As many of you know, American Airlines dropped their highly profitable route out of BHX to Chicago in October 2002. The particular route had large support from the West Midlands community and with very high load factors.

We are now urging companies to re-establish this link through this petition: http://petitiononline.com/aabhx/petition.html

You've already got a thread on it here, mate: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1287965

I reckon another 2 signatures and they'll definately restart the route :D

I know there is another thread but maybe this thread would get less criticism and jokes and people would take it seriously, and also, we need about 20,000 signatures before it could be sent off to the people in Chicago who have control on their destinations.

A lot of you have wanted this route to be re-instated, now's your chance, so keep signing and get as many people as you can to sign.

please don't create more than one thread on the same topic.... it creates two discussions

I know that, but I didn't like the content of the other thread, with these silly jokes etc.

This thread will be more clean. Please promote this petition wherever you can, and we can get at least 20,000 sigs and the attention of Birmingham Airport and city council.

I applaud your enthusiasm but this is not a decision for the City Council to make. It's the Airline and they will only do it if it makes commercial sense. I can't help feeling that AA would already be running a service if this were the case.

this is not going to work, AA stopped because it was not viable to run the service if it was then it would still be going to this day.

It was only after the 9/11 attacks that the service began to suffer and was suspended from October 2001-April 2002. Before that the service seemed to do very well. On 'The Free Library' there are numerous article about AA at BHX. They are:

- http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Brum+to+Chicago+route+back+on+agenda.-a0133666835
- http://www.thefreelibrary.com/American+Airlines+stops+BIA+flights+to+Chicago.-a089385562
- http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Flights+to+Chicago+start+again+-+with+loads+more+legroom.-a084360467
- http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Airline+restores+its+Brum-Chicago+link.-a082354162
- http://www.thefreelibrary.com/AA's+flights+to+US+start+again.-a082313611
- http://www.thefreelibrary.com/War+on+terror:+Airline+suspends+Birmingham+flights+to+US.-a078523859
- http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Chicago+comfort.-a062376064 (this one actually describes it's success)
- http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Airline+plans+pounds+45m+comforts+upgrade.-a062363361
- http://www.thefreelibrary.com/New+high+for+airport.-a060244815
- http://www.thefreelibrary.com/American+move+brings+world+closer+together.-a060534664

These articles show how the airline was doing back then, and it was only because of business passengers and loads that was the worry. There is definitely demand there.

Have you considered printing off some leaflets and handing them out at New Street in the morning?

You'll get a lot of businessmen that may be interested in bringing the route back.

Maybe not as it's too much work. I've tried contacting Birmingham Mail to write a story about it. I could try contacting Birmingham Post or any other Birmingham news paper that people regularly read. Maybe someone can help with that.

I'm sure the airline would do this if there would be demand and support. There was support 10 years ago, and after the 9/11 attacks made the route seasonal, that's probably the reason why the business executives thought 'We'd be much better off travelling from Heathrow as their routes are more profitable and not affected by the 9/11 attacks'. There is definitely support there, we just need it to be recognised.

Still stuck on 2 signatures eh?

At your age you should be learning fast.

It's all blamed on lack of promotion and interest. I have written a story for the Birmingham Post, and I hope it will be submitted, and lots of people will read it.

Use Twitter, Facebook, LinkdIn, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce etc. And Wirlie's idea isn't a bad one - as well as New St go down to BHX T2 and grab as many business people as possible to sign.

I was taking the piss!

Yes that's easily done on here.....

It would be good practise for Hassaan though to get out there and see what happens.

Wirlie G you should be assumed of yourself taking the piss out of a 13 yr old, how can you be getting kicks and giggles from that... i seem to remember you talking about how professional you are and your job is in city talk and you are throwing rocks at a kid in here. You're acting like a bully who can't pick on anyone remotely the close to you.

I apologise.

Couldn't help but laugh.

Amyway, I ain't that professional, think you've got the wrong person / end of the stick.

No one is going to sign at this rate. Once we get some support, I'm sure we all want this route, we need another transatlantic service to the States from BHX which will do well. I just hope they use 777's (like they do at Heathrow) like it says on the petition.

