Airline and Airport Correspondence

[User0001]

Re: Birmingham Airport News 2011

Hi hassan,

Im afraid im too busy to get to BHX, and besides, I get my info from the airlines themselves and not the airports.
Theres meant to be a meeting arranged soon to discuss Kingfisher airlines, as apparently they want to expand UK operations, but, as they are meeting with AA, Im guessing BHX isnt being considered, as Kingfisher want to offer onward connections to the USA via their UK services.
Its looking more likely that Kingfishers LHR ops are going to be expanded, but never say never, as maybe they want to try somewhere new, and their A330's are more than capable of using BHX.

 

[Hassaan]

Re: Birmingham Airport News 2011

Would you classify that as news, that Kingfisher Airlines are having a meeting to discuss expanding UK operations, one of which possibly could be BHX?

Do you have any more info on this, and any other airlines in meetings or considering BHX as a destination?

 

[User0001]

Re: Birmingham Airport News 2011

well, I dont think BHX is in with a running, but was more trying to demonstrate airlines have the meetings to discuss new oppertunities, and thats where I get the information from.

 

[kakram128]

Birmingham Airport Could Expand We Must PUT PRESSURE

Birmingham International Airport is one of the Midlands main International hubs BHX.
Demand is very high for direct global world wide flights from the Midlands.
BHX - Must analyse the airports situation and demands.

Firstly i suggest that the Pakistani Community both in Midlands and Scotland put pressure on PIA to re instate a new service to Lahore Pakistan.

The best route would be Glasgow - Birmingham - Lahore
Lahore - Birmingham - Glasgow

:dirol: Demand in both hubs and locations is high for Pakistan Lahore Link- It would help the two cities both Glasgow, and Birmingham to trade with Pakistan Lahore meet the target market needs and notice high passenger loads from the UK

PIA could use the B777 - B747 if wish on the route to improve the Airbus service as serviced previously at Glasgow and currently in Leeds Bradford.

This would be a start of many, and we must request Air Blue to start competitive flights to Pakistan from Birmingham UK.

Shaheen Air must be encouraged to start UK Birmingham Karachi and Lahore service.

Demand for Lahore and Krachi is very high in the Midlands the location with easy access, and easily to get to for both East-West Midlands and Pakistani Community of Luton, and Cardiff.

Demand is very High * Having only Islamabad still passenger needs are not being met-

PIA when launched the * Manchester-Karachi-Lahore service it was promoted in Coventry Road at the Al Hamra Centre and was a service atleast ten years ago for midlands economy and businesses from Manchester.

PIA are having a large Passenger Loads of Midland Passengers still travelling from Manchester.

I am sure that the Mirpuri Community put pressure for a Islamabad Birmingham sector service; now we must unite with Glasgow and reuest a Punjab service.

The largest passenger loads to Karachi, Sialkot, and Lahore are Midlands Passengers - who fly from Heathrow and Manchester.

Now to conclude the airport Birmingham needs a UK British Flag Carrier - British Airways should analyse and come back but to start BMI International should introduce Long Haul services from Birmingham and have their own terminal and Virgin could unite with BMI International on Long Haul Sector from Birmingham Potential is high.

I thought that Chicago Daily with AA was successful why don't they come back- and introduce more USA links.

Singapore - Indonesia Guradia - Cathay Pacific and other carriers could introduce flights with one stop in Asia - Middle East - or Europe
To compete with Emirates and tke large Passenger loads to Far East and Australia.

I suggest we pressure first SINGAPORE AIRWAYS

To start a service to Singapore with one stop in Pakistan Lahore.
The airline have been flying the Lahore to Singapore sector but due to decline simillar as PIA Glasgow service to Lahore; its better and viable the service to re-assume to Pakistan and onward to Birmingham UK with Daily service-

It would be full load to Pakistan and and UK Birmingham and successful- i spoke to Singapore Airlines about this they adviced me that it has never been discussed to fly to Birmingham UK before, and if Emirates are twice daily and successful; and catering with the Pakistan sector of UK traffic would be excellent and advantage with the airlines expandstion and to re-instate the service to Pakistan that was daily to Lahore and has sufficent economical sence. There fore we must pressure them to re-instate the Pakistan service and continue the service to Birmingham UK-
NOTE : B777 to Pakistan; but if Birmingham A380 the airline are confident but require more written response to introduce this service.

