Route Development & Rumours

[justplanecrazy]

Has Qatar still got their A340-600s?

 

[nwoody2001]

its also worth noting that BHX has been removed from the Mahan Air website :O(

this is only relatively recent so maybe they do no plan to come back. London is the only UK destination on their 'proposed route'...

BHX is however still on the Biman website, who have just purchased 6 new aircraft, 2x 738 and 4x 773, with 4 788 on order for 2019. Its a long shot but it will be interesting to see what they have in mind for their new 773s!!!

 

[nwoody2001]

Has Qatar still got their A340-600s?

they do but they are likely to be phased out with the huge amount of A350s, 779 and 788 and 789 they have on order!

 

[User001]

Qatar still have 4 A340-600, but have been re-configured into a high density aircraft to basically run the 'migrant shuttles' between the Far East and Middle East, and being run ragged before they get retired.

BHX has now fallen off the Biman radar now that Kevin Steele has gone.

 

[nwoody2001]

indeed Kevin Steele has indeed gone who was the brain child of their expansion plan, but that said, recent media articles state that the government is still committed to forcing the airline to change its ways and become a profitable airline, hence the new aircraft orders and deliveries. also, even though their route map is nothing concrete, it has been updated in the last 6 months and still includes bhx...

as I said, far from certain, and as you say, Steele did indeed leave, but that's not to say they connections to BHX are completely dead!

 

[User001]

The main issue for BHX, and indeed the Biman proposed route map (which hasn't been updated for years now), is that the U.S. Authorities still refuse to let Biman change their USA route licence, which is still DAC-MAN-EWR and return to this day.

It doesn't matter what Biman want, if the U.S. Won't budge, then there's nothing they can do.

As far as I was aware, BHX was always only intended as a New York stop off.

 

[nwoody2001]

Well based on historic interview with Mr Steele, BHX was picked due to its large Bangladesh population. With the U.K. Having the largest population of Bangladeshi people in the west, and Birmingham having the second largest such population in the U.K. After London (some 23,000) I believe, there must be a market for such a route, especially the VFM market. The fact that Dhaka is commonly in the top 10 of onward connections via Dubai with Emirates should also add some weight to this theory.

With the purchase of 4x 773ERs I also suspect that in the event Biman ever wish to serve America, there would no longer be a need (or market for that matter with the arrival of AA) to stop of at BHX on route.

All I simple suggest is that a 2-3x weekly service between BHX and Dhaka could be sustainable in the event Biman can turn themselves around.

Granted I am just hypostasising, but this is a rumours thread after all. However, what we do know is that a) Biman have had an interest in serving BHX in the last few years b) the brainchild of that plan has left the business casting that strategy into doubt and c) Biman have just confirm orders for a number of long-haul jets (773s and 788s) to help them expand ...I just think it's an opportunity that may have legs!!!

That is all...

 

[Brum X]

As you say a route 3 x per week should be sustainable for BHX-Bangladesh without any US add on. And to be honest I think the US bit was the bit that was getting in the way even when BHX and Biman were best buddies.

But if they don't hurray then I bet Emirates and soon to be Qatar will pick up the slack.

 

[User001]

According to the route development team at BHX! They say they are after securing 'another OneWorld carrier' and improving the Canadian route network now.

 

[Brum X]

According to the route development team at BHX! They say they are after securing 'another OneWorld carrier' and improving the Canadian route network now.

That's good to know so my bets are on BHX getting a route to Helsinki with Finnair and possibly the arrival of Westjet ??


Would be great for BHX to get these 2 airlines and offering new destinations.

Come on BHX, get these 2 in the bag.

 

[jfy1999]

According to the route development team at BHX! They say they are after securing 'another OneWorld carrier' and improving the Canadian route network now.

Fantastic to hear.

Finnair look to be the obvious choice for the Oneworld carrier. The BHX team will be coming off the back of a major success in Qatar so hopefully whichever airline they're targeting will soon be in the bag.

Canada has lots of potential with Rouge and Westjet the first airlines that come to mind although Air Transat are already established here and could make a profit from any one of Calgary, Montreal or Vancouver. I recall you yourself posted here earlier saying that they could possibly go year-round, so could that be linked to this?

As an aside, Icelandair seem to be making a killing on Vancouver connections.

 

[Brum X]

Air Transat could be an interesting one as it has been suggested that BHX have lowered its charges in the wake of our recent route announcements. Has the corner finally be turned when Air Transat are looking at BHX for future expansion rather than MAN ??? Interesting times.

