Norwegian Air Shuttle

[nwoody2001]

i suppose with the growth of Norwegian, Vuelling and Wizz, and even the old favourites of Ryanair and Easyjet, the one things we can confirm is that these are anything but predictable....

Norwegian, 6-12 months ago, the dead certs for bases where Birmingham, Paris and Berlin, the first base, announced only 6 weeks before its launch is Rome, a city never on the list...

Vuelling, 6-12 month ago, Manchester was the dead cert for a base, and then out of the blue, they announce 3 new multiple daily routes out of Luton, another curve ball no-one expected in bed with their main competitors!!!

And who'd have thought 6-12 months ago, who would have thought BHX would attract WIZZ, let alone 6 routes and 14 weekly flights!!!!

Just a case of having to watch this space and see what growth these airlines have in mind for BHX, the good thing is that al seem committed to growth at BHX, though more on a modest year by year instead of just announcing a base!

 

[IanFarquharson]

Still no BHX flights loaded for Winter 16/17

LGW flights are all loaded

Getting slightly nervous about them are they giving in to Vueling ?

 

[Ray Finkle]

EDI's flights aren't loaded either if that makes you feel any better :smile:

Norwegian do tend to leave things later than the rest. I think last year we were well further along than this and all wondering if some routes had been dropped?

 

[IanFarquharson]

Ray

I am sure that you are right just me getting nervous when we see an airline like Vueling expanding (when no one expected them too) and an airline we all had high hopes for (Norwegian) going very quiet.

I am sure we will hear something soon but there was a suggestion one airline on BCN would drop the route.

Ian

 

[Ray Finkle]

I feel the same way, just trying to keep the faith :smile:

Mr Kehoe did say that they were doing well and would add more if it continued so I guess there's some hope there.

Agree about Vueling, it seems to have come from nowhere.

The big question is with Vueling pushing forward, Monarch growing with suggestions of alot more to come, Ryanair adding new routes, Flybe expanding and Wizz cleaning up to Eastern Europe, are Easyjet finally taking some serious notice?

 

[Paulsstrange]

I think it will be just fine. Dare i suggest Norweigan even add capacity and are finalising EDI and BHX schedules ...theres are left field thought :crazy:

Ian is right to get nervous but think we are ok.

Ray ..that old chestnut again. My opinion no chance of EZY base. I think with wizz flybe vueling norweigan (hopefully) monarch ryanair etc mostly all growing they may hsve missed the boat. I partially dont want them id rather airlines like Iberia Czech etc to bed in...

 

[thunderchild]

What's frustrating about Norwegian and Vueling is that they are pretty much competing with each other on routes that are already well served. I'd like to think they are both playing the long game and building up brand awareness on the popular bucket and spade routes before getting a bit bolder and branching out.

Scandinavia is virtually there for the taking for Norwegian and Vueling have a decent presence in the likes of Florence, Seville etc which would be welcome additions to the BHX portfolio. While expansion in any form is not to be moaned at it would be nice to see some unserved destInations added to the mix.

 

[Paulsstrange]

What's frustrating about Norwegian and Vueling is that they are pretty much competing with each other on routes that are already well served. I'd like to think they are both playing the long game and building up brand awareness on the popular bucket and spade routes before getting a bit bolder and branching out.

Scandinavia is virtually there for the taking for Norwegian and Vueling have a decent presence in the likes of Florence, Seville etc which would be welcome additions to the BHX portfolio. While expansion in any form is not to be moaned at it would be nice to see some unserved destInations added to the mix.

I couldnt agree more. Id love to see more new destinations...

 

[Ray Finkle]

Apparently Palma is to be the next base for Norwegian. If that's true then I'd like to think that Birmingham is in for a shout, even for a summer only service?

 

[Ray Finkle]

I've had a read back through this thread to gauge when winter went on sale last year.

Malaga going on sale for winter was reported here on April 29th. I seem to remember checking regularly as I've booked a flight on it myself so it would be pretty accurate.

After much fretting from us all winter flights to Barcelona and Madrid then didn't go on sale until May 12th.

Las Palmas and Tenerife were also both announced on May 12th for winter.

So still plenty of time for winter to be released and if we're really, really lucky maybe even a new route :smile:

For info, Madrid and Malaga became bookable for part of S16 on July 8th. The Malaga full schedule became available on 23rd August. Tenerife, Barcelona and Gran Canaria were released on 8th September. Extra frequencies were then added to Madrid, Barcelona and Las Palmas over the coming months.

They do tend to leave things later than the others.

 

[Brum X]

Im confident that over the coming months, Norweigan will release W16/17 from BHX. As you say it would be a nice bonus if we got a new route or two.

 

[User001]

This news is generic to BHX/EDI/MAN, but, as this forum gets the most debate, I'll post here.

Apparently Norwegian have pretty much maxed out their LGW slots for this summer, and almost the same story for W16/17 too. This means they are having to look elsewhere for expansion, hence the hasty addition of MAN-Spain and a new route to EDI.

This could be part of the reason W16/17 is not on sale from BHX, as it could be that Norwegian are looking at their other 3 UK airports on what to do next.

LGW is now pretty much full for all carriers, hence why Atlantic star have had to move their St. Helena operation to LTN as well as Vueling opening up LTN (they originally wanted to operate their LTN routes from LGW). Virgin, Easyjet, Vueling and Norwegian are all now having to look elsewhere to expand. There are still a few slots up for grabs, but, apparently nothing worthwhile.

