Air France/KLM

[TheLocalYokel]

yes one of those jet 4 engined (!!) planes. Looked like a bacteria next to the Emirates A380 as it came in to the stand in CDG.

However the AF gate E in CDG is infinitely preferable to Gate D that EZY flies out of. No comparison between those 2 sections of CDG. One is definitely for low cost airlines.

I've never flown to France. All my visits have been by train or road but it does sound as though CDG has first and second class facilities from what you say.

I've had an email today from Air France confirming that the AF BRS-CDG route will not operate this summer and suggesting I might like to use the KLM connection via AMS. I've got no immediate plans to fly to France at all but it is disappointing that the AF service has now gone after gradually being run down in recent years - from ATR 72 to 42 (Airlinair) albeit remaining up to 3 x daily; to 6 x weekly E 190 (Hop!); to the current daily ARJ85 (CityJet).

About ten years ago there were up to 6 daily rotations to CDG: 3 with BA franchise and 3 with AF's Regional (all on E135/145 aircraft).

No sign yet of easyJet increasing its daily service to CDG later this year. I wonder if it will.

 

[tpm]

It's really a bit sad to see this route go. There's something almost symbolic about losing such a link to one of the top global cities. Having said that, I have gone via CDG only once in the last couple of years (excluding the involuntary reroutings). It's not just that going via CDG was almost always more expensive than AMS, but the connections were generally either awful or way too tight (running from one terminal to the other landside), for my choice of destinations at least.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

It's really a bit sad to see this route go. There's something almost symbolic about losing such a link to one of the top global cities. Having said that, I have gone via CDG only once in the last couple of years (excluding the involuntary reroutings). It's not just that going via CDG was almost always more expensive than AMS, but the connections were generally either awful or way too tight (running from one terminal to the other landside), for my choice of destinations at least.

It's always a shame to lose an airline or a route, especially a legacy carrier like Air France even though they are now joined with KLM which incidentally will have 80 more seats on the AMS route each day this summer compared with last. Maybe that's played a part in the loss of AF.

Over the past 20 years and more Air France has had a continuing on-off relationship with BRS.

In the early 90s Brit Air operated F 28s for AF in competition with Brymon Dash 8-300s for year or two before leaving the field clear for Brymon by then operating with BA livery and call signs.

In the early 'noughties' Air France Regional returned with small ERJ jets at 3 x daily against BACx ERJs also 3 x daily. That lasted until 2004 when AF pulled out.

BACx later morphing into BACon increased to up to 5 x daily until the news broke that Flybe would be taking over BACon and that the BRS base would close with the loss of most of the routes, including CDG, in the spring of 2007.

For a while it looked as though BRS would have no CDG route at all in summer 2007 until easyJet stepped in for the first time on the route with a daily flight. That winter Air France commenced a 3 x daily service with Airlinair ATR 42s, later upgraded to 72s, against easyJet with summer 2008 seeing easyJet timetabled at twice daily (although I'm not sure all the flights actually operated) and AF continuing at 3 x daily (fewer at weekends with both airlines).

Gradually easyJet reduced its rotations to daily and within a couple of years AF had downsized to ATR 42s again.

In recent mid-winters easyJet has operated less than daily (4 x weekly in January this winter for example) and of course AF reduced to 6 x weekly last summer with Air Hop! E190s and daily this winter with CityJet ARJ85s. It may be also that CityJet's sale to a company outside the AF/KLM Group is also a factor.

History suggests that AF might be back in the future in some guise or another.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Larger aircraft to operate all four daily flights

Bristol Airport’s link with award winning European hub, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, has been strengthened thanks to Dutch airline KLM’s introduction of additional capacity on its four-times daily service. KLM introduced the Embraer 190 aircraft on two of its daily departures from Bristol to Amsterdam in April 2013, and has now extended this to cover all flights. Effectively over the last twelve months KLM has increased capacity by over 20 per cent on this route.

The Embraer 190 aircraft offers increased capacity thanks to its stretched fuselage fitted with a new engine and wing design. This means that it is not just a stretch version with better performance, but a totally optimized aircraft. It is also more fuel efficient while offering much higher performance in terms of range, speed and comfort. Also it has an efficient passenger configuration with two seats on each side of the aisle meaning all passengers have access to a window or aisle seat.

A fourth daily flight has operated since 2011, providing flexibility for passengers and making more onward connections accessible from Schiphol. The most popular connecting destinations from Bristol last year were Bremen, Johannesburg, Beijing, Hong Kong, Nairobi, Lima, Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore and Dubai.

Warner Rootliep, AIR FRANCE KLM General Manager for the UK and Ireland said:

"At Air France KLM we are always investing in new products and listening to passengers’ demand. With the introduction of the new Embraer 190 we are delighted to be able to increase our capacity on our Bristol – Amsterdam service where there is a strong demand. Bristol is a key regional airport in our extensive UK network so it is important to provide the best service to our local customers. We are delighted to see that enhancing our services from Bristol has resulted in more passengers using this airport as their departure point to travel the world".

