Gatwick-3

[BA318]

Originally Posted by pabely

Costs at LHR or someone wants their leased winter slots back?

I read that they wanted to go daily but only had enough slots for 5 weekly and couldn't get more. LGW could allow a daily flight.

[Skipness One Foxtrot]

LGW offered them a deal to move which makes sense as they've been close to insolvent. Assuming they own their LHR slots, that's money in the bank they REALLY REALLY need if they can sell them on. Air Mauritius is really struggling and has been bailed out by the government (again). Objectively they'll likely do well commercially at LGW, I'd suspect that the next management team will want them back at LHR, which may well be a bad idea for them. Politics seems to dictate things more so than data.

One thought though, every time this happens, people cry that this time it will be different, this time LGW will be back in long haul as a player. And almost every time, it's really just a waiting room for LHR slots. . There's not a long list of successful moves LHR->LGW, Pan Am, TWA, Malev......

BTW Air China isn't even bookable for a service starting in two weeks, what's going on here? Even LHR is only being sold via FRA and Lufthansa in April, the only LHR offering seems to be PVG. I guess someone is using their LHR slots for the summer? Surely they didn't lose them?

Air China 2019W for comparison :
Flt No ETA From Via To Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
CA847 06:20 PVG LGW N 2019W 2 3 4 6
CA787 07:10 PEK LHR T2 2019W 1 3 5
CA855 15:55 PEK LHR T2 2019W 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
CA937 17:50 PEK LHR T2 2019W 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
CA423 20:10 CTU LHR T2 2019W 2 4 6

[True Blue]

Air Mauritius moving to Lgw start of W23 with a daily flight

[True Blue]

Skipness, you are a knowledgeable commentator on this thread and offer the view that Lgw is the waiting room for Lhr. With the number of recent announcements of new or returning long haul at Lgw, what is going on at Lhr? Has the slot situation filled to capacity already?

[Skipness One Foxtrot]

Originally Posted by True Blue

Skipness, you are a knowledgeable commentator on this thread and offer the view that Lgw is the waiting room for Lhr. With the number of recent announcements of new or returning long haul at Lgw, what is going on at Lhr? Has the slot situation filled to capacity already?

And partly because of the relative strength vs. other London airports they can aim to raise charges to better cover the losses of the pandemic. This will be too much for some (Air Mauritius being the first) but the rest will likely swallow the pain, BA will also complain loudly. LGW have already hit rock bottom and now seem to be in "deal making" mode to revitalise the business, LHR don't really need to make deals given their relative strength. I think this summer will see the traffic rebound complete, so fingers crossed the balance sheets are repaired on all sides.
LHR did ask for a large increase in fees but the Govt. capped the ask so the rise was a smaller one.

https://thepointsguy.co.uk/news/heat...enger-charges/

I will say this, the customer experience at LGW can be very good, but that's because they're not yet back at the point of trying to get a pint into a 1/2 pint pot !

[Asturias56]

"LHR did ask for a large increase in fees but the Govt. capped the ask so the rise was a smaller one."

I thought it was actually a cut from "emergency" levels during Covid

[airhumberside]

Regarding Air China, SeanM1997 posted on twitter that under the terms of the UK-China bilateral, Chinese carriers can't add more LHR-Beijing frequencies until either BA resume the route (or another UK airline starts it). Other UK airports not impacted

[inOban]

Originally Posted by airhumberside

Regarding Air China, SeanM1997 posted on twitter that under the terms of the UK-China bilateral, Chinese carriers can't add more LHR-Beijing frequencies until either BA resume the route (or another UK airline starts it). Other UK airports not impacted

And of course Chinese Airlines have an advantage because they can use Russian airspace which Western airlines can't.

[AircraftOperations]

Originally Posted by inOban

And of course Chinese Airlines have an advantage because they can use Russian airspace which Western airlines can't.

​​​​​​​How would a British passport holder currently be treated in Russia if your Air China flight had to divert to the nearest available Russian airport whilst overflying the country?

[Habana2118]

With all these new airlines coming to LGW this summer, which handling agents have won the contracts?

[davidjohnson6]

I'm getting a little sceptical about Romanian airline Dan Air flying between Brasov/Bucharest and various places in Europe including Gatwick. The website is an absolutely minimal page just showing a countdown to when it will (presumably) go live. The problem is that the go-live date keeps being deferred (current countdown expires on Saturday 25 March), making me think it's far from ready.

