Originally Posted by
AtlanticXpat
Well, yes and no. That tells me what's happening but not why!
The why is pretty obvious. Weak demand on YYT-LHR and YHZ-LHR during the winter. Combining the two on 2 of 4 weekly flights cuts costs.
Ok granted, there is also a non-obvious part.
AC gave those three additional slots to CZ for the winter schedule.
http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/...rvice-changes/
China Southern in last week’s schedule update adjusted planned Guangzhou – London Heathrow service for winter 2017/18 season. From 29OCT17, the Skyteam member will operate this route 10 weekly, instead of previously filed 7 weekly. Boeing 787-8 operates this route.
CZ603 CAN0150 – 0710LHR 787 146
CZ303 CAN0930 – 1430LHR 787 D
CZ604 LHR1110 – 0640+1CAN 787 146
CZ304 LHR2230 – 1750+1CAN 787 D
The airline earlier this month increased operational frequency for summer season from 7 to 14 weekly (from 01JUN17).
That last sentence is about CZ and AC swapping slots at LHR/PVG. That is how AC was able to secure optimal slots and started YUL-PVG daily in february, whereas CZ was able to go double daily on CAN-LHR this summer. That LHR slot was sitting unused since YEG-LHR (and the subsequent second daily YYC-LHR, which was transferred recently to a second daily YVR-LHR) was terminated.