Primera Air

[Matt995]

Apparently it takes circa 4 months to build and fit out an A321 and as has been reported, there is currently only half a fuselage in Germany. There are also engines (having their own issues), ETOPS, crew visa's and probably a whole host of other stuff to factor in. STN starts in around 3 months.

The programme was always going to be tight but now it seems as if one BHX aircraft at least will be pushed back to Sept and there are rumours that STN may also see the same.

If its 4 months Ray to fit out each A321, they are not going to be able to start any of the schedules on time!!

Aircraft 1 is needed 19th April to start STN-EWR daily
Aircraft 2 is needed 18th May to start CDG-EWR daily
Aircraft 3 is needed 18th May to start BHX-EWR daily
Aircraft 4 is needed 18th May to start STN-BOS & YYZ (4 & 3 weekly)
Aircraft 5 is needed 21st June to start CDG-BOS & YYZ (3 & 4 weekly)
Aircraft 6 is needed 22nd June to start BHX-BOS & YYZ (4 & 3 weekly)

so 12 weeks until aircraft 1 should be entering service, and 3 other aircraft needed in 16 weeks time!

I'm no expert on how long it take to build a A321 and get it ready for service, but I would have thought these dates are impossible to achieve!! Guess only time will tell!

 

[IanFarquharson]

The Turkmen 738 the other night had a 7h 35m flight time from ASB-BHX !
So a 738 could get to Boston ex BHX ?

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I have been letting the Primera/BHX situation filter and settle in my mind. I always find this far better than jumping to conclusions.
From what we know (assuming aircraft delivery delays), BHX-EWR is reduced to 4X weekly. BHX-YYZ will operate 3X weekly and the start of BHX-BOS is delayed until late Sept.
Originally, BHX-EWR was to be daily. BHX-BOS 4X weekly and BHX-YYZ 3X weekly.
Again, assuming delayed aircraft delivery, Primera will have had several choices -

A. Run BHX-EWR daily and suspend the two other destinations.

B. Run BHX-EWR 4X weekly and BHX-BOS 3X weekly and delay BHX-YYZ.

C. Run BHX-EWR 4X weekly and BHX-YYZ 3X weekly and delay BHX-BOS.

D. Run BHX-EWR 3X weekly and BHX-BOS and BHX-YYZ 2X weekly each.

BHX-EWR and BHX-BOS were launched at the same time. BHX-YYZ was added some time later.
What could this tell us? First of all, that YYZ seems to be preferred over BOS (even though YYZ became available long after BOS). Is YYZ outselling BOS?
Why not just start with a daily BHX-EWR, delaying the other two routes? Is EWR booking below expectation and YYZ doing better than predicted?
I realise that there are many other permutations than those I have listed above, but think them the most likely.

Regards

Kevin

 

[Coathanger16]

BHX-EWR and BHX-BOS were launched at the same time. BHX-YYZ was added some time later.
What could this tell us? First of all, that YYZ seems to be preferred over BOS (even though YYZ became available long after BOS). Is YYZ outselling BOS?
Why not just start with a daily BHX-EWR, delaying the other two routes? Is EWR booking below expectation and YYZ doing better than predicted?

Well I think most of us were surprised when Primera said they'd be flying to Boston, so its unsurprising that it was Boston that was 'sacrificed'. Also Toronto had until recently been served from BHX so that market is already more established than Boston.

As for why Primera haven't decided to stick with just a daily Newark and delay both Toronto and Boston, it could be that Primera thought that the bookings for Toronto were too good to warrant cancelling if that makes sense. Alternatively delaying 2 routes sounds worse than delaying just 1.

Who knows why airlines do what they do. We shall just have to wait and see what comes of this I think.

 

[Ray Finkle]

If its 4 months Ray to fit out each A321

I am no expert but 4 months seems to be the length of time touted, it may be less.

Who knows why airlines do what they do. We shall just have to wait and see what comes of this I think.

Totally agree.

The fact that the full schedule is still getting visibility on their website (albeit pricing people out of booking) may suggest that things are happening behind the scenes. Only time will tell.

 

[Ianbutty]

I am no expert but 4 months seems to be the length of time touted, it may be less.



Totally agree.

