Icelandair

[nwoody2001]

There’s still no confirmation. There has been no statement and I just asked the live chat function on their website and they suggested “we come back in a few days to try to book then”

 

[User001]

Isn’t say Qatar are safe at the very least, but I imagine we would be verging onto route development and rumour territory.

 

[User001]

There’s still no confirmation. There has been no statement and I just asked the live chat function on their website and they suggested “we come back in a few days to try to book then”

They won’t confirm it on social media until they are ready to confirm it.

I still remember like it was yesterday when someone asked KLM on Twitter if the Liverpool route was being cut. It was met with a verhmant ‘absalutely not’. The very next day, they announced it was cut.

 

[Jerry]

Very surprised if that is true. Especially with them starting the Max soon.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Out of interest where have Icelandair confirmed that the route has been axed? Not having a go but I've seen quotes that it's via Facebook but I can't seem to see any such remarks on there?

Several people have made contact with the airline and all have been told it has not been dropped?

 

[nwoody2001]

They won’t confirm it on social media until they are ready to confirm it.

I still remember like it was yesterday when someone asked KLM on Twitter if the Liverpool route was being cut. It was met with a verhmant ‘absalutely not’. The very next day, they announced it was cut.

My point exactly ...the only place anyone has suggested the airline is confirming the cut is on social media!!!

 

[flymetothemoon]

apparently Icelandair have confirmed that the BHX route has been axed, last flight January 18th.

another carrier exits the BHX door..... 👎

No they definately haven't

 

[User001]

So, you think pulling the route off sale, and zeroing out all flights on GDS just 5 weeks away is normal and nothing to worry about.

You’ve clearly got more faith than I. Ive seen how airlines normally perform schedule adjustments, and they are very very rarely like this.

 

[David_itl]

Very surprised by what's happening. Wonder if it's time for BHX management to look up Wow Air's number? I'd imagine the passenger numbers carried by Icelandair married to Wow's lower cost structure may lead to the route have better fortune?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Oh dear, another one gone from the ‘golden era’ run of success. Shall we have bets now on whether Iberia Express or Qatar are next to pull out?

I've said before that BHX doesn't seem to have a problem attracting airlines but it really struggles to keep them. It's been the case for as long as I can remember, great route announcements then in 18 months or so they are gone.

I wonder if WOW are interested, or are the reason for Icelandair going?

 

[IanFarquharson]

Looks like they have gone !

 

[58terminus]

Oh dear, another one gone from the ‘golden era’ run of success.

It does make you think what kind of deals ware agreed with these airlines and more importantly who signed them off.
I presume whoever it was is being asked questions by the shareholders.
Or maybe they are no longer there for whatever reason.Who was it said 2018 would be interesting?

 

[Barry Beeth]

Welcome to the Trump slump. It may be a destination in its own right but KEF is basically a stepping stone to America. Look how the figures have fallen away of late. Look to the future. East.

 

[58terminus]

Look how the figures have fallen away of late. Look to the future. East.

Norwich?

 

[Jerry]

Welcome to the Trump slump. It may be a destination in its own right but KEF is basically a stepping stone to America. Look how the figures have fallen away of late. Look to the future. East.

Or BHX has lots of other 1 stop options to get to the US than via Iceland. From the prices i've seen Icelandair don't seem to be the cheapest and they are competing against not just LHR and MAN but Dublin with pre clearance, KLM and Air France with theirs and Delta's networks out of AMS and CDG not to mention Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa. Also add on Primera Air launching direct flights. It's a lot of competition for that market and 757s aren't exactly the most economical aircraft i believe. Still surprised by it though especially with their MAXs on the way.

 

[Coathanger16]

On the one hand I'm surprised by this - they had what seemed firm plans to introduce the MAX next year. On the other hand, I'm not too surprised - passenger numbers have dropped off since last year, plus competition, Brexit & Trump and I can see it being a difficult market for them.

Comparing Icelandair and Wow Air, other than Gatwick, the two airlines don't operate to the same UK airports.

Icelandair: Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, (Birmingham), Glasgow, Aberdeen
Wow Air: Gatwick, Stansted, Edinburgh

Just look at BHX history - out with BA, in with LCC. Out with United/American, in with Primera. There certainly seems to be a history of LCC replacing 'legacy' airlines.

Would firmly expect the BHX route development team (if they aren't already) to be speaking to Wow Air.

 

[58terminus]

Icelandair: Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, (Birmingham), Glasgow, Aberdeen
Wow Air: Gatwick, Stansted, Edinburgh

Add Easyjet's routes to that list and there is quite a comprehensive list of airports with a link to Iceland.
But once again BHX is the one being cut. I am really starting to struggle to understand what is going on at BHX.

 

[Coathanger16]

Add Easyjet's routes to that list and there is quite a comprehensive list of airports with a link to Iceland.
But once again BHX is the one being cut. I am really starting to struggle to understand what is going on at BHX.

I've often wondered if it's how BHX Management 'sell' the airport to new airlines. Are management trying to position the airport on a par with the likes of Gatwick & Manchester, or on a similar level to say Edinburgh & Bristol. I imagine they are doing the former, when in reality BHX is more akin to the latter.

Obviously any airline worth its salt will do their own research, but I wonder if management are 'over selling' the airport, and the loads/yields/profit that airlines should achieve, then when an airline starts flights to BHX and don't hit those levels they see the route as a failure.

Not suggesting that's the case for all routes (some are just bad routes which didn't work, or the airline didn't advertise well enough say), but there does seem to be a worrying trend of airlines giving BHX a go but after 18 months to a couple of years they've called it quits.

Slightly off topic so back to topic - if Icelandair are really cancelling the route (still no 'official' confirmation) are there any other airlines that could replace them. Covered Wow Air already, but any based airlines? - could Flybe give it another shot? I'm sure Jet2 could do well serving it say twice a week. Primera have some seasonal flights there...?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Sadly they have gone, hopefully we'll see someone else on the route in the medium term.

 

[Ianbutty]

Disappointing but I have wondered whether Reykjavik is over served from the UK. It will be interesting to watch whether other routes are cut. There are a limited number of people who are happy to use Reykjavik as a trans Atlantic stopover. I suspect we will get some seasonal traffic.