British Airways - 2

[Poof in Boots]

This is in line with what we were expecting. With the extra 777's coming next year there isn't much of a cut to the L/H programme.

It is cheaper to rotate the 744's than park them in the desert. By doing this BA must be expecting an upturn in fortunes next year.

The 744 is now officially a dying fleet. In ten years time BA L\H will be all twin jets with the exception of the A380's..... if we still take them.

Yes Hotel. It is hard to see how the 777's can be flown more "intently" (sic) when we are already one down.

[CHINOOKER]

With regard the 400s that will be parked in the desert....most of these a/c are due heavy maint checks,over the coming winter period!......I'm not sure of the cost of each check but it must around £500,000 per a/c,so economically it makes sense if eventually this fleet is going to be replaced.

[Carnage Matey!]

A dying fleet? Still the biggest in the company, even with the mooted reductions. In 10 years time the 777 will be around 25 years old so they'll be on their way out too! The problems with Operations' plans is that they tend to meet reality with something of a crunch. When somebody points out we don't have enough pilots to sweat the 777s more they'll have to go back to the drawing board and work with what they have rather than what they'd like.

[Pontius]

there are significant recruitment plans for 744 pilots as of about two days ago. If they are going to park 10% of the fleet you'd think somebody would have told Flight Ops

I believe most of the recruitment onto the 744 is to make up for headcount reduction due to the part-timers getting their contracts (at last). Of course, if they do shrink the fleet then fewer pilots will be required but whoever heard of Flight Ops being kept in the loop with changes

[anotherthing]

So, similar headline to the one about Ryanair, but different responses because it's BA... pathetic really... we should be grieving the downturn in the industry that is happening (and will continue to happen if fuel remains costly), not gloat at individual airlines.

[HZ123]

Expect confirmation on Friday August 15th of exactly what is being cut. With regard to the figures (parking up 744's) the % flight cutback as some observe does not match the parking figures, unless we have been using 744 on shorthaul not. The figires if they are correct seem to be no more than that expected for the Winter scheds.

[Poof in Boots]

Whilst BA are cutting Mainline services and parking up aircraft, they plan to have six ex shorthaul 757's flying in Openskies colours by the end of 2009.

[BAladdy]

Winter Cutbacks UPDATE!!!

Official announcement will be at 0700 on 01st August. Also the Q1 results will be announced on this date.

What is known and been quoted by WW and other members of the management team is:

There will be NO cuts in Longhaul Services ex LHR or LGW.

A total of 5% of the total LHR/LGW shorthaul schedule. Will be cut.

The 15-20% LGW shorthaul cuts was a rumour and at no time have been planned.

Flights that are cut will be on destanations with high frequency of service.

Minimising the impact to frequent business travellers.

Also Richard Tams head of BA corperate sales had this to say about BA flying empty planes to keep slots.

"BA will also NOT operate so called ghost flights to keep slots."


Nothing has been mentioned about aircraft orders but this does not mean it won't form part of the August 1st Announcement

[HZ123]

I am afraid I find this hard to believe. If indeed there is to be so little change in respect of cuts then why are other airlines making positive cuts in services and staff levels. At CBK we have been told that August 15 will be the announcement of the reductions, which will include parking up a number of 747's.

[BAladdy]

I have no doubt what you have been told. Infact I believe the original date was the 14th. However you know what BA are like for changing there mind.

I work in IFS. My cousin in Sales and Marketing and my best friends is i ops and planning. They have all been told that the announcement will be on the 1st.

Also WW and Martin Broughton have both said in press reports it will be announced on the 1st August

However according to my mate in ops no 747 will be grounded as it will cost more money to store them in the desert than to have them at LHR operating and on standby. This is because of the high number of US carriers already taking up the space at the current storage fields.

Also they will be needed to cover then on average 4 x 772 going for new CW and AVOD reconfiguration from October to March

He did say something very interesting BA want to dispose of the 3 772's in the high F config as they would cost to much to reconfig when the new F is launched in March 09. Also BA want a standard size F cabin (believed to be between 10 and 12 seats on the 747's and the F embodied 772's. Also they are the only 3 that aren't ER varients.

