Route Development & Rumours

[thunderchild]

China Southern operated a short series of flights in summer 2014 (3 return trips IIRC) on behalf of a Chinese tour operator that was understandably heavily promoted by BHX to coincide with the runway extension opening. The following year Hainan took over the flights, operating for a much longer programme and at this point it was heavily rumoured they might turn these into a full scheduled service.

Of course it never materialised, George Osborne held a meeting with Chinese delegates and shortly afterwards Hainan announced a scheduled service from MAN. What went on behind the scenes is of course open to interpretation.

 

[Ianbutty]

China Southern operated a short series of flights in summer 2014 (3 return trips IIRC) on behalf of a Chinese tour operator that was understandably heavily promoted by BHX to coincide with the runway extension opening. The following year Hainan took over the flights, operating for a much longer programme and at this point it was heavily rumoured they might turn these into a full scheduled service.

Of course it never materialised, George Osborne held a meeting with Chinese delegates and shortly afterwards Hainan announced a scheduled service from MAN. What went on behind the scenes is of course open to interpretation

It was quite obvious at the time. If he had been the MP for Meriden and not Tatton, we would not have complained if he gave the Chinese the same "deal" to BHX ... Stinks but he was doing his job as a constituent MP albeit from a position as Chancellor which is a tut tut.

 

[Timberwolf]

There were summer charters from China, which I think ended controversially and politics was involved.

The bottom line was once Hainan started scheduled flts from Manchester that was it from BHX.

 

[andyc941]

The problem is that airlines can email an airline or even send a delegation, then justifiably claim they are in discussions with them, even if the airline has zero interest.

There were also unconfirmed rumours that Hainan may have taken fright over the Beijing Capital Hangzhou charters because Kehoe announced they were scheduled flights which could have caused them major problems at home.

Not this old story again yawn

 

[laviation]

We had a series of summer charters from China about 10 years ago?.
Despite them being well supported, and looking like a permanent route go-ahead, the then Chancellor, George Osborne, asked PM Cameron to switch the flights to MAN for a permanent service. MAN was in Osborne's constituency in Cheshire!.
The rest is history!!.

This myth is still doing the rounds!!
Hainan had been in negotiations with MAN for a long time even before the BHX charters. Hainan are not even state owned.

Do note that the Hainan MAN announcement had nothing to do with George Osborne “telling the Chinese to go from MAN”. Mr Xi was at AirportCity to announce Chinese investment. The Hainan announcement was a pure coincidence and worked out as good PR

Xi is President of China. He can go where he likes. Indeed the Northern Powerhouse was a flagship policy of the government at the time.

There is no such evidence of “David Cameron telling Hainan Airlines they must operate to Manchester” This is a complete and utter myth which has come about over the years. Yes George Osbourne may have tried to get Xi to visit Manchester, but this has nothing to do with Manchester Airport and the Hainan flights

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Can we get back on topic please.

 

[Ray Finkle]

As confirmed by the very healthy loads. Hopefully capacity increases are on the horizon.


Birmingham Airport flights to the Middle East are running at "virtually full capacity" following the launch of a number of new routes. Delighted BHX bosses confirmed to BirminghamLive at a site visit on August 9 that after three new airlines launched at, or returned to the Solihull-based hub, seats have been booked rapidly booked up.

Birmingham Airport Middle East flights at 'full capacity' as new routes launched

Flights to the Middle East running at virtually "full capacity" within a month of new routes being launched by Emirates, Saudia and Qatar

www.birminghammail.co.uk

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

There should be some announcements in couple of weeks
about new routes for next summer.

 

[Karl C]

You heard anything Ant?

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

You heard anything Ant?

Well no but I’ve seen SPD travels announce something on twitter.If I was part of the OAG then would briefly say but as it stands no mate

 

[IanFarquharson]

Well no but I’ve seen SPD travels announce something on twitter.If I was part of the OAG then would briefly say but as it stands no mate

Nothing in the pipeline that I have heard about.

 

[mullion]

The only thing I have heard of is Sun Express doing quite a large increase from most UK and at pres.ent I have heard MAN and NCL both increasing by about a 1/3 so would expect more for BHX in the same veign.
I can see Sun Express needing more aircaft so should provide more interest

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

You heard anything Ant?

Jet2 are adding 11k seats from many destinations in the Uk to Crete and Rhodes This winter

 

[nwoody2001]

The only thing I have heard of is Sun Express doing quite a large increase from most UK and at pres.ent I have heard MAN and NCL both increasing by about a 1/3 so would expect more for BHX in the same veign.
I can see Sun Express needing more aircaft so should provide more interest

They have already announced more than doubling their number of weekly flights from BHX-AYT/DLM from 11x weekly to 23x weeky!

https://x.com/hello_bhx/status/1671089644169994240?s=46&t=pLDvE3lUcqcHJugeDEFwLw

 

[mullion]

Sorry missed that then, they are going crazy, do they do Izmir/Bodrum?

 

[Coathanger16]

Sorry missed that then, they are going crazy, do they do Izmir/Bodrum?

Currently from Izmir:

LTN 4x weekly
BHX 2x weekly
LGW 2x weekly
MAN 2x weekly
EDI (1x weekly from AUG 23)
STN (2x weekly from OCT 23)

They currently only have a limited network from Bodrum mostly to Germany.

At the moment they still have 32 B737MAX8's on order vs a current fleet of 67:

7x A320 (Avion Express wet lease)
49x B737-800
11x B737MAX8

So probably quite a lot of expansion still to come across their whole network.

By May last year, the UK-Turkey market was 20% bigger than in 2019. May this year it had grown a further 20% so over 40% larger than 2019.

 

[nwoody2001]

Currently from Izmir:

LTN 4x weekly
BHX 2x weekly
LGW 2x weekly
MAN 2x weekly
EDI (1x weekly from AUG 23)
STN (2x weekly from OCT 23)

They currently only have a limited network from Bodrum mostly to Germany.

At the moment they still have 32 B737MAX8's on order vs a current fleet of 67:

7x A320 (Avion Express wet lease)
49x B737-800
11x B737MAX8

So probably quite a lot of expansion still to come across their whole network.

By May last year, the UK-Turkey market was 20% bigger than in 2019. May this year it had grown a further 20% so over 40% larger than 2019.

My understanding is that the Izmir schedule has not yet been updated but is due to and is likely to include significant growth in capacity to the UK as AYT/DLM has....

With the number of flights by SunExpress from BHX only being in No.2 in the UK behind MAN, BHX would be in line for a new route to Bodrum when routes to the UK are launched, which is expected for Summer 2024....

 

[Brum X]

There should be some announcements in couple of weeks
about new routes for next summer.

You little Tease, he he he he he

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

You little Tease, he he he he he

The new Ian

 

[BHX492]

I’m going to add some more coal to fire, which is probably completely different to what antmc03 is saying but I’m going say anything but from summer 24 we could be seeing (2) Ryanair UK Aircraft based.