Vueling

[Ray Finkle]

It certainly shows a continuing commitment to BHX although I'll be happier when they are bookable.

All the excitement is, understandably, about Norwegian at the moment but I'd love to see Vueling slip in under the radar and add some more routes for 2016. Florence, Rome, Valencia and Seville would be fantastic along with a Med route or two

 

[Bhx_fifteen]

I'm shocked (and excited) to see that there will be 4 carriers from BHX-BCN even through the Winter! Battle of the strongest? Or are they all to stay? We'll see!

If Vueling add another route my bets are on Rome. It is their second largest base and they are continuously adding dozens of routes, hoping to replicate the hub they have successfully created in Barcelona. Rome is in a better position for those seeking onward travel to Eastern/South Eastern Europe and I'm certain they can make it work from BHX if they can make BCN work. Bear in mind, they'd only have competition from Monarch as well (though admittedly it is a less popular destination from BCN)

We can but hope! (And support the existing BCN route to show them BHX want them!!!)

 

[Brum X]

Are Vueling big in Madrid ??? They might be cheeky and operate on the days Norweigan dont operate if they see that loads are doing well as Ray reported last night. I believe they are just under 80% which is good.

Im not under the impression they are big in Madrid, i think that is the main base for Iberia Mainline/Express and Air Europa ??????

 

[Ray Finkle]

They have a presence in Madrid but I think it's only a handful of destinations.

Their main two bases are Barcelona and Rome with other smaller bases at A Coruna, Alicante, Amsterdam, Bilbao, Brussels, Florence, Ibiza, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Paris-Orly, Santiago de Compostela, Seville and Valencia. Any of those will do

Barcelona is now bookable for April and part of May 2016 at 4x weekly which is very good news

 

[Jon Dempsey]

Would be nice to see more competition for my ticket money to Malaga!!

 

[Ray Finkle]

My Vueling city - Birmingham and the Birth of Heavy Metal :s_no

Vueling has just unveiled a new destination – Birmingham – a city with an unquestionably great economic and cultural influence. It was also the cradle of guitar rock par excellence.

Full article should you wish to read it: http://www.myvuelingcity.com/en/cities/ ... eavy-metal

It's also good to see them give us the BHM code of Birmingham, alabama

 

[Ray Finkle]

I've nothing against Birmingham being known as the home of heavy metal at all, I'm just not convinced it is the best way to promote the city for a new route. I guess it wouldn't be so bad if Birmingham housed a 'museum of rock' or such like that those interested could visit but as far as I'm aware there isn't even any rock nightclubs left since Eddies went up in smoke?

Birmingham has one of the best retail offerings in the country, one which will be even better by the end of the year. From Selfridges and Harvey Nicks down to the Markets there is something for everyone. Birmingham is also the UK's 'foodie city' with no less than four Michelin Starred restaurants (with one about to become double starred) and an enviable mix of outlets from fine dining to authentic street food. What about the night life? There is plenty on offer from huge clubs to intimate independent bars. No mention of the numerous theatres and art galleries, of the CBSO or Birmingham Royal Ballet. The article doesn't even contain the usual 'more canals than Venice' or 'only a short distance from Stratford - Upon - Avon'?

I assume Vueling would have been in touch with an organisation such as Marketing Birmingham to gather their info? If so it makes you wonder what they are thinking

 

[TheLocalYokel]

One of the most effective ways of significantly increasing a city's world profile is having a football club in the Premier League. It may not be the most skilful league but it's easily the most popular and arguably the most exciting worldwide and its games are watched all around the globe.

In a way it's a pity that Birmingham's current Prem side doesn't bear the city's name although I doubt that many Villa supporters would change it even if it did boost the city's name around the world. Only one thing for it then............the Blues must get themselves back into the top tier.

 

[Aviador]

Who cares if it sells seats? :dunno:

 

[Ray Finkle]

Who cares if it sells seats? :dunno:

That's the thing, for a city break what would sell more seats, heavy metal bands famous in the 1970's or top class shopping/dining/entertainment/culture?

I'm not knocking the article, just asking if there could have been something more appealing for the general audience?

 

[Brum X]

One of the most effective ways of significantly increasing a city's world profile is having a football club in the Premier League. It may not be the most skilful league but it's easily the most popular and arguably the most exciting worldwide and its games are watched all around the globe.

In a way it's a pity that Birmingham's current Prem side doesn't bear the city's name although I doubt that many Villa supporters would change it even if it did boost the city's name around the world. Only one thing for it then............the Blues must get themselves back into the top tier.

I also am told that one of the stands at the West Brom Football ground is in Birmingham ???? Is this actually true or is the whole thing in Sandwell ???? (Birmingham's neighbour which will soon be unified anyway with Birmingham in its new combined super whoopa council, hopefully called GREATER BIRMINGHAM)

 

[Ray Finkle]

I also am told that one of the stands at the West Brom Football ground is in Birmingham ???? Is this actually true or is the whole thing in Sandwell ????

Looking at THIS map the border seems to skirt the Eastern edge of the Hawthorns car park making it wholly in Sandwell.

In a way it's a pity that Birmingham's current Prem side doesn't bear the city's name although I doubt that many Villa supporters would change it even if it did boost the city's name around the world. Only one thing for it then............the Blues must get themselves back into the top tier.

A few years ago the then leader of Birmingham City Council made the suggestion that Aston Villa could become known as AVFC Birmingham, in a similar way to CSKA Moscow. Giving international recognition to the city was behind his reasoning, naturally all those in the Villa camp branded the idea 'utterly ridiculous and a complete non-starter'

 

[jfy1999]

Trifle not with football fans

I think Vueling have unfortunately chosen the wrong aspects of Brum to advertise. They should market us as Shakespeare's Airport and the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution instead!

 

[Jon Dempsey]

Indeed, but as Ray mentioned, the local tourist authorities are missing multiple free marketing outlets by having little or no coverage on the LCO websites as other cities have.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Vuelings first flight is tomorrow with VY8752 bringing all those heavy metal loving Catalonians to Birmingham for.......



It's due at 08:25 and back out at 09:05 if anyone manages to get up early enough for a picture. I'm off to the leafy shires of South West England tomorrow for a week so won't be able to.

 

[Jon Dempsey]

I can imagine a flight full of Ozzy's --- SHARONNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

 

[Brum X]

And here she is:

 

[jfy1999]

Still awaiting the official BHX report on the flight. Anyone know whether the cake, water arch etc took place then? Or is this just a soft opening and will the ceremonies be on 1 June?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Not sure about a cake but here is the arch courtesy of BHX Facebook.

I can't see it beating the AA arch :s_no

 

[jfy1999]

Our AA arch got knocked off the top of the leaderboard by the arch given for Icelandair's new Portland service that was being talked about so much when they launched BHX...