Flying Doctor

Hi there,
Yes - I think traditionally you are completely correct but these more efficient models of course compound the savings in fuel on the bigger runs so I wondered whether it would make these routes workable.

My view is SCL and CGK are probably on the cards. HNL maybe from LGW. A tag LHR-ANC-HNL won't work due to cabotage legislation in the USA and also tag on's are very expensive to run so there has to be a really good reason to do it.....

No doubt all will be revealed in 2015 but I do think we might at some point see one of these. They are longer than the current longest routes but bear in mind SIN is 6,700 miles and EZE 6,800 so its not that much further. AF can also make SCL and CGK work so there must be something in it....

FD.

mjh0

CTU is a strategic move for both BA, the Sichuan Provincial authorities and the Chengdu Local Government.

My OH ran a high-profile (for her sector, anyway) event in Chengdu a couple of years ago which was heavily supported by both the Provincial and Local authorities, both financially and practically. They wanted her event to be there, and that was obvious from how the event's attendees were treated, for instance their road transport (airport transfers, coaching from hotels to venues, etc.) was laid on by the Chengdu authorities at their expense as part of their support package, and in many cases given VIP escorts to get through the traffic quickly.

BA want to improve their positioning in China, and the CTU authorities want to increase their presence on the world stage, suits them both, and if the 787 makes the economics work better for this, more power to them.

Now LIM or SCL, both those would be interesting routes.

Jordan D

Two words: belly freight

Was having a wide ranging conversation with the senior crew member on my transatlantic flight this week, and he was mentioning how he had operated a very low loaded CTU return (I won't give exact numbers but low). Apparently the low load meant it actually worked out even better for BA - they could uplift even more cargo because of the lack of hold space taken up by passenger bags.

Apparently smoked salmon to China and electronic goods back to Europe are an example of the heavy lifting, money making goods.

Joely

How likely is that though? Not very I would suggest given that it's Y, 15 hours in the back of a 787 would be a human rights abuse in it's current configuration.

jbfield

Another benefit of the 787, besides range, is it can use shorter runways.
This benefit also opens up a number of new destinations, which don't need to be ultra-longhaul.

Edit: A bit of further research on this, suggests that the shorter runways, whilst possible, might not be feasible for commercial ops. I'd be interested to hear if someone can confirm/deny this.

kanderson1965

Because it's in GOC of Yorkshire, however I will be the first to admit that a 787 flight to LBA is unlikely.

themapelligroup

I would see LIM as very likely. I think IAG should strengthen its cooperation with LATAM now that TAM is part of oneworld. SCL might be too long and not sustainable economically for fuel burns but as others have stated LIM might be the right solution.

ian001

Regarding the performance of CTU these are the monthly volumes of passengers in both directions for the past few months:

February 1,889
March 1,175
April 2,364
May 3,025

1010101

I wonder if there is a market for Western Australia, given 3 of the worlds top 5 mining companies are British. Perth is within range of both the A350-800 and the 787-9.

grahampros

Given LHR's geographic position there is just not much need for ULH just as there is not for LH either. Very few routes from London could sustain the traffic required for the expense.

clarkeysntfc

BA has a pretty monopolistic position on many routes from LHR, plus additional AA/US/IB JV flights on top.

The transatlantic routes are the money spinner for BA. Aside from a a few Chinese routes, it would be a surprise to me if BA made any attempt to diverge from this strategy.

Calchas

It's a similar story at AUS, with BA's cargo loads averaging 98% of capacity in both directions in the first month of operations. BA carried 70% of all belly freight and also 70% of all international freight, and its share comprised 10% of total freight (intl+domestic) travelling through AUS.

Apparently Austinites really love fresh Norwegian salmon?!

More info: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...l#post23058466

LupineChemist

I think the question of SCL and LIM is about how IAG views itself. They could get a lot of that traffic with IB going with either the A350 or 787 via MAD and not lose any slots at LHR that could be used for other routes.

Remember IAG is very strong in LATAM

Cubiscus

Unlikely yes, but what an awesome way to get back from Oz - possibly the quickest route with a snappy connection?

paulwuk

Terrible route. Nearly as bad as LA. Go via BKK, SIN, ICN, NRT

http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=lhr-syd...yd,lhr-bkk-syd