ABERDEEN

[scr1]

"bmi used to run a A321 daily to LHR.
INV can handle a A321"


BMI used to use a A319 for that flight not a A321 there is a differance

they started with a F100 then went to a A321 then went to a A319 with a A321 when ever there were problems needing an a/c change. gave us no end of problems as their A321s are uld loaded and no uld equip at inv. had to get lhr to load it in special way

and no before you ask the charter was lose loaded and no ulds

Heard a rumor that the apron at Inverness may have some issues with heavier loads being parked on it, maybe a reason for the move to ABZ ?

yes there is a problem with the apron strength at inv but this is only in front of the terminal building at both ends it is fine, this is were all large a/c get parked from b737/a319 upwards.

[Richard Taylor]

lasers again

I see this has reared its head again with one being shone at a T3 aircraft a few days ago as it approached to land. No doubt the scrote made off by the time police arrived.

[Richard Taylor]

ABZ has joined the other BAA Scottish airports in calling for Govt to review taxation on aviation, warning of the loss of passengers.

Sadly Civil Aviation is the "big bad wolf" when it comes to global alleged warming, & the Govt has a large deficit to claw back.

As much chance of me winning the lottery than the Govt agreeing to review tax on aviation.

[Richard Taylor]

Air Southwest

So ABZ welcome ASW with the commencement of a route linking Devon & Cornwall to ABZ.

However is it an extension of the leeds/bristol service, under a T3 callsign, but with an ASW aircraft?

Will it be a more favourable routing for potential passengers than Flybe's exeter/leeds service.

Wish it well.

[Shell Management]

Any truth in the rumour of a Rotterdam to Aberdeen service starting up?

[Richard Taylor]

Rotterdam has been rumoured more than once previously, but nothing has come of it yet. Who would use it anyway, Shell M?

Hope ABZ M are ready for the eco-freak demos threatened when the extension project gets underway soon. Bit worrying that the police already say resources are stretched as it is. You can be sure something will be planned at some point, sadly.

[Richard Taylor]

Summer 11 flights for ABZ apparently show A319 arrival on W.F.Su from Baku. All we need is an announcement from Azerbaijan Airlines & ABZ.....we'll see.

Also rumour doing the rounds of a Dusseldorf service? Any confirmation to back up this rumour?

[Ian Brooks]

I think you will find that Baku is a code share flight


Ian B

[Data Dad]

No official announcement yet but...

AHY034 dep Baku 0740 arr Aberdeen 0950
AHY033 dep Aberdeen 1110 arr Baku 2040

Non-stop A319 flight time 6hr 10m

Operates Sunday and Wednesday from 22nd May

Its bookable through some online systems - I got a quote of £561.10 for out 22/5 back 25/5

DD

[Richard Taylor]

Many thanks everyone for the information, much appreciated & keeps the thread interesting...I hope!

Will be interesting to see whether the oil industry uses the direct Baku flight if it is formally announced. And what bmi will do if anything - am I right in thinking they provide a link via Deathrow at the moment?

Any other "oil niche" routes worth pursuing I wonder?

[CabinCrewe]

Houston.... remember Star ?

[Richard Taylor]

Aye CC, Houston was what I was alluding to. Wonder if we'll ever see something concrete? Maybe after the extra concrete is laid?! I could never quite decide whether the then Continental had actually said they were interested or not - I don't recall seeing any press reports that confirmed that Continental had commented publically one way or the other. Klm have been quoted as showing an interest but that was a couple of years ago now & no more has been heard. Not sure they would be allowed to operate a revenue UK-USA-UK service unless any flight originated/terminated in Amsterdam.

However, what about other oil niche routes, to the likes of Calgary (lots of Canadian independents have a North Sea portfolio nowadays), Dubai (airport management had a link as one of their asperations - long term), even Kazakhstan, another area that has growing links to ne Scotland as the oil industry expands its knowledge globally?

Mind you we haven't managed to regain Oslo after it was axed - was there ever the sufficient demand for it, as was claimed?

[Simy]

Baku

Latest Tweet from the Airport on the proposed AZAL service to Baku:

"It is a very specific industry service that is still in the planning stages. At this stage not on general sale."

Interesting to see if this one does pull off, having lived in the country myself some years ago. I used what was then their BAK-IST-LGW fairly regularly.

[goldeneye]

Not sure they would be allowed to operate a revenue UK-USA-UK service unless any flight originated/terminated in Amsterdam.

Under the EU-US Open Skies Agreement any airline of the EU or US can fly between any point in the European Union and any point in the United States so that would not be a problem.

[Richard Taylor]

Baku

More tweetering: "at airline request, only on sale with specialist travel contractors & for an initial 6mths only"; presumably to guage whether demand exists within Big Oil for a direct flight. So introducing it by stealth & maybe no big announcement?

[Richard Taylor]

Budget

I wonder whether the chancellor's raid on N.Sea Oil Co. profits today will see BAA Aberdeen having to revise their growth figures again....

Big Oil will be wasting its breath speaking to the political chattering classes...they're not interested in our 'lil part of the country.......apart from taxing it when the need arises.

[Richard Taylor]

Stornoway link

Oil workers based in the Outer Hebrides want to talk to T3 about providing a better connecting service to/from ABZ. The current afternoon service is not considered suitable for catching your helicopter offshore as most flights are outbound earlier in the day. Passengers are hoping for morning & evening rotations.

[Richard Taylor]

Baku

Baku now appears on the BAA Aberdeen website but just on the map of destinations, not on the actual list yet. Talk about announcing a route by stealth!! SSSHHHHH!!!!!!!

[Simy]

EasyJet Gatwick

U2 have doubled the frequency on their LGW flights on Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sun with an additional morning rotation, effective 31st Oct.

They have also introduced an additional evening flight every Friday between Gatwick and Inverness, effective 1st Apr, as a direct result of a recent business breakfast meeting at INV according to HIAL.

[Shell Management]

Richard

I doubt there are that many oil workers living in the Outer Hebredies, and even if there were, as 40% of the day's offshore passengers have left Aberdeen by 0730, it is difficult to believe that a very early morning fixed wing flight to Aberdeen would make a big difference.