Originally Posted by
HEATHROW DIRECTOR
Some of us can remember the days ...... One problem, so I was told, is that passengers want to arrive at certain times. Hence much holding early morning and in the evening but often during the middle of the day there are quiet periods..
HD, I am afraid those days are gone as well now. Whatever the current flow rate is for Heathrow (about 45 in and 45 out per hour, others here will have it), it is pretty much constantly up at this limit all day long, certainly between 6.30 am and 9.00 pm say. The airlines have over the years adapted the markets they serve to the slots they can get.
Certainly some holding near to 6.00 am inbound from those who arrive with no night slot (or they have them but want to save them for a suddenly-needed middle of the night movement).