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[TheLocalYokel]

Further to my previous post, bmi regional has a 'Black Friday Weekend' fare sale at the moment for journeys between 19 December 2015 and 29 October 2016.

However, their terms and conditions state that the promotion on a number of routes including BRS to/from ABZ, CDG, DUS, HAM and DUS is only valid until 24 March.

Although CDG (along with FRA and MUC) remains bookable through next summer the other four are not currently bookable after the last week in March.

If the airline intends to put these routes (or some of them) for sale after March time is quickly slipping away with some punters undoubtedly looking at making other arrangements.

Furthermore, with the reported loss of the Airbus corporate contract at BRS, the cessation of four public routes on top of this would leave the airline with the knotty problem of having to decide what to do with some of their based aircraft and crews.

 

[Marko1]

Bmi regional advised myself that the schedule for next summer is yet to be completed (via twitter). So hopefully all will come out good in the end. I was wondering whether a codeshare with euro wings on services to dusseldorf and hamburg would create greater opportunities to grow these links in same way that code sharing with LH has done on fra and muc.

 

[alphagolf]

bmi regional have added Brno in the Czech Republic to the list of the destinations available from Bristol from February 2nd 2016.

The flights are indirect as Munich is used as the connecting airport.

Outbound
0630 BM1841 BRS to MUC 0930
1040 BM1733 MUC to BRQ 1145

Inbound
1215 BM1734 BRQ to MUC 1320
1610 BM1846 MUC to BRS 1710

Further to easyJet Nantes announcement today, Nantes is still showing as a bmi regional destination, however Nantes does not appear in the route timetables, so doubt we will see this return in Summer 16 as a bmi regional route from Bristol.

In addition to the above Bern and Jonkoping have also been added to booking engine for Bristol, again these are connecting flights using bmi regionals Frankfurt and Munich hubs. Maybe an attempt to increase seat sales on the key Frankfurt/Munich routes.

 

[ezy_brs]

aye it is. Also BMI have based an aircraft at Munich now so will be seemless for the passenger I am informed!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Bmi regional advised myself that the schedule for next summer is yet to be completed (via twitter).

A poster on the DP says he sent an email to bmir and received a similar reply to Marko1 - that a limited number of routes had been released for summer 16 and that they are finalising the remainder of the programme which will be released in 3-4 weeks.

Let's hope that the other BRS routes are included.

 

[conns757]

Worth checking now....

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Worth checking now....

Many thanks, conns.

DUS, HAM and ABZ are now bookable for the summer along with FRA, MUC and CDG that were already available. Can't see any reduction in frequency either. MXP not bookable at present.

Excellent news to see these three now back in the booking engine for summer. As for MXP, I wondered about easyJet (thinking aloud that's all - not expecting a comment). They used to operate daily as you will well remember along with the then daily Ryanair Bergamo. With Bergamo now just a 3 x weekly summer route perhaps MXP and easyJet again isn't such a daft notion.

I read today that they are starting a Glashow-Malpensa route.

 

[conns757]

Be positive re MXP

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Be positive re MXP

Noted. :clapping:

 

[superking]

has the maintenence hanger been built or will they be using whats already there.with eastern winning the airbus contract,will this have an impact on bmir plans to move maintence else where if they are doing it already,or if not moved maintence to brs yet i wonder if they would relocate it else where or leave it as it is in abz.
any one any thoughts or confirm if maintence is being done already.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

has the maintenence hanger been built or will they be using whats already there.with eastern winning the airbus contract,will this have an impact on bmir plans to move maintence else where if they are doing it already,or if not moved maintence to brs yet i wonder if they would relocate it else where or leave it as it is in abz.
any one any thoughts or confirm if maintence is being done already.

I have no knowledge of the current situation.

In fact, I've only read press reports from Scotland (via links in another aviation forum) that the maintenance base is to be moved to BRS. I've seen nothing official either from bmir or BRS.

