Beijing Capital Airlines

[Jon Dempsey]

Similar to the crap printed in their sister paper, the MEN.

 

[Brum X]

Similar to the rubbish printed in their sister paper, the MEN.

They are as bad as each other.

Anyway back to topic.

 

[User001]

Beijing Capital have today confirmed they will start Hangzhou to Madrid on Dec 28th.

What has that got to do with BHX?

Well, they applied to serve HGH-MAD in Oct with an Dec start, it means the application to serve the route matches what they have confirmed. The application to serve CPH also matched the start date.

This means that it seems Beijing Capital follow through with applications to the letter, so, an April start for their BHX flights is highly likely. (In the sense that they could have asked to start the route from April but not actuall start till say, June, if you get what I mean).

 

[nwoody2001]

Do we know how long the season for Madrid runs for?

 

[User001]

I think it's a full year round service from what I can see.

It's hard to make out the operation time, as you cannot book the tickets directly, only via Caissa tours.

 

[nwoody2001]

oh that is promising then.. up until now BCA have focused on short 2-month seasons but if it is all year round then that could be promising for BHX... fingers crossed!

 

[User001]

Well, like I say, part of the issue is that the start time is easy to find, but, the length of season is harder to find.

I would imagine at the least, based on previous seasons from BHX, I would be surprised if it was not April-Sept at the least. After all, the peak season seems to be centred around August, so, surely wouldn't finish before that.

My personal exceptions for the routes would be Beijing April-Oct and Hangzhou April-end of August, given its a newer route, untried from the UK so open to more risk.

Due to weather, and what the tourists are coming to see on the tours, I don't expect a year round route until it can be moved to a scheduled basis.

 

[Brum X]

This one will be an interesting one to watch. Thanks for the info. :good:

 

[nwoody2001]

interestingly, I noticed in the news today that the CAAC have granted permission for Air China to serve the MAN-Shanghai route. This was submitted for approval a few weeks after the BHX applications to Beijing and (the other place in China) ...Firstly I wonder why the delay compared to the MAN application, but shows we should be expecting an answer soon!?!?!

 

[Ray Finkle]

I was under the impression that discussions are being had about the frequencies so there is the potential for an amendment to the application. It may well stay as it is but I wouldn't be surprised to see Beijing at 2x weekly.

 

[IanFarquharson]

I am hearing rumours that we should have some positive news soon !

 

[nwoody2001]

you tease... but hopefully we wont have to wait long!

 

[IanFarquharson]

Beijing Capital at BHX yesterday so expect something to be confirmed soon !

 

[nwoody2001]

good things come to those who wait! . Last years charter program was 2x weekly through July and August. This was a major leap in capacity from the 3 week season in 2014 so be interesting to see what we get this year? a bigger season, a new destination, a scheduled service... lets just wait and see.

 

[Hassaan]

Has a deal been done (or nearing) in a permanent China link? Because I think most charter programmes have been successful enough.

 

[IanFarquharson]

Expected an announcement very soon !

 

[Paulsstrange]

Expected an announcement very soon !

I hope so but we have been told this for last month next week has to be the week surely ??

 

[Brum X]

I wonder if they will serve Beijing and Hangzhou as per the previous proposal ??

Still quite a coup for BHX to have a chinese destination that no other airport in the UK serves.

 

[Ray Finkle]

From Mr Kehoe's Twitter.

so when are the direct flights to beijing with capital airlines starting


please wait for news. BCA will advise.

 

[Brum X]

It sounds promising, his tone of voice.

I think we will hear some news on this route sometime this week, as you say summer is fast approaching and seats need to be sold.