Route Development & Rumours

[nwoody2001]

Some equal ball gazing from you too.

The main thing is EK are doing well at BHX currently

EK would have lots of options, for a morning flt in the future.B779,B778,A359 B787-8, B787-10. Shorter term probably 77W.

One of the issues for BHX is we are a 2 class airport for them. They tried a 3 class 77W on a morning and it was dropped due to low front end demand.

Indeed i was ball gazing, it was more paying reference to your "longer term it will have to be double daily..." reference. The reality is, no body knows but it will be interesting to see...

With regard to BHX being a 2 class airport, there are 2 points to raise here.

- Firstly, with EK diversifying there fleet and retrofitting their existing 77W to update the cabin, they have already acknowledge the need to diversity their cabins. EK have already stated that their new A359 fleet will not include First Class and will be 3 class (Business/Prem Economy/Economy). With some of their existing 388 and 77W fleet being 2 class, it looks like their will be allowance in their new fleet for similar flexibility

- BHX may not always be a 2 class airport. Indeed the First Class trial EK tried in 2016 (i think?) when there was a 3rd daily flight didnt succeed, but this was at a time when EK had zero compeition. with the likes of TK, QR and SV now completing for the same space, all (arguably) having better business offers than EK, EK may indeed reflect and change tack in the future.

 

[gulftraveller]

I do not understand EK’s policy on where they will offer First Class, but do not forget that GLA has been 3 class for some years. Maybe it is simply about geographic distribution.

I do not think this has anything to do with competition: QR, TK and SV do not offer First from BHX. Of these only QR has a comparable or better J product than EK.

 

[nwoody2001]

I do not understand EK’s policy on where they will offer First Class, but do not forget that GLA has been 3 class for some years. Maybe it is simply about geographic distribution.

I do not think this has anything to do with competition: QR, TK and SV do not offer First from BHX. Of these only QR has a comparable or better J product than EK.

QR, TK and SV all offer better J class products than EK J Class on the 77W, The J Class on the 388 is much more comparable though.

As for First Class distribution who knows, i suspect only EK knows that. I don't know how much of it was spin, but when BHX trialled EK First, there was an article suggesting that whilst BHX wouldn't block EK using 3 class 388's, but much prefered 2 class 388's. Apparently First Class passengers are indeed very profitable for the airline, but apparently they are the least profitable for the airport as they arrive the latest, sit in the lounge not spending money and enjoying their free food and drink and then board the flight. As such, BHX would much prefer 615 pax on a 2 class 388 passing through the airport than the 500 (non-first class) pax you have travelling through the airport on a 3 class 388.

Again, the CEO and times have indeed changes since then so the airport may well have a different view now

 

[Timberwolf]

I do not understand EK’s policy on where they will offer First Class, but do not forget that GLA has been 3 class for some years. Maybe it is simply about geographic distribution.

I do not think this has anything to do with competition: QR, TK and SV do not offer First from BHX. Of these only QR has a comparable or better J product than EK.

Bottom line BHX is too close to LHR and MAN. As Mr Keehoe told us at a Forum,first class passengers can be collected by airline paid taxis from their door in Birmingham and whisked to LHR and into premium lounges.So he added makes it very difficult for BHX to attract such 3 class services.



In relation to BHX may not always be a 3 class airport..maybe..

However EK are converting their 3 class A380s to 4 class.No plans as yet to convert the 2 class machines it seems to 3 class. Even just business, premium economy and economy.

 

[IanFarquharson]

If I

If I was a betting man I would bet BHX will see a new operator to India before Air India announce any expansion to BHX or / or MAN

 

[Ray Finkle]

If I was a betting man I would bet BHX will see a new operator to India before Air India announce any expansion to BHX or / or MAN

It'd certainly add a bit of interest

 

[Brum X]

It'd certainly add a bit of interest

Well as long as we have seen the last of the likes of Air Sylhet, Air Slovakia and even Turkmenistan. BHX deserves well known, top class airlines with a worldwide reputation and not some new airliner set up done from a street on the Soho Road, Handsworth, Loooooooooooooooooooooooool

Any update on Hans

 

[jon01]

If I

If I was a betting man I would bet BHX will see a new operator to India before Air India announce any expansion to BHX or / or MAN

BHX needs to spice things up!

 

[Brum X]

BHX needs to spice things up!

Yeah but not on a Boeing Pepsi MAX ?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Yeah but not on a Boeing Pepsi MAX ?

There may be 1 or 343 reasons why it won't be on a MAX.

 

[Timberwolf]

If I

If I was a betting man I would bet BHX will see a new operator to India before Air India announce any expansion to BHX or / or MAN

Covered today by someone at the Dubai Airshow yesterday and put onto an airport related FB group.

Possibly using a single ex Air Belguim A340 YR-ARD for Spicejet.

Although to be fair not firmed up.We have been here before recently with Air China ,so until things actually land at BHX they are just strong rumours.

One to watch though.

 

[IanFarquharson]

Covered today by someone at the Dubai Airshow yesterday and put onto an airport related FB group.

Possibly using a single ex Air Belguim A340 YR-ARD for Spicejet.

Although to be fair not firmed up.We have been here before recently with Air China ,so until things actually land at BHX they are just strong rumours.

One to watch though.

Spicejet are already flying an A343 to Milan

 

[Ray Finkle]

YR-LRD.

Very nice to see, if, it happens.

 

[laviation]

Indeed Spicejet have once again applied at BHX & MAN. Given they have actually launched Italy with 737 MAX via Tbilisi, Georgia, this could be an interesting wild card entry for both airports

 

[Brum X]

YR-LRD.

Very nice to see, if, it happens.

Love the A340, these aircraft don't climb very steep do they until much further away from the airport. I've noticed this when watching video's on Youtube ?

You can see the headlines in the Solihull Observer, "Bickenhill residents scramble in fear of airliner dropping out of the sky"

Sorry i'm in one of those cheeky moods tonight

Indeed Spicejet have once again applied at BHX & MAN. Given they have actually launched Italy with 737 MAX via Tbilisi, Georgia, this could be an interesting wild card entry for both airports

Any idea of India routes, is it more ATQ and or DEL or possibly BOM (Mumbai) ?

 

[laviation]

If launched it will be Amritsar from both.

 

[Brum X]

If launched it will be Amritsar from both.

Thanks ;-)

 

[IanFarquharson]

If launched it will be Amritsar from both.

As far as I am aware it is BHX only

 

[gulftraveller]

No they applied for slots for MAN-ATQ too. I have no idea whether there is a large Sikh community in the MAN catchment area.

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

I’m guessing Spicejet is very much likely to come to bhx.They probably would send a B737Max8