In other words, it could be a real 'watch this space' situation.

 

[nwoody2001]

well I heard that MAN is to be on the receiving end of another 4-6 routes for W16/17 from Norwegian but what impact that will have on both BHX and EDI I have no idea.

I must admit being a little perplexed by the recent MAN announcement. I understand the Malaga and Alicante routes, but then they announce MAN-BCN at a pitiful 2x weekly for a summer season up against 5 (?) other airlines which offer much great capacity. Don't get me wrong, this is not a dig at MAN, obviously I'd love the extra capacity to have come to BHX, but it just goes to show how hard they are to predict. Not many airlines would announce new routes just 6 weeks before they start!

User001 has a point though, if the recent announcement is anything to go by, it shows that there is no way of predicting what DY have up their sleeve. we have 13x weekly flights out of DY this summer which is significant growth compared to last summer, so maybe they will want to see how well these perform before they add more routes? only time will tell..

 

[User001]

I too was surprised at them announcing MAN-BCN. The capacity and carrier variety on that route this summer is just crazy. I totally get the Malaga and Alicante logic, as this are guaranteed money makers this summer, the airlines on those routes cannot get the capacity in quick enough to keep up with demand.

It will be interesting to hear what routes you have heard for MAN Woody, as I have heard a few routes too, so, will be interesting to see if they tally up (mindful this is a BHX thread, but like I say, seems to generate more discussion than the MAN threads although it is getting better).

Norwegian typically play their cards close to their chests however. Out of all the routes they announced to BHX/MAN/EDI, not once did I see a credible solid rumour complete with flight numbers and times on any forum before the route was launched (the only exception I've seen to this rule was that the slots for MAN-AGP/ALC were showing on the ACL but BCN wasn't and no times/days/ flight numbers were shown), so, shows they are good at keeping things under wraps.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there User001, after reading your point about virgin, easyjet and Norwegian airshuttle may now have to look at other airports for further expansion, after plotting there routes at LGW, so let's pray, that all three, that's virgin, easyjet and Norwegian aircraft finally decide with a good deal offered by the airport to start up those important new routes needed to help Birminghams expansion, but increase its flights further, so let's hope that good luck is with Birmingham this time round with virgin, easyjet and Norwegian air shuttle , and hopefully announcement s with come before the end of the year , ready for start next year.....Andyc

 

[Ray Finkle]

Two Norwegians in quick succession tomorrow morning with D8 5506 from Barcelona due at 10:15 with D8 6058 due 5 mins later.

A few changes for summer.

Barcelona - Now 3x weekly on Tue (19:35), Thur (18:35) and Sun (10:15)
Madrid - Will be 4x weekly from June on Tue (09:10), Wed (19:15), Thur (10:30) and Sun (10:20)
Malaga - Back to 3x weekly Mon, Fri (both 17:45 arrival) and Sat (08:45)
Tenerife - 2x weekly Mon (15:30) and Fri (18:35)
Gran Canaria - Weekly until Oct but changes to a Thur (16:30)

 

[Daza]

Norwegian add a Malaga rotation for Summer AGP is now up to 4 per week with the addition of a Wednesday flight from June. Bookable now.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Excellent news.

Malaga and Tenerife are now bookable for winter. Both 2x weekly and both on Mon and Fri.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Some very encouraging words from William Pearson 🙂


Norwegian marks first anniversary at Birmingham with 30,000 seats on sale from £29.90

Low-cost airline Norwegian is marking its one year anniversary since taking off from Birmingham Airport for the first time by increasing flights to Malaga for the summer and putting on sale the first of its winter flights for 2016 from £29.90 today.

Norwegian is the fastest growing airline at Birmingham Airport having launched more new routes than any other airline over the past year. Over 125,000 passengers have flown Norwegian to five destinations from Birmingham - Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga and since November, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

From June, Norwegian will increase its service to Malaga with four weekly flights in time for the summer getaway. Flights to Malaga and Tenerife are on sale first for the winter as Norwegian continues its huge expansion in the UK. Holidaymakers can also benefit from free inflight Wi-Fi on brand new aircraft keeping passengers connected at 35,000ft.

Thomas Ramdahl, Chief Commercial Officer at Norwegian said: “Our first year at Birmingham has flown by and has seen Norwegian become the fastest growing carrier at the airport. Our unique combination of high quality, low fares and free Wi-Fi is setting us apart as passengers in Birmingham continue to take advantage of our services. With a huge catchment of passengers in the West Midlands, we’re helping holidaymakers take off with affordable flights now on sale.”

William Pearson, Aviation Development Director at Birmingham Airport said: “Norwegian has excelled at Birmingham Airport over the last year. This rapid expansion has earned Norwegian the title of our fastest growing airline. This is not surprising as Norwegian offers an excellent and affordable product to passengers combined with a growing choice of popular Spanish destinations including Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

“We congratulate the airline on its outstanding 12 months here and we look forward to seeing further exciting new routes and services. We are confident that Norwegian will go from strength-to-strength and continue seeing increasing demand from passengers for seats on its expanding list of top destinations.”

Norwegian first launched flights from Birmingham in March 2015 and has grown to become the 16th largest airline operating at Birmingham Airport.

http://media.norwegian.com/en/#/pre...ith-30-000-seats-on-sale-from-ps29-90-1355865

 

[Brum X]

That does sound very encouraging indeed. Great to see Norweigan increase AGP to X 4 weekly 🙂