BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Posted (10 years 4 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 3580 times:
Next month, British Airways service operated by franchise carrier, British Mediterranean Airways will be increasing to 11x a week, the highest it has ever been since the route was started in 1994.
3 of the 11 weekly flights will be operated on British Mediterranean's new A321s while the other 8 flights will be operated on A320s.
British Mediterranean's service to Beirut has always continued on to Aleppo, Damascus, or Amman depending on the day.
With the increase in service, 2 of the flights will continue to Aleppo, Syria, 4 of the flights to Damascus, Syria, and 5 of the flights to Amman, Jordan.
In the past, British Mediterranean has added 2 weekly flights on the Beirut route (increasing it to 9x weekly) for the summer season only.
However, according to the schedules, it looks like this is a permanent year-round increase.
This is another sign of Beirut's recovery from the Civil War.
Anyone know if British Mediterranean is recieving more A320s and/or A321s for this major increase in service?
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
Boeing 747-311 From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 795 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (10 years 4 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 3524 times:
does British Mediterranean have its own paint scheme?
At that time, the Beirut - London route was served by 3 carriers, MEA, British Airways, and British Mediterranean.
British Airways operated the Beirut route 2x weekly on 767-300ERs. At that time I believe British Mediterranean served the route 5x a week or maybe even daily. I'm not realy sure. I'm not sure how much MEA served the route. Ever since British Airways started the service after the war, it was a complete money loser and in 1997 they decided to call it quits. They signed an agreement with British Mediterranean to become a British Airways franchise carrier, and British Airways dropped its own 2x weekly flight.
Since then, British Mediterranean has grown from a fleet of 1 A320 to 5 aircraft (3 A320s, and 2 A321s) and has expanded it's network as shown below:
Since the signing of the agreement, British Mediterranean dropped it's own livery and adopted the British Airways livery.
If you look at the above photo below the cockpit windows, you will see a small decal that says "Operated by British Mediterranean" and their logo next to it.
That's the only visual difference between British Airways and British Mediterranean planes now.
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 5, posted (10 years 4 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 3378 times:
Also anyone know if British Airways has considered moving Larnaca (LCA) operations to British Mediterranean? I think I heard something about moving them a while ago.
I believe British Airways currently flies to Larnaca (LCA) 4x weekly on 763s.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
Madhatter From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 239 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (10 years 4 weeks ago) and read 3304 times:
BA currently flies to Larnaca 11 x weekly on a 763. I wouldnt have thought they'd swap this to British Mediterranean as its not in the Middle East although that isnt only where British Mediterranean operate obviously. And also considering theyve just run all their Middle East flights though Larnaca Id have though it was kind of an important airport operation there??
Petazulu From United States of America, joined Jan 2003, 701 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (10 years 4 weeks ago) and read 3310 times:
If planes, crews, cabins, liveryies, etc are all identical- whats the point for being seperate companies? I would think there would be economies of scale to merge operations?
Perhaps BA wants to keep them seperate for political reasons? Is this airline based out of a different country than BA?
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 10, posted (10 years 3 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 3295 times:
I wouldnt have thought they'd swap this to British Mediterranean as its not in the Middle East although that isnt only where British Mediterranean operate obviously.
Exactly my point.
Cyprus is in the Mediterranean. Not just the Middle East.
Like you said, they fly to several other places that are nowhere near the Mediterranean.
If planes, crews, cabins, liveryies, etc are all identical- whats the point for being seperate companies?
For a very good reason, it doesn't cost British Airways a thing. All the costs of operating the aircraft, maintenance, crew, etc. is done by British Mediterranean.
Only thing British Airways does for British Mediterranean is the bookings and the maintenance in LHR.
Perhaps BA wants to keep them seperate for political reasons? Is this airline based out of a different country than BA?
No, it's not for poliltical reasons. British Mediterranean is based in the UK just as British Airways is.
Like I said earlier, airlines like to take advantage of franchise agreements because it saves the airline costs.
British Airways has several other franchise carriers such as Comair, GB Airways, etc.
Simply for cost reasons, nothing political.
Air France, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Austrian, and all the other European carriers that fly to Beirut (BEY) and other Middle Eastern destinations fly there own equipment.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
Ba319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8267 posts, RR: 56 Reply 11, posted (10 years 3 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 3286 times:
BMED is BA's only long haul franchise partner.
I actually know the Marketing Director.BMED are more than happy with the arrangement with BA,fleet expansion will continue as they grow routes and frequencies,but the largest plane they plan to operate is the A321-200.
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 12, posted (10 years 3 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 3251 times:
Madhatter,
I made a discovery about Larnaca (LCA). It's right now 11x a week because the Kuwait City (KWI) stops in Larnaca (LCA) on the way to make a crew change. This is only a temporary move due to the war.
After looking at the schedules, once Kuwait becomes a separate flight, Larnaca (LCA) will be reduced to daily 757 service then eventually later will become 8x weekly (2 flights on Saturday) A320 service (British Airways service, not British Mediterranean).
Before the war messed everything up route operated 4x weekly on 763. I guess now British Airways wants to bump up frequencies on the Larnaca (LCA) route.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
Madhatter From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 239 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (10 years 3 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 3216 times:
Just checked the BA website and its showing 11 x weekly 763 service from LHR. They have European flight numbers and not the Kuwait flight numbers (157?) and plus Kuwait is a 777 service and these are operated by 763s.
This continues till the start of the Winter Schedule when it goes back to daily BA662/663 service operated by a 752. This summer schedule has been the largest its been to LCA for a while. Last summer I recall it was only 9 x weekly on a 763 so things must be booming in LCA then?
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