Airline and Airport Correspondence

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray, had an email reply back from Mr Paul Kehoe today, in response to any future flights from Birmingham with delta airlines all. He stated that virtually every month, he normally tries to contact them about introducing flights from Birmingham Airport to other United States cities, like Atlanta, Chicago, Washington dulles or even los Angeles, because he says he's mystified that Virgin trains stop at Birmingham New Street, Birmingham International, yet not at Birmingham Airport, there reply was because of of there partnership with Delta airlines, there current agreement, is that Heathrow and Manchester will be the two airports in the Uk that delta airlines and Virgin will use at present. The agreement for the railway usage is a different kind of agreement, but Mr Kehoe states that hes hopeful that if he can gather and provide enough evidence to show that there is demand for both Virgin and Delta Airlines, then hopefully he can finally try and persuade them both to look at Birmingham airport as well, until then,he states that hes hope full in trying to bring in more carriers soon as well as in the near future... Let's just hope for more unexpected announcements soon... Andyc

 

[Ray Finkle]

A case of 'watch this space'.

 

[Paulsstrange]

Im hoping Delta may be closer than just a 'wish' time will tell.

 

[Ianbutty]

Andyc. I don't run an airport so I cannot say this with too much confidence, but virgin run a rail franchise procured bunch UK government. There is a world of difference with an airline. I suspect that Virgin/Delta have accepted some kind of non-competitive agreement at LHR and MAN most likely a condition of the respective airports which stops a route from BHX , amongst other airports in return for....let's just say it's a dog eat dog world Unfair possibly, but I suggest we look elsewhere.

 

[David_itl]

The thing that will stop a route at BHX is not a "condition of the respective airports" as that could be regarded as an uncompetitive practice/restraint of trade which may be court enforceable. It's more likely to be the perceived lack of profit to be had ex-BHX

 

[Bhx_fifteen]

I emailed Paul Kehoe regarding a new airline 'Cobalt Air'. For anyone interested, I have attached my email and his response below:

Hi Paul,

I am a keen supporter of BHX and I closely follow every announcement made in regards to new airlines and routes launched, as well as capacity increases.

Firstly, I would like to say congratulations (and thank-you!) for doing such an excellent job in recent years to sustain so many new carriers; most of which are continually expanding operations from BHX. It’s truly impressive.

I am emailing today in regards to a new Cypriot airline ‘Cobalt Air’. I’m not sure if you have heard of them as they’re not yet technically in existence..!

They were first announced last year following the demise of Cyprus Airways, who once flew to BHX for a number of decades before pulling out due to financial troubles. Cobalt have a very interesting strategy with ambitious plans to turn Cyprus into a hub based on its excellent location at the cross-roads of Europe, Asia and Africa. Why no other airline has tried to do this yet is beyond me. They also plan to promote Cyprus as a year-round destination, moving away from the ‘Summer-only’ image.

They are launching operations in June 2016 and aim to be operating a number of A320/A321/A330 aircraft by 2017, both short-haul and long-haul.

They recently announced their first set of destinations from Larnaca, which are: Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Chania, London, Manchester, East Midlands, Glasgow, Cardiff, Dublin, Paris, Beirut, Tel Aviv and Tehran.

I was surprised and disappointed not to see BHX in the list of initial destinations (especially as smaller airports have been listed: EMA, CWL etc.)

In the summer season, there are approximately 10 flights per week to Larnaca (5 x ZB, 3 x TCX and 2 x TOM, as far as I’m aware), and up until now there have been approximately 2 x per week in the Winter with ZB.

However, disappointingly, for the first time ever, this Winter will see NO direct flights from BHX to Cyprus AT ALL! None to Larnaca OR Paphos. Monarch have been flying all-year-round to Larnaca for the few years they have operated the route, and before that Cyprus Airways did - so this is decades of year-round operations coming to an end.

It’s a great shame to see no direct flights between BHX and LCA for Winter, and extremely shocking - there is a large Cypriot community in Birmingham and a deep connection between the two locations, with family and friends travelling between the destinations as well as Cypriots attending university in Birmingham and so forth.

I believe this gives Cobalt even more reason to fly BHX-LCA, and I’m convinced that you will be able to get them on board to see the opportunities from BHX - both for point-to-point travellers, as well as those wishing to connect on Cobalt’s long haul network from Larnaca starting in 2017.

Cobalt’s official website is still in early stages and flights are yet to go on sale (they are to be announced in mid-May) - however if you take a look at their website (www.cobalt.aero) there is contact information available. There Facebook page also presents plenty of information (https://www.facebook.com/CobaltAeroOfficial/?fref=ts).

I hope you agree that this is an excellent opportunity and comes at a perfect time (with winter services being discontinued). Thank you for taking the time to read my comments and suggestions.

Kind regards,

Peter.


----

cc: William Pearson, Tom Screen


Peter


Thanks for this. Will discuss with the route development team.


Best wishes


Paul

 

[Brum X]

When you say no flights to either LCA or PFO, does that also include Thomson and Thomas Cook ?? And is this W16/17 ??

 

[Ray Finkle]

Thomson have a limited Larnaca over the winter period, Paphos is weekly with extra flights over the holiday period.

