Pakistan International Airlines

[White Heather]

Thanks Aroosh. I was watching you on FlightRadar24 all the way from Germany and thought you would go straight to MAN, which you did without even a hint of heading up to Leeds, as you passed directly over Rotherham and Sheffield. The RVR on 32 was showing as 250m, although everything else got in. That said, everything else isn't quite as big as the A310. All the others were 737's and a F70. The shame is that not long after you diverted the rain came and the visibility improved considerably, so had you arrived with sufficient holding fuel you might well have got into LBA. It was already pouring with rain in South Leeds at the time you diverted. Hopefully you will make it in next time you come to see us!

 

[aroosh]

Yes LBA was 250m coming up to 300m as we were about to divert, but we dont go below 350m as a company minimum, and radar told us everyone behind us diverted to. Regardless, during winter months we depart with tanks pretty much brimmed, about 47tonnes this last trip, which doesnt leave as any extra holding fuel, depending on enroute weather and therefore we are usually very limited in our choices. Manchester being the most favorable for the pax, was the obvious choice.

Thanks for the invite, but we were quite rushed on the way out yesterday. Would love to have a chat next time in.

Regards

 

[michael]

Hopefully the following link will work ok, looks like A310 problems according to 'the times of India'
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/worl ... 454934.cms

 

[aroosh]

hahahah. false report. couldnt be further from the truth.
During engine start a random CAA observer supposedly observed a "spark" from the engine and called the fire service who surrounded the a/c and panicked the pax who called the media. There was no fire or smoke etc. Brilliant media strikes again.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Apologies if this has been mentioned before.

Night-time flights breach rules at Yeadon

An airline which has breached night-time flying rules at Leeds-Bradford Airport is being asked to give a formal commitment to introduce quieter planes.

Leeds City Council is asking for a commitment and timescale from the airport and Pakistan International Airlines after eight breaches of night-time rules in the last 12 months.

Two years ago the Council served a breach of condition notice on the airport after warning that further contraventions by the airline would not be tolerated. Improvements were made, and a report last year showed no recent problems.

But a report to the Council’s latest Plans Panel South and West showed eight breaches, and now the Council wants to see a commitment on the introduction of quieter and more reliable B777 aircraft for the PIA flights.

Reasons for the contraventions included snow and the late arrival of the incoming flight.

A report to the panel said: “Members need to be aware that LBlA has some of the most stringent night-time noise restrictions of all major UK airports and are currently the only airport not permitted to allow aircraft to depart during the night-time hours that have a noise quota count greater than 0.5. “The majority of the main airports in the UK allow noise quota count of 4.0 during the night-time period.”

Members heard that the airport had continued to work hard with the airline to minimise night-time breaches.

The report said: “As members are aware, the outcome of these previous discussions are that the number of PIA flights from LBIA has been reduced, and the time that they depart from LBIA has been moved forward by two hours. “The result of these ongoing discussions and the changes made is that the numbers of breaches that have occurred have been reduced over time although the performance over the past 12 months is a retrograde step.”

Councillors agreed to support the approach of continued dialogue rather than formal action at this stage.

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/n ... d_Airport/

 

[Aviador]

Thanks for posting that Ray. The council seem to be happy in letting them continue in hope they will upgrade the aircraft to a Boeing 777 although this seems unlikely with the Air Blue developments across the Pennines at Manchester.

 

[White Heather]

If the introduction of the 777 is unlikely then LBA have spent a lot of money for nothing, because they say that everything is now in place in readiness for the introduction of the 777. They also state that they are in a position whereby they are able to mobilise for the 777 with one month's notice. I suppose the key issues here are loads (no recent reports on here regarding average loads so does anyone know?) and availability of 777's in the short term. I understand they have placed orders for more of the type which should, on the face of it, enhance the chances of seeing the type at LBA.

 

[Aviador]

If the introduction of the 777 is unlikely then LBA have spent a lot of money for nothing, because they say that everything is now in place in readiness for the introduction of the 777. They also state that they are in a position whereby they are able to mobilise for the 777 with one month's notice. I suppose the key issues here are loads (no recent reports on here regarding average loads so does anyone know?) and availability of 777's in the short term. I understand they have placed orders for more of the type which should, on the face of it, enhance the chances of seeing the type at LBA.

