RE: Heathrow should close!

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-10-02 AT 07:14 PM (GMT)]Heathrow is a mess, no doubt about it. If something is not done within the next 10 to 20 years then Heathrow risks loosing its title as world’s busiest international airport, which will be taken by Frankfurt or CDG. T5 is a step in the right direction, but how much longer can you keep expanding? Heathrow needs new runways and new terminals of a better standard than they currently are.

Bulldoze it down is an option I would like to seen. However, I feel that the environmental issue is of great concern. Granted that we need a new airport, but surely in the 21st century when the environment is becoming even more exploited around the south east, we loose with the construction of a new airport, the very little protected nature area around the outskirts of London? Cliffe is a special area for bird migration, loosing this area is just another blow to an area where nature is destroyed for development every year.

Not just the environment though, remember how long it took for an inquiry into LHR T5…just think of a whole new airport!

RE: Chechens threaten to kill 700 hostages in Moscow theatre

Its a dreadful situation,hopefully everything will end up alright.

RE: Malaysia Airlines Review

Nice report!How would you compare Malaysians product and service to other Asian airlines (if you have travelled on any others?)
Anyway,seem like a good airline to fly.Like the idea of Nintendo’s!

RE: The Russian Civil Aviation Industry in shambles!

The success of the TU-204 with TNT then, suggests that in many ways the aircraft are just as advantageous and beneficial to a western airline, than an aircraft such as the 757. Air Cairo seems to have had success with the aircraft also, so it could be that the aircraft has a future as being a cargo airline.
Its cheaper than its western equivalent and I would think offers just as good space for cargo and performance therefore it would seem it would be a reliable and good aircraft.
Hopefully Channel Express will show more interest in the aircraft.

RE: The Russian Civil Aviation Industry in shambles!

It would be nice to see western airlines operating the TU-204 even if it is just to carry cargo.Have the TU-204s so far been a success for TNT?

RE: The Russian Civil Aviation Industry in shambles!

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 23-10-02 AT 06:26 PM (GMT)]Yes I agree that aircraft like the TU-204 would be a feasible option for countries such as Cuba, but the problem is that new aircraft are extremely expensive and do airlines such as Cubana have the money for them?
If you look at the current Cubana fleet it consists of mainly old Soviet aircraft.5 An-24, 2 Yak-42,5 IL-62 and 1 IL-76.
These aircraft are past their usage age and have been retired by many former operators. They are in poor quality because of the maintenance by the airline, really can they afford to buy and operate new aircraft considering their current operations?
The A320s and DC-10 are on wet lease and not owned by the company. Therefore it seems new aircraft are going to be a costly project.

If they were to buy new aircraft then there is the aspect of the maintaining of them. That is how many airlines aircraft in third world countries have got in to the condition they are now-because of poor maintenance. This therefore, gives Soviet aircraft their reputation.