BA and BEY [Route cancelled from 12 May 2020]
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BA Exec Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 128
BA and BEY [Route cancelled from 12 May 2020]
Hi. Just had a notification that my trip to Beirut has been cancelled in late August and it seems to have disappeared from the timetables online. Haven't got through to BA yet on the phone and there's no rebooking option online. Does any one know if this route has been cancelled or if they're just going through a timetable adjustment in light of recent events? There's a very large group of us off to a wedding on multiple ticket types all on the same flight so want to rapidly work out alternative options if necessary.
Last edited by IslingtonFlyer; Mar 11, 2020 at 6:43 am Reason: Update on route close date
#3
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,957
In view of the fact that you really do need some very good advice and alternative options quickly, and that BA's phone lines are jammed, a more descriptive thread title might attract attention on this very busy and fast-moving forum. "BA and BEY" means little and sounds dull.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BA Exec Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 128
(Re the title I would edit it if I knew how, to flag the BEY route is closed)
#6
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,175
Thank you for this - i did speak to BA and they confirmed the Beirut is cancelled as of the 12th May. She said they're working through options and did offer routing via Amman but not for the 14 seats i need so your guidance was correct! Will try again in a few days. A real shame to see this route go.
(Re the title I would edit it if I knew how, to flag the BEY route is closed)
(Re the title I would edit it if I knew how, to flag the BEY route is closed)
#10
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: BA OWS, A3*G
Posts: 262
#12
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 72
I think it has more to do with the situation in BEY - and nothing to do with COVID-19 for a change. Lebanon underwent a sovereign default and I believe (foreign) currency controls have been implemented. In other words, most BEY-originating traffic has a difficult time paying for tickets. I don't know about other airlines, but I've read JU (Air Serbia) already cancelled their BEY flights a while back, and with much more immediate effect.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA
Posts: 10,097
My guess is converting at least one of the remaining midhaul 321s to shorthaul, to use the Flybe slots. Seems a bit quick for that to be the reason, but... aren't the Flybe slots in BA's hands from 11 May?
#14
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 72
#15
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: BA OWS, A3*G
Posts: 262
The odd thing about that is they are very late cancelling, and they are cancelling during the high season which will without doubt be better than the past 4 months have been. Airlines who cancelled did so by the beginning of 2020 at the latest, after they didn't get the expected traffic during the holidays. I'm not saying the economic situation isn't a big reason, I just feel there was another contributing factor that finally tipped the balance and pushed the decision through.
Following added in edit
Right, excellent point! That clarifies why that date was chosen - the economic incentives experience a substantial change on that day, and BEY is likely one of the most marginal route on account of length and factors discussed above.
Last edited by LiHS; Mar 11, 2020 at 9:28 am Reason: pertinent comment published while writing mine