Going through a lot of threads on this forum, and posts, I've seen that people have given their opinions on a BHX-ORD relaunch, now's their chance. Lots of people are bound to fly it, one of those are me in April if we get it by then. I'd like to see more wide-bodied aircraft parked on that international pier. We are sure to get Air India back at BHX soon, and that would make 3 (or 4 if this route is launched) 777's to see at BHX.

So come on, if you like the idea, sign the petition and tell your friends or anyone else you know on aviation forums etc, to sign the petition as we need at least 10,000 signatures before the petition is bound to be recognised by the airline.

Use Twitter, Facebook, LinkdIn, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce etc. And Wirlie's idea isn't a bad one - as well as New St go down to BHX T2 and grab as many business people as possible to sign.

I have no idea the next time someone in my family is going on holiday on PIA or Emirates as they usually do, but going down to the airport isn't a bad idea. The only question is how would I do it.

Sorry to be the cynic, but companies simply don't care about petitions. The only reason they'll open a route is if they think from their research that they can make money - which is why Birmingham Airport have so relentlessly banged on about the amount of passengers who travel to other airports to travel onwards.

Most people who will sign the petition will never fly the route anyway, so it's totally meaningless to AA, or indeed any other airline. The opinions of self-loading freight mean little against the bottom line.

Sorry to be the cynic, but companies simply don't care about petitions. The only reason they'll open a route is if they think from their research that they can make money - which is why Birmingham Airport have so relentlessly banged on about the amount of passengers who travel to other airports to travel onwards.

Most people who will sign the petition will never fly the route anyway, so it's totally meaningless to AA, or indeed any other airline. The opinions of self-loading freight mean little against the bottom line.

Many BHX spotters would very likely sign it just to see the plane. How would they do their research anyway, they could look on the passenger numbers they had for the original Birmingham-Chicago AA flight before it was axed. The 9/11 attacks is what caused the drop in passenger numbers; before that they were fine.

But still, Birmingham has some space for more international routes and domestic routes. The pier's and stands need to be filled up as it's not good seeing a large airport empty. Of course we need more than one transatlantic flight to the USA and i'm not even sure if Continental has inflight entertainment with their 757's. People will fly on a transatlantic service not only for it's benefits (reaching the whole US) but they would also want to experience the good of the airline. It's not fully possible AA will send a 777 even if the petition gets well over 10,000 signatures, a 767 is possible for now.

Sorry if i'm being over-enthusiatic, but this route is largely needed at BHX.

But still, Birmingham has some space for more international routes and domestic routes. The pier's and stands need to be filled up as it's not good seeing a large airport empty. Of course we need more than one transatlantic flight to the USA and i'm not even sure if Continental has inflight entertainment with their 757's. People will fly on a transatlantic service not only for it's benefits (reaching the whole US) but they would also want to experience the good of the airline. It's not fully possible AA will send a 777 even if the petition gets well over 10,000 signatures, a 767 is possible for now.

Sorry if i'm being over-enthusiatic, but this route is largely needed at BHX.
^^
Hassaan,
I'm sure you're echoing what we all would like to happen, but no major airline is going to look at us without being able to take off and land fully laden (freight and passengers) to make it profitable. Thats not going to happen till we get a RUNWAY EXTENSION!!:bash::bash::bash::bash:

American Airlines don't care about plane spotters, nor about filling up Birmingham Airport's gates.

9 year old data is irrelevant.

The research will be based on if they think there's local demand, based on how many passengers travel to other airports, for various routes.

Moving away from AA for a moment, but its about time the Boeing 757-200 series aircraft was upgraded to a much larger Boeing 767 on the BHX-EWR route, come on CO/UA. I think BHX could defo fill up a larger aircraft on this route.

Passengers are having to travel to Manchester and Heathrow because of the lack of an AA route, so they are having to travel from other airports.

B777-200's are able to take off fully loaded, they would only use about 16/1700m of the 2600m runway. PIA, Air India and Emirates have never had any problems, and of course, if the route was restarted, people would be skeptical as to whether the route would do well, so it's not guaranteed the route would do well. A runway extention is not needed for a BHX-ORD/JFK route with a 777-200 (but is needed for larger planes) because PIA and Emirates have done long haul routes with a 777-300, and no issues.

