Leeds Bradford: KLM Flight Status, Hub News & Discussion

[Seasider]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

As far as I am aware there isn't a plan to use ERJ's into LBA except as a replacement for a "tech" aircraft.

 

[WYIA]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

No plans to use the E190's into LBA for some time unless the FK70 goes tech, so with that in mind you may see the E190 some time in the new year!

 

[lbaspotter]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

Hi There.

A good source of mine says that KLM city hopper are to upgrade the Leeds/Bradford to Amsterdam service from the current Fokker 70/100 operation to the brand new Embrear 190's from the start of the summer 2010 schedule.

Also he mentioned that the first lot of the LBA based crews have gone in for training for the upgrade just very recently

Dont know if are KLM expert on here would like to comment,,, WYIA???

 

[Aviador]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

If that's true I just hope that KLM will give CAT II / III some more trials here at LBA.

 

[User0001]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

The Fokker 70s are Cat II certified now. 300m RVR minima. The one that went to DSA the other week was shooting CAT II, but the RVR dropped to 275m.

 

[Seasider]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

Can't see them operating a full schedule on EMB190 but maybe the overnight flight.

 

[backtrack]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

Over to you WYIA......

 

[White Heather]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

It is a fact that the LBA bosses are trying to persuade KLM to upgrade the route or operate 4 times daily, but they did admit it was unlikely until the air travel market improved.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

Cardiff is scheduled for a 190 on one of its three daily AMS rotations next summer so LBA might see the type on at least some of its flights..

 

[WYIA]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

No firm announcement has yet been made regarding the E190 operating at LBA, at last check the word was "no plans to introduce in the near future" - however things can change overnight in this industry.

With regards to LBA crew going on the E190, you have to remember these are simply crew crossing over to operate on Amsterdam sectors. As the F100 leaves KLM the E190 is on several former routes, so all crew need to be F70 & E190 trained. 100% flexability, so you can get LBA crew operating the F70 on a leeds departure then picking up an E190 in Amsterdam to fly to Helsinki etc etc.

Leeds is doing ok in terms of loads, always 50+ which is over 50% load factor on the FK70 - and often the flights can be booked at 70+. However thats poor when you think a F100 was filled 3 times a day!

Another "drop" in EU figures was published recently but thats not unusual at this time of year. The calm before the storm, and then 2 weeks before & into xmas can be very busy.

 

[WYIA]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

My final post of 2009 & a touching one...

Fokker 100 swansong.. a view from Amsterdam of 3 former KLM Fokker 100's, some over 20 years old and once regular visitors to LBA.


http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6738278&nseq=18
http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6738302&nseq=16
http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6738280&nseq=17

December marked the arrival of the 10th Embraer 190. Soon F100 PH-OFE & OFD will leave. For Summer KLC will operate 26 F70's & 10 E190 (initially).

The Fokker 50 is scheduled to operate its last flight in March. F100's PH-OFL,M,N,O & P will be used as standby aircraft. KLC will take delivery of 7 further E190's next year.

Time will tell when the new toy makes an apperance in Leeds.

Happy New year everyone! Here is to 2010!

 

[wawkrk]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

I was on the early morning KLM flight from LBA on Friday.
We sat on the aircraft for about an hour in freezing conditions whilst re-fuelling and de-icing took place. The Captain apologised and told us the APU was out of action and there was nothing he could do. Surprisingly he said the company did not seem interested to fix it and it had been down for two days.I asked as to why re-fuelling did not take place the night before. I was told it used to be that way when there were full loads. To save costs of course the new crew fuel according to the load which could have been less than 30.
I imagine in sub zero temperatures the viscosity of the fuel is very high and this slows down the pump speed in order to maintain the normal safe re-fuelling pressure so less litres per minute and it is very slow compared to re-fuelling on a Summers day.
When the fuel load was complete, the Captain told us the he just needed the confirmation slip but, he said the re-fuelling guy amazingly had wandered off and they were trying to find him.
Apart from the cold cabin on this occasion, the flight will be delayed every morning and passengers will become more disgruntled with KLM.
When we landed in Amsterdam, the Captain apologised and hoped we had enjoyed the flight despite the poor service in Leeds.
With our low loads, I wonder just what KLM can expect from DSA.

