Pakistan International Airlines

[Skyflyer1]

Does anyone know hat time it is likely to go out tomorrow?

 

[Aviador]

The engineers are working on the aircraft now. They're aiming for tomorrow morning.

 

[adam]

interestingly its showing the PK776 departure at 0900 from LBA but with destination Karachi as opposed at Islamabad is this to do with maintainance or is it needed there instead for scheduling?

 

[Bhowani]

Can we classify this flight as our first LBA/Kararchi flight, even if it didn't carry any fare paying passengers? It be a postive weekend for LBA - though no compensation for the events at Wembley!

Bhowani

 

[White Heather]

I would have thought it should have been classified as a positioning flight, therefore carrying an alternative flight number to the normal PK776?

 

[a300boy]

PIA A310 AP-BDZ departed around 1145 and according to flight radar 24 was the PIA 776 to islamabad but we all know how inaccurate that can be.

 

[Aviador]

I'm not sure exactly but I think adam was right with the 0900 departure. I heard an aircraft at about that time that sounded like the A310.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

The funny thing I encountered last night was one of the guys at security check actually stopped the crew and told them that passengers had priority over crew and pax would through security first. This is the first time ive heard of such a thing in all the airports ive traveled to. Ironically, the stream of passengers was quite continuous and after 10 mins of making the crew wait, Eddie at security eventually realized why all other airports give crew priority. So he then reversed his rule and decided, that now the crew shall have priority over passengers.

Arrosh, your not the only (ex) staff member fed up of LBIA's secuirty procedures. The fact 'fast track' isn't fast track (believe it or not someone from the firm said it is but then when you get there your not) is beyond belief, but the fact that staff are treated lower then the passengers is beyond ridicolous. I once lost it, and told a secuirty that without me (and the x amount of staff behind me) nothing beyond security would function and its time we got through. I've seen pilots loose it, ground handlers and other various handling staff loose it, catering and retail staff, and believe it or not there own staff.

LBIA has a massive security issue. The fact of the matter is a) its not large enough at all for the PAX b) fast track isn't fast track. There should be a completely seperate scanning area for this which would speed up crew (yourselfs) and staff. Also the fact that good 75% of the security staff could do with a f**king kick up the arse too. Its beyond stupid and i'm so glad i will not be returning for this season. (as yet i hope).

 

[Galaxy]

Am I right in thinking that the 777 will be stopping at stand 14? If so will passengers be walking or bussed?

 

[lbia]

Nicholas, don't forget there is a staff channel, the gate house. Most Airports have a seperate staff channel, albeit somewhere near the main screening zone. There is never a queue of more than 4 or 5 at the gate house.

Personally as someone that uses the fast track lane for work purposes, I find it incredibly rude and arrogant that staff members push past passengers or kick up a fuss because they need to be somewhere. Passengers have paid to use the fast track service and really staff members that are running late should be better organised! It's not ideal, and ideally there would be a dedicated staff lane in central but there isn't. My only gripe with the fast track queue is that when there is a queue there, some security staff don't prioritise this and are not particularly interested in making it a fast service.

 

[Aviador]

A couple of points to note. Firstly it is apparently the airport authority that insists security prioritise passengers over staff on the Security Fast Track lane because of complaints by the customers and quite rightly so.

Secondly, like the Hygiene rules in the kitchens, IATA regulations at check in, CAA regulations in ATC, security have to follow NASP regulations laid out by the Department for Transport. So what might seem like 75% of security working slowly is probably because they are doing their job correctly.

Mode1

The stands which have the air bridges aren't large enough.

 

[LBA787]

I'm not sure exactly but I think adam was right with the 0900 departure. I heard an aircraft at about that time that sounded like the A310.

The PIA position flight to KHI was supposed to depart at 0900 but ended up going at 1145 like a300boy said.

Am I right in thinking that the 777 will be stopping at stand 14? If so will passengers be walking or bussed?

Yes stand 14 will be the 772's primary parking position with stands 13 and 15 closed due to wing clearance. Stand 14 is the last stand where passengers can walk on and off the a/c using the walkway. It is also directly at the end of taxiway delta meaning the aircraft has a simple taxi to stand with no tight turns to navigate and less chance of an accident to happen. On departure the aircraft will be pushed back into the N3 holding position facing down taxiway November towards Yeadon. It will then make a left turn back up taxiway delta before backtracking the runway in either direction for departure.

Well that sounds rubbish. Two airbridges ideal for getting large amounts of passengers on an aircraft the size of a 777. If it can't be done sounds very shonky. I have no idea how these gates look or the volume but is it the case then that these areas are not of any good size?

The largest a/c that can use stand 7 is a 738/A320 with stand 8's capabilities stretched with the 763 so the 772 has no chance! Stand 14 walk on/off or stands 20 or 23 bussed that's all LBA's got for now. The airfield was never designed for regular large aircraft to use it. I know the Wardair 747 used to come in weekly but it always parked sideways down the ramp taking up what would now be stands 9,10,11&12 as you can imagine a total no go these days.

I for one cannot wait to see the beautiful 777 grace our airport for the first time!

:crazy:

 

[EX9]

Nicholas, don't forget there is a staff channel, the gate house. Most Airports have a seperate staff channel, albeit somewhere near the main screening zone. There is never a queue of more than 4 or 5 at the gate house.

Personally as someone that uses the fast track lane for work purposes, I find it incredibly rude and arrogant that staff members push past passengers or kick up a fuss because they need to be somewhere. Passengers have paid to use the fast track service and really staff members that are running late should be better organised! It's not ideal, and ideally there would be a dedicated staff lane in central but there isn't. My only gripe with the fast track queue is that when there is a queue there, some security staff don't prioritise this and are not particularly interested in making it a fast service.

