Emirates boosts capacity from Birmingham

Emirates (EK) is increasing the number of Business Class seats

out of Birmingham by 39 per cent this summer

.

From 1 June 2009, the award-winning international carrier is
introducing a second state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300ER on its
twice-daily services from Birmingham to Dubai, where passengers
can connect to onward destinations worldwide

.

The move increases the total number of Business Class seats

available every day from 69 to 96, and the number of Economy

from 651 to 710. It represents a total capacity increase across all

classes of just over 11 per cent

.

The new aircraft type is being introduced on the evening flight

from Birmingham, which departs daily at 9.20pm and is currently

operated by the smaller Airbus A330-200. A Boeing 777-300ER

is already operating on the lunchtime flight, which departs

Birmingham daily at 2.15pm

.

Laurie Berryman, Emirates manager for UK regions, said:

"Despite the challenging economic conditions, travellers in the

Midlands remain keenly aware of the benefits of Emirates'

worldwide network

.

"Over the last few months demand has continued to grow on

the Birmingham route, necessitating an increase in capacity to

meet the surge in passenger numbers

.

"Both services will be operating by the state-of-the-art

Boeing 777-300ER, which has Emirates latest ICE inflight

entertainment system on board"

.

Joe Kelly, Deputy CEO, Birmingham International Airport said:

"We are delighted that Emirates is introducing this extra capacity

on what is already an extremely popular route. Emirates

commenced services from Birmingham in 2000 and since then

it has gone from strength to strength, introducing a second daily

departure in 2005

.

"Emirates opens up access to Australia, the Far East and the

Indian Sub-Continent from Dubai, and this news will mean that

there are more than 800 seats a day available for people wanting

to fly long haul in style from Birmingham"

.

Tuesday 7 April 2009

Monday 6 April 2009 - KLM Fokker 70 PH-KZU makes its first visit to BHX

KLM cityhopper Fokker 70 PH-KZU operated their lunchtime

service to Amsterdam - its first visit to BHX - it was formerly

F-GLIU with Regional and was delivered to KLM last week

.

Titan Boeing 737-300QC G-POWC operated the return

rotation of a weekend charter to Palma

Sunday 5 April 2009 - easyJet Boeing 737 G-EZKG operates their flight to Grenoble

easyJet Boeing 737-73V G-EZKG operated their service to Grenoble

Saturday 4 April 2009 - Air Sylhet Boeing 757 TF-LLY operates inaugural flight to Amritsar

Air Sylhet Boeing 757 TF-LLY departed on the inaugural flight

of the new twice weekly Akal Air/Air Sylhet service from BHX

to Amritsar, India, via Vienna....

.

.... congratulations to the team from Akal Air/Air Sylhet on the

sucessful launch of their new airline and the "on time" departure

of their first flight to Amritsar!!
.

For details of the weekly Akal Air/Air Sylhet schedule please see -

http://bhxflightguide.blogspot.com/2000/10/bhx-info.html

KLM Boeing 737-800 PH-BXA made its second visit to BHX since

it was painted in a "retro" colour scheme to mark the airlines 90th

anniversary in 2009
.

Air Berlin Airbus A320 D-ABDO operated the first flight of

their new twice weekly charter service from Hannover

Birmingham Airport - 25 years ago today!!

Twenty five years ago today saw the start of the "modern era"

at Birmingham Airport - on Wednesday 4 April 1984 the "new"

terminal site opened for business - over the previous night a

major operation had taken place to relocate all the airlines, their

aircraft and equipment from the Elmdon site to the new facility

on the eastern side of the airfield

. An aerial view of the new terminal

.A view of aircraft parked on the new pier taken on the opening day

- the old "Elmdon" terminal can be seen in the distance
.

A team of reporters from BBC "Midlands Today" spent the opening

day at the airport and the programme that evening was broadcast

live from the new terminal - what better way to look back at that

day than to go "live" to 1984 - just "click" the video below!! -

By the mid 1970's Birmingham Airport was handling over a million
passengers and the existing terminal on the Elmdon site was already

bursting at the seems. A long planning and consultation exercise thus
began to build a completely new terminal on a site on the eastern side
of the airfield adjacent to the main Birmingham to London railway
line and the recently completed National Exhibition Centre - NEC
.

An artists impression of the "proposed" new terminal

Friday 3 April 2009 - flybe Dash 8 G-ECOP arrives on delivery flight from Canada

flybe Dash 8Q-400 G-ECOP arrived from Reykjavik as the

"BE 040" at the end of its delivery flight from Canada
.

Turkish Airbus A321 TC-JMH operated their service to Istanbul

- the third 321 this week and another first visit to BHX!
.

Eurowings BAe 146-300 D-AEWB was a weather diversion from

Bristol while operating the Lufthansa service from Frankfurt
.

