Must stick my oar in again!Mark L is telling it exactly like it is…..BA is a privately owned airline with a responsibilty to shareholders in an increasingly tough market and there is little market for long hauls from regional airports apart from for those airlines with massive hubs abroad to feed like Emirates,and some American carriers.His comparison with AF is also reasonable…..LH are about the only one operating long hauls from regional bases.
What he avoids saying,however,is that BA is near unique in abruptly pulling the plug on EUROPEAN and DOMESTIC routes from regional airports.The deal with Flybe with no committment to continue at least most routes and bases left places like BHX and BRS in the s..t.
All this is why I keep wondering why some of us enthusiasts see BA as somehow the one to have at our “local” and have such negative views about those airlines without which BRS/EDI/LPL/LBA/NCL/CWL…..yes even GLA would be shadows of their former selves.
I also detect a hint of irritation from the BA defenders (who I suspect work for them)……….could EZY/FR etc be rattling them?
Barry

Have you forgotten that BA took the decision to close all it’s regional bases…………indeed actually sold the whole operation to Flybe?The ONLY exception was the MAN-JFK flight referred to and it was made clear this would remain the only one.I even wonder how long that will last.This is partly why (under another thread a few days ago) I expressed my concern that fellow enthusiasts were seemingly hostile to the likes of the budget carriers,given they could end up almost the only carriers at some regional airports.

Barry

Adam
People tend to forget BRS only has a 6600 ft runway which is hopeless for the sort of operations even the local protesters spout about.It also has no jetways (I think this a requirement of Emirates) and a cargo facility in Avonmouth!Even LGW suffers weight penalties on long haul with a 9500 ft runway hence VS preference for LHR.I think people should be realistic about future…..great as a base for budget carriers (who prefer buses and steps!!) and SOME European carriers due catchment area but a substantial range of long haul routes……never,without runway extension and massive terminal expansion.The year the cost of new terminal was first announced BHX budgeted more to simply build the improved area between main terminal and what was then the Eurohub

Barry

Not wishing to be unkind to posters so far but this is a “scheduled charter” like other airports incl Exeter have had this year and as far as I’m aware the GSM EXT flights have been reasonably OK.BRS hasn’t a cat in hell’s chance of getting a regular schedule by the likes of AC when much bigger airports can’t support it.I should think GSM chose the airport not vice versa and I imagine the authorities welcome the kudos of any new route particularly transatlantic.From an enthusiasts point of view would have thought GSM visiting was great and also I’d love to do a 737 over the pond…………less boring than the hundreds of heavies a day……..pity I believe it IS a 752,only stop DUB

Barry

Great shots,there in fantastic conditions but can’t help feeling the best one was not a Boeing or Airbus but the one that stayed too high!!
Barry

Fantastic variety and BTW thanks for comments on mine.Where were u standing at Brussels to take these?

Barry