Vueling

[Kevin Farnell]

I have no idea of their future long term plans but you have to wonder if BA (IAG) may see Vueling as an answer to regaining some regional UK market share? As we know for many years BA had strong networks from Birmingham, Manchester and in Scotland, with the way the market is these days I think it would be very difficult for mainline to return but Vueling could be the answer.

maybe this is the plan?

I think you could be correct there, Ray.

I can't see BA mainline making a re-appearance at UK regional airports (other than what they already provide), but an airline within the IAG group, with much lower operating costs could well fit the bill. BA/IAG must be aware of the traffic generated from UK regional airports to Europe, and I can only think that they must be looking for a way to cash in on these markets.

Cheers

Kevin

 

[Bhx_fifteen]

When I first saw people discussing the possibility of a Vueling base at BHX, I thought it was a little far-fetched. However after looking at their existing and future bases, BHX definitely seems possible.

Looking at their business model of hub-based, low cost airline which focuses on service (almost like a midway between BA and Ryanair), a Vueling base may be just what BHX needs. I would put Vueling on the same level as Monarch and Norwegian in terms of price/service - both of which are successful and expanding carriers at Birmingham. I look forward to seeing how this develops!

 

[Brum X]

Yes whilst i would obviously support a Vueling Base at BHX, i would hope that if this was to happen then they would just be a tad more adventurous with there route network than the obvious bucket and spade destinations (These are welcome however) I would love to see them open us places like Paris Orly, Seville and give Monarch some competition on the Rome route.

 

[Bhx_fifteen]

I would imagine (and hope) that would be the case. It makes sense for them to open the 'obvious' bucket and spade destinations that they currently have on offer to test the market and see if demand is there. If successful (which seems to be the case), hopefully we can get some brand new routes

 

[DaveBham]

I think you could be correct there, Ray.

I can't see BA mainline making a re-appearance at UK regional airports (other than what they already provide), but an airline within the IAG group, with much lower operating costs could well fit the bill. BA/IAG must be aware of the traffic generated from UK regional airports to Europe, and I can only think that they must be looking for a way to cash in on these markets.

Cheers

Kevin

BA took a short sighted view of the market when they effectively quit Britain to become a London Airline. In the time it takes someone to travel 100 miles to Heathrow by road just to begin their journey, they could have travelled 1000 miles closer to their destination by air, and, perhaps without the early starts, had a couple of hours extra sleep. This makes a difference to business trips, and holidays can get off to far more of a roaring start if you're not zonked. Canny and flexible airlines have seized on this fact, and are raking it in.
Emirates flying 3 wide bodied planes a day, with not one, but rumours of a 2nd A380 from next year. All this with competitive pricing and far superior service to the former flag carrier. Air India, PIA, Qatar, Turkmenistan are also showing healthy demand for services to the East exist. Why couldn't BA recognise this? And then, there's the plethora of European airlines who have joined us recently, not to mention the fact we seem to be sustaining 2 scheduled carriers to New York quite happily.

It's these airlines I admire; they deserve to flourish at Birmingham, with their boldness, flair and vision to make new routes work. BA are a useful airline if you happen to live in the south east, but to many of the 45 million British people who don't live there, they are a bloated relic from the past. Although the sight of those diverted BA 747's and 787's the other week made me think what might have been, we have to remember that their business model means it can only make profit out of it's London operations - or so BA have told us.

So we have to look to the future, and embrace 21st Century airlines catering for point to point travel from BHX & MAN instead.

(Excuse the rant!)

 

[Ray Finkle]

Totally agree, regional UK is booming.

Manchester is leading the way making great gains across the world. Birmingham is still a way behind but on the right track, with good progress in the US, India and Middle East with more to come. Bristol gets it's long haul back and is on the verge of routes to NY and the Middle East. Luton is seeing unreal growth with Edinburgh not far behind.

The UK doesn't need Heathrow, only London does.

With modern aircraft and low fuel prices I do wonder if BA could have had a regional fleet of 787's operating from BHX, MAN and EDI, gaining feed from Flybe.

