Birmingham: New Route Development & Rumours

[IanFarquharson]

Now it seems that Saudia have decided that BHX isnt a viable route to serve, what do we think the likelihood of Riyadh Air starting is. Would be an airline far more suited to BHX, as they target connections more than O&D traffic

Saudi is still bookable for S27 so dont write them off yet !

They enjoyed some great pax loads at BHX, so hopefully just a blip whilst the situation in the ME settles down.

LHR did have 7 daily but now 4-5, so not just BHX

 

[BLB777]

Saudi is still bookable for S27 so dont write them off yet !

They enjoyed some great pax loads at BHX, so hopefully just a blip whilst the situation in the ME settles down.

LHR did have 7 daily but now 4-5, so not just BHX

I was asking about Riyadh Air not trying to start a conversation about Saudia

 

[IanFarquharson]

I was asking about Riyadh Air not trying to start a conversation about Saudia

Riyadh are a new airlines with only one daily flight (maybe two soon) from the UK so little chance of them cioming to BHX. Saudi has all the connections so a much better fit for BHX.

 

[BLB777]

Riyadh are a new airlines with only one daily flight (maybe two soon) from the UK so little chance of them cioming to BHX. Saudi has all the connections so a much better fit for BHX.

Well if they are going to add a third UK Airport, it'll be BHX, Saudia at LGW was just an extension to LHR hence why they were able to chop and change their schedule so much, and with them wanting to add 100 destinations by 2030, then BHX is definately in with a shout, even more so when you consider the amount of traffic that connects through the middle East and goes on the Asia, that's something Riyadh Air will be very interested in.


Im curious as to why you think Saudia is a better fit, Riyadh Air is building an airline very similar to Emirates and Qatar, (and will rival them one day), with connections through it's Riyadh hub with the added extra of domestic routes through it's upcoming code share with Saudia. So Riyadh Air would actually end up having a better pull as Saudia were never know for their connections from Jeddah, they mainly targeted O&D traffic.

So this is exactly the type of carrier BHX needs.

 

[nwoody2001]

I have no idea what you think Saudia is trying to serve from BHX. Saudia is also targeting connecting traffic more than O&D traffic. A vast majority of the passengers using the Saudia route are not ending their journey in Saudi Arabia. I remember an article released a year or so after the launch suggesting that the vast majority of BHX-originating passengers were connecting onwards to India, Pakistan, and Thailand. And unlike Riyadh Air, Saudia already has the network up and running.

Riyadh Air is also positioning itself as a more premium airline, something that BHX's market has always struggled with more than its competitors.

In general, Saudi Arabia wants to grow its tourism network across the world, and it sees investing in its two main airlines as a way of doing that. You will also note that nearly all of Riyadh Air's announced routes are already served by Saudia; routes that the Saudi government knows work for them and wants to invest in.

In short, if Saudia doesn't think a BHX-JED route is viable with the connections already on offer, don't delude yourself into thinking that a more premium airline, Riyadh Air, controlled by the same people, the Saudi government, is going to jump in and save the day. That simply isn't going to happen.

Yes, Riyadh Air wants to compete with the likes of Emirates and Qatar and become a global player. That's a bold vision, but the airline is nowhere near that yet. Yes, I'm sure BHX is on their list for some point in the future, but if Saudia can't make it work from BHX, Riyadh Air will almost certainly see that as a problem, not an opportunity.

 

[IanFarquharson]

I have no idea what you think Saudia is trying to serve from BHX. Saudia is also targeting connecting traffic more than O&D traffic. A vast majority of the passengers using the Saudia route are not ending their journey in Saudi Arabia. I remember an article released a year or so after the launch suggesting that the vast majority of BHX-originating passengers were connecting onwards to India, Pakistan, and Thailand. And unlike Riyadh Air, Saudia already has the network up and running.

Riyadh Air is also positioning itself as a more premium airline, something that BHX's market has always struggled with more than its competitors.

In general, Saudi Arabia wants to grow its tourism network across the world, and it sees investing in its two main airlines as a way of doing that. You will also note that nearly all of Riyadh Air's announced routes are already served by Saudia; routes that the Saudi government knows work for them and wants to invest in.

In short, if Saudia doesn't think a BHX-JED route is viable with the connections already on offer, don't delude yourself into thinking that a more premium airline, Riyadh Air, controlled by the same people, the Saudi government, is going to jump in and save the day. That simply isn't going to happen.

Yes, Riyadh Air wants to compete with the likes of Emirates and Qatar and become a global player. That's a bold vision, but the airline is nowhere near that yet. Yes, I'm sure BHX is on their list for some point in the future, but if Saudia can't make it work from BHX, Riyadh Air will almost certainly see that as a problem, not an opportunity.

Totally agree, Riyadh Air have a small number of 789's and their wishlist must include 100's of cities before they look at BHX.
I was surprised they close MAN above a lot of other cities to be honest but great news for MAN.
Little chance of seeing them at BHX anytime soon.

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

Any rumours for S27?

Been very quiet lately

 

[IanFarquharson]

Any rumours for S27?

Been very quiet lately

Summer holiday season is always quite for route announcements, should pick up in September.

BHX coping well with record pax levels.

Nick Barton said on WM that BHX is not at capacity yet so lets hope we see a few annoucements soon.

Looks like a US service is still his No1 priority with lots of meetings but nothing concrete yet

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

Summer holiday season is always quite for route announcements, should pick up in September.

BHX coping well with record pax levels.

Nick Barton said on WM that BHX is not at capacity yet so lets hope we see a few annoucements soon.

Looks like a US service is still his No1 priority with lots of meetings but nothing concrete yet

-Egyptair haven’t put its Cairo route YR yet
-EasyJet hasn’t also put Agadir YR
-Jet2 haven’t finalised their summer schedule
-Sun express have released its summer sale however I expect chop and change
-Ryanair and Pegasus haven’t announced its Summer 2027 schedule
-PIA rumours for 2027
Tui I’m unsure if they’ll be serving Turkey Dalaman and Antalya for S27.Only months showing are the rest of S26 and APR & MAY.Be good to get a new route from tui for summer 2027


A lot to sort out

 

[BLB777]

Could this speed up PIA's return?

https://twitter.com/x/status/2088358220368937079

 

[Finger66]

I do think this will give a much improved chance yes, if it comes off. My one but (or word of caution) is the potential financial state of Norse. These potential deals may be their last chance saloon and that is even if something doesn't happen before. I do however hope that the deals can be gotten over the line as much for the job security of those at Norse as well as much needed UK-Pskistan capacity increases. Could be an interesting few months ahead

 

[tompo]

I do think this will give a much improved chance yes, if it comes off. My one but (or word of caution) is the potential financial state of Norse. These potential deals may be their last chance saloon and that is even if something doesn't happen before. I do however hope that the deals can be gotten over the line as much for the job security of those at Norse as well as much needed UK-Pskistan capacity increases. Could be an interesting few months ahead