Jul 18, 2014, 4:23 am
Last edit by: hillrider
BA is one of the airlines that had avoided overflying the whole of Ukraine even before the tragic incident of MH (as opposed to just the areas over Crimea restricted by the FAA and Eurocontrol), even though this came at a greater cost. ^
Here is what airlines did:
Here is what airlines did:
- Actively avoided Ukraine (except for flights terminating in the area): AF, BA, CX,
LX, DL,EK, UA - Overflew Ukraine: BR, KL, LH, MH, TG, SQ, VS, AI, AY, LX, EK, QR, EY
- Do not have routes over Ukraine (any statements about not overflying Ukraine are irrelevant): GA
Has BA been avoiding flying over Ukraine?
Jul 17, 2014, 12:49 pm
#1
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Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
Has BA been avoiding flying over Ukraine?
Looking at a dozen or so flight paths of LHR-SIN and SIN-LHR on Flightaware, ALL BA flights have avoided flying over Ukraine and the border with Russia. This even if on the same exact day the SQ flights flew over Ukraine, implying that it was most likely a conscious decision on the part of BA to take a longer, more costly, route (and some paths are quide decidedly crooked as a result).
If this was an actual BA policy, enormous kudos for making a behind-the-scene safety decision of enormous value, which only the unfortunate event brought to the surface.
BA operations, you earned a huge amount of goodwill on the part of myself and my family.
^ ^ ^
If this was an actual BA policy, enormous kudos for making a behind-the-scene safety decision of enormous value, which only the unfortunate event brought to the surface.
BA operations, you earned a huge amount of goodwill on the part of myself and my family.
^ ^ ^
Jul 17, 2014, 3:57 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 136
The airspace in the east of Ukraine has been closed according to reports on the bbc
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28356745
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28356745
Jul 17, 2014, 4:01 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 272
Yes.
The pilot made an announcement on a recent BKK-LHR I flew apologising for the delay stating it was because we had been routed to 'avoid Ukrainian airspace due to the current events in the country'.
I can only presume this has been standard BA protocol for the past couple of months.
Presumably BA were acting upon recommendation from someone as I don't think said routing was mandatory.
The pilot made an announcement on a recent BKK-LHR I flew apologising for the delay stating it was because we had been routed to 'avoid Ukrainian airspace due to the current events in the country'.
I can only presume this has been standard BA protocol for the past couple of months.
Presumably BA were acting upon recommendation from someone as I don't think said routing was mandatory.
Jul 17, 2014, 4:02 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,242
The airspace in the east of Ukraine has been closed according to reports on the bbc
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28356745
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28356745
German airline Lufthansa said it had decided to "fly a wide detour around east Ukrainian airspace with immediate effect".
It said the decision would affect four of its flights on Thursday. "The safety of our passengers is our top priority," a spokesperson added.
Similarly, Virgin Atlantic said it would re-route "a small number" of its flights on Thursday, following the incident.
"We do not anticipate significant delays and are planning for increased flight lengths on impacted flights of approximately 15 minutes," a spokesperson added.
British Airways said its flights did not use Ukrainian airspace, with the exception of a once-a-day service between Heathrow and Kiev.
Jul 17, 2014, 4:16 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,218
Yes BA has been avoiding the affected are for months following advice from security services and Eurocontrol/ICAO.
The western side of Ukraine is a different kettle of fish and no warnings are in force.
Routes to the Far East are either via Northern Europe/Russia/Mongolia/China, or for SE Asia Turkey/Armenia/Iran/Afganistan/Pakistan/India etc.
Upper level airspace and routes in the region affected are now closed until further notice.
The western side of Ukraine is a different kettle of fish and no warnings are in force.
Routes to the Far East are either via Northern Europe/Russia/Mongolia/China, or for SE Asia Turkey/Armenia/Iran/Afganistan/Pakistan/India etc.
Upper level airspace and routes in the region affected are now closed until further notice.
Jul 17, 2014, 4:27 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 136
I have to admit flying across Iran Afghanistan and Pakistan are always a bottom clenching moment for me over that air space. Should I be worried as my whiskey drinking over that region do turn into doubles!
Jul 17, 2014, 4:37 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,218
As for the whiskey turning to doubles, your greatest risk is a toppling of your internal gyro.
Jul 17, 2014, 4:43 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 272
Some of my favourite in-flight views have been over Afghanistan!
Jul 17, 2014, 4:44 pm
#13
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
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Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,257
Jul 17, 2014, 4:55 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,218
Whilst poor, they are not dangerous. We use a system of Pilot/ATC txt messaging known as CPDLC over parts of India so as to alleviate the problem. Right now the Monsoon is of far more interest.
