Qatar Airways

[Jerry]

I don't know where those figures came from. Only the airline will know the state of bookings to date and I suppose it might give the airport a broad idea of how things are looking. Given that Qatar's CEO has said publicly that he took the decision to begin the CWL route, and that not all his senior staff were in agreement, CWL is likely to be given lots of leeway to build up the route, if that is required.

I'd imagine as well that any load factors and passenger numbers would be a closely guarded secret unless they could be accessed by the Global Distribution System (i think it's called that) available to the industry, but then your rivals could sneek a peek at how your lf's are.

There is no doubt that 1 May will be one of the most important days in the airport's history.

Yep it will be and i'll definitely be there now to see it as well as i've got the day off work now!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I'd imagine as well that any load factors and passenger numbers would be a closely guarded secret unless they could be accessed by the Global Distribution System (i think it's called that) available to the industry, but then your rivals could sneek a peek at how your lf's are.

Once the CAA stats are published each month we shall know the passenger numbers and can work out the load factors from them, although of course the most important thing, the yield, will be a commercial confidence known only to the airline.

 

[CWL94]

I just saw the front page of the South Wales Echo for tomorrow online and there is a joint advertisement between Qatar Airways and Virgin Holidays 'The World is your playground' Fly East from Cardiff - new connections to Thailand, Bali, India and the Maldives

I have saw on twitter a few times the new Virgin Holidays store in Cardiff has been advertising QR's routes from CWL, ,maybe they have negotiated a partnership where Virgin sell holidays on behalf of QR. Will help bookings im sure! They have said to pop into store to see what QR routes are on offer.

The strange thing is on Virgin Holidays website, CWL isnt on there an airport - LHR has QR flight on there to Sri Lanka. There is no point in advertising this new partnership if it isnt available to book on their website?

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Depending on what reservations system they are using, those figures may be easily available by booking agents. But at the same time should also be confidential and remarks like that shouldn't be posted. IT regulations when accessing such systems would have to be agreed to, so the poster is potentially breaking their companies IT regulations. Even if it is true, it's a silly post to make.

 

[Jerry]

The strange thing is on Virgin Holidays website, CWL isnt on there an airport - LHR has QR flight on there to Sri Lanka. There is no point in advertising this new partnership if it isnt available to book on their website?

It's possible it's a local arrangement. I'd imagine that the store would have the ability to put it's packages together rather than just selling what's on the website.

 

[Cardiffbay]

I’m sure there’s more behind this route than just passengers. I think there is a lot of politics between the countries going on in the way of business deels to.

 

[Jerry]

I've no doubt in that. The CEO said there was heavy diplomatic lobbying for Cardiff but he did say the has to be commercially viable.
No doubt the WG will try and get Qatar to invest in things like the Metro.
I also wonder with the build up to 2022 if we'll see the football and rugby teams be ing invited to play in Qatar as well.

 

[Jerry]

With the new service for the first year what do people think can be considered as 'good' load factors 50%? 60%? I know it's not all about the LFs the business class and cargo will be important factors but I'm just curious to what sort of percentage people might see as good.

 

[Bcn_boy]

Emirates at Newcastle took a long time to reach the load factors that it has today, yes it in a larger catchment area but it is on par with the economy of South Wales and Cardiff can draw in from the wealthier south west and lower midlands for such a service.

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

According to Mrs Mathers Qatar are now sponsoring ITV Wales weather.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

According to Mrs Mathers Qatar are now sponsoring ITV Wales weather.

Interesting - it was GWR tonight i'm sure.

 

[superking]

According to Mrs Mathers Qatar are now sponsoring ITV Wales weather.

Its GWR sponsor the HTV weather in the Bristol and south west areas.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Yep it will be and i'll definitely be there now to see it as well as i've got the day off work now!

Jerry, We are relying on you to get some good video shots of the day. I know you won't let us down.

I suspect there will be a large crowd present and not just aviation fans. I saw the first Continental B757 from Bristol to Newark and a large crowd assembled including some who were obviously not keen followers of aviation. One couple were complaining loudly that they had expected a 'jumbo jet' and wouldn't have bothered turning up to see a small plane.

A 747 would have been spectacular at BRS but for all the wrong reasons. At least Qatar is operating a decent-sized aircraft on Day 1 and thereafter.

 

[Jerry]

I suspect there will be a large crowd present and not just aviation fans.

Yes i'd imagine so. I was surprised yesterday at how many people were there just for a normal day, guess the weather being good helped.
I expect a large crowd but maybe not as large as when the A380 arrived and hopefully the weather will be good as well!

 

[superking]

Read on another forum that the 788 will be replaced by the 321neo when delivered.That was a gut feeling by the poster.

 

[Jerry]

Read on another forum that the 788 will be replaced by the 321neo when delivered.That was a gut feeling by the poster.

Yeah there seems to be a lot of 'feelings' on that forum that usually involves the Cardiff flights getting axed or downgraded.
No one knows what the A321neo will ve used for by Qatar.
The route will take time to mature just like the Flybe routes and Business Class uptake and cargo uptake will be key to the routes success.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Just a random opinion with no substance to it. It's been mentioned that there' already cargo going on the flight which likely wouldn't fit on the A321. Let' just wait and see

 

[Cardiffbay]

Yeah there seems to be a lot of 'feelings' on that forum that usually involves the Cardiff flights getting axed or downgraded.
No one knows what the A321neo will ve used for by Qatar.
The route will take time to mature just like the Flybe routes and Business Class uptake and cargo uptake will be key to the routes success.

There are a lot of people who seem they want this route to fail. If the cargo uptake is as big as people think then they will need the 787. Maybe it will evolve into a mix of 787 and a321NEO

 

[superking]

Even better a straight forward freight aircraft and leave the plane with pax alone.

 

[superking]

As was said wait and see what turns up,that way there will be no bull---t. If the service was operated to where ever you always get the few that wants it to fail. Its not just about routes its just about every thing connected with aviation.