Route Development & Rumours

[Statto]

Reading some of the replies here, it feels appropriate again to point out that the majority of passengers flying from LBA are travelling on routes that are available from MAN using the same airline. With a few exceptions aside, the route network from LBA is a duplication of what's on offer from MAN. And if LBA has any prospect of growing its passenger numbers significantly, it will only be able to do this by encouraging more duplication. There are simply not 2 to 3m more passengers knocking around that could be attracted without duplicating. It's impossible.

 

[Finger66]

Agreed, I think the sceptism from some is coming because it isn't a bucket and spade route. And to labour the point raised by @Statto DUB, BHD and AMS are not b&s routes that operate from both (in fact many). There is a Pakistani market to be served from LBA and someone was going to exploit that sooner or later as aircraft technology improved

 

[White Heather]

I certainly wouldn't bet against them operating to both. PIA operated to both quite successfully at one time so absolutely no reason why this shouldn't happen again

At least Bradford is good for something! And that's coming from a Bradfordian

Not just Bradford! There are literally thousands of folk with Pakistani background in Leeds, Keighley, Huddersfield, Halifax, Dewsbury, and Wakefield to name but a few.

 

[lbaspotter]

Air Blue A321CEO will operate LBA - Pakistan up to 3x weekly flights

 

[SierraHotel]

Great news. Do we know where it is operating via?

 

[pug]

Not just Bradford! There are literally thousands of folk with Pakistani background in Leeds, Keighley, Huddersfield, Halifax, Dewsbury, and Wakefield to name but a few.

I think it’s probably more into the hundreds of thousands. There’s definitely a market for this from LBA that’s for sure.

I’m a bit disappointed Turkish haven’t announced anything yet, I fully believe that is the key to unlocking the Asia market and beyond via Istanbul. Perhaps that will follow, but there is a very clear market to serve to Pakistan that will easily sustain profitable loads from LBA.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if Lufthansa were on the radar now too given that the airport is just shy of 5mppa.

 

[Aviador]

Air Blue A321CEO will operate LBA - Pakistan up to 3x weekly flights

If you have those details do you know the times days etc.

 

[pug]

Air Blue A321CEO will operate LBA - Pakistan up to 3x weekly flights

Great news! Clearly the aviation development are pulling out big guns here.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Looks like Airblue are still in the running to buy PIA.

Pakistan International Airlines Privatisation Set for November 2025

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national flag carrier of Pakistan, is set for privatisation by November this year as the government moves forward with its long-awaited restructuring plan.

aviationa2z.com

 

[Jetchaser]

I did wonder if LBA has something up their sleeve route wise to announce on the 9th Sept when DSA announce whether they have the money or not

 

[Len Fish]

Surely some of that debt burden of 2.31 billion dollars is going to have to be written off by the Pakistan government to make any privatisation viable.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Surely some of that debt burden of 2.31 billion dollars is going to have to be written off by the Pakistan government to make any privatisation viable.

You would assume so. I would be interested to know what their NY hotel is worth though. Depending where it is tgat could be worth a lot

 

[BCFC]

Air Blue A321CEO will operate LBA - Pakistan up to 3x weekly flights

And an A320 right behind it with the luggage?

 

[Starflyer]

If you have those details do you know the times days etc.

Via Istanbul on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday through LBA. Late afternoon turnround at LBA.

Assuming this comes off, one of the most important developments at LBA in many a year.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if Lufthansa were on the radar now too given that the airport is just shy of 5mppa.

I'd be really surprised with Lufthansa. Their experience in UK regional airports hasn't been great (Bristol being the obvious example). Newcastle has hung in there with a near-daily FRA but for the rest, it lends little hope of LBA appearing on the route network any time soon. There are a couple of other things I'd think are far more likely to materialise before that, but who really knows?

 

[Finger66]

Perhaps Air Blue is the only LH we are going to get!

I am though detecting a few hints of more to come, so let's hope so

 

[LBAYORKIE]

And an A320 right behind it with the luggage?

I made that point earlier. Presumably a Pakistani airline will know what to expect.

 

[Iron Duck]

Great news. Do we know where it is operating via?

Sofia as is with Manchester

 

[Aviador]

Are the Manchester flights on the opposite days to the services from LBA.?

 

[lbaspotter]

Sofia as is with Manchester

So with LBA 3x weekly Tue, Fri & Sun I’m guessing MAN is 4x weekly on the alternative days Mon. Wed-Thu & Sat?

If so they be no slack in the schedule unless they get the current 3x stored aircraft A321CEO/NEO serviceable again.

 

[Len Fish]

This is one occasion when I wouldn’t mind the Air turning Blue.