Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

On Wednesday 27 February, QF2 departed LHR on time at 2045 with expected Thursday 28 SIN arrival at 1820, 35 late so tonight's proposed pushback in SIN has been put back to 1945, half an hour behind.

 

[milehighclub]

Closure of Pakistani commercial airspace may impact on the schedules of QF1/2. I wonder how much more time is added to the SIN-LHR sector?

A memo has said that 30 minutes will be added to the QF1/2.

 

[Melburnian1]

A memo has said that 30 minutes will be added to the QF1/2.

I've already recorded above that last night's QF2 is showing as arriving SIN 35 late tonight despite departing LHR on Wednesday 27 bang on time, so as usual milehighclub, your information is spot on. Thank you again!

Half an hour extra on a 12 or 13 hour sector doesn't sound like much but if in place for even just one month, it must mean thousands of extra tonnes of fuel consumed by the daily QF1/QF2. Multiply that by numerous other airlines operating through the area, some with huge numbers of European bound or originating flights compared to QF and the additional jet fuel required is significant.

Interestingly TG has pulled all its European flights, as it suggests it cannot obtain flight paths in the apparently even more crowded skies while SQ says its flights will require refuelling. The latter statement wasn't elaborated upon.

Mysterious as to why an SQ A380 bound for LHR might require refuelling while a QF one does not, but the SQ remark may have been for particular other European destinations.

UPDATE: On Thursday 28 February, QF2 arrived in SIN a minute early at 1744 hours. It tracked a little south of Muscat and also south of Mumbai (Bombay) so it did not fly anywhere near the disputed border area of Kashmir.

 

[bcworld]

Mysterious as to why an SQ A380 bound for LHR might require refuelling while a QF one does not, but the SQ remark may have been for particular other European destinations.

I think its probably to do with the timing. SQ is only listing refueling stops for flights that departed yesterday (27/02). And only for SQ308/SQ318 which are flights that were probably in the air when the airspace closure was announced. QF1 departing SIN just before midnight either flew over long before the airspace was closed or they had ample warning to reroute next day.

SQ308 was very close! Singapore Airlines flight SQ308 - Flightradar24

 

[docjames]

Interestingly TG has pulled all its European flights, as it suggests it cannot obtain flight paths in the apparently even more crowded skies while SQ says its flights will require refuelling. The latter statement wasn't elaborated upon.

Mysterious as to why an SQ A380 bound for LHR might require refuelling while a QF one does not, but the SQ remark may have been for particular other European destinations.

Certainly interesting.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF772, the 0925 hours Thursday 28 February PER across to MEL transcontinental (A332 VH-EBM) was in the sky at 1022, about 40 - 45 late. Arrival has become 1645, 45 late.

 

[Quickstatus]

it must mean thousands of extra tonnes of fuel consumed by the daily QF1/QF2. Multiply that by numerous other airlines operating through the area

About 14 tons per hour if I recall correctly.
So 30 minutes = 7 tons plus any extra to make it a “legal” 7 tons

What are the prevailing winds in that area of the world and do they change depending on latitude?

QF A380 has higher MTOW as explained by jb747 of 572 tons Not sure what MTW is of other airlines - may be lower...

 

[Melburnian1]

B738 VH-VZZ on QF156 (Thursday 28 February 2019, the 1405 hours AKL - MEL) took off at 1634. Anticipated arrival has become 1827 hours, 132 minutes tardy.

QF544 (1800 hours SYD up to BNE, B738 VH-VZC) was still taxiing at 1845 so it will be at least 35 minutes late.

B738 VH-XZE on QF465, the 1900 hours SYD down to MEL is worse as ot did not push back until 1942. It took off at 1958 hours on runway 34R, so arrival will be at 2110 hours or later, at least 35 late.

A332 VH-EBM operated the 1700 hours northbound MEL - SYd (QF452) that took off at 1906 hours, arriving at 2014 hours, 109 minutes late. It had arrived in Melbourne 39 late on QF772, the 0925 hours transcon ex PER, but that does not totally explain the much greater delay on the Melbourne to Sydney sector.

 

[Melburnian1]

The A388-operated QF1 has a pretty good timekeeping record ex SYD, from where it should pushback during AEDT at 1700 hours under the current timetable, but on Thursday 28 February - last day of summer - this occurred at 1919, with VH-OQC airborne at 1939 hours. The amended SIN stop is forecast from 0020 to 0145, the latter 135 minutes late on Friday 1 March with :LHR arrival delayed until 0750, 95 ;ate.

Note the gate-to-gate expecetd gain on the timetable (SIN - LHR) of 40 minutes.

One brief report re the Indian/Pakistani fighter jets shot down Kasmiri situation says Pakistani airspace has reopened to some flights. If so this will mean no need to continue deviating with the latter's adverse effect on timetables.

