Qatar Airways

[Aviador]

Hope that information is correct but you are right to be cautious. Unfortunately anybody can update Wikipedia and although there's a chance it is correct, there's a strong possibility it's wrong. Fingers crossed though!

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray and all, regarding qatar that are supposed to be coming to Birmingham, when you look at website called business traveller dated 23/07/2012, it states the imminent announcement from qatar from Birmingham, yet three years later, you still await for when this announcement will be and when flights will commence...andyc

 

[Brum X]

Hi there ray and all, regarding qatar that are supposed to be coming to Birmingham, when you look at website called business traveller dated 23/07/2012, it states the imminent announcement from qatar from Birmingham, yet three years later, you still await for when this announcement will be and when flights will commence...andyc

But this is old news and since then we have Daily Air India flights and soon Emirates 3 rd daily flights so alot has changed since then. But yes , you are right, we still are waiting for that announcement.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Back in 2012 the QR CEO said there would be three new UK destinations and BHX would be one, it was thought EDI and LGW would be the other two but as yet only EDI is up and running.

At the Consultative Committee meeting BHX suggested they were waiting for aircraft deliveries which had caused significant delays in their growth. Aircraft are coming through now and new routes are being added so we just have to wait and see if BHX is still on the list, and if so where. As Brum X pointed out we now have AI daily, TK 12x weekly and a 3rd EK 77W so that may have pushed us back slightly.

The recent rumours have come from several 'sources' with one in particular claiming to be 'in the know' and suggesting BHX will start in Sept with an A350. If, and it's a big if, that is true well the first two A350's are operating to/from FRA, the next three due June, July and Aug will be doing SIN, the rest don't have a confirmed delivery date yet so it could be something as simple as waiting for that date from Airbus.

Personally until I see the flights on sale I'm not getting any hopes up but it would be great to see finally see them.

 

[User0001]

I think that the Qatar Airways wishlist is somewhat different to the reality, which, for an airline with Qatar's stature, is somewhat odd and surprising. Surely if they wanted to serve a market that much as to make a press release for it, several times, then just launch it???

Lets not forget that as well as the 2 undisclosed UK routes (LGW was supposedly one as they were expecting QR75/76 to start in May using a B787), Helsinki is still waiting for its supposed route, Dublin has been 'imminant' for a while and Los Angeles was also supposed to be starting pax flights this year.

What may not help BHX's case is that Qatar has publicly said Manchester helps open the midlands to them, and, as of 26th October, they have had slots approved for a further 7 weekly flights, filling in the gaps created by having MAN's flights arriving and departing at 3 different times. 7 daily LHR and 3 daily MAN each side of BHX is just overkill to be honest!

 

[Aviador]

Qatar offer a similar product to Emirates so far as connections go. Emirates operates into airports at either side of BHX and it works well for them, so I see no reason why they can't or shouldn't operate into Birmingham as well. An airline offering more local departure points will always have the upperhand over airlines which only operate from the hub airports.

 

[thunderchild]

Seven pages of conjecture and debate about a route that isn't even operating - what's interesting in reading back though is how so much has changed over the past few years.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Qatar offer a similar product to Emirates so far as connections go. Emirates operates into airports at either side of BHX and it works well for them, so I see no reason why they can't or shouldn't operate into Birmingham as well. An airline offering more local departure points will always have the upperhand over airlines which only operate from the hub airports.

I agree, I guess it depends on how badly Qatar want to take on Emirates, who have a vastly superior network. To be honest I'm not discouraged by a press release issued many years ago or slots held elsewhere, this is common practice amongst most airlines (as far as I'm aware TACV Cabo Verde Airlines still hold slots for BHX) and more often than not they end up unused or handed back. What does discourage me though is the QR upper management, either the CEO is a raging motormouth who speaks before he thinks or they are a company that change their minds very, very quickly. Of course it could be a clever marketing ploy aimed at gaining some very early interest, after all, as has been pointed out, we do have seven pages of forum discussion about a route not even announced

 

[DaveBham]

Surely Qatar have missed the boat. x3 777's flying from BHX to DXB daily - would this not satiate the demand to the East? Don't get me wrong, I want them to to come here and succeed, but in a sustainable manner.

