BA reroute Gulf flights via Larnaca
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: England
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Change in foreign office advice
Has anyone else heard that all aircrew have had to depart from Bahrain/Saudi/Jordan and Quatar because of change in foreign office advice?????
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: East Midlands
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BA have announced major changes to their schedule to the Gulf, with most flights routing via Larnaca. Presumably, this is to allow crew changes and avoid the need for nightstops in the Gulf region
http://www.britishairways.com/news/index.shtml
Flight Schedule Changes to all Gulf Destinations from 23 February 2003
British Airways has adjusted its flight schedule to all Gulf destinations following changes in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice to British nationals travelling to the region.
British Airways flights to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh will begin to operate via Larnaca in Cyprus from Sunday February 23, 2003.
Services to Kuwait and Abu Dhabi will be combined. Flights will operate from London Heathrow to Kuwait via Larnaca and Abu Dhabi.
Flights to Doha and Bahrain will continue as a combined service and will operate from London Heathrow to Larnaca, Doha and then Bahrain.
The return flights from both Jeddah and Riyadh will operate via Larnaca.
Flights to Dubai will be reduced from two per day to a daily service, with the BA109/ BA108 suspended from Monday February 24, 2003.
Flights to Muscat will be suspended until further notice.
British Airways will be contacting customers on affected flights. Alernatively, passengers holding bookings on cancelled services can contact British Airways at 0845 77 999 77 between the hours of 06:00 and 21:45.
The change in schedule is part of a carefully planned series of measures which will allow the airline to maintain a smooth and safe operation to the region. Flights will be timed to land at London's Heathrow airport as close to the original schedule as possible to ensure that disruption to our customers is kept to a minimum.
British Airways apologises to all customers who are affected by the changes for any inconvenience this may cause. Safety and security is our number one priority.
http://www.britishairways.com/news/index.shtml
Flight Schedule Changes to all Gulf Destinations from 23 February 2003
British Airways has adjusted its flight schedule to all Gulf destinations following changes in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice to British nationals travelling to the region.
British Airways flights to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh will begin to operate via Larnaca in Cyprus from Sunday February 23, 2003.
Services to Kuwait and Abu Dhabi will be combined. Flights will operate from London Heathrow to Kuwait via Larnaca and Abu Dhabi.
Flights to Doha and Bahrain will continue as a combined service and will operate from London Heathrow to Larnaca, Doha and then Bahrain.
The return flights from both Jeddah and Riyadh will operate via Larnaca.
Flights to Dubai will be reduced from two per day to a daily service, with the BA109/ BA108 suspended from Monday February 24, 2003.
Flights to Muscat will be suspended until further notice.
British Airways will be contacting customers on affected flights. Alernatively, passengers holding bookings on cancelled services can contact British Airways at 0845 77 999 77 between the hours of 06:00 and 21:45.
The change in schedule is part of a carefully planned series of measures which will allow the airline to maintain a smooth and safe operation to the region. Flights will be timed to land at London's Heathrow airport as close to the original schedule as possible to ensure that disruption to our customers is kept to a minimum.
British Airways apologises to all customers who are affected by the changes for any inconvenience this may cause. Safety and security is our number one priority.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: near to the bar
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As someone whose company flies to these parts, I have a queery that a more financially or legally sassy pruner may have the answer to.
If, despite FCO advice, I still operate to these parts and, god forbid the worst happens and Mrs stand easy is left to pick up the pieces, just where would she stand in terms of the insurance companies? Would they run a mile quoting the FCO. Would they require to know now and charge an excess? Would they declare all policies void because of the changed nature of my employment?
Of course this is all speculation but I'd rather know now and take precautions than not. if all insurances and by this I mean endowments, life policies, medical and loss of licence become void then where do we stand with our employers. Are they or the FCO legally obliged to ensure coverage for staff.
If, despite FCO advice, I still operate to these parts and, god forbid the worst happens and Mrs stand easy is left to pick up the pieces, just where would she stand in terms of the insurance companies? Would they run a mile quoting the FCO. Would they require to know now and charge an excess? Would they declare all policies void because of the changed nature of my employment?
Of course this is all speculation but I'd rather know now and take precautions than not. if all insurances and by this I mean endowments, life policies, medical and loss of licence become void then where do we stand with our employers. Are they or the FCO legally obliged to ensure coverage for staff.
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: london
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BA reroute Gulf flights via Larnaca
Latest news today is that BA are routing all Gulf and Saudi flights via Larnaca effective immediately, apparently because their crews are scared to overnight in the Gulf region. So crew change in Cyprus in each direction.
Usual nonsense ... no thought for the inconvenience caused to passengers or cost to the airline ... the BA crews are a bunch of woosies!
Usual nonsense ... no thought for the inconvenience caused to passengers or cost to the airline ... the BA crews are a bunch of woosies!
Last edited by Sick Squid; 23rd Feb 2003 at 21:01.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SE UK
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
your point being?
with this current climate who can blame them or the airline? it seems a bit excessive to some, but then anything which enhances safety is positive. I thinks its good their wishes have been recognised and some action taken.
