RAFVC10 From Spain, joined Sep 2005, 1980 posts, RR: 7 Posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 7369 times:
Hi there,
according a local newspaper here in Barcelona, seems that FR as concluded an agreement with AENA to start operations next spring from BCN airport.
The main objective of the Irish airline is to compete with Iberia in the lucrative Puente Aereo route flying many times per day from BCN to MAD.
The conditions to be an airline exempt or reduction of taxes at Barcelona has been refused by AENA that said Ryanair will pay the same taxes as other operators at BCN.
I leave the link to the local newspaper (only in Catalan, sorry)
Read today, too, that seems that FR has agreed to add another airport to its Spanish destinations: Lleida Alguaire (situated between Zaragoza and Barcelona) and will operate only Schengen flights.
BlooBirdie From Lesotho, joined Sep 2003, 243 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 7221 times:
Quoting RAFVC10 (Thread starter): The main objective of the Irish airline is to compete with Iberia in the lucrative Puente Aereo route flying many times per day from BCN to MAD.
I was under the impression that the new high-speed rail link had adversely affected flights from BCN to MAD.
Aircatalonia From Spain, joined Nov 2007, 532 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 7193 times:
This is BIG news. This will do enormous harm to Clickair-Vueling and IB. Actually, I was convinced that AENA would never let them in because of that (we all know who AENA's best friend is), but they eventually did! so we have to give the guys some credit.
I wish FR (and everyone else) the best luck! and let's see how this all works out.
Joost From Netherlands, joined Apr 2005, 3128 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 7178 times:
Quoting Aircatalonia (Reply 5): This is BIG news. This will do enormous harm to Clickair-Vueling and IB. Actually, I was convinced that AENA would never let them in because of that (we all know who AENA's best friend is),
Well, they already managed to attract both FR and U2 for starting a base at MAD, so this is not a real surprise, is it?
RAFVC10 From Spain, joined Sep 2005, 1980 posts, RR: 7 Reply 8, posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 7159 times:
Quoting BlooBirdie (Reply 4): Do you think FR can compete with rail?
High-Speed train rates starts at 50.30 EUR... Suposing to find an FR Rate of 0.01 plus taxes (about 15.00 Euros) and get free check-in online... I think they can compite if schedules and slots are good...
Regards,
Gerard
El dia que los gilipollas vuelen, no podremos ver la luz del sol!
Joost From Netherlands, joined Apr 2005, 3128 posts, RR: 4 Reply 11, posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 7064 times:
Quoting ORD14R (Reply 9):
Any chance that FR moves part or all of its GRO operation down to BCN? I assume operating costs still have to be much cheaper at GRO.
It's very likely that GRO will see some reductions or destinations moved, although I expect GRO to remain a very important airport in FR's network.
FR also operates from 3 London-area airports, so why not 3 Barcelona-area airports?
Pe@rson From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 18829 posts, RR: 54 Reply 12, posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 7032 times:
Quoting Joost (Reply 11): FR also operates from 3 London-area airports, so why not 3 Barcelona-area airports?
Remembering, of course, that GRO is also the closest airport to the Costa Brava (indeed, the airport is called Girona-Costa Brava) and REU the closest to Costa Daurada. Tourists, tourists, tourists (and Britons, etc, that live in these places).
"Everyone writing for the Telegraph knows that the way to grab eyeballs is with Ryanair and/or sex."
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 11119 posts, RR: 63 Reply 13, posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 6873 times:
Quoting ORD14R (Reply 9): I wonder what other markets they would consider from BCN besides MAD, any more domestic Spanish markets?
MAH, Mahon Menorca, surely can't be far off now. It was announced by the local government that Ryanair was to be a new carrier for this year, but I believe FR then tried to drive a harder bargain due to concerns about the lack of demand and capacity for visitors during the winter, hence proceedings stalled.
Good to see that AENA haven't slashed fees at BCN for them though, that would be an unfair move.
RAFVC10 From Spain, joined Sep 2005, 1980 posts, RR: 7 Reply 14, posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 6777 times:
Quoting ORD14R (Reply 9): How much open gate space is there now at BCN with the new terminal completed (or almost complete?)
