Bristol Airport - Route News

[TheLocalYokel]

ethanegcc said:

I would earmark OSL/ARN for DY to make an appearance at BRS. HEL would be ideal for AY, offering Asian connections, however I can't see BRS coming before BHX unfortunately.

ZRH would be prime territory for a Helvetic E190 operation, once daily or even 5 weekly. I would have thought EasyJet would have jumped on the route before now. STR is an odd one, although I know FR has a strong operation from MAN - perhaps this is one route they could look into. For CGN, I am really not sure. Germanwings would be the obvious candidate but I think they only offer CGN from MAN and LHR in the UK for the moment.

As for ATH, prime territory for EasyJet, 2 weekly to start off, 320.

If Turkish weren't going through a rough patch at the moment, they would be the ideal candidate of the ME3 to throw their hat in the ring and get a loyal customer following in the market first. For starters, they could use a narrowbody, whereas BRS is probably out of range of a QR 320 and they have an awfully large number of connections. Maybe, 2018 could see TK arrive.

Helvetic tried BRS-ZRH with a F100 at 3 x weekly. It lasted from 2011 till 2014, having originally been ZRH-CWL-ZRH, then to boost loads it became ZRH-BRS-CWL-BRS-ZRH and finally ZRH-BRS-ZRH. In the end monthly load factors had risen to the mid 60s% but the yield was not to Helvetic's liking it would seem.

Prior to that BAConnect operated BRS-ZRH-BRS but when Flybe took over BACon in 2007 it axed the five-aircraft BRS base and most of the routes including ZRH.

BRS is extremely well served to Switzerland, mainly Geneva. In fact, in the past few years more people have used the GVA route from BRS than from any other UK airport outside London. It's primarily easyJet with up to 6 x daily in the ski season plus some ski charters. This year easyJet commenced a 4 x weekly Basel service as well.

I'm not sure that Helvetic would re-visit BRS.

Some of the other suggestions you make are certainly 'maybe's in my opinion.

 

[ethanegcc]

ethanegcc said:



Helvetic tried BRS-ZRH with a F100 at 3 x weekly. It lasted from 2011 till 2014, having originally been ZRH-CWL-ZRH, then to boost loads it became ZRH-BRS-CWL-BRS-ZRH and finally ZRH-BRS-ZRH. In the end monthly load factors had risen to the mid 60s% but the yield was not to Helvetic's liking it would seem.

Prior to that BAConnect operated BRS-ZRH-BRS but when Flybe took over BACon in 2007 it axed the five-aircraft BRS base and most of the routes including ZRH.

BRS is extremely well served to Switzerland, mainly Geneva. In fact, in the past few years more people have used the GVA route from BRS than from any other UK airport outside London. It's primarily easyJet with up to 6 x daily in the ski season plus some ski charters. This year easyJet commenced a 4 x weekly Basel service as well.

I'm not sure that Helvetic would re-visit BRS.

Some of the other suggestions you make are certainly 'maybe's in my opinion.

Good! Yes, I assumed Easy would have a substantial BRS-Swiss presence but not up to 6 flights a day. If BSL and GVA are served relatively frequently, I don't think Swiss/Helvetic are needed. Also, I am not an expert on BRS, so can only offer incite on today - not routes that have been served in the past.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Geneva

The six flights a day are in the ski season for a limited part of the season and on Saturdays, or were last winter. This winter they appear to be in February; the rest of the ski season Saturdays are 5 x daily. Typically, easyJet operates around 22 x weekly in the ski season and double daily for most of the rest of the year.

There is no doubt that BRS punches considerably above its weight with ski destination and has done for years. Apart from Geneva, easyJet operates to Innsbruck, Salzburg, Grenoble, Lyon, Turin, Toulouse. Wizz goes to Sofia and Ryanair to Bergamo. In addition there are around a dozen weekly charter flights specifically aimed at ski destinations.

