Originally Posted by
EI-DHC
These would be some of the routes that came to my mind too. However, with EI operating all these routes just next door at CRK, will flyU be able to compete?
Thats an interesting question. Firstly the big challenge a new airline has is to get its name out there. I think often many dont have agressive enough marketing. If it was starting up in the old days of the travel agent booking , ie pre internet booking, it would get a good shout , So lets hope it does some very spectacular marketing and promotion to get the name out there.
To answer your question. If the company gets its name out there and people see Waterford as a credable alternative to Cork or more importantly Dublin, then I can see them competing alright.
Without sounding negative the start up costs of an airline are huge , say an engine needs replacing on the 146 (i think thats what they are getting ?) that would take a big lot of funds to replace. . And besides all that, a small operator often has significant costs in terms of administration, sales , management, and if the operation is small ie only 1 or 2 aircraft, then the company has high unit costs. Again I dont want to sounds negative .
What an airport like Waterford needs is an airline like Flybe to come and heavily market low prices and get the word out there that a range of destinations are available at low prices, frequently. Aer Arran are good too , but the prospects would seem greater with a growing company lke Flybe .
But hey I wont shoot down a new carrier before it gets off the ground. Its just that it seems that few small new carriers survive with limited operations. I just hope that the backers have deep pockets.
Although highly unconnected when I hear of new operators starting up and a 146 is mentioned i remember reading the Fuelled by belief book , re Virgin Atlantic Cityjet .I have to say that was an interesting read. Have any of the rest of you read it ?