Flight delays

[Jimbo]

There's also an argument that says that these penalties concentrate airlines' attention on highly efficient maintenance. Every minute a plane is in a hanger it's losing money, so companies with big fleets are, in theory, in a better position than small companies. If a Thomson plane has serious failure at Corfu, they'll fly a replacement down in about 4 hours. If a Small Planet plane does so you're there for a long time!

[rilo57]

Also you have to consider that everybody isent just on the flight for a 1destination trip, if you have a connecting flight to catch then it really messes thing upif your delayed..

[Dupnica]

 We travelled on the afternoon flight from Gatwick in June.We came in to land and all seemed well,seat belts on,landing gear down,then we suddenly started to climb again.
 The pilot explained that there was some low cloud and that we would have to circle for a while.We went round and round the island and then made another attempt,the same thing happened.
 By this time everyone was getting a bit nervous but being British no one made a fuss but just sat there waiting to see what would happen next. The Captain made an announcement that as she was only allowed to make two attempts at landing we would have to divert to Thessalonika,which happens to be on the other side of Greece on the Northern tip of the Aegean Sea and near the Macedonian border.

 By the time we disembarked and they offloaded our luggage it was almost midnight,then there was the mammoth task of finding accommodation for a plane load of people,some with young children.
 We were finally bussed to a Hotel and arrived at 4am. After a sleepless few hours we had breakfast and were driven back to the airport
to catch our flight to Corfu which was due to take off at 13:30 but then were told Corfu airport was closed due to bad weather.

 Well by this time people were beginning to lose their patience but what can you do? We finally took off at 15:30 and this time we made it.
 I've never been so glad to see the welcoming face of our driver who couldn't understand why we were diverted when every other plane managed to land! Makes you wonder.
 
 When we got to Agios Stefanos we quickly showered,found something to wear that wasn't too creased and headed down to Manthos 40year Anniversary party. Had a great time but would have enjoyed it more if we hadn't been so tired.
 

[Jimbo]

Pilots are cautious - quite rightly. Corfu can have very low cloud and heavy fog. Corfu airport does not have an Instrument Landing System (ILS). It's visual flight rules only. If they can't see the runway from about 2,500 feet they will have to abort. It's very expensive to divert, and they won't do it until they have to. The two pilots will discuss it. Normal diversions will be to Brindisi, Preveza or one of the islands to the south. But if the weather is bad across the Adriatic a mainland airport with an ILS will be preferred (if they have enough fuel) - they usually carry about 45 minutes flight time of safety fuel. Athens is extremely busy - Thessaloniki not so much. After two go-arounds, that aircraft would have just enough fuel to reach Thessaloniki, with not much to spare. But if could be assured of a landing. What it they'd tried two landings in low cloud at Preveza and failed? Not enough fuel to go anywhere!

I've flown a lot and had some fairly hair-raising experiences. India Airlines pilots used to have an "it'll be alright on the night" attitude to thunderstorms: massive turbulence and the rage of Shiva's lightning outside.

Planes can't just park up and wait until the cloud goes away, can they? It will be patchy - so some will get in and some will not. I have great admiration for the professionalism of commercial aircrews. They do not create arbitrary delays - it's the last thing they want. Aeroplanes are not taxis. It's a tribute to them that delays are so few.

Here's what pilots need to know about Corfu (runway 35 is from the south over the water - 17 is over the hills to the north of Corfu Town):

https://pilotsbriefingroom.com/2011/09/06/corfu-kerkira-greece-cfulgkr/

 

[will7777]

Hi remember landing in a very bad thunder storm with my 3 kids under 6 I herd the pilots talking to each other saying there was know way that there were going to take off tonight to go bad to gatwick untill the storm goes ..lighting dancing off the wings on the plain on landing .. got to sanstefanos .one big flash and a Bang village out of power ..put kids to bed Sat out side with duty free vody whatch the light show happy days

[Dupnica]

 I wasn't criticising the actions of the air crew their first priority was the safety of all on board. There's an awful lot of sea around Corfu Airport and not a lot of runway,but it's a scarey feeling when you're just about to land and suddenly find yourself whooshing skywards again.

The day we flew home was the day of the French national strike and we were delayed by 4 hours. We were each given a voucher for €4.50,just about enough for a bottle of Fanta,and here's a bit of information you might not be aware of. If you are given refreshment vouchers in Departures(where you check in your luggage) you must use them in the upstairs restaurant they cannot be used after you go through passport control.Don't know the reason why, could be a different franchise.

[Jimbo]

Fortunately, we don't fly over France, but wish us luck for a night landing in September!

[cambridge]

I wouldn't overly worry about flight delay compensation bumping up flight costs further, the airlines have had these costs folded into the rates we pay for some time now. If you're delayed for the reasons that qualify for compensation, have a go at claiming.

[rilo57]

Totally agree cambridge..