Something long-haul brewing at SN? Africa cuts

[BrightCedars]

It seems that with the Northern Winter SN will be drastically cutting its African frequencies, according to the SN timetable for dates starting October 26.

Code: Select all

Flight Weekday Route           Dep.  Arr.   Dep.   Arr.   Dep.   Arr.
SN 203 ...4..7 BRU-DKR-BJL     11:35 16:40  ??:??  18:25
SN 204 ...4..7 BJL-DKR-BRU     21:00 ??:??  22:40  05:30+
SN 205 ..3..6. BRU-DKR-CKY     11:25 16:30  ??:??  18:55
SN 206 ..3..6. CKY-DKR-BRU     20:15 ??:??  22:40  05:30+
SN 237 .2..... BRU-DKR-FNA     11:25 16:30  ??:??  19:00
SN 238 .2..... FNA-DKR-BRU     20:15 ??:??  22:40  05:30+
SN 245 ..3...7 BRU-ROB-ABJ-BRU 12:00 17:50  19:00  19:45  21:35  05:10+
SN 247 ....5.. BRU-ABJ-ROB-BRU 12:00 17:45  18:55  20:20  21:30  05:10+
SN 351 1..4.6. BRU-DLA-FIH     10:40 17:25  20:15
SN 352 1..4.6. FIH-DLA-        21:45 ??:??
       .2..5.7    -DLA-BRU                  00:35  07:20
SN 353 ..3.5.. BRU-NSI-FIH     10:00 16:50  19:30
SN 354 ..3.5.. FIH-NSI-BRU     21:00 ??:??  23:40  06:25+
SN 359 ......7 BRU-LAD-FIH-BRU 09:55 18:30  19:40  20:50  22:20  06:10+
SN 453 ....5.. BRU-BJM-NBO-    10:40 19:55  20:55  23:30
       .....6.        -NBO-BRU                            00:30  07:05
SN 465 .2.4.6. BRU-KGL-EBB-BRU 10:40 19:50  20:50  22:45  23:55  06:10+
SN 483 1...... BRU-EBB-NBO-BRU 10:40 20:40  21:40  22:40  23:40  06:10+

In fact there are so little flights that a fleet of just 3 A330-300s would be enough to operate this schedule, even if only one 24h rotation slot is left for maintenance/swap/catchup on Monday (day 1).

Does this mean that one of SN's bird is going to be taken off the fleet for maintenance, for good, or to be deployed somewhere else? Also, it seems as if SN is in debacle on NBO. I seem to remember they once had up to 5 weekly flights, they are now dropping to just two - although things seem to have settled there since the unfortunate events. Also Kinshasa is not daily anymore and doesn't see any nonstop service Southbound.

Any insight strongly appreciated!

[HighInTheSky]

I know that this winter all A330's will have maintenance. If i recall correctly, they forsee 1 month for each aircraft.

I could be wrong, but it think this is the answer to your question...

Greetz

[carambole]

No panic, Yes ideed one of the a330 has got its C or D check i'm not sure which one.

[BrightCedars]

Good to read there is an A330 probably in maintenance. However, it's a bit strange that they are down scaling rather than subbing the missing aircraft with a temporary replacement, like they did in the past using the last acquired jet to roll the others through maintenance.