Route Development & Rumours

[andrew.clarkson]

You can say that again, the longer Birmingham Airport is without a direct flight to the United States of America, the effect it will have on growth and the economy in the west Midlands itself.

 

[Brum X]

You can say that again, the longer Birmingham Airport is without a direct flight to the United States of America, the effect it will have on growth and the economy in the west Midlands itself.

I think we have gone past the point of it effecting the cities economy Andrew as it is second nature nowadays that BHX doesn't fully serve this city region of ours.

It's like wearing a mask from today, people will soon get used to it, just like they are used to not being able to fly to the USA direct from BHX.

 

[Coathanger16]

Even before Covid, the UK (outside of London) to USA market was in decline with most airlines focusing on London, Manchester and Edinburgh. Covid has made that worse - 2 years ago if you'd said United were going to pull out of MAN - EWR you'd have been called mad!

BHX used to have a direct service to NYC, but it became "uneconomical" to operate. Say what you want about the US airlines putting old, knackered aircraft on the route but the simple fact is if enough people used the route, the airlines would have upgraded it to a better aircraft. As a passenger you can hardly complain that no airline flies BHX to NYC if when there was an airline flying the route, you chose to fly from another airport because the product was "better".

The world economy has moved on from N.America. I'd much rather have direct services to China, Hong Kong or Singapore from BHX than New York or anywhere else in the USA. Having a route to New York is hardly prestigious anymore!

 

[JENNYJET]

Perhaps surveying the travelling public as to where and when they wish to go from BHX might be helpful. The communities here will have their own prefered destinations whilst holiday makers might trust travel agents and probably end up at Gatwick or Manchester believing it is the only way to go.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

There are plenty of people who travel from the West Midlands to New York daily (at least, pre-covid), probably enough to run 2 or 3 flights per day. Unfortunately, they are tempted down to LHR by higher frequencies, lower fares, frequent flier programmes etc. So BHX is stuck in the cycle of people can't fly into/out of BHX because the route is not served and the airlines won't start a service as the people happily travel to the airlines big base at LHR.

Kevin

 

[Angie88]

If Monarch were planning to go Daily on the JFK route I’m sure there is demand, Just about finding the right airline. Speaking to friends that used the AA service from BHX, they said it was always pretty full but the plane was old and the facilities basic which meant the experience wasn’t great compared to other airlines charging a similar price

 

[Brum X]

Does anybody want a laugh for a Friday night

Hans Airways | The New Way to Fly | Home Page

Hans Airways | Charter Flights | Flights to Amritsar | Great Value Flights | Flying Together, For The Better

www.hansairways.com

 

[IanFarquharson]

If Monarch were planning to go Daily on the JFK route I’m sure there is demand, Just about finding the right airline. Speaking to friends that used the AA service from BHX, they said it was always pretty full but the plane was old and the facilities basic which meant the experience wasn’t great compared to other airlines charging a similar price

Monarch were set to fly NY twice daily !
Then we had Primera which could have been exactly what BHX needed but sadly it didn’t last long !

 

[IanFarquharson]

Does anybody want a laugh for a Friday night

Hans Airways | The New Way to Fly | Home Page

Hans Airways | Charter Flights | Flights to Amritsar | Great Value Flights | Flying Together, For The Better

www.hansairways.com

Don’t write it off yet !

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Monarch were set to fly NY twice daily !

I did wonder at the time, whether that was just a smokescreen to cover up what was really going to happen to Monarch. Perhaps to keep the crew loyal until the end.

Kevin

 

[thunderchild]

Given how badly the US is handling Covid I can’t see a huge resumption in US demand from LHR nevermind anywhere else in the U.K. for a good while. Personally I think TUI’s planned x3 weekly Orlando for next year is beyond optimistic.

 

[jfy1999]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1298283401158496259

 

[Ashley]

Serene AIr looking to commence flights from Pakistan to the UK.

Pakistan's Serene Air to go global in October with Dubai services

Dubai will be the first international destination of Pakistan's Serene Air when it starts regular commercial operations in October this year, Khaleej Times..

www.khaleejtimes.com

 

[Wrightfly73]

I recently emailed the airport regarding the absence of a direct route to Milan and they replied that talks are ongoing with 2 airlines and they are hopeful that the route will be restored ready for S21.

I imagine Wizz & easyJet are the most likely candidates here or maybe the 'new' alitalia utilising an Embraer aircraft.

 

[IanFarquharson]

I recently emailed the airport regarding the absence of a direct route to Milan and they replied that talks are ongoing with 2 airlines and they are hopeful that the route will be restored ready for S21.

I imagine Wizz & easyJet are the most likely candidates here or maybe the 'new' alitalia utilising an Embraer aircraft.

I think it will be Wizz along with more routes

 

[Ash]

While obviously no chance of it happening anytime soon, I always thought Saudia would have been a very good fit at BHX and I would be surprised if BHX wasn't at least on their radar at some point.

Plus points:

- A lot of pilgrimage traffic for Hajj and year round Umrah (similar numbers to ATQ I would imagine)
- Extensive onward network to around the Gulf and India/Pak/Bangladesh
- New Jeddah airport opened just a few months ago
- Perfect aircraft on order (A321XLR)
- A lot of UK expat traffic between UK and Saudi Arabia (BAE Systems etc)

Also only around 5h30 flight time to JED, would have been ideal...

 

[JENNYJET]

Hope it is sooner than 2030, I do not expect to make it that far ahead!

 

[smithy108]

I wonder if, for the next stage of their network development , Spicejet would be tempted to look at Birmingham? Maybe a couple of years away given the current situation but a real possibility assuming London is successful

SpiceJet adds London service from Dec 2020
Posted 8 October 2020 10:30

Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet from December 2020 is launching scheduled service to the UK, with Delhi – London Heathrow and Mumbai – London Heathrow route scheduled, with leased Airbus A330-900neo aircraft.

Delhi – London Heathrow eff 04DEC20 1 weekly
SG9594 DEL1300 – 1730LHR 330 57
SG9595 LHR1930 – 0755+1DEL 330 15

Mumbai – London Heathrow eff 06DEC20 1 weekly
SG9596 BOM1245 – 1730LHR 330 1
SG9597 LHR1930 – 0845+1BOM 330 7

 

[IanFarquharson]

Spicejet & Indigo were both holding BHX slots but not sure now LHR is opening up BHX is top priority !

 

[Angie88]

Spicejet & Indigo were both holding BHX slots but not sure now LHR is opening up BHX is top priority !

sorry what do you mean by LHR is opening Up BHX is top priority?