Birmingham-8
and quite entitled to post here (or anywhere else for that matter), as I for one wouldn't have read Southend.
Meanwhile ‘socials’ going apesht with biblical security queues again. Lots saying ‘never again’ . Hope powers at be reading.
Meanwhile ‘socials’ going apesht with biblical security queues again. Lots saying ‘never again’ . Hope powers at be reading.
EasyJet Galley FM reporting 5 new routes for BHX this winter and at least 1 additional aircraft next summer as 'apparently' they are going to launch a BHX recruitment campaign for pilots and cabin crew
Salt, pinch of, take with but would be nice if proven to be true!
Salt, pinch of, take with but would be nice if proven to be true!
Am I missing something blindingly obvious? The 100ml limit has never been lifted at BHX. If anything, the new scanners should speed up processing, even under current regulations. BHX management are blaming delays on people not following the 100ml restrictions, but those have been in place since 2006. As far as I can see the current chaos is due to a failure to have a workable plan to get pax from check in to security and nothing whatsoever to do with liquids.
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BHX purchase new scanners - which would allow people to leave everything in your hand luggage - liquids up to 2 litres, electronics etc. This means the security process speeds up 10x as most time is wasted by people unpacking bags, unpacking bags correctly, not meeting restrictions etc. The new scanners in effect remove a majority of the restrictions we have got used to over the years.
The Govt mandates that all airports are required to install the new scanners by the 1st June....
As people will be moving through scanners 10x faster, and the airport is required to install them by the 1st June, the airport no longer needs as much space for queuing. The opportunity therefore is to build a whole new security area, with less space for queuing required so can use the space saved to expand the departure lounge (which is often overcrowded by 40%!!!) Win Win Win!!!!
But...
1. Most other major airports struggle to deliver the new scanners and make it clear they will not deliver them by 1st June. BHX not worried though, they will!!!
2. Once the 1st June happens and the Govt realise the pitfalls of having different levels of restrictions, the Govt don't grant BHX permission to utilise the new scanners as planned and lift 100ml requirements.
3. Govt then change their mind and delay the dropping of 100ml requirements until all/more airports can adopt them
The result, BHX is now stuck with a security system built for one purposes, but now being used for the old purposes and no longer have the queuing space available which used to be used for the old system.
Have BHX managed the fall out of this situation well... no, but I must admit having some sympathy for the airport at the same time!
Its like being told that you need to buy an electric car by 2025 as petrol is being banned in 2025. You then breaking your back earning enough money to buy an electric car ahead of 2025, only for the ban to be delayed at the last moment. Now you're stuck with an expensive electric car that you didn't need so soon, which has a 60mile range, whilst all your petrol car owning friends have tonnes more money than you and can drive 4x the distance,,,,
The Govt mandates that all airports are required to install the new scanners by the 1st June....
As people will be moving through scanners 10x faster, and the airport is required to install them by the 1st June, the airport no longer needs as much space for queuing. The opportunity therefore is to build a whole new security area, with less space for queuing required so can use the space saved to expand the departure lounge (which is often overcrowded by 40%!!!) Win Win Win!!!!
But...
1. Most other major airports struggle to deliver the new scanners and make it clear they will not deliver them by 1st June. BHX not worried though, they will!!!
2. Once the 1st June happens and the Govt realise the pitfalls of having different levels of restrictions, the Govt don't grant BHX permission to utilise the new scanners as planned and lift 100ml requirements.
3. Govt then change their mind and delay the dropping of 100ml requirements until all/more airports can adopt them
The result, BHX is now stuck with a security system built for one purposes, but now being used for the old purposes and no longer have the queuing space available which used to be used for the old system.
Have BHX managed the fall out of this situation well... no, but I must admit having some sympathy for the airport at the same time!