Continental should most definitely upgrade their service to a 767-400, as the 757 is too boring and too narrow for passengers. Also, the route is doing very well in loads, so they should boost capacity.

There is little demand there, it just needs to be shown.

^^
Hassaan,
I'm sure you're echoing what we all would like to happen, but no major airline is going to look at us without being able to take off and land fully laden (freight and passengers) to make it profitable. Thats not going to happen till we get a RUNWAY EXTENSION!!:bash::bash::bash::bash:

I didn't think there was enough room for an extension?

A 2nd runway crossing the 1st on the other hand........

Passengers are having to travel to Manchester and Heathrow because of the lack of an AA route, so they are having to travel from other airports.

B777-200's are able to take off fully loaded, they would only use about 16/1700m of the 2600m runway. PIA, Air India and Emirates have never had any problems, and of course, if the route was restarted, people would be skeptical as to whether the route would do well, so it's not guaranteed the route would do well. A runway extention is not needed for a BHX-ORD/JFK route with a 777-200 (but is needed for larger planes) because PIA and Emirates have done long haul routes with a 777-300, and no issues.

Continental should most definitely upgrade their service to a 767-400, as the 757 is too boring and too narrow for passengers. Also, the route is doing very well in loads, so they should boost capacity.

There is little demand there, it just needs to be shown.

Hasaan, there's no issue with the 777 getting off the runway, the issue is filling it, the best you can hope for from AA is a 757, there's no perceivable way they will launch a service to BHX with a 777.

I understand. The only reason I suggested a Boeing 777 is because of the fact it has inflight entertainment and of course, BHX can handle it. With 757 and 767's, it's highly possible you would be bored because you have nothing to watch for 7 hours, what could you do? Many of you must have been on an AA 767, what was it like, did they have TV's etc.? I've seen images on airliners net of AA 767 cabins and no TV's. If I was to fly on this service (I've been planning it for April if it is ever launched) I wouldn't want to be bored for 7 hours.

Even people were sceptical about Emirates when it launched it's service to BHX, whether there is enough demand for a daily service, and there was. AA should give 777's at BHX a go and if there isn't demand, they can downgrade the aircraft to a 767, and then a 757 if there still isn't demand.

I wouldn't like to see a 757 because we already have Continental for that, and we've had US Airways. It's also a narrow and small aircraft for the passenger numbers of BHX, and I would like to see more larger planes there.

I didn't think there was enough room for an extension?

A 2nd runway crossing the 1st on the other hand........

The extention is going to divert the A45 under the runway, so the runway will run to the other side of the road with the cars driving underneath it and the taxiway. It probably won't be done until 2013 but hopefully, if you are lucky, it will be done quicker than planned such as the international pier. Work started in July/August 2008 and finished in July 2009.

The extention is going to divert the A45 under the runway, so the runway will run to the other side of the road with the cars driving underneath it and the taxiway. It probably won't be done until 2013 but hopefully, if you are lucky, it will be done quicker than planned such as the international pier. Work started in July/August 2008 and finished in July 2009.

Wow. :banana:

I can see a problem with that however - It could be very embarrassing driving along and seeing a Boeing 747 tail fin saying "Virgin", especially if you're a 17 year old and you've borrowed your parents Volvo to pick up your girlfriend. ;)

Wow. :banana:

I can see a problem with that however - It could be very embarrassing driving along and seeing a Boeing 747 tail fin saying "Virgin", especially if you're a 17 year old and you've borrowed your parents Volvo to pick up your girlfriend. ;)

It may be a problem but that's how Birmingham Airport seem to have planned it, there's no other way it can be extended. The other side leads into a park. I don't get how that would be embarrassing though.

^^ Bless.

^^ Bless.

I got told off for similar behaviour :lol:

Breath of fresh air though.

Incredibly funny. I do wonder if I was ever as naive though. Think doing a paper round from 11 introduced me to capatilist economics though so probably not for long.

