Route Development & Rumours

[KARFA]

I think unless we actually have an expert in 777 performance we are just guessing and it’s impossible to say. My understanding was that PIA were supposed to swap to a 777 towards the end though, so that does suggest it is possible, albeit we don’t know whether it would have been with limitations. Bear in mind the 777 is a very powerful twin jet though and a route to Pakistan would be well within the range.

 

[Aviador]

Furthermore we also know that whatever the published parameters by Boeing or Airbus the airlines nearly always introduce their own local restrictions. Examples might include crosswind limitations or autoland restrictions.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Furthermore we also know that whatever the published parameters by Boeing or Airbus the airlines nearly always introduce their own local restrictions. Examples might include crosswind limitations or autoland restrictions.

I know when I tried to charter freighters all airlines I approached were reluctant to use LBA to the point where they priced it out of the running. One airline admitted they didnt like the undulating runway. One mentioned the Tristar incident.

LBA has the drawback that the runway isnt into wind, landing on 14 has restrictions and the aforementioned undulating runway. Not to mention the terminal constraints. Unless an airline is really determined to fly wide bodies into LBA they will just go for an easier option elsewhere in the North.

 

[LBA4EVER]

In simple terms the LBA runway is just about long enough for widebody operation to the likes of pakistan and the usa with decent loads, but when you factor in the direction of the runway, its height and weather conditions and the chevin then many airlines just cant commit due to uncertainty ie having to divert.
Its simple as that.

 

[White Heather]

In simple terms the LBA runway is just about long enough for widebody operation to the likes of pakistan and the usa with decent loads, but when you factor in the direction of the runway, its height and weather conditions and the chevin then many airlines just cant commit due to uncertainty ie having to divert.
Its simple as that.

No it isn't.

LBA management under different owners have all said a runway extension is not the problem for wide body ops here, it's terminal restrictions. They have all said that Pakistan and the USA are entirely feasible without restrictions and that they are confident that airlines will want to operate from LBA. However, these airlines have certain standards that they expect and the LBA terminal as it is now does not and can not meet these standards.

People always bang on about the runway, the hump, the Chevin, the crosswinds and the diversions, but none of these will stop an airline flying to LBA if the airport offers the right deal, a great customer experience and the likelihood of good and consistent loads. In other words profit. The diversion rate at LBA is less than 1% and this year it's probably considerably lower. Dont assume the LBA runway direction is always a problem. There are days when the wind is straight down our runway but a troublesome crosswind at other airports.

Bear in mind too that newer generation aircraft are far more capable with much more powerful engines than aircraft of the past, allowing the new types to operate profitably from shorter runways such as LBA and BRS.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

In simple terms the LBA runway is just about long enough for widebody operation to the likes of pakistan and the usa with decent loads, but when you factor in the direction of the runway, its height and weather conditions and the chevin then many airlines just cant commit due to uncertainty ie having to divert.
Its simple as that.

Thats what Im saying.

 

[Aviador]

Well I guess we will know whether it's the terminal or the runway if once the extension is in place Jet2 consider A330 or A321 ops bare in mind the 757s were moved to Manchester.

 

[Finger66]

Wasn’t moving 757s to MAN all about consolidating ageing aircraft in a safe environment in case of tech issues? At their best, the 757 is so powerful it has no issues at LBA. And if it’s NEOs re A321 then I would suggest LBA defo ok. May not need as many based units then, or if same based units allow surplus capacity to expand into new destinations. May be some interesting moths ahead all things considered

 

[White Heather]

Wasn’t moving 757s to MAN all about consolidating ageing aircraft in a safe environment in case of tech issues? At their best, the 757 is so powerful it has no issues at LBA. And if it’s NEOs re A321 then I would suggest LBA defo ok. May not need as many based units then, or if same based units allow surplus capacity to expand into new destinations. May be some interesting moths ahead all things considered

That was my understanding. Nothing to do with the runway although it may have helped alleviate the situation within the terminal at times. Especially baggage re-claim.