Its like being told that you need to buy an electric car by 2025 as petrol is being banned in 2025. You then breaking your back earning enough money to buy an electric car ahead of 2025, only for the ban to be delayed at the last moment. Now you're stuck with an expensive electric car that you didn't need so soon, which has a 60mile range, whilst all your petrol car owning friends have tonnes more money than you and can drive 4x the distance,,,,
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That's a very noble defence of an airport which has failed at almost every level of the customer-facing experience ever since the pandemic. The comms blaming customers for the delays was just awful. To paraphrase what was said, if nasty customers would stop turning up at the airport every day, there would be no queues at security. What a statement of the obvious! Who have they got in their press office - Gerald Ratner?
EasyJet W24/25
Well, my galley FM source was spot on!
Looks like 5 new routes have been added today from BHX to Krakow, Innsbruck, Marrakech, Prague and Reykjavik - all of which are already served by FR and LS indicating that EZY are not shy of going head to head.....
In addition, Jersey and Lisbon (previously summer only) are both operating throughout the winter.
Corfu, Heraklion, Larnaca, Dalaman, Kos, Palma and Rhodes finish beginning of Nov (when the above new destinations start) and Faro takes a short winter break Dec-Feb. There may be more to come but I'm taking a guess that the new routes plus Lisbon and Jersey comfortably cover the 3 aircraft base schedule for winter.
Will be interesting to see if any of the 3 aircraft being stood down from LGW for next summer will head to BHX, let's hope my galley FM source is right on that one too!
Looks like 5 new routes have been added today from BHX to Krakow, Innsbruck, Marrakech, Prague and Reykjavik - all of which are already served by FR and LS indicating that EZY are not shy of going head to head.....
In addition, Jersey and Lisbon (previously summer only) are both operating throughout the winter.
Corfu, Heraklion, Larnaca, Dalaman, Kos, Palma and Rhodes finish beginning of Nov (when the above new destinations start) and Faro takes a short winter break Dec-Feb. There may be more to come but I'm taking a guess that the new routes plus Lisbon and Jersey comfortably cover the 3 aircraft base schedule for winter.
Will be interesting to see if any of the 3 aircraft being stood down from LGW for next summer will head to BHX, let's hope my galley FM source is right on that one too!
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Well, my galley FM source was spot on!
Looks like 5 new routes have been added today from BHX to Krakow, Innsbruck, Marrakech, Prague and Reykjavik - all of which are already served by FR and LS indicating that EZY are not shy of going head to head.....
In addition, Jersey and Lisbon (previously summer only) are both operating throughout the winter.
Corfu, Heraklion, Larnaca, Dalaman, Kos, Palma and Rhodes finish beginning of Nov (when the above new destinations start) and Faro takes a short winter break Dec-Feb. There may be more to come but I'm taking a guess that the new routes plus Lisbon and Jersey comfortably cover the 3 aircraft base schedule for winter.
Will be interesting to see if any of the 3 aircraft being stood down from LGW for next summer will head to BHX, let's hope my galley FM source is right on that one too!
Looks like 5 new routes have been added today from BHX to Krakow, Innsbruck, Marrakech, Prague and Reykjavik - all of which are already served by FR and LS indicating that EZY are not shy of going head to head.....
In addition, Jersey and Lisbon (previously summer only) are both operating throughout the winter.
Corfu, Heraklion, Larnaca, Dalaman, Kos, Palma and Rhodes finish beginning of Nov (when the above new destinations start) and Faro takes a short winter break Dec-Feb. There may be more to come but I'm taking a guess that the new routes plus Lisbon and Jersey comfortably cover the 3 aircraft base schedule for winter.
Will be interesting to see if any of the 3 aircraft being stood down from LGW for next summer will head to BHX, let's hope my galley FM source is right on that one too!
BHX purchase new scanners - which would allow people to leave everything in your hand luggage - liquids up to 2 litres, electronics etc. This means the security process speeds up 10x as most time is wasted by people unpacking bags, unpacking bags correctly, not meeting restrictions etc. The new scanners in effect remove a majority of the restrictions we have got used to over the years.
The Govt mandates that all airports are required to install the new scanners by the 1st June....
