Norwegian Air Shuttle

[Brum X]

Oslo and Stockholm would be most welcome, as would one or two others.

If BHX really are serious about emulating LGW's success in becoming a major base for Norwegian then they need to take note of this snippet from an interview with the Norwegian gaffer

“Only Gatwick’s flexibility and lower landing charges have allowed us to break into a transatlantic market..."

http://centreforaviation.com/members/di ... and-227673

Over to you Mr K.......

From what i can see, i would say that BHX are definately "flexible", you only have to see the raft of different airlines that operate from the airport, from Lufty to Ryanair. You wont get this at the LTN's and STN's of this world, however its gonna come down to the landing charges ???????

 

[jfy1999]

LTN and STN have dedicated themselves to low-cost flights on a massive scale and left the full-service carriers to London's other airports. BHX is the only airport for its city so it handles all sorts of carriers from long-haul to leisure to low-cost. But if we want growth and landing charges are in the way, what's stopping us from cutting the landing charges?!
There has to be a word to describe the situation when everyone seems to know what should be done except the poeple who are in charge...

 

[Ray Finkle]

But if we want growth and landing charges are in the way, what's stopping us from cutting the landing charges?!
There has to be a word to describe the situation when everyone seems to know what should be done except the poeple who are in charge...

I think that word may be profit!

I can't imagine shareholders are overly concerned about exciting new tails on the ramp, just that they are getting maximum returns for their investment.

 

[andyc941]

European low-cost carrier, Norwegian, has confirmed it will use its new Boeing 737MAX airliners to enhance its long-haul offering across the Atlantic alongside replacing it current Next-Generation 737 models and to grow its short-haul network from its increasing number of European bases.
Full Article http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/bre ... c-network/

Could be good news for BHX long haul.
Information has been gained from another forum Thank you.
.

 

[nwoody2001]

agreed..... especially reference to connecting their smaller European bases in the UK, Spain and France with US Destinations. Has BHX written all over it.

Norwegians 737Max start to come online in 2017. Growth at BHX may continue throughout 2016 (I hope) but it might be 2017 until we see any long-haul routes from Norwegian out of BHX?

 

[jfy1999]

2017 at the earliest: assuming that they would start long haul BHX ops in the first place and use the 737MAX, not the 787 which is the first thing that comes to mind when you think Norwegian Long Haul and has the range to fly to any destination in the USA from the UK.

The most urgently needed route is probably Orlando, but at 6,824km from BHX that's something like 400km further away than the 6,428km that the 737MAX can travel. The same goes for practically all the major transatlantic leisure destinations.

Which potential destinations would be close enough for the 737MAX?

 

[nwoody2001]

Indeed you are right, with the exception of New York (JFK), all other USA destinations currently served by Norweigen are indeed out of reach out of BHX. Bother other major North America Destinations that are in range are as follows:

Montreal ~ 5,100km
New York ~ 5,400km
Toronto ~ 5,500km
Philadelphia ~ 5,500km
Washington ~ 5,700km
Chicago ~6,200km

The ones that stick out to me there is Toronto, Chicago and Philadelphia, as well as New York. Now a) Norweigne have said they are looking to double the number of USA destinations they serve, so whats not to say those cities may be on Norweigens 'hit-list and b) not really a point for Norweigne, but with the 737 Max, transatlantic travel is a real option. after all, United and AA are in the process of getting rid of their 757s, and scared they may not be able to fill a wide body jet, the 737 max could be the solution. it could also help bring back into question the viability of other routes which have failed in the past, phili and Chicago being the obvious one!!!

However, 737 Max aside, I am pretty confident that we could fill a 788 daily to MCO in peak season from BHX.... Hopefully Norweigen will take the risk...

 

[Ray Finkle]

Interesting.

I'd say New York and Toronto have to be clear favourites. If those work out then the likes of Philly, Chicago, Washington and Boston may follow. Orlando and/or Las Vegas would need to be on a 787 but there would be no problem filling one to either of those destinations.

Lets pray long haul from BHX is in their thoughts.

 

[jfy1999]

If they start New York, Norwegian would be going up against two U.S. carriers from BHX, but they have no competition at LGW.

I don't think they serve YYZ yet although that could change. A BHX-YYZ route might shake some life into Air Transat who have been resting on their laurels.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Lets just hope we get a base in 2016.

