Route Development & Rumours

[Ray Finkle]

Thanks for the info.

It's interesting about the EDI routes as from what I have read the QR service hasn't had the best of times since it began yet despite that it still saw an increase to daily. I believe things are slowly improving but with Etihad arriving very soon one has to wonder. If you compare that to the Glasgow EK service which has grown steadily over the years and looks to be doing very well I think it looks way more solid for the long term future.

Personally I believe Birmingham airport would have no problem supporting a daily Qatar Airways service to Doha. The BHX catchment area is more than big enough to sustain flights there.

I think we all feel the same but after numerous rumours and two announcements by the CEO I think we've all just about given up hope

 

[nwoody2001]

Well, yesterday saw the start to the Routes Middle East and Africa Conference in Bahrain which is being attended by a group lead by Will Pearson from BHX.... obviously we wont know what meetings are happening, but id hope they are sitting down with Qatar and/or Etihad at the very least to say hello :O)

 

[nwoody2001]

Well, yesterday saw the start to the Routes Middle East and Africa Conference in Bahrain which is being attended by a group lead by Will Pearson from BHX.... obviously we wont know what meetings are happening, but id hope they are sitting down with Qatar and/or Etihad at the very least to say hello :O)

 

[Ray Finkle]

Funnily enough BHX are looking to further enhance connectivity and are 'very close to finalising discussions with at least one operator'

Birmingham Airport Looks to Grow Gulf Connectivity

“We are looking forward to the launch of the third rotation from Emirates, but are actively looking to further enhance our connectivity into the Middle East, as well as Africa,” William Pearson, aviation director, Birmingham Airport told Routesonline on the sidelines of the forum. “We are holding talks with airlines in both regions and are very close to finalising discussions with at least one operator.”

“Emirates’ decision to add a third daily service to Dubai and beyond from Birmingham Airport clearly shows the strong demand that exists in the city and the region for passengers who want connectivity to Dubai, Asia and Australia,” he added.

Full article: http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/bre ... nectivity/

 

[nwoody2001]

which means they are talking to a number of people..... c'mon Qatar, just put us out of our misery...

or could it be a couple of curve balls from left field? other middle east carriers or even africa?

 

[Ray Finkle]

I guess Etihad could be a long shot, they did say they wanted to develop MAN first but they may well of had a change of direction, especially with them starting EDI.

The only African possibility I could think of is Egyptair? I couldn't see Ethiopian routing any US service through BHX now they are set up in Dublin.

I think it has to be Qatar though, it's been announced and there has been too many rumours. If it is Qatar I wonder if that's why Air India have allegedly got the hump, apparently they weren't too happy about the prospect of Biman arriving and they're nothing compared to the threat QR could pose?

I hope we don't have to wait too long.

 

[BHXsupporter]

South Africa or Namibia would be nice.

 

[thunderchild]

South Africa or Namibia would be nice.

I think hell would have to freeze over before you saw either of them at BHX - Air Namibia don't even serve the UK anymore.

Knowing our luck it's probably Mahan Air!

 

[Ray Finkle]

Mahan are aiming to return to BHX once the sanctions are lifted :shok:

 

[Brum X]

How about El AL twice weekly to Tel Aviv, does the West Mids have a sizeable jewish population ?


They would be quite nice to see at BHX.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I guess it depends if details are being finalised at this conference as I can't see El Al attending the Middle East Routes conference in Bahrain.

It would be great to see though but I guess their presence at Luton won't help BHX.

The other thought I had was Gulf Air. They announced BHX in 2005 then quietly disappeared after Emirates went double daily? A very long shot but you never know.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray and everyone else ,I understand that connectivity is important to all passengers on onward journeys, but direct flights to all these countries is what all passengers want. Not everyone has the time to juggle to look for where there onward connection is, but knowing that, that passenger has arrived at their destination point is all that matters to most people when flying. So Birminghams got to understand, that more direct flights, more passengers, if it's an indirect flight, then passengers won't do that,but look to where the direct flight is going from and that's what it's all about choice,the more choices the better for everyone.. Andyc

 

[Ray Finkle]

Totally agree mate, especially within Europe. There is no way I'd make a connection to visit somewhere such as Prague, I'd drive to EMA, LTN or BRS.