As people will be moving through scanners 10x faster, and the airport is required to install them by the 1st June, the airport no longer needs as much space for queuing. The opportunity therefore is to build a whole new security area, with less space for queuing required so can use the space saved to expand the departure lounge (which is often overcrowded by 40%!!!) Win Win Win!!!!
But...
1. Most other major airports struggle to deliver the new scanners and make it clear they will not deliver them by 1st June. BHX not worried though, they will!!!
2. Once the 1st June happens and the Govt realise the pitfalls of having different levels of restrictions, the Govt don't grant BHX permission to utilise the new scanners as planned and lift 100ml requirements.
3. Govt then change their mind and delay the dropping of 100ml requirements until all/more airports can adopt them
The result, BHX is now stuck with a security system built for one purposes, but now being used for the old purposes and no longer have the queuing space available which used to be used for the old system.
Have BHX managed the fall out of this situation well... no, but I must admit having some sympathy for the airport at the same time!
Its like being told that you need to buy an electric car by 2025 as petrol is being banned in 2025. You then breaking your back earning enough money to buy an electric car ahead of 2025, only for the ban to be delayed at the last moment. Now you're stuck with an expensive electric car that you didn't need so soon, which has a 60mile range, whilst all your petrol car owning friends have tonnes more money than you and can drive 4x the distance,,,,
The Govt mandates that all airports are required to install the new scanners by the 1st June....
As people will be moving through scanners 10x faster, and the airport is required to install them by the 1st June, the airport no longer needs as much space for queuing. The opportunity therefore is to build a whole new security area, with less space for queuing required so can use the space saved to expand the departure lounge (which is often overcrowded by 40%!!!) Win Win Win!!!!
But...
1. Most other major airports struggle to deliver the new scanners and make it clear they will not deliver them by 1st June. BHX not worried though, they will!!!
2. Once the 1st June happens and the Govt realise the pitfalls of having different levels of restrictions, the Govt don't grant BHX permission to utilise the new scanners as planned and lift 100ml requirements.
3. Govt then change their mind and delay the dropping of 100ml requirements until all/more airports can adopt them
The result, BHX is now stuck with a security system built for one purposes, but now being used for the old purposes and no longer have the queuing space available which used to be used for the old system.
Have BHX managed the fall out of this situation well... no, but I must admit having some sympathy for the airport at the same time!
Its like being told that you need to buy an electric car by 2025 as petrol is being banned in 2025. You then breaking your back earning enough money to buy an electric car ahead of 2025, only for the ban to be delayed at the last moment. Now you're stuck with an expensive electric car that you didn't need so soon, which has a 60mile range, whilst all your petrol car owning friends have tonnes more money than you and can drive 4x the distance,,,,
It's quite excusable therefore that those airports with the new technology adapted to these new measures are going to have a nightmare operation whilst they're still bound by the old 100ml rules and BHX is probably in the stickiest position with that. The larger airports delayed the work and advised the regulators they'd miss the deadline because they could foresee the impact it would have on peak summer operations, whereas BHX seemed to plough ahead regardless in order to meet the deadline. That may have turned out to not be the wisest move in the end, but I think that's more an overall situation the authorities need to take accountability for rather than the individual airports who have only done what the authorities have mandated them to do.
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At Luton, where I work, the new technology means that the number of scanners required are only half that were required with the old technology resulting in the number of lanes being halved. The claim from management is that despite the reduction in lanes more staff are required. Also at Luton, passengers remove 100ml plus liquids outside the security hall before joining the queue using large long benches that have been provided. It has been that way for years so most passengers are already complying and don’t bring any to the airport. It sounds as though Birmingham management are blaming passengers for their own incompetence.
They would also be acutely aware of what the passenger per hour capacity of each section of the airport is including the capacity of the scanners regarding staff numbers required. Money talks and it would seem no limits have been put in place although they would have known what was going to happen last year if they didn’t get the staffing levels right and the correct number of scanners installed.
They would also be acutely aware of what the passenger per hour capacity of each section of the airport is including the capacity of the scanners regarding staff numbers required. Money talks and it would seem no limits have been put in place although they would have known what was going to happen last year if they didn’t get the staffing levels right and the correct number of scanners installed.