 

[kraktoa]

It probably demonstrates that the catchment area for the south west has a fair share of wealthy residents who will spend for leisure. Thereforeva transatlantic route should draw in the crowds. Strange that the airlines are not tapping into all that disposable cash.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

It probably demonstrates that the catchment area for the south west has a fair share of wealthy residents who will spend for leisure. Thereforeva transatlantic route should draw in the crowds. Strange that the airlines are not tapping into all that disposable cash.

It was a point that Barbara Cassani (Go's CEO) made in her book about the airline.

She wrote, "The catchment area was along the wealthy and populous Thames valley corridor and the West Country was full of well-off older people with time to spare."

That was over 16 years ago and the situation is still the same.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Cagliari

At last the airport has published a press release on its website for the new peak-summer Cagliari service - see below.

Sardatur Holidays announce new route to Cagliari
Created: 20th Oct 2016

Sardatur Holidays will introduce a new flight from Bristol to Southern Sardinia for summer 2017, operating on Saturdays from 8th July to 16 September, to Cagliari.

Sardatur holidays is an independent, luxury tour operator whose sole focus is ‘to create the perfect holidays to Italy’. Founded in 1987, Sardatur Holidays has long been one of the leading UK independent tour operators specialising in holiday travel to Sardinia & Italy and in 2017 the company will celebrate 30 years of successful trading.

Peter Downes, Head of Aviation, Bristol Airport said:

“We are delighted with Sardatur Holidays commencing the Cagliari route from Bristol Airport with BMI regional. It will provide a wider selection of holidays using luxurious hotels, rural retreats, resorts and villa holidays to customers in the South West and Wales region. There is a demand in the region for specialist luxurious getaways and Sardatur Holidays is well placed to offer this specialist service.”

https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/ab...ntre/2016/10/sardatur-holidays-cagliari-route

Gianni Bonuglia, Managing Director, Sardatur Holidays said:

‘’We are delighted to introduce a new flight from Bristol to Southern Sardinia for summer 2017, operating on Saturdays from 08th July to 16 September, to Cagliari. Cagliari is the Sardinia’s capital and gateway to the World’s leading Forte Village Resort, as well as to Chia Laguna, Falkensteiner Capo Boi Resort and Pullman Timi Ama.

Our knowledgeable and experienced specialist team are highly skilled in providing clients with a truly personalised service, offering a broad range of the finest and most attractive hotels and resorts in some of the most beautiful parts of Italy – and all this at competitive rates‘

https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/ab...ntre/2016/10/sardatur-holidays-cagliari-route

 

[kraktoa]

Just heard from a reliable source.

This afternoon some very good news is going to be announced at Bristol Airport to all of the stake holders.

Excited. Will let you guys know soon as i have it.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Many thanks for that, kraktoa. Will await developments with great interest.

 

[forest1979]

Exciting.. look forward to reading the news later...

 

[BRSregular]

This suspense is killing me...

 

[kraktoa]

This suspense is killing me...

sorry guys .... damp squib

The airport is number one in europe for some customer service poll........

Sorry but that was the big news that the stakeholders got. The way i see it is that every curry house in the UK has a certificate from some organisation.....lol

 

[TheLocalYokel]

sorry guys .... damp squib

The airport is number one in europe for some customer service poll........

Sorry but that was the big news that the stakeholders got. The way i see it is that every curry house in the UK has a certificate from some organisation.....lol

I always smile to myself when an organisation boasts that it is 'award winning'. I could give an award to my local chip shop and it would then be award winning.

I remember that the consultative committee minutes of a meeting last year or it might have been early this year mentioned the airport doing very well in a customer service survey, but I'm cynical about such things as I am apt to believe in the Buggins' Turn scenario.

I wonder what the 'big news' from bmi regional will be when it's announced on Monday: a bigger breakfast on their flights perhaps.

All this cynicism apart, there has to be some important route announcement(s) soon if the airport is to handle over 8 mppa in 2017, as the CEO has predicted.

