Birmingham: Route Development & Rumours

[Matt995]

I liked Paul, he used to reply to all my emails.

As for the guy we have now, I couldn't even tell you his name without looking it up, he isn't visible like Paul was

yes he always replied to all my emails as well!, and I also keep forgetting who are current MD is as well!!! Don't think publicity is his strong point!

 

[jfy1999]

I don’t mind the lack of PR from the CEO as long as the route development team are doing their stuff and things are OK behind the scenes with staffing and so on, i imagine it wouldn’t reflect well on the management if they shouted about massive expansion from the rooftops while the same expansion was causing havoc for passengers.

 

[jfy1999]

The latest update on Hans Airways states that the first A330 is due in early June

Chief operating officer named by long-haul start-up Hans Airways | Travel Weekly

Appointment ahead of planned Birmingham-India flights

travelweekly.co.uk

 

[Ray Finkle]

There's nothing really new in the article but it's nice to see where the focus is at the moment.


So, what are Birmingham’s route development priorities for 2022?

“In the short term, the team is committed to repairing city pairs that have been lost in the last couple of years, such as Nice, Berlin, Stuttgart, and Lyon, as well as New York, Doha and Mumbai,” explains Tom Screen, Aviation Director.

Birmingham Airport, rebuilding city pairs in a year of recovery - Air Service One

Birmingham Airport rebuilding city pairs in a year of recovery

airserviceone.com

 

[Matty_85]

I appreciate these little insights, seems like there’s a strong drive to rebuild some direct routes. Plus there’s so many options for the European routes especially now EZY have realised there’s untapped potential here... I’m really excited at the prospect of NYC though... I’ve read somewhere UA are possibly returning to MAN next year so possibly a Newark return? Honestly though I’d love to see JetBlue, think it would work well with the right frequency!

 

[Matty_85]

I wonder if Hans are still planning to launch in August?

Hans Airways starts second round of cabin crew training

Start-up yet to confirm launch date

travelweekly.co.uk

 

[Brum X]

I wonder if Hans are still planning to launch in August?

Hans Airways starts second round of cabin crew training

Start-up yet to confirm launch date

travelweekly.co.uk

I highly doubt it

 

[Brum X]

No mention on Hans will they won't they airways, lol

https://twitter.com/x/status/1536767892477321216

 

[Ray Finkle]

I've lost count of how many times SpiceJet have requested slots at BHX, maybe one day it'll happen.

I was under the impression that Turkmenistan already had slots from July but with nothing on sale yet that's highly unlikely. Maybe winter?

Qatar and Air India would be most welcome, I hope BHX are prioritising these over the likes of Hans (no disrespect to Hans intended).

 

[Matty_85]

Shame Hans doesn’t try Mumbai instead?

 

[jfy1999]

I've lost count of how many times SpiceJet have requested slots at BHX, maybe one day it'll happen.

I was under the impression that Turkmenistan already had slots from July but with nothing on sale yet that's highly unlikely. Maybe winter?

Qatar and Air India would be most welcome, I hope BHX are prioritising these over the likes of Hans (no disrespect to Hans intended).

I hope Spicejet keep well away! There were multiple problems in just this one review (from Noel Philips) which refers to them as “India’s worst airline” and found that the airline was uncontactable when the issue of financial compensation came up. I’ve also read complaints about rude staff, dilapidated aircraft interiors, hidden charges, last minute changes to flight times, and even unscheduled stops mid-flight. I dread to think what a one-stop long haul flight on Spicejet would be like.

 

[gulftraveller]

Post covid, Turkmenistan has not resumed many international flights. I assume that without flights to India, there would be little point in flights operating from BHX. Maybe these are planned for the autumn. I agree that Qatar should be the priority.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

No mention on Hans will they won't they airways, lol

https://twitter.com/x/status/1536767892477321216

75% of those are my wish list that I posted in the 'Birmingham Airport - General Thread' -

Whilst I'm always happy to see new services announced, I think after the last couple of years most airports will be looking to get their 'bread & butter' routes back. Along with the European services, I would like to see Qatar Airways back (although unlikely with their current fleet problems) as well as Turkmenistan and Air India back to a daily operation.

Kevin

I'm still not sure whether Qatar Airways has the fleet availability to resume the service, but I'd be more than happy to see it. As for Turkmenistan, I think they need the India connection to make it work from BHX. Nothing to say that they won't also restart that, also. As for Air India, I'm baffled that it's still a once weekly service. I often see Air India flights on FR24 going to several European destination (including London) on an almost daily basis. And I thought that BHX was one of their better performing services.

Kevin

 

[jfy1999]

Sean M is reporting that easyJet are likely to launch a Lisbon - BHX route this winter

 

[Matt995]

Sean M is reporting that easyJet are likely to launch a Lisbon - BHX route this winter

to be honest it must be about time that Easyjet actually made a decision as to if BHX would be a viable base. They can obviously see the demand for BHX flights, they know our MD from his LTN days, they have operated enough flights/destinations over the last few years now, i wonder how close we actually are now to seeing a base? When did they last announce a new uk base?

 

[HPsauce]

easyJet have recently returned to Southend in a small way after ditching their previous ops from there.

 

[pianokeys]

If you draw a straight line between Manchester, Luton and Bristol we are right in the middle, all linked by motorway. I think that’s positive for us, others will have a view.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

If you draw a straight line between Manchester, Luton and Bristol we are right in the middle, all linked by motorway. I think that’s positive for us, others will have a view.

It's impossible to draw a straight line between Manchester, Luton and Bristol. You'll end up with a sharp 'dog leg'.

BHX is unlikely to take much traffic away from MAN. LTN serves mostly north London (with some Midland traffic) and BRS is far enough away, with excellent EZY services as not to worry about BHX (other than some long haul).
Kevin

 

[rollo]

I think he means if you draw straight lines from Luton to Manchester and Bristol connecting all three BHX sits in the middle of the triangle formed roughly 100 miles equidistant from each.

 

[Severn]

EasyJet to Lisbon
Looks like rumours could be true!
easyJet have won TAPs previous slots in Lisbon for Winter 22/23 and new routes are epected. Hopefully BHX will be one of them!
https://simpleflying.com/easyjet-ta...VGpWcpBLP9BTFaMVy7sQ5U7L2g#Echobox=1655448034

Currently easyJet are scheduled to operate the following flights from England to LIS in November 2022 (of course these may also see a increase in flights):
LGW-LIS: 11-23x weekly
LTN-LIS: 12-14x weekly
BRS-LIS: 4-5x weekly
MAN-LIS: 1-2x weekly