We probably think it will be operated by VLM at more realistic fares

BACX
 

Elsewhere on PPRune, there's a suggestion that BACX RJs are set for disposal.

Where does this leave BA routes from LCY ?
What levels of business are they delivering ?

Most PAX don't fly because of the fligth itself. Most LCY PAX don't fly there because of the picturesque surroundings either. They're there on business. BA gets them to LHR, they have business in the City. They also like to be on time and minimise waiting time on the ground, so LHR is not exactly ideal.
(As it is, VLM is successfully competing on the LUX-LCY run, even though they use F50s and Luxair have (jungle) jets. )

As for the fares, GBP 300 is a bit steep - but isn't that the top-of-the-range flexible full fat ticket? How much would that be on BA?

BA is probably the most replaceable airline at LCY. They mainly duplicate other services. Scot Airways also cover the Edinburgh run (at much higher frequency), Lufthansa duplicate Frankfurt, and for Geneva Swiss already do the rest of Switzerland.

I don't think BA have had a lot of luck with LCY. Paris has gone, and the original Glasgow route was, as ever there, a real poor performer. I doubt they have ever made any money overall. Swiss would probably like to restart Geneva now, they were once very prominent at LCY, then went into a slide, now seem to be coming back.

There's one benefit BA have in yield from LCY compared to Heathrow, no connecting traffic at the low contribution BA allocate to it.

Edinburgh is maybe the only route worth having, but not worth keeping the RJs just for it. Maybe Scot Airways will buy them !

BACX are sub-leasing 6 RJ's, that still leaves 10.

By all accounts LCY is doing very well for BACX esp on the EDI route, which is perfoming better than expected on the extra sectors that were added recently.

If A318 clears steep approach cert (1st flight already done) BA could look at replacing 146 with some...

BA currently have no A318s in their possession, or on order!

4468

I said "look at". As a 319-321 operator it's not completely out of left field but would mean either CFMs (not keen, all IAE except the ex BCals) or PW6000s which would be a new engine type.

Another even more likely candidate would be AF, since they operate 146s (or at least CityJet do in their colours) and 318s.

The airport is currently running surveys for Vienna, Glasgow and Stockholm as possible future destinations.

I remember that in the past they have had similar questionaires for Copenhagen, Leeds, Newcastle and Madrid.

LBA and CPH were eventually started/will be started. VLM has been linked to a possible NCL service, Iberia/Air Nostrum (with wet-elased BAe 146s) to a Madrid route.

Have surveys been carried out for other destinations than CPH and LBA that eventually resulted in a new serive ?

As for the current surveys, the one for GLA is quite interesting, as in the past both Scot Airways and British Airways have given the routes unsuccessful tries (Scot Airways twice ?). They are the two most likely operators for such a service but I doubt that they will try again. Following the LBA desasters, bmi does not seem to be too likely (it owuld also require mods to their ERJ135). For VLM, the route is a bit too long for their venerable Fokker 50s IMHO. I am wondering whom LCY is targeting.....

I guess with regard to Stockholm, Malmö Aviation with a Bromma service is the one LCY is interested in although Blue1 from ARN might be an option as well.

As far as VIE is cincerned, I have heard that the obvious target, Austrian, is not interested at all. Also, their Fokker 70 would have performance issues at LCY given the bad experience Air France made with the type in the 1990s while for the Q400s, the route with 672nm certainly is too long to attract customers (2hrs+ ?)

Eastern Airways, Scot Airways and EuroManx have also been mentioned.

I think LCY are targetting ScotAirways for GLA-LCY - The airline have said recently that they would like to look at restarting the route.

Antwerp Route (VLM Airlines)

VLM PR: "From Monday 3rd October 2005, VLM Airlines will add an extra rotation to the Antwerp-London City route, bringing the total number of flights to 6 daily return flights. The extra flight will depart in Antwerp at 08.25, arriving in London City at 08.30, allowing passengers who work in the city to be in the office before their English colleagues. The return flight will depart out of London City at 18.50, and arrive in Antwerp at 20.50. "


Jersey Route (VLM Airlines)

At the same time, VLM will reduce JER to 1x daily and apparently close the station at JER. Appears as if the aircraft will sit idle on the ground at JER for a couple of hours and will only operate 4 daily flights (ANR-LCY-JER-LCY-ANR)


Possible Aberdeen Route (City Star Airlines)

Strong rumours that City Star Airlines will announce a new Aberdeen route very soon (3x weekdaily).


Docklands Light Railway

The DLR LCY extension was tested for the first time on Aug, 12. LCY PR:

"This week the first DLR train ‘took off’ on the new London City Airport DLR Extension. London City Airport is delighted to be adding Canary Wharf and Bank to its list of destinations. The trial trains currently operating on the line form the commissioning phase, which evaluates the operating system. The official launch date remains Thursday 15 December 2005.

Richard Gooding, Managing Director of London City Airport is very pleased with the construction progress and is looking forward to seeing the missing transport link in place, putting the Airport firmly on the public transport map: “The Airport Extension has now really taken shape, with the structure of the London City Airport Station now in place it is easy to see how the DLR will integrate into the Airport terminal.

“With just five months to go to the launch, we are counting down to the long awaited arrival of the UK’s most frequent airport rail link with trains every seven minutes. The launch of the DLR is good news, as we believe that Airport passengers both new and existing will take full advantage of the 22 minute journey to Bank.”

Oh dear Mr Gooding. Has no one told you the Piccadilly Line at Heathrow is twice as frequent as this.

As it appears per a KLM memo, KLM will axe the RTM flights with effect winter schedule.

Smart move to start it in the first place - not only that they lost big time compared to VLM, it also triggered VLM's retaliation with their new LCY-AMS service

Is it right that the ILS for 28 is currently u/s ? Right in the season of autumn fogs.

According to this thread

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hreadid=191022

that discusses diversions to STN from LCY, the ILS will be u/s for another two weeks.

what is the reason ?

Gone Off
 

Anyone know whats happened at LCY this morning?? Most Flights diverted to SEN . VLMs schedule has been up the wall all morning!

WX seems fine from the metars now, not so sure about this morning. 2 BA and a VLM into SEN I believe?

The Luxair Jungle Jet diverted to Heathrow

Fried Chicken

In view of the 'movements' today of various 'airport happenings' to the spotters thread, perhaps the Mods could enlighten us as to why this( London City Happenings) remains here. What is so different from those that have been moved ?.