For long haul I think connections to the worlds big hubs have their place though. Look at Emirates, they are an excellent airline and offer very convenient transfers to most of the world and despite Islamabad and Delhi seeing direct flights from BHX they are both still in EK's top 10. Qatar similarly have a good reputation and if they arrive we'll need to see them add even more passengers to the BHX bottom line rather than spread the existing numbers more thinly.

The other advantage of connections is they give BHX added weight by way of actual journeys made when trying to get more direct destinations in the future. Going to an airline and saying "we think X amount of pax from our region are travelling to, say, Bangkok from LHR and we think they could use a direct flight from BHX" carries nowhere near as much weight as "Last year we saw X number of people travel to Bangkok from BHX through our connections, this shows there is enough demand for a direct flight".

 

[nwoody2001]

You're spot on there Ray. Europe, North Africa and the Middle East should be served directly from BHX as a matter of cause, along with atleast the east coast of America. Further a field it then becomes less of an issue, although now the airport has the infrastructure and a desire to go, this could change.

Another thing to factor into an equation is passanger travel patterns. If you are travelling a 2 hour flight to berlin, you may be willing to travel 1-2 hours to another UK airport to get the best price or a direct route. However, if you are travelling for 15-20hrs from the other side of the world, the last thing you want to do is land at an airport which then requires another 1-2 hours journey home. Having spent my youth travelling the world, the elements I used to hate was arriving at heathrow from china, south America or Australia, to then have to travel into London, then catch a 2-3 hour train home! Now ive grown up and my disposable income is more meaningful, I now don't hesitate to pay a premium to fly direct into my local airport 9although that said, when I flew to Bangkok and Ho Chi Mihn in 2013, BHX was actually cheaper than MAN and LHR on emriates via DXB !!!!

that said, if I could fly direct from my local airport, then event better....

the only people I would see that are the exception to this are the price sensitive markets, so young backpackers, or price sensitive family holiday trippers!

 

[Ray Finkle]

I just noticed this Tweet from Mr Kehoe:

yes we do need more on top of the 7 new airlines this year. Working on that. More pax that fly - more interest from airlines

Seven?

I can count American Airlines, Norwegian, Icelandair, Vueling and VLM which I make five* new airlines this year, so far? Have I missed two? Has Mr K made a mistake? Or could there be more to come?

*I haven't counted Hainan as it's only a charter on behalf of tour company.

 

[Aviador]

Think yourself lucky, at my local airport we haven't even got one new airline for this summer! Personally I think BHX has made good progress this year. The arrival of American Airlines, Norwegian, Icelandair, Vueling and VLM will not have gone unnoticed by the other big players.

 

[Brum X]

I defo think Mr K would of included Hainan, he likes stuff like this and he wouldnt of missed Hainan, in fact expect a bigger party at BHX this year compared to last. Charter or not.


As for the Seventh airline though ??? Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm


Maybe the colourful MOD airline that operates the MD-87 from BHX to Hannover and Paderborn ????

 

[Brum X]

Think yourself lucky, at my local airport we haven't even got one new airline for this summer! Personally I think BHX has made good progress this year. The arrival of American Airlines, Norwegian, Icelandair, Vueling and VLM will not have gone unnoticed by the other big players.

However my friend, you have a big base from Easyjet and BRS is growing at a nice pace. Credit where credit is due :hatsoff:

 

[Brum X]

Actually are you from the BRS area or am i thinking of another forumer ???? LOL


Sorry if you are not.

 

[Aviador]

I am referring to LBA. TheLocalYokel is from the BRS area.