Originally Posted by
brian_dromey
Personally, I think Aer Lingus at ORK have their hands slightly tied by just having the ATRs and the A320 (assuming the 319s remain in Belfast for the time being). Something E190 size would probably work quite well, I think there are probably a number of routes that the A320 is too much for and the ATR is either to small or does not have enough range.
You're right - it's true that a 100-seater would match demand better on a number of routes, and would also allow better frequency which is more appealing to business passengers especially. However the cost per seat on an E190 is naturally higher than an A320, and I think EI have taken the view that they can't get the yields (even over smaller numbers of passengers) to justify that higher seat cost; and on the routes which might theoretically fit a 100-seater, they feel the proportion of business passengers is too small (not just Cork; Dublin too) for a higher frequency service with smaller jets to make economic sense.