Centralwings
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: England
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is The End In Sight?
Are Centralwings on the way out......
http://www15.centralwings.com/en/50/info.html
Its not looking good..
http://www15.centralwings.com/en/50/info.html
Its not looking good..
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 970
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The agony lasted much longer than one might have expected. But, finally, Centralwings will cease to exist as a low-cost carrier. From mid-September the subsidiary of LOT will operate exclusively the charter flights.
In the coming days C0's online booking system will be dismantled. Some crew of the company is to be taken over by LOT, and much of the administrative staff (several dozen people) will be fired.
This afternoon, the CEO has talked to the staff. The official press conference will be held tomorrow.
In the coming days C0's online booking system will be dismantled. Some crew of the company is to be taken over by LOT, and much of the administrative staff (several dozen people) will be fired.
This afternoon, the CEO has talked to the staff. The official press conference will be held tomorrow.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 970
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And indeed. Most of C0 routes will be discontinued after mid-September, the very last low-cost flights of CentralWings will take place on October 7th (to Lisbon and back to Warsaw). That's it. Some staff out of 400 people will be required to provide the charter operations (these will continue), many can apply for jobs in LOT, but the marketing department guys are becoming redundant. Bye bye, CentralZero (due to the carrier's unreliability some used to call them less politely: CentralSh
)...
By the way. LOT Airlines intend to sell some of its tickets mimicking the LCC rules. The man responsible will be... Tomasz Kulakowski, until last month Ryanair’s Sales & Marketing Manager for Central Europe. Amazing, isn't it?
)...By the way. LOT Airlines intend to sell some of its tickets mimicking the LCC rules. The man responsible will be... Tomasz Kulakowski, until last month Ryanair’s Sales & Marketing Manager for Central Europe. Amazing, isn't it?
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 970
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So, will LOT be pulling off all Irish routes and leaving them to EI and Re?
Speaking about Poland, the retreat of Centralwings is a next heavy blow to the country's second-largest airport, Krakow. Abandonned by no-frills like SkyEurope, Germanwings and (soon) Jet2, not served by WizzAir, being fiddled around by Ryanair... Slower then expected growth has been caused by some delays related to the construction of a new terminal, but above all Krakow-Balice has been far too expensive, probably the most expensive in the entire region. Facing the present failure of one of its main airlines, the airport set up a special committee to examine whether the fares are adequate to the needs and expectations and to create new discount policy. The committee is expected to propose discounts for carriers who ensure the largest number of passengers. But not immediately, it will start next year, they say.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Centralwings post mortem
Does Centralwings have to go down as one of the worst business decisions in our industry in recent times?
When the airline was set up, we were told that they would defend LOT's market share against the LoCos. Instead, they managed to stimulate the market (whilst losing LOT a lot of money) and then hand the market share straight over to their competitors - exactly the opposite to what was intended.
In the case of the British Isles, Centralwings at various times flew to Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Edinburgh, LGW, Stansted, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham. As a result of this escapade, LOT have now been driven out of these islands with the exception of LHR. That isn't very clever, is it?
I notice that Wizzair have been very quick to grab the Gdansk - Rome and Bologna - Warsaw & Krakow routes. They will of course be delighted.
After the recent LoCo explosion in Poland, SkyEurope closed their Krakow base last year and now Centralwings have ceased to function as a serious competitor. Wizzair and Ryanair are now dominating the Polish market, the latter without having based a single aircraft in the country (yet).
Eu01 is quite right about Krakow. SkyEurope accounted for 15% of KRK traffic last year (0% this year!), Centralwings generated 7% of KRK traffic this year. KRK is now dominated by EasyJet (23% of traffic - the only Polish airport where they have made an impact) and Ryanair (20% of traffic). It is clear that KRK will need to get their costs right if they are to attract any growth at all.
When the airline was set up, we were told that they would defend LOT's market share against the LoCos. Instead, they managed to stimulate the market (whilst losing LOT a lot of money) and then hand the market share straight over to their competitors - exactly the opposite to what was intended.
In the case of the British Isles, Centralwings at various times flew to Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Edinburgh, LGW, Stansted, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham. As a result of this escapade, LOT have now been driven out of these islands with the exception of LHR. That isn't very clever, is it?
I notice that Wizzair have been very quick to grab the Gdansk - Rome and Bologna - Warsaw & Krakow routes. They will of course be delighted.
After the recent LoCo explosion in Poland, SkyEurope closed their Krakow base last year and now Centralwings have ceased to function as a serious competitor. Wizzair and Ryanair are now dominating the Polish market, the latter without having based a single aircraft in the country (yet).
Eu01 is quite right about Krakow. SkyEurope accounted for 15% of KRK traffic last year (0% this year!), Centralwings generated 7% of KRK traffic this year. KRK is now dominated by EasyJet (23% of traffic - the only Polish airport where they have made an impact) and Ryanair (20% of traffic). It is clear that KRK will need to get their costs right if they are to attract any growth at all.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: On the move
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Centralwings did not have much of a chance being run by an old communist style management system within LOT.
I cannot also see LOT themselves surviving in their present state.
With regard to Krakow Balice words fail me. The place is being run by incompetent idiots along with their equally useless relatives as nepotism is rife and still alive and well throughout Poland.
