Route Development & Rumours

[Brum X]

Regardless of the rights and wrongs I fear the uncertainty of the Brexit situation will make people and companies hold back until the position becomes clearer. This could take several years during which time the growth in passenger traffic is likely to stall and numbers might even fall.

It could be a repeat of 2008.

Well the only way to make sure that this doesn't happen if for us to keep booking our holidays and flights. Life indeed will carry on and im pleased to say that I am back at my work desk as I write this and everything looks the same, the weather is the same and ive got a lovely cuppa.

 

[Ray Finkle]

BHX was in line to gain another based airline next year, I've been told today that things are now 'on hold'. I really hope that it's not true and the base goes ahead, even if it's reduced somewhat.

Bad news, especially with Ryanair suggesting that UK expansion will scaled back.

 

[Ashley]

Pity indeed, it could have been quite a substantial base.

 

[thunderchild]

I believe it was EasyJet. Bad timing or what? BHX really does have the worst luck at times.

 

[Ray Finkle]

It is/was Easyjet and was due to be a decent base.

Terrible timing

 

[Paulsstrange]

To be fair easyjet messed us around for long enough and they are at it again. it may be a blessing in disguise as we would have lost half our full service carriers given time.

 

[Paulsstrange]

Jet 2 on the other hand I would welcome to bulk up the med routes

 

[User001]

I've heard Norwegian are putting on hold all 3 UK new bases (MAN/BHX/EDI) due to the already complex rights they have and the uncertainty at the moment. Won't be until 2019 at earliest now for all 3.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Jet 2 on the other hand I would welcome to bulk up the med routes

We now just have to hope that the Jet2 rumours are:

A) True

B) Still in their plans, they do have alot of deliveries happening

Both Vueling and Wizz had new routes planned for 2017, I wonder if these will still go ahead or whether they too will be put 'on hold'.

 

[Brum X]

Oh no this is terrible news, not what we wanted at all if indeed true.
Easyjet base and where did that come from, i cant remember seeing that one as a possible rumour ??
Just as i felt more positive today at work for Britain's future we are already seeing investment into Birmingham put "ON HOLD" and next it could be all the hard work and money spent on HS2 again put "ON HOLD"
This is very frustrating indeed

 

[IanFarquharson]

I've heard Norwegian are putting on hold all 3 UK new bases (MAN/BHX/EDI) due to the already complex rights they have and the uncertainty at the moment. Won't be until 2019 at earliest now for all 3.

I am not convinced this is correct with regard BHX as they are suggestions they are operating from T2 unless this is just the existing small number of flights. I am confident we will see a BHX base inc longhaul in 2017. I cannot believe BREXIT makes much difference and airlines have to base new planes somewhere.

 

[User001]

Can I just check this Easyjet rumour.

Someone put on the dried fruit forum that a 6 aircraft base for one UK regional due to open May 2017 airport has been put on hold (by a user called EGCC)

Then, it then transpires on several BHX forums that a 6 aircraft Easyjet base has been postponed.

Now, I know for a fact where user EGCC got his info from, and his info was actually about the Norwegian base at Manchester. Was due to be 4 B737 and 2 B787.

So, is the Easyjet base rumour putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5? I'm just checking that there hasn't been a rumour of an Easyjet base, then seeing that post and thinking it's the Easyjet base on hold?

 

[User001]

I am not convinced this is correct with regard BHX as they are suggestions they are operating from T2 unless this is just the existing small number of flights. I am confident we will see a BHX base inc longhaul in 2017. I cannot believe BREXIT makes much difference and airlines have to base new planes somewhere.

I have no reason to doubt my source Ian.

The rumours for MAN were just as strong, if not stronger for MAN, down to stand plans, check in desks, offices, on sale dates, routes, prices, the lot. And now it's been pulled.

BREXIT has made all of the difference. As said, Norwegian already have very complicated rights issues. Why do you think there is the furore of UK regional long haul needs special permissions from the US DOT yet Gatwick runs fine? The fact we now have br exit means that at some point, someone will need to sit down and make sure all the bilaterals work and continue the way we need them to. It could take days, it could take months, but, Norwegian have said that they don't want to set up a base just to have to jump through many hoops to keep it going again.

And yes, planes have to be based somewhere, and that will now be outside the UK.

People saying BREXIT will have no/little affect on aviation need to get their heads out of the sand quite frankly. Yes, it will level out in the end, but the damage caused in the short term is going to be painful.

 

[IanFarquharson]

User 001 - EZY have been a major target for BHX for years and have come close on a number of occasions however the routes they want to operate include well established routes and naturally BHX don't want them taking traffic away from existing operators. The rumour on Pprune eluded to it being Easyjet and from a regional UK airport, there was never any indication it was BHX. So if it is NAX at MAN I am some what relieved !
I am still convinced BHX will see a NAX base in 2017.

 

[User001]

Well, obviously for MAN base tooI hope you are right, but, we will see.

 

[Ray Finkle]

suggestions they are operating from T2

This is why Kenny Jacobs mentioned 'space at the airport' as being one of the possible barriers to Ryanair expansion.

 

[IanFarquharson]

There are a lot more opportunities for NAX at BHX than MAN.
For example Orlando - currently one flight pw from BHX and about 20pw from MAN.

 

[User001]

But success breeds success, proves a market is there and, Norwegian have evaluated the market at MAN and have deemed it worthy of its long haul flights too. Plenty of scope for more flights to Boston, Los Angeles, San Fransisco, Washington, New York etc. Sometimes little competition isn't always the bed of roses one might expect.

Plenty of flights between London and New York for example, it isn't exactly holding Norwegian back. Up to 5 flights a day between LGW and Orlando didn't exactly stop Norwegian. 4 flights a day between London and Las Vegas didn't stop Norwegian.

About 9 flights a day between MAN and ALC didn't stop Norwegian, 10 flights a day to Malaga from MAN didn't stop Norwegian, and 4 carriers with 6 flights a day to Barcelona didn't stop Norwegain, so, the thesis of 'more competition' putting off Norwegian is slightly flawed. In fact, seems they thrive on it.

End of the day, there have been very strong rumours around EDI/BHX/MAN, so, something was on the cards, competition or not,

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray and all, have I missed something regarding easyjet, they aren't pulling out are,or are not committing themselves to any further expansion at Birmingham, is that it...Andyc

 

[Brum X]

I think we all jumped the gun on the Easyjet news.

Thanks to User001 for clearing that one up, tbh i did think where has this come from ?. I know Easyjet were talking to BHX about starting a few new routes, but starting a few new routes (Away bases aircraft) and having a 6 aircraft base is 2 different things altogether.
Lets just hope though that the other rumours are not put off.