Turkmenistan Airlines

[Ash]

Since 1998 I believe?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Has it really been that long? How time flies 🙄

 

[Hassaan]

15 years eh? And the change in livery too... 😆

It's a nice step-up - they've been more loyal to BHX than any other airport in the UK! A Turkmenistan 777 at BHX is going to be a pretty interesting sight. Didn't I read somewhere that they were considering expanding to YYZ out of BHX or was I just imagining that?

 

[Ray Finkle]

The Turkmenistan 777 is only a rumour at the moment but it'd be a nice sight if one does turn up. I think someone speculated whether YYZ was on their agenda and if so would they do direct or make a stop at BHX, although I can't imagine ATQ/DEL-ASB-BHX-YYZ on Turkmenistan being much fun, but if the prices are cheap enough.

 

[Ray Finkle]

The rumours of a 777 ATQ-ASB-BHX-YYZ service seem to be getting stronger, if true it appears they are trying to get in there before AI.

 

[Hassaan]

Well, even if it does take off (T5 operating a 77L) you'd have thought the markets for both airlines are quite different so neither service will get dented as far as passenger numbers are concerned. Although getting in there first with the BHX-YYZ leg may benefit it more at first. We won't know for sure until we see how it performs.

 

[justplanecrazy]

If T5 are going to start YYZ I can see AI going daily and holding back on the YYZ leg and see what the loads are like for T5 before making their move.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Unless Air India decide to retaliate straight away and not give them time to become established, I guess it could go either way, it'll be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Hassaan]

Would two links to YYZ between the two airlines work?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Turkmenistan media have reported that T5 are planning to use their 772LR's on new routes to Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh and Toronto, it's also rumoured that 777 ops to BHX are expected to start in July so it could well be that they're planning a stop.

 

[thunderchild]

It would probably make sense as I doubt there would be enough demand to fill a 737 YYZ-ASB let alone a 77L.

 

[Hassaan]

Turkmenistan media have reported that T5 are planning to use their 772LR's on new routes to Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh and Toronto, it's also rumoured that 777 ops to BHX are expected to start in July so it could well be that they're planning a stop.

I suppose it would make sense - as mentioned it would probably be difficult to fill a 77L from ASB-BHX anyway so extending that would allow more passengers.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Would a state owned airline like T5 worry about a little thing like demand when they could show off their new toy direct to Canada? 🙄 However the ATQ-ASB-BHX-YYZ rumour keeps cropping up so we'll see.

 

[Hassaan]

Would a state owned airline like T5 worry about a little thing like demand when they could show off their new toy direct to Canada? 🙄 However the ATQ-ASB-BHX-YYZ rumour keeps cropping up so we'll see.

Where are these rumours coming from anyway?

 

[Brummiegem]

A T5 flight operating ATQ-ASB-BHX-YYZ is not as daft as it may sound.Especially now that AI are restricted on expansion.
Once or twice a week may be the most we can hope for on frequency but we will have to see.I personally think T5 could steal a march on AI if they did give it a go.
On a slightly different subject anyone know why Wednesday nights flight did not go straight out.Instead it departed @0530 ish Thursday with some of the pax staying in the airside lounge for over 6 hours with only the Meriden bar open?
I know that refreshment vouchers were given out but only usable until midnight.
I ask as the flight landed just after midnight but the runway was due to close @0200,so in theory had time to turn around!!!???

 

[Ray Finkle]

On a slightly different subject anyone know why Wednesday nights flight did not go straight out.Instead it departed @0530 ish Thursday with some of the pax staying in the airside lounge for over 6 hours with only the Meriden bar open?
I know that refreshment vouchers were given out but only usable until midnight.
I ask as the flight landed just after midnight but the runway was due to close @0200,so in theory had time to turn around!!!???

I think the aircraft went tech.

A T5 flight operating ATQ-ASB-BHX-YYZ is not as daft as it may sound.Especially now that AI are restricted on expansion.
Once or twice a week may be the most we can hope for on frequency but we will have to see.I personally think T5 could steal a march on AI if they did give it a go.

I think you could well be right, there's plenty of low yielding VFR traffic for them to aim for. If they're tapping into the VFR market I also think a weekly ATQ-ASB-BHX-YVR could work, Vancouver has a very significant Indian population.

 

[Hassaan]

I think you could well be right, there's plenty of low yielding VFR traffic for them to aim for. If they're tapping into the VFR market I also think a weekly ATQ-ASB-BHX-YVR could work, Vancouver has a very significant Indian population.

Vancouver looks to be something that Air India haven't yet considered so it's a good change for Turkmenistan to grab that opportunity with both hands.

 

[Hassaan]

Now I'm hearing things, specifically on the flyintobhx Facebook group, that the whole TK 777 into BHX (via BHX to YYZ) was just an April Fools. Is this so?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Dunno about April fool, Turkmenistan announced their new 777's would open routes to Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Min and Toronto, I think (as it's a route Air India previously operated) people saw Toronto and 2+2=BHX. Personally I think there's every chance they'll do YYZ direct but we'll see.

 

[Ray Finkle]

So it looks as though Turkmenistan will be making a stop en route to Toronto after all, in Riga.

During his visit in Turkmenistan, Rinkevics discussed a wide range of topics with state officials, especially drawing attention to the expansion of economic relations between the two countries. Rinkevics stressed that the most potential fields for cooperation would be transit traffic and logistics, pharmaceuticals, information technologies and power industry.....


.....They also agreed that the process of expanding contractual ties should be sped up, especially drawing attention to the trucking sector. During the talks, the proposal to open a new flight route Ashgabat-Riga-Toronto was also discussed, it would create a momentum for further economic relations.

Full article: http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_f ... ?doc=91856