Emirates

[Ray Finkle]

Alternatively if Qatar ever decide to use a larger aircraft and/or increase frequency I think that would probably end all chances of ever seeing the 3rd daily flight return.

Or it may prompt Emirates to fight fire with fire.

Back in 2005 when Gulf Air announced flights from Bahrain to BHX Emirates added their second daily flight and saw them off. The rumour was that Emirates planned to start A380 ops into Birmingham in the October but as we now know, they ended up starting within a day of Qatar's inaugural service. They also have a similar history at other airports, with Scotland possibly the most recent example.

I don't know what may or may not happen but Emirates don't appear to be an airline that rolls over easily.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there all, after Virgin have now stated that they won't be commencing long haul flights from Birmingham now, tells me that the only airline that could do long haul from Birmingham Airport is Emirates, whether they could be persuaded to trial a 777-300 to either jfk or Newark well have to wait and see... Andyc

 

[RichL]

I never thought Virgin was ever on the cards?

More chance of winning the lottery.

 

[58terminus]

Hi there all, after Virgin have now stated that they won't be commencing long haul flights from Birmingham now, tells me that the only airline that could do long haul from Birmingham Airport is Emirates,

Emirates, Air India, TUI, Pakistan.Would you not class these as long haul?

 

[IanFarquharson]

Hi there all, after Virgin have now stated that they won't be commencing long haul flights from Birmingham now, tells me that the only airline that could do long haul from Birmingham Airport is Emirates, whether they could be persuaded to trial a 777-300 to either jfk or Newark well have to wait and see... Andyc

Why would Emirates fly to the US from BHX when they fly direct from Dubai ?
More chance of Virgin !

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there Ian, Virgin have just said in a statement, that they won't do long haul from bhx, only Manchester or Gatwick, so who's Birmingham Airports only option to do long haul then... Andyc

 

[Coathanger16]

Actually all Virgin have said about long haul is that they would offer “more choice for customers through improved connectivity between UK regional airports and Virgin Atlantic’s extensive long-haul network, particularly at London Heathrow and Manchester Airports.” (Note Heathrow not Gatwick - Flybe don't even operate from Gatwick!)

They haven't said they would operate long haul from BHX and nor have they said they definitely won't. I'd wait until we know more about what will happen to Flybe's largest (or second largest?) base under the Virgin brand before making any guesses about whether Virgin will end up doing long haul from BHX.

so who's Birmingham Airports only option to do long haul then...

I'm not sure if you're suggesting that BHX currently doesn't have any long haul flights, or if its your opinion that Emirates is BHX's only option for TATL long haul. If it's the former then may I direct you to @58terminus post:

Emirates, Air India, TUI, Pakistan.Would you not class these as long haul?

Plus Qatar I might add (and hopefully Turkmenistan soon as well).

If it was the latter, Emirates doing TATL from BHX is nothing more than a pipe dream. They already operate direct Dubai to NYC flights as well as some via other European cities. What does launching BHX to NYC do for Emirates? There's plenty of other destinations they could use an aircraft on that would help grow its Dubai hub further. A BHX to NYC flight wouldn't help with that at all.

BHX's only options IMO are either JetBlue (a number of years away with London only launching in 2021), or as mentioned somewhere on one of the forums a link from Delta to one of their hubs. A few years ago that was nothing more than a dream, but I think if Virgin keep the Flybe base at BHX at or around its current size, and assuming Flybe customers stay loyal to the new brand, that's a sizeable pool for Delta to target.

I appreciate this is the Emirates thread and this post has encompassed more than just Emirates, so sorry for drifting slightly.

 

[Angie88]

Actually all Virgin have said about long haul is that they would offer “more choice for customers through improved connectivity between UK regional airports and Virgin Atlantic’s extensive long-haul network, particularly at London Heathrow and Manchester Airports.” (Note Heathrow not Gatwick - Flybe don't even operate from Gatwick!)

They haven't said they would operate long haul from BHX and nor have they said they definitely won't. I'd wait until we know more about what will happen to Flybe's largest (or second largest?) base under the Virgin brand before making any guesses about whether Virgin will end up doing long haul from BHX.



I'm not sure if you're suggesting that BHX currently doesn't have any long haul flights, or if its your opinion that Emirates is BHX's only option for TATL long haul. If it's the former then may I direct you to @58terminus post:



Plus Qatar I might add (and hopefully Turkmenistan soon as well).

If it was the latter, Emirates doing TATL from BHX is nothing more than a pipe dream. They already operate direct Dubai to NYC flights as well as some via other European cities. What does launching BHX to NYC do for Emirates? There's plenty of other destinations they could use an aircraft on that would help grow its Dubai hub further. A BHX to NYC flight wouldn't help with that at all.

BHX's only options IMO are either JetBlue (a number of years away with London only launching in 2021), or as mentioned somewhere on one of the forums a link from Delta to one of their hubs. A few years ago that was nothing more than a dream, but I think if Virgin keep the Flybe base at BHX at or around its current size, and assuming Flybe customers stay loyal to the new brand, that's a sizeable pool for Delta to target.

I appreciate this is the Emirates thread and this post has encompassed more than just Emirates, so sorry for drifting slightly.

