Route Development & Rumours

[TM3]

BHXsupporter;

I thought I remembered reading an article about Cathay's widebody order being for expansion, I think this is it from 2015:

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...s-expansion-with-incoming-a350s-777xs-419290/

Obviously where the expansion is to is vague and they are probably looking at the US too. Having said that demand to HK is strong from the UK and both new services to MAN and LGW are now going daily. I'm not saying BHX is next in the queue but I'm thinking that we must at least be on their radar. I've flown to HKG on Emirates from BHX myself so a certain amount of traffic must go that way.

As far as the aircraft used I know MAN was launched on a 777 and is going to an A350 but LGW was launched on an A350. I think older aircraft were used mainly because the A350s weren't delivered as quickly as was anticipated, for a new route however the A350 is better because it's smaller and more fuel efficient.

Singapore I haven't seen anything about but I think they will ultimately end up with a net increase of aircraft once their current orders of A350/787/777x are delivered. Another factor is that Norwegian have now announced LGW-SIN so maybe they might be more inclined open routes more aggressively in competition.

 

[Ray Finkle]

SpiceJet possibly looking at Birmingham?

"SpiceJet plans to have 350-380 seats on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It would be an all-economy class configuration with few select rows of SpiceMax seats offering extra leg room. Full service Air India has 256 seats on its Dreamliners with 18 in business class. (With this seating capacity) if we can cap return fares at levels of about Rs 25,000, many would prefer a European vacation when a domestic return ticket can cost the same during peak season," said another SpiceJet official, adding that the LCC is looking at London, Birmingham, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Zurich as the possible destinations.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...et-long-haul-flights/articleshow/58588493.cms

 

[Brum X]

Flights to Hyderabad would be nice

 

[Ray Finkle]

The SpiceJet chairman says that they are looking at leasing two 787's by this winter, Birmingham is mentioned again. No destinations are suggested but he does go on to mentioned how busy Delhi and Mumbai are already.

By when do you plan to start those flights?

We are looking at starting the service by this winter. Two Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be leased and we may fly to cities in the UK, like Birmingham or London, where we can look beyond Heathrow. A return fare of Rs 25,000-30,000 for these sectors will have great demand.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-ajay-singh/articleshow/58781941.cms?from=mdr

 

[Brum X]

The SpiceJet chairman says that they are looking at leasing two 787's by this winter, Birmingham is mentioned again. No destinations are suggested but he does go on to mentioned how busy Delhi and Mumbai are already.

By when do you plan to start those flights?

We are looking at starting the service by this winter. Two Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be leased and we may fly to cities in the UK, like Birmingham or London, where we can look beyond Heathrow. A return fare of Rs 25,000-30,000 for these sectors will have great demand.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-ajay-singh/articleshow/58781941.cms?from=mdr

Come on Spicejet, please please please launch BHX-Mumbai.
I dunno why but im getting a good feeling about this one.

 

[Ray Finkle]

They have three hubs, Delhi (30 destinations 3 of those international), Kolkata (19 destinations 2 of those international) and Hyderabad (22 destinations all domestic). Mumbai is not listed as a hub but they still have 21 destinations from there, so if they could get the slots I don't see why not.

Another interview suggests that Gatwick would be the London option, so it depends on if it's one or the other, or both. The same interview also suggested one 787 whereas this quote from the chairman suggests two.

It will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[IanFarquharson]

BHX tweeting .................


We are looking into securing direct flights to China in the near future, keep an eye on our news page for updates. Thank you

 

[rollo]

Intresting especially as it comes direct from Bhx let the speculation start, Shanghai or Hong Kong anyone?

It would be nice to see the runway extension start to fully justify itself.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Hmmm, excuse my cynicism but haven't we been here before?

I'll believe it when we have an official announcement from both the airport and the airline.

 

[nwoody2001]

... im not sure we have been here before!

Its one thing an airport responding to a lost route by saying the generic 'we are talking to other airlines/partners to get the route replaced as soon as possible' to and airport specifying specifically what they are looking to secure and saying it will be announced in the 'near' future. its not very generic, in fact short of announcing the airline/route and start date, its pretty specific in aviation terms!

either they are pretty hopeful of something or its just a BHX Twitter person being a little too comforting. time will tell I suppose....

 

[richard winterbourn]

Given the intense discussion that took place with the introduction of the Chinese 'charters' of a few years ago and the following dashed hopes of a scheduled service to China, i somehow don't think an authentic BHX Twitter would post something akin to what has appeared without the full knowledge of PK. And if that is the case i am sitting in the camp of someone waiting for something exciting to happen.

But, of course, i could be wrong....

 

[Ray Finkle]

Lets hope so and that if something does happen it's the real deal this time and not yet another series of charters.

 

[Coathanger16]

I may be absolutely wrong here and letting my hopes get ahead of my brain, but...

Previously when asked about certain routes, the airports response has generally been along the lines of "we're talking to many airlines to try and get a route".

However, the latest "we are looking into securing direct flights to China" sounds more like they are in discussions with a particular airline.

China Southern Airlines are next week launching a second daily service from Heathrow to Guangzhou. The airlines commercial manager has said:

“Our mission is to make diverse destinations like China more accessible for UK travelers, so we’re thrilled to be able to add a second daily flight from London to Guangzhou.

“The new flight frequency brings our total weekly departures between Western Europe and China to 41 and firmly signifies our continued expansion.”

Now whilst I doubt China Southern would launch a Guangzhou to Birmingham route, they do currently fly from Beijing to Amsterdam, so a Beijing to Birmingham route may not be out of the question for them. Albeit only for a charter, they have flown into Birmingham before and therefore probably have a better brand awareness in the Midlands than some other Chinese airlines.

As people have said, only time will say.

 

[thunderchild]

Am I right in thinking that the Hainan group own the rights to BHX-PEK?

 

[Brum X]

BHX tweeting .................


We are looking into securing direct flights to China in the near future, keep an eye on our news page for updates. Thank you

Oooooooooh i love a good tweet

 

[Brum X]

Intresting especially as it comes direct from Bhx let the speculation start, Shanghai or Hong Kong anyone?

It would be nice to see the runway extension start to fully justify itself.

Beijing would be a start

 

[Barry Beeth]

I would almost call that a knowing wink, or am I mistookated?

 

[Brum X]

I would almost call that a knowing wink, or am I mistookated?

I know nothing Baz. Sorry

 

[Barry Beeth]

Humph!

 

[Brum X]

With this still being all ifs/buts and maybe's, what are other people's views on BHX getting a direct flight to china but not non stop ??

It has been reported on the dried fruit that Hainan are about to launch flights to Dublin and maybe via Edinburgh. If this announcement was for something similar at BHX ?

http://www.independent.ie/business/...-as-film-locations-attract-fans-35736785.html