[OliWW]

Ive just heard that BA's LCY-JFK flights using a A318 will have a fuel stop in BHD for every flight. I thought the whole idea of having a small but capable aircraft to do this route was the reason they chose a A318, now, I wonder why didnt they use something like the B737 which would have made it all the way with only 30-40 seats. This whole A318 thing does seem a bit far fetched, and I dont many people will be happy about taking a small aircraft from a small airport in the centre of london which is a nightmare to get too, theres a lack of facilities, and the flight has to have a fuel stop, and because its world class it will cost twice more than flying from heathrow, on a bigger plane, a brand new T5 and its cheaper and I think its easier to get to, just straight of the motorway.

[chrism20]

I was under the impression that the stop off was going to be either DUB or SNN which would allow pre-clearance meaning that the pax would arrive in to the states as domestic pax rather than international which would save a lot of time.

This service isnt aimed at the general joe bloggs who want to go to New York on holiday its for the high end business traffic who have offices 20 mins away at Canary Wharf.

Most of the seats on these flights will probably be paid for in bulk similar to the RBS deal on EDI-LCY

[MUFC_fan]

Probably end up as 50%+ charter flights for huge companies in London.

I presume EXTREMELY lucrative for the airline!

[flightlevel26]

BA cannot park a/c up at LHR, there are no remote stands available for long term, they either need Farnbrough or Fairford.

I do believe they have choosen on Filton to park 2 up midweek however the major reductions due fuel are reducing frequency on routes rather than dropping altogether. The company is in good shape overall with such a good balance sheet. When compared with the likes of AA and UA which have lost about US3 Billion between them at least BA is in a strong position going forward.

The A380 and 787 orders have already been financed so are going ahead regardless of the credit crunch/fuel. Due to the price of fuel it means investment in more fuel efficient a/c becomes even more important.

[PAXboy]

OliWW

I've just heard that BA's LCY-JFK flights using a A318 will have a fuel stop in BHD for every flight.

As advised, it is DUB or SNN but ONLY on the outbound, due runway limits at LCY

I wonder why didn't they use something like the B737

Probably because that a/c is not able to operate into LCY?? This service is specialised and highly focused. As has been discussed in here, the planning will have been in hand for several years.

[Wycombe]

Flightlevel, nothing bigger than a 737 or 319 gets into Farnborough (due planning restrictions - unless the Airshow is on), so I doubt that.

Also, doubt Fairford - it's shut unless NOTAMED.

More likely would be places like Filton, Manston or Kemble I would have thought?

[Skipness One Echo]

Ive just heard that BA's LCY-JFK flights using a A318 will have a fuel stop in BHD for every flight.

It's going through Shannon Westbound as the runway at London City is too short for the fuel load required to go direct. The runway at Belfast City isn't ideal for transatlantic weights and fuel I suspect, as even Ryanair are load constrained operating across to Prestwick on a B737.

[WHBM]

Originally Posted by Wycombe

Flightlevel, nothing bigger than a 737 or 319 gets into Farnborough (due planning restrictions - unless the Airshow is on)

Not so. There was an Antonov 124 in there unloading only yesterday.

[Wycombe]

Yes, but that is Airshow support traffic!..so exempt from the planning restrictions.

[silverstreak]

The B737-600 (Flap/leading edge modified), IS approved for LCY ops, but BA have chosen Airbus for the Shorthaul Operation / 'Special Services' to keep costs down and commonality accross the fleet.

It will be interesting to see who ops this acft for BA (ie BA Mainline or BACityflyer etc etc...) There are 'recency' issuses with LCY as crew have to keep current with approaches and departures but with zillions of BA Mainline airbus crew, its would be impossible for them all to be current.

It would be great for BACityflyer as the Airbus would be a welcome addition by pax, crew and staff all round. It could operate south from Scotland, then over the pond. Would need more that 2 though...