Qatar Airways

[Jerry]

I was reading the comments about the Qatar service on a Cardiff Airport Facebook group recently and though most of the comments were positive some did have concerns about how the airport would cope and a fear that it could be put on a remote stand with people being bussed to the terminal and that the pier might get too crowded especially if there are other flights departing at the time. Stand 7 is the most likeliest stand to accommodate it and hopefully they'll have replaced the airbridge by whenever it's due to start. Stand 6 or the Echo apron would require bussing but that probably won't ever happen.
I decided to have a look at the times for EDI and BHX to see if there could be a clue as to what times the service will arrive at CWL and depart.
With EDI there is 3 morning departures and arrivals and 4 afternoon arrivals.
BHX has 4 morning departures and arrivals and 3 afternoon departures and arrivals.
If CWL has similar morning times to BHX and EDI then it is could be looking at an arrival around 06.30 to 07.00 for a departure of around 08.00 to 08.30 that may well mean the TOM aircraft that overnights on stand 7 may have to be overnighted on another stand to avoid a clash if it departs late.
The afternoon flight may well be looking at an arrival time of around 12.00 to 12.30 which again could clash with any TOM departures around that time. The interesting thing though is that at both EDI and BHX the afternoon arrival doesn't depart till around 16.15 so CWL may well have a Qatar Airways aircraft parked on stand 7 for 4 hours until a departure of around 16.00 to 16.30. It could of course be moved to stand 6 during this time.

It may well be that TOM may have to be moved to say stand 11 or 12/13/14 to avoid any potential clashes or pier congestion.

 

[Tinkerman]

News expected soon. Sit tight guys.

Potentially looking at something for the 2nd August.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

I don't think 737-800's can fit on Stand 11 because of the winglets.
CWL has plenty of spare stands to move aircraft around as most stands accommodate the current based aircraft in some way. CWL really have no idea what to expect when it comes to QR. The terminal needs an upgrade in many places

 

[Jerry]

I don't think 737-800's can fit on Stand 11 because of the winglets.
CWL has plenty of spare stands to move aircraft around as most stands accommodate the current based aircraft in some way. CWL really have no idea what to expect when it comes to QR. The terminal needs an upgrade in many places

I'd imagine as part of the bidding process that QR have gone round stated what they wanted changed and what the airport needs to do for QRs passengers. It's a good opportunity for the airport to expand the like of the check in area, departure area and executive lounge. QR may insist on their own lounge, no doubt with a dedicated chef serving hot food. I'd be very surprised if the airbridge on stand 7 was changes for a fully adjustable and movable one. The airport may well be a busy place over the winter!
CWL needs a service like this to justify any money spent on the upgrades it needs.

 

[Tinkerman]

Couldn't agree more with that post Jerry. Winter is of course the time to make adjustments/upgrades etc since it's naturally less busy.

Interesting times ahead, wouldn't at all be surprised to see some or all of the aforementioned items being included within the overall package of works.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Qatar seem to use third party lounges at many airports around the world. I think they use the Escape Lounge at MAN and the No 1 Lounge at BHX.

 

[Jerry]

Qatar would've gone to both CWL and BRS and put down a list of what they want for their customers and how they want everything handled and made ready for their arrival. I've no doubt there would've been things that they would've wanted changing or they demanded at BRS. CWL will have a lot of work to do but I've no doubt they'll get it done in time.

 

[Jerry]

Qatar seem to use third party lounges at many airports around the world. I think they use the Escape Lounge at MAN and the No 1 Lounge at BHX.

Sounds like then the current lounge will probably be expanded and revamped and I'd imagine have hot food served as well. Might be better if they opened it earlier as well and try and include the Skyteam flying blue customers in it.

 

[Tinkerman]

QR news imminent.

 

[IanFarquharson]

I really hope QR dont let Cardiff down.
They announced BHX and then backed down but eventually started and has been running successfully ever since.
They have a habit of making announcements then changing their minds !

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Seems pretty certain that they will go ahead - lots of high level contact between Welsh and Qatari governments. The scale of the operation is awaited with great interest.

 

[Jerry]

I'll be surprised if they don't go ahead with it. I can't see the Welsh government announcing it unless they were certain it was going ahead. It would be a political nightmare for them if it didn't happen.

 

[Ray Finkle]

It's going ahead, this was a quote from Mr Al Baker in an article dated only yesterday.

Next year our network of UK destinations will continue to grow with the welcome addition of Cardiff, complementing existing flights to Edinburgh, Manchester, London and Birmingham.”

https://www.eturbonews.com/161035/qatar-airways-fashions-grand-designs-qatar-goodwood-festival

 

[Jerry]

Hopefully they'll announce when the flights go on sale soon!

 

[Tinkerman]

It is defintely going ahead.

I've been saying this for months. The QR executives are in Cardiff/CWL now after flying in from Doha on Tuesday evening.

They haven't left yet, so perhaps an announcement sometime tomorrow could be on the cards ?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I think the only imponderable is the frequency. Strong rumours suggest the B787 will be the aircraft type and there have been suggestions of a daily service. As Tinkerman says, it must be hoped that a formal announcement of a start date together with booking availability will be made very soon.

 

[Tinkerman]

I think the only imponderable is the frequency. Strong rumours suggest the B787 will be the aircraft type and there have been suggestions of a daily service. As Tinkerman says, it must be hoped that a formal announcement of a start date together with booking availability will be made very soon.

Completely agree with those sentiments there TLY.

I remain hopeful. They seemingly flew in from Doha sometime late Tuesday afternoon/early evening. So perhaps they've been conducting meetings for the last couple of days and will be ready to announce something imminently.

 

[Jerry]

I do wonder if they'll start say 5 weekly and then increase to 6 weekly and then to daily later on in the year. November might be a good time for that as the rugby November internationals are in full flow and a lot of Welsh people come home for that not to mention visiting fans who are usually from Australia New Zealand and South Africa and from the Pacific islands and Japan sometimes. Not to mention Swansea City's Premier League games, assuming they don't get relegated!

 

[User001]

Any announcement is likely to be next week now.

Friday is usually 'bad news day' as the stock markets and general financial stuff closes at the weekend, so, they do it to try and minimise any negativity on the company as they hope people 'forget' the bad news by Monday.

Tuesday's and Thursday's tend to be 'good news days' as it gives the stocks a nice little boost before the weekend. That said, it's not set in stone, but it's the usual pattern.

Therefore, unlikely to hear anything tomorrow, and will be next Monday at the earliest.

 

[Tinkerman]

What you say it very true there User001.

Tuesday and Thursday have historically been the days to announce things at CWL, Thursday the most popular choice.

All i know is that the announcement is 'Imminent', i'm not exactly sure of what day it'll be.