Gulfstream 4 N317MJ which had arrived on Wednesday morning
departed to Albany in New York state, USA

Thursday 2 April 2009 - Air Sylhet/Akal Air Boeing 757 TF-LLY arrives on delivery

Air Sylhet Boeing 757-225 TF-LLY - which is leased from Gadair -

arrived on delivery from Vienna - Akal Air/Air Sylhet will be

launching a new twice weekly service from BHX to Amritsar via

Vienna on Saturday 4 April 2009 - for timings and more information

see - http://bhxflightguide.blogspot.com/2000/10/bhx-info.html

.

RAF Hercules C3 XV290 was an evening visitor to the
Elmdon apron operating a medivac flight
.
RAF Agusta A109 ZR323 was a visitor to the Elmdon apron

Wednesday 1 April 2009 - Turkmenistan Boeing 737 EZ-A007 on delivery after VIP fit out

Turkmenistan Boeing 737-7GL EZ-A007 arrived from Goose Bay,
Canada, on its delivery flight. The aircraft was handed over last year
and has been at Lakeland/Kelly AFB outside San Antonio in Texas

since having a VIP interior installed....

.

.... after refueling it departed onto Ashkabad
.
Jet Options Legacy 600 G-IRSH - which had been impounded by
the Airport Company for non payment of landing fees - departed
to Luton after the debts had been settled
.
Lufthansa Cityline Canadair CRJ 900 D-ACKE operated
their afternoon service to Munich
.
Aer Arran ATR 72-500 EI-REL operated their flight to Waterford
.

Challenger 604 N828KD which had arrived on Tuesday

evening was an afternoon departure
.

SAS MD 87 LN-RMU operated their morning service to

Copenhagen in place of the usual Canadair CRJ 900

bmibaby launches Winter 2009 flight programme from Birmingham Airport

bmibaby (WW), the low cost airline, has today,
Wednesday 1 April 2009, launched its winter 2009/10
flying programme from Birmingham Airport

.

The schedule will commence on 25 October 2009 and includes
a new route to Grenoble from Birmingham Airport which
starts on 19 December 2009

.

In total bmibaby will fly to 10 European destinations for winter:
Alicante, Amsterdam, Belfast International, Edinburgh, Geneva,

Glasgow, Grenoble, Ireland West Knock, Malaga, Prague

.

Crawford Rix, managing director, bmibaby, said: "We are
pleased to launch our winter flying programme today with
brand new routes from the regions. For the first time we will

be flying to Grenoble. Grenoble is located in the very centre
of the Alps and will be an extremely popular destination
for those looking for a winter snow holiday"
.

"We have seen strong early bookings for summer 2009
as people are keen to save money by booking early. We
believe this trend will continue for the winter season
as people want to secure a great deal and their
ideal dates of travel"
.

Joe Kelly, Deputy CEO, Birmingham International Airport
said: "It is fantastic news for travellers of the region that
bmibaby has today launched its winter schedule. The new
Grenoble service is an added benefit meaning passengers
have more choice from their local airport. bmibaby really
does have something for everyone, be it a short break,
a skiing holiday or a burst of winter sun"
.

For more information or to book please visit www.bmibaby.com

.

Wednesday 1 April 2009

Tuesday 31 March 2009 - Turkish Airbus A321 TC-JMI makes its first visit to BHX

Turkish Airbus A321 TC-JMI operated their service to Istanbul

- its first visit and the second of a TK 321 to BHX. It was originally

destined for Kingfisher as VT-KRB and wears a non standard

colour scheme. Turkish will be using 321's to BHX on a regular

basis over the Easter holiday - for more information see -

-http://bhxflightguide.blogspot.com/2000/10/bhx-info.html

.

Recently delivered Aer Lingus Airbus A320 EI-EDP operated

their lunchtime service from Dublin - another first visit!
.

Army Air Corps Islander AL1 ZG844 was a visitor to the Elmdon apron

Monday 30 March 2009 - KLM Boeing 737 PH-BXT operates flight to Amsterdam

KLM Boeing 737-900 PH-BXT operated their mid morning

service to Amsterdam

.

RAF C17 ZZ171 operated a medivac flight before departing
off Runway 33 to Brize Norton
.
Ryanair Boeing 737-800 EI-DCS wears additional "Costa Brava" titles
.
bmi regional Embraer 135 G-RJXL operated the early morning
rotation of their new service from Aberdeen

Sunday 29 March 2009 - SAS Canadair CRJ 900 makes first daylight visit to BHX

SAS Canadair CRJ 900 OY-KFB operated their morning service from

Copenhagen - the first daylight visit to BHX of a SAS CR9 which will

operate both their daily services for the summer - for schedules see -

http://bhxflightguide.blogspot.com/2000/10/bhx-info.html

.

bmi regional Embraer 145 G-RJXD operated the inaugural flight

of their new three times daily service from Aberdeen a route

they have taken over from bmibaby
.

Brussels Airbus A319 OO-SSM operated their afternoon service from

Brussels - another type that will be a regular visitor for the summer
.

