Originally Posted by
vectisman
Are Lingus needed to use its own aircraft to ensure full utilisation of their LHR slots that were at risk if not fully used.
The Emerald/BA Dublin flights actually connect well to BA long haul. Do you really think they would not have examined the economics before operating the LGW to Dublin the route?
This comment makes no sense.
No one is talking about Aer Lingus using its own aircraft to LHR. We're talking about EI Regional / Emerald Airlines branded planes, clearly with spare availability/capacity for running flights for BA in EI branding. It could have simply been EI Regional operating these flights with a BA codeshare. That's the point we're saying. Why this route had to be any different to others where this happens, we were not sure.
However, Flightrider's comment probably answers it better. So technically confirmed as a slot sitter route, where its pretty cheap to operate and on a cheaper aircraft within the IAG fleet, as well having inside figures of some proven route demand. Presumably, LGW say that BA must use their own flight code as the main operator to satisfy the slot use requirements, regardless of being an IAG airline?