Route Development & Rumours

[DaveBham]

I tried out Norwegian last Friday on a trip to Malaga - I thought they were excellent. Highly recommend them.

 

[Ray Finkle]

It does seem to have gone a little quiet, sometimes that can be a good sign at BHX.

It was said by some usually reliable people that there was still more to come and we would hear 'soon'. Maybe their interpretation of soon is different to mine, maybe things have been delayed (which happens) or maybe they just got caught up in all the excitement.

I guess we'll find out over the next few weeks.

 

[jfy1999]

I've read on another forum that P&O Cruises will be basing a ship at St Lucia in the Caribbean for 2017. Presumably BHX will be seeing charters there along with other UK airports.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Last time I looked at the P&O website only LGW was available to St Lucia.

 

[User001]

If it's for summer 2017 then the programme will not be finalised yet.

 

[Ray Finkle]

P&O W16/17 cruises from St Lucia have departures from LGW only.

 

[User001]

Ah, I was under the impression that the new cruises were for S17.

 

[Ray Finkle]

So it's been over three weeks now since Mr K's 'more exciting airline news to come shortly' Tweet and that it would be 'worth the wait', yet still we've heard nothing. Beijing Capital made their application the day after but I don't think that was the news as many articles suggested that talks were yet to be had, besides he Tweeted again a few days later that we were 'going to have to wait and see what transpires'.

The man sure likes to tease :smile:

 

[andyc941]

Hi Ray,ive got a feeling its a china route and they are in talks with a carrier for schedule flights.
Like user001 has said Bejing Capital cant operate scheule flights at the moment only charters,and with the Biliterals now changing things have now all changed.My guess at the moment will be China Southern,they have operated the charters a few years ago and know all about BHX.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Hi mate, I have a feeling that the Beijing Capital application took them somewhat by surprise. Mr K just quoted the CAPA article in his Tweet and most of the other articles I have read either said that talks were yet to take place or that no one at the airport would comment. The BHX of late seems publicity hungry so surely they'd have been more than willing to chat about something like this? There has also been nothing since.

It would be nice to think they were still discussing options to China though, a lot of work has been put in but these things can take a long time so I'm not sure if they're quite there yet.

The general opinion seemed to be that it would be Emirates announcing A380 ops.

Hopefully we'll find out soon.

 

[Deleted member 8277]

I would say that the big announcement will probably be the A380. Rumour from within is that emirates want the A380 to start in march to coincide with Qatar. At the moment the only problem with that is:
No- catering trucks,3rd airbridge, engineering support to name a few which all require time to get ready.It appears only the fuel trucks are ready at the moment.There has been no confirmation that the A380 is to start yet to some of these.
2 airbridges for 600 passengers and the business class at the rear of the upper deck is really going to please the business passengers, waiting for most of the economy to disembark before them and then join the inevitable loooooooong queue at passport control, summer at lunch time is going to be horrendous with all the other airline passengers . I would say that when it starts its going to be fun for all ( NOT) I think someone needs to look up what infrastructure means.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I believe a new de-icing rig, new tow bar and possibly a new tug can be added to that list? I've not seen if any work has begun yet on the stand but I think a high level jet bridge is a must for the premium pax.

I think the original plan for A380 ops was next Dec but the Qatar announcement seems to have bought things forwards. Hopefully it can be done in time.

In other news the Monarch slots requested at Porto are not on the updated list, the ones at Lisbon remain at the moment.

 

[Brum X]

But surely the 3rd airbridge isn't a must as they will be operating to MAN which will have no 3rd airbridge ????


Id say its more to do with the taxiway, did I hear somebody say that they were in the process of widening this at the bottom of Runway 15 which was a little tight. I believe this was to be done during this months overnight runway closures ???

Maybe they are waiting on confirmation from BHX that this has been done, just a thought ??

 

[User001]

They are using just 2 bridges at MAN, and the first testing of the process was tonight, as the EK19/20 was the very first commercial outing of the 2 class A380.

The usage of just 2 bridges isn't by choice however, as MAN will not have any major capital expenditure in T1 due to it being demolished.

The first new A380 gates with 3 bridges will be available from 2018.

 

[thunderchild]

The difference is neither jet bridge leads to the upper deck - boarding 600+ pax onto the same deck would be a logistical nightmare.

 

[Ray Finkle]

The Business Class cabin on the 2 class A380 is on the upper deck at the rear, so whilst it is possible to do it with two low level jet bridges it means that premium pax have to board on the lower level, climb the stairs and walk to the back of the aircraft. As said, on arrival they would then have to wait for most of the economy pax to disembark before they did, meaning they join the rear of a huge queue at security.

It is physically possible but far from ideal.

Id say its more to do with the taxiway, did I hear somebody say that they were in the process of widening this at the bottom of Runway 15 which was a little tight. I believe this was to be done during this months overnight runway closures ???

'Fillets' are being added to some of the tighter turns whilst the runway is closed during Nov, I believe it's going to take a couple of years to do the whole airfield. The taxiways should be fine as is for an A380 (we've already had one) but some are a little tighter than would be liked so this should make life easier. There will also be follow me vehicles for A380 movements and the fuel farm access road will be closed due to the wingspan.

Looking at the A380 ground movement chart and it seems as if taxiway 'C' can't be used, should we see one land on RWY15 it'll be a great photo op as it turns onto taxiway 'E'.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I'm not sure if it's been posted before but here's the A380 ground movement chart from the NATS site.

 

[Brum X]

Thanks for the info on the A380 :smile:

 

[jfy1999]

Would the new fillets make it possible for BHX to handle the A340-600? I'm keeping in mind the possibility of Mahan Air returning although they may decide to use something smaller.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I believe so, although there probably won't be too many around by the time works have finished. I think it's being done more with the next generation of 777's in mind, I think the -9X is to be quite a few feet longer than the 77W, although I have no idea of the wheel base, turning circle etc.