Shaun Browne, Aviation Director at Bristol Airport, adds:
“KLM provides passengers in the South West with connections to hundreds of destinations across its global network via Amsterdam. The airline has demonstrated its commitment to the region by continuing to develop its product from Bristol Airport, to the benefit of businesses who rely on access to overseas markets.”[/textarea]

This is a BRS press release at: http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/media-c ... 4/klm.aspx

It confirms what has been shown publicly 'in the system' for a while.

Interesting to learn that the most popular connecting destinations from BRS last year were Bremen, Johannesburg, Beijing, Hong Kong, Nairobi, Lima, Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore and Dubai.

Bremen might be a surprise to some but I suppose it's because of the aviation industry links, although Hamburg was flown last year by bmi regional twice daily non stop and also has aviation industry links and isn't a million miles from Bremen.

 

[Marko1]

Klm planning four daily flights this coming winter all using e190s . Increase from last winter

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Klm planning four daily flights this coming winter all using e190s . Increase from last winter

Further to the above, a check with the booking engine shows that the frequency will reduce to 3 x daily for January and the first two weeks of February. It's an acceptable increase nonetheless and will play its part in hopefully boosting BRS's winter passenger throughput along with the additional easyJet, Thomson and Wizz flights.

 

[Marko1]

Klm increasing capacity next summer. Evening flight now with a b737-700!!!

 

[ezy_brs]

thats good news! what is the capacity on a 737?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

thats good news! what is the capacity on a 737?

Seat Guru shows the KLM 737-700s with a seating capacity of 132: 106 economy; 6 economy comfort; 20 European business.

Incidentally, Seat Guru shows 97 seats on the KLM 190s. I thought it was 100.

A poster on another forum says the 737-700 will operate the evening rotation from 4 July to 28 August next year. Outside this period it will be an E 190.

 

[big g]

The 737 is planned to operate the Kl1049/1050.

 

[Marko1]

The planned Boeing 737 planned for this summer has been changed back to the embraer

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Premier sponsor announced for Bath stage of Tour of Britain
Created: 6th May 2016

KLM and Bristol Airport have been announced as premier sponsors for the Tour of Britain stage being held in Bath this September.

Bath & North East Somerset Council will be hosting a stage finish of the tour, Britain’s premier cycling race, for the very first time on Thursday 8 September. Stage five, which will begin in Aberdare, will finish in Bath having crossed South Wales and Gloucestershire. This will be shown live on ITV4 and around the world.

KLM operates four flights every day which fly passengers to 800 short and long haul destinations worldwide from Bristol Airport, via a connection in Amsterdam. Since 2010 Bristol Airport has invested over £120 million in infrastructure developments and is the main regional airport for Bath and North East Somerset residents, and a convenient gateway for overseas visitors to the city.

Councillor Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North), Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “We’re looking forward to working with KLM and Bristol Airport again in welcoming the thousands of spectators who will arrive to see the professional cyclists race through our beautiful World Heritage City.

“As well as attracting visitors to the city, the Tour provides an opportunity for local residents of all ages to see top class cyclists, riding high on the back of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, in action and be inspired by them. KLM and Bristol Airport’s sponsorship will support our Summer of Cycling community activities, which aims to encourage residents, young and old, to try cycling for the first time.”

Shaun Browne, Aviation Director, Bristol Airport said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Bath stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race. This world class event will attract visitors from across the UK and around the world to the city. Visitors will be able to enjoy the excitement and atmosphere of the race whilst in Bath, as well as taking the opportunity of visiting the wide range of tourist attractions available in the area.

“With four flights per day between Bristol Airport and the hub airport of Amsterdam, KLM offers customers the choice of using their local airport to world-wide destinations. It also makes the South West region easily accessible to customers wishing to visit the area for major events such as this.”

Alastair Grant – Tour of Britain Commercial Director, said: “We are delighted to be returning to Bath with the Tour of Britain following the success of the Stage start in 2014 and are very much looking forward to working alongside Bath & North East Somerset Council in 2016.

“We were thrilled to hear that they have renewed their partnership with Bristol Airport and KLM which will no doubt spread the word far and wide about the race coming to the area in September.”

Warner Rootliep, Air France KLM General Manager, UK and Ireland, said: “KLM is delighted to be sponsoring the Bath Stage of the Tour of Britain, for a second year with our partners of Bristol Airport. The sponsorship shows our commitment to the South West and Wales region. As the UK’s largest regional full service intercontinental carrier, we are dedicated to linking the local community to KLM’s extensive worldwide network of over 150 destinations. We are proud to sponsor such an iconic event and I wish all the participants the best of luck.”

The Tour of Britain will begin in Glasgow on Sunday 4 September and finish in the heart of London on Sunday 11 September. Details of the exact route and where the stage will finish in the city will be announced in the coming months by Bath & North East Somerset Council and organisers SweetSpot.

Bath previously hosted a stage start of the 2014 Tour of Britain and last year’s final round of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series.

