Leeds / Bradford Airport Forum | PIA increase ISB flights from LBA for summer 09

As previously rumoured, PIA are now taking bookings for a 3rd weekly rotation between ISB and LBA, operating on A310 aircraft on Mondays.

There are also rumours circulating widely that PIA intend operating a Dubai - Leeds - Dublin route. It is hoped these rumours are as accurate as those regarding the ISB additional flight, as Dubai would be a terrific new route and another feather in the cap of Bridgepoint, the new owners.

Excellent news for you guys at LBA and PIA, glad to hear they're doing well where Shaheen messed up so badly. Hope this isn't affecting the Manchester routes too much though

StarMonarA380

Thanks StarmonarA380. I am sure you don't mind LBA pinching a few flights in the circumstances as for many years we have been giving you far too many of our passengers! At last we seem to be pulling a few back, but there is a long way to go yet and I don't think MAN will be too worried.

Lol yes indeed, I suppose a large portion of our PIA passengers are from Bradford anyway so it's only fair they go to you.

StarMonarA380

Yes, and Leeds (less densely populated by Pakistani peoples, but a much bigger city so there still must be a large population), and Huddersfield, Halifax etc.

Even PIA seemed to think that all their passengers came from Bradford too. Their initial publicity on their web site only mentioned Bradford, and their route map still shows Bradford - no mention of Leeds. But when booking flights, they get it right - Leeds Bradford comes up.

Just to make things more confusing still though, when you walk into the terminal at LBA, there is a big PIA poster stating Leeds to Islamabad, and no mention of Bradford! And. their recent announcement in Pakistan about increasing the weekly flights announced that they would be increasing their flights from Islamabad to Leeds!

I am surprised that no one has mentioned the damaged PIA aircraft that is currently sitting on the tarmac at Leeds....i wonder where and when it will be repaired..

Haven't heard a word about it,. What happened?

found something on PPrune. bashed by a service vehicle, damaging a door

Yes, it was damaged by a ambulift...it was placed incorrectly against the aircraft, and when the platform was raised it struck the front cargo door damaging the hydrolics..therefor making the aircraft in-operable, not sure what airbus will do, maybe they will repair it at Leeds

Nothing to do with Airbus really, except they will try and supply parts on an AOG basis.

I'd expect it to do a quick unpressurised flight to somewhere like Manchester and into the TCX hangars. As long as the frames are not distorted it shouldn't take much work

PK158 is departing from Leeds to Islamabad at 19.00 tonight, the lba website says that the gate is open for boarding??? i dont know anything about this flight....could it be the damaged airbus, returning to Islamabad...i am a little confused!!!

AP-BEC leaving LBA tonight, it's the damaged one.

Must of been an easy fix

Maybe the door was replaced using one off a parked plane somewhere. I think it's the same as the A300 as they have a similar body and there are a few parked up around the place.

I think there are also some A310s around at places like Filton. If the reinforcing frames around the door are intact then it isn't a huge job. Just as fiddly as you'd expect with hydraulics and electric motors to be attached.

Leeds Bradford Airport Is Closed
after a suspicious package was found on board the Pakistani flight to Islamabad tonight..the aircraft is currently sitting on the runway...Sky Breaking News reports tonight......

Saw the A310 last night making a very impressive approach onto RWY 32 over Wakefield... nice plane

Yes, it is nice, but old!

Official sources at LBA say that PIA have confirmed that they will be replacing the A310 on the LBA to ISB route with a Boeing 777 - probably a 200ER series, which has similar take off performance and even longer range than the A310. No date given, but it will happen. Some preparation work on the ground at LBA may be required first, particularly around the parking apron, but when it happens it will be a real boost for the airport. Sad to see the A310 go though.

a 772ER? im sure that will look even better flying over my garden in Wakefield heading for a 32 touch down

like i said, last night i saw the A310 again over Wakefield making a 32 approach, such a great plane, and against the dramatic stormy sky as well it would have been a picture perfect. What a beast of a plane, any news on when we might get our 772?

If PK can program one of the 772LR aircraft in for a LBA service it would be even better as that has incredible short field performance. However it isn't much of an issue with the 777, what is a problem is the airport layout.

Manchester has had terrible problems with their 777 operations. The three axle main gear has been really tough on corners, especially on high weight models like the 773ER. Taking a sharp bend or backtracking 180 turn can damage the taxiway surfaces, and the pavement loading per wheel on a 773ER is higher than an A380 or 744. The 772 isn't quite as bad but it still has that three axle bogie and a high loading. The A380 is another aircraft with that scrubbing issue.

I think LBA managers will want to do some serious checking and maybe test flights if possible before any 777 operations.

I agree..she did look beautiful coming across from Wakefield to Leeds last night....i really cant wait to see the 772 making regular flights, that should be a very cool sight!!!!
I have also heard a rumour that Thomas Cook will be bringing in a A330-200 for either the winter or summer, for extra charters, Fingers crossed that they do!!!

A330, that would be too cool. Yeah about PIA, i heard that as the A310 fleet is so overworked they may be putting 772s on, which would be great.



I understand this could be a problem, especially with the turning pad at the 32 runway end. A parallel taxiway could improve this, although there is something in the masterplan about this????

Not sure if its true or not (i hope not) but i have now been informed that the PIA772 service has been cancelled, PIA are losing too much money in todays current financial market.....

Another sourse has informed me that Serviceair have bought some new equipment for toing/pushing back a 772 aircraft....Now i am confused..