damian From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2005, 231 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 3997 times:
The Scotland on Sunday newspaper is reporting that the First Minister of Scotland is to fly to Abu Dhabi next week to sign an energy deal between the UAE and Scotland. Mentioned in the article is the expectation that a new flight between Scotland and the Middle East is likely to be announced next week:
simpsondude From UK - Scotland, joined May 2010, 59 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 3856 times:
Great news for either GLA or EDI.
I would guess that due to the larger inbound market, EDI will receive the flights.
However, look how the capacity of the GLA-DXB flight has increased significantly over the past few years.
Also, can EDI handle a B777 or an A340 without the use of a remote stand?
damian From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2005, 231 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 3825 times:
If Etihad then I imagine the route would start with A330 aircraft. There is no issue with that type of aircraft operating into either EDI or GLA, nor with it being accommodated on a terminal stand at either airport.
Qatar would probably start with A330 too.
There's a good chance of either Scottish airport securing it, though with EK rumoured to be increasing GLA-DXB to 2 x daily this year, my guess is that this will make EDI the more attractive to either QR or EY.
skipness1E From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2007, 2372 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 3706 times:
Emirates are *dropping* capacity at GLA this summer as they switch to a three class B77W. The twice daily rumour is an annual rumour, I would imagine an A330 in addition to the 777 if and when it happens. I remember when the GLA flight was renumbered a while back that was proof of a double daily.....
LH121GLA From Germany, joined May 2004, 447 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 3633 times:
Quoting skipness1E (Reply 3): Emirates are *dropping* capacity at GLA this summer as they switch to a three class B77W. The twice daily rumour is an annual rumour, I would imagine an A330 in addition to the 777 if and when it happens. I remember when the GLA flight was renumbered a while back that was proof of a double daily.....
Incorrect. They did put the 3 class 77W on sale briefly but it is back to the 2 class 77W now.
BY738 From US Minor Outlying Islands, joined Sep 2000, 1982 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 3567 times:
Quoting damian (Reply 2): If Etihad then I imagine the route would start with A330 aircraft. There is no issue with that type of aircraft operating into either EDI or GLA, nor with it being accommodated on a terminal stand at either airport
Im not sure thats strictly true, but I suppose depends on your definition of "there is no issue". Barring inconvenient remote parking, a large daily gated A330 would certainly need certain rearrangements at EDI.
sandyb123 From UK - Scotland, joined Oct 2007, 867 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 3349 times:
Quoting skipness1E (Reply 7): Really? So no First for GLA? Was it not announced from 1st June? I admit I was surprised the market was there.
I hadn't heard anything about this. I've taken this flight when we've been swapped to a 3-class 773ER but never scheduled. I would welcome the arrival of suites, regional business seems quite behind the newest J product from EK.
damian From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2005, 231 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 3220 times:
Quoting skipness1E (Reply 6): Agreed, someone less sexy has to park two smaller aircraft remote. It's that easy.
Indeed. EDI terminal is perfectly capable of providing gated access for an A330. It may be that a stand on the other side is taken out in doing so, but the BAA masterplan for EDI did identify quieter periods during the day (mid afternoon being one of them) where the terminal could cater to larger aircraft servicing destinations such as the Middle East. The stands at EDI are adjustable to cope with different aircraft type, and in terms of gate scheduling it really wouldn't be an insurmountable problem.
The Scottish First Minister's previous trip to the Middle East, at the end of last year, included a meeting with the Emirates group. It's not inconceivable that next week's news could even be the long-rumoured announcement of an EK service to EDI, even if EY seems more likely.
EKGOLD From Australia, joined May 2005, 204 posts, RR: 6 Reply 12, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 3087 times:
The economics of a daily to GLA and EDI just don't stack up. Why would EK establish another overhead for 1 flight a day to EDI. I can't see it. If the Scottish destination traffic is there and warrants an additional flight, then it will be a second flight to GLA. Economies of scale will win instead of trying to support 2 cities an hour apart by road with single flights each. Or it will stay a single daily if EY or QR start at EDI or GLA.
BY738 From US Minor Outlying Islands, joined Sep 2000, 1982 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 3076 times:
I'll say it will be EY A330 EDI and EK will stay single daily GLA for now.
ScottishLaddie From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2004, 2383 posts, RR: 9 Reply 14, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 3000 times:
Quoting EKGOLD (Reply 12): The economics of a daily to GLA and EDI just don't stack up. Why would EK establish another overhead for 1 flight a day to EDI
CO already do it heading West, and very successfully. I'm sure EK could replicate that heading East, they're not exactly short of a penny so in the long run I don't think the additional costs of setting up at EDI would matter greatly, and if they wanted maximum coverage of the Scottish market before someone else beats them to it, then it could be the best option for them. For what it's worth though I reckon it's more likely to be a new route on a new airline, but we'll see what happens.
damian From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2005, 231 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 1516 times:
Quoting McG1967 (Reply 11):
Alex Salmond held talks with Qatar Airways on his previous Middle East trip which was to Doha, not EK.
The press release on the Scottish Government website clearly states it was the Emirates Airline & Group that Mr Salmond held talks with on the last trip. His last visit to the region also incorporated a trip to Dubai as well as to Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
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