Sorry but the idea of Virgin starting TATL at BHX is better best forgotten. The whole purpose of purchasing Flybe was to strengthen there existing long haul bases by better connecting the regional UK airports to their current operating bases. BHX does not fit into this plan at all as neither Heathrow or MAN are connected by Flybe to BHX. If Virgin had a strategy for Birmingham this would have been hinted at or announced as part of the takeover. I genuinely believe Flybe’s network from BHX will gradually shrink over the next 2 years as it becomes even more apparent to the virgin management team that these routes (offering no connections to Virgin bases) just doesn’t fit into the connect strategy.

I agree Emirates are not going to start TATL from BHX but neither are Virgin. I do agree with you though that this is now down to Jetblue, maybe Norwegian or possibly a new airline entering the market.

 

[Jerry]

I genuinely believe Flybe’s network from BHX will gradually shrink over the next 2 years as it becomes even more apparent to the virgin management team that these routes (offering no connections to Virgin bases) just doesn’t fit into the connect strategy.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Connections wise there isn't a lot more that they can do at MAN or LHR especially UK wise. Flybe as a company will have to make a profit and give a return to it's investors especially Cyrus the major shareholders and some of their most profitable routes are at BHX I'm led to believe.

 

[JENNYJET]

If using available 5th Freedom rights, any extension maybe possible but it may not be the moneypot that is NYC. My preference has always been for a regular link to Washington, an alternate option if route constraints exist at New York. Also a guaranteed tourist trap.



An existing exotic using BHX is perhaps a better bait to encourage the American big hitters to consider muscle in upon a lucrative set up.

May I suggest perhaps Turkish or another exotic given that BA have no interest. the honest outcome is the Dreamliner and the A350 etc., intermediate technical stopovers are becoming unnecessary except for crew rotations and that maybe another reason to deploy robotics and automations yet to be realised.

 

[Angie88]

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Connections wise there isn't a lot more that they can do at MAN or LHR especially UK wise. Flybe as a company will have to make a profit and give a return to it's investors especially Cyrus the major shareholders and some of their most profitable routes are at BHX I'm led to believe.

I see your point but If they are willing to give up some of their most profitable routes (ie Amsterdam/Paris) I can’t see how connecting BHX to Europe can be the focus for Virgin. Im confident the aim isn’t to make money from connecting people to Virgin bases either, it’s the increase in passengers to onward destinations using Virgin which is at the heart of this. As was the plan anyway at Flybe, it’s a ‘shrink to success’ strategy

 

[Jerry]

I see your point but If they are willing to give up some of their most profitable routes (ie Amsterdam/Paris) I can’t see how connecting BHX to Europe can be the focus for Virgin. Im confident the aim isn’t to make money from connecting people to Virgin bases either, it’s the increase in passengers to onward destinations using Virgin which is at the heart of this. As was the plan anyway at Flybe, it’s a ‘shrink to success’ strategy

They were given no choice to surrender those slots. Cyrus will be interested in a return on their investment nothing else.

 

[hammerb32]

I see your point but If they are willing to give up some of their most profitable routes (ie Amsterdam/Paris) I can’t see how connecting BHX to Europe can be the focus for Virgin. Im confident the aim isn’t to make money from connecting people to Virgin bases either, it’s the increase in passengers to onward destinations using Virgin which is at the heart of this. As was the plan anyway at Flybe, it’s a ‘shrink to success’ strategy

I'd be surprised is CDG and AMS were amongst their more profitable routes, those routes with business heavy demand will be the crown jewels, AMS in particular is a leisure orientated route.

 

[Matt995]

arnt we going off topic here, thought this was the Emirates thread, why we discussing Virgin & Flybe?? **confused**

 

[Vinny94]

This topic again??
Like i said before, it makes little to no sense for Emirates to launch a BHX to US route.
Nor do I ever see Virgin doing long haul from BHX because LHR and MAN.
All I'm hoping here is that Flybe does well under management from Virgin Atlantic and that they don't trim or cut many routes.

 

[IanFarquharson]

Looking at annual pax figures BHX-DXB

2018 = 710,517
2017 = 744,477
2016 = 704,632
2015 = 610,649
2014 = 527,859
2013 = 499,573
2012 = 473,757
2011 = 499,973
2010 = 497,362
2009 = 436,761
2008 = 395,164
2007 = 369,990
2006 = 308,825
2005 = 231,462
2004 = 186,773
2003 = 164,999
2002 = 162,823
2001 = 122,208
2000 = 3,851

 

[Matt995]

looks llike it might be a while before we see BHX regular A380 A6-EOP back at the drome

https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/...eriously-damaged-during-a-maintenance-mishap/

 

[RichL]

That'll buff out

 

[nbdm]

Interesting video interview with Sir Tim Clark (Emirates President) and mentions how well their regional airports including Birmingham and its current investment, are doing.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...rk-on-the-vital-role-the-uk-plays-for-460720/

 

[Ray Finkle]

Interesting video interview with Sir Tim Clark (Emirates President) and mentions how well their regional airports including Birmingham and its current investment, are doing.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...rk-on-the-vital-role-the-uk-plays-for-460720/

It's good to see him being so positive about the UK and not just mentioning London

There is a little warning shot however in that if airports want to see growth they need to invest, lets hope that what BHX have lined up will be enough.