Monarch usually have Cyprus throughout the winter. W16/17 isn't fully loaded yet so they may still be to come.

 

[Brum X]

Thomson have a limited Larnaca over the winter period, Paphos is weekly with extra flights over the holiday period.

Monarch usually have Cyprus throughout the winter. W16/17 isn't fully loaded yet so they may still be to come.

Thank goodness for that, for a moment then i thought BHX had no flights to cyprus in the winter.

 

[Bhx_fifteen]

Sorry, my mistake - yes, Thomson fly to Paphos in the Winter. However no flights to Larnaca from any carriers. Larnaca is the island's main airport and serves the capital (Nicosia).

Ray, I contacted Monarch via Facebook about whether Larnaca for W16/17 would become available to book shortly and they replied: "Hi Pete, we are only operating to Larnaca from Birmingham during the Summer season. I'm sorry for any disappointment this may cause. ^NG"

As I said, this is the first time for decades (as far as I'm aware) that Larnaca will be seasonal from BHX - I know many people (both family and friends) who study in Birmingham but live in Cyprus who will have to travel to other airports to fly home for Christmas now...seems a bit of a step backwards!

Anyway, I'm very intrigued by 'Cobalt Air' and their ambitious plans, I'll be keeping an eye out....
I came back from Larnaca last week and saw their first aircraft in all-white, waiting to be checked and given a license before being painted in the new brand's livery. An article below for anyone interested in who they are (with more info to follow in mid May):
http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/04/10/cobalt-airways-set-for-june-take-off/

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray and all, if I knew someone, who was thinking about starting up an airline company, who is it at the airport they would need to speak to, if they wanted to start up any flights from Birmingham at all.... Andyc

 

[Ray Finkle]

Hi there ray and all, if I knew someone, who was thinking about starting up an airline company, who is it at the airport they would need to speak to, if they wanted to start up any flights from Birmingham at all.... Andyc

They'd need to speak to either William Pearson or Tom Screen. Contact details are at the bottom of the link below.

https://birminghamairport.co.uk/about-us/doing-business-with-us/airlines/

 

[Bhx_fifteen]

Update on Cypriot start-up 'Cobalt Air' that I mentioned recently...

From: Tom Screen
Sent: 03 May 2016 14:19
Subject: RE: Cobalt Air

A quick update on this. Cobalt actually filed slots for BHX for this summer under their previous guise of New Age Airlines, but cancelled as they are still a paper airline. I am back in touch with them to see where they are up to and what we can do to bring them to BHX.

Tom

 

[jfy1999]

Thanks for the update BHX_fifteen.

 

[nwoody2001]

good of him to be so honest and open!

 

[jfy1999]

A poster on another forum emailed the route development team regarding flights to Orlando, and this is the response he got:

Many thanks for your email regarding flights to Orlando.

We are acutely aware of the lack of scheduled services to Orlando from Birmingham Airport and are working on initiatives to change this situation. It will not surprise you that it is our biggest unserved destination and therefore it is top of our shopping list when we discuss our network with new and existing carriers.

Manchester and Gatwick both have significant presence from homebased longhaul airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, Norwegian, Thomas Cook, even British Airways, something which Birmingham Airport does not have. Both Virgin and Thomas Cook are nervous that introducing longhaul routes from Birmingham will cause attrition from their routes out of London and Manchester, Norwegian are busy building their London presence but could be a serious option for Birmingham in the mid-term and British Airways concentrate all their flying from London.

We are in discussions with both Norwegian and Thomas Cook Airlines regarding Orlando and we are hopeful that we can provide the midlands with this crucial route in the not too distant future.

I'd say this is more than just a stock response, since they name specific targets. It's encouraging to hear that they're talking to carriers and that this route is top of their shopping list.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Thanks for that.

Forget BA and I don't see Virgin being interested.

Norwegian and Thomas Cook are the obvious choices and I'd happily take either.

TCX are obviously concerned about potentially diluting their current offering so may take serious persuasion.

Norwegian could be perfect with the 787, it would also be little (if any) competition for their Gatwick flights. If it does well it may also be the catalyst for further long haul routes from them.

Lets hope that they can pull it off.

 

[Brum X]

To me this is a very positive response and I actually believe every word of it, it is also nice to hear that they are aware of the situation and the lack of Scheduled flights, so obviously they are not chasing more charter flights Re: Thomson but are actively working hard to give BHX a scheduled flight to Orlando.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Norwegian and Thomas Cook are the obvious choices and I'd happily take either.

TCX are obviously concerned about potentially diluting their current offering so may take serious persuasion.

If Norwegian were to step in at BHX, that could see TCX losing those passengers totally. In which case, TCX might have to compete.

Kevin

 

[KJAY 786]

I discussed with British Airways call centre manager told me they get good feedback from Birmingham International and are successful on routes they have served. Why don't they start a Birmingham - Heathrow route this will be very busy with connextions and OneWorld Sales that Loyality card overall we must pressure British Airways to make Birmingham come back no more to say except my darlings let my heart of joy wish everyone once again Peaceful New Year.