... especially with recent foreign office changing their opinions on the gulf states.
... especially with recent foreign office changing their opinions on the gulf states.
Moderator
Join Date: Feb 1998
Location: Europe
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Goldstone, on the off chance that you are not trolling, allow me to clarify a few small points.
The same or very similar operational changes are being implemented by many European majors.
The companies do not take these actions because of whingeing crew.
Careful evaluation of the local situation by the company security division, taking into account the travel advisory from their governement and the company contingengy plans, is what causes route changes and stop-over changes.
But why let the truth get in the way of a nice bit of crew baiting eh?
Goldstone, on the off chance that you are not trolling, allow me to clarify a few small points.
The same or very similar operational changes are being implemented by many European majors.
The companies do not take these actions because of whingeing crew.
Careful evaluation of the local situation by the company security division, taking into account the travel advisory from their governement and the company contingengy plans, is what causes route changes and stop-over changes.
But why let the truth get in the way of a nice bit of crew baiting eh?
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: earth
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Goldstone, having spent many hours flying with your 'woosies' back and forth to Saudi I would like to add my support for their plans.
You probably have no idea how pleased many Brits are to see their BA flight outside in the heat waiting to take them home, particularly if the alternative is travelling Saudia or worse.
If this arrangement keeps them flying in and out of Saudi during the current difficult period I am sure the same expats will understand.
You probably have no idea how pleased many Brits are to see their BA flight outside in the heat waiting to take them home, particularly if the alternative is travelling Saudia or worse.
If this arrangement keeps them flying in and out of Saudi during the current difficult period I am sure the same expats will understand.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: LHR
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Isn't this down to a case of jealousy ? Mr Goldstone lives and works in Doha, whereas BA crews have been taken away from Gulf-slips as per the Foreign Office advice (and personal safety).
Well done BA, I am confident BA Pax will understand. If they don't they call always fly with Mr Goldstone.
Well done BA, I am confident BA Pax will understand. If they don't they call always fly with Mr Goldstone.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: British Isles
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Goldstone,
Your profile doesn't say much, Doha, an "oilie" maybe.
if your flight takes a bit longer home then that's surely better than exposing airline crew to risk. Our junior cabin crew start on £8K basic, not worth being shot at for, like the guy in Riyadh the other week.
In fact even my salary as a 25 year BA Captain ain't worth it
I flew with one of the pilots interned in Kuwait, let's put it this way the guy lives for today! Lets hope it all gets sorted quickly, the real wusses are those voting against this "war"
When will the last screw be turned in Saddam's first nuclear device?
ATB, PTC
Your profile doesn't say much, Doha, an "oilie" maybe.
if your flight takes a bit longer home then that's surely better than exposing airline crew to risk. Our junior cabin crew start on £8K basic, not worth being shot at for, like the guy in Riyadh the other week.
In fact even my salary as a 25 year BA Captain ain't worth it
I flew with one of the pilots interned in Kuwait, let's put it this way the guy lives for today! Lets hope it all gets sorted quickly, the real wusses are those voting against this "war"
When will the last screw be turned in Saddam's first nuclear device?
ATB, PTC
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Goldstone - I was in the Gulf when the war started in 1991, many airlines found that crew were stuck from the 17th January for about ten days, until the various air forces allowed commercial flights again, even then, from Bahrain, for example, the crew had to go out to Dubai or Oman by the once a day TriStar and then find their way home.
Crews and some aircraft were out of action for up to three weeks.
By taking steps to avoid a repeat of the events of January 1991 the airlines are showing sound commercial and security sense.
Crews and some aircraft were out of action for up to three weeks.
By taking steps to avoid a repeat of the events of January 1991 the airlines are showing sound commercial and security sense.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Winza
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pee Tee
I entirely agree with u.
There was a sheet issued by BA a few weeks back detailing all the changes in routings that flights would have to take, if (actually, when) conflict begins. Some quite interesting re-routes actually.
I don't think this is a case of 'wooses'.
I entirely agree with u.
There was a sheet issued by BA a few weeks back detailing all the changes in routings that flights would have to take, if (actually, when) conflict begins. Some quite interesting re-routes actually.
I don't think this is a case of 'wooses'.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Somewhere probing
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ironbutt57 - I'm quite confident that the expression 'Dick Head' looses none of it's meaning as it traverses the void between our two continents - and one feels very much inclined to say that WinstonC was indeed spot on. 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Says the man from the nation thats encouraging its citizens to stockpile food and seal up a room with duct tape as a refuge from chemical attack! Not many of your compatriots flying the North Atlantic these days, and thats 2000 miles from the war zone!
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: UK
Age: 64
Posts: 3,586
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pls correct me if wrong, but I thought that the FCO advice affected the relevant insurance cover for the airline, and that therefore such steps as these are not driven by choice but by business economics.
If I'm wrong, then IMHO BA should be given credit for looking after their crews welfare in this way.
If I'm wrong, then IMHO BA should be given credit for looking after their crews welfare in this way.