Continental Airlines

[TheLocalYokel]

Probably tempting fate but the loads seem to have been holding up well this winter, and the fares on the CO website seem higher than last year too.

The plus point is that as many, if not more, passengers now originate in the USA as in the the UK, something that didn't happen in the early years when it was estimated that no more than 30%-40% were US-originating.

There is some anecdotal evidence that some Americans like the hassle-free entry into the UK (compared with LHR) and have used the route more than once.

I still suspect the route's continuation will depend largely on the deal the airline has struck with the airport. The original three-year contract, from May 2005, was reported in the press as giving CO charge-free or almost charge-free access to BRS.

I've not read anything about the new contract that was presumably agreed last May but I would suspect it is still heavily in the airline's favour as the airport management is desperate to retain its 'showcase' route to the USA. The CO 757 always parks on stand 2, the nearest to the terminal, and is given priority by the baggage handlers.




Orlando and Houston the top onward destinations for transatlantic travellers

Travellers flying from Bristol International on Continental Airlines’ transatlantic service to New York are taking advantage of convenient onward connections to visit cities across North America, with Houston the top business destination in 2008, and Orlando most popular with leisure passengers.

The flight celebrated its third anniversary last May and has carried over 250,000 people across the Atlantic since its launch in 2005. However, around 50 per cent of passengers boarding at Bristol have a final destination beyond the Big Apple, using Continental’s extensive network of services across the USA, Canada and Latin America.

Shaun Browne, Aviation Director at Bristol International Airport, said:

“Continental’s service doesn’t just make New York accessible, it puts destinations across North and South America within reach of South West passengers, without the hassle of flying from airports outside the region.”

Top five onward destinations for business passengers – 2008

1.Houston
2.Chicago
3.Indianapolis
4.Atlanta
5.Cleveland
Top five onward destinations for leisure passengers – 2008

1.Orlando
2.Las Vegas
3.Boston
4.San Francisco
5.Tampa

link: http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/news_an ... tions.aspx





Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:00 pm

planenut3

What are the load factors like on the CO flights?


Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:02 pm

TheLocalYokel

On page 1 of this thread (on the old web site) in a post of 28 June 2008 I posted all the monthly loads for 2007. 2008 was was down slightly on some months in the summer but the winter has shown a remarkable steadfastness in passenger numbers, in view of the economic climate, with some months being better than the corresponding months in 2007.

Broadly speaking the worst months (usually Jan/Feb) show load factors around 70% with the best months (Aug/Sept) around the 90% mark.

The flight goes daily except for Nov, Dec, Jan and Feb, when it operates 5 x weekly - no Tue or Thurs service from BRS, or Mon/Wed from EWR.

The 757-200 has 175 seats, sixteen of them in the business/first cabin.

The BRS route is the poorest performing of all CO routes from EWR to the UK in passenger number terms (not by that much), although the extremely important business/first section may be pulling its weight - not something the airline will give detailed figures about of course.

It is true to say that many customers from the Bristol area still use LHR for transatlantic flights and a surprising number of them are still unaware that their local airport has a non-stop flight to the New York area.

It is still too early to judge whether the transfer by CO of its London flights to Newark from Gatwick to Heathrow will bear adversely on the Bristol operation.

I suspect that 2009 will be the the crucial year for the operation and I would not bet my house on it being around this time next year. I say this because if the economic woes worsen and CO decides to axe some of its UK flights the Bristol one seems the obvious candidate to be first in line. As I said, Heathrow is not too far away and there is also a CO to EWR from BHX which is even closer than LHR for those in and around the north side of Bristol.

I hope I'm wrong - perhaps the saviour will be the extremely good terms CO is said to have wrung from the BRS management. As we know, yield is what drives airlines, not raw passenger figures.

I've included the last few posts from the old web site for continuity.

It seems that CO have axed the Sunday service from BRS to EWR (Sat/Sun overnight in opposite direction) for the remainder of January. The timetable at present shows it returning during the first weekend in February. Not a surprise but it is the first time it has dropped below 5 x weekly in the winter - it was originally planned to go 4 x weekly in winter but has always gone 5 x weekly from the first winter (2005) of operation.

 

[Aviador]

The Sunday rotation must have been the weakest of the pick. The service is still sufficient to provide for business travel.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

It appears the Saturday has now gone from the system this week, meaning there will have been only three rotations this week - Mon, Wed and Fri.

Next week is scheduled back at 5 rotations but they seem to be changing things on the hoof.

The web seat selector, though not a foolproof guide of course, is usually good enough in my experience to give a reasonably accurate flavour of the loads. This week some legs have been awful, down to not much above 30%, so no surprise that the frequency is being reduced. Tonight's overnight inbound and tomorrow's outbound aren't too bad with 65-70% loads on the seat selector.

I suspect crunch time is approaching and if the route survives this turmoil it might become a fixture for a long time.

Off topic though related, how are the Pakistan flights doing loadwise through this dreadful economic winter?

Addendum:

Had email from airport today giving free airport parking for all flights booked on CO for travel between now and April. It can't be said the airport is not doing its best.