Two years to build a huge new executive office building with a small part disguised as the Domestic Terminal. Four check-in desks for LOT but only one in use because no demand.
Meanwhile the International Terminal is like a cattle market.
No International Departure lounge.Passengers are held in glass pens at the gates.
There is only one full size carousel that can be used for all flights.
The airport website used to brag about the wonderful terminal being capable of handling 1.75m pax. then proceeded to tell you they had achieved 3m pax.
On the landside they blocked out all the windows in the Café viewing area.
They opened a new restaurant called the Panorama but without any windows and very dark. Nobody uses it.
Brand new Business Lounge with about 20 plastic seats and 3 girls behind the desk doing what I don’t know.
Wizzair pulled out because of extortionate charges and primitive facilities.
I believe only CAT1 ILS in this foggy hilly region.
Wizz moved to Katowice and laid on a bus service to KRK.
Charter flights were never shown on website arrivals board probably because these are considered low class. Also I did hear that the Management had restricted the number of charter flights for some reason.
Katowice Airport continues to grow quickly and is now almost level with KRK.
The facilities are very good but unfortunately Katowice is an industrial area but reasonably close to Krakow so they are taking business away.
I could go on and on.
wawkrk
I cannot also see LOT themselves surviving in their present state.
With regard to Krakow Balice words fail me. The place is being run by incompetent idiots along with their equally useless relatives as nepotism is rife and still alive and well throughout Poland.
Two years to build a huge new executive office building with a small part disguised as the Domestic Terminal. Four check-in desks for LOT but only one in use because no demand.
Meanwhile the International Terminal is like a cattle market.
No International Departure lounge.Passengers are held in glass pens at the gates.
There is only one full size carousel that can be used for all flights.
The airport website used to brag about the wonderful terminal being capable of handling 1.75m pax. then proceeded to tell you they had achieved 3m pax.
On the landside they blocked out all the windows in the Café viewing area.
They opened a new restaurant called the Panorama but without any windows and very dark. Nobody uses it.
Brand new Business Lounge with about 20 plastic seats and 3 girls behind the desk doing what I don’t know.
Wizzair pulled out because of extortionate charges and primitive facilities.
I believe only CAT1 ILS in this foggy hilly region.
Wizz moved to Katowice and laid on a bus service to KRK.
Charter flights were never shown on website arrivals board probably because these are considered low class. Also I did hear that the Management had restricted the number of charter flights for some reason.
Katowice Airport continues to grow quickly and is now almost level with KRK.
The facilities are very good but unfortunately Katowice is an industrial area but reasonably close to Krakow so they are taking business away.
I could go on and on.
wawkrk
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: IRELAND
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wawkrk......that sounds dreadful! Its almost like they went to the same school of management as the people in the Dublin Airport Authority!
What you say is sad because Krokow has so much potential....both airport and city.
As for LOT, I feel they would be stupid no to try re-entering the Irish market. Sure, they would be slightly more expensive, but I actually know many Polish people based in Ireland who hate Ryanair with a passion. Given the choice, even for nationalistic reasons they might fly with their national airline. In fact, I several know Czechs based in Dublin who always go CSA despite it being far from the most affordable option.
What you say is sad because Krokow has so much potential....both airport and city.As for LOT, I feel they would be stupid no to try re-entering the Irish market. Sure, they would be slightly more expensive, but I actually know many Polish people based in Ireland who hate Ryanair with a passion. Given the choice, even for nationalistic reasons they might fly with their national airline. In fact, I several know Czechs based in Dublin who always go CSA despite it being far from the most affordable option.
.......Re would be doing very well to get there in their ATRs!......Unless they have plans they are not telling usJoin Date: Feb 2008
Location: Didcot, England
Age: 61
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just an observation - flew back from Warsaw last night on a 737-400 with the Centralwings rear body / tail livery, but with LOT brand markings at the front of the plane.
And I really hope the chap in the seat behind me, who coughed, sniffed and sneezed over the back of my head for two hours and twenty minutes feels better this morning - because I'm certainly coming down with something!
Best Regards,
Atlantean.
And I really hope the chap in the seat behind me, who coughed, sniffed and sneezed over the back of my head for two hours and twenty minutes feels better this morning - because I'm certainly coming down with something!
Best Regards,
Atlantean.
Centralwings still operating ?
I know there was publicity saying the airline would finish flying at the end of September - but the website still seems to list routes that it flies.
Have all flights under the C0 code completely stopped, or are there some flights still operating ? If flights are still operating, does anyone know the plan when scheduled C0 flights really do finish ?
Have all flights under the C0 code completely stopped, or are there some flights still operating ? If flights are still operating, does anyone know the plan when scheduled C0 flights really do finish ?
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Not so sure anymore
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was in Krakow yesterday 13/10 and there was a central wings aircraft cleared to land as we were at the holding point. it had a central wings call sign and branding. 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Cork, Ireland
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have all flights under the C0 code completely stopped, or are there some flights still operating ? If flights are still operating, does anyone know the plan when scheduled C0 flights really do finish ?
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Poland
Age: 50
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
job cuts at Centralwings
Centralwings has decided to reduce number of its pilots by 30 (number includes mostly FOs but also some CPTs). Few CPTs are being downgraded to FO position. B737s (most probably 3) will go back to LOT. Looks like the company is slowly dying or is being killed by its mother... Really sad news...