There are a lot of free space in the Terminal 2 composed by four buildings:
A - Non-Schengen Area
B - Schengen and Domestic Area
C - Easyjet (since today)
D - Free at the moment, where Air Nostrum, franchisee of Iberia used to operate.
I think the last one could be ideal for the Irish airline due the boarding to the planes were walking from the terminal and this means, not use of some services at the airport...
Regards,
Gerard
El dia que los gilipollas vuelen, no podremos ver la luz del sol!
UALWN From Andorra, joined Jun 2009, 2321 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 6754 times:
Quoting Pe@rson (Reply 3): Whenever I've flown from BCN the taxi to the departing runway took forever and there was inevitably a queue for take-off.
With the new terminal, taxi times have been considerably reduced. As for a queue for take-off, I have never experienced a queue longer than 2-3 aircraft. Nothing, really. However, it is true that the 25-minute turnaround time FR achieves at GRO will be harder at BCN.
Aircatalonia From Spain, joined Nov 2007, 532 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 6533 times:
Quoting RussianJet (Reply 18): Just a guess, but maybe a lack of customs/immigration facilities?
Yes, and probably lack of demand too. The airport was basically meant as a ski destination and to cover the logistic needs of the city of Lleida and its industry. I don't think it will ever see non-schengen traffic...
UALWN From Andorra, joined Jun 2009, 2321 posts, RR: 2 Reply 21, posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 6520 times:
Quoting Aircatalonia (Reply 20): Yes, and probably lack of demand too. The airport was basically meant as a ski destination and to cover the logistic needs of the city of Lleida and its industry. I don't think it will ever see non-schengen traffic...
The UK is not in Schengen. So, yes, the Lleida airport will see non-Schengen traffic, once there are customs and immigration facilities in place, which won't be the case when the airport opens.
AirCatalonia From Spain, joined Nov 2007, 532 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 6506 times:
Quoting UALWN (Reply 21):
The UK is not in Schengen. So, yes, the Lleida airport will see non-Schengen traffic, once there are customs and immigration facilities in place, which won't be the case when the airport opens.
Oh the Brits, yes . Well, then surely customs and immigration will be needed. That being said, I actually meant to say it will probably never see significant non-schengen, non-EU traffic.
AirCatalonia From Spain, joined Nov 2007, 532 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (3 years 6 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 6472 times:
Quoting UALWN (Reply 23): I understood that you meant that. And I mostly agree. Although, who knows? Charters from Russia?
Well, that's a possibility. Although, I'm not sure many Russians would like to go to Lleida. It's a cold dark place in winter. They would feel like at home
I'm thinking perhaps FR would like to start a flight to Morocco eventually. They have flights to Morocco from GRO and REU. Who knows.
25 UALWN: Well, I was thinking about skiing trips. Good point.
26 Joost: Nitpicking, but for Brits, only immigration facilities are required. As EU citizens, Brits don't need to pass customs. Are custom facilities required
27 Pe@rson: Domestically, it could in theory fly to numerous places, e.g. of those already served XRY, SVQ, GRX, AGP, ALC, MAD, SDR, SCQ, TFS, LPA, ACE, PMI, IBZ
