Bristol Airport - Route News

[ethanegcc]

Ryanair to VCE...my god! Would've thought it would be TSF like EMA etc. got!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The Bucharest, Marco Polo and additional Warsaw rotations were in the booking system several weeks ago but it was only in the last couple of days that the airline made an official press announcement which the airport has now more or less replicated today in its own press release.

The longstanding BRS-Treviso (Ryanair's usual version of Venice) was switched to Marco Polo recently, doubtless to compete directly with easyJet, and currently operates there and will do so through the winter against easyJet. It's not a new city pairing, merely a change of the Venice airport, and as it's been operating in the last few weeks of the current summer season it's not even a new summer route next year. It's all in the BRS Ryanair thread.

Currently, next summer is still a bit down on summer 2017 in terms of Ryanair frequencies to some sun destinations in some months despite what Ryanair says in its press release about a 5% increase. As with last year and in previous years it's likely that additional frequencies will be added before the season begins; in fact some routes have already been increased since the original timetable was published.

 

[Jerry]

What new routes for next year does BRS have?

 

[Marko1]

Cagliari and figari charters with bmi regional. Orlando and Cancun with thomson. Almeria with Thomas cook

 

[TheLocalYokel]

What new routes for next year does BRS have?

Off the top

Off the top of my head: Bucharest (Ryanair) that actually starts this winter and charter flights to Sanford and Cancun (TUI), and Cagliari and Figari (bmi regional for tour companies).

I don't think any routes have been dropped - technically Treviso has but it's been moved to Marco Polo - but after the last couple of years when 15+ new routes were started 2017 is currently looking a bit sparse in terms of new destinations.

Sorry Marko, I hadn't realised you'd already posted. Is Almeria a definite?

 

[Marko1]

Well it was still on sale during the last few days so I hope it continues. Interesting to note that there are frequency increases to a number of destinations with easyjet next summer plus thomson has an extra weekly flight to Palma pula and paphos as well

 

[BRSregular]

I still think Istanbul with Turkish would add nicely to Bristol's route network and offer the onward connections to the east that KLM and LH also offer.
I see today that Belfast has lost its NY route. It really does seem that the smaller regional airports cannot keep a direct NY route. It's not just BRS!
With rumours of Norwegian looking to set up at 2 UK airports I'm sure the management have spoken with them about their desire to reinstate such a route. I don't think BRS is on Norwegian's radar but I for one would welcome them. I still rate them as the best loco I have flown with.

 

[Aviador]

Unlike the Bristol flights, the New York route from Belfast was being subsidised. At least WOW seem committed.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Unlike the Bristol flights, the New York route from Belfast was being subsidised. At least WOW seem committed.

The proposed BFS subsidy always appeared illegal. Must have been a desperate attempt to keep the Newark flight.

I'm not sure that WOW is committed to BRS.

 

[Aviador]

I'm not sure that WOW is committed to BRS.

Aww no!

 

[superking]

If wow are to continue from brs they sure need to announce flights soon . before Christmas would be good,but ppl are already making plans to go to Iceland or the Americas. its always good to get the routes out in the shops to get ppl booking any trip an option of who they use.

 

[Marko1]

Another day and another new route announced from an airport that's not Bristol. This time vueling to Paris orly. Come on Bristol give us something to cheer us up !!

 

[Jerry]

I'm surprised that WOW haven't announced yet as much of their traffic is US bound and some people will try and plan in advance or at least be looking at prices. I've just seen on the CWL forum that Vueling will fly ORY 3 weekly and i'm wondering if they are looking at attracting pax from the BRS side of the bridge because Paris is only served by a daily CDG flight. Do EZY still have flights to release?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I'm surprised that WOW haven't announced yet as much of their traffic is US bound and some people will try and plan in advance or at least be looking at prices. I've just seen on the CWL forum that Vueling will fly ORY 3 weekly and i'm wondering if they are looking at attracting pax from the BRS side of the bridge because Paris is only served by a daily CDG flight. Do EZY still have flights to release?

easyJet operates CDG daily with bmi regional operating 2 x daily. Nevertheless, ORY is more useful for some areas of the Paris region than CDG.

BRS has never had a regular scheduled ORY operation and easyJet only seems to operate from ORY to continental Europe.

Given that easyJet's CDG route regularly sold out before bmir started its operation (it still does at times - today for example) it always seemed odd that easyJet did not increase its own coverage.

As for more easyJet announcements, a recent Bristol Post article carried about the airline and BRS carried this quote:

Ali Gayward, easyJet's UK commercial manager told the Post that the company plans to expand upon its current raft of 60 routes out of Bristol Airport.

“There will be some announcements in the new year about new routes," she said. “But before then we will be launching our new Bristol to Turin route next month, catering for the ski season market."

As discussed in the BRS CAA stats thread, if BRS is to pass the 8 mppa barrier next year, as the airport CEO has stated, it will need more than some new routes from easyJet unless a 15th aircraft is to arrive and even then more would probably be required.

2015 and 2016 have seen major steps forward with annual throughput rising from 6.3 mppa to 7.5 mppa so it gets progressively harder to maintain such growth.

 

[Jerry]

Given that easyJet's CDG route regularly sold out before bmir started its operation (it still does at times - today for example) it always seemed odd that easyJet did not increase its own coverage

I am surprised EZY doesn't operate 12-14 weekly to CDG or Paris area in general especially considering the large base there. It'll be interesting to see what routes they announce! Personally I think if BRS are to get over the 8 million mark it might need new airlines and it may take longer than they think.

 

[kraktoa]

RyanAir have announced a new flight to a destination in Croatia called Zadar from summer 2017

 

[Marko1]

Apart from the promised new routes from easyJet to be announced anyone got any ideas where we will see growth next year?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Apart from the promised new routes from easyJet to be announced anyone got any ideas where we will see growth next year?

No, no idea whatsoever. As we've said before, to get past the CEO's prediction of 8 mppa will require a new airline or a lot more expansion from the existing ones - notably easyJet and Ryanair.

If nothing is announced in January (beyond easyJet which their commercial manager has said will see new routes) I can't see 2017 seeing more than very modest growth compared with 2015 and 2016.

 

[Marko1]

Yes I agree but i am getting a bit concerned with the reliance on one carrier to produce the growth for the airport. I tweeted wow again today with a vague response "we are still looking at brs for next summer " , whatever that means.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Yes I agree but i am getting a bit concerned with the reliance on one carrier to produce the growth for the airport. I tweeted wow again today with a vague response "we are still looking at brs for next summer " , whatever that means.

That has been a problem for several years. easyJet has brought phenomenal growth and services to an airport of BRS's size but the downsides are that it might be putting off other carriers and of course no business, in whatever field, should rely too heavily on one customer.

If the airport tries to discourage easyJet it might be biting off the hand that feeds it. Anyway they are into the third year of a five year agreement for growth.

Airlines are funny animals at times. If WOW has axed BRS why for heaven's sake don't they say so? Perhaps there are still moves behind the scenes. It might depend on how much the airport wants WOW and is prepared to give a deal that suits the airline.