SOUTHEND - 4
According to GINFO both G-EZFD (AGP) and G-EZBM (FAO) have MTOWs of 66,000kg.
Perhaps it was just strong headwinds combined with extensive thunderstorm activity forecast en route that caused the problem.
Perhaps it was just strong headwinds combined with extensive thunderstorm activity forecast en route that caused the problem.
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ATC delays affecting many.
There have been many en-route delays due to the large storms during the past 5 days, and some ATCC units issued Flow Control slots to all aircraft (Brussels did it yesterday afternoon) because it's very difficult for radar controllers when pilots cant fly where they should. Yes, the upper winds have been SSW 40-70 knots too.
One of the SEN-FAO flights on Saturday was operated by G-EZIS which is a 64T aircraft. I would have thought that was the flight that had to be planned via Nantes.
I see that it was indeed a 66T aircraft on SEN-AGP on Saturday (The 64T aircraft was the following day, my misread). If extra fuel was loaded above flight plan minimum for whatever reason it has to be based on a predicted ZFW. If the actual ZFW comes in higher and insufficient margin has been allowed, suddenly one is faced with an overload situation. It's a well known risk though I am not saying this is what happened here, because I don't know. And yes it's always possible it was simply overfuelled.
But I would have thought that even on minimum fuel the 66T MTOW could have been reached given a heavy aircraft and strong headwinds. Otherwise the implication is that the RTOW on that day was 65.8T or less. I always hope that someone will volunteer some authoritative figures so that these questions can be resolved properly !
I see that it was indeed a 66T aircraft on SEN-AGP on Saturday (The 64T aircraft was the following day, my misread). If extra fuel was loaded above flight plan minimum for whatever reason it has to be based on a predicted ZFW. If the actual ZFW comes in higher and insufficient margin has been allowed, suddenly one is faced with an overload situation. It's a well known risk though I am not saying this is what happened here, because I don't know. And yes it's always possible it was simply overfuelled.
But I would have thought that even on minimum fuel the 66T MTOW could have been reached given a heavy aircraft and strong headwinds. Otherwise the implication is that the RTOW on that day was 65.8T or less. I always hope that someone will volunteer some authoritative figures so that these questions can be resolved properly !
Last edited by Tagron; 10th Jun 2014 at 14:04. Reason: minor typos
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This isn't a pop at Southend-on-Sea Airport but it does appear to be an airport with cost implications that don't affect other easyjet airports serving London.
Diversions due to a Cat 1 ILS, restricted opening hours and a short narrow runway all have impacts to their Southend operation that just don't affect Easyjets other London bases.
Saying all of that, non of those same issues has had any effect on London City Airport's ability to attract business.
Diversions due to a Cat 1 ILS, restricted opening hours and a short narrow runway all have impacts to their Southend operation that just don't affect Easyjets other London bases.
Saying all of that, non of those same issues has had any effect on London City Airport's ability to attract business.
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LTN man
I am sure EZY looked into the limitations at London-Southend (SEN) and accepted the small risks when things are not perfect for them. Maybe they should operate the A320s instead. That seemed to perform easily to Teneriffe with 177 pax although i know it was winter.
I can remember last year a CityJet FK50 found the runway at LCY to short for his take-off to get to his destination, and flew into SEN to uplift fuel.
Swings and roundabouts, I think.
I am sure EZY looked into the limitations at London-Southend (SEN) and accepted the small risks when things are not perfect for them. Maybe they should operate the A320s instead. That seemed to perform easily to Teneriffe with 177 pax although i know it was winter.
I can remember last year a CityJet FK50 found the runway at LCY to short for his take-off to get to his destination, and flew into SEN to uplift fuel.
Swings and roundabouts, I think.
A photograph of G-EZBM lifting off from SEN was published on a Yahoo site with a caption saying it was the NTE (nee FAO) departure. That aircraft is listed as having a MTOW of 66,000kg. and I cannot vouch for the accuracy of that caption of course.
LTNman
As far as SEN (or London-Southend to quote the IATA longhand, and I assume they know) having "cost implications" for easyJet that other airports do not have, I would agree that diversions do have a cost. It's a matter of whether or not they have to bear those costs themselves, and it is fair to say that in over two years of operations at SEN easyJet diversions have been exceedingly rare events. To take LTN as a random alternative airfield, it is also not unknown for diversions to apply there especially in winter where its much higher field elevation makes that more likely. As tophat7dt says, it's probably a matter of swings and roundabouts overall.
