Pakistan International Airlines

[White Heather]

No, the times have been moved back recently, I presume when the summer timetable was introduced. Prior to that the PIA775 arrived at around 1615/1630 (from memory) or thereabouts.

 

[White Heather]

Well I'm not at all surprised, I think we all knew it was going to happen sometime soon after last weeks last minute rethink.
PIA are in a right mess with half there current fleet grounded, they really need to sort these problems out quickly.

What makes this even worse is the fact that its been operated by a Boeing 777-200ER, AP-BHX which could use LBA without problems. Meanwhile the airport FID's are showing today's flight as "cancelled", What a load off tosh as we all know it should showing "Diverting to Manchester"

Hi guys, I thought you might be interested to know that I have confirmed the following with LBA today, regarding the PIA flight operated by a 777 recently that operated into Manchester.

Firstly, the flight was 'cancelled' by PIA some days before, not by LBA, so although it is agreed that it should really have been shown as 'operating from MAN' it was shown as Cancelled as that is what the airline had said they were doing. It was not a divert as it was never operating into Leeds on that day. Effectively, on that one day, the PIA775 was a MAN-bound flight, although nobody told FR24 that, which still showed it as heading to LBA.

As for the reason that a 777 was operating instead of the A310 - it was not due to a shortage of A310's. It was due to overbooking of the flight caused by PIA postponing the 777 ops from LBA. There were too many passengers booked to fit on an A310 and on this occasion, the airline took the decision to fly them all on a 777 to MAN rather than some to LBA and some on other flights to MAN or wherever they could fit them.

The reason the 777 didn't come to LBA is that the provision of certain essential equipment required for the 777 by Servisair was put on hold when PIA postponed 777 ops. LBA is therefore not equipped for one off visits of the type but can quickly become equipped if/when PIA announce a revised start date.

Finally, confirmation that LBA are continuing to work towards a revised date for 777 ops into LBA to commence.

Hope that clarifies the position.

Heather

 

[User0001]

although nobody told FR24 that

Just regarding this.

FR24 uses a 'database' of flights, input individually by members with the authority to do so.

Therefore, as PK775/776 is, for 99.99% of the time, an LBA flight, it will always show ISB-LBA-ISB unless someone modifies the entry. It does not get 'assigned' every time the flight takes off (if you get what Im trying to say)

I would expect and assume that to change the entry to ISB-MAN-ISB for one single flight, and then have to re-change the entry to ISB-LBA-ISB again was deemed too time consuming so therefore not done.

Whilst its not the biggest issue to worry about, I hope that helps clarify the issue.

 

[EX9]

What exactly is this equipment that is lacked?

 

[Moo2009]

Any news on 777

 

[Aviador]

:s_rofl

Any news on 777

I think we have more chance of seeing little green men from Mars.

 

[Aviador]

I feel the idea of PIA introducing a Boeing 777 to Leeds has gone now. I don't think it will ever be considered again and I suspect we will never know what really went on behind the scenes. Although just hear say, the last I heard was "PIA 777 crew had specifically refused to land at LBA due to the length of runway available to them". We will never know if that was really said but I think it is safe to say it isn't going to happen now. It goes without saying I hope I am proved wrong.

 

[michael]

just for interest a few days ago I went on PIA's website - just for a bit of fun - and put in dates for September, PIA 775/6 is listed as an A310. I then did some dates in October, this time it was listed a B777. I didn't write anything on here as I assume it will be changed to A310 at some stage for all dates!!

 

[User0001]

Well PIA need to make up their mind soon.

Sources tell me business class is going to be removed from the A310 fleet and not sure if an all Y class route would work for LBA.

Not only would lack of J class put some high end passengers off, but, the added weight of more seat, passengers and baggage could mean a payload restriction is imposed, thus harming the route further. (and a 1 stop option via somewhere to solve the weight issue would put it at a distinct disadvantage to the Manchester flights, even if it does mean a drive over the hill, which many seem to prefer anyway)

 

[ls27]

Pakistan announced yesterday that is is to acquire 12 unspecified long haul aircraft and this autumn acquire 4 short haul aircraft.

 

[User0001]

The issue with the 777 at Leeds was entirely down to the politics of the PIA management team. From an operations perspective it was all approved by the most senior operations guy and the bookings were very encouraging whilst it was on sale. There's about to be another reshuffling of the management deck-chairs at PIA so let's see what happens

 

[whoshotjimmi]

If only they could get hold of some A330's. All of this would go away.

 

[User0001]

Not really. As I said, it's politics.

 

[scousefowler]

I think the aircraft type is irrelevant when you have poor management. It's a wonder their still in business.

 

[AndrewE]

Until they get their backsides in to gear and do some thing with the single biggest PIA 777 LBA deterrent i.e the runway and extend it by at least 1000ft , we're more likely to see a BA or even an Air Canada 777 at LBIA than the PIA one. I've written to John Parkin and suggested it, and he's replied saying all suggestions will be taken in to account in the new masterplan:

 

[White Heather]

There are Consultative Committee members who have been preaching the need for a runway extension for years now, me included, not only to enable larger aircraft, but to increase landing margins etc. The view in recent years is that the geographical problems and impact on local housing to be overcome will result in the cost being far greater than the benefits arising from a limited number of longer haul flights. They therefore prefer to wait for technology to improve so that long haul aircraft will be capable of using the runway as it is. The Boeing 787 is the type they usualy mention. I rather think that the days of LBA getting regular 787's are some years away, and even then, runway length could still dissuade some operators.

Even the last Government White paper recommended a runway extension, so it is ironic that when we finally have Government support to do it (after all previous runway requests being subject to delay and public enquiries), the airport owners don't consider it financially viable. My view is that a runway extension will not only enable more long haul flights to the likes of Canada, Florida, Dubai etc, using such aircraft as the 777, but it will also help reduce the diversion rate in poor weather, which over time will surely increase viability?

 

[48vanman]

I notice from the airport website that today's flight has an eta of 22 30 and an etd of 23 45.

Do we think it will make it in to LBA or divert?.

 

[lbaspotter]

With having plenty of notice of today's delayed PIA77/776 service, it will give LBA management time to notify the people/authorities that need to be informed and get any of the necessary permission granted. So I would say the flight will/should be allowed to operate into LBA this evening.

But never say never when Leeds City Council is involved.

 

[User0001]

They don't have to inform anyone at the council. It's another one of the many urban myths that seem to exist around LBA and PIA.

 

[The Pole]

I think i heard PIA leave about 00:45, it wasn't that loud when it took off over Horsforth, so don't know what the fuss about noise is all about!