NOTE: SINGAPORE AIRWAYS is loved around the world and is one of the most desirable airlines and also have 100% HALAL SERVICE - Advantage for Pakistani Community in Birmingham and show competition to Manchester and Heathrow.

Indonesia and Cathay Pacific could also fly through the midlands direct with one stop in Central Asia Or Middle East for re-fuel.

In the future we hope Qantas fly Birmingham.

There is a Bangladeshi Airline called United Bangladesh- i spoke to them aswell; they have direct flights with one stop from London Gatwick to Dhaka -

* London Gatwick - Dubai - Dhaka.

- The airline have received my notification and suggestions for Birmingham UK service; and the gentleman in charge of service and flights from London Gatwick asked me if Birmingham would benefit from Pakistan service.

The Dhaka Head Office are analysing a service to commence and the potential to serve Birmingham UK now since i pointed that Manchester has a lower Bangladeshi passenger load compared with the midlands and that the Pakistani community would fly with them because PIA only fly to Islamabad.

The service potential could be :

Birmingham - Lahore - Dhaka
Dhaka - Lahore - Birmingham

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have also discussed Birmingham UK with Oman Air it's a British Asian Gentleman i have spoke to him on his mobile, and he is aware that Nottingham and the midlands have the largest asian community and a Birmingham UK - could be the next destination to have Daily Oman Air flights it has a lot of potential for midlands, and he would rather like to see Birmingham UK have Oman Air than Manchester UK

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interesting- To finalise could Mahan Air re-instate the Lahore sector and upgrade the Birmingham aircraft; and finally another airline to identify that they say Inshallah Birmingham UK again soon is Uzbekistan; and they want to serve both Pakistan and India from midlands same as Heathrow.
The gentleman i phone in the Hounslow office always say this to me, and he is the managing director for UK.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :hatsoff: Thank You and :good: CONGRATULATIONS BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT FOR RUNWAY NEWS NOW WE WAIT FOR NEW TERMINALS AND AIRLINES AT BHX- Birmingham International Airport- The Midlands proud pride airport And with Islamic Lounge Pray area and Wudu wash facilities it provides a hugh example to Islamic Passengers that they care.

WELL DONE and Thank You to all for reading!

* I am only a young student and have been airline mad since i flew from Londo Heathrow to Pakistan Karachi with PIA and had a long delay of atleast twelve hours then after asked mum were our nearest airport she said Birmingham, since that i have confidence that Birmingham expands and meets our needs - Heathrow is a hasstle and too far.

 

[Hassaan]

Re: Birmingham Airport Could Expand We Must PUT PRESSURE

I'm right behind you on this.

I think you should contact those airlines and try to encourage them to do this.

In terms of Glasgow, right now they have Emirates to get to Pakistan with one stop at Dubai. PIA cannot use the 747 as the runway isn't long enough for it to take off full. Yes, 777 will work.

AA would be good, reinstating a link to the United States but at this moment, they don't seem to be interested, but everything can change.

More US links would help, such as Delta to Atlanta, but you will have to work hard to get them interested in BHX.

Shaheen Air, maybe they could start a Karachi-Lahore-Birmingham-New York-JFK, and AirBlue, you should encourage them to lease bigger planes to use on a flight to Birmingham from Islamabad.

You won't be getting British Airways at BHX, they've left and will never come back. Virgin is very very likely.

Singapore flying SIN-LHE-BHX would work well but then again, it depends on if it would work.

What you are saying is that Oman Air are more interested in serving Birmingham than Manchester? You should ask them to start a service to Birmingham very very soon, and ask them to list it on their website, in time for a start date in June

These suggestions are all very good, so you can get more information about which airlines are interested and if they are going to start a new service to BHX.