There must be other under served routes, for which there is a potential market. I mean, Florida for gods sake? Although saying that, according to the AA website, the flights to JFK carry on to Miami.

But what about Jo'burg, Hong Kong, etc....

 

[Aviador]

Good morning DaveBham

The very fact that Emirates is so successful isn't because people are going to Dubai in there droves, it's because they're using Dubai for onward connections. Many people in the West Midlands will be using Emirates to avoid travelling by road to other airports like Heathrow or Manchester. Qatar Airways will definitely be on the BHX hit list because it would open up numerous onward connections providing more choice and compatition.

Totally agree so far as Florida goes. Bizarrely, some regional airports seem to fair well, yet others struggle to attract any flights there.

 

[Ray Finkle]

The latest figures for Emirates are a little over 30% heading to DXB and with Dubai being a popular tourist destination I'd imagine any Doha service would have a significantly higher amount of connections. Dave makes a good point though, heading East we've got alot of extra seats coming onto the market this year, is there enough room for another at the moment?

There must be other under served routes, for which there is a potential market. I mean, Florida for gods sake? Although saying that, according to the AA website, the flights to JFK carry on to Miami.

But what about Jo'burg, Hong Kong, etc....

Florida is a particular annoyance of mine. I know people who go each year to visit second homes, see family etc... all of them have been using Virgin from LGW with occasional trips on United from BHX. Thankfully we now have American and Icelandair which make good alternatives but with TOM flights being regularly sold out I'd imagine the amount of Florida bound pax that BHX must lose to other airports is huge.

 

[DaveBham]

Good morning DaveBham

The very fact that Emirates is so successful isn't because people are going to Dubai in there droves, it's because they're using Dubai for onward connections. Many people in the West Midlands will be using Emirates to avoid travelling by road to other airports like Heathrow or Manchester. Qatar Airways will definitely be on the BHX hit list because it would open up numerous onward connections providing more choice and compatition.

Totally agree so far as Florida goes. Bizarrely, some regional airports seem to fair well, yet others struggle to attract any flights there.

This was kind of my point. I don't know what onward connections Doha has that Dubai doesn't, but if they're mostly to the same destinations you can already reach via DXB, one has to ask what's in it for Qatar?

As I said, I hope any new service succeeds, and I'm sure the bean counters at Qatar know far more than humble I about the potential yield of a route.

 

[thunderchild]

The one destination QR offer over EK is Amristar which is a big market from BHX.

 

[Brum X]

Qatar Investment in Birmingham

Found this snippet of information and it appears Qatar are not only thinking of ploughing lots of money into the city but they also have a desire to have a direct flight to Doha. :yahoo:


http://www.gulf-times.com/mobile//eco.- ... ortunities

 

[Brum X]

It appears Birmingham and BHX is defiantely on the radar with things Re: Qatar and Qatar Airways..

Its now just a waiting game to see when it all happens.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Good find although it's the chief of Marketing Birmingham that's quoted about the flight rather than a QR official. That said there is a huge amount of Qatari investment heading into Birmingham over the coming years, I think they're pretty much doing the whole area around the HS2 Station, so I can't help but feel it's only a matter of time.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Via Twitter I made Mr Kehoe aware of the above article, here is his reply:

the Gulf - that's where some of the smart money is. QR?? We'll see.

 

[Brum X]

Qatar at BHX

Just landed A7-ACJ diverted from MAN

:hatsoff:

 

[thunderchild]

Hope nothing unfortunate occurs, if QR are on the radar now would be a very bad time to have them messed around with poor ground handling.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: Qatar at BHX

Just landed A7-ACJ diverted from MAN

:hatsoff:

I hope not because of foam on the apron :spiteful: