Qantas Chile route

[Himeno]

Qantas have filed a request with IASC asking for another 337 seats per week for Chile.

They already have 1,847 seats(of 4000 total) allocated, which will need to be renewed by mid 2020.

They are currently using 1456 seats/week with their 4 weekly SYD-SCL flight.
The application says they are planning to run an extra flight during peak periods in northern winter.

 

[RooFlyer]

Very interesting, thanks.

Does the application specify the 'northern winter'? If so, I wonder why?

 

[AIRwin]

Good news for @juddles?

 

[shuuy]

337 seats = 1 744 I guess...

 

[Himeno]

Does the application specify the 'northern winter'?

Yes, it does.

They already have 391 that aren't being used by the 4 weekly 747s. The 747s have 364 seats, so they wouldn't need to ask for more for a 5th weekly. And not sure they'd have an extra 747 to run a 5th weekly to SCL with the 747 fleet reduction.
Maybe 4 weekly 747 and 1 weekly A380? (total 1940 seats)

Though the numbers they already have and the requested about don't really match up with what they could use, unless the seats they get allocated from IASC also need to cover the seats they sell under the QF code on LA flights.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes, it does.

Just thought that was odd. An Australian airline addressing an Australian authority to fly to a route that's entirely in the southern hemisphere!

 

[Himeno]

Just thought that was odd. An Australian airline addressing an Australian authority to fly to a route that's entirely in the southern hemisphere!

They are using the industry standard for scheduling seasons which are based on the summer and winter in the northern hemisphere. No reason to say "summer" when industry standard is to say "northern winter" for the same period.

 

[juddles]

....They already have 391 that aren't being used by the 4 weekly 747s. The 747s have 364 seats, so they wouldn't need to ask for more for a 5th weekly. And not sure they'd have an extra 747 to run a 5th weekly to SCL with the 747 fleet reduction.
Maybe 4 weekly 747 and 1 weekly A380? .....

The thought of a QF A380 brings me goose bumps

But I don't think the airport could be rated for A380's - have never seen one here (am sitting in the SCL lounge as I type)

I recently checked frequencies throughout 2019 and it seemed to me that QF was dropping from 4 to 3 weekly services during the southern winter season. Flights are always in my experience very full - for example QF28 which I board in about an hour has only 9 seats unallocated in Y, 2 in J, and half a dozen in PE. Not bad load for a 747.

 

[juddles]

Just done a quick internet search - Airbus claim that SCL is suitable for A380's, and even according to their site Airport compatibility it is currently not just an alternative but actually a "Destination today" whatever that means.

But I think this is a fairly accurate list of A380 destinations, and SCL is not on it:

Airbus A380 Routes and Fleets

 

[dajop]

But I think this is a fairly accurate list of A380 destinations, and SCL is not on it:

Airbus A380 Routes and Fleets

Not that it changes conclusion (SCL is not on this list either), but just for reference this is a much more up to date list:

Where does the Airbus A380 fly? Q1 2019 network update

 

[RooFlyer]

Just done a quick internet search - Airbus claim that SCL is suitable for A380's, and even according to their site Airport compatibility it is currently not just an alternative but actually a "Destination today" whatever that means.

Given the costs to make airports able to accept the A380, it would seem a strange thing if SCL bore that cost with, even back then, the low probability of an A380 going there!

Edit: that map gives Alice Springs as an 'alternate' today for the A380, which I guess it means it could set down there, but no guarantee of getting it out again! @jb747, was the Alice on your list of possible diversions going to SIN?

 

[TheInsider]

Answer is here:
From a friends email.

 

[MathNerd]

Answer is here:
From a friends email.
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