Originally Posted by
framer
Thats very interesting. Do you fly long haul? I ask because in the last 20 years of passenger flying I have never diverted due to medical or airspace but have diverted many times due to weather. I imagine the length of the flight impacts the likelihood of medical diversions and the part of the world influences the weather related diversions.
Yes, LH. thinking more about it, the last time I actually diverted due holding capability was pre-COVID when DXB went into LVPs but the actual weather was good CAT I. The flow rate was so low that it was effectively shut and EATs were 2hrs+, so we went to MCT and waited for the delays to subside. To take enough fuel to cover that scenario would have put us over MTOW, so the option wasn’t there anyway.
When I feel the need for more fuel, I have no problems loading it but it’s a fairly rare event. When I did SH in Europe, divs were more common as many more sectors and more exposure to summer storms and winter snow/fog/gales. As an estimate, I would say I get a medical issue on LH that requires discussing it with doctors over the satphone on average every 10 sectors or so but it doesn’t often lead to a div. I had to declare a medical emergency last week but that was into destination.
I fly the 777 which is pretty robust when it comes to getting in, as long as you see something at minima. CAT III NDH excepted!