Route Development & Rumours

[Scottie Dog]

In order to try to get an "official" update on the IPS saga I've sent an email to the CAA and will let you know when, or if, I receive a response.

 

[ls27]

Just to stir matters on the A330 saga. PIA are on the look out for 3x A330s
for the beginning of next year

 

[LBA4EVER]

Just to stir matters on the A330 saga. PIA are on the look out for 3x A330s
for the beginning of next year

We might see PIA back at LBA then?

 

[ls27]

Whose to say!

 

[Finger66]

The plot thickens! Perhaps PIA spotting an IPS weakness. Let’s hope 1 of em turns up. If both do we might end up with more capacity than on Belfast!

 

[lbaspotter]

I heard another Pakistan based Airline (will remain unnamed) maybe looking at operating into LBA using Airbus A320/321 aircraft

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

I heard another Pakistan based Airline (will remain unnamed) maybe looking at operating into LBA using Airbus A320/321 aircraft

That'll be Air Blue. Which a A320/A321 will suit the market but my fear is will an A320/A321 make it direct given loads that will be achieved on the flights? They have 2 A321Neo's but config is 234 so quite heavy.

If it then has to tech stop reaching Pakistan (will it make it from Pakistan Direct?!) will that put people off. Why go 1 stop when they can travel an hour or so over to Manchester for a direct flight OR one stop at a time of their choosing through the Middle East.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. What LBA needs is Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines serves all 3 airlines on more then a daily basis, coupled with other areas of the Middle East and also Far East connections. They'll be the best for the airport and for the communities that require the link from Yorkshire back to their motherland plus offering direct links between Leeds/Yorkshire and Istanbul and also those much needed connections to the Far East giving KLM some competition.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

IPS absolutely need to refund and compensate their customers (can they afford to do this?), but to think that this will be forgiven and forgotten, whilst passengers will not forget the misdemeanours of PIA is ludicrous. PIA have maintained a continuation of service to LHR, BHX and MAN throughout their troubles. When PIA are given the go ahead to re-start UK services (under their own operating licence), this will be because they have fulfilled CAA requirements. This will add to confidence in the airline. PIA or IPS? I know which one I would rather trust my money and booking with!

Kevin

It's not ludicrous. As @LBA4EVER has alluded to and also said on many o'time the community in Bradford, Leeds, Halifax and the surrounding areas talk and are very tight usually keeping business within themselves. If they have a preconceived perception of the airline, or others have flown with them and the experience was naff as opposed to flying with a UAE3 or TK from Manchester, then the damage is done. All it takes is a couple of mr meanes and the airline is done for. Ask anyone in a airline marketing department.

The airport staff, whether they dealt with Pakistan airlines direct or even in-direct (Jet2 staff didn't), don't and haven't forgotten what it was like having Pakistan airlines operate here and they've not operated here for the last what? 10 years at least I think. So if they've not forgotten neither have the ultimate people we all want to use the airline - the customers.

And let's also not forget, Pakistan is currently leasing aircraft to operate those services you mention to LHR, BHX and MAN. The experience on board and with aircrafts etc is different to those directly from Pakistan using its own metal.

 

[lbaspotter]

That'll be Air Blue. .

All I'll add, it's not them.

 

[LBA4EVER]

What we can say for certain is that sooner or later we will see an airline operating to pakistan with possibly even a 2nd one competing, and very likely it will be an A330. All good if you ask me, plus it keeps us occupied on here!

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Jordan did approach Swissport when they were trying to locate flights from MAN, but with no Cargo facilities at LBA and a 220 tonnes take off wait, DSA made more sense all round.

As commented previously the airport need a solution to the issue of cargo and that IS possible. But how critical is the MTOW? According to forum members its not a problem, given an A330 is nowhere near its MTOW on the relatively short sector to ISB, however this post suggests IT IS a factor. What is the truth?

 

[David_itl]

when air Blue first started MAN ops years ago using the A321s, they made a tech stop in Istanbul , It didn't stop them from having very healthy loads compared to the non-stop PIA flights that operated or the one-stop options from non-Pakistani carriers

 

[LBAYORKIE]

when air Blue first started MAN ops years ago using the A321s, they made a tech stop in Istanbul , It didn't stop them from having very healthy loads compared to the non-stop PIA flights that operated or the one-stop options from non-Pakistani carriers

when air Blue first started MAN ops years ago using the A321s, they made a tech stop in Istanbul , It didn't stop them from having very healthy loads compared to the non-stop PIA flights that operated or the one-stop options from non-Pakistani carriers

This market is very price sensitive. The customers predominantly just go for the cheapest fare coincident with highest baggage allowance. Tech stops or even transfers are not critical.

 

[SierraHotel]

Yorkshire teacher has £3,000 flights cancelled by text - five days before take off

A teacher who was due to fly to Pakistan to celebrate a family wedding has criticised a new airline after his £3,000 flights were cancelled by text message - five days before he was due to take off.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

 

[LBAYORKIE]

And he's right. If they cancel with less than 2 weeks notice he is entitled to compensation as well as his money back or an alternative flight. If they don't stick to the rules is probable that the CAA will deny them the right to fly to the UK in future. Im amazed he got hold of Vince Hodder by the way- I cant.

 

[michael]

And he's right. If they cancel with less than 2 weeks notice he is entitled to compensation as well as his money back or an alternative flight. If they don't stick to the rules is probable that the CAA will deny them the right to fly to the UK in future. Im amazed he got hold of Vince Hodder by the way- I cant.

Several things to take from the newspaper article ;
1. Did the passenger actually get hold of Vincent Hodder and get a reply from him ? Would be interesting to get Mr Hodder's version of events as to whether this passenger did contact him.
2. Did IPS actually have a 'high profile launch event' in Bradford?
3. If the article is 100% correct factually does this mean that it was actually planned for an August start and may still happen in October?
4. Does this mean the airline may not be as fictitious as some folk suspect?

I guess we'll just have to wait and see........but I never was any good at holding my breath for too long!

 

[ls27]

I was also interested in the pop up video of LBA. Has Yorkshire Newspapers got it wrong, as they state the new Terminal will be built!! or do they know something we don't.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

I was also interested in the pop up video of LBA. Has Yorkshire Newspapers got it wrong, as they state the new Terminal will be built!! or do they know something we don't.

I wonder if Liz will change the plans?

And they are just preparing the woke lot for the inevitable reversal of plans.

 

[mdobuk21]

Yes they did have a launch, it was at the aggrah restaurant in thornbury. It was posted on there instagram page.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Yes they did have a launch, it was at the aggrah restaurant in thornbury. It was posted on there instagram page.

Yes, it was for local travel agents. Mentioned in an earlier post on this thread.