He's up to 4 signatures on his web site. Not sure X should count.

Just 19,996 until AA launch that route now :lol:

I still don't get why there is no support. The support 10 years ago was very high, so much that AA planned to launch routes to JFK, Miami etc from BHX. We don't know about demand, but if we get 20,000 signatures at least, then obviously, the route would be a success.

Let's aim to get at least 1000 signatures by the end of the week.

I don't know if going though aviation forums and looking at opinions of an ORD-BHX AA relaunch, and for those who agree, write a signature with their name on it.

We need more signatures in some way. All of you, please contact Birmingham newspapers and write a story about the petition.

I'm starting to think Hassan is a WUM.

Not been anyone this funny since FLID and his Arena Central obsession.

I'm starting to think Hassan is a WUM.

Not been anyone this funny since FLID and his Arena Central obsession.

I'm not trying to be funny, and I'm not a WUM either whatever that is. This isn't an obsession, it's determination to put Birmingham Airport on the world map.

It's already on the world map if you zoom in far enough :lol:

Still think you're a WUM.

It's already on the world map if you zoom in far enough :lol:

Still think you're a WUM.

So you are calling me a Wind-Up Merchant? I'm not trying to wind up anybody.

I think you are.

No one is as funny as you unless their doing it on purpose.

OK back on topic. The petition was started 10 days ago and has got 21 signatures since (after being posted on other forums) but not enough. Yet some people are not convinced this would work. Before 9/11 pax were 85-90% full according to a thread on Airliners.net. If many of you prefer a 757 or 767 rather than a 777, you could sign the petition and leave a comment which says that you would rather see a 757/767 on the route that a 777. The first thing that AA are going to look at if the petition ever gets to them, would be opinions from the Midlands community.

Hassan, you are clearly very wet indead bhind the ears.

http://www.pprune.org/airlines-airports-routes/439331-bhxs-petition-re-establish-aa-route.html is very funny.

Try Googling the signatures on the petition, you appear to have missed that many people are taking the piss out of you.

I think you are.

No one is as funny as you unless their doing it on purpose.

After following your link to PPRUNE, I actually think you may be right.:eek: Example>


Quote - ^ That's sarcasm, can feel it.

Maybe someone is making up stupid names. Someone named Feckeen Eejit says "A B777 is not big enough to service the massive demand for Chicago, especially from the Walsall area. I would suggest an A380. At least twice daily."

If you're ever going to get an A380 or 777 AA from BHX! Of course the Midlands can survive it, they survived it fantastically back in the early 2000's with pax 85-90% full. AA should give a 767-300ER a chance for the route. Yes, it would be controversial if they use 757's, but MAN are only using 757's because they are new jets. It would be a shame if it was a 757 because we already have Continental operating a 757 into BHX.

BHX should be fighting hard for this service, and so should the Midlands community by signing the petition. 23 sigs in 10 days, not good enough. Poor promotion etc.

If i'm winding you all up, I apologise and won't post something like this again. - Unquote

There are loads of gems over there if you read the whole thread.

I never speak to 13 years olds and don't know any, but I really doubt that they are as naive and blinkered as 'Hassan' is making himself out to be.

Kim Jung Il's comments are funny as well.

There are loads of gems over there if you read the whole thread.

I never speak to 13 years olds and don't know any, but I really doubt that they are as naive and blinkered as 'Hassan' is making himself out to be.

Kim Jung Il's comments are funny as well.

I actually did read the whole thread. Although initially, I was impressed by his enthusiasm etc, it soon becomes apparent that he doesn't listen to what is being explained to him. His naivety is staggering, and it may even be the case as suggested by some posters on PPRUNE that he is indeed just a spotter wanting to see a new 'trophy' on the tarmac.

He's more complex that just being a 13 years old who wants a 777 to link Brum to Chicago.

I doubt very much he's 13 for a start.

Hassaam13, i replied to a thread on another forum that you have yet to acknowledge. I do believe that you are a troll but will give you the benefit of the doubt.

If you realy want to get some information from AA then e-mail them. They will NOT give out commercially sensitive information, but you may be able to get a bit of info about whether they intend to return to BHX.

