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True, but then VS would have organise dif engineering cover in MCO, depends if they feel it's worth it.
One another note, shouldn't this thread be under "Airlines, airports and routes" banner?
One another note, shouldn't this thread be under "Airlines, airports and routes" banner?
Join Date: Jul 2005
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VS operate a long haul service, profitably. They don't have spare aircraft laying around to try out stupid routes from airports with performance limiting runways because some anoracks think it's a good idea. 
If you're going to post on a professional pilots website, at least have the courtesy and the intelligence to back it up, to post something that is at least slightly researched and not the fantasy of some spotter who orgasms every time he fantasises about a new carrier operating out of his local spotting haunt.
If you're going to post on a professional pilots website, at least have the courtesy and the intelligence to back it up, to post something that is at least slightly researched and not the fantasy of some spotter who orgasms every time he fantasises about a new carrier operating out of his local spotting haunt.
Join Date: Dec 1997
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Virgin Atlantic are constantly assessing potential new routes, but to my knowledge, Birmingham does not feature on the horizon at the moment. The next UK departure airport will be Glasgow, and that will be for only 6 departures this season!
The runway length at Birmingham is indeed limiting, and ground manoeuvring for A340-600 aircraft is extremely difficult, which constrains Virgin's options somewhat (the A340-300s will be history before long). However, the airline is highly likely to become a large twin operator in the future, and airports like Birmingham may become more attractive once those aircraft are in service.
While there are no current plans that I'm aware of, that does not mean that Virgin will never operate from Birmingham.
Scroggs
The runway length at Birmingham is indeed limiting, and ground manoeuvring for A340-600 aircraft is extremely difficult, which constrains Virgin's options somewhat (the A340-300s will be history before long). However, the airline is highly likely to become a large twin operator in the future, and airports like Birmingham may become more attractive once those aircraft are in service.
While there are no current plans that I'm aware of, that does not mean that Virgin will never operate from Birmingham.
Scroggs
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Originally Posted by Gpik
Hey was on another website, was a guy saying the flights from GLA - MCO next year were just about sold out from JUN/JUL. So I looked on VH myself, looks about right, the first flight is only selling Upper seats, so that could be anything up to 14 seats left, not bad with 50 weeks to go, the second and third flights only have Premium and Upper left, so a max of 72 seats. the last of that period has economy left. On an aircraft with 451seats these are good load factors. If things continue this way could the managent extend the season, after all there is plenty of time to do so. Eitherway it bodes well for Summer `08. 
Scroggs
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Originally Posted by scroggs
Don't forget the aircraft is arriving from Manchester with a load already on board. The numbers of seats available from Glasgow were limited right from the start; there's no way that market can generate a full 744 load as yet.
Scroggs
Scroggs
Get real. Can't make money all year round but seasonal ops could be very rewarding, balanced with winter only routes like LHR-CPT, a balance is possible. Go on Virgin
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Originally Posted by scroggs
The runway length at Birmingham is indeed limiting, and ground manoeuvring for A340-600 aircraft is extremely difficult, which constrains Virgin's options somewhat (the A340-300s will be history before long).
Scroggs
Scroggs
That said, I haven't heard of any BHX plans, though as you say several routes are under consideration down at 'the office'.
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My point is what might work in the near future. Scotland has known limits in these capacities.
A based 747-400 wouldn't work.
A peak seasonal 747-400 operation might. Split with elsewhere perhaps or other leisure destinations.
Daily 744s all summer? Probably never.
An A330 operation? Possibly more suitable for the market.
It's up to Virgin to see how they develop the market potential. And just to be sure, my days of orgasming at the thought of new shiny airlines at my local airport died many a year ago at Glasgow in the 1990s. I have cut down on changing underwear to daily ever since......
Phwoar anorak bincs and pole buwahahahahhahaha.
Where's my pills gone?
A based 747-400 wouldn't work.
A peak seasonal 747-400 operation might. Split with elsewhere perhaps or other leisure destinations.
Daily 744s all summer? Probably never.
An A330 operation? Possibly more suitable for the market.
It's up to Virgin to see how they develop the market potential. And just to be sure, my days of orgasming at the thought of new shiny airlines at my local airport died many a year ago at Glasgow in the 1990s. I have cut down on changing underwear to daily ever since......
Phwoar anorak bincs and pole buwahahahahhahaha.
Where's my pills gone?
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True, but then VS would have organise dif engineering cover in MCO, depends if they feel it's worth it.
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The impression from VS is that these flights are ferrying from MAN empty, the loads are just GLA-MCO!!!!
As for the market from GLA, if they can sell 7 x 767's & 3 x 743's plus all the other charter flights, VS could easily fill 2 or 3 744's a week.
GLAGAZ, are those times correct?? Landing at GLA = 12:50 then MAN = 13:50, that's going to be a great transit to see!!!!!!!! Got to agree about the 744 though, if one of those JT9 powered 743's can drag themselves into the sky at GLA, a 744 will have no trouble.
As for the market from GLA, if they can sell 7 x 767's & 3 x 743's plus all the other charter flights, VS could easily fill 2 or 3 744's a week.
GLAGAZ, are those times correct?? Landing at GLA = 12:50 then MAN = 13:50, that's going to be a great transit to see!!!!!!!! Got to agree about the 744 though, if one of those JT9 powered 743's can drag themselves into the sky at GLA, a 744 will have no trouble.