Other than feasibility studies no money has been spent on bringing the 777 to LBA. The notice required by LBA is only to arrange for additional fire cover.

 

[White Heather]

I don't question what you say Aviador, but with respect, that is not what we have been told by the recently departed Operations and Engineering Director. The LBA MD again confirmed PIA's intentions to switch to the 777 today but again confirmed that no date has been set.

 

[Jordan-34092]

I got a question for you all, hopefully aroosh will be able to answer this. I've noticed a lot that in the winter the Islamabad service tends to be delayed a lot, sometimes for merely and hour other times like to day which is five and half hours behind, does anyone know the reason for this? Is it aircraft issues? Ie the A310, As I know pia like to use this aircraft for other European destinations, but even so they have 12 in total of which I understand six of these hardly ever are used for long haul. If it is wouldnt it be more suited to use the 777 into leeds instead? Is the issue down to the other end in Islamabad? Such as not being able to cope with the amount of aircraft, know this is the unlikely cause. Or is it due to late passengers?. Now I aint having a go at pia, trust me you would know if I was, it just it got me as to why in summer the flight is near on schedule where as in winter it tends to slip, that's what I have noticed anyway. Thanks to those who reply.

 

[lbaspotter]

Well something must be happening with PIA as today's delayed Islamabad PIA775/776 service has now just been Cancelled...

 

[White Heather]

Strangely, the check in still showing as opening on time for the outbound PK776. Not a good day for PIA as the PK711 from Karachi to MAN is also running 7 hours 40 minutes late.

 

[LBA787]

Yesterday BBC news were reporting from manchester airport for the returning of a child that had been abducted 2-3 years ago by her farther who ran Pakistan. The reporter said the flight was late in so I checked MAN's arrival page and both PIA's from Lahore and Islamabad were delayed by 3-4 hours!

It looks like PIA have some tech issues or serious delays on their network so knock on effects mean LBA's flight has had to be canx. They probably don't have spare capacity at the moment to sub if the Leeds A310 goes tech or is delayed. They will also have taken into account the seriousness of the nighttime flying into LBA! The best or even only option was to cancel the service today.

:crazy:

 

[EX9]

All the passengers are being bussed to Birmingham or reebooked onto the next one.

 

[Nightflight]

PIA need to sort themselves out, They should be getting rid of the old a310's and replacing them with newer aircraft..... we need the T7 in to Leeds

 

[Nightflight]

I see tonight PIA flights have again been cancelled.... The airline is a joke!!!

 

[Jordan-34092]

They should be thinking of replacing the A310s, the A330 would be a good replacement, and for the LBA to ISB personally I think it would be more suitable for The route over a 777. Now would be a good time to buy the 330 as emirates are set to get rid of theres soon

 

[lbaspotter]

Like you say it's a shame that PIA are not getting Airbus A330's to replace the Airbus A310’s as the said aircraft would be an idea aircraft replacement for op’s into Leeds but so would be the Boeing 767 as well in an ideal world.

Instead PIA are buying a fleet of Airbus A320-200 to replace some off there older Airbus A310's and there entire fleet of ageing Boeing 737-300's. They confirmed an order for 3x brand new Boeing 777-300's, last year. Meanwhile PIA are also said to be looking at acquiring a 2x second hand Boeing 777-200 as well...

 

[Jordan-34092]

This is the thing with Pía they rely too much on the A310s for long and short haul. the 777 is going to be too big for routes like LBA and AMS that they currently operate, they should wither be thinking about the A330 or 767 like you said, or even better if they can afford it, which I doubt as the people who run it are ******
The 787 dreamliner. All they need is like 6 of them to replace the A310 and then it would enable them to open up more routes into Europe and Asia.

 

[LUFC Jonno]

They won't get the B787. If they were intersted, they would have placed an order for them by now but something has to be done otherwise I can see this route being dropped due to people preferring to fly from Manchester instead.