Birmingham Airport - General Thread

[Seasider]

At least you have an excuse to go to the airport!

 

[Brum X]

New 97A bus route giving me an alternative to the X1 from the city centre to BHX, obviously this would take me longer to get to the airport, however good to have options espeicially at 3am in the morning. ;-)

It saves me nearly £20 getting in a taxi.

Thank you TFWM

 

[hishaq96]

BHX website has finally had a refresh new look.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

So why is it costing with Jet2 to Rome from bhx- £1523, yet easyJet to Rome from Bristol is £864. Why is there a massive difference of £700 pounds cheaper than bhx. This is where bhx are losing business to other airports because of their pricing structure, which needs serious reviewing, otherwise it could cause a stampede of passengers refusing to fly from bhx, but opt for a cheaper flight elsewhere. As this is how Birmingham airport wants to surpass it's 12 million passengers, not by this way.

 

[Jerry]

So why is it costing with Jet2 to Rome from bhx- £1523, yet easyJet to Rome from Bristol is £864. Why is there a massive difference of £700 pounds cheaper than bhx. This is where bhx are losing business to other airports because of their pricing structure, which needs serious reviewing, otherwise it could cause a stampede of passengers refusing to fly from bhx, but opt for a cheaper flight elsewhere. As this is how Birmingham airport wants to surpass it's 12 million passengers, not by this way.

Surely Jet2 have to share some of the blame here for such a potentially expensive package?

 

[nwoody2001]

So why is it costing with Jet2 to Rome from bhx- £1523, yet easyJet to Rome from Bristol is £864. Why is there a massive difference of £700 pounds cheaper than bhx. This is where bhx are losing business to other airports because of their pricing structure, which needs serious reviewing, otherwise it could cause a stampede of passengers refusing to fly from bhx, but opt for a cheaper flight elsewhere. As this is how Birmingham airport wants to surpass it's 12 million passengers, not by this way.

I find it interesting in all your comments you seem to blame BHX for the prices airlines and package holiday companies charge customers. Yes, if we are talking about £30 one-way Ryanair or Wizzair flight, there is an argument that airport fees and charges may make up a significant proportion of that cost. But when you're talking about £500+ package holidays, the proportion that airport charges play in that regard will be minimal. This will be down to the airline or package company themselves and very little to do with the actions of the airport. Simple commercial supply and demand. Jet2 seem happy that there is enough demand from BHX that they can fill their planes at the cost, it seems EasyJet don't have the same belief out of Bristol on the dates you are looking at...

And FYI, Birmingham Airport has already passed 12million passengers in the last 12 months. In fact I believe the running rolling 12 month number for BHX is circa 12,350,000 pax....

 

[Matt995]

So why is it costing with Jet2 to Rome from bhx- £1523, yet easyJet to Rome from Bristol is £864. Why is there a massive difference of £700 pounds cheaper than bhx. This is where bhx are losing business to other airports because of their pricing structure, which needs serious reviewing, otherwise it could cause a stampede of passengers refusing to fly from bhx, but opt for a cheaper flight elsewhere. As this is how Birmingham airport wants to surpass it's 12 million passengers, not by this way.

Andrew are we talking about a package holiday for 14 days? Are the flights on the same day? Is the same hotel used? - I dont see how you can compare like for like? Have you more information to back up your claim? If you use google flights and check the BHX & BRS flights, some days are cheaper on Jet 2 from BHX, some days Easyjet are cheaper from BRS, its based on supply and demand. Neither BHX or BRS tell the airlines or package holiday companies what to charge! - Yes airports can add on "extra" charges for flights, but that doesnt account for much of the price!

 

[Ray Finkle]

Just for clarity the prices to Rome were for next May school half term and seat only. I'm sure those lucky enough to be flexible could find a better deal but those of us bound by set dates off work have no choice but to pay or not go.

I'm not blaming BHX (they have no say) and with a monopoly on that destination Jet2 are certainly free to charge whatever they feel the customers will pay. I'd just like to see some competition on the route and hopefully the seat only prices won't then rival a full package holiday in the Med.

 

[nwoody2001]

Indeed... and to follow on from @Ray Finkle point, the only major intervention which has the potential to influence price a carrier charges is by increasing competition. Increased competition/supply will further satisfy demand. As such, airlines are forced to reduce costs in order to respond to competition. This has the benefit of reducing prices for consumers but equally has an impact on profitability of the airline. Increase competition and reduces prices too far, routes can become unprofitable meaning the airline pulls out. That said, at present Jet2 has a monopoly on the route and as such can charge what it likes so long as it is happy they can fill their planes...

The good news is that I have heard rumours that both Ryanair and Easyjet are interested in operating Rome, so we will find out soon enough if these airlines feel there is enough demand and profit in the route to start it... time will tell...

