Birmingham: EasyJet Flights, New Routes & Base Updates

[Coathanger16]

easyjet are quite happy for Midlanders to drive to LTN, STN, BRS, LPL & MAN - why wouldn't they be ?

Opening BHX would only dilute the above.

They had a perfect opportunity when Monarch went bust and I spoke to a BHX contact and was told they are just not interested.

I would gladly buy a hat and eat it if they ever set up a base at BHX.

Would opening a base at BHX really dilute their other bases though?

Do easyJet really think that many Midlanders travel to LTN, STN, BRS, LPL & MAN to fly specifically with them when there are options available from BHX with other airlines?

The major destinations (Malaga, Palma, Alicante, etc) are already served by easyJet's competitors at BHX so other easyJet bases will lose minimal if any passengers if easyJet started those routes from BHX.

As for the smaller destinations, how many people travel to those other easyJet bases to fly those routes and how many just don't visit those destinations at all? I'm sure a lot if not the majority of people when booking holidays look at where their preferred airline flies to from their local airport and pick from that list.

Of those that think of a particular destination they'd like to visit first and then look for flights from their local airport, upon finding there aren't any, I wonder how many people look at flights from other airports and how much just pick another destination. Long haul? Probably the former. Short haul? I'd imagine the latter.

 

[IanFarquharson]

Ask yourselves the question how many people from this area drive each year to Manchester or London to get a flight - answer - a lot !
How many people from Manchester or London drive to this area to get a flight - answer - hardly any !

BHX only serves about 20% of its catchment due to people flying from elsewhere.

It is almost like if you are a Midlander you put up with travelling North or South to catch a flight.

Again it is all down to geography, we are in the middle of the country and probably the best connected airport in the UK for road and rail yet this all works against us.

 

[Brum X]

easyjet are quite happy for Midlanders to drive to LTN, STN, BRS, LPL & MAN - why wouldn't they be ?

Opening BHX would only dilute the above.

They had a perfect opportunity when Monarch went bust and I spoke to a BHX contact and was told they are just not interested.

I would gladly buy a hat and eat it if they ever set up a base at BHX.

But they must be interested as they operate from BHX, to me that says they are teasing us and saying "Look what you could have"

 

[Jerry]

But they must be interested as they operate from BHX, to me that says they are teasing us and saying "Look what you could have"

And that is what is odd in that they already serve BHX. Its not like say Leeds or Cardiff where they don't.

 

[Silvercity]

Any argument about easyjet and distance between airports can be put down simply by the fact they operate from both liverpool and manchester

And as someone who uses LPL a lot , I can tell you Easyjet and Ryanair for that matter generally do Well, even with a larger neighbour. Liverpool does attract passengers from the Stafford area as the train link are good.

 

[Ray Finkle]

From the outside looking in it seems as if BHX has spent many years jumping from one disaster to the next and, by their own admission, consistently backing the wrong airline. Whilst that was going on other airports worked closely with one or more airlines to establish firm bases, seeing steady and sustainable growth and now have direct access to destinations that BHX can only dream about. Add to that the fact that many from our region have now become accustomed to a long surface journey to save a few quid and the airlines feel that they have it covered. Why wouldn't they if customers are prepared to travel to them? It's the perfect situation.

It's also unfortunate that when you compare the cost of some Flybe flights out of Birmingham to the equivalent flights from Luton with other airlines the price difference can be substantial. I've just checked Skyscanner for flights for a short break in Milan for Sept and BHX was £235 with Luton £151. Berlin from Birmingham was £143, from Luton it was £69. For the solo traveller the extra cost might well be worth it for the convenience but when you are talking about a family of four the savings become significant and suddenly an hours drive down the M1 isn't such a chore.

The is more than a little anecdotal evidence to suggest that the common perception of Birmingham is that 'it's a very expensive airport to fly from', maybe in some cases this is justifiable?

Because there will also be 100,000s who don't do that who aren't filling Easyjet planes and who aren't putting money in their bank account but putting money into their rivals bank accounts.

Me for one. If easyjet want my money then they have to come and get it.

 

[IanFarquharson]

If BHX are only planning for 18m pax by 2033 it would appear easyjet are not in the plan !
But things change and now Nick B is on board who knows ?

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Until "B" word is sorted out i doubt you've got any chance of easyJet even considering BHX. I don't foresee easyJet wanting a new base - they are still swallowing the Berlin base - and Italy looks more attractive with the slow painful death of Alitalia.

 

[MJH]

Brexit will eventually sort it's self out,

We need confidence, the new BHX hirachy is new,

The BHX team will find the balance required.

It's only a matter of time before we see the growth the region needs.

One thing the aviation industry requires are positive statistics and the West Mids has plenty of those.

 

[Brum X]

Hey Gliderpilot

There is a programme on tonight at 9pm on ITV about pilots working for Easyjet 👍

Hopefully it will be you one day.

 

[58terminus]

There is a programme on tonight at 9pm on ITV about pilots working for Easyjet

How do Easy keep getting away with that? Do they pay the costs of producing what is in effect a series of one hour adverts? Again!
If there are no Ryanair adverts during the programme i'm sure it wont be through lack of trying on their part.

 

[GliderPilot]

Hey Gliderpilot

There is a programme on tonight at 9pm on ITV about pilots working for Easyjet 👍

Hopefully it will be you one day.

I’ve had it on since i’ve come in from work, Loving what i see, hopefully one day!

 

[Ianbutty]

I’ve had it on since i’ve come in from work, Loving what i see, hopefully one day!

Twas a good show. Loved the Innsbruck landing.

 

[Brum X]

Innsbruck is scary, especially when you cant see in front of you

 

[Jerry]

New route from Easyjet. They'll start Glasgow on the 29th March 2020.

EasyJet announces new Scottish growth focus on Glasgow with Birmingham route

Scotland’s biggest airline said today it would focus its growth north of the Border on Glasgow as it announced a new route to Birmingham - with more to follow.

www.scotsman.com

 

[Kevin Farnell]

New route from Easyjet. They'll start Glasgow on the 29th March 2020.

EasyJet announces new Scottish growth focus on Glasgow with Birmingham route

Scotland’s biggest airline said today it would focus its growth north of the Border on Glasgow as it announced a new route to Birmingham - with more to follow.

www.scotsman.com

Will EDI follow?

Kevin

 

[Jerry]

Will EDI follow?

Kevin

If they add aircraft to that base then I'd say it was probable.

 

[Ianbutty]

If they add aircraft to that base then I'd say it was probable.

Interesting that easyJet are responding to the cut backs from Ryanair. Maybe a trend. Watch and see.

 

[GliderPilot]

Baby steps guys! things take time!

Great news, just read BHX’s press release and thats positive also, i believe the route is 13x weekly and is year round which is a strong and confident start! Begins operating on 29th March 2020

I’m sure we’ll hear more from them if this route flourishes

press release from BHX:

easyJet announces new route from Birmingham Airport

easyJet, Europe’s leading airline has today announced that it will introduce a new route, starting in the spring from Birmingham Airport to Glasgow.

www.birminghamairport.co.uk

 

[Matt995]

this is the interesting quote from the press release :-

Easyjet said the route was being introduced “following very strong customer demand for increased connectivity to the Midlands”.

are they finally admitting its time to serve the Midlands? Has to be good news for BHX! 👍