[shlamps]

Originally Posted by AircraftOperations

How would a British passport holder currently be treated in Russia if your Air China flight had to divert to the nearest available Russian airport whilst overflying the country?

Probably fairly well as they’d be the responsibility of the Chinese Airline. Can’t see Russia wanting to open that can of worms with it’s main ally.

[JW95]

VS

With the sudden influx of long haul resumptions, in addition to new entrants (e.g. Air Mauritius; Saudia), what exactly are VS doing with their slot portfolio at LGW, assuming that they still hold on to slots at their (now former) Gatwick base? I remember reading from the press release notes in May 2020 that the airline would be consolidating London operations at LHR, with the intention of retaining their LGW slot portfolio so that they could return as demand returned. Realistically, is a VS return to LGW ever likely to happen, especially with the airline having just joined Sky Team, or will the airline likely sell off its LGW slots and remain consolidated at LHR indefinitely?

[strawberry Ribena]

Originally Posted by Habana2118

With all these new airlines coming to LGW this summer, which handling agents have won the contracts?

from recruitment pages I’ve seen Red Handling have Delta and GGS have air India.

Air china was with Menzies previously so maybe back there.

Not sure on Saudia - my guess is ASC or dnata

[The96er]

Originally Posted by strawberry Ribena

from recruitment pages I’ve seen Red Handling have Delta and GGS have air India.

Air china was with Menzies previously so maybe back there.

Not sure on Saudia - my guess is ASC or dnata

I thought GGS was dedicated to the IAG product, do they do any other 3rd party work ?

[strawberry Ribena]

Originally Posted by The96er

I thought GGS was dedicated to the IAG product, do they do any other 3rd party work ?

Just BA and VY. Air India is their first non IAG.

[Sotonsean]

Originally Posted by JW95

And just like that, Air Mauritius has officially announced that it will be leaving LHR in favour of LGW come October this year! Flights to be operated with a mix of A339s and A359s.

LGW really is on a roll at the moment, and I hope this momentum continues! Question is, who's next?

Source: Air Mauritius press release

This is absolutely excellent news. I can't believe how much LGW is on a roll, it's absolutely fantastic to see the ever increasing list of long airlines and destinations increasing. May it continue:-)

A few possible and potential airlines for LGW to look out for in the future could be.

Air Senegal
Air Tanzania
Iraqi Airways
Ghana Airways
Uganda Airlines

And more than likely some others I can't identify as possibilities.

[Rutan16]

None VISA holders would be detained in sterile airside accommodation- Pretty standard procedure round the world .

Any lengthy stay might involve a bonded coach and hotel room for those on none VISA holders again pretty normal arrangements for “guests” and at all the Chinese carriers expense.

Contrary to the journalistic narrative and dire political relations we are not at war with Russia (just yet) and subject to individual VISA regulations travel between the domains remains doable from our side . (I’ll caveat that with the current conscription of younger and working class males in Russia )

Airlines continuing to cross Russian airspace include Air India, Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan , El-Al, THY, Fly Dubai and Mongolian all carrying Western Passport holders including US, EU and indeed UKNi citizens without even considering the Chinese carriers !

[SWBKCB]

UKNi?

[Rutan16]

[QUOTE=Sotonsean;11404630]This is absolutely excellent news. I can't believe how much LGW is on a roll, it's absolutely fantastic to see the ever increasing list of long airlines and destinations increasing. May it continue:-)

A few possible and potential airlines for LGW to look out for in the future could be.

Air Senegal - After serving every second level French city including my part home in Nantes
Air Tanzania - Said to be on the cards for some time through they have no money of their own ( Just that supplied by China) . Equally they are receiving a freighter shortly for the transport of the plastic crap from China so their 788 may need another route soon.
Iraqi Airways - Unless they can find another third rate EU approved partner they have just been put back on the black list.
Ghana Airways - Probable agreed
Uganda Airlines- See comments over neighbouring country above - Situation almost identical; domestically some of the officers of the business are already under investigation for fraud and corruption and the company is effectively operating in insolvency . Frankly who would give them a line of credit for services delivered