 

[pug]

Re: Birmingham Airport Could Expand We Must PUT PRESSURE

Looks like you are agreeing with yourself there Hassaan.

 

[User0001]

Re: Birmingham Airport Could Expand We Must PUT PRESSURE

What a load of twaddle! I have never read something so idiotic in my entire life!
Its like looking at 2 kids christmas wish lists.

Virgin very very likely???? I think not

bmi should start long haul and have their own terminal - hahaha, funniest thing Ive read all day!

BA comming back to BHX with a base?- More likely that santa will carry fare paying pax than BA returning

Oman Air to BHX- There is no way in hope or hell that BHX could sustain Oman air, WY is far too premium heavy for BHX. Also its nearly may and you expect them to run a brand new route with just 1 months notice! Do you have ANY IDEA HOW AN AIRLINE WORKS. you are really starting to annoy me Hassan. People on several forums have told you again, again, again and again what you need to do to get routes to work, why things dont happen, and so on, yet you seem to ignore everything/everyone, ask the same questions time and again, come up with the same notions, and dont seem to take ANYTHING in.

Singapore to BHX via Pakistan, and with an A380!!!!!?????, oh dear god!!! How can you say the flights 'WILL be full'. You have absalutly no basis for saying that :crazy:

'Try and get airblue to lease bigger planes and fly to Birmingham'', whats wrong with the A319's/A320's and A321's that fly to MAN, oh no, wait, thats the 'big planes on long haul routes' fantasy again. The A320 just isnt good enough for the mighty BHX!!!

With regards to PIA, if loads are so high, why have the 3xB777-300's been downgraded to B777-200's, and the MAN pax figures are nearly double BHX. In General, most ISB-UK figures for March were down, with only MAN having an increase. Go figure that one out!

Anyway, it seems harsh but I had to post what I did, The craziness infection seems to be spreading!

 

[pug]

Re: Birmingham Airport Could Expand We Must PUT PRESSURE

Excuse me for being cynical, but I think Hassaan and kakram are one and the same...

 

[User0001]

Re: Birmingham Airport Could Expand We Must PUT PRESSURE

either way, I think its complete and utter rubbish!

They honestly expect us to believe an airline is asking small children where they would like the airline to serve?!

Ive heard more sense come from Piers Morgan!!!!

 

[pug]

Re: Birmingham Airport Could Expand We Must PUT PRESSURE

Of course it is worldrep, but I think most people will see through the BS now

Hassaan, for most of what you are hoping for, you will be waiting for a long time.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Birmingham Airport Could Expand We Must PUT PRESSURE

I have run an IP check on both users and there is nothing to suggest that the two users are the same other than they are both living in some sort of fantasy world.

The posts have at least provided us with some funny reading material on what has otherwise been a very dull day throughout the forum. We have had over 400 visitors and registered users to the forum with just about nothing to say, so I can't really complain if this (these) guy(s) do at least shout their corner, even if it is one of wishful thinking. :coco:

 

[Hassaan]

Re: Birmingham Airport Could Expand We Must PUT PRESSURE

Clearing this up,

I never said that BA should come back to BHX and make a base, that would never work.

And when I said Virgin is very very likely, I meant unlikely, wasn't thinking when I wrote that.

I was like going back in time when I was talking about AirBlue, but yes, an A320 would work for that.

Never mind about Shaheen Air, they don't even want to come to the UK market for now.

Now, US airlines. I said AA aren't interested but anything could change, just not for now. But any other US link would be good if demand supports it.

Singapore, we never mentioned A380 but i've heard from Singapore myself that they don't intend to restart flights to Lahore so that's out of the way.

Oman Air, not for June or anytime soon.

 

[kakram128]

Re: Potential Routes

With Regards to the BEA plans to introduce flights to BHX i have copy and pasted the article.

******************************************************************************************************
Two entrepreneurs are looking to resurrect the name of Birmingham European with plans to launch a new commuter airline for businessmen.

Vince Essex, who already runs a business based at Birmingham International Airport, and airline veteran Andrew Jones say their proposals for a new commuter airline - which would link Birmingham with destinations not currently served from the city's international airport - are well in hand.

It is thought they could take to the air as soon as August, possibly operating with Saab 340 aircraft.

"Business travellers have been the great losers in the move to so-called low cost. Our airline will remove the need to fly and transfer via big international hub airports which is a tiring, time consuming and costly way to have to travel," said Mr Essex, whose ground support business Arvin Aviation supports a number of European airlines serving Birmingham.

"The commuter airline gives business travellers the comfort and convenience of direct flights to where they want to go with short check in times of as little as 20 minutes and service that brings the style back to flying.

"We can keep our costs down and pass on those savings to the customer without compromising upon service. It is also good for the environment with aircraft that are quieter, use less fuel and cause less pollution."

The two partners said negotiations to create the new operator are at an advanced stage, but they are still keen to hear from Midlands businesses and investors who are interested in becoming involved.

"This is very much Birmingham's own airline and we want local people to have the chance to have a stake in its success. We are calling it Birmingham European so the city and the West Midlands can take a pride in their own airline," Mr Essex added.

"Our fares will be competitive for the business travel market where people normally book close to the date of departure.

"This airline will start modestly and build upon solid foundations. Small aircraft will keep our overheads down and we can pass these savings on to our customers."

He added that a team of airline professionals are already in place, the aircraft have been identified and destination airports have been spoken to and are keen to support the project.

The fledgling airline also has the backing of the Birmingham International Airport.

"This could be great news for Midlands travellers, adding even more choice to our popular European network," said Peter Vella, Birmingham International Airport's business development director.

"New destinations will always be well received by our business passengers who rely on services from Birmingham to reach European business partners."

The original Birmingham European Airways operated services to a number of cities, including Amsterdam, Belfast, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Oslo and Stockholm, in the 1990s.


Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingha ... z1K6dSfCVc

 

[User0001]

Re: Potential Routes

Hmmm, is BHX not sick of these pie in the sky ideas yet? Air Shylet, Whoosh, Hellenic? Now BEA (also, does BA still own the trademark for this name (BEA), after all, there is still a trident proudly emblazoned in BEA colours at MAN)

A saab 340 to major European cities, even if it is aimed at business travellers, they will either be anhilated by Ryanair, or the likes of KLM/LH will outprice them.

Dont give this much hope at all.

 

[kakram128]

Re: Potential Routes

* I have also contacted Air Blue the airline that flys to Pakistan Islamabad from Manchester, they did confirm that Birmingham UK and London Gatwick will in the near future have Pakistan Lahore flights and could either also be a Islamabad or Karachi Link aswell; but Air blue shall in the near future fly to Birmingham UK and true Hassan larger aircrafts and they have ordered them once arrived we will see at Birmingham UK and London Gatwick- they could also link JFK with a UK hub aswell.

*******************************************************************************************************-Read article i copy paste-

* AirBlue to fly Muscat-Lahore from Sept. 15


zawya.com

04 September 2008

MUSCAT -- Pakistan's leading private carrier Airblue yesterday announced the launch of flights between Muscat and Lahore starting from September 15. It will be operating three flights a week initially and within three months it plans to add two more. Plans are also on to launch flights from Muscat to Islamabad and Karachi within three months.

Announcing this at a meeting with travel agents and the media, Sarosh Bhatti, general manager-marketing, Airblue, said: "We are certain that the Muscat-Lahore route will serve a growing number of passengers between our two countries. We are hopeful that the demand will enable us to increase our frequencies to and from Muscat in a short period of a time."

Airblue has acquired two new Airbus A319 aircraft. With the addition of these two new aircraft, the Airblue fleet now consists of three Airbus A321, three Airbus A320 and two Airbus A319.

Informing the media that Airblue is the first private airline to have placed an order for 14 brand new A320 aircraft, Bhatti said: "The airline prides itself in having the youngest fleet of aircraft in Pakistan. The scheduled delivery of these aircraft starts from June 2009 at nearly three to six months interval."

Throwing light on the expansion plans, Bhatti said that in a bid to further enhance its connectivity and in line with the passenger demand, the airline also plans to introduce new destinations with flights to Saudi Arabia, India and Kuwait from Pakistani cities.

"With the addition of these new aircraft to its fleet, Airblue will expand operations to London, Birmingham, Scandinavia, the Far East and Saudi Arabia.

"Plans are on to launch flights to Copenhagen and Malaysia as well. Within six months you will see a lot of expansions happening in Airblue," she added.

Giving details about the pricing of tickets, Bhatti said: "We follow a revenue management system by which the more in advance you book the more discount you will get. We have discounts up to 90 per cent.

"For example, if you buy tickets three to four weeks in advance you will get 90 per cent discount. Because of the revenue management system, many times we will be the cheapest in the market but if you buy at the last minute we will be the costliest too."

Stating that tickets can be booked online, Bhatti said: "We sell tickets through website and travellers can buy paying through credit cards. In Pakistan, we are the most automated airline."

Talking about anticipated projections for the Muscat sector, Bhatti said: "Our seating capacity is 145 per aircraft with all Economy seats. For the first flight on September 15, 50 per cent of the seats have already been sold. Muscat is a new market but it is a promising route."

Giving a brief about Airblue's origin, Bhatti said: "We started operation in 2004 with two domestic flights -- Karachi-Lahore and Karachi-Islamabad. At that time we had three aircraft.

The objective behind starting Airblue was that there was a huge need for a good quality airline in the Pakistani airline market.

To fill that gap we came out with this high-quality airline whose market position we wanted to be right at the top.

We started with brand new Air320 aircraft, which are the hottest aircraft right now in the industry.

In August 2005, we started flights to Dubai and right now we have three daily flights between Pakistan and Dubai. We also have daily flights between Islamabad and Manchester. We started flights to Abu Dhabi last month. After the national airline, we are the first airline to operate long-haul flights.

"Our market share for Islamabad to Manchester is 40 per cent and for Dubai it is 45 per cent. It tells you that we are a dominant player in the Pakistan airline industry."

Talking about launching flights to India from Pakistan, Bhatti said: "We have been designated to fly to India like how Jetlite and Kingfisher have been designated to fly to Pakistan."

"Maybe those going to India can work out a good deal by taking flights to Karachi and from Karachi to India," he added.

Speaking at the launch, Sheikh Abdul Hameed, commercial counsellor at the Pakistan Embassy, said: "We are delighted at the announcement of Airblue flights to Lahore. We hope that they will soon announce flights to other destinations like Islamabad and Karachi."

Tahir Malik, president of Pakistan Social Club, said: "I am very happy to know that Airblue is going to start its services from September 15.

"We were having a lot of problems with just one airline operating between Pakistan and Muscat. We hope that with the new airline coming in we can overcome all the problems we are facing. I wish Airblue all success."

Sadaf Ali, manager, systems, Airblue, Mohammed Asim, manager, Airblue (Oman) were also present.

 

[User0001]

Re: Potential Routes

Kakram,

The article you have pasted is from 2008, a lot has changed in 3 years, including the recession. Also, the larger aircraft are due into MAN before any BHX link is established. Nice wishing though.

Love to know who you are speaking to, because, as someone who speaks to airports/airlines regulalry, very very little of what you have said is actually true.
Infact, Just this week, PIA has confirmed it has no plans to resume GLA, I spoke to Oman air and they said they have no plans for a BHX route, and united airlines (Bangladesh) are having a hard time just running LGW, let alone add a BHX route.

Ah well......

 

[Hassaan]

Re: Potential Routes

Kakram,

The article you have pasted is from 2008, a lot has changed in 3 years, including the recession. Also, the larger aircraft are due into MAN before any BHX link is established. Nice wishing though.

