BA A380 African Jolly

[1 to go]

It is over 5 years since the first A380 went into airline service so why is the first BA A380 spending nearly a month in South Africa without generating any revenue
As BA is a public company, shareholders will surely want some answers.
Most A380 simulators are zero flight time so why do BA need to fly the aircraft daily?
There are many BA personnel staying in a 5 star hotel just north of Durban - why Durban, why not Prestwick?
One airline already operates 44 of them, so one week of photo calls and kicking the tyres should surely be enough??

[bex88]

Regulation, I believe the CAA require each pilot to have something like 6 x 45 min flights or something like that. It's far from a jolly. Why not prestwick? I don't know but there will be a valid reason such as air traffic issues or cost. The hotel rates BA get are no doubt very good. Security and safety of its employees means that often only good hotels have the necessary security in place. You would hope shareholders hold some value and comprehension of safety and security but it's probably just a investment tool.

[captjns]

Hey 1 to go.... Buy a share of stock, attend a shareholders meeting, and bring the issue to the floor. And report back to us.

[NigelOnDraft]

1. Are BA known for squandering ££?
2. Are BA known for flying sectors / hours they do not need to for regulatory / safety reasons?
3. What's the weather factor like in Prestwick in Jan? Compared to SA?
4. What might the comparative costs be? How has the Rand been fairing recently ?

[racedo]

1. Are BA known for squandering ££ - Yup on engineers who can't shut engine covers or install windows or do you mean on PR offensive and targetting of Virgin passengers or price fixing on cargo routes

1. Are BA known for flying sectors / hours they do not need to for regulatory / safety reasons? - Flying sectors for slot sitting....yup

1. What's the weather factor like in Prestwick in Jan? Compared to SA? - Didn't realise A380 doesn't go well in Wet and Cold.............who knew

1. What might the comparative costs be? How has the Rand been fairing recently ? - Lets see Fuel burn to Durban and Hotel rates there v Travel Inn at Prestwick

Nigel, seriously did you really want to leave the Hangar doors open that wide ?

[cornishsimon]

This isn't being done during downtime, the aircraft operated the normal LHR-JNB rotation as a revenue flight, then the return was cancelled.

The aircraft will remain in SA doing the training and PR flights.

When she comes back the LHR-JNB rotation will be cancelled and the aircraft will operate back in revenue service.

The two cancellations are planned and were well in advance.

[wiggy]

(Cornish, we might have crossed, I've reposted)

Here's what I heard:

The aircraft is in RSA for 10 days, not "nearly a month".

Given the fleet expansion, the fleet's route profile vs. the training requirement at the moment it's an opportunity to get some mandatory training/ post simulator consolidation performed for the newbies whilst at the same time keeping established trainers/line pilots recent.

The aircraft does a commercial sector down and back, plus some promotional activities, plus the training.

Have you seen the pound v Rand rate recently?

Cheaper train out of Durban than the likes of Shannon, Prestwick or Chateauroux, and there are the LHR-JNB-LHR revenue sectors to factor in.

Despite some opinions expressed here BA have a very hard nose when it comes to employees and "jollies". Somebody will have run this through a cost v benefit process.

Oh, not on the fleet, nothing in it for me........

[Skipness One Echo]

What's the weather factor like in Prestwick in Jan? Compared to SA? - Didn't realise A380 doesn't go well in Wet and Cold.............who knew

What's the crosswind component at Prestwick in January? Ooops!

[Evanelpus]

Hope they remind them about the proximity of buildings near runways and taxiways.

[Mr Mac]

So that,s why one of my staff reported a Speedbird 380 in Durban I guess this week, I told him to take more water with it, shall have to apologise.

[PAXboy]

My comment below is generic and NOT related to the above exchange.

If major shareholders of PLCs actually asked real questions and got real answers?

1. Hell would have frozen over
2. The way companies hose money down teh drain might change.

I speak as one who workedin numerous PLCs in various countries as well as local govt and private companies. At first i was horrified at the waste of money, then just amused.

[vectisman]

I am not sure why some object to the A380 undertaking publicity trips and training flights in South Africa. British Airways is an efficient and profitable company and can decide how best to deploy its resources (both human and equipment) to achieve maximum returns.
Over the years the A380 will bring in many millions of pounds in revenues, so a good idea to spread the word.
I suspect that a little envy could be at work here. Some people just seem to dislike anyone else having some job perks.
As I always say to people who object to public sector pensions, if you think it's that good join them!!
Of course as shareholder you have every right to object, but I suspect most of those look at the profits being made by the company and see it as a worthwhile investment in time and publicity.
Myself, just feel proud to see a European built A380 flying the world in the livery of my country's airline.

[Omnipresent]

Don't think BA would be doing A380 training flights in South Africa for no reason or a "jolly".

The focus on cost at BA is pretty intense these days.

[NJJ99]

I'm sure that it's down there with good reason.

[CabinCrewe]

and the lots of staff involved are "commuting" up and down to SA. Does seem like a lot of expense, flights, 5* hotels, trips to Durban etc.

[SADDLER]

It's not really cost people are harping on about, that's an excuse.
They are suffering from the most basic of vices. Envy.