British Airways has announced that it is withdrawing its route from Belfast to Birmingham.
The service, which operates four times per day, will stop from 21 August.
The company said passengers who have booked beyond this will be offered either a full refund or booked on an alternative service.
It said the decision to withdraw the service had been a difficult one, but passenger numbers had been disappointing.
The route is run by BA Connect, British Airways’ regional airline.
“The decision to cease flying from Belfast to Birmingham has not been an easy one,” David Evans, BA Connect managing director said.
“Passenger numbers on the route have been extremely disappointing and despite our best efforts we see no prospect of passenger levels improving in the near future.
“We have to act in the best interests of the company and therefore have no option but to withdraw from this route and concentrate on developing our operation in other areas.”
The airline’s Belfast to Manchester service will continue operating as normal.
By: andrewm - 1st August 2006 at 20:27
Doh. SOU-GLA. But if someone opens EDI-GLA for £5 single ill do it 😀
By: rdc1000 - 1st August 2006 at 20:05
They’re also dropping IOM – LTN, but increasing frequencies on IOM – LGW. They’re also adding LCY – MAD, not suprising though.
By: bmi-star - 1st August 2006 at 13:24
first GLA-EDI
Whats that operated by Andy? An A380? :p
By: andrewm - 1st August 2006 at 13:16
Flybe must be loving this, first GLA-EDI now BHX-BHD. Good news PR for them!
By: Future Pilot - 1st August 2006 at 12:26
Flybe get right in there……!
Following the announcement that BA Connect will be pulling their services from George Best Belfast City Airport to Birmingham from 21st August 2006, Flybe, the airline which has served this route for over 20 years, will offer those passengers inconvenienced by BA Connect a special rescue rate of 25% less than BA Connect’s lowest fare.
Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer, Flybe, comments: “Stepping in with a comprehensive rescue package Flybe will offer BA Connect passengers a fast and frequent service between Belfast and Birmingham at a special introductory rate. BA Connect passengers will find they get both lower prices and a better service with Flybe.
Flybe also announced today a 25% increase in capacity on the route and the introduction of a 7th daily flight. This takes the total number of rotations on Belfast City to Birmingham to 84 versus the nearest remaining competitor – 38. Flybe will also have 8,250 seats per week on the route, 35% more than the only other competitor.’
“Our advice to BA Connect passengers that don’t want to be stranded is simply book your flight with Flybe to avoid disappointment.”
To purchase these fares visit www.flybe.com . The Flybe rescue package fare at £18.99 including taxes and charges is for travel from 21st August to 20th December and is available to book from 1st August to 10th August 2006
By: allmcc - 1st August 2006 at 11:53
This not entirely unexpected announcement is bound to raise serious doubts about BACON’s sole remaining route out of BHD to MAN – currently running at 6X daily. I’ve heard that Flybe are making big inroads with their 4X daily and are currently considering increasing frequency. Bearing in mind their significant reduction in frequency on the BHD -LPL, it is clear they are serious about capitalising on the demand to MAN.
When BACON announced BHD – BHX, many raised doubts about the viability of the route bearing in mind the capacity already provided by WW and Flybe – a twice daily to LCY might have been more sensible.
By: bmi-star - 1st August 2006 at 11:49
Wonder if we’ll see a new route from BHX with the spare capacity?
By: Future Pilot - 1st August 2006 at 11:39
Not entirely surprised, seems with BE’s strong presence on the route BA had trouble getting their name out there. Hopefully this will increase capacity on another route with the spare aircraft, love that the picture is a 744 :D.
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August 1, 2006 at 11:33 am