Love to know who you are speaking to, because, as someone who speaks to airports/airlines regulalry, very very little of what you have said is actually true.
Infact, Just this week, PIA has confirmed it has no plans to resume GLA, I spoke to Oman air and they said they have no plans for a BHX route, and united airlines (Bangladesh) are having a hard time just running LGW, let alone add a BHX route.

Ah well......

Well that's sorted.

I think the guy also mentioned AirBlue and Singapore. Could anyone confirm that?

Airblue linking JFK with a UK hub? Kakram, I'm not being rude but I need to know where you are getting this info from.

 

[Hassaan]

Re: Potential Routes

* I have also contacted Air Blue the airline that flys to Pakistan Islamabad from Manchester, they did confirm that Birmingham UK and London Gatwick will in the near future have Pakistan Lahore flights and could either also be a Islamabad or Karachi Link aswell; but Air blue shall in the near future fly to Birmingham UK and true Hassan larger aircrafts and they have ordered them once arrived we will see at Birmingham UK and London Gatwick- they could also link JFK with a UK hub aswell.

Kakram, where did you get this information from? I know they do plan to serve BHX in the future but do you know how soon?

What larger aircraft have they ordered?

Linking JFK with a UK hub? While I think BHX would work better than MAN for that, I still don't think anything could happen until it's confirmed.

 

[User0001]

Re: Potential Routes

Right, I know Im going to seem pro MAN here, but, Ive taken the bait:

Linking JFK with a UK hub? While I think BHX would work better than MAN for that

Why exactly, Hassan, do you think that?! Heres my arguement, and lets hope yours is just as good.

-The JFK market is more mature and has been proven from MAN than BHX, with daily flights from AA and daily flights from DL. Also, whilst its not their target market, there are also 4 weekly flights with PIA (3 in the MAN-JFK direction only, but 1 has MAN-JFK-MAN routing), also, Biman are set to launch 2 weekly flights from DAC onwards to JFK too. MAN also has 2 daily flights to EWR, meaning up to 65 weekly flights to New York alone.

-Pakistan is also more mature from MAN than BHX. There are the many flights from PIA, as well as Air Blue. Most of MAN's terminator flights are with the B773, whereas BHX is now all B772 operation. Its got to the stage that when a B777 is out of action, they used to sub the flight for an A310, but now, its with the B747-300.

-MAN offers far more attractive rates for transit flights than BHX, meaning, for a 'loco' like air blue, its much cheaper.

-The Air Blue brand is already established at MAN, so why risk being a flop at BHX when you already know your well used out of MAN?

So, come on hassan, why do you think BHX would be better. and dont just use 'many people will use it', as firstly its no basis for the arguement, and you dont actually know that they will.

 

[Hassaan]

Re: Potential Routes

I'm gonna get into so much trouble...

I understand what you say about the market of JFK from MAN compared to BHX, and that a larger population doesn't always lead to good.

From BHX, we've had flights to JFK/EWR from Continental, British Airways, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and other airlines back in the day.

Many airlines have said in the past that they have chosen BHX for a new service/JFK stopover because of it's good facilities, this goes for Uzbekistan. Note that they axed it because of 9/11, we don't really know the load factors of it.

PIA chose BHX as a stopover point for flights to ORD and YYZ, and they only moved it to MAN because they had to have all their transit flights in the same place, not because of bad load factors or the 777 not being able to fly BHX-ISB direct.

I do wonder what PIA is going to do with it's BHX operation. The question has been raised about the market for Lahore and Karachi, and PIA have done flights in the past to those destinations on a 743 and it was said on a.net that 'it was not uncommon to have a full pax load'. Probably explains one of the reasons why it had to make a fuel stop, not only because the runway wasn't long enough. I think it was a lot better to have an all 772 operation, as i'm guessing the seats weren't being filled on the 773.

I do see that BHX isn't working hard to secure links to JFK, i'm starting to think that demand doesn't warrant it.

BTW, we don't even know if that 'Airblue are considering linking JFK with a UK hub' is even true, so I'm for sure not holding my breath.

Like I said, I'm ready for your negative response.