At Luton, where I work, the new technology means that the number of scanners required are only half that were required with the old technology resulting in the number of lanes being halved. The claim from management is that despite the reduction in lanes more staff are required. Also at Luton, passengers remove 100ml plus liquids outside the security hall before joining the queue using large long benches that have been provided. It has been that way for years so most passengers are already complying and don’t bring any to the airport. It sounds as though Birmingham management are blaming passengers for their own incompetence.
They would also be acutely aware of what the passenger per hour capacity of each section of the airport is including the capacity of the scanners regarding staff numbers required. Money talks and it would seem no limits have been put in place although they would have known what was going to happen last year if they didn’t get the staffing levels right and the correct number of scanners installed.
They would also be acutely aware of what the passenger per hour capacity of each section of the airport is including the capacity of the scanners regarding staff numbers required. Money talks and it would seem no limits have been put in place although they would have known what was going to happen last year if they didn’t get the staffing levels right and the correct number of scanners installed.
I beleive the plan at STN is to move the security entrance forward to create longer lanes and queueing space since the pre-entrance re-packing area will effectively be no longer needed; or at least to the extent it is now. With that they don't have to build so many new lanes as part of the STN transformation plans. STN's terminal is capacity constrained but by design is quite modular and fairly easily adaptable for the space needed, but not every airport has that luxury and have limited ability to reconfigure the space available. Many therefore have either a much reduced number of lanes or limited space to enlogate lanes to improve throughout.
Therefore, if an airport like BHX has done the reconfiguration but can't yet benefit from the throughput it's designed for, they are going to have severe capacity constraints. Reality is they have two options in order to maintain the current schedule. One is to challenge the regulator and get the 100ml ban lifted (which is a politically challenging option and a case that will need careful consideration before putting forward), or you reinforce the current rules to passengers to ensure they pack accordingly. I don't think BHX is trying to "blame passengers for their incompetence" but rather reinforcing the rules to help drive the passenger bahviours needed in order to maximise throughput, and at that acheive a more acceptable level of service. The only remaining option is they have to reduce capacity (ie tell airlines to cancel flights), which is something that understandably will want to be avoided at all costs.
What are the odds of Ryanair announcing Prague now?
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Prague
I would not be surprised if this time they don't return depending on easyjet increasing. Jet2 are operating 4 per week in December before reverting back to 2 per week and for the first time in years in will go year round with this summer the last of its short breaks when the aircraft goes to the Med for 7-8 weeks.
As for easyjet, this latest release virtually makes the three based aircraft active all winter bar Wednesday.
February shows three Edinburgh services per week operate from the base but I couldn't find any Glasgow, Belfast or Geneva flights operating from the base which makes 24/25 a nice increase on last year.
Pete
From the listing I've seen, there is still room for one more new route at Birmingham - something long and Sharm el Sheikh-length on a Wednesday. At a guess, it would be Hurghada but with easyJet's recent move into Cape Verde, who can be sure?
Am not so sure about Cape Verde with EZY from the UK. The market they are looking to serve from Portugal is primarily VFR plus business as Portugal and Cape Verde have strong cultural and economic ties and a big population diaspora (Cape Verde was a Portuguese colony until 1975).
I think the reason therefore EZY are (currently) only flying from LIS and OPO to Cape Verde is to capitalise on this market and provide an alternative for VFR traffic to the often high fare TAP flights. That's not to say they won't ever fly there from the UK but it would be a completely different market and would need to be part of the easyJet Holidays portfolio
I think Hurghada is very possible, or another Canary Island.
I think the reason therefore EZY are (currently) only flying from LIS and OPO to Cape Verde is to capitalise on this market and provide an alternative for VFR traffic to the often high fare TAP flights. That's not to say they won't ever fly there from the UK but it would be a completely different market and would need to be part of the easyJet Holidays portfolio
I think Hurghada is very possible, or another Canary Island.