 

[Aviador]

It is good that the airport is being proactive in beefing up support for the service instead of sitting back watching the service slip away. I'm sure things will pick up in the summer.

(As far as I can tell the Pakistan service is doing ok)

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The Continental route to Newark commenced on 20 May 2005 and has since run daily each year from the second week in March to the end of October, and 5 x weekly from November til the first week in March.

However, in some years rotations have been axed on some days in the period between Christmas and New Year, and in January of this year rotations were reduced to 3 and 4 x weekly for part of that month.

The equipment is a 175-seat Boeing 757-200, with 16 of these seats in the business/first cabin.

Since the route began annual passenger figures are as follows:

2005 (from 20 May) 55,254

2006 84,046

2007 93,225

2008 90,195

In 2008 the monthly load factors* were:

January 73%, February 71%, March 74%, April 77%, May 78%, June 73%, July 82%, August 86%, September 83%, October 80%, November 84%, December 78%.

The average load for the entire year was 137, load factor 78%.

* percentages to the nearest whole number.

Loads seem ok but not as high as other UK CO routes to EWR. We don’t know the load factor of the business/first which is potentially the real money-maker and we don’t know if CO renewed their contract with BRS on the same terms as before which was widely reported to be extremely favourable to the airline.

The daily schedule resumes as of now, although for some reason tonight’s overnight inbound and the reciprocal outbound tomorrow morning have been cancelled.

 

[Aviador]

The load factors appear to be good enough to safeguard the route. I would imagine that the reduction in the flights is to help maintain a workable load factor on the remaining rotations. One thing that isn't measurable by those figures is the number of business passengers using the service. I wonder how those passenger numbers have been affected.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Bristol International Airport seeks tourist dollars

Airport bosses and tourism chiefs are on a whistle-stop tour of the United States next week.

They are hoping to attract stateside tourists tempted by the weak pound to travel to Britain.

American visitors spend more money in the UK than any other nationality, staying an average of eight nights and spending £744 per visit.

Jason Wescott, head of sales and marketing at the airport, said: "Now is a good time for Americans to visit the UK, with the exchange rate offering them great value for money.

"We want to make sure that Bristol is the destination of choice for those looking to visit the many sights and attractions the South West has to offer."

link: http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/clevedo ... ticle.html

I put this in the CO section because that's what this initiative is primarily about.

Full marks to the airport - no-one can say it hasn't gone out of its way to promote the CO route since its inception. They've tried all sorts of marketing ploys.

The South West does get a lot of US visitors with Bath (almost as close to the airport as Bristol itself) the place most of them make for, although places such as Salisbury Plain and, further away, Devon and Cornwall are also popular with the US cousins.

Bristol too, with its many US historical connections, is being 'discovered' more and more by the people from Uncle Sam's land, and South Wales, not strictly within the parameters of this venture of course though anyone heading there will be very welcome on the flights, is the original home of many American families. I have no doubt they will pointing out how close the southern part of the Principality is to Bristol Airport.

Let's hope some success comes out of it all. The CO route is in need of a boost.

 

[Aviador]

This is something Bigman has commented on before. With the exchange rate as it is, now is one of the best times for getting inbound tourists to the UK. I'd be very interested to know what percentage change of inbound tourists there has been since the pound plummeted.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

New York service flies into fifth year of operation

Bristol International celebrates four years of transatlantic travel as Continental Airlines’ New York service flies into fifth year of operation!

Bristol International celebrates the fourth anniversary of Continental Airlines’ Bristol-New York service on Wednesday 20th May by treating outbound passengers to refreshments at the airport’s Seafood Bar – where, appropriately enough, Manhattan cocktails will be on the menu!

The daily transatlantic flight has carried over 320,000 passengers since commencing in May 2005 and remains the only direct scheduled link between the US and the South West and Wales. As well as providing a direct route between Bristol International and the Big Apple, Continental’s service also connects to more than 200 cities throughout the Americas via the airline’s New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Inbound passengers on 20th May will receive a goody bag containing discount vouchers for local attractions (Thermae Bath Spa, Bristol Sightseeing Tours and @Bristol), samples of local produce and information about the South West (Mendip Times Magazine, The Trencherman’s Guide and Hustrete House)

Daily Flight Schedule

From Bristol International

Flight Number Departs BRS Arrives EWR
CO77 10:30 13:25
From New York - Newark Terminal C

Flight Number Departs EWR Arrives BRS
CO76 20:55 08:55*
* Next day arrival.

link: http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/news_an ... rsary.aspx

This is a press release on the airport's website.

 

[Aviador]

Another Continental Airlines update at Bristol. Ahh Local Yokel you're giving me palpitations again!

5 Years is a good innings and by this stage of the recession the service must be doing well enough to keep going. All being well, once we get through to summer 2010 we should see passenger numbers back on the increase.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I suppose this route is most people's favourite to be first in line if CO decides to axe any of its UK routes to Newark, but it has been ever thus. I remember reading a lot of comment in a major aviation message board (not the Dried Plum this time) after the first few month's of operation that it would not see out the first year because of poor loads.