 

[michael]

It'll be interesting to see how quickly / regularly the new A321's appear once they start coming off the production line. It'll also be interesting to see whether they get delivered to LBA or another base. When the new batch of B738's started arriving they arrived regularly and from memory a good % of them were delivered to LBA and then shipped out to other bases.

 

[CM.]

I’m hearing talk regarding Wizz moving numerous routes from DSA to Leeds. Due to a failed bid with DSA. Thoughts?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1556131787314794496

 

[Finger66]

Very interesting if true. Is ISB one of them!

 

[Finger66]

That was tongue in cheek by the way

 

[CM.]

Very interesting if true. Is ISB one of them!

Not sure if ISB would be one of them but me personally I can’t see Wizz doing ISB. Happy to be proved wrong though.

 

[lbaspotter]

Well the could be some truth that, as I hear LBA have been taking to Wizz Air

Put this another way if they come to LBA expect a big reaction from Ryanair. Possible 4th based Aircraft comes into play

 

[White Heather]

Well the could be some truth that, as I hear LBA have been taking to Wizz Air

Put this another way if they come to LBA expect a big reaction from Ryanair. Possible 4th based Aircraft comes into play

LBA have wanted Wizz for some years.

The thing is though, how does LBA accommodate all those extra planes and pax as it is? Wizz UK would want a base so more stands required, and frankly, the terminal extension will be needed too, and if it's Wizz Europe, then probably no base required, in which case they could possibly schedule flights for quieter periods and without the need for more stands. That might work. But 30 routes seems far fetched with either option and whilst competition is good, LBA would be wise not to aggravate Ryanair. They are an airline we cannot afford to lose.

Anyone know if this rumour relates to Wizz UK who recently axed DSA or Wizz Europe who still fly there?

 

[LBA4EVER]

If it was wizz europe then no real problems as many parking stands would only be occupied by ryan and jet2 planes from 11pm onwards, i believe wizz tend to operate most flights into DSA between 8 and 11pm so stands would be available. But once again the LBA infrastructure is failing us.
Would be great for the airport, wizz needs a proper eastern england base with a catchment area to profit from, and it will most certainly boost pax numbers big time at what is becoming a busy LBA!

 

[Kevin Farnell]

LBA have wanted Wizz for some years.

The thing is though, how does LBA accommodate all those extra planes and pax as it is? Wizz UK would want a base so more stands required, and frankly, the terminal extension will be needed too, and if it's Wizz Europe, then probably no base required, in which case they could possibly schedule flights for quieter periods and without the need for more stands. That might work. But 30 routes seems far fetched with either option and whilst competition is good, LBA would be wise not to aggravate Ryanair. They are an airline we cannot afford to lose.

Anyone know if this rumour relates to Wizz UK who recently axed DSA or Wizz Europe who still fly there?

Whilst I can see Wizz operating from LBA (if they drop DSA), I agree that 'more than 30 routes' is far fetched (5 or 6 probably, but more than that would require growth over a long period). Also, I don't see the need for a Wizz UK base at LBA. All destinations could be served by away based aircraft. Look at Wizz's operation at BHX. From what I recall, it was Wizz that approached BHX with regards to operating there. Yet they have never set up a base and there are no Wizz UK aircraft operating. Also, I can't see Wizz operatng from both DSA and LBA. It will be either one or the other, or neither.

Kevin

 

[A400]

I don’t think infrastructure would be an issue for Wizz as Ryanair and Jet2 have always been happy using the airport. As long as they get a good deal and it’s making money there shouldn’t be an issue from that perspective.

I tend to agree that quieter times (such as 6,7,8pm) would be good times to use the airport as most of the based planes are out. As most days Away based Ryanair flights come in at those times (Alicante, Riga, Bratislava ect) or early morning (9,10am)

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I agree with WH, and the airport will not wish to antagonisine Ryanair. I assume there would be direct competition on some routes from the outset.

I know we have given Ryanair some stick over the years for their customer service etc but Wizz have a much worse reputation and given the choice (if it came to that) I would definitely choose Ryanair over Wizz.