Tokyo Haneda slot - how will Virgin Operate it?

[jase05]

Might be way off the mark but is it possible that the NH partnership could be why VA desperately want the HND slot. I remember reading sometime back that the VA/NH partnership wouldn’t take place until the route was up and running

 

[Quickstatus]

One of the arguments VA2 proposed is the additional competition in the freight market between HND and AUS.

How much freight would be able to be uplifted in addition to passengers and passenger baggage on any 737 for this route?

 

[Harrison_133]

Just checked.
Not a single day in 2023 where there are 2 J reward seats on CNS-HND.
Handful of single J rewards.

J must be filling up nicely for them. Just skimming a look at the first 2 weeks of July alone, some flights are sold out in J and the rest have only 2 or 3 seats left.

 

[simmomelb]

J must be filling up nicely for them. Just skimming a look at the first 2 weeks of July alone, some flights are sold out in J and the rest have only 2 or 3 seats left.

The only way it would be bearable in a 737 for that route.
Only kidding

 

[justinbrett]

the NH partnership could be why VA desperately want the HND slot.

Do they desperately want the slot? Looks to me they’re trying to keep future options open - one could say the very definition of slot hoarding - rather than showing any desperation of servicing the slot.

I’m not sure a single 737 route to a regional city makes or breaks the relationship when NH are already operating widebodies to the main hubs. It’s not as if VA are flying to Qatar or the US.

 

[simmomelb]

Do they desperately want the slot? Looks to me they’re trying to keep future options open - one could say the very definition of slot hoarding

This was my thought, they don't want to forfeit the HND slot.
They may or may not know the future for this slot, but isn't is better to hold onto it for now until this is clear?

 

[Quickstatus]

hold onto it for now until this is clear?

Time is running out
Where are it's pilots getting training and flight hours?

 

[serfty]

Time is running out
Where are it's pilots getting training and flight hours?

Go to the "Ask the Pilots" thread.

 

[justinbrett]

This was my thought, they don't want to forfeit the HND slot.
They may or may not know the future for this slot, but isn't is better to hold onto it for now until this is clear?

Time is running out

Exactly. Regulators take a dim view of slot hoarding - VA has already been accused of this at SYD.

If they develop a reputation of slot hoarding, the next slot that’s up for grabs (at any other location) will be less likely to go to them. Regulators want to see these rare slots utilised to bring pax to/from each others countries for all the economic benefits that entails. Use it or lose it indeed.

 

[Quickstatus]

Go to the "Ask the Pilots" thread.

Maybe but contextually maybe better here?

 

[N860CR]

Time is running out
Where are it's pilots getting training and flight hours?

Training and flight hours for what?

 

[_flyer]

Gosh, I really have doubts about this route now. I have booked accomodation. I hope if they don’t end up flying this route they reaccommodate guests. This is looking grim.

 

[Quickstatus]

Training and flight hours for what?

737-8Max. The airplane they are supposed to operate to HND

 

[serfty]

Maybe but contextually maybe better here?

You will find by inference answers to your question.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Might be way off the mark but is it possible that the NH partnership could be why VA desperately want the HND slot. I remember reading sometime back that the VA/NH partnership wouldn’t take place until the route was up and running

Maybe the only reason why NH will agree to condeshare, is that they don't fly to CNS, and they know this.
They would probably be very aware that with the other capital cities, they have competition, ie, SQ via SIN and TG via BKK.
So just maybe, but what would I know, CNS might be a niche market for VA.
"(Imagine a first timer from Japan arriving to CNS from HND with VA, asking where is Sydney/is Sydney near here...?)"

 

[MooTime]

Exactly. Regulators take a dim view of slot hoarding - VA has already been accused of this at SYD.

If they develop a reputation of slot hoarding, the next slot that’s up for grabs (at any other location) will be less likely to go to them. Regulators want to see these rare slots utilised to bring pax to/from each others countries for all the economic benefits that entails. Use it or lose it indeed.

Hoarding.,.. Which other slots are VA hoarding?

Accused or genuinely hoarding are very different things.

VA given a start date for the HND slot to be utilised, 28th June, anything along lines of not utilising it and just hoarding it could be said after that date.

 

[justinbrett]

Hoarding.,.. Which other slots are VA hoarding?

Sydney. It’s my understanding they still hold all of the VA1 slots.

 

[MooTime]

Sydney. It’s my understanding they still hold all of the VA1 slots.

Assuming it's pretty difficult to confirm this info.
Best to know this info before being close to claiming it as fact.

Not sure VA would be paying for anything, even slots and not using them, they are rather thrifty with cash.

 

[justinbrett]

Assuming it's pretty difficult to confirm this info.
Best to know this info before being close to claiming it as fact.

Not sure VA would be paying for anything, even slots and not using them, they are rather thrifty with cash.

It has been widely reported across most of the aviation media outlets. Feel free to google.

 

[MooTime]

It has been widely reported across most of the aviation media outlets. Feel free to google.

Yes I remember reading this not long post COVID, but still?

Who's to know.