The comments of BRS and CO re the anniversary are reproduced below.

Shaun Browne, Aviation Director at Bristol Airport, said:
“The New York route is important for the economy because it provides local firms with direct access to the North American market and makes the South West a more attractive place to do business for American companies. Continental’s service also brings thousands of leisure visitors to the region every year, benefiting local hotels, restaurants and attractions.”

Bob Schumacher, Continental Airlines’ Senior Director U.K. & Ireland, said:
“We are encouraged by the performance of our Bristol-New York service, notwithstanding the effects of the economic slowdown that have impacted the airline industry globally.

“An ever-increasing number of both business and leisure travellers in the South West and South Wales are recognising the advantages of being able to fly non-stop across the Atlantic, year-round, from their local airport. We are also pleased that more and more Americans, aided by a stronger dollar, are using the service to visit Bristol and Bath and the South West, which is great news for local businesses and the regional economy.”

Perhaps understandably not an outpouring of uncontained enthusiasm from the airline although the comments are probably as good as the airline might have hoped for in the current situation.

Apparently about half of the passengers using the service since 2005 have been US-originating visitors to the UK, although in the early days they had difficulty in attracting Americans to use it. The launch of the route also corresponds with an upturn in trade between the South West and North America, which has outperformed the UK average since the service started.

In the first four months of 2009 the route has carried 22,619 passengers, down 13.6% on 2008's 26,190 at the same stage.

This is not as high as BRS's overall passenger loss this year to date (around 20%), although most of this can be attributed to fewer rotations flown by the main airlines at the airport and to the severe culling of charter operations. Probably loads on those routes that have operated are not that dire compared with previous years.

Even CO's figures have to be taken in the context of some weeks in January this year seeing only three rotations per week as CO apparently responded to the global economic situation.

A positive bit of news re CO is that April's figures were almost identical to April 2008 (although this year the Easter factor has to be taken into account) with 8031 people flown - average load 134, 76.5% load factor.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Frequency Reduction

The CO BRS-EWR route is to reduce from daily to 6 x weekly (no Wed flights) from mid September.

Since its inception in 2005 the route has operated daily from early March until the end of October.

It has then always reduced to 5 x weekly for Nov-Dec-Jan-Feb.

However, this coming winter it will remain 5 x weekly in Nov and Dec but reduce to 4 x weekly in Jan and Feb.

Although not timetabled as such last winter the route operated at 4 x weekly for most of January at best, with some weeks down to 3 x weekly.

In a way this might be good news because it appears to mean the route won't be completely axed which must have been (and still might be?) a real possibility in these straitened economic times.

 

[Aviador]

I think you can read this two ways, either be positive and see it as an adjustment to market conditions, or a last ditched attempt to save the route from being scrapped.

One or two of the long haul flights from Manchester had reductions prior to being scrapped, hopefully this route can see the winter through and then hopefully things will start to pick up next summer.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Em0866]

Just to note, that Iwill be flying on this route from BRS in October. The flight going out is almost fully booked. When I logged in to reserve my seat on the way out, only 3 seats were available. For my seat coming back it was about three quarters full. It shows that it is a popular flight, despite the recession

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Hello Em.

Passengers numbers are down this year compared with last though there is some evidence to suggest we may be through the worst.

Monthly loads for this year are:

January 4234 down 21% on 2008

February 4073 down 22%

March 6281 down 16%

April 8031 same as 2008 average load 134 load factor 76.5%

May 7439 down 12% average load 120 load factor 68.5%

June 8186 up 6% average load 136 load factor 78%

July 8386 down 5% average load 135 load factor 77%

Couldn't work out average loads/lfs for the first three months of the year because some rotations were not operated due to the economic situation and I have no record of which they were.

Normally one would hope for a lf significantly in excess of 80% for the peak summer months - August in fact may have been quite good according to some reports.

As always of course, the yield is what counts and it may be the deal CO is rumoured to have struck with BRS helps them to achieve something that is at least satisfactory to the airline.

The airport has done and is doing everything it can to promote the route with a dedicated section of its website given over to CO, initiatives amongst local travel and tourist agencies to push travellers CO's way from BRS, visits to the USA with this year, for example, presentations given to over 1,000 members of CO's US call centre staff promoting the area that BRS serves.

The CO flight is guaranteed the prime stand number 2 and is given priority for unloading.

So desperate is the airport to keep the CO route that I doubt that any other airport in the world gives CO the attention it gets at BRS.

Hope you enjoy your trip next month.

 

[Em0866]

Thanks Local, that's really interesting. Will let you know when I come back what I think of the service etc. Got 6 weeks before I go though

 

[Aviador]

Have a great time Em0866! Any chance of a trip report when you return?

 

[Em0866]

Thanks Aviador. Will make a trip report when I get back, which will be the end of October. Just a report on the flight there and back and check in at both airports?

 

[Aviador]

Yeh anything like that, that would be great! You can even tell us about your holiday if you like, whatever.

 

[Em0866]

OK will do. Will make notes. Am flying out on the 15th and land in BRS on the 25th