Route Development & Rumours

[TheLocalYokel]

What could happen is that we could start a return to the 90s where by airlines revert back to the ‘big ‘ airports and we be expected to drive up the m5 or down the m4 to fly anywhere other than Spain.

Given the region's reliance on Heathrow for much of its long-haul travel (as well as some short-haul business travel) it would be a 'double whammy' if BRS loses its planning appeal and LHR cannot expand either. Part of the city region's prosperity is based on its position at the western end of the M4 corridor, reasonably accessible to Heathrow.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I'm not sure how today's news will affect BRS. At least it's unlikely to be negative.

New partnership brings boost for UK regional air connectivity

A new partnership between leading UK regional airlines Aurigny, Blue Islands and Loganair will take off in 2022

www.bristolairport.co.uk

BRS Press Release:

New partnership brings boost for UK regional air connectivity​

Created: 24th Nov 2021

A new partnership between leading UK regional airlines Aurigny, Blue Islands and Loganair will take off in 2022

The airlines plan to widen their working relationship to offer a wider range of seamless travel connections across their route networks; aim to coordinate their benefits for frequent flyers; and launch a new programme of co-operation to harness their collective buying power.

Existing partnerships between Blue Islands and Aurigny, and Loganair and Blue Islands, will be strengthened and a new partnership for connecting flights linking the networks of Loganair and Aurigny will be introduced. This will open-up a wide range of connections to and from Guernsey in particular, offering new connections to the north of England, Scotland and the Isle of Man at airports via including Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham where the airlines’ networks meet. Existing links between the Loganair and Blue Islands networks – centred on Southampton and Manchester today – will also be expanded. New one-stop connections such as Aberdeen to Guernsey and Isle of Man to the Channel Islands will provide frequent, year-round travel options on a single ticket.

Each of the airlines operates its own frequent flyer programme and an early objective is to align the programmes so that customers can earn and redeem benefits across all three airlines’ services. Clan Loganair, Aurigny’s FrequentFlyer and Blue Islands’ Blue Skies Club will remain independent programmes, but the ability to earn and redeem points will offer a far greater range of routes and flights for customers.

Between them, the three airlines operate 54 aircraft and are responsible for maintaining services to a host of regional communities ranging from the Channel Islands to the Shetland Islands, serving a total of 40 airports throughout the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. The airlines jointly have been serving the UK market for over 150 years – with Loganair (founded in 1962), Aurigny (founded in 1968) and Blue Islands (founded in 1999) being three of the UK’s longest-established regional airlines.

The synergies and benefits for customers will be complemented by a new programme of co-operation between the airlines on technical and purchasing matters. The European-built, environmentally conscious ATR turboprop aircraft forms the backbone of the fleet for all three airlines, and there are several areas of potential co-operation ranging from major maintenance checks, purchasing of aircraft spares, and training of pilots and engineers which are expected to provide genuine operational and cost efficiencies for the airline trio. They will also be working to use buying power collectively across their operations in areas such as the purchasing of fuel and ground handling.

Loganair's Chief Executive, Jonathan Hinkles, said:

"We're delighted to be building on our partnership with Blue Islands, and we warmly welcome Aurigny - a long-standing airline with an exemplary track record of serving its communities - as a new Loganair partner. Working together will offer wider choice for customers and I'm heartened to see excellent progress already being made across areas of technical co-operation between the three airlines."

Commenting on the initiative, Rob Veron, CEO Blue Islands said “The simple aim of this initiative is to make air travel across the UK easier and to offer more choice. By working together on a national network we will help make travel for business or to visit friends and family a better experience – wherever you live in the British Isles.”

Nico Bezuidenhout, Aurigny’s CEO said

“By combining effort in the interest of improved passenger journeys, and through cooperation to the benefit of input efficiencies, the travelling public stand to gain from a more comprehensive and robust air transport offering, whilst simultaneously leaving the respective airlines better-placed to operate in a world where sustainability, reliability and customer-centricity make all the difference.”

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Interesting!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1415316981872570369

I've not heard any more about this. I don't know if there is still an intention to operate.

 

[alphagolf]

I've not heard any more about this. I don't know if there is still an intention to operate.

Cancelled until further notice when you click on the link.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Cancelled until further notice when you click on the link.

Many thanks for that. I'm not surprised.

 

[CM.]

I've not heard any more about this. I don't know if there is still an intention to operate.

I believe its been cancelled. As mentioned above.

 

[forest1979]

Probably should have added this to the Long haul chat but do we think post pandemic Qatar may look at BRS again over CWL? Would they get more bang for their buck at BRS?? Are Emirates being talked to In the background with impending Dreamliner capability coming on line? Have they dumped ME travel altogether and totally focused on short hall options?
thoughts?
It’s been a while since a discussion was had.. who’s on the inside track with BRS that could give a bit of a picture on their strategy of route development and if this has changed with positive (potential) expansion plans?

 

[Jerry]

Would they get more bang for their buck at BRS??

Well they said it wasn't possible due to the length of the runway, also Bristol doesn't have cargo so they would miss that revenue and i can't see the owners of Bristol offering them a 'marketing deal'. Only my personal opinion but i think that Turkish Airlines is more of a possibility than Qatar or Emirates.

 

[BRSflyer]

I think BRS (and CWL) are probably more sensible contenders for the A321Neo, if QR ever have them after their order was cancelled in the A350 spat.

Interesting comments about runway length. You'd have thought if TUI can use B787-8s to Cancun there'd be no issue to Doha.

 

[Jerry]

Interesting comments about runway length. You'd have thought if TUI can use B787-8s to Cancun there'd be no issue to Doha

I believe it's down to the airlines individual operational requirements rather than the actual aircraft performance.

 

[Aviador]

Yes, Boeing will publish various operational limits for the aircraft, but then airlines will issue their own limits which can often exceed official published limits. I understand senior Captains with specific local knowledge can implement additional requirements. I suspect there will be someone with more knowledge on the subject than me who can elaborate further, or correct me.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Boeing/Airbus issue the performance limitations of the aircraft coupled with the operational limits of the aircraft.

A Aviation Authority can limit those operational limits/performance limits further than what Airbus/Boeing have issued. An airline can go even further than what Boeing/Airbus and Aviation Authority can.

So you keep on getting safer every time.

For example Airbus A321NEO may have Maximum Take Off Weight, certified by Airbus, of 120,000KG. CAA may approve this. Jet2/easyJet may limit the Maximum Take off Weight to 90,000kg as they have data which indicates that they'll never get anywhere close to the MTOW. Therefore it's lower and cheaper for the airline to have an aircraft with lower MTOW. All it boils down to is money.

 

[Red Flyer]

Something interesting to watch for. A new scheduled carrier for BRS willl be announced shortly.

 

[Marko1]

I wonder what it is - Turkish , Air France ?

 

[MrFenner]

If this is anything then I’m sure it’ll be one in, one out….

**cough cough, Eurowings...**

 

[Marko1]

If this is anything then I’m sure it’ll be one in, one out….

**cough cough, Eurowings...**

What makes you think Eurowings is leaving ?

 

[Jerry]

New airline is SunExpress no routes announced yet but I believe they fly to Turkey.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1527563365580779520

 

[MrFenner]

My guess would be AYT…

 

[Jerry]

My guess would be AYT…

Or Dalaman another possibility is Izmir but I'd suspect Antalya is the most likely. If I remember correctly they are a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish. Will be interesting to see how they do as they'll be up against Easyjet, Jet2 and TUI on Turkey. Will be good for the spotters though, new airline and livery to photo!

 

[Marko1]

Istanbul we could really do with