Route Development & Rumours

[Coathanger16]

RE: Potential Eastern Route

Ray, you seemed to have gone off this one a bit - is that just due to it being potentially downgraded to being a few one off flights? If it had been a full scheduled service would you still be excited about it?

 

[davecleaver777]

It does feel like this maybe a series of new charters.

 

[Ray Finkle]

RE: Potential Eastern Route

Ray, you seemed to have gone off this one a bit - is that just due to it being potentially downgraded to being a few one off flights? If it had been a full scheduled service would you still be excited about it?

 

[Coathanger16]

Ah...

If it had still been at least a tag to an existing European destination that wouldn't be as bad - just look at Manchester and Singapore.

But then we've had bad experiences with one off charters before

 

[58terminus]

I get the impression Ray has been telling us for a while that this is a non story.
Might as well stop the repetitive listings of Far East Airlines who won't be coming.

 

[GliderPilot]

Im still running off the article from january posted that they were in china talks again, which seem to have fallen through AGAIN

 

[nwoody2001]

well I think its pretty tough to say whether talks have fallen through or not. as we know, negotiations and discussions to starting new routes can sometimes take years. Just because a route hasn't yet been announced does not always means failure!

 

[GliderPilot]

I agree but its the many failed attempts BHX has for this single route, wishing they'd just get it now

 

[nwoody2001]

I might be being a bit naive here but do airlines downgrade capacity if there is potential future growth?

I don't think its quite as black and white as that.

with emirates there are a few things to consider.

Aircraft - the smallest plane EK has is a 77W which holds 426 passengers in a 2 class configuration which is a lot of seats to fill. Consequently, when EK adds another daily flight, that's a very very big jump. so I have no doubt they will be easily able to fill 2x A380s in peak at BHX but then is there enough people year round to justify an additional daily 77W? probably not, but that doesn't mean there isn't growth.

Airport Capacity - Dubai international is now one of the fastest growing and busiest airport in the world with very little capacity left. Consequently, EK needs to make sure that if they are to continue to grow, they are utilizing their slots with aircraft that are as full as possible. consequently, do they choose to use a slot for a full A380 or a half full 77W??? consequently routes that cant fill their aircraft will loose them!

 

[Ray Finkle]

As much as it would be great to see Qatar operate a different (larger) aircraft type to Birmingham, I think increasing the frequency would be a better approach for growth. I don't know which Qatar flight (morning or afternoon) is better for connections/growth, but I would expect them to increase either the morning or afternoon flight to daily to make 10 flights per week.

Anyone got any insider knowledge (that they can share) about Qatar's next moves for BHX?

I believe that the plan is for 10x weekly with the morning service going daily, when that is to happen is anyone's guess. They probably have other things on their plate at the moment but hopefully Emirates dropping the morning flight will give them an incentive to do it sooner rather than later.

As for the far east, talks are ongoing. As has been pointed out, these things take time. Air India took 5 years of talks and the arrival of Jet2 saw a similar timescale. We know that the RD team have been to Singapore (several times), Hong Kong, Beijing and one or two others so it's just a case of playing the waiting game.

 

[58terminus]

As for the far east, talks are ongoing. As has been pointed out, these things take time. Air India took 5 years of talks and the arrival of Jet2 saw a similar timescale

I wish i was younger.Never mind i'm sure i can find somebody to wheel me to a viewing point when it happens.
Looks like the Elmdon multi storey will be out of the question

 

[Deleted member 8862]

With regard to the Air India timescale, was that first time around or second?

 

[Ray Finkle]

With regard to the Air India timescale, was that first time around or second?

That was the second time. According to Mr Kehoe they were ready to go after three years but then the CEO got sacked and it took another two years after that.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there and good evening to you ray, according to your last post, it refers to Mr Paul Kehoe, so was he sacked or did he stepdown as wad reported, slight confused by your last post.......AndyC....

 

[Jerry]

Hi there and good evening to you ray, according to your last post, it refers to Mr Paul Kehoe, so was he sacked or did he stepdown as wad reported, slight confused by your last post.......AndyC....

I think he means the CEO of Air India.

 

[58terminus]

I think he means the CEO of Air India.

I would hope so.Any progress on appointing a new COE at BHX after Mr Kehoe's sudden stepdown

 

[Ray Finkle]

Yes the CEO of Air India was sacked meaning talks ended up going back to square one. Mr Kehoe of course made his own decision to step down.

Apologies for any confusion.

 

[58terminus]

I would hope so.Any progress on appointing a new COE at BHX after Mr Kehoe's sudden stepdown

Sorry meant CEO not COE.The new appointees religion or otherwise is of no relevance.

 

[BHX492]

Can the middle east route be Royal Brunei Airlines or Iran air

 

[Ray Finkle]

It'd be great to see Mahan Air back but I guess it's looking more unlikely, even LGW has disappeared from their route map.

There was a rumour that we were to see the return of Uzbekistan but that one seems to have gone quiet again?