 

[User001]

Finnair is the obvious choice.

When BHX is looking to strengthen its Far East/China case, to have Finnair would be a major feather in the cap given Helsinki offers some of the shortest routings from the UK to China/Japan.

In terms of Canada, Air Transat and Westjet are the obvious choices.

Just as a point, it's not about 'Air Transat adding to Brum instead of MAN', it's just building up the routes in general, no reasons why both airports will not grow Canada wise, especially now that Air Canada Rouges initial reduction of MAN has been reversed.

 

[Brum X]

Finnair is the obvious choice.

When BHX is looking to strengthen its Far East/China case, to have Finnair would be a major feather in the cap given Helsinki offers some of the shortest routings from the UK to China/Japan.

In terms of Canada, Air Transat and Westjet are the obvious choices.

Just as a point, it's not about 'Air Transat adding to Brum instead of MAN', it's just building up the routes in general, no reasons why both airports will not grow Canada wise, especially now that Air Canada Rouges initial reduction of MAN has been reversed.

The only reason why i mentioned Air Transat in particluar was something i read on this forum i think which suggested the reason why TS dont expand at BHX was becouse they can land x2 A330 at MAN for the price of x1 A330 at BHX.

But i know what you mean, it doesnt really matter who goes first, we just need EXPANSION to canada ex BHX.

 

[jfy1999]

Air Transat could be an interesting one as it has been suggested that BHX have lowered its charges in the wake of our recent route announcements.

In the absence of any signs of expansion from Air Transat earlier this year, amid the succession of new route announcements, I speculated that BHX might have just offered the new airlines a temporary deal to get them started.

So if this is true it's a great turn of events.

 

[andyc941]

Really it was obvious to all that a starter offer was offered to the new airlines.What BHX needs to really try hard to do now is keep all the new airlines sweet and on side,and not hike the landing /handling charges up two years or so from now.Ive read on other forums that Wizz are an airline that are hard to keep happy, cos they want everything at the lowest prices they can get.But i dont know if that is true or not.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I believe Finnair is the Oneworld airline mentioned, I thought it would have been announced already. Given Westjet have already mentioned BHX I think it safe to assume they will be the one. The question is will they be announced in time for 2016 or will it be announced next year for a 2017 start?

Really it was obvious to all that a starter offer was offered to the new airlines.What BHX needs to really try hard to do now is keep all the new airlines sweet and on side,and not hike the landing /handling charges up two years or so from now.Ive read on other forums that Wizz are an airline that are hard to keep happy, cos they want everything at the lowest prices they can get.But i dont know if that is true or not.

I agree.

BHX history is littered with one season wonders, although with Vueling continuing and expanding, Norwegian continuing and Wizz still growing early indications are better than they've been for a while. It's been said before it's one thing getting routes but another thing keeping and growing them.

 

[Ray Finkle]

More from the interview with Tom Screen. A 'big year' for BHX and he says himself that with some luck we could top 11 mppa.

Even before any new announcements, 2016 will be a “big year” for the airport, according to Screen.

“Obviously, we have Qatar Airways, Iberia Express, Blue Air and Czech Airlines all starting next March and April. We will also have growth from Vueling, Ryanair, Wizzair, SAS,” he said.

“Focus for the next year is making sure that the airlines and routes we have introduced are successful. But, we also will focus on bringing in another Oneworld carrier, as well as at growth into Canada.

We could get to eleven million passengers with a fair wind, he added.

http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/bre ... gn=the-hub

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Re: Passenger number prediction thread.

Hi there ray and all, I know that alex cruz is currently the ceo of Vueling, which is part of iag, that also has Vueling and Iberia express to bhx, but hopefully when Mr Cruz becomes new chairman and chief executive of British Airways next April 2016, if someone tries to email him about Vuelings and Iberias current situation at bhx, then there maybe a chance and a change of heart about British Airways coming back to Birmingham, you never know what might happen next April 2016 when he takes up his new and sees where British Airways have lagged behind to all these medium and small airlines that have grabbed where opportunity, a realise that this is where British Airways needs to reconnect back to where it disengaged itself all those years.. Oh well..we'll just have to wait and hope and pray a miracle... Andyc

 

[nwoody2001]

I'm happy to state my opinion that this will NEVER happen.

Different airlines with different models, geographical contexts and markets. Simple

Add this to the fact that I wouldn't want them at BHX, especially at the cost of any airlines which currently make up our varied portfolio of routes!