British Airways Cityflyer

[Ray Finkle]

Showing on FR24 for tomorrow (the other two destinations are in the wee small hours).

Nice to see BA back but those times.......

18:35 BA7024 Florence (FLR) British Airways E170 G-LCYI Scheduled
21:35 BA7026 Ibiza (IBZ) British Airways E190 G-LCYW Scheduled

 

[jfy1999]

Just seen a post elsewhere that the MAN operation looks set to continue into winter with ski routes due to be added so hopefully the same thing will happen down here.

If I recall correctly Flybe suffered operational issues with the E175 at Florence - anyone know what the issues were? and is there a chance of BA having the same issues with the E170?

 

[58terminus]

If I recall correctly Flybe suffered operational issues with the E175 at Florence - anyone know what the issues were?

Couldn't fill them?

 

[thunderchild]

Couldn't fill them?

IIRC the loads were quite good

 

[Ray Finkle]

Their loads were apparently very good. I'm no expert on aircraft performance but I saw it suggested that Flybe struggled with the Florence runway on a hot day, if/how the 170 differs from the 175 I do not know?

It will be interesting to see how Florence does with a once weekly schedule. Hopefully I'm wrong but I always thought of it as a place where people visit for a few days rather than a whole week?

 

[thunderchild]

It will be interesting to see how Florence does with a once weekly schedule. Hopefully I'm wrong but I always thought of it as a place where people visit for a few days rather than a whole week?

It is but both Florence and Pisa are great bases for exploring Tuscany for a week - and a week certainly isn't enough for that!

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray and all, I do hope that this is a successful project for British Airways. If come the end of September 2017 , sales and passenger numbers are a lot better than they predicted, then who knows what british Airways will do next, announce mote routes for next year and improve departure times, who knows , lets wait and see. Andyc

 

[Coathanger16]

I guess it now depends upon how serious IAG are about regional UK, if they want to establish some market share then BACF could be the perfect fit.

Rumour has it BACF (IAG) are considering getting some Bombardier C Series:

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/b...y-c-series-jets-from-bombardier-35447950.html

Assuming IAG do purchase some, whilst it is unlikely these would be deployed from the regions, a more probable scenario would be to base them at LCY to increase capacity there and redistribute their E170/190 fleet across the regional bases (STN, MAN, BHX, BRS).

Obviously it all depends on whether IAG actually purchase any, and whether they use them for BACF expansion or replacement. Additionally, any deliveries would likely be at the earliest 2-3 years away.

Edit: Just realised this may have been better placed on the BACF thread...

 

[Bhx_fifteen]

ALL 4 new BACF routes that start tonight still have available seats. I have no idea how many, but a dummy booking shows very low fares available on all of tonight's flights which cannot be a good sign...

I really really hope the routes do well - but there hasn't been much advertising? Yes, there's been lots of hype from enthusiasts (like us, ha!), Paul Kehoe, and some publishing from Birmingham newspapers...But clearly the most powerful form of advertising would be things such as radio and TV adverts, billboards etc. Lack of such advertising makes me question whether BA are serious about considering expansion or whether its generic press release talk I know it's a 'soft' return, but if they were serious about making BHX work I'm sure they would have invested more.

As others have mentioned, Jet2 (and consequently Monarch in response, most likely) have advertising EVERYWHERE. How do BA stack up? Speaking to non-aviation enthusiasts (friends, family) no one seems to even be aware that BA are returning to BHX...but everyone knows about Jet2 and Monarch. Hmm. We shall see how this pans out. I wish them all the best.

 

[58terminus]

As others have mentioned, Jet2 (and consequently Monarch in response, most likely) have advertising EVERYWHERE. How do BA stack up?

We all know how arrogant BA are. Advertise??For routes from the provinces?? I don't think so old chap.
We are BA. These people should just know.

 

[Coathanger16]

We all know how arrogant BA are. Advertise??For routes from the provinces?? I don't think so old chap.
We are BA. These people should just know.

Have a look at the Bristol thread for BACF - apparently they've been doing some advertising around there. Don't be so quick to judge.

 

[David_itl]

I've seen a couple of ads around Manchester as well. That seats are still available doesn't worry me. Potentially some of the BA "typical" passengers may have either booked from LCY/LHR/LGW or on other airlines out of BHX given the shortish lead in time from route announcement to route commencement. I'm also sure that neither Jet2 and/or Monarch is experiencing 100% loads on all their new flights ex-BHX

 

[58terminus]

Have a look at the Bristol thread for BACF - apparently they've been doing some advertising around there. Don't be so quick to judge.

