BA, Russia in dispute over using 747 on London-Moscow route

By Polina Borodina | February 21, 2012

British Airways 747-400. By Rob Finlayson

British Airways’ (BA) Boeing 747 service from London (LHR)-Moscow Domodedovo (DME) became uncertain after Russian civil aviation authorities said they did not approve the aircraft.

According to a Russia-UK bilateral agreement, carriers must coordinate with authorities the number of frequencies and aircraft type used on the route.

In September BA disclosed plans to fly the 747 on its LHR-DME route but Russian authorities have denied it gave approval, according to a representative from the Federal Air Transport Agency of Russia’s Ministry of Transport. BA, which currently uses a 767 and Airbus A320s on the LHR-DME route, is in negotiations with Russian authorities seeking permission to use the 747.

Market experts say the dispute stems from the UK’s refusal of a similar request from Transaero Airlines (UN) to use a 747 and 777 on its DME-LHR route, replacing 737s and 767s. Aeroflot (SU) may also be against BA’s use of the 747 on the route. The carrier operates mostly A320s on its Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO)–LHR route. SU representatives refused to comment on the situation.

Discuss this news 16

20 Feb21:28

...This is what happens when

By Autolycus

...This is what happens when 'incentives' are removed from the bargaining table...

20 Feb21:33

IFI WAS 'UN" or "SU" I FLY

By Ernesto Schimmer

IFI WAS 'UN" or "SU" I FLY B747-M
"COMBI'S IN & OUT OF LHR & FRA.
100% TOTAL WEIGHT AND REVENUE
Ernesto, The Air Cargo Junky.

20 Feb22:31

Same as Virgin and BA on the

By Jim

Same as Virgin and BA on the Nigeria run.
747s against Arik Airs small single aisles.
Not a level playing field for sure.

21 Feb01:02

Not really. Arik flys the

By Ryan

Not really. Arik flys the A340-500 and occasionally the A330 to LHR from Lagos. If they had a larger capacity aircraft I'm sure they could use it. They use the 737-800 from Abuja to LHR because they can't fill a widebody. If you want to talk about government ridiculousness, the Nigerian government made BA re-time their Lagos arrival back around 2009 over something about the roads being dangerous for passengers going to and from the airport after dark, never mind all of the other carriers with late departures and arrivals out of Lagos. Delta was also pressured to switch from a 767-300 to a 777-200 on their Lagos flight because the IFE product on the 767s was deemed inferior to Nigerian passengers. This was before DL had seatback IFE in economy on the 767s.

21 Feb01:32

Arik don't have the A330

By Richard UK

Arik don't have the A330 anymore!
UN have been using the B777 on LHR as eqv for several months now

21 Feb03:05

UK and BA have only

By Peter

UK and BA have only themselves to blame if they refused Transaero's jumbos on the route. Very narrow-minded from UK.

21 Feb03:54

It's really just a matter of

By Ray

It's really just a matter of like for like.

22 Feb14:10

I am sure there is nothing to

By zaimond

I am sure there is nothing to do with Transaero. It is Aeroflot who always dictates the things on the Russian market. I wonder is such a large capacity really needed for the route ? Passengers need frequency not just one flight per day from DME. If BA and Transaero start using B747 they do not need more than one per dayoperations.

23 Feb04:27

Shows how ignorant you are BA

By Anonymous

Shows how ignorant you are BA is going to operate 3 schedules a day, 2 using 767's and one a day 747.
This is a dispute between Governments not the Airlines themselves.

23 Feb06:08

I think you'll find that the

By Anonymous

I think you'll find that the three BA services will be flown ex LHR by the B744 (AM flight), and the 767 Longhaul (PM and Night flight). The demand is there for premium classes hence BA's decision to place the Longhaul, First/Club World Class configured aircraft on the route.

24 Feb01:51

Sorry for my ignorance. BA

By zaimond

Sorry for my ignorance. BA must be either mad or sell really cheap to fill those large aircraft to Moscow. They will not be able to do it cheaper than Transaero who will put B747 on the route as well. Now something about your ignorance. Aeroflot and Sheremetyevo are parts of the government in Russia. So think better who is really playing that game.

24 Feb08:25

Aeroflot CEO Saveliev says

By Köktürkler

Aeroflot CEO Saveliev says that they are "FOR" competition. If Aeroflot controls the "government puppets", so he is a liar! Why Russian officials are against liberalization and prevent competition? Let me guess. Maybe because Russians do not enough slots at LHR to compete?

24 Feb14:01

The Russians wanted First

By Anonymous

The Russians wanted First Class on this route. That is why 747s where put on it. This is all a money making thing on the Russians side!!!

24 Feb14:08

I agree... This is more to do

By Anonymous

I agree... This is more to do with the corrupt government in Nigeria. They should spend their money on new roads instead of all the rubbish they buy in duty free!!!!!

29 Feb07:20

Zaimond..I think you

By Anonymous

Zaimond..I think you misunderstand BA's business model....they don't normally get involved in battles to "do it cheaper"...they see an opportunity in the Russian market to offer a product which will include flat-bed first class and business class to the masses of wealthy Russians.

06 Apr18:11

I think that row was about

By Al-Amin

I think that row was about the inflated prices passengers from Nigeria had to pay.