Route Development & Rumours

[Ryan Kirkpatrick]

Perhaps one for BHX to look at? I appreciate it was 'only' a couple of charter flights, but China Southern have operated BHX to Beijing before.

China Southern eyes growth with Beijing hub after strong 2018

"China Southern has earmarked the upcoming Beijing Daxing airport, which is set to open by the end of the year, as its second major hub. It is targeting to handle 40% of all passengers through the facility, and base over 200 aircraft there by 2025."

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...eyes-growth-with-beijing-hub-after-st-455009/

I would love to see China Southern return to BHX in some way & they are hope to get 1,000 aircraft in there fleet so more Boeing 787, Airbus A350, A330neos could be on the cards. We was so close with Captial Airlines some years ago & nothing ever since. But I think after the masterplan is built we will see a link to Hong Kong or other parts of China.

 

[BHX492]

Does flyerbil still plan to fly to Birmingham or have they gave up ?

 

[Brum X]

Does flyerbil still plan to fly to Birmingham or have they gave up ?

I dont think they exist anymore mate, lol

 

[BHX492]

They are actually still around they fly Stockholm , Istanbul and more

 

[Brum X]

They are actually still around they fly Stockholm , Istanbul and more

My apologies mate if they are still around. However i do recall something happening to them last year which was the reason why they didnt come to BHX or am i dreaming ?

However they dont appear to be the most stable of airlines so maybe not the best choice for BHX to attract imo. Id rather see Iraqi Airways if we were going to get direct flights to this part of the world.

 

[jfy1999]

Apparently westjet were in talks to serve Edinburgh-Halifax, but for whatever reason the plans have fallen through.

I'm sure BHX are working hard to keep them interested but I find the fact that EDI, a destination with strong TATL links, has been unable to retain their interest pretty worrying.

 

[Coathanger16]

Apparently westjet were in talks to serve Edinburgh-Halifax, but for whatever reason the plans have fallen through.

I'm sure BHX are working hard to keep them interested but I find the fact that EDI, a destination with strong TATL links, has been unable to retain their interest pretty worrying.

Edinburgh already has Air Canada Rouge serving Toronto, and Halifax is a much smaller market.

Birmingham doesn't have any links to Toronto, and Toronto is a much larger market than Halifax.

Edinburgh/Halifax combined population (metro pop): ~1.2m

Birmingham/Toronto combined population (metro pop): ~10.3m

Not saying its guaranteed, but I wouldn't give up on WestJet just yet.

 

[Ryan Kirkpatrick]

Edinburgh already has Air Canada Rouge serving Toronto, and Halifax is a much smaller market.

Birmingham doesn't have any links to Toronto, and Toronto is a much larger market than Halifax.

Edinburgh/Halifax combined population (metro pop): ~1.2m

Birmingham/Toronto combined population (metro pop): ~10.3m

Not saying its guaranteed, but I wouldn't give up on WestJet just yet.

I would love to get Air Transat back even if it is a A321LR. If Air Canada or WestJet does come to BHX I can see them operating the 737 MAX (or maybe A220 for Air Canada)

 

[JENNYJET]

.....er...please why did Air Transat pull out? Is it because of inclusive tour seats not being sold? I cannot believe the market collapsed given the history of BHX and a service to Canada.

And, I would prefer a Widebody on longhaul!!

 

[JENNYJET]

Further to the above, an Air Canada service may also fill the New York gap with onward connecting services!!!

 

[Jerry]

With regards to Air Transat aren't they more similar to Thomas Cook and would be looking at the Canadian demand to fly to Birmingham rather than the other way round?

 

[Ray Finkle]

With regards to Air Transat aren't they more similar to Thomas Cook and would be looking at the Canadian demand to fly to Birmingham rather than the other way round?

Most of the Air Transat seats were filled by tour operator Canadian Affair which is a UK company selling holidays in Canada.

Looking at the CAA Stats the Birmingham flights were almost always full, or very close to. Being the only UK airport to have just one destination in Canada it was only a matter of time before they either expanded or pulled out and as we now know, BHX weren't able to get them to go with the first option.

 

[LichfieldBlue]

Call me a cynic but my MP a Mr Fabricant stood up in parliament at PMQs today and congratulated himself along with the airport on its masterplan and encouraged his embattled PM to support efforts for long haul routes, now his partner is Mr Street the West Midlands Mayor who I would think has insight into possible route development, wouldn't it look good on both Mr Fabricant and Mrs May if shortly after she agreed that Birmingham Airport was very important to the regional economy there was an announcement of some long haul route or routes?

 

[thunderchild]

Call me a cynic but my MP a Mr Fabricant stood up in parliament at PMQs today and congratulated himself along with the airport on its masterplan and encouraged his embattled PM to support efforts for long haul routes, now his partner is Mr Street the West Midlands Mayor who I would think has insight into possible route development, wouldn't it look good on both Mr Fabricant and Mrs May if shortly after she agreed that Birmingham Airport was very important to the regional economy there was an announcement of some long haul route or routes?

As a Lichfield local I'd be happy with that as long as Fabricant was given a one way ticket on the first flight!!!!

 

[JENNYJET]

A ticket to a decent hair practitioner me thinks for Mr. Fabricant. I hope an airline announces before any politicians do.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

A ticket to a decent hair practitioner me thinks for Mr. Fabricant.

I'd have thought he could have afforded a better syrup than that.

 

[Coathanger16]

Didn't Air Transat pull out around the same time (plus or minus a few months) as United and Icelandair - in the run up to Primera launching? Quite a coincidence if Air Transat pulled out around the time that Primera was looking to launch Toronto...?

 

[rollo]

Didn't Air Transat pull out around the same time (plus or minus a few months) as United and Icelandair - in the run up to Primera launching? Quite a coincidence if Air Transat pulled out around the time that Primera was looking to launch Toronto...?

Yes they did, I've always thought the Primera episode is what tipped them over and Icelandair maybe American also as it all happened in short order followed on from the Primera debacle.

 

[JENNYJET]

I am not someone to tell people to do the right thing but if the relevant personnel were to offer an apology to those carriers that pulled services on the strength of pending Primera launch, and an Olive branch inviting them back anything could happen.

Somebody goofed!!

 

[Coathanger16]

I am not someone to tell people to do the right thing but if the relevant personnel were to offer an apology to those carriers that pulled services on the strength of pending Primera launch, and an Olive branch inviting them back anything could happen.

Somebody goofed!!

Indeed.

When was the last time that either New York (JFK or EWR) or Toronto weren't served from BHX?

I know that the TATL market isn't what it used to be, but BHX SHOULD be able to have AT LEAST one if not BOTH of these destinations served!