Calgary International Airport II

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by Acey

Excellent. AC has been kind to us, haven't they? This is at least a 54 seat upguage depending on which fin they send us, for about 3,000 additional int'l seats each way vs the same period last winter as LHR didn't upguage till mid-March to the 333, if I remember correctly.

Of note is that it's two days after FRA goes to 333 from 77L, though that swap is currently scheduled to take place on this end instead of at FRA so I expect that to change.

Kind? Yeah I guess so. I would assume putting metal where they think they can fill it for decent $$$. There is a lot of AC int'l upgauging going on this winter from YYC and even more so at YVR.

Kind for those of us that go out there in the snow on the weekends and watch airplanes. A330 is my favourite widebody to spot, while we wait for the 77W's to come back anyway.

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by Acey

Kind for those of us that go out there in the snow on the weekends and watch airplanes. A330 is my favourite widebody to spot, while we wait for the 77W's to come back anyway.

Oh yeah forgot about the snow!

Good AC widebodies mix this winter with the 763s, 333s and 77Ls making regular appearances. And if you like A330s you get to see some KLM and Air Transat ones too. MEL is an A330 party town about 30 per day.

This will be the first winter (well the Xmas trip anyway) I don't pitstop in YYC all my family has now moved out to the coast so just going to have to miss it this year. I'll have to save seeing (landing on) the new runway and Int'l terminal construction for another trip :-(

[cyeg66]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

It was just the choice of the western runway despite the JFK arrival that was confusing me. I'll be up and at work by 0630 so plenty of time to keep an eye on the eta and such. If it ends up too late I'll have to bug out though. 1000 is my "no go" time.

Of course feel free to keep me in the loop.

Here she comes, currently scheduled to land at approx 8:35 local on 35L (unless a dramatic wind shift happens, which is not forecasted, btw).

[Bigtime]

At work and ready to spot her when she comes in! Hope there is a little light out though, sunrise is 0805.

[Bigtime]

I liked the nice flyover of the field from 6500' to join the downwind for 35L, was that your doing cyeg66?


Cathay Pacific Cargo 747-867F (B-LJB) by BigtimeYYC, on Flickr


Cathay Pacific Cargo 747-867F (B-LJB) by BigtimeYYC, on Flickr


Cathay Pacific Cargo 747-867F (B-LJB) by BigtimeYYC, on Flickr

[cyeg66]

My arrival guy and I may have discussed it momentarily. Besides, he had traffic converging from SE so that's why he brought him over the button. The traffic watch R44 tried to parallel him (on the approach) as long as possible. Sweet pics.

[Bigtime]

Thank you sir, lighting was a bit of a challenge this morning. But still glad to get a daylight arrival for the inaugural flight. Apparently they even gave her a water salute.

[Cage]

Originally Posted by Acey

Yeah I agree it's meaningless, the dude came all the way from China didn't he? Might as well say something that YYC wants to hear.

The only thing that's fact is:

*Cathay has 359 on order
*The 77W is a larger airplane than the 359
*From HKG, comparatively speaking, YYC is a long and thin market

These three statements are applicable to quite a number of airlines at the moment, perhaps subbing 359 for 789.

As you have correctly stated, Tom Owen gave a speech the audience wanted to hear.

That said he chose his words very carefully and the media in attendance did not ask the right questions.

For example while its true the 77W is too big an aircraft for YYC-HKG, CX does have smaller capacity aircraft that could start the operations, namely the 340-300 with 265 seats. YYC-HKG is at the end of range for the 343 but it doable for the start.

Also, Tom Owen is the VP Americas, so he is not based in HKG. Linked In puts his residence in SFO. During the 80s and 90s CX regularly housed their VP Americas in YVR, which was also the reason for first Oneworld HQ being in YVR. YVR was chosen as it was easy to get to for BA and AA, home of CP and CX had VP level person in residence.

[Nick]

Originally Posted by cyeg66

(unless a dramatic wind shift happens, which is not forecasted, btw).

