Snipes....no need to leave you are absolutley correct. Today's passenger expects to pay next to nothing for an air ticket. This expectation has been driven by the low cost model (for which there is no doubt huge demand) but expect nothing. Yet, they have no problem as you rightly point out paying for a taxi to the airport, a nice hotel for the few days away, a nice meal. At the end of the day if it costs an airline x to fly a sector, and if the revenue generated does not meet or exceed that cost airline loses money. The difference between airlines is the cost of x. If a business model offers a higher service level the cost of x rises, as well as the fare. Not everyone wants to travel low cost. Aer Lingus must reduce its cost base to survive, as most of its competition is from low cost. Let's wait and see what comes out of the consultation process. However, there are too many people in this forum (normally FR biased) who take the legs from constructive commentators making valid points as just happened to snipe.