Deal to keep EWR-BFS collapsed -- ruled illegal, service to stop 9 Jan 2017
Aug 13, 2016, 10:21 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2008
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That's peanuts compared to the EAS subsidies in the US. Boutique Air gets almost $3M per year to operate Merced, CA<->LAX/OAK, which comes to around $114 per seat on each flight ... and most of the seats go out empty.
Aug 13, 2016, 10:39 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Someone started a thread in the EK forum wondering if UA will now stop complaining about subsidies to the ME airlines.
Link: No more complaints from United about government subsidies to Emirates?
Link: No more complaints from United about government subsidies to Emirates?
Aug 15, 2016, 3:40 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2010
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One other issue is the convenience of BFS against BHD. BA definitely benefit from BHD being so convenient for the city centre, but there's no way you could get a fully fueled 757 off that runway (I've been on a winter BFS-EWR that took 8 hours!) so it's not an option for UA. On the other hand, BFS isn't far off the M1 so it's more convenient for basically anybody west of Belfast. It's still struck me as more of a vanity thing than anything else - I'm sure I remember seeing 747s at BFS in the 90s, and I think Stormont views having direct flights to the US as an important part of identifying Northern Ireland as having independence from London.
(It's also a really easy upgrade)
(It's also a really easy upgrade)
With Brexit causing some consternation as to whether NI will be able to offer foreign companies a foothold in the EU, and consternation about whether the post Good Friday accord measures (like open borders between NI and the Republic of Ireland) and their stabilizing features can be maintained, this is one cheap way for the NI government to ensure the flow of business continues.
Aug 15, 2016, 5:01 pm
#20
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Aug 15, 2016, 5:37 pm
#21
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I further research on this topic. Turns out that APD is FULLY in effect in NI.
The issue is the APD for direct long-haul flights is set to nil by the NI Assembly. All other flights are subject to APD.
Nov 4, 2016, 7:28 am
#22
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United Discontinuing BFS (Belfast) January 9 2017
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-37834823
Last flight is on 9 January westbound.
Apparently the EU commission ruled that the GBP 9mm route performance guarantee agreed to in August was illegal.
Last flight is on 9 January westbound.
Apparently the EU commission ruled that the GBP 9mm route performance guarantee agreed to in August was illegal.
Nov 4, 2016, 9:55 am
#23
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http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-37834823
Last flight is on 9 January westbound.
Apparently the EU commission ruled that the GBP 9mm route performance guarantee agreed to in August was illegal.
Last flight is on 9 January westbound.
Apparently the EU commission ruled that the GBP 9mm route performance guarantee agreed to in August was illegal.
Nov 4, 2016, 11:03 am
#26
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Who knows? But after the UK leaves the EU, it will be free to subsidise routes as it wishes. Incidentally, FR benefits from many subsidised routes but other countries seem to be able to play the game better than the UK.
Nov 4, 2016, 12:07 pm
#27
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Whether it's a cause, or an effect, of Brexit, I'm sure that there is a relationship between the EU decision on the BFS subsidy and the UK's tenuous place in Europe.
Nov 4, 2016, 12:09 pm
#28
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It's been a few years since I've been to BFS, but I do remember the billboards near the airport: 'Why fly east to fly west? Nonstop service to New York City / Newark'. I guess UA made the 757 work, but I'm surprised the route stuck it out for as long as it did.
Nov 4, 2016, 12:21 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 166
I'm booked to fly on this service after it is discontinued.
I've just chatted to United Reservations who told me that according to their system the service is running normally and any changes to the reservation will incur change/fare difference fees.
Does anyone have any insight into when United will be a position to rebook passengers? I've got an award ticket and am keen to deal with this ASAP as other options are currently available (using my United miles). Many thanks!
I've just chatted to United Reservations who told me that according to their system the service is running normally and any changes to the reservation will incur change/fare difference fees.
Does anyone have any insight into when United will be a position to rebook passengers? I've got an award ticket and am keen to deal with this ASAP as other options are currently available (using my United miles). Many thanks!
Nov 4, 2016, 12:35 pm
#30
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Flights have not been taken out of system yet. When that happens I'm fairly confident you will get free change to other flights in UA's system (LHR-EWR). UA will probably pay for EI from BHD-LHR.