BA129 and BA128 From 777 Jet To 747 Jumbo Jet

[Aftab PK786]

Usalamulkium,

Don’t know if discussed before and if have sorry for repeating.

That from Tuesday 28th March, British Airways will start 747 Jumbo Jets instead of its usual 777 Jet to Islamabad International Airport.

Below is the flight detail for the first day the 747 Jumbo Jet will operate.

Flight Details

Flight Number: BA 129
Operated By: British Airways
Depart: Heathrow (London)
Date: Tue 28 March 2006
Time: 18:10
Terminal: 4
Arrive: Islamabad
Date: Wed 29 March 2006
Time: 5:50

Stops: 0
Total journey Time: 7 hours 40 minutes
Aircraft Type: Boeing 747 Jet
Class:
First
Club
Traveller Plus
Traveller


All British Airways and alliance carriers operate non-smoking services.

[mohammed younis]

Usefull info

Just waiting to see what other airliners would fly directly to isb from lhr.

thanks

[PK777]

Exactly, the demand is there yet airlines say there is a "security problem" What b/s

[malpensa26]

why not Virgin Atlantic come to islamabad from manchester?

argument -not many premium passengers ... well virgin mostly carries cheapo tourists to holiday locations.

next argument security- well Nigeria has almost been taken over by Virgin Flights and nigeria is much more dangerous place.

any other ideas?

[fly1346]

I was just wondering, shouldnt the flight be numbered 128, since its going East to ISB

[B777240ER]

Just waiting to see what other airliners would fly directly to isb from lhr

Unless the bilateral is changed I doubt any other airline will fly this route.

next argument security- well Nigeria has almost been taken over by Virgin Flights and nigeria is much more dangerous place

Nigeria has more premium demand. I agree with your first arguement.

[Aftab PK786]

Usalamulkium,

Regarding Virgin Atlantic Airways. I have emailed there customer services numerous amounts of time about starting flights from London Heathrow Airport to Islamabad International Airport and this is what they said:

Dear Aftab

Thank you for your email.

Thank you for your email enquiring about the possibility of flying from London to Islamabad with Virgin Atlantic.

We are constantly evaluating numerous new route opportunities. We have evaluated the Islamabad market from London. Currently we do not have any definite plans to fly on this route in the near future.

We do however monitor any changes in the market place and will re-evaluate our studies when the need arises. New route plans will remain confidential until we release news to the press.

Thank you for contacting Virgin Atlantic.


Kind Regards

Vivek Deshpande
Contact Centre Customer Service Team

I seriously think that they have got their market research wrong because Pakistan International Airline flies 4 times a week to Islamabad International Airport and on top of that because of the increase of demand in flying to Islamabad International Airport, Pakistan International Airline is thinking about staring flights from London Stansted Airport to meet demands.

[Aftab PK786]

Usalamulkium,

When British Airways is going to Islamabad International Airport from London Heathrow Airport then the flight number is BA129 and when it is coming back from Islamabad International Airport to London Heathrow Airport its flight number is BA128.

[iqbal]

Virgin is soon to start London to Dubai service and will increase it soon after starting - i saw the adverts in london's train station on my way to uni this morning.

Maybe we can see them flying to Pakistan some time soon...

[ord]

Exactly, the demand is there yet airlines say there is a "security problem" What b/s

Usalamulkium,

Regarding Virgin Atlantic Airways. I have emailed there customer services numerous amounts of time about starting flights from London Heathrow Airport to Islamabad International Airport and this is what they said:

...........

I seriously think that they have got their market research wrong because Pakistan International Airline flies 4 times a week to Islamabad International Airport and on top of that because of the increase of demand in flying to Islamabad International Airport, Pakistan International Airline is thinking about staring flights from London Stansted Airport to meet demands.

I think not. BA have largely soaked up the premium end of this market and I think VS or BD would find LHE a much higher yielding destination, as PIA is the only carrier providing nonstop service at the moment.

I think ED should look at operating LHE-London and LHE-MAN, instead of ISB-MAN, as ISB-London will be soaked up with the capacity increases, due to PIA's proposed and BA's equipment change.

[PK777]

Also, PIA is the only aircraft flying direct from LHE - LHE, so more airlines need to enter this route e.g. BA/VS/BMI ?

