Could BA be set to return to IRAQ?
Jan 28, 2012, 7:20 am
#1
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Could BA be set to return to IRAQ?
Didnt see it posted anywhere (im no doubt wrong)
but thebasource is reporting the following:
Basra airport is IATA BSR, i dont think that BA ever operated into BSR previously ?
cs
but thebasource is reporting the following:
British Airways has been given permission by the US led Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq to commence twice weekly services to Basra. Services will only commence once the airline are convinced that the operation can run safely and are expected to be an extension of the BA157/BA156 London Heathrow - Kuwait City service. BA has not operated to Iraq since February 1990.
cs
Jan 28, 2012, 7:23 am
#2
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BA had applied for rights to Basra shortly after the invasion - 3 767 a week if I recall - but the turmoil that followed meant that never happened.
Logical extension of the KWI service. It would certainly make for a 6th freedom run with a difference.
Logical extension of the KWI service. It would certainly make for a 6th freedom run with a difference.
Jan 28, 2012, 8:34 am
#4
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one crew could operate LHR-KWI and then another operate KWI-BSR-KWI
cs
Jan 28, 2012, 8:38 am
#5
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Since the flight is well under an hour wouldn't it make more sense for a flight crew to operate LHR-KWI-BSR-KWI (rest) KWI-LHR?
It would seem awfully expensive to position a crew just to fly 45 minutes there and back.
It would seem awfully expensive to position a crew just to fly 45 minutes there and back.
Jan 28, 2012, 8:53 am
#6
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The wouldn't position. Other 6th freedom flights work like this
LHR-KWI
KWI-BSR-KWI
KWI-LHR
All down to rest hours , duty periods etc.
When crews weren't staying in RUH BA also operated LHR-RUH-KWI, then KWI-LHR.
LHR-KWI
KWI-BSR-KWI
KWI-LHR
All down to rest hours , duty periods etc.
When crews weren't staying in RUH BA also operated LHR-RUH-KWI, then KWI-LHR.
Jan 28, 2012, 10:44 am
#7
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Just finished a rollicking 11-day MR ex-CAI x2 to JFK via LHR/LCY in J & F for about 400,000 avios & copious TPs, all for around EUR4500, (Had business in NYC anyway,) and I'm already contemplating ex-Basra pricing for next year's accelerator bonus MR....Basra-JFK in J for EUR1100??? 
My fiancee almost laid an egg when she found out I was doing CAI....I think Basra would cause her to hatch one!
My fiancee almost laid an egg when she found out I was doing CAI....I think Basra would cause her to hatch one!
Jan 28, 2012, 1:54 pm
#11
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At one point in time it was both.
What aircraft would BA send anyway? All airlines that have started services to Iraq have struggled with passenger numbers for obvious reasons - it's hard to imagine a Kuwait bound 747 being anything other than almost empty.
What aircraft would BA send anyway? All airlines that have started services to Iraq have struggled with passenger numbers for obvious reasons - it's hard to imagine a Kuwait bound 747 being anything other than almost empty.
Jan 28, 2012, 5:24 pm
#14
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Jan 28, 2012, 6:19 pm
#15
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I think if they do operate to Iraq, I think BGW is Baghdad. Then it's most likely to be a shuttle added to a KWI or ex-bmi Levant service. The KWI route used to be busy with military contractors, but that work is slowing down in Iraq, so a shuttle, as much as BA appear to hate them, might work.