According to 6G website (not the most up to date granted!) they are still operating the BHD service from Mar 06. Not too sure if there is a market for a 737 (BFS) and 4 ATR42 (BHD) daily from CWL - we probably don't see the bigger picture - only time will tell!!!
While obviously it would be good news for people where I live if RE went out and got some Q400s, junking their investment in ATRs would seem excessive especially given RE's JAR145 troubles some time back, that CAT2 at ORK is still not happening and the Q4's somewhat quirky nature (as Flybe and SAS found out).
I hope any new aircraft will be able to do CAT2'S at CORK.The ATR's are hopeless in that regard. How is it that the ex City Flyer ATR's had no difficulty with their former owner? I thought Aer Arann crews were CAT2 compliant.
Some are current some are not. There is a lot of recent hiring and all these new people need to be Cat II trained. Then you must have a combination of aircraft/captain/first officer who are all CATII- more often than not at the moment this is not the case. I believe that there is a large emphasis on trying to get all crews CAT II and the aircraft likewise.
just wanted to know if any one has an idea how re are doing with the iom thing. in liverpool this moment and saw 3 people get on a flight to iom... not very good ehhh.... hope it works for them but am worried about this adventure.
regs
ej
Re at IOM are struggling, I think they have underestimated the loyalty of the local market to the local operator Euromanx.
RE is an airline trying very hard to reinvent itself away from Ireland, could be a very dangerous policy. After the IOM I see they are now attempting to muscle in on Cardiff.
A rumour of a Luton base for next summer and additional flights to new unannounced destinations.
Arann have good loads on thier routes to Waterford and Galway, Lorient starts S06, the IOM twice daily has been in operation for around a month, but I have no idea on loads and more importantly, yields?
The ATR is a CAT 2 aircraft as you may know, but the main problem is the training of the crew. The CAT2 training seems quite disorganised and many pilots are actually still waiting for CAT2 training after 2 years
Maybe this coming year will get a bit better and everyone will have the opportunity to get signed off.
Aer Arann takes flying battle to Ryanair with its brand new fleet
IT may be a David and Goliath struggle but Aer Arann is throwing down the gauntlet to the giant Ryanair.
A signal of its intent can be seen in the fact that two giant aircraft manufacturers are battling to secure a €150m fleet expansion from the regional carrier.
The rapidly-growing Irish airline is determined to upgrade and expand its 12-strong fleet - and the €150m investment will be the third biggest fleet contract ever placed by an Irish airline.
The new fleet will allow it to further develop its route network - and expand operations yet further into the continental EU.
The new aircraft will offer Aer Arann much greater efficiencies, at a time when Ryanair is taking on the regional airline on domestic routes for the first time.
The Irish regional airline now enjoys turnover of more than €100 million - and has 500 flights per week across 13 UK, five domestic and three French air routes.
It employs almost 400 staff, and the €150 million fleet contract ranks as the most ambitious expansion attempted by the airline since Padraig O'Ceidigh took control in 1994.
Aer Arann currently operates a fleet of 12 ATR turbo-prop aircraft - five 42-seater and seven 72-seater planes.
The new contract aims to replace the older aircraft with quieter, more efficient types capable of even longer operating schedules.
Aer Arann plans to stick with turbo-props rather than jets due to efficiency of operations - and their suitability for "leaner" regional and seasonal routes.
Two major aircraft manufacturers are now battling for the contract - the French-based ATR group and Canadian company Bombardier.
While Aer Arann has to date operated only ATR aircraft, Bombardier's Dash 8 turbo-prop commuter plane ranks as one of the best selling aircraft in the world.
It boasts a significant share of the giant US regional commuter market - and is renowned for its efficiency and reliability.
Yesterday, ATR put its newest type, the ATR 72-500 series, on display at Cork Airport.
The French combine - which has close links to the Airbus consortium - claims its new model is quieter and more efficient than earlier designs and also offers significantly more flexible flying operations.
Aer Arann expects to confirm the winner of the contract award next month with the first new aircraft set to begin replacing older models in the fleet by the end of the year.
"We haven't decided yet which firm will get the contract - but we are at an advanced stage of discussions," an Aer Arann spokesperson said.
Linear Mode