 

[Marko1]

I'm certainly getting a bit cynical with regards to some announcements. It has already been said on social media that bmi will be launching a competition very soon so I reckon that be the 'big announcement'. I'm watching nearly every other major airport having new route announcements and we are still waiting for one , even Southend had a big announcement of 4 a/c base for city jet this week. Incidentally I note that the airport is heavily promoting itself on welsh radio this week . Are they starting to be concerned about the new routes on offer from cwl? I also note that there was some meeting yesterday regarding summer 2017 planning that was mentioned on social media. I wish they hurry up and announce what is there to get excited about

 

[superking]

looking at various forums about airports in the uk,it looks like most airports have had increase in destinations,weather its extra aircraft based, or extra aircraft. most of the increase has been from EasyJet or Ryanair.
if the airport is going to hit the 8 mil target I'm sure something has to be announced very soon. it might be a case of all airlines that operate into brs will be getting much bigger aircraft.
the extra routes already announced does not add up to 8 mil.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I'm certainly getting a bit cynical with regards to some announcements. It has already been said on social media that bmi will be launching a competition very soon so I reckon that be the 'big announcement'. I'm watching nearly every other major airport having new route announcements and we are still waiting for one , even Southend had a big announcement of 4 a/c base for city jet this week. Incidentally I note that the airport is heavily promoting itself on welsh radio this week . Are they starting to be concerned about the new routes on offer from cwl? I also note that there was some meeting yesterday regarding summer 2017 planning that was mentioned on social media. I wish they hurry up and announce what is there to get excited about

BRS has had Cagliari and Figari announced recently - new for summer 2017.

I'm certainly not holding my breath for anything significant from bmi regional.

I doubt that the airport is too worried about CWL's new routes. Thus far the Flybe programme that started in the spring of last year has had no noticeable effect on the same destinations from BRS. In fact, most of them are well up passenger number-wise. I remember speaking to a senior member of the BRS management team about three years ago and he said then that BRS was expecting CWL to recover and would be extremely be surprised if it didn't. It was certainly something they could live with.

superking said:

if the airport is going to hit the 8 mil target I'm sure something has to be announced very soon. it might be a case of all airlines that operate into brs will be getting much bigger aircraft.
the extra routes already announced does not add up to 8 mil.

Apart from easyJet putting in more A320s I can't see what Ryanair, Thomson or Thomas Cook could do to increase aircraft size. Ryanair only has the B 738 and TCX operates 2 x A 321s from BRS. Thomson has two B 757s (plus a B 738 based in summer) and the 757s are being phased out of the fleet completely within a few years.

 

[Jerry]

Are they starting to be concerned about the new routes on offer from cwl?

I doubt they would be worried about the new routes but what might cause them slight concern is that the low cost arm of a mainline airline choose to open a new route to CWL rather than BRS.
If you look at BRS they only have 2 mainline airlines represented by their own regional/budget brands all year round. KLM and Aer Lingus.
Compare BRS to BHX and they have 12. Aer Lingus, Air France, Brussels Airlines, Czech Airlines, Eurowings, Iberia Express, Icelandair, KLM, Lufthansa, Swiss International and Turkish Airlines.
Some of the routes might not work but if BRS wants to get to 10 mppa then it will need to attract a few of those airlines and maybe Easyjet on a lot of those routes could be putting some of them off?
I haven't included WOW and Norwegian because they are not mainline though they do have onward connections.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

There is little doubt that the CWL owners oiled the Iberia Express wheels as they did with Flybe, and there is nothing wrong with that in my book in the situation that the government found itself with its capital city's airport. A private sector owner in BRS's position would not have considered 'bidding' for such a route with this airline - there was/is no need. easyJet has it covered and the likely number of hub passengers at Madrid would not be high via BRS.

BRS, like LTN, is primarily a low-cost airline airport and unless the genre disappears or is radically altered in the future I can't see that changing much. LTN is heading for 14 mppa at the moment and doesn't even have KLM or Aer Lingus - or Air France, Icelandair, Swiss, Lufthansa, Turkish etc. It does have El Al, Iberia (via Air Nostrum) and Tarom but they don't operate to major hubs.

BRS has LHR and BHX 'just up the road' in both cases and many travellers from the Bristol region use them, especially LHR.

