Turkmenistan Airlines

[nwoody2001]

that said, whilst great for spotters, upgrading to the 777 is fine but only if they can fill it... something they've been struggling to do over the last year or so... low load factors and annual drops of between 30-40% aren't sustainable.... unless a) the yields are amazing or b) they have great cargo contracts.

Interestingly, Turkmenistan only fly for 4 European destinations, Birmingham 3x weekly , London 2x weekly , Paris 2x weekly and Frankfurt 2x weekly (though up against daily Lufthansa flights). also, when you look at the Pax numbers for the last 3-4 months, of all UK Pax between UK and Turkmenistan, circa 80-85% of pax use the BHX routes, with only 15-20% using the LHR service!!!! The BHX route is therefore becoming the primary UK route so maybe cargo is the answer???

an interesting airline that has had a long loyal relationship with bhx!!!

 

[Kevin Farnell]

that said, whilst great for spotters, upgrading to the 777 is fine but only if they can fill it... something they've been struggling to do over the last year or so... low load factors and annual drops of between 30-40% aren't sustainable.... unless a) the yields are amazing or b) they have great cargo contracts.
an interesting airline that has had a long loyal relationship with bhx!!!

Nwoody, I think you've hit the nail on the head there.
My first thought on seeing the 'Turkmenistan' post was 'Oh no, please don't say they're pulling out'.
Seeing them move to a full B777 service is, as you say great for spotters. However, what's more important is the reason behind this. Turkmenistan's loads have taken a hit over the last few months. So, are they trying to compete with our other eastern long haul services by using an aircraft more popular with passengers? Do they have a good cargo contract? Are they looking at an onward destination from BHX?

Whatever the reason, I wish Turkmenistan a long and successful future at BHX.
As you say, they have been very loyal and I hope they are rewarded for this.

Kevin

 

[Ray Finkle]

They've survived the arrival of Air India twice over the years, all the rumours were that they would reduce capacity but they haven't. I also hope that they continue to do well.

I thought they were 4x weekly at BHX?

Are they looking at an onward destination from BHX?

That's a good question. They have been saying that they will serve Toronto for quite a while?

 

[nwoody2001]

their service might be 4x weekly.... but the 3x weekly is off their website, though that looks pretty out of date!!!

Indeed they have survived Air India, but survived is the word. hardly thrived since, and now with the increase in Turkish, Emirates and more importantly now Qatar, I would suggest 2016 could be their most challenging year!!!

That said, they are a state owned airline with as much resource as the government wants to give! with some vision, they could offer a great niche and product, but would need significant investment. Similar in my mind to the likes of Iran.

 

[Ray Finkle]

With Qatar coming in looking for their chunk of the Indian market, running through to Canada could be a great way for Turkmenistan to boost their numbers.

Both Toronto and Vancouver have large expat populations, linking them to Amritsar could do very well.

 

[nwoody2001]

I suppose its just a case of seeing what Turkmenistan have up their sleeve.... a 773 operation for BHX only or BHX onwards...

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I suppose its just a case of seeing what Turkmenistan have up their sleeve.... a 773 operation for BHX only or BHX onwards...

I believe that they're all (3 aircraft) B777-200's.
Unless further deliveries are to take place.

Regards

Kevin

 

[Ray Finkle]

777 being used today, EZ-A778 due around 11:30.

 

[G-MANS]

I've always wondered if there is a good cargo trade between BHX and Turkmenistan, maybe engineering? The belly of a 777 would love that I'm sure.

Anyone in the know as to how T5 use this route?

 

[Hassaan]

That's a good question. They have been saying that they will serve Toronto for quite a while?

Firstly I imagine it's doing really well for them to want to upgrade to a 777 - it doesn't strike you as a service that does well as it's not a well known airline.

Secondly, do we see Toronto as an underserved market? I think we only get Air Transat and Thomson (?) serving them. Maybe the airport (and Turkmenistan themselves) could benefit from a scheduled service there through BHX. BHX has proper transit facilities now does it not?

 

[Vile8er]

That's a good question. They have been saying that they will serve Toronto for quite a while?

Firstly I imagine it's doing really well for them to want to upgrade to a 777 - it doesn't strike you as a service that does well as it's not a well known airline.

Secondly, do we see Toronto as an underserved market? I think we only get Air Transat and Thomson (?) serving them. Maybe the airport (and Turkmenistan themselves) could benefit from a scheduled service there through BHX. BHX has proper transit facilities now does it not?

Dont think Thomson fly to Toronto from any UK airport do they?

 

[Ray Finkle]

No Thomson don't.

Thomas Cook did a few years ago but not any more.

 

[jfy1999]

I find the lack of any Canadian flights from the UK's two largest leisure airlines very strange—you'd think there's plenty of demand for flights to Canada from the UK, judging by the operations of Air Transat, Rouge and (soon) Westjet from other UK points, and the high loads on our own small offering!

Although BHX has transit facilities, I don't know if this is enough for the airport to act as a stopover point—does Manchester require special facilities for the PIA flight from Lahore to JFK?

 

[Ray Finkle]

PIA stop over for passenger screening as they're not allowed directly into the US. The return flight goes direct from JFK to Lahore.

I think if Turkmenistan did ever transit BHX to Canada it would be mostly aimed at the Amritsar-Canada market with Birmingham topping up the numbers. Both Toronto and Vancouver have large expat Indian communities, similar to Birmingham and the wider Midlands. Flights in both directions could cater for these.

The likes of Westjet would primarily be aimed at the leisure market and it's an area where we are lacking capacity.

I think that there is room for both, with each airline targeting a different type of passenger.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Another 777 today, I think that's 4 (?) in a row now.

Have they finally made a permanent switch, it was suggested that it would be March/April time?

 

[Hassaan]

Have they made a permanent switch to the 777? I think they probably have. Are the loads that good? Quite surprised given it doesn't really strike you as an airline that would be used that much from here.

 

[justplanecrazy]

Have they made a permanent switch to the 777? I think they probably have. Are the loads that good? Quite surprised given it doesn't really strike you as an airline that would be used that much from here.

It does well with cargo so I'm pretty sure that's one of the reasons it upgraded. Also the passengers on these flights don't travel lightly so you might get a 50-60% load on a 777 but you might have 400-500 bags accompanying those passengers plus the with the cargo the 777 is well needed.

 

[Brum X]

Have they made a permanent switch to the 777? I think they probably have. Are the loads that good? Quite surprised given it doesn't really strike you as an airline that would be used that much from here.

Actually ive heard that Turkmenistan are very popular amongst the Asian community, some even prefer them to the likes of Air India. And they have been loyal to BHX for years.

Great commitment to the local population and im sure the customers who use them are very grateful for the service they provide.

 

[thunderchild]

There is a picture on Airliners.net taken at Istanbul-SAW showing two Turkmenistan 757s waiting for the scrap. They must be down to only one or two now which probably explains the upgrade to the 777.

Catch them while you can 757 fans!

 

[Ray Finkle]

Some interesting information.

Birmingham to Bangkok is Turkmenistan's 5th most popular connection through ASB, it now even beats BHX-ATQ, which is down to 7th after the arrival of Air India.

2013 data shows that Turkmenistan Airlines handled around 14,000 passengers (two-way) on the link between the two cities via Ashgabat, the year in which Air India commenced services between Amritsar and Birmingham via Delhi, a very popular VFR route. As a result, transit traffic on this routing for Turkmenistan Airlines has dropped by 89% in a two-year period.

http://www.anna.aero/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Top-12-Turkmenistan-connection-via-Ashgabat.png