I don't see it ever happening now but with the likes of AA, UA, EK and QR I don't think we need them

 

[Ray Finkle]

Good discussion but it's moved away from Vueling now so it can be continued on the Route Development Thread HERE

 

[Ray Finkle]

Barcelona sees an A321 tomorrow, is this the first one we've had?

Looking at next summer Barcelona goes up to 5x weekly from March 26th (last year it didn't go 5x weekly until May) and stays at that frequency until June, which is as far as the website currently allows.

At the moment Alicante is still 3x weekly and Tenerife 2x weekly, the same days of operation as this year. Malaga isn't bookable past March yet but I'd expect it to be more than the 2x weekly we'll see throughout winter.

Still early days so expect more changes.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Malaga has had an extra Thursday flight added for March next year making it 3x weekly (Tue, Thur and Sat).

It's not bookable past March yet.

 

[Brum X]

Vueling to close Brussels, Palermo and Catania bases, so will we see extra flights added to BHX now that they will have some spare aircraft.

I really hope so ?

 

[JENNYJET]

I am no expert on these matters but I can see no openings at BHX for Veuling unless it is a variance from Norwegian and Monarch but that said, if Monarch decides to relinquish routes for company stability reasons, then perhaps Vueling may be the rescue operation that preserves the services potentially lost...speculation of course folks!!

 

[nwoody2001]

Jennyjet ...there are 2 element I believe your hypothesies overlook ...firstly that Vueling in part is a niche airline, serving relatively small or niche Mediterranean airports that other large carriers don't. Secondly, there are plenty of routes Vueling serve that are not served from BHX, and even ones that are served, often don't have competition.

Vueling seem to have big plans for the Uk, I hope BHX is key in their minds regarding future plans!

BrumX ...there was a suggestion that whilst those airports were called 'bases' there were no actual units based there! Can you confirm??

 

[Jerry]

Vueling to close Brussels, Palermo and Catania bases, so will we see extra flights added to BHX now that they will have some spare aircraft.
I really hope so ?

They may start basing aircraft in the UK? They have bases all over western europe and the UK would be the next logical step as the UK market is pretty big even with the uncertainty of Brexit.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I thought that those airports weren't 'bases' as such but had flights from other airports operating through them?

All three only have 5/6 Vueling destinations with one or two of those seasonal. Maybe an aircraft or two will be freed up from elsewhere?

 

[Jerry]

.firstly that Vueling in part is a niche airline, serving relatively small or niche Mediterranean airports that other large carriers don't

Niche? Malaga, Alicante, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Palma de Mallorca, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Rome to name a few. Not niche markets. Vueling isn't a small airline it has over 100 aircraft and is the low cost carrier of IAG.

 

[nwoody2001]

Niche? Malaga, Alicante, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Palma de Mallorca, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Rome to name a few. Not niche markets. Vueling isn't a small airline it has over 100 aircraft and is the low cost carrier of IAG.

I said 'in part' ...I never at any point suggested it was a small airline, nor did I deny it flew to large/major airports!

 

[Brum X]

Jennyjet ...there are 2 element I believe your hypothesies overlook ...firstly that Vueling in part is a niche airline, serving relatively small or niche Mediterranean airports that other large carriers don't. Secondly, there are plenty of routes Vueling serve that are not served from BHX, and even ones that are served, often don't have competition.

Vueling seem to have big plans for the Uk, I hope BHX is key in their minds regarding future plans!

BrumX ...there was a suggestion that whilst those airports were called 'bases' there were no actual units based there! Can you confirm??

Sorry i just got the info from elsewhere so maybe not 100% accurate.

 

[jfy1999]

A few things suggest to me that something may be brewing.

There was a rumour a while ago that an airline (not Norwegian) currently operating out of BHX would be basing two aircraft here. About the same time, there was a rumour that an airline (presumably the same airline but not 100% sure) would be basing two aircraft at MAN.

Vueling are in the process of updating their S17 schedule out of MAN and some of the flight times now favour based aircraft. We'll see what happens

 

[Jerry]

A few things suggest to me that something may be brewing.

Also there was a post on the CWL thread that said Vueling were going to get 4 more A320's. Me personally I'm hoping 2 for MAN 1 for BHX and 1 for CWL! but we'll see.

 

[User001]

According to the timetable, BCN-BHX goes daily from 20th April.