LONDON CITY - 2

[KeyPilot]

I am afraid BA has taken leave of its senses... I had to check my calendar to make sure it wasn't April fools day.

Few people travelling C will be willing to endure a tech stop in Shannon. Far better to travel to LGW, and then get to JFK in one go.

Madness. This route won't last long (if it ever really starts).

[747B777]

Well maybe just maybe this flight will clear US immigration while re-fuelling at SNN and then continue to LGA???

[Jaq]

I think you may all be missing the REAL reason for the press release.

If Mr.WW hints that the centre of the world (LHR) may not be the 'be all and end all' of the aviation world, especially longhaul, then perhaps this may make for some leverage with BALPA (British Airways Line Pilots Association) on the new open skies company in France.

Mainline pilots should be operating in and out of LCY, but for the moment mainline BALPA run scared of confrontation because the mainline pilot community on the whole don't really know of Cityflyers existence or of their infringement on their jobs.

If WW can send a message saying that there are other options for BA to take then be aware.

In my humble opinion of course.

[HS-125]

Rumour has it, it's the A318 elite - and they are looking to go non-stop.....

[MAN777]

Heres the A318 Elite data from Airbus, Doesnt mean much to me (not being a pilot) Can someone decipher please. Can a A318 fly from LCY non stop, surely the runway isnt long enough ?



http://www.airbus.com/store/mm_repos...ifications.pdf

[marlowe]

Man777 read the posts they are not proposing to fly nonstop they are proposing to tech stop for fuel at SNN and clear american immigration, and yes an airbus 318 will get out of LCY.

[Jaq]

Marlowe sorry to correct you, but WW is proposing a NON-STOP flight.
The aircraft I beleive is the Elite version of the 318.

[SWBKCB]

Suppose you're both right - stopping at SNN outbound, non-stop inbound.

[MAN777]

I did read all the posts, its just that they seemed to contradict each other, also non of the numerous press releases mention any stop at Shannon either way.

Assuming all the logistics are resolved, what will happen in poor weather ? Does LCY have Cat 3 for example ? or are the business types going to experience numerous poor weather diversions in winter.

[virginblue]

Why are you getting so excited about BA doing this? It is, imho, a pre-emptive move because if it was not for BA doing the route, some other airline, probably a Silverjet/EOS/L'Avion-style company, would have done it sooner than later now that also the CFM-powered A318 has been certified.

The whole ballyhoo about getting the A318 certified for LCY was certainly not about Air France or Lufthansa flying the A318 to Paris or Frankfurt - it was more about getting it as a biz jet and for potential long-hauls into the docklands.

[Expressflight]

LCY does not have CAT 3 ILS, but SEN must be getting excited at the prospect of receiving diversions arriving from New York

[flying phil 2007]

BA to NY from LCY

Can't they just stick an air to air refuelling probe on the front of the A318!
Just need to find a friendly tanker halfway across the Atlantic !

[virginblue]

Is there any information how the two A318s will be sourced?

- conversion of existing A32X-options?
- new order?
- lease?

Also, what version as BA mainly has IAE-engined A32Xs, while the A318 is only available with CFMs and the PW6000.

[WHBM]

Also, what version as BA mainly has IAE-engined A32Xs, while the A318 is only available with CFMs and the PW6000.

The PW6000 version has only sold 7 units to LAN Chile. All the rest of the A318 airframes have gone for CFM. BA would be unwise to go for what looks like ending up as an orphan type with poor residual value.

LCY does not have CAT 3 ILS

LCY does unfortunately suffer from early morning fog, particularly in Autumn/winter, moreso than Heathrow, due to its Thamesside location (if you don't know this you should have been paying attention when you were reading the first chapters of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations in school, it was set just down the river).

Will the flights operate non-stop?

Just to clear this one up, westbound no, eastbound yes. Nothing from BA I've seen says the stop is Shannon as opposed to elsewhere, and thus nothing says they will do US preclearance at the intermediate stop.

Westbound flights will have to make a short stop to refuel.

I've seen it said by BA they are looking at 35-40 mins to refuel. Goodness me, can they not see Ryanair/Easy doing 20-minute turnrounds all day, including fuel AND getting a whole load of pax off and another load on. Should take no more than 15-20 mins if they don't do Preclearance. But then if they're not doing preclearance they should surely refuel on the business jet side at Stansted which would surely save much more time of getting down from altitude and back up again.

Can't they just stick an air to air refuelling probe on the front of the A318!

BA's predecessors tried that in 1938 (well, not on the A318). Bit old hat nowadays.

[towser]

WHBM I think you'll find you've got your compass reversed! Westbound i.e TO New York it will stop ,Eastbound is non stop.

[EI-BUD]

A318 via Shannon

A tech stop enroute to New York from London City at Shannon if sold correctly could be a winner if sold correctly by BA.

If the aircraft touches down in Shannon, US immigration clearance can be completed at the airport and hence the business traveller will have no lenghty queues in the US.

You can be confident that Shannon Airport will make this as easy as possible for BA, and assist in a very quick turnaround.

Maybe Knock would be the better choice for speed and effeciency of turnaround? Dublin would be a bad choice!!!

[Manston Airport]

Anyone know when this apron will be finished which is being build to handle the A318 and I think the EMB 170 aswel.

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6120183 ?


James

[nebpor]

Apron is going well - I stand and have a smoke watching the workers every Monday/Friday when arriving/departing the airport.

They have the coolest little "mad max" style boats, painted in camouflage and covered in old tyres so they can bang around the place!

No expert in construction, but most of the hard work looks finished and now they have to surface it, etc.

[WHBM]

Red Bull Air Race

Coming back Sat/Sun 2/3 August this year. Plus practice of course.

Seemed to cause a few delays last year at LCY as they came in/out of their strip across the dock (which is still there in good condition). Any changes to procedures this year ?

[Charlie Roy]

Are these new?

British Airways: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Nice and Warsaw?