The fact that the full schedule is still getting visibility on their website (albeit pricing people out of booking) may suggest that things are happening behind the scenes. Only time will tell.

Primera advertising heavily on local radio in Essex at discount prices with c15,000 cheap bargain seats available. With dates.

 

[Brum X]

Primera advertising heavily on local radio in Essex at discount prices with c15,000 cheap bargain seats available. With dates.

Well it would appear that if the latest information is correct and there is indeed aircraft delivery delays that Primera Air are going to prioritise STN over BHX, with the latter having to wait and be patient which is rather annoying but not much we can do about that.

However I was looking forward to seeing Boston on our departure boards in 2018 looks like it wont be in 2018

 

[rollo]

Provincial city (doesn't matter which one ) plays second fiddle to London all stand back in amazement, although suppose it's just reality though still a ******

 

[smithy108]

This appeared in 'Breaking Travel News' published today 7 hours ago , keeping on message !

Primera Air emerging as new force in European low-cost sector

Last year was a record year for Primera Air, as the airline carried more than one million passengers for the first time.

Direct sales on the airline’s website grew 125 per cent, while the company’s revenue increased 13.7 per cent compared to 2016.

All figures have been reached with a consistent load factor of 85 per cent.

“Stepping into 2018 with record results in so many areas is very encouraging, especially when this year is expected to be defining for Primera Air in the respect of evolving from a solid European leisure carrier into an emerging transatlantic airline,” said Andri Már Ingólfsson, president and owner of Primera Air.

He added: “Being among leaders in the changing long-haul and transatlantic flight segment is a huge achievement.

“Nevertheless, it is a reminder that we are heading in the right direction and, most importantly, that we are keeping up our effort to bring low fares to both European and transatlantic flight markets.”

As previously announced, Primera Air is opening new bases in Birmingham, London Stansted, and Paris Charles de Gaulle to commence flights to New York, Boston and Toronto already this April, along with new routes from the UK to Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Barcelona and Chania.

In the next two years, Primera Air plans to increase its presence on current bases and to add new transatlantic routes and bases, as the airline has 20 new Boeing MAX9-ER on order.

 

[IanFarquharson]

Next two routes should be Philly and Montreal
Then when the LRs arrive we are looking at Calgary Denver and Atlanta as all in range

 

[Ray Finkle]

Hopefully Boston too, just saying

With only two LR on order I am starting to wonder if there will just be one a piece for London and Paris?

 

[Jerry]

Denver and Calgary? Surely there just a little bit too far even for the A321neoLR?

 

[Brum X]

Next two routes should be Philly and Montreal
Then when the LRs arrive we are looking at Calgary Denver and Atlanta as all in range

Thanks for the info Ian but i dont even want a conversation yet about other routes when the existing 3 routes have a BIG ?

 

[IanFarquharson]

All 3 are in range
Dummy bookings for YYZ ex BHX and STN are showing more BHX sold than STN on most days.
A couple of day STN has zeros, over the period of three months every flight was checked and there are no zeros ex BHX, a lots of days are 20+ which at this stage is ok

 

[58terminus]

Then when the LRs arrive we are looking at Calgary Denver and Atlanta as all in range

When you say all in range are you just stating a fact or are you saying they part of Primera's plans?
If the former i think that is a bit cheeky.

 

[Matt995]

Next two routes should be Philly and Montreal
Then when the LRs arrive we are looking at Calgary Denver and Atlanta as all in range

I know Montreal had been mentioned a few months ago, can't see it being that popular from the UK, surely its more suitable for the Paris flights, with all the French speakers in Montreal?

 

[Ray Finkle]

The website has now been updated, New York is daily until Jun 23rd when it goes 4x weekly and there is nothing available for Boston. Toronto remains unaffected.

Emails have now been sent out with some taking to social media about cancelled flights to Boston.

 

[Creguk]

They really need to issue a statement if they are to save face. People calling them a "tinpot" airline on twitter. Their lack of statement just makes them look worse!

 

[Ray Finkle]

STN and CDG routes to the USA are now bookable into winter but nothing from BHX.

Yet another BHX one season wonder?

 

[rollo]

STN and CDG routes to the USA are now bookable into winter but nothing from BHX.

Yet another BHX one season wonder?

It gets better!