Heathrow - Routing off LAM

[ex-EGLL]

Looking on FR24 for the first time in ages this morning. Heathrow on Easterlies and most of the LAM traffic was leaving LAM on a SW heading and crossing over to the south side. Is this now standard, if so what would the reason be? I realise many things have changed since I was there, just interested that's all.

[DaveReidUK]

Interesting. Can you cite an example (time and/or flight number)?

There are some very odd tracks showing on Heathrow's Webtrak for early this afternoon (or might just be a glitch) - not sure if that's connected with what you're seeing.

[OldLurker]

Might they now be able to use 09R for landings and 09L for takeoffs

[DaveReidUK]

Might they now be able to use 09R for landings and 09L for takeoffs

Not on any regular basis.

And hard to see how or why that would affect inbounds.

[ex-EGLL]

Dave, it was 1445 UTC. There was one doing a hold a BNN, and about 5 came off LAM on something like a 230 heading. All went for 09L. It just seemed like an dd thing to do, Traffic off BNN did a normal easterlies routing. CXA8711 did the normal north side route off LAM then JAL43 DLH5EL ANA211 QTR7452 (after a spin) then BAW2761 went on the North route.

[3Greens]

Dave, it was 1445 UTC. There was one doing a hold a BNN, and about 5 came off LAM on something like a 230 heading. All went for 09L. It just seemed like an dd thing to do, Traffic off BNN did a normal easterlies routing. CXA8711 did the normal north side route off LAM then JAL43 DLH5EL ANA211 QTR7452 (after a spin) then BAW2761 went on the North route.

happens occasionally if there’s a lot of traffic via LAM and BNN compared to BIG and OCK. Been rerouted LAM>BIG a fair few times over the years albeit, not since COVID.

[Gonzo]

And may well have been another reason, such as airspace infringement or survey aircraft, neither of which may show up on FR24.

[ex-EGLL]

Thanks Gonzo, the thought of "Operational Requirement" was in the back of my mind. From having controlled there many years decades ago, it just looked very strange!

[DaveReidUK]

No potentially conflicting traffic visible on Webtrak.

[Gonzo]

Exactly…….

[DaveReidUK]

Meaning....?

[hairstreak]

Disclaimer from Web Trak.

Flights may not be shown in WebTrak due to security and/or safety restrictions or temporary systems failures.

[DaveReidUK]

Yes, WebTrak does indeed occasionally fail to show some flights (including the odd Heathrow movement), but they almost always appear within a couple of days.

Still nothing showing retrospectively for Monday afternoon that would cause embarrassment to a LAM arrival, nor anything on Mode S at a height/position that would produce a potential conflict.

I guess we'll never know the reason ...

[Gonzo]

I think the OP does now.

[DaveReidUK]

Spooky ...

[ex-EGLL]

I wouldn't say I know, but I am 95% sure my gut feeling is correct :-) and on that note it's probably best to close the thread.