I would like to raise a few points as it seems you don't fully understand the complexity behind this issue.

Firstly the fast track lane is the only front of house access point for staff, there is no other way through for some members of staff and it is not the mindset of staff to be arrogant when you have to wait in excess of ten minutes to get through in peak summer times.
Some staff have an operational requirement to enter airside at any given moment and therefore turning up late doesn't come into it.

Secondly the gate house is a back of house entrance, not a long walk from the terminal but not ideal for those who need to pass air side at any time depending on the operational requirement, for example staff who close the check in a set time and then need to pass through to board the said flights cannot afford to be waiting around/adding longer walks for a length of time that would be near that of its scheduled departure time. The same applies for any security point.

Also the gate house, in terms of the critical part is only accessible to some pass holders, not everyone can enter that way. LBA is a little more complex in the sense that more staff have blue passes that allow for external airside as apposed to only green for internal airside only, which is the majority for staff not involved in the operation of aircraft at most other airports. LBA has a complex layout which results in higher access levels for those who wouldn't get it at other airports.

In addition to the above you are required to be in possession of a hi vis and ear defenders to enter through the gate house as you are entering the ramp area and will have to walk passed live aircraft before you can reach the terminal. Again even with a blue pass not all staff are permitted by pass numbers/insured to be on the ramp.

 

[JakeS]

I for one hope to be around the airport to watch the arrival and guess a lot of other enthusiasts will too, looking forward to it!

 

[lbaspotter]

Oh dear I see today's PIA775 service from Islamabad to Leeds is running late again. According to local news channels in Pakistan this is the reason why..

Today some crew members (probably cabin crew) of PIA flight PK-775 from Islamabad to Leeds-Bradford refused to perform duty due to non-payment of crew allowances since past five months.

Crew members who refused to perform duty may face suspension, according to news sources.

PIA have also issued an official press release as well which states the following..

PIA Clarification

Lahore, February, 27, 2013: PIA flight PK 775 for the sector Islamabad-Bradford was delayed due to weather condition at Islamabad. PIA spokesman said here on Wednesday.

The said flight departed from Islamabad at 3:40 PM after weather clearance. Citing news on media that the flight was delayed due to unavailability of cabin crew because of flying allowance payment issue is false. However, some elements tried to spread misinformation and inquiry is being initiated against them.

PIA spokesman further said that the Union/ Association has shown no concern and refused to acknowledge their stance.

 

[White Heather]

Its time PIA got used to the idea that their flight is to LEEDS Bradford, not Bradford. Anyone would think that they don't have any passengers that live in Leeds, or various other places outside of Bradford.

 

[User0001]

There may be more of a chance PIA could see the B777LR on some flights.

They have just announced the LHE/KHI-MAN-JFK-LHE/KHI flights will now use the B777-300 from March, so means 1 is free in the system and thus could be used at LBA.

 

[lbaspotter]

There may be more of a chance PIA could see the B777LR on some flights.

They have just announced the LHE/KHI-MAN-JFK-LHE/KHI flights will now use the B777-300 from March, so means 1 is free in the system and thus could be used at LBA.

I thought the LHE/KHI-MAN-JKF service was been moved from MAN to SHH sometime in the summer user001?
Also it looks as though the B777-200LR that's been released is going to be used on the newly restored KHI/LHE-BCN-ORD service again. How long the route lasts this time around is anyone's guess but it might work better seen as they now have a codeshare/interlining agreements on routes out of ORD, JFK and YYZ with UA, DL, AC & WS by all acounts

 

[User0001]

I thought the LHE/KHI-MAN-JKF service was been moved from MAN to SHH sometime in the summer user001?

Well, according to this update, the route is not moving until at least June now.

However, there could be a spanner in the works for SNN (maybe not BCN as they operate via BCN both ways so indicates they may be after local BCN-ORD-BCN and KHI-BCN-KHI traffic too)

The US have completed an audit on LHE airport, and looks like only a small amount of work needs to be done, and LHE/PIA may be given the permission to fly to the USA direct.

So, looks like the move to SNN has been postponed pending a decision. No point moving just to pull the stop a few weeks later.

 

[lbaspotter]

Local residents around the airport are been being made aware of changes by PIA in the coming week as the following letter was posted by Leeds City Council's Planning Services North West earlier this week..

LEEDS BRADFORD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – monitoring report of night time movements – introduction of B777 aircraft for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights

Officers reported to Plans Panel South & West in December 2012 that there were eight breaches of the planning condition at the airport relating to night flying and aircraft noise during the last monitoring period (November 2011 to October 2012inclusive).

Members of Plans Panel South & West at the time requested a formal commitment by LBIA and PIA on the introduction of the B777 aircraft for PIA flights and such commitment included details on timescales for implementation of this quieter and more reliable aircraft.

As Members may be aware from recent press releases the introduction of the B777 has now been announced and will start in April.

David Smillie (Head of Operations at Leeds Bradford International Airport) has confirmed that the PIA Boeing 777-200 operation will commence on 13 March 2013. The current Schedule is to replicate the standard arrival and departure time of the current Airbus aircraft.

However, Member will be pleased to note that Leeds Bradford International Airport have also stated that this flight will change to a 1700 local arrival and a 2000 Local departure from 2 April 2013 for the whole of the Summer 2013 season.

Please be assured that Officers will monitor the noise levels from the new Boeing 777 and report back to Plans Panel South & West in the summer 2013.