Weather & Technical Diversions, Delays & Cancellations

[Aviador]

Lots of delays in the departure process of the airport today.

Is that because of the terminal work?

 

[BHX492]

Slots I would say , big storms are around the whole of Europe at the moment

 

[RichL]

Anyone have any pics of the United 777 from yesterday?

 

[Deleted member 8277]

View attachment 29156
Taken on mobile.

 

[Nethercote2019]

Jet 2 have some catching up to do today after horrendous weather issues in south Spain caused diversions & delays yesterday/overnight

 

[JENNYJET]

Could that be because it’s closer?

Indeed, I always believed that pilots were instructed to land at the NEAREST airfield capable for the aircraft. i.e. A B777 would not land at Oxford but would seek out Birmingham. Simplistic or what?

 

[rollo]

Indeed, I always believed that pilots were instructed to land at the NEAREST airfield capable for the aircraft. i.e. A B777 would not land at Oxford but would seek out Birmingham. Simplistic or what?o

Not really.

The United diversion was a regulation type diversion if you can call it that (fuel) I believe so would divert to a nominated airport. The nearest suitable airfield in an emergency situation is usually when a pan is called or in extremess a May Day when any bit of tarmac, field or in one famous case the Hudson River will do if you are lucky.

On this particular route SFO - LHR there would be several nominated airports along the way.
It's all a bit more complicated than the above but its the best I can offer simple sole that I am.

 

[IanFarquharson]

Not really.

The United diversion was a regulation type diversion if you can call it that (fuel) I believe so would divert to a nominated airport. The nearest suitable airfield in an emergency situation is usually when a pan is called or in extremess a May Day when any bit of tarmac, field or in one famous case the Hudson River will do if you are lucky.

On this particular route SFO - LHR there would be several nominated airports along the way.
It's all a bit more complicated than the above but its the best I can offer simple sole that I am.

BHX and LGW were the nominated diversion airfields for this flight.

 

[KARFA]

and just to add it would be unusual for ATC to instruct a flight to land at the nearest airport.

alternates on a flight plan doesn't mean they are fixed either. the flight crew will talk to the company and decides where is best to go, where can take them, and what options are available based on fuel remaining. they will then work with ATC to be re-routed.

 

[JENNYJET]

And if an aircraft in distress, low fuel or losing height rapidly, is it better to locate an airfield capable of both the landing and subsequent departure?

 

[KARFA]

And if an aircraft in distress, low fuel or losing height rapidly, is it better to locate an airfield capable of both the landing and subsequent departure?

yes in an emergency then the flight crew may go with landing at the nearest airfield - and subsequent departure considerations will not be particularly relevant.

this wasn't an emergency tho, merely that it wouldn't have been able to hold for LHR for the required time before the fuel dropped below the divert point.

 

[tompo]

Accurate and concise replies noted in the above comments to both aviation safety responsibility and subsequent commercial (in all senses) impact.

 

[Brum X]

United 777 at BHX, credit to James Emberton ;-)

 

[Scania1800]

Just hope BHX did not screw things up with United Airlines. Might get them back some day.

Just because they diverted doesn’t mean their returning

 

[Timberwolf]

Just hope BHX did not screw things up with United Airlines. Might get them back some day.

I believe it had a very long wait for the fuel truck..Great

I'm not sure it works like that, but interesting that the 1st planned alternate was BHX and not DUB, EDI, MAN or even CDG.

Airports will put out NOTAMS if they cannot handle certain diverts.Been restrictions on widebodied diverts to MAN for some time, due lack of stands. With the new pier closing/restricting fair number of widebodied remotes .

 

[rollo]

Three diversions in yesterday from London City all weather related (morning fog)
BA City Flyer E190 from Amsterdam.
Swiss BCS1from Geneva.
Swiss E290 from Zurich.

Also the bonus Saudi 787-10 HZ-AR24 confirmed due in today.

Info from Ian's site.

 

[Karl C]

All UK originating flights to Skiathos are cancelled today due to the storms and heavy flooding on the island. Luckily on the other side of the Aegean we had a few rumbles of thunder and spat for a while....plus a few chair shaking tremors. Such a weird year weather-wise!

 

[DarloPlaneBoy]

ASL 737 returned back to Birmingham yesterday was due to go to Paris sorry forget the reg Departed BHX flew to the French Coast then over France them U-Turned and returned to BHX.

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

Can I ask you lot a question.Is Istanbul Airport the worst airport for delays of aircraft.Just noticed Turkish Airlines are well over an hour delayed taking off

 

[Karl C]

Sometimes the distance from the terminal to the active take off runway can be 30-40 mins and vice versa on landing. I've most certainly been on many flights into and out of Istanbul where the taxi time has taken this long. Maybe that's one of the reasons.