Paul Woodcock
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Hello! Was browsing round the interwebs, as you do, and stumbled on this fine forum. After reading a lot of the comments about PIA and whether it needs the A380 or not.
Well, while at university, as part of my summer vacation, I worked at Manchester airport in the belly as a baggage handler (if anyone had a damaged suitcase travelling to Manchester in the summer of 1999, and 2000, it wasnt me!) But I do remember that the flight from Pakistan routing to the US was full when it arrived, some got off, some got on, and it left full. And the direct flight to Manchester arrived full, and left full! (still have bad memories about the MILLIONS of bags, boxes, pots, pans, and chairs!)
What the A380 offers is much lower costs per person. Still has 4 engines, like a 747, but at least 150 seats more, up to a maximum of 880. You wont see it get up to 1000. Never. Its not rated to do so, and it will never be rated to do so. Airbus does have plans for a stretched A380, in its -900 variant, which may get up to 950, but until the -800 is really up and running properly, and demand for the -900 is there, it wont get off the drawing board.
As for its size, if an airport can handle the 747-400, it cand handle the A380. Nearly. Airbus designed the A380 to fit inside the same box as the 747-400. Its about the same length, slightly wider, but not by much. The 2 major areas that need checking are gates, which are easy to upgrade, and the slightly trickier issue of weight. Its a heavy lady.
Could PIA use it? Of course they could. Pakistan has a very wide diaspora who want to maintain regular links with Pakistan. And the A380 allows PIA to transport people to visit family (either way), tourists to Pakistan (its a very beautiful place!) and operate out of airports where PIA will struggle to increase its presence because the availability of space is limited, such as London Heathrow. It is really unlikely PIA will be able to increase the number of flights out of LHR easily considering it is operating at some silly number like 99.8% capacity!
Could even use it on flights to Manchester. Especially in summer season. Manchester can handle it. And already does.
PIA could use the A380. Its not something they can pick up tomorrow and run with, it will take planning. But if they wanted to, they could. Get a great new flagship for the airline too.
Well, while at university, as part of my summer vacation, I worked at Manchester airport in the belly as a baggage handler (if anyone had a damaged suitcase travelling to Manchester in the summer of 1999, and 2000, it wasnt me!) But I do remember that the flight from Pakistan routing to the US was full when it arrived, some got off, some got on, and it left full. And the direct flight to Manchester arrived full, and left full! (still have bad memories about the MILLIONS of bags, boxes, pots, pans, and chairs!)
What the A380 offers is much lower costs per person. Still has 4 engines, like a 747, but at least 150 seats more, up to a maximum of 880. You wont see it get up to 1000. Never. Its not rated to do so, and it will never be rated to do so. Airbus does have plans for a stretched A380, in its -900 variant, which may get up to 950, but until the -800 is really up and running properly, and demand for the -900 is there, it wont get off the drawing board.
As for its size, if an airport can handle the 747-400, it cand handle the A380. Nearly. Airbus designed the A380 to fit inside the same box as the 747-400. Its about the same length, slightly wider, but not by much. The 2 major areas that need checking are gates, which are easy to upgrade, and the slightly trickier issue of weight. Its a heavy lady.
Could PIA use it? Of course they could. Pakistan has a very wide diaspora who want to maintain regular links with Pakistan. And the A380 allows PIA to transport people to visit family (either way), tourists to Pakistan (its a very beautiful place!) and operate out of airports where PIA will struggle to increase its presence because the availability of space is limited, such as London Heathrow. It is really unlikely PIA will be able to increase the number of flights out of LHR easily considering it is operating at some silly number like 99.8% capacity!
Could even use it on flights to Manchester. Especially in summer season. Manchester can handle it. And already does.
PIA could use the A380. Its not something they can pick up tomorrow and run with, it will take planning. But if they wanted to, they could. Get a great new flagship for the airline too.