Route Development & Rumours

[Aviador]

I think you'll find it here: forum112.html

 

[thunderchild]

Monday 13th March 2014 - China Southern flights announced

Monday 2nd March 2015 - Hainan Airlines flights announced

Perhaps we'll hear something tomorrow? :s_dunno

 

[Ray Finkle]

Well if Capital Airlines are still planning a June start then we'll need to hear something soon.

 

[IanFarquharson]

The blog I am referring too is written by PK and sent to BHX staff only

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray, I think that all Birmingham needs is just another big carrier say like delta to be announced that they are deciding to start flights from bhx to other United States cities, then this probably all Birmingham needs to open up that quarter opened door, to then hopefully open the flood gates to whoever else wants to join in with delta, and I think that this will help Birmingham big time... Andyc

 

[DaveBham]

What never ceases to amaze me is the way airlines have consistently underestimated BHX. Look how many people fly 3 times a day on Emirates. It's staggering!

Flights to the US - well, with 2 New York airports, we are doing well for the East Coast. My friend in New Jersey uses either Philadelphia or Newark to visit the UK.

What we are lacking are flights to Las Vegas and Florida - these are all year round places people love to visit. All it will take is tickets at the right price with the right kind of airline.

Whoever can offer this is going to do very nicely out of BHX..

 

[Ray Finkle]

What we are lacking are flights to Las Vegas and Florida - these are all year round places people love to visit. All it will take is tickets at the right price with the right kind of airline.

Whoever can offer this is going to do very nicely out of BHX..

Those two are particular annoyances of mine.

In an interview back in 2012 Paul Kehoe identified Orlando as a route that needed more capacity (Toronto and Belfast were also mentioned) yet four years later still nothing.

I also find it hard to believe that, despite all the good work that has been done, they can't get even a seasonal Las Vegas.

 

[Brum X]

I understand your frustration Re: Las Vegas however who would run this flight atm. As far as i am aware it is not a Thomson Airlines destination ??? and the only other 2 would be Thomas cook and Virgin Atlantic. Both of these airlines are being very "stubborn" when it comes to BHX, but they are well established at LGW/MAN and i suppose are looking after there own interests so not to dilute passenger levels on these flights. I can understand this, they are a business after all.

The best for BHX/LAS has got to be with Norweigan Air Shuttle, they are not yet imbedded at MAN so they could see an opportunity at BHX, probably without any effect on there LGW operations. LGW are big enough to carry on as normal even with BHX flights. I cant think of any other opportunity that may come around unless Mr K can provide evidence to TCX/VS that BHX is an attractive alternative. Also maybe a future Thomson Airlines destination ???????

 

[jfy1999]

Thomson's focus is overwhelmingly on beach/island destinations because of their resort and cruise business. I don't know how Thomas Cook do their US city destinations, I don't imagine them having resorts there, so they must just have hotels or operate as a scheduled carrier. Maybe User001 knows more.

If Thomson want to fly to US city destinations, they'll probably have to adopt whichever model Thomas Cook use.

 

[Dobbo]

I think TCX operate as an airline that stands alone from the holiday business. Sure User can confirm.

 

[User001]

The Thomas cook USA routes are a scheduled operation operated as a stand alone operation from the European beach fleet.

Packages can be booked via Thomas cook, but, the primary focus is ticket only with connections via flybe, SAS and Lufthansa. It's also heavily backed by Condor.

Given they operate STN/GLA/LGW/BFS to LAS/MCO/CUN outside of MAN, I honestly don't see what it is that's stopping them opening BHX, even CWL gets occasional MCO flights.

Maybe they don't want to dilute what they are doing at MAN, but I honestly don't see how at least a part based A330 doing 2 weekly MCO and 1 weekly LAS could damage their MAN operation. The only thing I can think is that they have a long term plan, and any A330's they aquire are already spoken for? They already need hi-fly to operate their GLA/STN bases, so must be overstretched as it is.

 

[nwoody2001]

On another side night... I see both Tom Screen and Will Pearson have arrived in New York for meetings according to their twitter accounts.

I do appreciate their job will include a whole range of stresses associated with their roles, but im pretty envious of the amount of travelling they get to do. I hope they are collecting those airmiles!!!

 

[IanFarquharson]

New York and Chicago

 

[nwoody2001]

...lord, to be a fly on the wall of those meetings!!!

 

[Brum X]

New York and Chicago

Lets hope they are meeting American Airlines to keep New York JFK and to add Chicage O'Hare too ;-) Now that would be great news.

 

[Brum X]

When does Iberia start ex BHX, is it this weekend or when Qatar start from BHX ????

 

[jfy1999]

When does Iberia start ex BHX, is it this weekend or when Qatar start from BHX ????

They start Sunday. I think Ray was worried that it might be overshadowed by the A380 (figuratively, not literally) because the Iberia route also needs exposure in the media.

 

[Brum X]

They start Sunday. I think Ray was worried that it might be overshadowed by the A380 (figuratively, not literally) because the Iberia route also needs exposure in the media.

Cheers for that mate, im sure once the flying whale has departed to DXB, Emirates flags will be replaced by Iberia flags and time for the Airport Fire service to stock up on water ready for the next water arch.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I noticed on the Midlands today report about the A380 Mr Kehoe also mentioned that Iberia start on Sunday. I think they'll get their share of the limelight

We also have the inaugural Wizz Air service to Sofia. I imagine that there will be a few glasses of bubbly supped on Sunday

 

[Brum X]

I noticed on the Midlands today report about the A380 Mr Kehoe also mentioned that Iberia start on Sunday. I think they'll get their share of the limelight

We also have the inaugural Wizz Air service to Sofia. I imagine that there will be a few glasses of bubbly supped on Sunday

What time does that land Ray ?? Wizzair ??