Vueling

[nwoody2001]

That's a great shame if true... do we know if their full winter schedule is out yet???

 

[User001]

I'd say the winter schedule is still a work in progress. Given BHX has a broadly similar frequency to MAN in the summer, and MAN pretty much seems to be retaining its summer schedule into winter (5 BCN/2 FCO/3 ALC), I'd expect at the very least a 4 weekly BCN from BHX.

But on the flip side, Maybe there wasn't enough forward volume to keep BHX-ALC in the winter, as traffic does tend to drop in the winter months.

 

[nwoody2001]

well it was bookable into winter and the flights have now disappeared. As I said, im not going to lose sleep over it if it does go, but if BHX is to continue the rate of growth is currently has experienced, these are the type of routes we need to be able to maintain all year round!

 

[Paulsstrange]

When i looked earlier nothing was on the timetable for alicante beyond september for all destinations which confused me ...

 

[User001]

Of course, the loss of 3 flights to Alicante over the winter isn't going to give the bosses at BHX any sleepless nights, but, could be an indicator that Vueling, for the time being, are not looking at BHX in a 'big expansion' way.

With FCO not materialising this year, BCN dropping back to 2 weekly for the winter, the loss of ALC over winter meanwhile the large expansion of Vueling at Luton, it could be an indicator that BHX may have to fight harder for expansion from Vueling.

 

[Aceshigh]

Manchester is gaining 3 X ALC, could these be the BHX flights ?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Manchester is gaining 3 X ALC, could these be the BHX flights ?

They were already there.

well it was bookable into winter and the flights have now disappeared. As I said, im not going to lose sleep over it if it does go,

Totally agree. It's extra capacity that now isn't there rather than a cut.

but if BHX is to continue the rate of growth is currently has experienced, these are the type of routes we need to be able to maintain all year round!

Herein lies the big test for 2017.

We've all been cooing over the raft of announcements seen lately but it's easy to forget that historically BHX has been able to attract airlines but then seemed to struggle to either keep them, or the ones that do stay stagnate.

Personally I think Vueling are all about Luton now, as long as BHX are planning on some expansion from elsewhere then I'm fine with that.

2016 is going to be a great year but one of the loco's, be that Norwegian, Wizz or someone else, has to commit to something big for it to carry on into 2017.

 

[Brum X]

And anyway, how do we not know that BHX is a work in progress for them Re: Winter 16/17 ?? We could find these flights are back on the schedule in a few days with some extra stuff too.

It is still this winter 15/16 so plenty of time for things to change again. :smile:

 

[nwoody2001]

agreed, its only just march, so to read too much into timetables at the moment in time is a little premature. Remember the Vueling Alicante route has not even started yet. Yes forward booking will be a key measure of the routes success but things can still change.

I'm not panicking just yet. This is one airline and one route which could still operate!!! I remember this time last year, people were saying the Norwegian were going to pull out of Madrid. 12 months later, not only have did Norwegian NOT pull out, but also they increase capacity and now we have another THREE airlines coming to serve the same route we thought was going to be a one season wonder!

Historically yes BHX have struggled to sustain growth from carriers, but all you have to do is look at our biggest carrier flybe... yes its been messy growth, but they have grown consistently over the years. this year they are now likely to provide nearly 2,000,000 seats out of bhx with 14 based aircraft!!! yes other have stagnated, but even those are growing now!!!

Of all the loco airlines operating out of BHX, Flybe, Ryanair, Norwegian, Wizz, Monarch, Easyjet and of course vueling, vuelling would be the only one to cut capacity at BHX this year when nearly all have done the opposite and grown!!!

 

[Ashley]

Taken from CH-Aviation:

New route: Birmingham Int'l - Malaga starting November 1, 2016.
VY 1263 _2___6_ 01NOV2016 - 25MAR2017 BHX 1740 AGP 21

Is this replacing Alicante? Anyway still good news.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Good news indeed. Malaga probably makes more sense as a winter destination then Alicante.

 

[Brum X]

Fab news if confirmed and it confirms BHX is a work in progress for Vueling for winter 16/17 as per my post yesterday. :s_cool

 

[nwoody2001]

User001 ... can you confirm this with your links??

 

[User001]

This correct. One of 4 new routes from Malaga. Seems EDI and MAN also gain a new route.

 

[Paulsstrange]

Do you know does this replace Alicante or will this still op ? Just wondering if winter schedule now finalised..m

 

[User001]

At the moment still no Alicante, but, given this latest development, obviously subject to change.

There is no change in the system yet, but, I'd be surprised to see BCN remain at 2 weekly alongside a 2 weekly Malaga. I'd expect 4 weekly BCN at the very least.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Fab news if confirmed and it confirms BHX is a work in progress for Vueling for winter 16/17 as per my post yesterday. :s_cool

Definitely, still very early days for them all at the moment.

If this is confirmed then it will be interesting to see how the others react. I'd almost guarantee that Ryanir will increase, the question is will Norwegian keep AGP at 2x weekly for winter or will they fight back?

 

[Jon Dempsey]

Taken from CH-Aviation:

New route: Birmingham Int'l - Malaga starting November 1, 2016.
VY 1263 _2___6_ 01NOV2016 - 25MAR2017 BHX 1740 AGP 21

Is this replacing Alicante? Anyway still good news.

That'll suit me, 4 carriers on the route should sharpen some pencils.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Some interesting info on Ian Farquharson's Blog which I hope he doesn't mind me posting here? :smile:

Malaga is now showing in Galileo, along with Alicante at 6x weekly, daily except Sun. Both from November.

Obviously early days so very much subject to change but a big increase if it stays that way.

Thanks to Adrian Mccarthy from Ian's Blog for the info.

 

[Brum X]

Wow, what a difference a few days make. On wednesday we were all a little nervous that Vueling might start pulling back at BHX, if this is true then its the complete opposite. And if Alicante is x6 weekly which does appear to be a big schedule for winter, then surely BCN will not stay at just x 2 weekly ????


Great news if confirmed. :rockon: