Birmingham: Route Development & Rumours

[Ray Finkle]

As I'm bored here are some 'dates for your diary'. Hopefully there is still more to be added

February

27th BMI Regional - Graz

March

26th Eurowings - Vienna
26th Blue Air - Larnaca
26th Ryanair - Porto
26th Ryanair - Reus

27th Ryanair - Girona

28th Ryanair - Chania

30th Jet2 - Malaga
30th Jet2 - Faro

31st Jet2 - Alicante
31st Jet2 - Palma
31st Jet2 - Tenerife

April

1st Jet2 - Gran Canaria
1st Jet2 - Lanzarote

2nd Jet2 - Fuerteventura
2nd Jet2 - Paphos

26th Vueling - Paris Orly

27th Jet2 - Ibiza
27th Jet2 - Rhodes

28th Monarch - Stockholm
28th Monarch - Porto
28th Jet2 - Girona

29th Jet2 - Menorca
29th Jet2 - Reus

30th Jet2 - Heraklion

May

2nd Thomas Cook - Naples

3rd Thomas Cook - Comiso

4th Thomas Cook - Malta

6th Thomson - Alghero

8th BMI Regional - Gothenburg

8th BMI Regional - Nuremberg

20th British Airways - Malaga

20th British Airways - Palma

20th British Airways - Ibiza

20th British Airways - Florence

June

6th Fly One - Chisinau

21st Monarch - Rhodes

22nd Monarch - Valencia

23rd Monarch - Naples

25th Monarch - Split

October

2nd Jet2 - Funchal

November

2nd Thomas Cook - Sal

3rd Jet2 - Krakow
3rd Jet2 - Prague

8th Thomson - Phuket

9th Thomson - Goa

22nd Thomson - La Romana

December

2nd Jet2 - Grenoble

22nd Jet2 - Geneva

23rd Jet2 - Salzburg

24th Jet2- Turin

 

[Coathanger16]

I would have thought that the closest we will get will be Norwegian and their 737MAX planes, but they have gone very quiet lately.

A bit further out, may there be a slim possibility of JetBlue operating with A321NEO-LR? They have bases at both JFK & BOS. Birmingham may provide a more attractive market to the likes of JetBlue as BHX will most likely only have United operating to Newark. Manchester has now got plenty of competition on their New York services, so as JetBlue would be a comparatively new brand in the UK, they may find it easier to achieve decent loads from BHX as opposed to MAN. Also on routes such as BOS, they would be the sole operator from BHX which would have advantages for JetBlue. Furthermore, by the time JetBlue is receiving their A321NEO-LR's BHX could have grown to between 12.7mppa and 15mppa which would make BHX even more attractive to airlines than now.

 

[Ray Finkle]

There is an interview with the boss of Finnair in which he says "we are definitely going to increase the number of airports we serve in the UK". It then goes on to say 'The airline hasn't yet decided which airports it will add to it's network but the Finnair boss believes it will be an attractive proposition to those who do not live in the South East and wish to travel to Asia'. The article also said that there were concerns over Brexit affecting the plans but it definitely sounds positive.

Gatwick or Stansted may have been and option but it clearly states 'those who live outside the South East'. Glasgow is out as they serve EDI. That leaves BRS, NCL or BHX?

 

[Paulsstrange]

As I'm bored here are some 'dates for your diary'. Hopefully there is still more to be added

February

27th BMI Regional - Graz

March

26th Eurowings - Vienna
26th Blue Air - Larnaca
26th Ryanair - Porto
26th Ryanair - Reus

27th Ryanair - Girona

28th Ryanair - Chania

30th Jet2 - Malaga
30th Jet2 - Faro

31st Jet2 - Alicante
31st Jet2 - Palma
31st Jet2 - Tenerife

April

1st Jet2 - Gran Canaria
1st Jet2 - Lanzarote

2nd Jet2 - Fuerteventura
2nd Jet2 - Paphos

24th BMI Regional - Gothenburg (Provisional)
24th BMI Regional - Nuremberg (Provisional)

26th Vueling - Paris Orly

27th Jet2 - Ibiza
27th Jet2 - Rhodes

28th Monarch - Stockholm
28th Monarch - Porto
28th Jet2 - Girona

29th Jet2 - Menorca
29th Jet2 - Reus

30th Jet2 - Heraklion

May

2nd Thomas Cook - Naples

3rd Thomas Cook - Comiso

4th Thomas Cook - Malta

6th Thomson - Alghero

June

6th Fly One - Chisinau

October

2nd Jet2 - Funchal

November

2nd Thomas Cook - Sal

3rd Jet2 - Krakow
3rd Jet2 - Prague

8th Thomson - Phuket

9th Thomson - Goa

22nd Thomson - La Romana

December

2nd Jet2 - Grenoble

22nd Jet2 - Geneva

23rd Jet2 - Salzburg

24th Jet2- Turin

Wow superb list Ray looking forward to this summer already ....

 

[Paulsstrange]

There is an interview with the boss of Finnair in which he says "we are definitely going to increase the number of airports we serve in the UK". It then goes on to say 'The airline hasn't yet decided which airports it will add to it's network but the Finnair boss believes it will be an attractive proposition to those who do not live in the South East and wish to travel to Asia'. The article also said that there were concerns over Brexit affecting the plans but it definitely sounds positive.

Gatwick or Stansted may have been and option but it clearly states 'those who live outside the South East'. Glasgow is out as they serve EDI. That leaves BRS, NCL or BHX?

Surely bhx nailed on especially as MAN is upgrading from October....

 

[Coathanger16]

Let's hope Finnair come through as that would be a great addition to BHXs line up.

Besides offering an alternative route to Asia, having visited Helsinki a few years ago, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for somewhere different to go.

 

[richard winterbourn]

I feel like we are in the 'eye of a storm'. Everything was a record in 2016; monthly and annual figures, new airlines etc etc and looking forward into 2017 we can expect more of the same.

And yet, at the moment, everything is calm and tranquil....

But while that is the case, we can be certain that the route development team and the airport management team at BHX are hard at work behind the scenes.

How long to wait for the next big announcement?

 

[ethanegcc]

Finnair I would say is very likely with MAN being upgraded. A five-weekly ERJ 190 service is very possible. About UK expansion, EDI is currently only three-weekly with summer seasonal so perhaps that would be in for an increase as well. Apart from that BRS, NCL and BHX (possibly GLA/ABZ) seem the only viable options.

 

[BHXsupporter]

Let's hope Finnair come through as that would be a great addition to BHXs line up. Besides offering an alternative route to Asia, having visited Helsinki a few years ago, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for somewhere different to go.

I agree. Try the design museum there and the Cathedral. Both very inspiring. Lovely restaurants and shops with Scandinavian produce predominating - a real change, and unique.

 

[BHXsupporter]

Finnair I would say is very likely with MAN being upgraded. A five-weekly ERJ 190 service is very possible. About UK expansion, EDI is currently only three-weekly with summer seasonal so perhaps that would be in for an increase as well. Apart from that BRS, NCL and BHX (possibly GLA/ABZ) seem the only viable options.

It would be great to transfer to an A350 after a visit to Helsinki bound for the current choices of Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong or Shanghai. No LHR!!

 

[ethanegcc]

And Narita, beginning next year.

It would be great to transfer to an A350 after a visit to Helsinki bound for the current choices of Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong or Shanghai. No LHR!!

 

[Butty]

You need to get bored often, Ray. Great list. And it only day 12 of 2017! Happiness.

 

[IanFarquharson]

BIRMINGHAM Airport has confirmed it is in talks with an unnamed airline to resume direct flights to China.

The announcement comes as the airport’s leading rival in Manchester prepares to head to Birmingham for an event promoting its own direct flights to China.

It is not the first time Manchester Airport has come to Birmingham to try and drum up interest for the flights – it carried out a similar exercise last summer, much to the irritation of airport chiefs here.

Manchester’s latest stunt has re-opened old wounds but while Birmingham Airport has refrained from criticising the move in public, privately it is seething about the encroachment.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Birmingham Airport said: “Demand for flights to China from Birmingham is significant driven mainly by the Midlands’ strong trading relationship with China and we are in discussions with a carrier to reinstate services in the future following our successful Beijing operations in 2014 and 2015.

“China is an enormous growth market for the UK with many regions increasing trade with Chinese companies – it’s therefore surprising that another region should need to come to our city to promote its services.”

The event in question has been organised to cash in on Birmingham’s popular celebrations for Chinese New Year.

Related Articles Row erupts as Manchester Airport uses Birmingham to poach customers for its new Chinese services Birmingham Airport set for permanent Chinese flights Representative from carrier Hainan Airlines and Manchester Airport are heading to Birmingham’s House of Fraser department store next week for a celebration to mark Chinese New Year.

Manchester Airport said that currently more than 52,000 people from the West Midlands travelled to China each year but prior to June 2016, were forced to connect via an overseas hub or use a London airport. That changed when Hainan Airlines launched its direct service from Manchester, which flies four times a week to Beijing.

Stephen Turner, Commercial Director at Manchester Airport, said: “Events like this allow us to inform potential passengers and key travel agents about the breadth of our offering to save their customers the time and hassle of using congested airports in the South.

“Our route to Beijing is proving to be incredibly popular with leisure and business passengers alike. The direct access unlocks a whole host of tourist, economic and investment opportunities for people from the West Midlands and China.”

Loic Gao, UK General Manager at Hainan Airlines, said: “Using Manchester Airport, instead of flying indirectly or from London, is a huge advantage for people in the Midlands. Not only does it save time for passengers travelling on holiday or on business, it also gives access to a wealth of economic and investment opportunities with one of the world’s biggest economies.”

Parminder Sahota, Store Manager at House of Fraser Birmingham, said: “Since the launch of the direct route from Manchester we have seen an increase in Chinese tourists visiting Birmingham. As one of the city’s premium department stores, our extensive brand offering across beauty, fashion, accessories and childrenswear has proved extremely popular with Chinese customers.”

 

[route66]

BIRMINGHAM Airport has confirmed it is in talks with an unnamed airline to resume direct flights to China.

The announcement comes as the airport’s leading rival in Manchester prepares to head to Birmingham for an event promoting its own direct flights to China.

It is not the first time Manchester Airport has come to Birmingham to try and drum up interest for the flights – it carried out a similar exercise last summer, much to the irritation of airport chiefs here.

Manchester’s latest stunt has re-opened old wounds but while Birmingham Airport has refrained from criticising the move in public, privately it is seething about the encroachment.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Birmingham Airport said: “Demand for flights to China from Birmingham is significant driven mainly by the Midlands’ strong trading relationship with China and we are in discussions with a carrier to reinstate services in the future following our successful Beijing operations in 2014 and 2015.

“China is an enormous growth market for the UK with many regions increasing trade with Chinese companies – it’s therefore surprising that another region should need to come to our city to promote its services.”

The event in question has been organised to cash in on Birmingham’s popular celebrations for Chinese New Year.

Related Articles Row erupts as Manchester Airport uses Birmingham to poach customers for its new Chinese services Birmingham Airport set for permanent Chinese flights Representative from carrier Hainan Airlines and Manchester Airport are heading to Birmingham’s House of Fraser department store next week for a celebration to mark Chinese New Year.

Manchester Airport said that currently more than 52,000 people from the West Midlands travelled to China each year but prior to June 2016, were forced to connect via an overseas hub or use a London airport. That changed when Hainan Airlines launched its direct service from Manchester, which flies four times a week to Beijing.

Stephen Turner, Commercial Director at Manchester Airport, said: “Events like this allow us to inform potential passengers and key travel agents about the breadth of our offering to save their customers the time and hassle of using congested airports in the South.

“Our route to Beijing is proving to be incredibly popular with leisure and business passengers alike. The direct access unlocks a whole host of tourist, economic and investment opportunities for people from the West Midlands and China.”

Loic Gao, UK General Manager at Hainan Airlines, said: “Using Manchester Airport, instead of flying indirectly or from London, is a huge advantage for people in the Midlands. Not only does it save time for passengers travelling on holiday or on business, it also gives access to a wealth of economic and investment opportunities with one of the world’s biggest economies.”

Parminder Sahota, Store Manager at House of Fraser Birmingham, said: “Since the launch of the direct route from Manchester we have seen an increase in Chinese tourists visiting Birmingham. As one of the city’s premium department stores, our extensive brand offering across beauty, fashion, accessories and childrenswear has proved extremely popular with Chinese customers.”

Are we expected to believe the store manager at House of Fraser when he says that Chinese tourists were traveling all the way from the north-west to shop at his store in Birmingham?

 

[Ray Finkle]

And here we are yet again. Lets see.

 

[Butty]

Thanks for the (amusing) news article, Ian. I agree with Ray, here we go again...with I assume rumours about China. I am more excited about closer to home prospects and other far east destinations.

 

[Hassaan]

A link to China would be great if they could get hold of it. Any long haul or short haul link would be welcome.

Which ones do you think are priorities at the moment?

 

[BHXsupporter]

I have just read an article on Gatwick's recent long-haul increase with Norwegian and the Canadian airlines.
https://airwaysmag.com/airports/london-gatwick-renaissance/

A brief extract:
'“WestJet was extremely pleased with the response that we had to our new service. Our flights generated significant capacity and higher-than-average load factors.” Air Canada’s general manager sales for UK and Ireland Stephen Gerrard said that its low-cost subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge, was sufficiently pleased with its first season flying into Gatwick from its Toronto hub that it planned to add services from Vancouver to its summer 2017 schedules.'

I would like to think 'Come on BHX, you could do it too'. Vancouver from BHX? You bet I'd use it.

 

[Coathanger16]

TBH I'd rather have a more substantial service to Toronto than the current sporadic Air Transat flights to start with. Vancouver can be added later.

In reality neither Westjet nor Air Canada (Rouge) would launch Vancouver before Toronto from Birmingham.

 

[BHXsupporter]

Vancouver was only the example shown in the text quoted and I wasn't just focusing on this. Wrt Canada but of course I agree that Toronto and the occasional Montreal and Calgary flight would be very welcome also but then so would Norwegian's presence - also mentioned in the article - which could give us more US connections.