Aircraft Positioning

[Quattromaster]

I work sometimes in the flight line of Stansted, so notice unusual aircraft not seen often at Stansted.

Just seen an A340 in Virgin colours land, on looking up on tinternet it appears its the Shanghai-Heathrow, VS251, which for some reason has come straight into Stansted.

Yet is now showing as departing Stansted, for Heathrow at 6pm, so only 1 hr 20 mins on ground.

Anybody know why this aircraft would do this, it was fairly on time from Shanghai, Heathrow seems to be running ok.

I've no idea at all.

[Kenty]

I believe Stansted is the divert airfield for any aircraft with an emergency, fault or potential to disrupt LHR so it could have been something along those lines.

[Mabbs9]

Just occasionally a delay at LHR means you can't stick around with the fuel loaded (based on forecast and expected delay). Stansted and Gatwick can be used for a splash and dash, ie quick refuel, replan and get on to intended destination before the crew run out of legal duty hours.

Often LHR can appear OK but may have had an A/C block a runway for a while or mayday/pan traffic increasing the delay at short notice. With small capacity margins remaining it can drag on and maybe add 15mins to a typical 10min hold.It's quite rare to need to divert but comes up once in a while.

Atb

[Mutley]

Kenty said:

I believe Stansted is the divert airfield for any aircraft with an emergency, fault or potential to disrupt LHR so it could have been something along those lines.

Stansted is also the divert for a plane with an onboard security issue, not saying this plane had that, but is a possibility a passenger needed removing before Heathrow