V-Flyer

Whilst it is always sad to see routes binned and the inevitable bad press that these decisions always seem to bring. It has to be remembered that VS is a business and if routes don't make money they have to go.

Nick

The article says the had to tanker fuel from the UK. Surely that can't be cheap!!! Also I read on another site that ACC is prone to running out of fuel hence the spike in prices.

Wonder what they'll use the LHR slot for?

What do they mean "tanking in fuel"? The plane takes 2x the kerosene?

Well re the slot times, loads of Asian airlines have similar slot times to those from Accra, serving destinations like BKK, PEK, SIN, HKG and KUL. The slots aren't great for America, S. America and apparently Africa...so that leaves...Glasgow? =-O

I believe tanking fuel means that the aircraft will leave LHR with enough fuel on board for the round trip to save refuelling in Accra.

Wow, now that sounds expensive!

not_ordinary_more_weird wrote:What do they mean "tanking in fuel"? The plane takes 2x the kerosene?

Well re the slot times, loads of Asian airlines have similar slot times to those from Accra, serving destinations like BKK, PEK, SIN, HKG and KUL. The slots aren't great for America, S. America and apparently Africa...so that leaves...Glasgow? =-O

I'd say the slots would work for Rio or São Paulo ? Land early into Brazil and leave in the evening from Brazil to arrive back into London in the afternoon (obv slot dependant particularly in GRU and the a/c would have a long layover in Brazil). Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part!

Tanking is actually pretty common although not to the return trip standard Virgin are operating. I remember BA 10 years ago used to take 150% of fuel to Milan so that they only needed 50% fuel to return (or sometimes none for a quick turnaround) due to the higher price of fuel there. Of course there is a cost penalty of carrying the extra weight there but no doubt some clever person with an Excel spreadsheet has worked it all out.

not_ordinary_more_weird wrote:so that leaves...Glasgow? =-O

Oh you big tease! As much as I'd love this I don't think it'll happen. I think what's being released is 5 slots per week, to run a decent domestic service you'd need 2 or 3 slots per day, every day.

Seattle or Atlanta.

Well, burning fuel to carry fuel seems pretty wasteful too, I guess.

not_ordinary_more_weird wrote:so that leaves...Glasgow? =-O

Oh you big tease! As much as I'd love this I don't think it'll happen. I think what's being released is 5 slots per week, to run a decent domestic service you'd need 2 or 3 slots per day, every day.[/quote]

Yep, see what you mean, they could do at least 1x weekly LGW-GLA anyway, with the positioning! i)

RIO, GRU: Current slots only allow a 20 hour rotation, Brazil needs about 26-30. Slot shortage too.
SEA, ATL: Bad timings, no JV yet

They're gonna have fun with this slot, you can't even do Asia without a swap! ?| But they always manage to sort it out. y)

AUH?

not_ordinary_more_weird wrote:
RIO, GRU: Current slots only allow a 20 hour rotation, Brazil needs about 26-30. Slot shortage too.

I'm sure with a bit of shuffling and tweaking they can sort out a GIG/GRU rotation... or perhaps another Indian destination?

Just for info - 'tankering' fuel is quite common in the industry. I run an airline in Africa right now, and we do it all the time - even though it costs money to carry the extra weight (since the aircraft is heavier it uses more fuel) but the price differentials between airports makes it worthwhile. The key issues is ensuring that max take off weight and max landing weight on the outbound sector are respected.

Lots of rumours about DAR for the new route - but unless VS change their approach to business travellers, I just can't see it.

Sarastro wrote:..I run an airline in Africa right now..

Out of curiosity, which airline do you run?

What about a DAR/NBO combo? I see NBO has popped its head up in the flight status pages on the website recently.

PM'ed you Joeyc.

Double drops are never fun - more complexity, higher costs and rarely much more revenue. And BA have NBO remember....

BA are stepping up capacity on Accra to 10x weekly, including up-sizing the existing flight from a 777 to 747.

Wonder where it all went wrong for VS on this route?

http://airlineroute.net/category/british-airways/

Austin?

Oh.

Probably more to do with cargo that passengers.
Slots worth more to sub-let than revenue from ACC

clarkeysntfc wrote:Wonder where it all went wrong for VS on this route?

Perhaps feed traffic was not that great. BA do have a bigger alliance behind them for potential onward traffic.

Or as Darren says... cargo figures were dropping so they opted to ditch the route. Not sure I agree on the slot sub-letting, that cannot do any good for an airline's image and promotion can it?