Explained: Delta 777-200LRs to LHR
Jul 24, 2009, 8:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA (ATL)
Programs: Delta Air Lines
Posts: 207
Explained: Delta 777-200LRs to LHR
A number of threads have popped up asking why Delta is sending 777s to LHR. There's one running right now on Airliners. Here's your answer.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL9904
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As we expand our global network, Delta must comply with local and national regulations that define our operating permissions into each city and country. Each of the requirements is studied during our operational analysis to determine how Delta will comply in order to serve a particular market. Our newest destination, Sydney has its own requirements.
The Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service (AQIS) requires that cabins and cargo bins on all flights arriving into Australia be treated with insecticide. While treating aircraft cabins is not unique to Australia (Johannesburg and Capetown require top-of-descent aerosol treatment on flights from Dakar) the AQIS requirements are unique. The only two insecticides recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for use in aircraft cabins are either permethrin or d-phenothrin. Permethrin is readily available throughout the U.S. for personal and commercial applications. To satisfy the AQIS requirement, de-insection of Delta's 777-LR aircraft is performed every 8 weeks using a diluted permethrin solution. The solution is sprayed as a fine mist inside the empty cabin and cargo bins and allowed to completely dry prior to cabin entry. The treatment process requires about 3 hours to complete and is accomplished on aircraft that have at least a 6 hour layover.
Although products such as permethrin are approved and available in the U.S., permethrin is currently not a registered EPA chemical for use in disinsecting commercial aircraft in the U.S. Consequently, treatment must be performed during layovers in countries outside the U.S. Delta's Air Crew and Passenger Health department and Environmental Affairs department have reviewed the information provided by the WHO and the chemical manufacturers for insecticides used on Delta's 777-LR aircraft, used for the LAX-SYD flight. Those organizations have determined that these products do not represent a health hazard to passengers or crew members when used as prescribed by the AQIS. All residual treatments are overseen by an AQIS-approved applicator.
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Since very few 777-200LR destinations see a 6+ hour layover and since the insecticide isn't approved for this use by the EPA, Delta must send aircraft elsewhere to be treated - in this case, LHR. I would not be surprised to see this become a scheduled 777-200LR destination in the future to facilitate the insecticide treatment until approval is granted by the EPA, as has been done in the past with flights DL9 and DL10 which have seen 777-200LRs subbed in for this very reason.
Hope this clears up some of the confusion surrounding this subject. Here is a link to the AQIS website detailing the requirements: http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/airc...ines-operators
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL9904
--
As we expand our global network, Delta must comply with local and national regulations that define our operating permissions into each city and country. Each of the requirements is studied during our operational analysis to determine how Delta will comply in order to serve a particular market. Our newest destination, Sydney has its own requirements.
The Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service (AQIS) requires that cabins and cargo bins on all flights arriving into Australia be treated with insecticide. While treating aircraft cabins is not unique to Australia (Johannesburg and Capetown require top-of-descent aerosol treatment on flights from Dakar) the AQIS requirements are unique. The only two insecticides recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for use in aircraft cabins are either permethrin or d-phenothrin. Permethrin is readily available throughout the U.S. for personal and commercial applications. To satisfy the AQIS requirement, de-insection of Delta's 777-LR aircraft is performed every 8 weeks using a diluted permethrin solution. The solution is sprayed as a fine mist inside the empty cabin and cargo bins and allowed to completely dry prior to cabin entry. The treatment process requires about 3 hours to complete and is accomplished on aircraft that have at least a 6 hour layover.
Although products such as permethrin are approved and available in the U.S., permethrin is currently not a registered EPA chemical for use in disinsecting commercial aircraft in the U.S. Consequently, treatment must be performed during layovers in countries outside the U.S. Delta's Air Crew and Passenger Health department and Environmental Affairs department have reviewed the information provided by the WHO and the chemical manufacturers for insecticides used on Delta's 777-LR aircraft, used for the LAX-SYD flight. Those organizations have determined that these products do not represent a health hazard to passengers or crew members when used as prescribed by the AQIS. All residual treatments are overseen by an AQIS-approved applicator.
--
Since very few 777-200LR destinations see a 6+ hour layover and since the insecticide isn't approved for this use by the EPA, Delta must send aircraft elsewhere to be treated - in this case, LHR. I would not be surprised to see this become a scheduled 777-200LR destination in the future to facilitate the insecticide treatment until approval is granted by the EPA, as has been done in the past with flights DL9 and DL10 which have seen 777-200LRs subbed in for this very reason.
Hope this clears up some of the confusion surrounding this subject. Here is a link to the AQIS website detailing the requirements: http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/airc...ines-operators
Last edited by N301DQ; Jul 24, 2009 at 8:38 am
Jul 24, 2009, 10:45 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K
Posts: 1,078
Currently (and this changs with the winter schedule), UA flies a 744 on a LAX-SYD-LAX-NRT-BKK-NRT-LAX schedule so the 744 sits on the ground in BKK enough to do this treatment, although I have no idea if it's actually done the way DL is doing it. From SFO, I'm sure they do it while the plane is on layover in either SIN, SGN, or PVG.
