Last Friday, 6 September 2024, Virgin Australia applied to the International Air Services Commission (IASC) to revoke their authority to utilise Australia’s 3rd daily Haneda slot allocation, following the cancellation of their Cairns-Tokyo Haneda service.
Do you think the extra slot pair may help Qantas to find a way to operate the A380 to HND? As I understand it the A380 is ony restricted from being on-ground at certain times, so with the right slots an A380 could potentially make a quick turn to minimise ground time?
Technically, A380 is allowed at Haneda, but it's only allowed during 11pm and 6am, and with other restrictions (weight, taxi, etc). This is quite restrictive. There is no off-stand Code F parking so it needs to be in and out during this time.
I'm not sure the 3rd slot would help that much. As it stands, its's a very similar time to existing daytime pair. The times can be adjusted as long as desired time is available within the daytime/nighttime constraints. That's easier said than done. Looking at availability they could do it if it arrived at 1am, depart 5:45am. But not sure that sounds appealing. Plus there's only one A380 capable gate, so window becomes even narrower.
Unless something magical happens, it's incredibly unlikely. We've been somewhat obsessed with the idea of QF flying A380 to NRT though!
Do you think the extra slot pair may help Qantas to find a way to operate the A380 to HND? As I understand it the A380 is ony restricted from being on-ground at certain times, so with the right slots an A380 could potentially make a quick turn to minimise ground time?
Technically, A380 is allowed at Haneda, but it's only allowed during 11pm and 6am, and with other restrictions (weight, taxi, etc). This is quite restrictive. There is no off-stand Code F parking so it needs to be in and out during this time.
I'm not sure the 3rd slot would help that much. As it stands, its's a very similar time to existing daytime pair. The times can be adjusted as long as desired time is available within the daytime/nighttime constraints. That's easier said than done. Looking at availability they could do it if it arrived at 1am, depart 5:45am. But not sure that sounds appealing. Plus there's only one A380 capable gate, so window becomes even narrower.
Unless something magical happens, it's incredibly unlikely. We've been somewhat obsessed with the idea of QF flying A380 to NRT though!
Ohh I can see why it hasn't happened, any flight times that fit that window are not going to be able to command a fare premium!
The idea of the A380 is intriguing, converting a SYD-HND to NRT with A380 would be an elegant way to move both MEL and BNE to HND with the one SYD.
Anything is possible down the line!