Anyone know why the ex-Nimrod apron now wears Boeing 747 markings?

Not a coincidence I'm sure?

British Airways Maintenance?

Could be, the markings are 737, A320 and 747.

Well rumors are ripe about virgin Atlantic bringing some maintenance to NQY.


cs

Would have thought BA have enough sites for maintanance just now requiring only the occasional farm out to other companies, adding another UK site would be a little strange

Especially considering they are about to inherit a facility at EMA now as well





cs

Have to agree with Cornishsimon, whilst sadly it is not really practical a Heathrow service would be great. Heathrow via Gatwick is a pain.

I live in South West Cornwall and travel regularly LHR/YVR with BA. Tried all the options now I always rent a car which I can pick up locally the day before and dump at LHR on departure, courtesy bus straight to T5. Cost last time was £39 for a Vauxhall Insignia plus about £45 for fuel, A30 then motorway all the way. Two people and 60kgs luggage. Far less hassle, cheaper and quicker than getting a taxi to NQY, checking in, flying to LGW. collecting the bags, then getting on a bus to LHR T5 then checking in again.

I would love to support my local airport but believe me I have done the trip several times and this really is the best and most stress free way to fly from LHR if you live down here!

GROUNDHOG
Totally agree, it always baffled me that no service exists when you see how many fellow train travellers are dragging LHR tagged bags off at stations Bodmin west.

No matter which airline these people arrive with I would guess that a LHR-NQY service on an A319 would be well used.

Personally the last thing you want to do after a nighttime longhaul flight is to drive back to Cornwall, the hex and then fgw home is a pita, connecting between LHR and gatters is a pain.

I know it's not going to happen, but I suppose if BA are looking at a slot sitting route to babysit slots following the take over of BMI that NQY could be a possibility. Especially as IAG have stated that Belfast and Dublin will be kept following the takeover, suppose it gives a glimmer of hope to uk domestic routes.


cs

How about Amsterdam, would that be viable instead?

In 1969 I was Station Manager for Westward Airways, ins't it ironic that over 40 years ago you could fly NQY/LHR and today you can't.

Return leg we usually use the same BA flight which arrives 13.20 so its into the Sofitel - or wherever there is a good deal and hire car the next day. Even doing that it is still cheaper than flying via LGW and the whole trip is much less stressful, even means SWMBO gets to go to Cribbs Causeway for a shopping fix on the way back!

derelicte,

For connections it would need KLM to operate to/from AMS, their smallest machines are 80 (ish) seater F70's and they would need to operate a minimum of twice daily for connection purposes.

Can't see 160 (ish) people each way to/from AMS on a daily basis, can you?

Maybe not....but if there are as many taking the train as is suggested and demand would be there for a LHR link, then maybe there is. As things are I won't change more than twice to get somewhere but if I lived in darkest Cornwall I would think differently. There would surely be inbound traffic too, although summer only I daresay. Between Exeter and Newquay they can surely come up with something.

Cant see an A319 being "well used" either. The BA slot filler flights were testiment to that. Smallish regional jet/prop twice daily at most and into LHR that just isnt happening.

Between Exeter and Newquay there used to be an Airport called Plymouth :\

Virgin A330 at Newquay now; parked on south pan; could be some substance to the rumours?

Yes VIR817P from LHR this morning


Ian

Spotted it on finals heading over St Awful.

Perhaps some substance in the rumour of Virgin starting using NQY for MX ?


cs

Many thanks for the sighting info. I recently asked one of the Virgin Engineering Academy instructors whether or not he had heard anything about an engineering base being set up at Newquay and he strongly denied all knowledge which is probably as good as getting a definite confirmation that it will happen.

They're not starting maintenance in Cornwall, they have no need to. It's a base training flight operated by G-VRAY.

Just to echo the above regarding connections or lack of from NQY to LHR. Flying out to LCA - drove from Truro to LHR , parked car (£70 all in for the two of us) - 4hrs 30...including a stop for tea and buns. I was quite pleased with the outcome.