There are the 'major airline' hubs served from BRS at Amsterdam, Dublin and Brussels (it is a Brussels Airlines venture, albeit another airline operates the flights on its behalf, primarily because bmi regional has the size of aircraft that makes a 3 x daily service viable - at one time Brussels Airlines' predecessors used their own aircraft).

In addition bmi regional operates to hubs at FRA and MUC with a Lufthansa code share. Again, the size of aircraft makes a 3 x daily FRA and 2 x daily MUC service viable.

Probably where BRS is missing out though in terms of passenger numbers is Germany. Apart from the p2p easyJet Berlin Schoenfeld route the others are all operated by bmi regional - Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich. The first two are p2p only and fares are invariably in the stratosphere and loads only fair for the most part. P2p on FRA and MUC doesn't come cheap either. BRS is almost certainly one of the few sub 10 mppa regional airports with a catchment that could sustain such fare pricing which is the reason that bmi regional set up such a large presence (for an airline of its size).

In 2008-2009 Eurowings operated a 3 x daily, 7 days a week, BRS-FRA service for Lufthansa using 100-seat Bae146-300 aircraft. In exactly 12 months a touch under 100,000 passengers were carried. It was thought that the route was doing well but the recession was biting hard. Early one morning a senior BRS figure received a phone call from the Lufthansa UK chief saying the BRS-FRA route was to be withdrawn. This came as a complete shock and out of the blue - I learned this first hand from the BRS person involved. The recession was beginning to negatively affect LH's LHR-FRA and BHX-FRA, as well as BRS-FRA, and the airline decided that as BRS was the newest route and was still building it was the one that had to go.

LH always intimated they'd be back and and were going to restart BRS-FRA using bmi regional which they owned at the time. In the event they sold the airline and we later arrived at where we are now.

In terms of bodies there is undoubtedly a market for many more people on FRA and MUC and easyJet proved there was on HAM in 2005-2006 when they averaged over 100 per flight but not good enough for easyJet. DUS has only ever been operated by smaller aircraft from a number of airlines down the years including the BA franchisee so there is no empirical evidence for a market there above a 50-seater aircraft.

Air France used to operate BRS-CDG through various subsidiaries, the last being Regional/ Hop!, but after they joined with KLM they pulled out.

I can't see that the likes of Icelandair or Czech would bring that much to the BRS party. They'd be competing against easyJet and, although overall numbers on Keflavik and Prague might improve, the respective yields of the competing airlines might be diluted. WOW is still to announce a summer 2017 service from BRS (or from EDI) although such routes as LGW-KEF and a new ORK-KEF are in the booking engine for next summer. Perhaps there were insufficient takers on the transatlantic connections and p2p on KEF was compromised by easyJet. If not, the route needs to be bookable very soon.

Swiss might be useful on Zurich (easyJet has Geneva and Basel) but the Helvetic experience would likely put them off. Perhaps the real prize might be Turkish to Istanbul but even here there could be a worry that it would put off the likes of Qatar if they were considering a Doha route.

BRS is a very profitable airport for its owners doing what it does well. More legacy airlines would obviously be welcome but I remain to be convinced they are essential to the continuing profitability and ever increasing passenger numbers that the airport enjoys.

 

[Jerry]

BRS is a very profitable airport for its owners doing what it does well.

I suppose the question for the owners is where they want to take the airport in the future.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I suppose the question for the owners is where they want to take the airport in the future.

The management is consistent in saying that there is limited demand for long haul scheduled routes. They believe the USA (they cite three routes in their master plan) and ME are the only likely ones. To that end legacy airlines would not be that much more useful than easyJet or even Ryanair on p2p. There might be one or two more hubs opened up but in truth the Bristol region seems to cope pretty well with hubs at AMS etc and LHR along the M4.

Bristol is almost an outer suburb of London anyway.

 

[kraktoa]

Hot off the press

Ryan air announce Bucharest (twice weekly) and Venice (4weekly, marco polo)

Plus extra Warsaw flight.

Airport reckon that is equal to 1.7 million pax for additional flight....??? I presume for just that airline in total p.a

Thats how the 8 m figure was announced by CEO