Pakistan International Airlines

[lbaspotter]

So guys a quick question

Operationally wise is PIA's choice of using a Boeing 777-200ER a better performer for Leeds/Bradford compared to the Boeing 777-200LR?

 

[wawkrk]

The 772LR could probably fly direct with a full load the 773ER could not but does it matter if the first sector is Athens. It means PIA can now use any version.
The 772LRs have the GE90-115B rated at 110000lbs of thrust but the 773ERs have the GE90-94B at 94000lbs.The 772LR holds 310 pax in a 3 class layout, the 773ER slightly more.

 

[Hendia330]

Has anyone had any hard evidence that this 777 is still arriving or are we just still going with the rumours and hoping it makes a visit on the 10th????

 

[wawkrk]

The maximum flying time/distance for PIA's 772LR is 19 hrs.
The relatively short hop to Islamabad should be no problem I would imagine.
Maybe Aroosh can clarify just what is possible with both the 772LR and the 773ER from LBA ignoring the fact that it is now going via Athens.

 

[tleeds]

Well we have been told that Baggage Handlers have been told to expect a visit, and the Handling Agent has received B777 equipment, ie. stairs etc, so it seems that this is the most believable rumour yet....

 

[Jordan-34092]

Wait i thought the 777-300ER couldn't come into leeds?

Only 200LR or 200ER

 

[scousefowler]

has the ge90-115 engine been at lba before?

surely best engine out there at the mo?

 

[White Heather]

Wait i thought the 777-300ER couldn't come into Leeds?

Only 200LR or 200ER

I think they can all come into Leeds - its more a question of what their operational limits are in using the runway with its length restrictions plus any issues to manage out relating to taxi-ing and stands. If a 747 can come into Leeds, then I am sure a 777 can do so also, whichever variant, but it I understood the 200's had better performance and were better suited to LBA's limitations?

 

[lbaspotter]

I was also under the impression that LBA is limited to Boeing 777-200. I understand that the larger Boeing 777-300 is a no go. The aircraft is just too large for the airports current infrastructure.

It would also have problems turning around down the runway 32 turning circle (Horsfoth end) as the aircraft's triple wheel boggy would start rip up the concrete in no time and would force a expensive repair job.

 

[LeedsPilot]

I was also under the impression that LBA is limited to Boeing 777-200. I understand that the larger Boeing 777-300 is a no go. The aircraft is just too large for the airports current infrastructure.

It would also have problems turning around down the runway 32 turning circle (Horsfoth end) as the aircraft's triple wheel boggy would start rip up the concrete in no time and would force a expensive repair job.

Yes I was also under that impression, both due to its size/ turning circle and also its takeoff performance. It would probably be able to operate to Athens but not direct. I did some research on this a while back using Boeing's own performance data for the B777 and estimated the takeoff and landing distances (obviously these can vary substantially) but the conclusion was that the B777-300ER is at the limit and any reduction in performance would cause the flight to be diverted over the hill...

 

[White Heather]

So if that is the case, why bother flying a 300 series in on the 10th? Personally, I think if this is to happen it needs to be the variant that is best suited to LBA to keep diverts to a minimum, so whether the 300 can use LBA or not, I hope that in the end, it is a 200 series that PIA use. Constant diverts over the hill will serve only to encourage PIA to divert all flights there - permanently!

 

[lbaspotter]

So if that is the case, why bother flying a 300 series in on the 10th? Personally, I think if this is to happen it needs to be the variant that is best suited to LBA to keep diverts to a minimum, so whether the 300 can use LBA or not, I hope that in the end, it is a 200 series that PIA use. Constant diverts over the hill will serve only to encourage PIA to divert all flights there - permanently!

Heather no one has said that PIA are sending a Boeing 777-300ER to LBA?

I think you may have missed read somewhere. As its been rumoured all along that they would be bringing in either a Boeing 777-200LR or 777-200ER.

 

[Jordan-34092]

Well if what user001 has said is true and it's AP-BHX coming in on Saturday, it will be a 200ER testing out LBA.

 

[White Heather]

The 772LR could probably fly direct with a full load the 773ER could not but does it matter if the first sector is Athens. It means PIA can now use any version.
The 772LRs have the GE90-115B rated at 110000lbs of thrust but the 773ERs have the GE90-94B at 94000lbs.The 772LR holds 310 pax in a 3 class layout, the 773ER slightly more.

Sorry lbaspotter, I think it is the above post that has thrown me slightly as it is talking about 200 LR's and 300 ER's, which looking again might be a typo, but it seems to have set off the discussion about 200's and 300's, which in turn has got me confused, which I admit is easy at the moment. :blush:

 

[Jordan-34092]

The 772LR could probably fly direct with a full load the 773ER could not but does it matter if the first sector is Athens. It means PIA can now use any version.
The 772LRs have the GE90-115B rated at 110000lbs of thrust but the 773ERs have the GE90-94B at 94000lbs.The 772LR holds 310 pax in a 3 class layout, the 773ER slightly more.

Sorry lbaspotter, I think it is the above post that has thrown me slightly as it is talking about 200 LR's and 300 ER's, which looking again might be a typo, but it seems to have set off the discussion about 200's and 300's, which in turn has got me confused, which I admit is easy at the moment. :blush:

Don't worry White Heather, PIA will only send a 200 series to leeds for the moment, until they know they can operate the aircraft in and out of leeds with no troubles.


Also i should be able to confirm if it will be a 777 operating Saturday flight in a few hours.

 

[lbaspotter]

Sorry lbaspotter, I think it is the above post that has thrown me slightly as it is talking about 200 LR's and 300 ER's, which looking again might be a typo, but it seems to have set off the discussion about 200's and 300's, which in turn has got me confused, which I admit is easy at the moment. :blush:

You No need to apologise. I see what you mean by looking back over some of the older posts on here. It can get miss leading at times!

PS
Heather is there a chance you could ask a question at the consultative committee meeting tomorrow. I Just wanted to know if you can get it confirmed that the rumours PIA testing the B777-200LR at LBA this Saturday, December 10th are true or not?

Thanks in advance

Regards. Lbaspotter

 

[Jordan-34092]

Keep you updated, but Pakistan International Airline website is still confirming that Saturday's flight on the 10th is being operated by an Airbus A310, so this may or may not be true.

 

[EX9]

Codeco also has A310 in the seat map.

 

[Hendia330]

Surely if the 777 was to be coming there would have been some form of press release to advertise extra seats and so on?

 

[Jordan-34092]

Surely if the 777 was to be coming there would have been some form of press release to advertise extra seats and so on?

This is just a one off on the 10th, if it happens, until may 2012, there testing the 777 into LBA now while season is quiet and the airport wont have much traffic.