LTNman
As far as SEN (or London-Southend to quote the IATA longhand, and I assume they know) having "cost implications" for easyJet that other airports do not have, I would agree that diversions do have a cost. It's a matter of whether or not they have to bear those costs themselves, and it is fair to say that in over two years of operations at SEN easyJet diversions have been exceedingly rare events. To take LTN as a random alternative airfield, it is also not unknown for diversions to apply there especially in winter where its much higher field elevation makes that more likely. As tophat7dt says, it's probably a matter of swings and roundabouts overall.
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To take LTN as a random alternative airfield, it is also not unknown for diversions to apply there especially in winter where its much higher field elevation makes that more likely
Out of interest if a delayed easyjet aircraft arrives back at say 2 in the morning does it get diverted? If it is allowed to land do passengers who have missed the last train to London get kicked out of the terminal and told to wait outside?
Now today's Malaga flight has had to take on fuel at Bordeaux.......
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The IBZ flight is also delayed due 'the current weather conditions'. This has resulted in Easy offering some passengers an alternative flight via London Stansted tonight, or an alternative departure day...not good.
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The IBZ flight is also delayed due 'the current weather conditions'.
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From EZY ref SEN-IBZ today:
Unfortunately your flight has been delayed as the aircraft is weight restricted from Southend due to the current weather conditions. This has meant that we have unfortunately been forced on this occasion to leave some bags behind and has resulted is us needing to offer some passengers an alternative flight via London Stansted tonight or an alternative flight day to Ibiza. Our ground team will be able to assist with this and we appreciate your assistance on this. We apologise for the delay and inconvenience that this may cause.
Unfortunately your flight has been delayed as the aircraft is weight restricted from Southend due to the current weather conditions. This has meant that we have unfortunately been forced on this occasion to leave some bags behind and has resulted is us needing to offer some passengers an alternative flight via London Stansted tonight or an alternative flight day to Ibiza. Our ground team will be able to assist with this and we appreciate your assistance on this. We apologise for the delay and inconvenience that this may cause.
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SEN doesn't close at midnight, it operates 24Hrs and fire cover is maintained at normal levels if there are late running services. Last nights AGP flight didn't land until 1:30am ish due to similar delays to those of today. The earlier comment from LTNman (which seems to have been removed) about numbers on tomorrows IBZ flight was incorrect. On the Easy website the flight for tomorrow is listed as 'Sold Out'.
EGMC AD 2.3 OPERATIONAL HOURS
1 Aerodrome Operator H24
2 Customs and Immigration H24
3 Health and sanitation
4 AIS Briefing Office Winter: 0830-2030. Summer: 0730-1930. Thereafter unattended Briefing
System by arrangement.
5 ATS Reporting Office (ARO) Winter: 0830-2030. Summer: 0730-1930. Thereafter unattended Briefing
System by arrangement.
6 MET Briefing Office Winter: 0830-2030. Summer: 0730-1930. Thereafter unattended Briefing
System by arrangement
7 Air Traffic Service H24
See also AD 2.18.
8 Fuelling H24
9 Handling H24
10 Security H24
11 De-icing H24, by arrangement through Southend Operations, Tel: 01702-538577/
8. Up to 8 hours notice may be required at times.
12 Remarks Use of the airport between 2300 and 0630 (winter) 2200 and 0530
(summer), is subject to prior permission from ATC
2 Customs and Immigration H24
3 Health and sanitation
4 AIS Briefing Office Winter: 0830-2030. Summer: 0730-1930. Thereafter unattended Briefing
System by arrangement.
5 ATS Reporting Office (ARO) Winter: 0830-2030. Summer: 0730-1930. Thereafter unattended Briefing
System by arrangement.
6 MET Briefing Office Winter: 0830-2030. Summer: 0730-1930. Thereafter unattended Briefing
System by arrangement
7 Air Traffic Service H24
See also AD 2.18.
8 Fuelling H24
9 Handling H24
10 Security H24
11 De-icing H24, by arrangement through Southend Operations, Tel: 01702-538577/
8. Up to 8 hours notice may be required at times.
12 Remarks Use of the airport between 2300 and 0630 (winter) 2200 and 0530
(summer), is subject to prior permission from ATC