Sun Air Dornier 328JET OY-NCL operated the return charter

from Ostersund, Sweden, before positioning out to Luton

bmi regional begins flights to Aberdeen

bmi regional has launched a new route between Aberdeen and
Birmingham today, Sunday 29 March 2009. The full-service
airline has begun its three times daily service with prices
from just £37.00 one way
.
The new schedule offered by bmi will give business and leisure
travellers maximum flexibility and choice with a number of day
return options
.
Peter Kenworthy, commercial director of bmi Regional said:
"We are delighted that bmi Regional began its three times
dailyservice on the new route from Aberdeen to Birmingham.
Having just been confirmed for the fourth successive year as
the UK’s most punctual airline, bmi regional provides business
and leisure travellers alike with a fantastic level of service and
added benefits ensuring a hassle-free and rewarding journey
for all of our customers"
.
Joe Kelly, Deputy CEO of Birmingham International Airport
said: "It is fantastic to see bmi regional return to Birmingham
International Airport and we are delighted that they are
operating the Aberdeen route. Extra capacity on this busy
route means even more choice and convenience
for our passengers"
.
bmi Regional was the most punctual airline operating from
UK airports in 2008 - the fourth successive year the airline
has achieved pole position – and now offers paperless boarding
on services from Birmingham for a faster and more convenient
service. This service allows passengers to check in online up
to 24 hours in advance,choose their seat and have their
boarding pass delivered electronically to their mobile phone
or PDA as an MMS, avoiding check in queues and saving
valuable travel time. Unlike paperless boarding with other
airlines, which requires passengers to print their electronic
barcode upon arrival at the airport, bmi passengers are
able to scan the barcode directly from their mobile phone or

PDA. As part of the airline’s commitment to offering the best

value for money for travellers, bmi’s regional, short haul and

European departures no longer include fuel surcharges
.
Bookings can be made now at www.flybmi.com
or by calling 0870 60 70 555

.

Sunday 29 March 2009

New twice weekly Larnaca, Cyprus, service by Monarch from Birmingham

Award winning low fares airline Monarch is strengthening its network
from Birmingham with a new route to Cyprus taking to the skies
.
From 29th March 2009, two flights a week will operate to Larnaca ,
Cyprus, bringing the total number of destinations served by the

airline from its Midlands base to 11

.
Commenting on the launch of the new service, managing director of
Monarch flights and holidays, Liz Savage said, "We are delighted to
be expanding our network from Birmingham to include the Eastern
Mediterranean with the launch of services to Cyprus. There has
been huge demand from our Midlands based customers for scheduled
flights to Cyprus since we began services from London in 2007, and
the launch of these new flights from Birmingham now gives customers
a greater choice of direct flights and low fares. We have been
overwhelmed with how well this new service has been received with
over 10,000 advanced bookings already taken and the first flight
almost fully booked"
.
"Monarch’s onboard service is also perfectly placed for the four and
a half hour flight time, with extra legroom seating, in-flight
entertainment – including full length feature films and the provision
of hot and cold food all available"
.
Flights to Cyprus operate each Wednesday and Sunday with fares
starting from just £78.99 one-way (£140.50 return), including all
taxes and web booking discount
.
Monarch operates scheduled flights from Birmingham to eleven
destinations throughout Spain, the Canary and Balearic Islands,
Portugal and Cyprus. In addition to year-round low fares, Monarch
also offers a unique range of tasty hot and cold meals onboard with
prices from £3.00
.
Passengers travelling on scheduled flights can also avoid the queues
at the airport and take advantage of online check-in which is

available between seven days and 4.5 hours prior to departure
.
For further information or to book Monarch flights,
Monarch Holidays or Monarch Hotels, please
visit http://www.monarch.co.uk/

.

Sunday 29 March 2009

Saturday 28 March 2009 - Monarch operate final Airbus A320 flight of the winter season

Monarch Airbus A320 G-OZBK operated their afternoon service

to Alicante - their final A320 service from BHX for the winter

before becoming an all A321 base for the summer
.

Twinjet Airbus A319CJ G-NMAK departed to Paris le Bourget
.
Titan Boeing 737-300 G-ZAPZ operated their
weekly ski IT flight from Chambery

Friday 27 March 2009 - Ryanair Boeing 737 EI-EBP makes its first visit to BHX

Recently delivered Ryanair Boeing 737-8AS EI-EBP operated
their afternoon service from Dublin - its first visit to BHX

.

Air Berlin Boeing 737-800 D-ABAS operated their final weekly

service from Münster Osnabrück....
.

.... while Atlantic Airways BAe 146-200 OY-RCW operated their

final Copenhagen service flown on behalf SAS - details of all the

schedule changes for the summer, interesting movements due

and the latest BHX airline and routes news can now be found at -

.
http://bhxflightguide.blogspot.com/2000/10/bhx-info.html
.

Robin DR-400 Regent G-BGWC was a visitor to the Elmdon apron