 

[big g]

From what I know BMI have reviewed the MT base and it will,be remaining at ABZ. Their operations have moved to EMA though.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Additional rotations to Paris CDG

bmi regional is putting on several additional rotations between BRS and CDG in February and March to cater for St Valentine's Day and two rugby matches, one in Cardiff and the other in Paris.

[textarea]Vive la France says bmi regional

bmi regional is aiming for a bonus point with customers by adding capacity that ties in with rugby and Valentine’s weekend.

Demand for travel between the UK and France by keen rugby fans has prompted independent British airline, bmi regional, to add capacity on its Paris to Bristol route for dates throughout February and March.

The airline has added additional flights as follows:

Additional rotations on 12 & 13 February to enable travel to the romance capital of the world on Valentine’s weekend and also to tie in with the France vs Ireland match on Saturday 13 February.

Paris fans will benefit from additional rotations on 27 & 28 February to reach the Wales vs France match in Cardiff on Friday 26 February.

Finally the England vs Paris* match on 19 March has seen the airline add rotations on 18, 19 & 20 March between Bristol and Paris. (* should be France v England in Paris - error in press release)

Commenting, Chief Commercial Officer Jochen Schnadt said: “In our effort to constantly improve our customer offering and become more responsive to our customers’ demands, we are happy to announce these additional services between Bristol and Paris so that the many passionate rugby fans and customers looking for some Valentine’s Day magic can conveniently travel between both cities at optimal times with the usual comfort bmi regional offers its customers.

“The increase in inbound visitors is a huge boost to the local economies and we’re delighted that travellers to Wales are able to reach the rugby so easily using Bristol Airport, with a short onward journey to the Welsh capital.”

All passengers travelling with bmi regional always benefit from a full service product onboard modern and comfortable jet aircraft.[/textarea]

bmi regional press release on BRS website at http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/about-u ... i-regional

 

[TheLocalYokel]

bmi regional and Bath RFC have signed a three-year agreement for the airport to become official airline partner of the rugby club.

Can't remember any airline at BRS doing this sort of thing before although it's common at some airports. I believe that LBA has signed up half the football and rugby clubs in Yorkshire to become official partners, although intriguingly not the major local club, Leeds United.

If Bristol RFC can get back into the Prem (what they've been doing languishing in the Championship -second tier- for goodness knows how long is ridiculous given their financial backing and support) maybe they can become official partners as well.

As for Bristol City, they rarely fly to away matches unlike a number of Championship clubs. Perhaps they ought to strike a deal as well. Their billionaire chairman (who also owns the rugby club) might like to consider it. Unfortunately, Bristol Rovers are run on a shoestring so I can't see them featuring for a while.

[textarea]Bath Rugby aims high with bmi regional

Airline adds weight to the pack with three-year deal as Official Airline Partner of Aviva Premiership side.

bmi regional has signed a three-year deal to be the Official Airline Partner of Bath Rugby in the first of a series of strategic partnerships the airline will announce in 2016. Bath Rugby will fly in style with bmi regional to fixtures across the UK and Europe, taking advantage of the independent airline's all-jet fleet and punctual, professional service.

To celebrate the announcement, Bath Rugby, bmi regional and Bristol Airport are giving away a special prize for two people to win a trip to this year's RBS 6 Nations match between France and England in Paris. The winners of this competition will travel in style and receive the following to make their trip extra special: two return flights with bmi regional from Bristol Airport to Paris (CDG); complimentary parking at Bristol Airport; Fast Track at Bristol Airport; lounge access at Bristol Airport; overnight stay for two nights at a 4* hotel in Paris; £500 spending money; and two tickets to the France vs England Six Nations game. Five runners up will win two tickets to watch Bath Rugby take on London Irish at the Recreation Ground on Saturday 5th March 2016. (*Terms and conditions apply).

