Pakistan International Airlines

[jason1-11]

Great news. Lets hope PIA aren't using the same PR company as Ryanair though!

 

[Beeflightyear]

Anyone know the reason for the cancellation of tonights flight?

Just looked on the worldwide forum and found the answer on there.

 

[Aviador]

PIA are on strike in Pakistan.

Read more here: post17240.html#p17240

 

[lbaspotter]

Now comfirmed on the PIA website as well. And its not just the Leeds flights thats cancelled.

http://www.piac.com.pk/piawebnewsfeed/fupdates.aspx

PK775-776 / 09 February
Islamabad - Leeds - Islamabad, Cancelled due to operational constraints.

 

[White Heather]

It all looks a bit of a mess. I hope it is sorted out quickly and that we don't end up like we did when the volcanic ash messed things up, as to recover the situation PIA used 777's - to Manchester, with our flights being non operational!

 

[User0001]

but PIA always use the B777 to MAN? The A310 is only used when a B777 is tech or on a check, but even now the A310 is about to become a rarer site at MAN with the B743 being used instead.

 

[michael]

I know PIA's B777's have been discussed here in the past and the potential problems with the 777's three axle configuration, given that I think it was Wardair used to come to LBA with 747's in the past albeit the 200 series, (I think), could PIA get their 743's in and out if the chance was there or are these beyond LBA's limitations?

 

[White Heather]

World-Rep, the point I was trying (badly) to make is that in order to recover the backlog caused by the ash cloud, PIA operated more flights on 777's, all of which operated to MAN, with the LBA A310 flights non operational on some days for a good few weeks. So LBA lost out, with quite a few (probably almost full) A310 aircraft booking switched on to B777's flying into MAN.

Wardair did indeed operate 747-200's into LBA, but none flew non stop to Toronto - they usually flew via Birmingham on the outbound leg and direct coming back. I assume that was due to the runway length constraints. I would imagine that Toronto is a similar sort of distance to Islamabad, so I doubt PIA would use the 747 out of LBA unless it was routing via somewhere closer. The only Wardair flight to operate non stop was a DC10 that came into LBA on one occasion.

 

[Nordjet414]

Hi Heather

Dont forget the first Wardair 747 which landed to celebrate the runway extension operated direct to Tornto.

NJ

 

[eastcoaster]

And A Wardair B747 that diverted in from Newcastle also operated direct to Toronto one Saturday.

 

[pilot_737]

White Heather, LBA-ISB 3500NM, LBA-YYZ (Toronto) 6681NM.
Doubt we will see any change in aircraft on this route until the 787 is around!

 

[eastcoaster]

Pilot Ben, I think you need to check your figures!! LBA-YYZ (Leeds-Toronto)
Distance along great circle: 3432.6 statute miles, 2982.9 nautical miles, 5524.3 kilometers
Initial true great circle heading: 292.0 degrees (west-northwest)

Even Los Angeles is only 4599.7 nautical miles!!

 

[pilot_737]

Ha silly me! I was using a route finder website I found, and didn't enable NAT (oceanic) tracks! Therefore the 6681nm track was going all the way down through Europe and along the African coast, crossing to Brazil and then up again!
My apologies!

 

[White Heather]

Thanks - I wasn't aware of that. However, it may not have had a full load on that occasion if it was a one off. To be honest I don't think LBA would even welcome a 747 operation now as the airfield is a tight fit for them. Even when Wardair operated, it was common to see debris across the runway being cleared up after take off, and of course they took up a fair chunk of the apron. Would LBA be able to cope with a 747 now, given how many aircraft are often parked up? The timing might have to be right (ie not a peak time) but there might be a few problems in the event of delays. I am not saying it can't or won't happen (where there is a will, there is a way), but when I spoke to one of the Airport Directors about our past history of 747 operations, he seemed very negative about it and actually stated that 747's could not operate form LBA. I had to correct him on that and point out that in fact that had done on many occasions.

 

[Seasider]

You don't see many B747 from Manchester or Birmingham so I doubt whether LBA will see one again.

 

[User0001]

A PIA flight is currently inbound to MAN so hopefully now the CEO is gone it's a sign things are returning to normal, however, I've sermon another forum they have suspended BHX flights until 19th!

 

[a300boy]

Well it looks like our Islamabad is operating today as it has an estimated arrival time on the Lbia arrival board.

 

[User0001]

Late again :shok:

 

[Bhowani]

And now NOT on the Departures Board. Gone Tech?

 

[User0001]

That will b very late out then if at all