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Old 17th Jun 2011, 11:44
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Surely whichever city gets the new route should me more worried about a revolution springing up on their doorstep in short order
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Old 18th Jun 2011, 10:17
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Funny you should say that. I flew out to Tehran in February on BMI just as the Libyan revolution was getting into gear. The Inflight Magazine was full of 'opportunities to invest in property in this stable peaceful North African paradise', all the usual copywriters' crap.
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Old 18th Jun 2011, 10:24
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ATQ is the new route, operating via ALA. ROB is rumoured too, operating via FNA. FRU will be downgraded to an A321 & will operate via GYD.
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Old 18th Jun 2011, 10:54
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Does this mean more 330's?

ATQ and ROB wouldn't be able to be operated on the current 330's without reducing the frequency of the Saudi flights according to my fag packet calcs.

Unless the flights were to change on narrow bodies when they arrive at ALM and FNA. This could be an option as it would reduce costs if outstation hubs were created but realistically can't see that happening yet as a serious plan.

So either there will need to be some leaning out of hte rotations or another airframe would be required. I bet the 330 pilots will be trying to get off the 330 like rats leaving a sinking ship if night shuttles were introduced on the widebody from these destinations.
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Old 18th Jun 2011, 15:57
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(deleted ... speaking outta me arse...)

Last edited by ara01jbb; 18th Jun 2011 at 16:09.
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Old 18th Jun 2011, 16:09
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Yes, in theory you are correct BUT

Apparantly, I've heard that the FNA has to be done in one sector service not via anywhere as they initially did it or they will lose a lot of business/route due to political reasons.

ALM can't be reached directly on a 321. Therefore it would need a tech stop somewhere. Can you imagine the number of passengers bmi would have going to somewhere like ATQ (if true), who would be prepared to fly 3 sectors to get there? Not many when there are other carriers flying wide bodies in 2 sectors.

So that returns us back to the original question, how would they manage it without an extra airframe?
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Old 18th Jun 2011, 16:11
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ara01jbb wrote

(deleted ... speaking outta me arse...)
Just seen you've changed your post to the above, so almost answers my reply.
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Old 18th Jun 2011, 16:38
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Yes, apologies for that self-edit. Sometimes you have to write something doing to see you're wrong

I think it's possible with the existing a/c. Both ALA and FNA are getting upgraded to A332 this summer, so with a bit of tinkering to the schedule ALQ and ROB become simple one-stop additions to those existing sectors. If it means the a/c is in the air more and on the ground less it sounds a sensible use of BD's very limited long range resources.

Re-jigging LHR-GYD-FRU (I think) would just about bring the sectors back within the range of the A321....

More A321 due in 2012, so I wouldn't be surprised to see some more two-sector routes like the existing LHR-AMM-ADD and LHR-BEY-KRT.

If these routes are indeed coming, then the expanded BD Asia, Middle East and Africa route map would look something like this:

Great Circle Mapper
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Old 18th Jun 2011, 16:48
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How much of the UK - ATQ route is based around leisure / religious passengers from the Sikh community, and how much is business ?

Furthermore, is the UK - ALA route still based on the oil industry, or has it now broadened its customer base ? I don't remember seeing a lot of European tourists in Almaty the last time I was there
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Old 18th Jun 2011, 16:58
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Originally Posted by ara01jbb
If these routes are indeed coming, then the expanded BD Asia, Middle East and Africa route map would look something like this:

Great Circle Mapper
You're missing TBS.
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Old 18th Jun 2011, 17:04
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^^^ Indeed I was. Typing it all into gcmap like that makes it look like a mileage run of terrifying proportions...

Great Circle Mapper
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Old 19th Jun 2011, 09:28
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What's a mileage run?
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Old 19th Jun 2011, 10:39
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Would LHR - ALA - DAC not be a better bet since the route is no longer served directly? LHR - ALA - KTM would be an interesting routing - with strong high yielding leisure potential
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Old 19th Jun 2011, 12:51
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11K-AVML: a mileage run is an itinerary taken by SLF for the sole purpose of earning mileage or status.

Mileage Run Deals - FlyerTalk Forums is where (the primarily American) mileage run community shares deals that could help you retain one's precious Gold card.
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Old 20th Jun 2011, 07:13
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Regarding the new A321 coming in March, any info on whether these are replacements or additions? Delivery falls in line with summer timetable 2012? New routes possibly??
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Old 20th Jun 2011, 11:35
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Apparently replacements at the moment according to WPS.
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Old 20th Jun 2011, 15:36
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Can you imagine the number of passengers bmi would have going to somewhere like ATQ (if true), who would be prepared to fly 3 sectors to get there? Not many when there are other carriers flying wide bodies in 2 sectors.
As mentioned, this flight will operate with 2 sectors, LHR-ALA-ATQ. Yes AI do operate LHR-ATQ direct, however the likes of 9W, IT, QR etc require 2 or more stops and an A\C change.

Regarding the new A321 coming in March, any info on whether these are replacements or additions? Delivery falls in line with summer timetable 2012? New routes possibly??
The 3 new A321s on order are in addition to the current 7 & are not replacements. They are the remaining 3 from the existing order from B|MED of 5.
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Old 20th Jun 2011, 16:54
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Will some of the current 7 not be returned off lease?
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Old 20th Jun 2011, 19:55
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Nope.

(A few more words to fill the ridiculous minimum word length thing on here)
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Old 20th Jun 2011, 20:04
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OK just for the avoidance of doubt, are any of the A320s going back then?
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