not getting in to the Harbour? Rumours like that have already circulated ! windy ...too foggy ? BMI ? try dub or gla! From a scource high up as well !! :eek: Apron might be too full to accept you back except in an emergency
:D

[ 04 August 2001: Message edited by: gul dukat ]

Surprised by this announcement. Local residents I believe where assured that only turbo props and the 146 could use the City Airport due to noise restrictions. As I fly into BHD frequently and having lived 25 years close to there even with the opening of the new terminal surely there still is a problem with congestion. Is the Airbus and 737 quetier now than the 146 even with a reduced power setting

gul dukat : fine - quite happy to go to DUB (and give them our landing fees) instead if BFS is going to be that petty. Sums up the entire airport really. Pathetic attitude to take. :mad:

Busta ...yep! but what can say to 198 business guys who have a bus run back to Belfast? :rolleyes:

Busta
Whilst i don't agree with such pettiness on the grounds of safety,we'll not even start talking about attitudes here!
Stated earlier bmi are charged £9 per passenger while EZY & GOE a much smaller amount.If bmi got the same reduced service as the others then maybe they would have something really to moan about.
bmi have really thrown their toys outta the pram on this one.Why didn't they move last year?Would they be moving at all if there wasn't a big bright,shiny new terminal waiting for them,which incidentally,another airline,not doing so well at the minute, helped finance?
They were no longer the big fish at BFS & they are now moving somewhere were they will be!
I only hope it doesn't spell the end for BE, not that the powers at BHD would care now.
:( :( :(

bmi had been investing heavily in lounges, new offices etc at BFS and had, by far, the largest volume of pax and cargo out of BFS. They have been negotiating for more than a year for lower fees but to no avail. Its not a question of throwing toys out of pram but hard, logical business decision making. It was TBI who thought they could continue to screw bmi and are now realising what a mistake they have made - certainly their shareholders will be asking questions!
Those who know bmi from inside will also know that "shiny new terminals" mean little when it comes down to brass tacks. Look at bmi in MME or LBA!
My sympathy goes to the bmi employees who will have to struggle through the city traffic to get to BHD each day.

Why, whats happening with Bmi at LBA?

Controller Friendly, no/yes I meant the other Runway at BFS orientation north - south (approx), at 90 degrees to the 25/07 runway. Comments regarding no more training anymore are about right, BFS excellent for it, taught you about managing your speed and height after being sppon fed at LHR (well certainly taught me after I stuffed it up a few times, the normal high/fast :D ).

However on we go. Bit tired this a/noon, been to CFU last night, on a charter that left on-time, and got back within 5 mins of schedule, after 10 mins in the hold at BIG, that never ever happens to me, so quite pleased ! ;)

You got back from CFU just in time, mate - we got back 1hr late and I have slept for just about 24hrs..

Can you go fatigued on a day off?

If BFS will only accept us in emergencies then we will just have to jolly well declare one and let them worry about the paperwork - speshly since we'll only have 800kg of alternate fuel on board... :D

Can't use DUB as an alternate to BFS/BHD, or vice versa (I think)

[ 09 August 2001: Message edited by: AffirmBrest ]

Why all the fuss about the BHD R/W????

We're all Leeds veterans at bmi!

BHD runway is in a terrible state with slippery concrete slabs left over from WW11! Hence the concern. If it rains in any great amount we aquaplane regardless of the given state of the runway. IT IS NASTY.

As far as the weather factor, I have been flying in and out of there several times a day for years and have only had to divert once, so low vis and cloud are not a problem, ask Controller Friendly she will tell you, although rather begrudgingly!!

If BE get its act together then the BMI move may actually assist the LCY route as any delay or tech problem on the bus may cause passengers to move to the LCY flight. BE is also placing a spare 146 in BHD with crews on standby.
I would like to think that this is good planning from EXT, but somehow I doubt it!!
:cool:

So much more i could say but i'd really be in danger of loosing my job!!
At least i don't mind making a fool of myself at parties/bbq's! :cool: :cool: