Bmi courts BFS?

I doubt bmi R would take on Flybe on ABZ-Belfast, they have been concentrating on Euro biz routes out of Dyce, eg. AMS, KRS & the soon to start BRU, as well as increasing MAN & LHR.

Also I think fleet-wise they are running their JJs to the max at the moment on their network.

Maybe more jets on the horizon?

(Don’t get me wrong, I think bmi R would be a good airline for Belfast).

Yup, I would welcome the return of BMI Regional to Belfast with open arms. At the time that flyBE announced the acquisition of BA Connect, the local BMI representative made a strongly worded statement that flyBE would not have everything its own way and we could expect new route developments from Belfast.

But to date… erm, well nothing.

Regards

John

I doubt bmi R would take on Flybe on ABZ-Belfast, they have been concentrating on Euro biz routes out of Dyce, eg. AMS, KRS & the soon to start BRU, as well as increasing MAN & LHR.

Also I think fleet-wise they are running their JJs to the max at the moment on their network.

Maybe more jets on the horizon?

(Don’t get me wrong, I think bmi R would be a good airline for Belfast).

£100k was development money made up of an EU grant and the rest from the “Air Route Development Fund” which has now dried up as was a one time thing until their money ran out.

Yup, I flew the route regularly and was surprised at Sabena’s decision to abandon it – given that I can’t recall paying less than £380 return and the three daily flights appeared to have 75%+ load factors each way. But apparently, they weren’t making money on it – or so they claimed at the time.

From memory however, the operating aircraft was Belfast based and I can recall the crews being bussed to overnight accomodation at the Templepatrick Hilton, which certainly wouldn’t have assisted with making money on the route.

As for the Piaggio escapade, I hadn’t realised that £100k of taxpayers’ money was ploughed into this. It makes de Lorean sound like a sound investment… :rolleyes: I think the same people also attempted a BFS – LHR service, as I’m pretty certain I can recall seeing the route on BFS’s departure board.

At the time – c.5/6 years ago – I did wonder why nobody thought of leasing a couple of Canadair or Embraer Regional Jet and operating two flights a day to Brussels with a daily flight to Paris with one aircraft and two flights a day to London City, and one flight a day to Barcelona with the other aircraft.

Regards

John

But I could see an opportunity for BMI Regional on lower volume routes from BFS – most notably Brussels, Aberdeen, Newquay, Southampton, Inverness and possibly Geneva.

SN Brussels did very well on this route previously but the attempt to rebuild the route using £100k of government money on a 12 seater never worked and wasted the £100k!!!!

N.B. SN Brussels used a BAe 146-200

Edit – 12 Seater was two NI people trying to start an airline not SN Brussels

I’m not sure there would be the demand to support a BFS – LHR connection, albeit it would provide an option of late flight from LHR which due to operational (noise) restrictions is a non-starter at BHD.

As a once regular passenger on LHR routes from BFS, I and many others have long since made the switch to easyJet and LGW, STN or occasionally LTN – rather than the switch to BMI at BHD. I would think BMI or any other carrier would have a difficult sell on their hands to make another London route from BFS pay.

But I could see an opportunity for BMI Regional on lower volume routes from BFS – most notably Brussels, Aberdeen, Newquay, Southampton, Inverness and possibly Geneva.

Regards

John

Its all codswallop from what i hear, reliably albeit at crew level. bmi tried BFS after ribbing from MPs (for their own gain one imagines) but gave it up as it was unprofitable.

Its just not a regional airport and hence does not suit bmi passenger whom business pax make up a large amount of their BHD route revenue. You would be hard pushed at BFS to get the 5 minutes checkin to plane for hand baggage only that can be obtained at BHD. Without running your talking 15+ minutes for BFS.

Yes there is a lounge being refurbished at the min although the prospect of it being for bmi is a bit far fetched. With reference to a new bridge the only new bridge likely to be seen is the old bmi one replacing the even older one at 22 at some stage. Looks like all the knocking down of old buildings is just to increase ramp space, possibly a new stand, and some temporary staff car parking for the summer.

Pprune….is where I saw the rumour break. I have no other info….

excuse my lack of knowledge, but what is “other means”.

Thanks

True Blue