Aviation Mega Cities

Quote: Nareed

What I'd like to know is that you did with those miles.

Also, what were the drives to the airports like? If I had to get to MEX every week, I'd probably wind up with some kind of violent psychotic break.

Quote: DRich

I don't remember specifically where I went with those miles but I always use them before they expire. Even today I usually have enough to take a couple domestic trips with my wife.

Quote: Pacomartin

Spending grotesque amounts of money on travel is the ultimate indulgence. It is even more sybaritic than eating ice cream with edible 24 carat gold sprinkles (for $1000).

Quote: Nareed

I don't know what usually accompanies gold ores.

Quote: Nareed

I knew this. Which means the A318 business class is more expensive and lacks direct aisle access from every seat ;) Really BA has done achieved an awesome marketing triumph with these two planes. They should look into other routes high in demand through London city. Though I really can't think of another not involving a stop for refueling.

Quote: July 25, 2016 issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology.

The baseline range of 3,050 nm for the CS100 and 3,300 nm for the CS300 remain unchanged.

According to the manufacturer, the CS100 now has a range of 2,350 nm out of the London airport. But Dewar says the aircraft can make it to New York-JFK with up to 42 passengers in an all-business-class configuration without a refueling stop, 10 more than the maximum number on the British Airways Airbus A318 service, which requires a westbound fuel stop. According to Dewar, the CS100 could fly from LCY to Dubai International with about 80 passengers and to Moscow with 108.

LCY also has high hopes that the aircraft will allow airlines to operate more long-haul flights in spite of its short 1,500-m (5,000-ft.) runway. Chief Executive Declan Collier says the airport considers destinations in the Middle East, the Gulf region and Turkey as possibilities, with North American markets such as Toronto, Montreal and Boston also becoming viable options. The plans, however, hinge on the airport’s ability to get approval for desperately needed expansion. The most important is a desire to build a new taxiway parallel to the runway, which would eliminate the need to backtrack and thus increase aircraft throughput and capacity. Seven additional apron positions are also planned but not yet approved. Collier says LCY can currently handle the planned Swiss International Air Lines C Series services from both Zurich and Geneva and the BA A318 operation.

Bombardier also has more homework to do. According to Dewar, the company has validated steep approach capabilities for up to 8.5 deg. in Canada; 5.5 deg. is necessary for the difficult landing procedure into LCY. However, the tests must be validated in trials at the airport itself; the tests are scheduled for the fall. Once all the required regulatory approvals are obtained, Swiss wants to start operating the aircraft into LCY from the spring of 2017.

Quote: Pacomartin

It does appear that you were right. London City Airport operations were a primary goal in the design of the Bombardier aircraft. They can fly nonstop back to JFK without the refueling stop in Ireland with 10 more seats than the A318.

Quote: Nareed

In the meantime, Singapore Air's leases on its first five A380s are about to expire, and it seems they won't be keeping any of them. They've already said they won't keep the first, whose lease expires in October. So we're about to see cheap, second-hand A380s hit the market? Sort of. Other airlines, it seems, may already be quietly trying to sell their existing A380s. I heard about Malaysia Airlines and perhaps one or two others. Some in the aviation blogs are fantasizing about Delta and United snapping them up (as if!)

Quote: Nareed

We may see the sorry spectacle of a 10-year old, long-haul plane broken up for parts at a scrap yard.

Quote: Pacomartin

The big thing is the Singapore Air is required to purchase 5 more A380s.

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Not a chance. Singapore Air has a lease that says they have to restore the planes to "like new" to turn them in at 10 years.

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If anything British Air will purchase or lease them. BA is happy with it's 10 A380s, but they just don't want to pay full price for new ones. Turkish Airlines would probably buy them if BA does not.

Quote: Nareed

That I didn't know. I suppose they'll have to, then.

Quote: Pacomartin

This October is really 9 years after delivery. They must formally notify the leasing company at year 9 what they intend to do at year 10.

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Emirates received their first in July 2008 and Qantas in Sep 2008. But Emirates signed a 12 year lease, instead of 10.

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Atatürk Airport now carries more passengers than Frankfurt Airport or Airport Schiphol and is only behind London and Paris in Europe. To close it down would be devastating.