Airlines do their own research, when a route performs badly the airline is very unlikely to re-start it in the future, it is also difficult for the airport to attract a different operator on the route.

http://www.therouteshop.com/birmingham-airport/

The link above shows that even the airport do not see re-gaining ORD as a priority. If you are going to put any effort into this at all (and you are certainly not helping anyone by continuing), then perhaps get a petition together for one of the routes listed.

At least post a reply and argue against what im saying, even just to prove you are not a WUM.

He's more complex that just being a 13 years old who wants a 777 to link Brum to Chicago.

I doubt very much he's 13 for a start.

Of course i'm 13, yet not the cleverest at school. I do want to fly on this route myself though.

Hassaam13, i replied to a thread on another forum that you have yet to acknowledge. I do believe that you are a troll but will give you the benefit of the doubt.

If you realy want to get some information from AA then e-mail them. They will NOT give out commercially sensitive information, but you may be able to get a bit of info about whether they intend to return to BHX.

Airlines do their own research, when a route performs badly the airline is very unlikely to re-start it in the future, it is also difficult for the airport to attract a different operator on the route.

http://www.therouteshop.com/birmingham-airport/

The link above shows that even the airport do not see re-gaining ORD as a priority. If you are going to put any effort into this at all (and you are certainly not helping anyone by continuing), then perhaps get a petition together for one of the routes listed.

At least post a reply and argue against what im saying, even just to prove you are not a WUM.

First of all, I may be a troll but can't judge myself. That link is only showing domestic routes. These routes are possible, have no idea why Delhi isn't on there.

People prefer a 757 on the ORD-BHX route anyway, 30 signatures shows some support but from some, they are only doing it for a joke. Of course this route is possible, the right aircraft needs to be used. A story is possible to be seen on the Business Desk tomorrow.

Anyway, how can I fix this backlash, about the fact i'm a naive, annoying, enthusiastic 13 year old who is putting too much work into bringing an airline back into BHX? This isn't because of bringing a 'trophy onto the tarmac'. The airlines I would like to see at BHX, are the ones I would like to fly on, like Qatar, Saudi Arabian etc.

I'd love to see Four Seasons build a 200m hotel in Birmingham city centre, but no matter how many signatures I get on a petition calling for it, they won't actually do it unless it was clear it was going to be in their best business interests.

arf, Hassan has managed to piss off the admins of PPRune so much with his inability to actually acknowledge what the others were posting in his thread and to continue to post the same repeated drivel over and over again that his thread has been deleted.

No more attention seeking allowed over there Hassan. Where to next eh?

oh, and Hassan.

Read out loud the names on the petition, in the precence of an adult is you really are only 13.

They'll explain how naive you are and how people are taking the piss.

I actually deleted the thread myself.

and have you read the signatures on the petition out loud yet?

That link is only showing domestic routes. These routes are possible, have no idea why Delhi isn't on there.



They are not domestic routes. They are key European routes, xome that have been lost in recent years. If the airport had American destinations as their priority then it would at least say so on there somewhere, same with Delhi.

Of course this route is possible, the right aircraft needs to be used.

How do you know its possible. From the evidence available i think its quite obvious that the airport dont see it as possible. If the right aircraft needed to be used then AA would have done so.

Anyway, how can I fix this backlash, about the fact i'm a naive, annoying, enthusiastic 13 year old who is putting too much work into bringing an airline back into BHX?

Being enthusiastic at your age is great, and age accounts for naivety to some extent, however, you sou seem to have a problem listening to anyone. You have absolutely no knowledge of the industry, and you should be learning from what people are telling you. Unfortunately you are not, which has obviously lead to the mods on the other forum to delete your thread, you did not do it yourself like you claim.


If this little thing ever manages to make it to the airport management, such as you somehow get something in the press, when the airport say the route is not viable you will still not listen will you. If you are genuinely interested in a career in the industry when you are older then you need to be able to listen and learn, so take note of what people are telling you.

ORD is unlikely to return to BHX. New York pretty much covers the North American demand in the West Midlands.