Birmingham: New Route Development & Rumours

[Coathanger16]

Hi there Ray and all, regarding birminghams lost connection to the USA, the longer there is no direct flights to the USA from bhx, the more passengers will use other airports, this will then start to have an effect on birmingham airport popularity in being able to attract the essential business that it needs to continue with growth and build upon this, then passengers that use birmingham airport will then start to stay away from Birmingham airport, this will then will cause a ripple effect, which then won't be repaired and could damage birminghams airport's image altogether, so while we have this new ceo now in place, Mr Barton, who's been in charge three months now, needs to start a flex his mussels and start to produce the goods, so come end of this year, we need to start seeing some big or major announcements to start next year 2020, otherwise birmingham airport is going to start being left behind.. AndyC

Towards the end of its operation, United was carrying less than 100,000 passengers a year to Newark. That equates to less than 1% of BHX's passengers - hardly a number that's going to make or break BHX's future. Monarch going bust had a much larger impact on BHX and the airport has done well to replace a significant amount of that lost capacity.

I don't think you can really accuse BHX of being slack on getting a new airline in. After United pulled out, it wasn't very long before Primera was announced. Yes in hindsight Primera was a bad choice, but at the time there were no other airlines in the market to serve BHX to New York. None of the American big 3 or any British airlines that fly TATL are interested, meaning BHX's only hope is to get an airline to fundamentally change their business model - a monumental challenge for an airport the size of Heathrow let alone Birmingham!

New York IS a target for BHX and they will be targeting any airline that may serve that. At the end of the day BHX is a business, which needs to stay in profit, and as such they can only do so much to 'persuade' an airline to launch flights to BHX.

Your point about the longer the route goes unserved the harder it will be to get an airline to launch it, whilst I'd partly agree with, on the other hand the fact that in recent times 3 airlines have dropped BHX - NYC may be putting potential airlines off. The more time goes past, the more airlines may be able to forget that fact.

 

[nbdm]

Towards the end of its operation, United was carrying less than 100,000 passengers a year to Newark. That equates to less than 1% of BHX's passengers - hardly a number that's going to make or break BHX's future. Monarch going bust had a much larger impact on BHX and the airport has done well to replace a significant amount of that lost capacity.

I don't think you can really accuse BHX of being slack on getting a new airline in. After United pulled out, it wasn't very long before Primera was announced. Yes in hindsight Primera was a bad choice, but at the time there were no other airlines in the market to serve BHX to New York. None of the American big 3 or any British airlines that fly TATL are interested, meaning BHX's only hope is to get an airline to fundamentally change their business model - a monumental challenge for an airport the size of Heathrow let alone Birmingham!

New York IS a target for BHX and they will be targeting any airline that may serve that. At the end of the day BHX is a business, which needs to stay in profit, and as such they can only do so much to 'persuade' an airline to launch flights to BHX.

Your point about the longer the route goes unserved the harder it will be to get an airline to launch it, whilst I'd partly agree with, on the other hand the fact that in recent times 3 airlines have dropped BHX - NYC may be putting potential airlines off. The more time goes past, the more airlines may be able to forget that fact.

I really hope that BHX will regain a US/Canada service soon, probably through fifth freedom from someone - Emirates is a likely candidate in my opinion.
As you say, both the big US and UK airlines are uninterested. I think it really needs someone with a network at one end, United had this.

If (a BIG if) Jetblue launch Birmingham in the next 5 years (after London has bedded in) they have a substantial enough network, brand recognition and FF program for it to work.

Of course, with Flybe being acquired by the Virgin consortium we can all hope they do something interesting with that!
Even a seasonal increase to Florida would work wonders too.

 

[JENNYJET]

I believe Emirates operate Dubai - Milan - JFK so can I assume they would not wish another FF service to NY?

A service to Washington or Miami might best meet Birmingham and Dubai needs or even those of Qatar or Etihad. Anything to reignite interest amongst Midlands travelers to use BHX is better than nothing.

 

[Ray Finkle]

so while we have this new ceo now in place, Mr Barton, who's been in charge three months now, needs to start a flex his mussels and start to produce the goods

I'd like to hear some words other than 'we are investing to improve the customer experience' which he has mentioned in all of his press releases that I have seen so far.

I have no issues with that but it would be nice to hear what routes he feels that BHX should be targeting in the short and medium term and what airlines he believes can make it happen.

 

[JENNYJET]

As CEO, he is probably trained in business speak, a set suite of patter designed not to upset his employer. I can understand as I am often told I speak legalese as a consequence of long legal study on how to ask and answer questions to a purpose!

 

[Brum X]

I'd like to hear some words other than 'we are investing to improve the customer experience' which he has mentioned in all of his press releases that I have seen so far.

I have no issues with that but it would be nice to hear what routes he feels that BHX should be targeting in the short and medium term and what airlines he believes can make it happen.

Does he have an email Ray ? 😉

 

[Deleted member 8277]

Fedex last flight 31st may, Operations moving to EMA.

 

[rollo]

Another loss does anyone know if other services are effected as I've always assumed that the Belfast flights are connected due to the flight times?
The old Elmdon site used to be so interesting with the freight movements, G.A. along with some military stuff and of course the MAEL operation, just seem all downhill at present.

 

[Creguk]

Does seem so negative at the moment! Onward and upwards!

 

[JENNYJET]

An inactive airport company and I dare to say, a certain business that er.......cut and run. FedEx going to EMA had to happen given the infrastructure is in place unlike BHX.

GA could expand if an opening existed such as realtime ATPŁ training, the Monarch facility is in place if someone wanted it, an alternative engineering station to Cardiff and St. Athan, I could Witter On but one question begs asking, What were the shareholders doing when EMA expanded cargo? Counting next years share options?

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there Jennyjet, I agree about bhx, it makes you wonder if the management at bhx are just crossing there fingers and hope that bhx current airline losses will correct itself on its own, when it can't happen, someone has to talk to the airlines and ask them what they want, otherwise bhx is going nowhere and then more airlines will start to pull out. Does bhx need that, no they don't.. Andyc

 

[JENNYJET]

Another question, will 2019 be without any direct Canada flights? I cannot remember a time when Toronto was not on the departure boards!

It is not about Mr. Barton, the other directors have questions to answer....it's wakey wakey time at Forward House me thinks!

 

[CL44]

We few (precious few nowadays) in Forward House are wide awake. However we do not have anyone from BHX Management gracing this building with their presence! In all there are 3 x forwarders / 1 x taxi company / 1 x Doctor and NCP in Forward House. Long gone are the days of Airlines / Forwarders etc filling these corridors (although at night you can still hear the echoes of forwarders in the corridors and stair wells).

 

[Ray Finkle]

I cannot remember a time when Toronto was not on the departure boards!

2018?

Very sad times indeed with no Toronto and no NY.

 

[JENNYJET]

CL44, I apologize if I insulted you and anyone else by referring to Forward House. During my days as a document courier I was a frequent visitor and it was a busy place. My usual work was to reunite stray baggage with their owners for British Airways and get a mouthful of abuse for my troubles.

 

[JENNYJET]

Yes Sir Raymond, 2018 was when I was in some medical difficulties hence no memories.

No North American services is a sad state of affairs.

 

[DaveBham]

Surprised nobody here mentioned the new routes to Vienna and Krakow with Laudamotion and Wizzair respectively.

Good news!

 

[CL44]

CL44, I apologize if I insulted you and anyone else by referring to Forward House. During my days as a document courier I was a frequent visitor and it was a busy place. My usual work was to reunite stray baggage with their owners for British Airways and get a mouthful of abuse for my troubles.

Not a problem. Forward House (whilst busy in it's heyday) has suffered from larger companies buying out their competitors and the Airlines bailing out from the area and focusing on LHR or one of the other prime points.

Only someone who worked (or works) at BHX appreciates the "community " that once existed.

Great news regarding Krakow and Vienna though. Just need some more routes now. That and passengers to use them.

 

[Brum X]

We few (precious few nowadays) in Forward House are wide awake. However we do not have anyone from BHX Management gracing this building with their presence! In all there are 3 x forwarders / 1 x taxi company / 1 x Doctor and NCP in Forward House. Long gone are the days of Airlines / Forwarders etc filling these corridors (although at night you can still hear the echoes of forwarders in the corridors and stair wells).

Any Ghosts filling the corridors CL44, ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh

 

[CL44]

Any Ghosts filling the corridors CL44, ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh

Plenty of them! Old Airlines (Bcal, Flying Tigers, Pan Am and a whole host of Agents). When I think about the differences from when I started work there to how it is now it's a whole new ball game.

At least now we have automatic lighting in the corridors now! I can't be accused of leaving the blooming things on over the weekend now.