...but regardless, BHX has very little control or power in how it influences such markets. Yes BHX can offer incentives on some routes and airlines, but at the end of the day, they have no overall control beyond incentives.

 

[Ray Finkle]

This has the benefit of reducing prices for consumers but equally has an impact on profitability of the airline. Increase competition and reduces prices too far, routes can become unprofitable meaning the airline pulls out.

See Madrid a few years ago as a prime example, although now with one airline at 2x weekly it's another route crying out for a little more.

The issue as I see it is we have Jet2 with a route all to themselves meaning they are free to charge a certain price if you want to go from your local airport. It's supply and demand and something they are perfectly entitled to do. If/when easyjet open the route we'd potentially have a nice balance between a loco and someone operating a more package/city break operation. Maybe the perfect balance? To avoid losing market share it would be likely that Ryanair might then jump on, starting a price war, driving yields through the floor and before you know it we're back at square one.

It must be a constant struggle to get the routes at frequencies and price points that are competetive enough for locals not to travel elsewhere but still make the airlines a profit.

As Mr Kehoe once said "ultimately the market will decide".

 

[rollo]

Now the summer season heads towards its close I've got to thinking how the biggest operators at BHX have performed compared to the last two years particularly referencing TUI given there pretty dreadful last two summers they had.

Easyjet and Ryanair both seem to have performed pretty well generally doing what it says on the tin and EasyJets new base appears to have got off to a good start.

TUI I think have overall had an improved summer in terms of service and reliability although their was a hiccup for a while with the Fly4 ops. From a personal viewpoint we flew with them (Fly4) in June with no issues and are on a 787 later this year. So a good improvement I'd say but not perfect.

Jet2 are a bit of a surprise as this year they have had quite a lot of issues accross their network although BHX seemed to escaped the brunt of it, their 737-300s in particular have struggled plus I belive the delivery of the A321 fleet is slower than expected. They still give good customer service but the halo has slipped a bit.
I'm wondering if the rapid expansion over the last few years along with changes at the top management is catching up with them?

Just a few musings.

 

[Matt995]

just been watching a YouTube feed from Edinburgh Airport this morning for about an hour, during that time, 2 Delta B767s landed, and a United B757, and also had a departing Delta B767, along with a JetBlue A321, incredible to think that Birmingham can't even get one daily flight to the USA at present!

I used to remember years ago how Edinburgh only usually saw domestic traffic, and was way below Birmingham in passenger numbers, until they "overtook" us in 2010, how things can change in aviation!!

 

[rollo]

Yep, I remember BHX having American operating Chicago with 767 BA 767 /757 JFK and Continental 757/Dc10 to EWR all daily plus multiple charter airlines to Orlando. Continental even went double daily for one summer at one point.

All at the same period of time at some point unless my memory is wonky.

Up in Scotland Glasgow was top dog at that time

 

[Nethercote2019]

Now we are down to 1 flight a week to not quite Orlando !

 

[HPsauce]

just been watching a YouTube feed from Edinburgh Airport this morning for about an hour, during that time, 2 Delta B767s landed, and a United B757, and also had a departing Delta B767, along with a JetBlue A321, incredible to think that Birmingham can't even get one daily flight to the USA at present!

I used to remember years ago how Edinburgh only usually saw domestic traffic, and was way below Birmingham in passenger numbers, until they "overtook" us in 2010, how things can change in aviation!!

It always baffles me that a City the size of Birmingham ( pop. 1.15 million) and the other nearby towns and cities ( e.g. Solihull, Coventry etc) cannot attract more flights to the USA. If we had half of what Edinburgh gets ( pop. 559,000) we would be much happier.
I guess it's the old problem of being too near the London airports.

 

[Nethercote2019]

It always baffles me that a City the size of Birmingham ( pop. 1.15 million) and the other nearby towns and cities ( e.g. Solihull, Coventry etc) cannot attract more flights to the USA. If we had half of what Edinburgh gets ( pop. 559,000) we would be much happier.
I guess it's the old problem of being too near the London airports.

I would be very pleased to see Icelandair return with their vast North American connections but I do realise this is highly unlikely after what happened last time !

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there all, any updates on bhx lockdown today.

 

[Otisblue]

Blues have just announced Delta Airlines as its Official Airline Partner.......not really expecting anything like that, but if the Airport route development team are not using the ownership at Blues to help in getting a US service i think they are missing a trick.

https://www.bcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/birmingham-city-and-delta-air-lines-join-forces-for-2024-2025-season

 

[gulftraveller]

It’s a waste of time really. The sponsorship provides great publicity but produces little in the way of passenger traffic. As I recall, Aeroflot sponsored Manchester United for some years but that did not lead to a service to Manchester.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

We will just have to wait and see what comes from it.