Route Development & Rumours

[Len Fish]

Well let’s hope if they do come they use actual, trained pilots!

 

[White Heather]

Well let’s hope if they do come they use actual, trained pilots!

Ideally sober ones too.

 

[Matt995]

no chance of PIA at Leeds/Bradford next year, they don't have enough aircraft, and not enough rupees to fix them, i doubt if we will even see them at Manchester, Heathrow, Birmingham next year, the ban is still in place for the UK! - would be amazed if they were still flying this time next year!

 

[gulftraveller]

When PIA served GLA, it was to Faisalabad. As for LBA, I recall that they were not prepared to operate the B777 from there, for whatever reason.

 

[mullion]

They will have 1 aircraft available by January to operate CDG, LHR, MAN and possibly BHX and at present they cannot afford to get any more aircraft back in service so very much doubt it

 

[White Heather]

When PIA served GLA, it was to Faisalabad. As for LBA, I recall that they were not prepared to operate the B777 from there, for whatever reason.

Yet they publicly announced the route was to be upgraded to the 777.

Personally, I hope they don't come back.

 

[gulftraveller]

Yet they publicly announced the route was to be upgraded to the 777.

Personally, I hope they don't come back.

I may be wrong, but I recall that Ops or the chief pilot intervened to say they would not take the 777 there. I was under the impression that this was the reason for quitting LBA as the A310s were being withdrawn.

 

[White Heather]

I may be wrong, but I recall that Ops or the chief pilot intervened to say they would not take the 777 there. I was under the impression that this was the reason for quitting LBA as the A310s were being withdrawn.

Sounds about right. Sums up the airline really

 

[Seasider]

I think that we will see Concorde at LBA before PIA!

 

[752]

Does show you how much demand in the region their is for a connection to Pakistan. Do we think a 787-800 make it alright?

I would very much support a long haul link back to Pakistan.

 

[Seasider]

Let's be serious here, in this country, LHR, MAN, and BHX are ahead of LBA in the pecking order. They haven't any aircraft to operate to LHR so no way will LBA see them.
Don't forget, the CAA haven't approved them to fly to the UK yet. I just can't understand how people think that they will fly to LBA .... please tell me.

I just seen an article online that says PIA maybe interested in serving Bradford again!
Then just on Friday saw on LinkedIn that they have being in discussions with Glasgow as well

So in theory they could serve both markets using Boeing 777.
Ok I know what you’re going to say next, Not off our short runway!

But here’s how it could be easily done.

Islamabad-Leeds
Leeds-Glasgow
Glasgow-Islamabad

I’ll say no more…

That may be operationally viable, but would it be commercially viable?

 

[Aviador]

Let's be serious here, in this country, LHR, MAN, and BHX are ahead of LBA in the pecking order. They haven't any aircraft to operate to LHR so no way will LBA see them.
Don't forget, the CAA haven't approved them to fly to the UK yet. I just can't understand how people think that they will fly to LBA .... please tell me.

This all depends on the desire of PIA to serve "Bradford". They may see it as a niche and prestigious route they feel they need to re-establish.

 

[Finger66]

May be they could lease more suitable equipment from Norwegian.

Running for my tin helmet now

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

May be they could lease more suitable equipment from Norwegian.

Running for my tin helmet now

Norse have previously mentioned this.

If it helps them stay afloat with regular income and helps PIA get back into the market why the hell not.

 

[752]

Let's be serious here, in this country, LHR, MAN, and BHX are ahead of LBA in the pecking order. They haven't any aircraft to operate to LHR so no way will LBA see them.
Don't forget, the CAA haven't approved them to fly to the UK yet. I just can't understand how people think that they will fly to LBA .... please tell me.


That may be operationally viable, but would it be commercially viable?

I didn’t mention PIA I was generally talking about a carrier in general.

We know there are a few A321 knocking about to run flights with tech stops (Air Blue / MAN) like previous.

Will be interesting to watch anyway

 

[White Heather]

I didn’t mention PIA I was generally talking about a carrier in general.

We know there are a few A321 knocking about to run flights with tech stops (Air Blue / MAN) like previous.

Will be interesting to watch anyway

There remains plenty of demand in 'Bredford' and LBA have meetings with representatives of the Pakistani community, notably the Council of Mosques. However, as I reported before, these meetings have led more towards Pakistan via the Arabian airports rather than direct although I doubt they'd say no to one if it was offered.

But we know most airlines are drawn towards MAN like iron filings towards a magnet and there are plenty of Pakistani folk over there too, so it doesn't seem likely that LBA will get a direct flight any time soon. I'd love to be wrong of course although I know people who still have nightmares about what LBA was like when the PIA A310 was in, and I know their feelings on the prospect!

 

[BCFC]

There remains plenty of demand in 'Bredford' and LBA have meetings with representatives of the Pakistani community, notably the Council of Mosques. However, as I reported before, these meetings have led more towards Pakistan via the Arabian airports rather than direct although I doubt they'd say no to one if it was offered.

But we know most airlines are drawn towards MAN like iron filings towards a magnet and there are plenty of Pakistani folk over there too, so it doesn't seem likely that LBA will get a direct flight any time soon. I'd love to be wrong of course although I know people who still have nightmares about what LBA was like when the PIA A310 was in, and I know their feelings on the prospect!

Name me somewhere where there's not plenty of Pakistani folk WH!

 

[Finger66]

Name me somewhere where there's not plenty of Pakistani folk WH!

India!

 

[White Heather]

Interesting article in Simple Flying (which I can't copy here) regarding US low cost airline Breeze's intentions to go transatlantic In the Autumn of 2025 using Airbus A220-300 equipment with 137 seat capacity (12 first class, 125 economy). Apparently they have 35 of this type and another 55 on order and according to the article they are well capable of operating from the US Eastern Seaboard to Western Europe.

It states their first route is likely to be New York or Boston to Dublin but otherwise their focus is on secondary airports where routes are not served or underserved.

I had never even considered the A220 for trans Atlantic routes but assuming Breeze secure flag carrier status they could well be operating over here by this time next year. Given their secondary airport business plan, it will be interesting to see where they go in the UK. Airports such as Bristol, Newcastle and dare I say, Leeds Bradford may come into their thoughts, particularly given what LBA said about flights from Leeds to New York being a distinct possibility by 2026. And Breeze are not the only US airline to operate this aircraft type. Delta are another.

If 137 capacity and low operating costs work for airlines are we about to see these smaller but very nice Airbus aircraft crossing the pond?

 

[Aviador]

Nice find Heather. Let's hope it comes to fruition.

Inevitably, this route would face payload restrictions to account for weather conditions and diversions. While the A220's range is sufficient, in operating conditions, airlines would have to carry more fuel and less cargo, meaning fewer passengers or bags. With a capacity of 120 to 150 passengers, this would be hard to pull off.

https://simpleflying.com/airbus-a220-transatlantic-flights/

If that was the article you were looking at it does look like they face some obstacles. Hopefully with airports like LBA been further north it would make it more accessible that the London airports.