You guys still use the Aftercast up there ? When I left work this morning, the new wind indicator had a 100 degree difference from the old one

[RyLucky]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Cathay Pacific Cargo 747-867F (B-LJB) by BigtimeYYC, on Flickr

Amazing shot!

[RyLucky]

So, I hear Cathay Pacific plans to transport mainly O&G equipment and perishables. Is anyone able to speculate on the broader impact of this new service?

Massive cargo plane touches down at YYC for first time

The Boeing 747-8 aircraft is 225-feet long and can carry 120 tonnes; it’s the largest cargo airplane in the world.

I think a certain Ukrainian plane would dispute that. In any event...



Water cannons in YYC? None of the other special visitors this year got that honour, did they?

How nice of Global to not even mention that Cargolux has been flying this exact airplane here for quite some time.

Originally Posted by Cage

For example while its true the 77W is too big an aircraft for YYC-HKG, CX does have smaller capacity aircraft that could start the operations, namely the 340-300 with 265 seats. YYC-HKG is at the end of range for the 343 but it doable for the start.

Do you think AC would jump in with a 788 if Cathay talks ever get serious?

[Cage]

Originally Posted by Acey

Do you think AC would jump in with a 788 if Cathay talks ever get serious?

No. HKG is a one world hub and AC has no strategic feed.

AC next strategic move in the region is YVR-CAN with the 788. Possibly moving the HKG Run to 789. This move is more strategic than YYC-HKG.

additionally, if CX got into YYC-HKG, it would depress YVR-HKG for them giving AC more breathing room. Finally WS would get hurt as they would lose CX feed on YYC-YVR.

Overall the best bet for YYC to Asia is still PEK, either through AC or Chinese airline with Star connections.

I am also convinced that improved connections into PEK will require govt intervention. Much like daytime slots into HND, which required Canadian and Japanese govt to work things out.

[The Chemist]

^Why is PEK better than PVG?

[YYCspotter]

Originally Posted by The Chemist

^Why is PEK better than PVG?

The market size (O&D passengers) between between YYC and PEK is significantly larger than PVG, plus the connection possibilities are greater at PEK due to the Star Alliance presence.

[holhm22]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I liked the nice flyover of the field from 6500' to join the downwind for 35L, was that your doing cyeg66?


Cathay Pacific Cargo 747-867F (B-LJB) by BigtimeYYC, on Flickr


Cathay Pacific Cargo 747-867F (B-LJB) by BigtimeYYC, on Flickr


Cathay Pacific Cargo 747-867F (B-LJB) by BigtimeYYC, on Flickr

WOW! Amazing shots. Great to see CX livery in Calgary!

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by YYCspotter

The market size (O&D passengers) between between YYC and PEK is significantly larger than PVG, plus the connection possibilities are greater at PEK due to the Star Alliance presence.

Here are some numbers** to put this all in persepctive to show the China market from Western Canada.
The visitors figure is broken down by city but not total O&D.
So for YYC PEK is a bigger draw for visitors.

..............YYC.........YEG.........YVR
TTL O&D...46,212.....28,981.....436,520

VISITORS BY CITY OF ORIGIN
..........YYC.....YEG......YVR
PEK.....5,300...2,400...37,300
PVG.....2,200...1,500...48,600
CAN.......700......300....12,200
TTL...10,000...5,000...109,600

**12 months ended June 2012
Based on the Intervistas report to the Province of Alberta in Feb 2013.
At YVR, Sichuan commenced services in June 2012 and China Southern only went to daily in 2013.

Even with the rapid growth being noted, the markets are still quite small.

[CalgaryLankan]

Few more photos of CX Cargo plane with Jing Wo Lion Dance troup

http://goldenjadephoto.wordpress.com/2014/10/18/jing-wo-lion-dance-october-18-2014/

[yyc_engineer]

Originally Posted by CalgaryLankan

Few more photos of CX Cargo plane with Jing Wo Lion Dance troup

http://goldenjadephoto.wordpress.com/2014/10/18/jing-wo-lion-dance-october-18-2014/

Nice! Now if only that plane had some more windows on it - and didn't say "Cargo"