 

[Quickstatus]

The A388-operated QF1 has a pretty good timekeeping record ex SYD, from where it should pushback during AEDT at 1700 hours under the current timetable, but on Thursday 28 February - last day of summer - this occurred at 1919, with VH-OQC airborne at 1939 hours. The amended SIN stop is forecast from 0020 to 0145, the latter 135 minutes late on Friday 1 March with :LHR arrival delayed until 0750, 95 ;ate.

Note the gate-to-gate expecetd gain on the timetable (SIN - LHR) of 40 minutes.

One brief report re the Indian/Pakistani fighter jets shot down Kasmiri situation says Pakistani airspace has reopened to some flights. If so this will mean no need to continue deviating with the latter's adverse effect on timetables.

Though after what happened to MH17, I suspect that most airlines would avoid that region until all actors declare a ceasefire.

Current air traffic over that region:

 

[Melburnian1]

Pakistani airspace is apparently closed on 1 March until (at least) 0800 UTC.

On Friday 1 March, QF80 from NRT to MEL should arrive at 0832 hours, 32 late with A333 VH-QPC. While yet to show as a delay on the QF site, the aircraft is to form QF79, the 0920 hours back to NRT that will inevitably be late off blocks, probably about 0945 hours.

 

[FlyboyAl]

Still sitting in lounge waiting for QF45 mel to denpasar. Nothing mentioned yet about delay. Supposed to board at 16:40.
Edit. Late arriving aircraft, boarding expected atabout 17.15
Edit boarding 17.40

 

[Quickstatus]

Still sitting in lounge waiting for QF45 mel to denpasar. Nothing mentioned yet about delay. Supposed to board at 16:40.
Edit. Late arriving aircraft, boarding expected atabout 17.15
Edit boarding 17.40

Hope you don’t have to do too many more “edits”

 

[Quickstatus]

Today’s air traffic over Pakistan:

 

[FlyboyAl]

Hope you don’t have to do too many more “edits”

Edit!
We are sitting on the runway running up the engines so we can burn off 100 kg? Of fuel as we were overfueled by the refueler, so the captain tells us.
Now that is a first!!!!
We are literally sitting on a taxiway with the engines cranked up.

 

[Quickstatus]

Edit!
We are sitting on the runway running up the engines so we can burn off 100 kg? Of fuel as we were overfueled by the refueler, so the captain tells us.
Now that is a first!!!!
We are literally sitting on a taxiway with the engines cranked up.

100kg is not much. At cruise I think it maybe burns around 2200-2500kg/hr.

Not that it was overfilled but the aircraft was over allowed MTOW by 100kg and fuel is the easiest way to get rid of 100kg. If overfilled but still under MTOW no issue

The other way to lighten 100kg would be to get rid of 1 adult male plus about 2 carryons

 

[Melburnian1]

100kg is not much...The other way to lighten 100kg would be to get rid of 1 adult male plus about 2 carryons

I've seen many 100 kilogram adult males, and possibly some of the fairer sex in that category.

 

[jb747]

Edit!
We are sitting on the runway running up the engines so we can burn off 100 kg? Of fuel as we were overfueled by the refueler, so the captain tells us.
Now that is a first!!!!
We are literally sitting on a taxiway with the engines cranked up.

Max take off weight is defined at the start of the take off roll. So, even though the fuel flow during the take off roll may be high enough to get below the MTW figure...you need it before you go.

Running up on the runway, blocks the runway, so normally not available.

I did hear of one silly person who ran up against the brakes, whilst taxying...that didn't end well.

On many flights where we were performance limited, or max weigh limited, I've detailed an SO to ensure that the weight is below the limit before we enter the runway (knowing that I'd forget).

 

[Melburnian1]

Still sitting in lounge waiting for QF45 mel to denpasar. Nothing mentioned yet about delay. Supposed to board at 16:40.
Edit. Late arriving aircraft, boarding expected atabout 17.15
Edit boarding 17.40

QF45 departed at 1801, 46 late, on Friday 1 March with DPS arrival suggested as 2245 hours, half an hour late, so in the circumstances not too bad.

The 1550 hours afternoon SYD - HKG, QF117, has been deferred until 1200 'high noon' on Saturday 2 March with arrival suggested as 1815 hours, 1200 minutes (20 hours) late.

Tonight's QF118, the 2335 hours redeye from HKG should push back at 2105 hours on Saturday 2 with arrival at 0920 hours on Sunday 3 instead of 1215 hours on Saturday 2.

The three hour turnaround in Hong Kong - about twice as long as minimum - may be because of lack of available slots, probably more likely in HKG than SYD although there'd be pressure on finite international terminal gates as well in Sydney.

 

[Melburnian1]

Earlier on Friday 1 March, QF79 departed MEL 47 late at 1007 hours, arriving NRT at 1832, 52 late. As a result QF62 departed 22 late for BNE where arrival should be only three minutes late on Saturday 2. A333 VH-QPC is the aircraft.