Guernsey

[Flightrider]

The statement is complete rubbish. The ATRs can operate into Heathrow just as Q400s can. And they can’t even get the Heathrow terminal right. I hope no Guernsey passengers turn up at T3 otherwise they might be in for a suitcase sprint to where the flight really goes from. Their statement is unbelievably naive.

[virginblue]

As Flybe is not using its own slots, the most obvious answer would have been that a deal with Flybe was the only way to get access to LHR as apparently only Flybe could use those third-party slots.

[kcockayne]

Yes, that is the reality. What I am stressing is the absurdity of owning one airline (& bailing it out financially every year) , whilst subsidizing a competitor airline to provide competition which will dilute the state owned airlines’s only profitable route !
That, & the claim, in justification, that BEE will be more resilient - using slots that will most likely be commandeered by the parent airline.
You can add a further absurdity to all that; & that is, adopting an open skies policy for route operation but excluding Gatwick from it - in order to protect AUR . But, not from competition from Heathrow!

[virginblue]

Heathrow, for whatever reason, has apparently always been seen as the holy grail of aviation that must be served at all costs so that milk and honey can flow on Guernsey. Given that guernsey has survived for 20+ years without a Heathrowlink, it is a somewhat questionable concept. "Mine is bigger than yours" may have also contributed, given that Jersey no longer has a Heathrow service.

[JobsaGoodun]

Originally Posted by Flightrider

The statement is complete rubbish. The ATRs can operate into Heathrow just as Q400s can. And they can’t even get the Heathrow terminal right. I hope no Guernsey passengers turn up at T3 otherwise they might be in for a suitcase sprint to where the flight really goes from. Their statement is unbelievably naive.

I think you’ll find that the ATR has too slow an approach speed to integrate with the majority of jet traffic at LHR. The DH4 is the only turboprop you’re likely to see at LHR for the foreseeable future on regular ops.

[EI-BUD]

Originally Posted by virginblue

Heathrow, for whatever reason, has apparently always been seen as the holy grail of aviation that must be served at all costs so that milk and honey can flow on Guernsey. Given that guernsey has survived for 20+ years without a Heathrowlink, it is a somewhat questionable concept. "Mine is bigger than yours" may have also contributed, given that Jersey no longer has a Heathrow service.

I recall Bmi putting an LHR JER service on in the last decade, it was short lived, trying to remember the specific dates, but wad around the time they got involved with BMed. If the bulk of traffic is P2P on GCI route there is no essential need for an LHR link, charges are too high such that will always makes it much more cost effective to fly to LGW.

[Gurnard]

.... Absolutely right. But the States of Guernsey, devoid of common sense, are prepared to subsidize this unnecessary service.

[Feet on ground]

Originally Posted by JobsaGoodun

I think you’ll find that the ATR has too slow an approach speed to integrate with the majority of jet traffic at LHR. The DH4 is the only turboprop you’re likely to see at LHR for the foreseeable future on regular ops.

Not so. The ATR can approach at the same speed as jets. Where the ATR has an issue is with climb out speed. At Gatwick departing to the west, aircraft have to travel approx 20 miles before they can turn to avoid flying over Crawley and Horsham's densely populated areas. This is why at busy times (most times) departing ATRs at LGW are usually held and departed as the last of a bunch of departing aircraft and before an arriving aircraft, this avoids departing jet aircraft behind ATRs. At Heathrow, this issue does not exist as early turns are permitted after departure. There is no operational reason that prevents ATRs operating at LHR, that doesn't mean they make economic sense, but then neither do Q400s, Q400s are being used in slot play strategies and on a subsidised basis. Q400 ops at LHR would not be sustainable on a stand alone (without subsidy) basis when you look at the value of the slots and the costs of operating at LHR, that is why the Guernsey States subsidy for flybe is bonkers.

[cobopete]

Sad to see that FlyBe’s availability of E195 and E175s formed part of the decision to award the route to them when within a week of the start of the service they have announced their intention to dispose of the types!
Pete

[Jerbourg]

Those of us who follow aviation aren't surprised, the GCI govt. of course assumed Embraers may be used & as usual were wrong.

[cobopete]

Does anyone know the identity of the aircraft parked down next to the West Air Sweden ATP for most of today (Friday 14 June). It was about ATR 42 size with a white and blue fuselage and blue tail, left 1600 - 1630 ish.
Pete

Photo now on Guernsey Airport Photograhy.......
thanks ......
problem solved ...
it was an ATR 72(F) HBALR of Zimex Aviation