To enter this competition, please visit http://www.bathrugby.com

Bath Rugby, one of the most prestigious clubs in world rugby, has already taken to the skies with bmi regional this year for both domestic and European fixtures. The 2015/16 season sees Bath celebrate its 150th anniversary.

Jochen Schnadt, Chief Commercial Officer at bmi regional, said: “We're delighted to support Bath Rugby, particularly in this special anniversary year for the Club. Our Bristol Airport hub is within easy reach of their home ground and our network connects them to major cities around Britain and across Europe. They'll enjoy the convenience of 30-minute check-in and the comfort of at seat service to ensure they arrive match-ready, wherever they need to be. Furthermore this partnership brings added benefits to fans and other commercial partners who will be able to enjoy our fantastic service, routes and great value fares."

Tarquin McDonald, Managing Director of Bath Rugby, added: “This partnership with bmi regional - an airline with a great reputation - is very beneficial for the Club. Elite sport is so often about marginal gains, and the airline offers the team exceptional service, aiding their preparation in the best possible way. We look forward to taking on the best teams across Europe with their support."

The new relationship signals the ongoing commitment by bmi regional to the expansion of its business in the South West. In 2015, the airline recruited additional employees for their Bristol base and opened a new gate lounge, exclusively for its customers, at the award-winning airport. bmi regional operates daily flights from Bristol to a range of destinations including Aberdeen, Paris, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, and Milan.[/textarea]
Press release on BRS website http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/about-u ... bath-rugby

 

[Marko1]

Not the most reliable of contacts ie Wikipedia but it states mxp will end on the 21st of March

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Not the most reliable of contacts ie Wikipedia but it states mxp will end on the 21st of March

It's certainly not bookable after the end of the winter season. There was a hint in this thread on 2 December that all might not be lost with MXP.

Be positive re MXP

was the post.

 

[Marko1]

Milan on sale for the summer season - announced on social media till end of October 2016. Good news. Hard to work out frequency on the website( very hard website to use !!)

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Milan on sale for the summer season - announced on social media till end of October 2016. Good news. Hard to work out frequency on the website( very hard website to use !!)

Yes, very good news. You just beat me to it. I was double checking the bmir website and it appears to be 3 x weekly - Sunday, Monday and Friday.

A certain poster told us before Christmas to be positive about MXP. As usual he should be listened to.

 

[Aviador]

Great news. It's a good business and leisure destination to offer.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I noted that on todays BRS web departures and arrivals pages that a couple of bmir flights are shown as cancelled but a closer look suggests that they may in fact be doubling up.

BM 1827 that should have departed to Frankfurt at 1630 is shown as cancelled.

BM 1867 due to depart to Dusseldorf at 1725 is shown as 'departed' which is all the BRS website ever shows; it never shows actual time of departure, only the scheduled time.

BM 1828 from Frankfurt due 2045 is showing an expected arrival of 2225 (although according to the BRS website the outbound was cancelled).

BM 1868 from Dusseldorf due 2055 is shown both as cancelled and with an expected arrival of 2225 (the same as the FRA arrival).

I was reading Skytrax today and was disappointed to read two separate criticisms from regular travellers in and out of BRS. One said he has regularly used the Aberdeen route but on 75% of occasions the flight has been delayed. He says that he has stuck with them but enough is enough and he has now opted for an alternative route. The other regular traveller, this time on the Hamburg route, said that only two flights have been on time in the last four months and there have also been cancellations.

Not only was I disappointed but I was surprised. We all know that sites such as Skytrax often attract only those who want to moan but for much of its early operations as an independent company bmir received almost rave reports on Skytrax with the first 12 reports showing nine 10s and three 9s.

Since then reports have been more variable with some 2s and a 3 although two 9s and a 10 still featured at times.

I hope that standards are not slipping from what initially seemed to be regarded as immaculate service by those Skytrax correspondents who used the airline. The fares are usually very high as another poster commented so service ought to be good.