Must have missed them.Then again havn't been to Bristol for a good while.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Mr Kehoe has recently Tweeted that he's 'on his way to meet the first BA flight in 10 years'.

He also Tweeted 'One small flight for BA one big deal for @bhx_official'

 

[Brum X]

Mr Kehoe has recently Tweeted that he's 'on his way to meet the first BA flight in 10 years'.

He also Tweeted 'One small flight for BA one big deal for @bhx_official'

And im sure there will be lots of fizz being drunk at BHX this evening, looking forward to seeing pics of the famous fantastic BHX water arch.

 

[Brum X]

Edinburgh Flybe BE 848 18:05 Expected 18:53
Antalya Thomas Cook MT 683 18:20 Expected 18:48
Amsterdam Flybe BE 110 18:25 Arrived 18:19
Amsterdam Etihad Airways EY 6052 18:25 Arrived 18:19
Florence British Airways BA 7024 18:35 Arrived 18:24
Sofia Ryanair FR 6335 18:40 Arrived 18:15
Corfu Ryanair FR 8061 18:40 Arrived 18:38
Dublin British Airways BA 2116 19:00 Landed
Verona Thomson Airways TOM 7639 19:00
Dublin Aer Lingus EI 3276 19:00 Landed

 

[Brum X]

And departures later this evening

Delhi Air India AI 114 21:30 Check-In
Antalya Freebird FHY 634 21:35 Check-In
Dubai Emirates EK 038 21:40
Dubai Malaysia Airlines MH 4614 21:40
Dubai Qantas QF 8038 21:40
Poznan Wizz Air W6 1908 21:50
Ibiza British Airways BA 7027 22:20
Palma British Airways BA 7029 23:00
Malaga British Airways BA 7031 23:05

 

[Ray Finkle]

BRITISH AIRWAYS FLIGHTS TAKE OFF FROM BIRMINGHAM AGAIN

When flight BA7025 took off from Birmingham Airport for Florence, Italy it marked a significant return to regional flying for British Airways.

It was the first of four new regional routes launched from the Midlands this weekend and the first time British Airways’ colours have been seen at the airport for a decade.

Birmingham Airport ensured there was a party atmosphere for the first flight by celebrating with a huge cake showcasing the four new destinations operated by British Airways.

The airline last flew from Birmingham in 2007 when the regional airline business was sold to Flybe, although Vueling and Iberia Express, subsidiaries of British Airways’ parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), started up services and Aer Lingus has continued to operate to Dublin from Birmingham since 1984.

The inaugural British Airways service to Florence was the first of the new routes to take off followed by flights to the popular Spanish sunspots of Malaga, Ibiza and Palma providing more than 17,000 seats to the sun from Birmingham this summer.

Flights are operated at weekends by modern Embraer 190 jet aircraft, with Eurotraveller and Club cabins and two abreast seating so everyone can have an aisle or window seat. Low each way fares from £29 are available on www.ba.com

Alex Cruz, British Airways CEO and chairman, said: "We continue our regional growth following the successful launch of services from Stansted last year. Now we are flying from Birmingham once again we are excited about the future opportunities.”

Luke Hayhoe, British Airways' general manager commercial and customer, said: "This weekend marks the start of a very busy summer for us in the UK regions and we are very excited to be returning to Birmingham after a 10-year gap and following on from the successful launch of flights from Stansted last year.

“Florence is a brand new city to be served from Birmingham Airport and is proving to be very popular with customers alongside our flights to three of the most sought-after Spanish destinations”

Paul Kehoe, CEO, Birmingham Airport commenting on the return said: “Today is a momentous day for Birmingham Airport. To see the British Airways tailfin on the ground after ten years is great news for the region and adds to the other IAG carriers already here. The introduction of four routes for the summer season ensures passengers have more choice on popular routes from the Airport and additionally have the chance to visit the beautiful city of Florence, which was previously unserved.

Photo caption: Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham Airport pictured with the crew on the inaugural flight to Florence, Captain Richard Humphreys, first officer Claudia Zonneyville and cabin crew Rina Ottsman and Michael Fish

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk...&utm_campaign=SocialSignIn&utm_source=Twitter

 

[Ray Finkle]

 

[Ianbutty]

Great to see the livery again. Long may it stay and in increasing number.