28 RussianJet: Why is that? European citizens are subject to customs checks flying into the UK.
29 Feroze: Only if arriving from the UK, or indeed any port in the EU. If arriving from outside the EU, then both immigration and customs checks are carried out
30 RussianJet: Yes, they use the blue channel. They are still subject to customs checks though. Drug smuggling is still a risk, people carrying commercial quantitie
31 Joost: Are you sure? European citizens are subject to immigration checks, but IIRC there is no customs check, as you can move goods freely within the EU. Fr
32 Joost: Maybe it is the case that in the UK, the execution of both Customs (tax-related) and other Border controls (drugs, weapons, illegal quantities of tob
33 RussianJet: That is the case now, though at the moment distinct functions are largely still carried out by the officers that always did them. Nonetheless, it has
34 Joost: But don't they formally need to hand them over to other officers after discovery? Of course, when customs officers find illegal items, they can stop
35 RussianJet: Who? Customs officers deal with them (that is to say, officers of former HMRC who are customs-trained and specialise in customs control). Like I say,
36 RAFVC10: Like Huesca Monflorite airport that receives only scheduled flights from December to March operated by CR2 and CR9's. I heard that Monarch was thinki
37 Pe@rson: Good Anna.aero reports from last Fri: About FR and GRO: http://www.anna.aero/2009/11/20/ryan...x-from-girona-base-near-barcelona/ About BCN-UK: http:/
38 AirNZ: Actually no. The fact that the United Kingdom is not a Schengen country would have no bearing as UK/ROI citizen's are not subject to Immigration and/
39 Joost: Sorry, I mixed up in my last paragraph. Immigration officers are required, but no specifically trained custom officers. Security checks can apply, bu
40 Al2637: You need to prove you are in fact an EU citizen, hence the check. EU citizens can move freely around the EU... everyone (incl. non-EU) can move freely
41 SPANTAX: Wonderful news !!!!!!!! It opens to more competition the most profitable route in Spain (perhaps one of the most profitable in the world) and forces I
42 FlyinTLow: Trust me, that is definitly not normal. I don't think I've ever taxied to the RWY and not have a Minimum of 10 A/C in front of me. Average I would sa
43 AirNZ: No, and there are several ways to indicate that you are a EU citizen. Certainly whilst a passport is very convenient, it would only be for ID purpose
44 LMML 14/32: Anyone knows if FR will transfer the GRO-MLA flts to/from BCN?
45 SQ773: Why so ?? Didn´t AENA allow FR to operate from MAD ? So should be the same in here, aside from politics, etc....If FR operates from MAD since the op
46 UALWN: You must be talking about a different airport. I fly out of BCN every couple of weeks and I have never experienced a line with 10 aircraft in front o
47 UALWN: They are, in the sense that they have to show a valid passport (or similar id form) when entering Spain from the UK, as I have to do when entering th
48 Spantax: (Sorry, but I think that the Schengen/not Schengen aspect of the thread is pointless here, really) Well, I was wondering about Vueling, because they a
49 RAFVC10: Anything confirmed about operations of FR in BCN. Let's wait and see but if finally FR confirms BCN as a new city with air services, FR would compete
50 AirNZ: With all due respect, it it is you who is INCORRECT, so please tone down your condescension! A UK or ROI citizen is NOT subject to Immigration contro
51 R2rho: This would add some very serious competition to an already very competitive airport. Vueling would be the first victim of such a move, and it is likel
52 RAFVC10: I'm disagree with you in the Vueling victim: it's proved that low cost carriers as Easyjet and Ryanair can coexist in the same airport and making the
53 JJJ: But that would defeat the purpose. FR wants to enter the BCN-MAD 'puente' because: - They want to dump IB and VLG on the route. - They want to make m
54 RAFVC10: And don't forget that Iberia has reduced prices with the main objective to attract passengers again to the Puente Aereo. It's great to have a return
55 RussianJet: There is no 'in a sense' about it. As correctly pointed out, UK, Irish or any other EU nationals are not subject to immigration control anywhere in t
56 UALWN: Which, of course, I never said. The point is that every FLIGHT from UK to Spain is subject to immigration control, and therefore, needs the appropria
57 AirNz: You might want to look at Post 47....where it is clearly stated "They are, in the sense that they vhave to show a valid passport" and which at least
58 RussianJet: No, no it isn't, and that's the point. You clearly don't actually understand what the term 'subject to immigration control' means. Passengers on the
59 UALWN: Hence the flight needs immigration facilities to be in place! Is this so difficult to understand? The nationality of the passengers has nothing to do
60 RussianJet: That fact has not been disputed. I have already stated it. You're missing the point. Again, not in dispute. You're missing the point once more. Non-E
61 AirNz: How is it suddenly immaterial to the discussion when you yourself clearly, and falsely, stated that they were.....and which you have repeatedly been
62 Severnaya: Ladies, please get on-topic. What are at the moment the weekly frequencies on the MAD-BCN route for the individual airlines?
63 SandroZRH: Not if your flight leaves from BCN's new Terminal 1.
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