Leeds Bradford: Pakistan International Airlines

[backtrack]

LBAspotter - i dont know where you have heard that from about equipment for B777 operations. You must have missundertood, as Servisair have ordered equipment from other stations in the UK, (not new), to cater for the FR operation beginning March 2010. This includes, more steps, 3 GPU's, another B737 towbar, another pushback tug (FMC variant capable of pushing up to B763/A333) & some smaller issues including Headsets for pushback and steering bypass pins. No new equipemtn has been ordered so far for any B777 operation.

Aviador - I have heard the same mixed reports, but more recently being hearing more of the cancellation of the planned B772 operations into LBA. Im not sure whether this is to do with the airport being able to cope at present (or indeed October), or whether its PIA making the decision, due to pax numbers or what.

I think we should all wait now untill something is actually announced officially regarding the B777 from PIA or the airport, its been a long windy story/rumour, which i hope comes to life, but right now dont hold my breath unfortunately, sorry for being pessimistic on this one!

 

[Bigman]

Now that Ramadan is over, we should hopefully see the loadings increasing again.

 

[Aviador]

The flights are back on this week after last weeks non-ops. Hopefully you'll be right 'bigman' and we will see the passenger numbers pick up again.

Tonight's flight is running an our behind schedule, expected 19:26

 

[Aviador]

Spot on bigman. The passenger numbers are back on the rise again now that Ramadan is over.

 

[backtrack]

Thats correct, the PK flights are operating at a much better load now. In fact last week, the inbound was full, which included 2 large cargo pallets, with the rest luggage bins, plus a loose bulk load in the back.

In terms of cargo, and i guess if indeed LBA had the space, could a cargo operation be developed or could servisair cargo improve itself to cater with cargo airlines such as DHL/Fedex for example? Or again are we in a position that is always going to be threatened by our "better" and bigger brother across the border?

 

[WYIA]

I seem to recall LBA once had a good deal of cargo passing through the airport and the freight building still in place is evidence of much more productive days gone by.

 

[Aviador]

The current set-up is supposed to be able to handle a significant amount of freight, but as most people will already be aware, unfortunately the facility is predominantly used by overground freight carriage to and from other airports such as Heathrow.

 

[Aviador]

I have been informed that PIA are to increase the ISB service to 4 x weekly from February. It isn't in the PIA booking system yet.

 

[Aviador]

I'm hoping that Type Rated B767 might know a little more about this. I'm told the handling agent and cleaning firms have been informed.

 

[backtrack]

I will try to find out a little more about that then. What day is going to be added then? I thought they may of introduced Lahore or Karachi from LBA instead of adding more ISB, but oh well...

 

[scousefowler]

any more news on the 777?

is it still coming to lba or has it been scrapped?

 

[Bigman]

I doubt is has been scrapped. Too new to be scrapped.

 

[scousefowler]

you know what i mean bigman

Moderator Note - I have changed your post and I hope you know what I've done. Please do not alter other user's names in a derogatory way again.

Humberside

 

[Bigman]

I take it the derogatory comment was aimed at me then!!

I was only joking when I made a play on the word scrapped and I doubted that someone would take offence to that.

 

[Aviador]

'scousefowler' has been sent to the brig for 7 days.

It is up to him now whether or not he behaves himself after that period.

As for PIA I have been told that the 777 will still be making an appearance at some time in the new year. I suppose we shouldn't hold our breath because we have been in this position before.

 

[Aviador]

Moving swiftly on......

The PIA service performed exceptionally well this week. Things are clearly getting back to normal for them after the festive period. I didn't manage to get a passenger load for the weekend service but I would guess at a full load.

 

[Aviador]

The flight went out with a FULL load this Monday, still no official word on any increases. Plenty of rumours still floating around varying from a reduction back to 2 x weekly, some people are suggesting 4 x weekly others are suggesting daily, so you can't believe anything right now but with loads at the present level things must be looking up.

 

[backtrack]

I have never heard the reduction of rotations, but the increase to 4 weekly has been mentioned quite often, even more since the denial by PIA of bringing in the 777.

We have to remember even when we see the PIA fly with a full load, its still only around 184 passengers (i stand to be corrected exactly). Its not the largest of aircraft and is similar to a B737-800 in terms of no. of passengers for carriage per flight.

To think about it, we see nearly this number every time of the Ryanair Dublin service, and well over this number during the summer on jet2 757s from PMI, ALC, AGP & FAO for example.

 

[eastcoaster]

184 is the seating capacity on the PIA A310. It seems ironic that the Ryan Air 737 seats 5 more, and the A310 is a wide body!. It just goes to show how many seats the Business class displaces, and the extra legroom in economy reduce the total.

 

[Aviador]

The service went out FULL again this evening.