Heathrow - Routing off LAM
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

No potentially conflicting traffic visible on Webtrak.

Exactly…….

Meaning....?

Disclaimer from Web Trak.

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

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 ...

I think the OP does now.

Spooky ...

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.