British Airways Cityflyer

[nancledre]

Karl, how dare you even consider such a thought. Methinks you are correct though!

 

[HPsauce]

Good grief!!. Must be a mistake surely!. Seriously though, it means we are still in the dark depths of their thoughts. Obviously they will be competing with Aer Lingus or Emerald?? on this route. Traffic levels should be decent and would warrant this level of competition. However, with EI being in the same group, IAG, will they still compete?. Good news nevertheless for BHX.

 

[Brummiegem]

Funny, i could have sworn somebody said there was a 'ZERO CHANCE' of BAW returning to BHX.

In all seriousness though it does raise a question, 'WHY NOW?'.

The return of FlyBe, may be one reason.Wasn't BHD one of the original FlyBe standout performing routes?
Will this new service replace the current Aer Lingus route?
Possibly as there is probably no point in both carriers operating the route.
What about easyJet?
Remember easyJet came onto the BFS route before the FlyBe situation deteriorated,so possibly room for two airlines on the route,be it serving different airports.
However, will it encourage easyJet to increase it's offering?

This is a rather surprising developement in my opinion,and may not really be needed at the moment.Maybe as travel restrictions get lifted,and it becomes easier to plan flights then having a choice on certain routes will have it's benefits.

Too much, too soon?

Whatever the reasons,this is going to be an interesting watch.

I'd be interested to hear other members thoughts on this.
Is it a surprise to others?

 

[CM.]

This is a rather surprising developement in my opinion,and may not really be needed at the moment.Maybe as travel restrictions get lifted,and it becomes easier to plan flights then having a choice on certain routes will have it's benefits.

But remember it’s a domestic route and domestic staycations have boomed because of restrictions travelling abroad. So I’m sure there will be room for both Aer Lingus and BA to do BHD.

BHX-Belfast must do well enough otherwise they wouldn’t take that risk.

 

[Brummiegem]

But remember it’s a domestic route and domestic staycations have boomed because of restrictions travelling abroad. So I’m sure there will be room for both Aer Lingus and BA to do BHD.

BHX-Belfast must do well enough otherwise they wouldn’t take that risk.

I did say that there was possibly room for two airlines on the route. Belfast City or International have always been popular from BHX.
However ,what happens when more familiar resorts become available again.Will the staycation trend continue?

 

[Ray Finkle]

I think we'll find that this may well be replacing Aer Lingus, great to see them back though

 

[rollo]

Immediate thoughts are they will be substituting for Aer Lingus until Emerald are up and running and meanwhile profitable use of idle aircraft all with the aim of keeping the revenue in the IAG group and any competitors away as EasyJet from BFS is more than enough.

Either way good to see them back.

 

[Poshgirl]

Having read the different posts since the announcement, I'm surprised but not.

If there isn't the volume of business travellers from LCY then why not try something different. After all, idle aircraft don't make any money!

Thought I could corks popping in the BHX boardroom earlier....

 

[Llandudno]

I suspect too that is will be just BA Cityflyer on the route as the BA7324/7325 is almost identical to the EI314/315 and can’t see them both operating like that.

 

[IanFarquharson]

Funny, i could have sworn somebody said there was a 'ZERO CHANCE' of BAW returning to BHX.

In all seriousness though it does raise a question, 'WHY NOW?'.

The return of FlyBe, may be one reason.Wasn't BHD one of the original FlyBe standout performing routes?
Will this new service replace the current Aer Lingus route?
Possibly as there is probably no point in both carriers operating the route.
What about easyJet?
Remember easyJet came onto the BFS route before the FlyBe situation deteriorated,so possibly room for two airlines on the route,be it serving different airports.
However, will it encourage easyJet to increase it's offering?

This is a rather surprising developement in my opinion,and may not really be needed at the moment.Maybe as travel restrictions get lifted,and it becomes easier to plan flights then having a choice on certain routes will have it's benefits.

Too much, too soon?

Whatever the reasons,this is going to be an interesting watch.

I'd be interested to hear other members thoughts on this.
Is it a surprise to others?

100% of BA mainline I was referring too this is Citiflyer !
Great news at 16pw
And yes replaces Aer Lingus on the route

 

[JENNYJET]

Yes!! A good recovery from Ian. BA are seemingly running the Lufthansa model, Mainline and Cityline comes to mind as does a recent muttering about a slimmed back product by BA with differing terms and conditions for the deployed crews.

I am, of course, open to being corrected.

 

[Ryan Kirkpatrick]

I booked the 2nd flight on the 31st October.. I will likely fly the route for a while saves me going to London to get Tier points. But looks like BA will be the only one doing the route as Aer Lingus might to pull the route soon as the winter season in Dublin kicks in. Will this last? I seen a lot of people thinking BA will do a Southampton with BHX and add new summer routes in 2022.... Ya I don't think don't get me wrong I would love for BA to add new routes to BHX Domestic or European but once Emerald Airlines starts at BHD BA will leave BHX once again .. I hope BA & Emerald could have as code share between BHX to Belfast.

 

[KJAY 786]

It is great news that BA are flying the flag to Birmingham hope they expand Birmingham sector to more routes - fingers crossed - well-done BHX

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there all, shocked and surprised at the news about British Airways, buyt very cautious about this tactical move they are making. I have my reservations about this, so next we'll here about virgin Atlantic making an announcement, sorry guys, I don't buy this set up from British Airways at all ...AndyC

 

[JENNYJET]

Perhaps Caribbean route for Virgin? As likely as me joining the Priesthood at The Vatican!

 

[CM.]

I’m not getting the issue with BA being at BHX. I’d of thought (if BHX was my local) that I’d be happy to see them back at Birmingham. Regardless if it’s the Cityflyer or Mainline.

BA Cityflyer will be doing all the BHD flights now. Weather people like it or not. You also have the option of using Easyjet to BFS if BA doesn’t satisfy you for BHD

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Hi there all, shocked and surprised at the news about British Airways, buyt very cautious about this tactical move they are making. I have my reservations about this, so next we'll here about virgin Atlantic making an announcement, sorry guys, I don't buy this set up from British Airways at all ...AndyC

I think you are right to be cautious. It will happen, but I see it as a stop gap service until Emerald are set up. I can't see two IAG airlines on this route.

Kevin

 

[rollo]

I’m not getting the issue with BA being at BHX. I’d of thought (if BHX was my local) that I’d be happy to see them back at Birmingham. Regardless if it’s the Cityflyer or Mainline.

Not so much an issue but more cynicism given the history.

British Airways operated for nearly 60 years in one form or another BEA,BOAC, Airtours, BA etc before pulling the plug leaving a bitter taste as the airport had very much hung its hat on them building a dedicated terminal the Eurohub exclusively for BA who also part funded it and developed a substantial European/UK network and a daily JFK service for a few years.

The airport also in support of BA backed away from the lo cost revolution notably not moving to try and get BAs newly formed lo carrier Go to set up a base having being invited to tender. Go went to Bristol later sold to EasyJet and the rest is history given the size of the Bristol Easyjet operation.

The airport has since struggled to obtain a large lo cost airline set up a substantial base as they have picked elsewhere around the UK although they now have a decent portfolio with Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz although nothing like say Stansted, Luton, Manchester or Bristol.

Long memories in this part of the world regarding British Airways although most the UK is neglected by them unless they have a domestic service to LHR.

After all that I'm happy to see them back but suspect it's a temporary move.

 

[IanFarquharson]

I understand BACF will replace EIN on BHX-BHD and remain on the route and Emerald will not serve BHX.

Good news

 

[KARFA]

Emerald won't start until 2023 so surely it's a bit early to predict where they will and won't serve?