BMi Long Haul from Regional Airports?

I also read in the last issue or Airlinerworld that Astraeus will operate a 737-700 later this year from the UK to Deer Lake in Newfoundland Canada. I was interested in reading about the bmi story, some interesting links maybe developed. I’d like to see a Liverpool-New York, there is quite a bit of tourist interest from NYC to Liverpool with the Beatles, maritime links etc, the cities also has some sort of twining. however i dont expect it to happen as there are too many service already from MAN

Yes I remember those statements, I also recall a certain Mr Branson expressing an interest in expanding the Virgin Atlantic holiday network through Glasgow and Edinburgh pre 11/9/01.

Maybe we’ll hear something positive for the Scottish airports soon ?

The CEO of BMI announced his intention prior to 9/11 of transatlantic flights from EDI using their A330s, of course that all changed with 9/11 and as we can see never happened. Maybe second time lucky, even if it is specially configured A319s, not exactly open to Joe the public, more to business passengers only.

The same happened with CO. 9/11 delayed the commencment of EWR-EDI, heck if it had started when it was meant to, more than 2 years ago, we could be seeing the 777 by now! :p

An interesting thread… I asked the question when Concorde retired as to what might become the new transatlantic “champagne ” services, and Privatair obviously already had one eye on the ball.

It would seem there are a number of fledgling “premium” airlines trying to cater for that market now, isn’t there a proposed 757 service on the table led by Sir Norman Tebbitt..? Blue Fox Aviation or something similar ?

The Airbus Industrie website does not seem to mention a variant called the “A319 Fuel Option”.

Perhaps you have misread it somewhere, Jeanske_SN.

All I know is what it says in the article I typed out above. I wanted to know if anyone else knew anything.

Originally posted by wannabe pilot
If they are modified A319’s, then wouldn’t that make them A319LR’s maybe?! Or perhaps A319SP’s?! No need to stress about it, LBARULES and I are just simply making a point and trying to answer with all the knowledge we have 🙂

I’m also trying to help but my knowledge doesn’t seem to be appreciated.
I think the a319 fuel option also carries the name a319LR. see the above specifications for more info. bmi flying 737-700’s would be very strange, the now finally got rid of all the 737’s and have an all airbus fleet (and erj145). Maybe they can change the a319 orders LR’s… Are they leasing or buying the new aircraft?

Thanks alot Grey Area, it appears yet again that Jeanske has failed to check his facts.

According to Airbus Industrie, D-APAC and D-APAD of Privatair are A319-132LRs.

I think we can probably take their word for it…………

ps – Bmi long-haul services started from Manchester, not Glasgow or Edinburgh. British Midland, however, started long-haul services in the late 1960s with Boeing 707s……

Originally posted by wannabe pilot
If they are modified A319’s, then wouldn’t that make them A319LR’s maybe?! Or perhaps A319SP’s?! No need to stress about it, LBARULES and I are just simply making a point and trying to answer with all the knowledge we have 🙂

Yep damn right Wannabe 🙂

I was only saying what it said in the article.
According to it A319LRS DO exist.
Heres what the article says in full:
“-as well as the introduction of long-range narrow-body aircraft to operate thinner routes. According to bmi’s chief executive Austin Reid, the narrow-body study, which is still in its early stages, could lead to it acquiring a small fleet of either Airbus A319LRs or Boeing 737-700s to operate from UK regional airports.”

If they are modified A319’s, then wouldn’t that make them A319LR’s maybe?! Or perhaps A319SP’s?! No need to stress about it, LBARULES and I are just simply making a point and trying to answer with all the knowledge we have 🙂

Privatair’s a319’s are Corporate Jetliners, which are MODIFIED A319S!!! These A319’s have extra fuel tankage that replaces cargo space, because this is not necesairy anymore if only a small amount of passengers fly. The payload is in this case also reduced, which again enlarges range. The a319 has a range of over 10000 km, enough to certify the aircraft for these operations! The 737-700 has a range of 6038 km, enough but too risky for trancontinental operations, and the a319 fuel option has a range of 6846 km, which is also not enough for this.

Yeah, it was in AW magazine. I cant remember where to though?:confused:

Privateair operate A319’s and BBJ’s on long haul routes accross the Atlantic. I can’t remember exactly where to, but I read about it fairly recently (probably in an AW magazine).

Right,
I know BMi dont operate these two a/c. They would be getting them if they decided to operate these routes.
Transatlantic flights with the A319 is possible. Look at Privatairs operations in an all Business class configuration which I imagine BMi would also be doing. The 737 would be the same, the -700 has a fair old range.
BMi have never done transatlantic flights from EDI or GLA. They do from Manchester however.

BMI doesnot operate 737-700’s and such thing as a A319LR doesn’t exist, it’s called A319 fuel option. This A319 has intercontinental range, but I don’t think it’s certified to do so. The 737-700 also has the range to fly over to the eastcoast from Europe, but is also not certified to do so.
I can remember however that bmi started longhaul services with a330’s from Edniburgh or Glasgow?