LHR Reduced flow rates

[MrHorgy]

All,

I understand how sensitive LHR can be with capacity during inclement weather. My partner recently had a flight cancelled from LBA to LHR because of "weather at Heathrow" - however when I checked the weather at the time, there didn't appear to be anything serious enough to lead to BAA asking operators to reduce their number of movements. Is there any way to see which days they might have asked to do this? The cynical side of me thinks the flight was cancelled due to crew shortage, but they are quite insistent.

Any learned opinions welcome..

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

If it's a weather problem it is usually ATC which decides the flow rate I believe.

[DaveReidUK]

My partner recently had a flight cancelled from LBA to LHR because of "weather at Heathrow" - however when I checked the weather at the time, there didn't appear to be anything serious enough to lead to BAA asking operators to reduce their number of movements.

Strong winds, perhaps?

When was this? It would be relatively easy to check the numbers for the day in question.

[MrHorgy]

I imagined it would only be ATC who ask for the reduction. Could you direct me to how I can check a particular date?

Much oblidged.

[DaveReidUK]

Could you direct me to how I can check a particular date?

Give me the date and the approximate time, and I'll check what the landing rate was compared to the same time on other days.

If it's within the last few weeks, I probably have data on the headwind component too.

[ZOOKER]

It could even be the recent thunderstorms in the SE affecting the overall capacity of the LTMA, (the terminal airspace overlying much of the SE, between Daventry and the English Channel).
"Weather at Heathrow" could be just a generic explanation. The 'weather regulation' may have been applied by the en-route centre at Swanwick.

[5milesbaby]

"Checking the weather at the time" may not come up with the answer either, checking the weather for that day and even the day before would possibly help more. Once delays begin to amount the consequences could last much longer than the problem itself. If the weather at Heathrow or inside the London TMA was bad in the morning, there could still be cancellations throughout the afternoon to get the operation back on schedule, surprising how much a brief regulation can affect an entire operation.

[falconeasydriver]

This may or may not be the appropriate place to add to the thread, but in a related question, how does the 380 affect flow rates in respect of its separation requirements? Does it move more bums on seats? Or does it reduce overall numbers given smaller types require less airspace.

[DaveReidUK]

Falconeasy - re: the A380 movements I believe they are coordinated on to the departure runway where possible to minimise disruption (operational heads can correct).

That was true during the Operational Freedoms trials a couple of years ago.

But nowadays, outside of the 0600-0700 period when both runways are used for landing, around 80-85% of A380 arrivals are on the designated landing runway.