 

[backtrack]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

I was on the early morning KLM flight from LBA on Friday.
We sat on the aircraft for about an hour in freezing conditions whilst re-fuelling and de-icing took place. The Captain apologised and told us the APU was out of action and there was nothing he could do. Surprisingly he said the company did not seem interested to fix it and it had been down for two days.I asked as to why re-fuelling did not take place the night before. I was told it used to be that way when there were full loads. To save costs of course the new crew fuel according to the load which could have been less than 30.
I imagine in sub zero temperatures the viscosity of the fuel is very high and this slows down the pump speed in order to maintain the normal safe re-fuelling pressure so less litres per minute and it is very slow compared to re-fuelling on a Summers day.
When the fuel load was complete, the Captain told us the he just needed the confirmation slip but, he said the re-fuelling guy amazingly had wandered off and they were trying to find him.
Apart from the cold cabin on this occasion, the flight will be delayed every morning and passengers will become more disgruntled with KLM.
When we landed in Amsterdam, the Captain apologised and hoped we had enjoyed the flight despite the poor service in Leeds.
With our low loads, I wonder just what KLM can expect from DSA.

Im sure you are aware if you work for KLM or KLC in this case, that it is not rare for the airline to operate their Fokkers with an unservicable APU. I have had numerous occasions where an air-start has had to be used to `get you going`. I once asked a Captain about this matter, and he gave a similar response, one which was along the lines of the airline wants to spend little on the cityhopper operations, as long as their aircraft can fly they are happy was the general feel...and that came from one of the airlines captains!

With an unservicable APU, it causes problems for everybody involved. As already mentioned, an air start is required from ground staff, all doors will have to be closed etc, untill the air start kicks in, which means, crew and pax have to simply wait onboard the aircraft for this to get your engines going. Only then pushback can be commenced once the unit and ground crew are clear.

I always thought loads on KLC were pretty high all season round, so if these low loads are to stay for a little while, it may push the introduction of the E190's at LBA back for time being. A friend once flew to AMS from LBA, and compared KLC prices to that of Jet2.com (our local friendly LOW fares operator), and was surprised to find the 06.30 dept was cheaper than that of Jet2's at 0700!

I cant really comment on KLC operations at DSA, but i would take a guess that they would experience something similar if not worse than here at LBA.

 

[wawkrk]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

I use KLM for onward connections but also the price can be low if you investigate all options.
The fare I just tried now gave LBA - AMS single no return 380GBP the return fare is 154GBP Leeds to Warsaw 250GBP.
Also when I travelled on Friday the system allowed me to select a business class seat (Euro select).
The fare was LBA-AMS-WAW 232GBP which is very good.

I have heard many comments from KLC crew about KLM treating the UK operation as a second class outfit.I heard that flightdeck crew in particular have really been treated badly and are looked down upon by the clogs.
However, what goes around comes around now the clogs are being stuffed by the frogs.

 

[WYIA]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

It is unfortunately very common that APU's are left out of service & not just with this airline. I would say in general its something that is left a week or so until it gets sorted. They are a component that seems to fail on a regular basis, even on more modern aircraft.

What is poor is that unlike Amsterdam and many other airports that KLM cityhopper operates from, Leeds or Servisair do not have a cabin heater. A ground power unit that connects to an inflow valve and pumps hot air through the aircon system as the APU on the aircraft normally would do.

It is unfortunate that people had to sit on a cold aircraft at Leeds but it is common & sometimes it can be a long cold wait if the flight is subject to an ATC slot that can change and the capatain can not risk keeping passengers in the warm terminal. However, i have lots of layers when flying. Especially in the winter or the "big freeze".

With regard to fuel. Aircraft are seldom re-fuelled the night before, simply because it is the decission of the morning crew as to what fuel is required. An hour before departure, the pilots recieve a flight plan and the latest weather. This may also contain advice from the company to take additional fuel etc but the end decission is the pilots. The weather can change in the space of ten minutes and only once the latest forcast is in the pilots hands can the fuel decission be made. So to fuel the night before would be stupid and time waisting - its not a cost cutting meassure its standard to do it near departure time.

 

[Aviador]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

Notably the F70 made it in with all the fog yesterday, does anyone happen to know if KLM now allow CAT II/III at LBA with this equipment?

 

[WYIA]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

Cat II manual allowed on 32 i believe. Helping alot, alot less diversions due to viz this winter. Just a shame more due to snow lol

 

[backtrack]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

Has anyone heard anything else regarding what was said when the regional AF/KLM manager visited LBA. I wonder what plans exactly they had/have...?

 

[lbia]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

Klm Embraer 190 PH-EZL visited on the KL1545/6 with 94 passengers on board! Let's hope it's a regular occurance!

 

[backtrack]

Re: KLM cityhopper B.V

Klm Embraer 190 PH-EZL visited on the KL1545/6 with 94 passengers on board! Let's hope it's a regular occurance!

Good news, although i presume it was due to a tech issue with one of the Fokkers that normally operate the route, or maybe a one off due to a high pax number.

Incidently, how are these new E190's of KLM configured?