[AP-BGL]

BA can be considered but VS has replied a forum member through email that yet they have no plans to start their flights for Pakistan.

[queerpakistani]

i was trying to book BA first class (LHR to ISB) on my air miles and it seems there is no availability till the end of this year?

[malpensa26]

From ABDUL AHAD
ISLAMABAD - British Airways is increasing its premium capacity between Islamabad and London by 150 percent to cater for the needs of the corporate sector. For this purpose the airline will introduce the larger Boeing 747 aircraft that will replace the existing Boeing 777 from March 29 this year.
This has been stated by Paul Dhami, British Airways’ commercial manager for Pakistan in an exclusive interview with The Nation.
He said the launch of the larger aircraft on the route demonstrates the airline’s commitment to the Pakistani market. The larger aircraft will offer its business customers the opportunity to experience four cabins, including the airline’s FIRST cabin.
“The increase in the number of seats between Islamabad and London is part of our expansion plan in Pakistan. The country has traditionally been a very important market for us and it continues to be so,” observed Dhami.
Replying to a question he said the increased foreign investment has meant more passengers, and British Airways is taking this tremendous opportunity to serve that demand through its worldwide network from London.
“An example of how valuable we consider this route to be is shown also by the fact that we have Urdu speaking crew on our flights, who are aware of the local language and culture. This ensures that Pakistani passengers travelling with us can be served by British Airways staff speaking their own language,” he remarked.
Paul Dhami said, “We are also looking for British Airways in Pakistan to develop online bookings and services. We encourage our passengers to log onto www.ba.com to find out about our special offers and services”.
When asked about the flights’ schedule, he said British Airways offers three weekly flights between Islamabad and London, featuring FIRST, Club World, World Traveller Plus, and World Traveller cabins. FIRST offers the very best of British Airways service, offering private cabins. Featuring the airline’s revolutionary flat beds, a la carte dining, spectacular in flight entertainment and access to airport lounges. FIRST customers can be assured of the highest standards of service and attention to detail throughout their journey.
When asked whether the British Airways has a plan to open its offices in Lahore and Karachi in near future, he replied in the negative.
Paul Dhami is also the airline country manager of Afghanistan. He said although no BA flights operate from Afghanistan but the potential customers come to Pakistan to take flights.
He said he met Pakistani Civil Aviation Authority officials Tuesday morning to know more about the new Islamabad airport. He expressed the hope that the new airport would be built in 6-10 years.
However, Mr Dhami was not happy with the present infrastructure at the Islamabad airport, saying the facilities are not adequate.

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2006/1/bnews3.php

[malpensa26]

Referring to immigrants in his country, especially of Pakistani origin, he said they are useful part of the British society and in the wake of the 7/7 incident no backlash has taken place in the UK. The immigrants are not facing any discrimination in the UK and they are availing themselves of "all the opportunities under the sun in moving ahead".

Grant mentioned that two of the British ambassadors in important countries are Muslims, including one in Bangladesh, Anwar Chaudhry. He smilingly said: "One day you could also find a Muslim high commissioner in Pakistan from the UK." The British society consists of multi-faith and everyone has the right to practise his beliefs, he said. "We have many people from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh origins working in important governmental departments, including the foreign office."

Grant said his mission in Islamabad processed 175,000 visa applications last year. It was a record number and Islamabad proved to be the highest application-processing British station last year worldwide. He added that now visa applications are processed in just one week, 8,500 student visas were issued last year while 10,000 settlement visas were granted.

The British high commissioner complained about bogus documentation and said last year the rate of bogus documents submitted to the high commission remained 30 to 40 per cent. He disclosed that the highest number of bogus documents is submitted for student visas, adding that applicants appearing with forged documents are handed over to the FIA and in most of the cases bogus bank statements, educational institutions and fake passports are submitted.

He further revealed that a private airline of Britain is about to start an air service between Pakistan and the UK. It is expected to be operational in July. Application of the airline for accreditation by the civil aviation authorities is under process, according to the envoy. The British Airways is also bringing wide-body planes in service to carry more passengers from both sides, he noted.

is there still hope for Global Spirit Airlines?