Route Development & Rumours

[Finger66]

I wonder what they have planned for the two blank days?

Nothing because they are Blank Holidays in Pakistan

 

[Len Fish]

Very interesting. MEEM International Travel is now called MEEM International Trading and on a different telephone number than the one shown on the IPS website and as contained in the post from Apr1995.

I think I'll stick with my earlier thoughts and believe it when I see an A330 on the LBA Departures/Arrivals Board. Is it April 1st?

Here’s Meem International Trading’s palatial premises on Leeds Road Bradford, so they do seem to exist.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Guess someone needs to just go into the shop or ring the number haha

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Guess someone needs to just go into the shop or ring the number haha

Not sure if its an update to their 'services' page but it also says IPS Aiways will take cargo. Presumably only to EMA!

 

[LBA4EVER]

Not sure if its an update to their 'services' page but it also says IPS Aiways will take cargo. Presumably only to EMA!

Still possible from lba, the aircraft wont be at full takeoff weight,

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Still possible from lba, the aircraft wont be at full takeoff weight,

I was thinking more of the fact there are no cargo handling or Customs facilities at LBA.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Ok i just rang the phone number thats on the website and spoke to the agent, flights start on 18th june flying 3 times a week to islamabad and once a week to lahore from LBA, so 4 flights a week. He has confirmed that with me!, great news for the airport!!

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Ok i just rang the phone number thats on the website and spoke to the agent, flights start on 18th june flying 3 times a week to islamabad and once a week to lahore from LBA, so 4 flights a week. He has confirmed that with me!, great news for the airport!!

I didnt think LHE was going to be operated from Leeds. Thats one less 'blank' day for the aircraft then.

Well done for ringing.

Im still expecting the worst and hoping for the best. An announcement from a credible source would be helpful!

 

[airforced]

Hi Len
I don't think anyone has been disputing that MEEM International Traders exist but there is a discrepancy re the telephone numbers. MEEM International Trading is 01724 966149 but the tel number on the IPS website inviting bookings for their 'flights' is 01724 271717 which refers to Sugar Love, 860 Leeds Rd, Bradford. Both are on Leeds Rd but are on different telephone numbers with the IPS website quoting the Sugar Love telephone number to ring re flight bookings! Something not right I think you would agree. Hence the questions re IPS starting flights as per their website.

 

[airforced]

Ok i just rang the phone number thats on the website and spoke to the agent, flights start on 18th june flying 3 times a week to islamabad and once a week to lahore from LBA, so 4 flights a week. He has confirmed that with me!, great news for the airport!!

Did he answer as MEEM International or Sugar Love? Presumably you rang the number quoted on the IPS website (01724 271717). Was he quoting attractive prices and times? I'm very intrigued now not that I have any intention to visit Islamabad any time soon you understand.

It gets stranger and stranger. I'm still wondering if it is 1 April!

 

[Aviador]

Can it not simply be a wrong number? Anyway I am now quite hopeful this will materialise now.

 

[White Heather]

It's been clear for months that some form of new Pakistan service was in the pipeline, but we all assumed it would be PIA. Perhaps it was! But perhaps decisions taken by Virgin over t'hill coupled with the ban on PIA over EU airspace not being lifted when they expected has changed their thinking. Perhaps IPS have seen an opportunity to muscle in on the market by flying from airports ignored by the major carriers despite the enormous potential from them. Perhaps this is a badly kept secret and this agent in Bradford plus another in Pakistan have been quietly taking bookings for some time.

But - it all seems very odd that a route supposedly starting in less than 3 weeks hasn't been announced by either the carrier or either UK airport, flights cannot be booked on line, the carrier is still advertising for crew, and here at LBA Swissport don't even possess air-stairs that would service an A330. Not to mention they are struggling to even cope with their regular Ryanair's, KLM, Aer Lingus and Flybe aircraft.

It seems that if this is happening, there's a lot to sort out in not a lot of time. I have written to my contact at LBA on another matter but did ask about IPS and the silence back is deafening. That makes me suspect there's something in this, but boy do they have their work cut out to start ops mid June, especially if they expect many passengers. I can't help wondering if they even have an aircraft to fly yet, let alone train up staff on.

I like to be positive,but in these circumstances I can't help but gravitate towards the 'believe it when it lands' team.

 

[Hendi]

Interesting stuff hope it comes off! I have my doubts surely the airport would be shouting about it if it's all confirmed get the bookings in etc with it been only been 22 days from the suggested first flight day?

 

[LBA4EVER]

I number i called was 01274 271717 and it was the meem travel agency. The guy sounded very professional and you could even hear in the background the noise of the agency, i just made out i was ringing on behalf of a friend, At least I've tried to get to the bottom of this.
Im betting that they will be using the jordan aviation A330s

 

[LBA4EVER]

Also just to mention if their 1st service is on june 18th thats a Saturday, can you imagine what the 1960s terminal will be like esp with all the bucket and spade flights!

 

[LBA4EVER]

Interesting stuff hope it comes off! I have my doubts surely the airport would be shouting about it if it's all confirmed get the bookings in etc with it been only been 22 days from the suggested first flight day?

We are talking about LBA here, they never seem to advertise anything haha

 

[White Heather]

Also just to mention if their 1st service is on june 18th thats a Saturday, can you imagine what the 1960s terminal will be like esp with all the bucket and spade flights!

An early evening arrival will give them the terminal to themselves. That's when the PIA used to arrive. Or at least, it's when it was supposed to arrive!

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Also just to mention if their 1st service is on june 18th thats a Saturday, can you imagine what the 1960s terminal will be like esp with all the bucket and spade flights!

If timings are same as PIA it shouldnt be an issue.

 

[oldendays]

Today, I twice saw the Airport mechanics - three of them - giving a long parked-up hi-lifter a once over. I don't know if the engine was started or any of the systems tested. BTW, the hi-lifter is the device for loading and unloading baggage containers into an aircraft hold (for the benefit of those who aren't aware).

 

[airforced]

We shall have to wait and watch, with baited breath, then to see if anything transpires on the 18th. I trust that someone more local than me will visit the viewing area at whatever the appointed time is (if it exists) with their camera. Fingers crossed everyone.