BRS press release at: http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/abo...news-and-media-centre/2016/05/tour-of-britain

Good to see airlines getting behind local events. bmi regional has a three-year deal with Bath Rugby Club.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

KLM Cityhopper appears to be operating 4 x daily every day of the week this summer with the E190. I have a feeling that in previous years Saturday was 3 x daily.

 

[Jerry]

Have heard a rumour that KLM will start using 737s on their Bristol routes wondering if their was any substance to this?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

737s were shown on some of the rotations for the peak summer this year but were later changed back to the E 190.

 

[ezy_brs]

I had a captain of KLM Cityhopper explain all this to me once earlier this year. KLM Were originally planning on indeed operating the B737 on some rotations but apparently it all stems to the fact that it is actually KLM Cityhopper that operates the route, and NOT KLM Mainline, in much the same way that Stobart Air operates the Aer lingus routes.

Now As KLM Cityhopper operate the route solely from BRS, they apparently have some restriction by KLM Mainline that they are not to operate any aircraft with greater than 100 capacity, Hence why they have gone with E195 aircraft.

Now what I can't understand is that take Newcastle for example, operate both KLM Mainline and KLM Cityhopper flights. The Demand is there from BRS to warrant a B737 on some rotations, as quite often the flights are oversold. The only thing that I can think of why BRS don't use a B737 is that KLM have their own gate at BRS. Gate 10/stand 21. Frequent passengers are familiar with where there flight will be boarding from and arriving into so as a B737 can't park on Stand 21 and the airport spent a lot of money configuring and making that particular gate look presentable, I am only speculating here that maybe and only maybe the airport said no to the B737 rotations?

 

[Jerry]

I had a captain of KLM Cityhopper explain all this to me once earlier this year. KLM Were originally planning on indeed operating the B737 on some rotations but apparently it all stems to the fact that it is actually KLM Cityhopper that operates the route, and NOT KLM Mainline, in much the same way that Stobart Air operates the Aer lingus routes.

Now As KLM Cityhopper operate the route solely from BRS, they apparently have some restriction by KLM Mainline that they are not to operate any aircraft with greater than 100 capacity, Hence why they have gone with E195 aircraft.

Now what I can't understand is that take Newcastle for example, operate both KLM Mainline and KLM Cityhopper flights. The Demand is there from BRS to warrant a B737 on some rotations, as quite often the flights are oversold. The only thing that I can think of why BRS don't use a B737 is that KLM have their own gate at BRS. Gate 10/stand 21. Frequent passengers are familiar with where there flight will be boarding from and arriving into so as a B737 can't park on Stand 21 and the airport spent a lot of money configuring and making that particular gate look presentable, I am only speculating here that maybe and only maybe the airport said no to the B737 rotations?

There are a couple of UK airports that get KLM and KLM cityhopper flights. I've even seen a F70 takeoff from Heathrow.
I would've thought BRS would be a prime candidate for a 737 at least once a day. Idk Bristols layout or stands but i would've thought they could find room or a gate and stand for one flight a day? But maybe with Ryanair and Easyjet operating those sized aircraft they just don't have the stands?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

There are a couple of UK airports that get KLM and KLM cityhopper flights. I've even seen a F70 takeoff from Heathrow.
I would've thought BRS would be a prime candidate for a 737 at least once a day. Idk Bristols layout or stands but i would've thought they could find room or a gate and stand for one flight a day? But maybe with Ryanair and Easyjet operating those sized aircraft they just don't have the stands?

I doubt that stand availability would be a problem in itself even if the night stopper was a 737.

I think that ezy_brs is suggesting that the particular gate and stand that KLM use would be problematical as the stand cannot take a 737 and its associated gate has been configured with KLM in mind. ezy_brs also wonders whether a change of stand for a 737 might not be good practice passenger-wise if the other KLM aircraft (E190s) continued to use the KLM gate and stand.

ezy_brs has put forward some suggestions as to why 737s can't be used at BRS for KLM. I wonder if the reason might involve a trade union agreement. The provenance of KLM Cityhopper in the UK is dual in nature. The BRS (and CWL) Cityhopper services date from Netherlines which became NLM Cityhopper and then KLM Cityhopper. Some of the other KLM Cityhopper routes have their gestation in Air UK which became KLM UK before becoming part of KLM Cityhopper.

It's only a thought but there might be different trade union agreements relating to the two separate pathways by which KLM Cityhopper came to serve the UK.

 

[big g]

Nope all looking far to deep in to the reason. Fact is kLM required the 737 on routes that demanded the larger aircraft. It was planned to use the 737-700 on the KL1049/50 and would have added an extra 36 seats on that rotation, Currently the KL1046/54 have the highest daily loads. It's not uncommon to see the kLM on stands 3/5/6 and 22.

The winter schedule has planned a mix of E75/95 on the KL1050/54 rotations.

 

[Marko1]

Given the excellent figures achieved on the Amsterdam route during 2016 surely klm must be thinking of upgrading capacity or frequency on its brs route