Route Development & Rumours

Ray Finkle said:

Wizz are opening new bases in Larnaca and Milan, both routes that would be very welcome at BHX.

LCA to replace the capacity lost by Blue Air and MXP which is now unserved.

I'd like to think that BHX are on to this.

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Did see this on twitter...

Looks like Loganair will be operating Isle of Man before long. Talks taking place with BHX. Aberdeen re commencing today.

According to the article below it seems that Wizz, easyjet and Ryanair are open for airports to offer the best deals to secure capacity.

Wizz

"significant shifts in network strategy resulting in capacity reallocation between airports".

"Bidders are requested to submit a price offer concerning a three-year term agreement," it said, calling for an "all-in" charge to replace the usual passenger, take-off, landing, parking and security fees.

Ryanair

"Ryanair Group will prioritise those airports who agree the following load factor/cost measures," it said in its letter last month, before requesting a "100% waiver" on fees until October and deep cuts extending another year.

The Irish group is actively pursuing "once-in-a-lifetime airport discounts", CEO Michael O'Leary told investors last week. "We're getting real savings there."

easyjet

EasyJet invited airports to make Apprentice-style pitches during 20-minute Skype sessions held recently "to discuss how you can and will support easyJet to restart operations".

It added: "We request that you present to us your best offer, which will strongly influence how we deploy capacity."

Bids should cover all charges and throw in "short-term restart incentives", the British airline said, as well as winter rebates, "marketing funds for easyJet online media" and additional "local government and tourist board support".


Historically BHX haven't seemed to be an airport that gives in to airlines demands but I wonder if they may see this as a golden opportunity to get something significant from easyjet and/or Wizz? As the article says, these are the airlines that will be providing the recovery growth first and a deal now could potentially lead to big gains in the future?

I guess without seeing the terms of any deal it's hard to judge as paying an airline a sum per passenger may be unsustainable even in the short term. It sure would be nice though

I can accept a new charging structure for the cheapies as long as the same terms are offered to full service carriers thus providing choice for passengers.

ATC fees should not be negotiable as it is a vital service whilst access to airbridges is an amenity and bussing to a remote stand is commonplace worldwide.
How far can airports cut fees? Runway lighting, baggage halls or toilet tank emptying or bird clearing? I know little of the costs involved but BHX is certainly no Heathrow operation so where is the wiggle room?

It’s being reported elsewhere that Stobart Air have applied for slots at BHD to operate BHX, EDI, LGW and MAN, which will most likely mean multiple daily flights, assuming it comes to fruition and if they make use of all the slots.

I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe

I contacted BHX route planning team suggesting Wizz start flying BHX-LCA. This is on the back of Wizz having just opened a base at LCA with 3 aircraft and 36 routes (35 of which are year-round!) and following Blue Air’s cancellation of the route last year.

While the route is served by TUI and Jet2, which is great for the holiday market, there are no longer year-round connections despite the huge Cypriot community in BHX and healthy loads previously on Blue Air (and before that Monarch, and before that Cyprus Airways...). Myself and my relatives have had to travel to Luton or Heathrow since the winter connection was lost.

I had a response this morning which sounds very promising!

“Thank you for getting in touch and your suggestion. I have just spoken with our Aviation Team and can confirm that they are already in discussions with Wizz Air regarding the LCA route.

Kind Regards
Laura
Birmingham Airport Commercial Team”


...so I guess watch this space!

The commercial team should be talking to many airlines about many routes constantly that is their job and that doesn`t mean it will happen soon.

mullion said:

The commercial team should be talking to many airlines about many routes constantly that is their job and that doesn`t mean it will happen soon.

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Although true, its still a positive to see certain airlines operating certain routes being mentioned.

The Route Development Team talk to lots of airlines , some for many years (Finnair)

How very true Ian

Bhx_fifteen said:

I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe

I contacted BHX route planning team suggesting Wizz start flying BHX-LCA. This is on the back of Wizz having just opened a base at LCA with 3 aircraft and 36 routes (35 of which are year-round!) and following Blue Air’s cancellation of the route last year.

While the route is served by TUI and Jet2, which is great for the holiday market, there are no longer year-round connections despite the huge Cypriot community in BHX and healthy loads previously on Blue Air (and before that Monarch, and before that Cyprus Airways...). Myself and my relatives have had to travel to Luton or Heathrow since the winter connection was lost.

I had a response this morning which sounds very promising!

“Thank you for getting in touch and your suggestion. I have just spoken with our Aviation Team and can confirm that they are already in discussions with Wizz Air regarding the LCA route.

Kind Regards
Laura
Birmingham Airport Commercial Team”


...so I guess watch this space!

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If you are able to it may also help to send a similar communication directly to Wizz.

One request isn't going to secure a route but the more people that ask the more likely it is that something may happen.

Got to say it is a very open and honest response an easy reply could of been to say that we don't comment on specific airlines or routes most airports would run that line.

Ray Finkle said:

If you are able to it may also help to send a similar communication directly to Wizz.

One request isn't going to secure a route but the more people that ask the more likely it is that something may happen.

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Indeed Ray, I emailed Wizz a few weeks back. Their response was a little more generic, which is what I expected from BHX, but as Rob said, their transparency was great!

While I’m aware the commercial department must be in touch with a number of airlines over countless routes that never come into fruition, I have a hopeful feeling about Wizz in general.

If BHX-LCA does happen, it could also set a precedent for more routes from Wizz at BHX. Currently their routes out of BHX are their bread-and-butter, their “safe” options, to their usual Eastern European bases. But as we’ve seen, they’re expanding into Western Europe in a big way from other bases around the continent, so who knows the potential.

Maybe I’m just clinging to any potential good news for BHX/airlines post-COVID as I can...

The airport will be working hard to get a carrier(s) into the new empty T2

Or maybe mothballed til things improve

Nethercote2019 said:

Or maybe mothballed til things improve

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Yes probably but what an opportunity for a LCC

I would guess once passenger levels have picked up enough Ryanair will move back to T2 as that's where they used to be.

Think quite a few stands at T2 (beyond the end of the terminal) are too small for A320/B737 though. Reconfigure those stands and T2 would be a good setup for Ryanair & easyJet ops.

pure speculation here but this article is really interesting.AA operating the long haul & feeding into JetBlue’s domestic network. Realistically what’s the likelihood of AA reappearing at BHX? Not sure where this leaves JetBlue’s transatlantic proposals either but the article clearly states that AA are looking at further European routes

Angie88 said:

American Airlines Partnership With JetBlue Will Open New Routes

In a bid to come back from COVID stronger, two US powerhouses have joined forces to offer their…

simpleflying.com

pure speculation here but this article is really interesting.AA operating the long haul & feeding into JetBlue’s domestic network. Realistically what’s the likelihood of AA reappearing at BHX? Not sure where this leaves JetBlue’s transatlantic proposals either but the article clearly states that AA are looking at further European routes

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The article indicates JFK will be the focus. AA are probably planning to restart some TATL routes they formerly served from JFK, but I can’t see BHX being on their radar until they get the A321LR.

For me Spicejet to India is the one to keep an eye on right now, long haul wise.

jfy1999 said:

The article indicates JFK will be the focus. AA are probably planning to restart some TATL routes they formerly served from JFK, but I can’t see BHX being on their radar until they get the A321LR.

For me Spicejet to India is the one to keep an eye on right now, long haul wise.

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I would say zero chance of AA launching any UK regional routes bearing in mind they have this morning announced they are axing 19 long hauls routes.
I hope I am wrong as BHX needs a North American link again