Originally Posted by
Skipness One Foxtrot
Surely the whole LGW-Pakistan rationale is predicated on PIA not re-starting ops out of LHR?
There's a competitive disadvantage in offering LGW-Pakistan once PIA are back operating out of LHR. BA traditionally lose out when their competitor stays at LHR and they offer only LGW service. This is less of a problem when they're only up against Virgin, competing against a flag carrier is a different proposition. Having said that, BA's Pakistan operation was at LGW on the B747 for years back in the day.
Offering an almost dedicated shuttle service to feed one long haul flight is interesting to say the least IMHO.
U.K.-Pakistan is high density but extremely low yield. It’ll go from where the highest density aircraft is based or it’ll be canned. The MAN flights will feed into it, but will also feed into Caribbean and Florida flights, so there’s some added benefit there. But BA aren’t going to be fussed about competition here, Pakistan has been a stable route for bums on seats during two years of changeable demand just about everywhere else, but it won’t be making much money. The route will probably go once they have a better use for the aircraft, just like Lahore has.