QF1 from SIN diversion to Baku, Azerbaijan (GYD)

[Quickstatus]

QF made that exact decision

Excellent decision! . I hope this will continue. Obviously it is impossible to plan for and cover for every contingency but having something in backup is a good idea. Take the stress out of the system and everything becomes safer

I wonder if some A380 flights

The QF9/10 used to be MEL-SIN/DXB-LHR and QF7/8 SYD-DFW in particular

 

[Human]

QF made that exact decision - they made an operational decision to keep some aircraft available, along with crew (some time ago due to planning and rostering) for this peek period, in case of a disrupt across aircraft types.

Isn’t that exactly what Air NZ was doing when they decided to wetlease a plane to do the Perth-Auckland run? I recall them explicitly saying that it was so they could keep planes in reserve in the case of disruptions and/or unscheduled maintenance.

 

[Quickstatus]

Surely they could charter one or more aircraft from any of many European airlines to get them on their way sooner, without the expense of an empty A380 flight?

I think that’s a lot of assumptions there. Maybe yes maybe no.

But the airline had a spare in SYD with a crew Afterall if the aircraft are not being flown while the use by date is ticking away, then it would be better to use them.

I think most QF passengers would rather QF bring an aircraft with a red roo tail to come pick them up.

It’s an A380 size pax number. Get an A380. I can just imagine the ruckus if passengers who bought a certain seat of cabin class does not get their type of seat or cabin class. What European airline is F/J/PE/Y?.

they could fly every aircraft and had enough crew, they would be doing it given the demand and fares

They used to do that - remember when they had the dual A380 to LHR via DXB. One delay and the knock on effect was horrendous.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF made that exact decision - they made an operational decision to keep some aircraft available, along with crew (some time ago due to planning and rostering) for this peek period, in case of a disrupt across aircraft types.

A very apt, timely pun, because on this night, children like to 'peek' to see if Father Christmas has brought them anything, and it's also 'peak' time for excitement in families.

 

[Melburnian1]

I think that’s a lot of assumptions there. Maybe yes maybe no.

But the airline had a spare in SYD with a crew Afterall if the aircraft are not being flown while the use by date is ticking away, then it would be better to use them.

I think most QF passengers would rather QF bring an aircraft with a red roo tail to come pick them up.

Chartering a large European aircraft would be difficult at short notice.

If pilots and/or cabin crew come down with winter colds over there it'd be even harder as there might not be many spare staff for such an excursion.

 

[jpp42]

Chartering a large European aircraft would be difficult at short notice.

There's no one saying everyone has to go on the same plane. They just want to get to London. I'm pretty sure they can handle not having the correct seat for the five hour flight, especially if in daytime. Don't make this harder than it needs to be.

Even baggage can be sent later if needed, though I imagine that's another advantage of a new A380, they can transfer the baggage and freight containers directly.

 

[Quickstatus]

At which Marriott in Baku

Actually there are 5 if you include the Ritz Carlton and Sheraton as they are part of the Marriott Bonvoy chain

Maybe split up according to class of travel?

 

[flydoc]

You can't just use any 380 ground engineer...so it probably doesn't matter if there is one there or not.

Given OQD only departed for GYD as the recovery flight late this morning, despite having apparently been “spare” in SYD since early yesterday morning, and acknowledging the need for approvals from multiple foreign governments for a one-off recovery flight, there must have been a level of expectation that “someone” could potentially clear OQH for flight after the crew had rested though? With QF engineers not arriving in GYD until later today, who might that have been?

 

[jb747]

4 pilots?.
How many cabin crew?

Normal crew for a long ferry would be 4 pilots, and 2 cabin crew.

 

[oz_mark]

Given OQD only departed for GYD as the recovery flight late this morning, despite having apparently been “spare” in SYD since early yesterday morning, and acknowledging the need for approvals from multiple foreign governments for a one-off recovery flight, there must have been a level of expectation that “someone” could potentially clear OQH for flight after the crew had rested though? With QF engineers not arriving in GYD until later today, who might that have been?

Perhaps the original crew can continue on?

 

[Quickstatus]

must have been a level of expectation that “someone” could potentially clear OQH

Or the aircraft cannot now fly until the cargo fire extinguisher bottles are replenished. Which then requires someone to check the smoke/fire alarm system and also replenish the bottles.

 

[VHOEJ]

Any sort of charter as a rescue flight at short notice is not practical. The amount of legal approvals, government approvals and overflight clearances are enormous. Even Vamos covering NZ flights would have taken 6 months to get to the point where it could legally operate.

I feel for the passengers but getting to LHR or wherever for a specific day is not a life or death deadline. If you are late for Christmas, there are far worse things happening in the world right now.

Nothing stopping the passengers booking any option out of Baku to Europe if there are seats. They don't have to continue on the Qf1

 

[RSD]

Ukraine 752 is probably even more relevant.

Very true. Given that the Israelis will be using stealth aircraft I think that the Iranians will be letting missiles fly at just about anything they can see on a radar once it all kicks off over there.

 

[SYD]

Noticed on the news just now that some PAX have booked themselves onward flights rather than wait.

 

[BAM1748]

I am surprised they aren't running daily to LAX with 6x A380's available. The real issue must be shortage of crews.

It might also be that the "spare" airframe was having some maintenance done that could be postponed a bit.

I also wonder why it requires a flight all the way from Australia to get the pax onward to London. Surely they could charter one or more aircraft from any of many European airlines to get them on their way sooner, without the expense of an empty A380 flight? I understand most carriers are very busy but there's a lot to pick from.

Commercially smarter to keep the money in house. Cheaper to use what you have and people you have which is paid for rather than pay a convenience premium during peak season to hire in.

 

[Melburnian1]

Commercially smarter to keep the money in house. Cheaper to use what you have and people you have which is paid for rather than pay a convenience premium during peak season to hire in.

As discussed above, it was impractical to even consider hiring an aircraft from another operator. That transcends everything else.

 

[moa999]

AvHerald now covering

The Aviation Herald

Aviation Herald - News, Incidents and Accidents in Aviation

avherald.com

 

[RSD]

There's been mention in this thread that perhaps Qantas should have had paid agents in place at the various airports along its route for events like this - but how realistic is it to pay every year for something at a place like Baku? A QF aircraft landing at Baku is almost certainly no more than a one in thirty year event - and then you times that by the number of airports along the route taking in various flight plans depending on wind and time of year and it gets impractical I would have thought. For sure have something in place at a few major places along the way like Frankfurt in case the UK's weather gets really ugly, but not every possible airport along multiple possible routes.

 

[tgh]

However it is spun.. this presents as excellent service recovery by the 'roo and plaudits are trumps......

 

[ayebee]

apologies if already linked earlier in this thread ...

Many aviation experts commenting in Age / SMH article.

Qantas emergency landing: passengers in limbo after delays, cancellations

The Qantas A380 stuck in Azerbaijan has had knock-on effects for travellers hoping to get home from London, while people in Bali are also struggling to get home in time for Christmas.

www.theage.com.au