Until we are a base I can't see any long haul.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I just noticed a Twitter conversation going on with Norwegian about the 737MAX and potential new routes. This caught my eye:

@Norwegian 2017 according to your CEO. Any new routes for MAN in 2016?

reply

I think not, but the Max is the game changer in many ways, looking forwards to that arriving

If that's accurate and there are to be no new routes for MAN then it's one less thing to be concerned about. The poster who is usually fairly knowledgeable about this airline seems to think growth will be at BHX and EDI next year, although I'm not sure how all those new Jet2 routes may affect EDI.

They do seem very excited about the Max though and with it being able to operate a mix of both long and short haul routes it could be the perfect fit for BHX.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Norwegian and BHX are 'working closely' but new routes for 2016 are dependent on aircraft deliveries. Let's hope Boeing can get them out in time.

 

[jfy1999]

It's all about that base, 'bout that base, or no travel...
It seems we're investing all our hopes in Norwegian. And it seems that so far we are being rewarded, not just by their routes but from the expansion they have forced out of our other carriers. And I, for once, am optimistic. Hearing that BHX are actually encouraging and working closely with Norwegian is music to my ears :rockon:

 

[Brum X]

It's all about that base, 'bout that base, or no travel...
It seems we're investing all our hopes in Norwegian. And it seems that so far we are being rewarded, not just by their routes but from the expansion they have forced out of our other carriers. And I, for once, am optimistic. Hearing that BHX are actually encouraging and working closely with Norwegian is music to my ears :rockon:

Just found this on the BHX Website Re: Ryanair that i found interesting but cant think what the 20 routes are though ??????

www.birminghamairport.co.uk


Scroll to the bottom of the page folks

Are Ryanair planning a mini expansion at BHX due to more routes from Norweigan ??????

 

[Ray Finkle]

I'm starting to get the feeling that a base is planned for next year, whether that will involve one or multiple aircraft we shall see. It seems to be down to aircraft deliveries now and whether there will be any available for BHX.

Incidentally in it's first month of operation Madrid averaged 141 pax which is a load factor of approx 75%. Given the fact that it's a new airline and the schedule is not exactly great I think this is an excellent start

Looking at the prices the Thursday and Sunday flights seem to be very highly priced or sold out but the Tuesday flight often seems to have very low fares. Hopefully it's done enough to survive into S16, it would be even better with an improved schedule.

 

[Brum X]

Lets hope so Ray, it will be great if BHX can get NAS, this is what we have been waiting for. I really hope though if we do get a base that they bring something new to BHX like some new city routes. Obviously boosting the BHX med/sun routes will be most welcome with a few more flights to places like Palma, and to some of the greek islands, i am hoping for some much needed European cities such as Oslo, Stockholm and Lisbon with much better frequencies to key cities such as Madrid as you have mentioned, maybe upto 4/5 weekly.


Lets hope it happens.

 

[Brum X]

I was also just thinking as they are obviously going to places like BHX and EDI, if they would give Flybe some domestic competion on this very popular and busy route, maybe twice daily between BHX and EDI ??????

 

[jfy1999]

Do they do UK domestic flights? Sounds like a new one to me. I don't think that's a niche that they have looked into before. But then their rival Ryanair seems to be doing nicely from Stansted with their flights to Glasgow and Edinburgh. I certainly think we can fill a couple daily 738s.

 

[Brum X]

Do they do UK domestic flights? Sounds like a new one to me. I don't think that's a niche that they have looked into before. But then their rival Ryanair seems to be doing nicely from Stansted with their flights to Glasgow and Edinburgh. I certainly think we can fill a couple daily 738s.

No they dont, but there is always a first. They might try something like this.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I think twice a day between BHX and EDI could work, BMIBaby operated to Scotland alongside Flybe. It depends on whether a peak time morning departure may be more profitable on another route rather than domestic.

If we are lucky enough to get a base I think more sun routes are inevitable. They're the easiest to sell and will hopefully help to continue building brand awareness in the region. I also think the existing routes may see changes too. Malaga could probably go 5x weekly over the summer, Tenerife possibly 3x weekly, Gran Canaria at least 2x weekly and Madrid could do with a better schedule, a Monday flight would be so much better than Tuesday.

I guess it'll come down to how many aircraft they base (if they do) and what adjustments could be made with the away based flights. I think we all have a long list of Euro cities we'd love to see them start but if they only base one aircraft they may not be possible :smile: