Aer Lingus to announce long haul plans!
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Aer Lingus to announce long haul plans!
According to a report on RTE's Aertel:
http://www.rte.ie/aertel/p116.htm
Presumably we'll also see the announcement for the intermediate aircraft - Air Transat A330s, if the current rumour is correct.
As for route plans, any guesses: apart from US routes (which will be stymied by the current government position on US access negotiations - there's a change
), I can see CPT and HKG. Dubai has been mentioned, but I would have thought a codeshare with EK might be more likely.
As for the long haul fleet deal, whenever it is announced, looks like being 787s. Airbus will probably counter with a very good A350 deal, but since the aircraft seems to be leaving virtually every airline cold, I just don't see the A350 figuring in EI's plans ... unless there's political interference.
But that would never happen in Ireland.
http://www.rte.ie/aertel/p116.htm
Presumably we'll also see the announcement for the intermediate aircraft - Air Transat A330s, if the current rumour is correct.
As for route plans, any guesses: apart from US routes (which will be stymied by the current government position on US access negotiations - there's a change
), I can see CPT and HKG. Dubai has been mentioned, but I would have thought a codeshare with EK might be more likely. As for the long haul fleet deal, whenever it is announced, looks like being 787s. Airbus will probably counter with a very good A350 deal, but since the aircraft seems to be leaving virtually every airline cold, I just don't see the A350 figuring in EI's plans ... unless there's political interference.
But that would never happen in Ireland.
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In a speech reported in today's main Irish papers, DM said that he expected to announce the airline's first non-US long haul route next month, along with more European routes.
Sadly, the axing of the MCO route is now irreversible.
DM also reported that EI will be trying to gain capacity from the existing fleet, but would also try to lease in Airbuses if available.
He also revealed an expectation that EK would add services to DUB, providing an impetus to EI to ensure it had "first mover advantage".
Sadly, the axing of the MCO route is now irreversible.
DM also reported that EI will be trying to gain capacity from the existing fleet, but would also try to lease in Airbuses if available.
He also revealed an expectation that EK would add services to DUB, providing an impetus to EI to ensure it had "first mover advantage".
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Good news for EI hopefully.
Anybody know how many Air Transat 330's they will take as interim a/c?
Will the current fleet of 330 300's all remain? Some of the earlier ones could certainly do with a cabin re-fit, with no PTV's etc.
Anybody know how many Air Transat 330's they will take as interim a/c?
Will the current fleet of 330 300's all remain? Some of the earlier ones could certainly do with a cabin re-fit, with no PTV's etc.
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The problem with the A330-300s is that they are early models, -301s, which - of equipped with IFE, might be weight restricted. I believe they're right on the edge for ORD already.
Problem is also that suitable widebodies are very hard to come by and this is why they're considering the A/T aircraft, which are RR powered. Even if they do get these (and I'm not sure Air Transat knows EI wants its aircraft yet!), they still need a larger capacity aircraft for US flights. It's quite possible that the EU and US will do a deal later this year, which will open up US flights to Aer Lingus, without the govt being able to do anything to obstruct them, so they need to be looking for new (or used aircraft) to add capacity.
This is why I still believe that whichever manufacturer can provide EI with the capacity it needs in the short term will be in a better position to win the long haul fleet replacement deal.
"Spare a Triple 7, guv?"
Problem is also that suitable widebodies are very hard to come by and this is why they're considering the A/T aircraft, which are RR powered. Even if they do get these (and I'm not sure Air Transat knows EI wants its aircraft yet!), they still need a larger capacity aircraft for US flights. It's quite possible that the EU and US will do a deal later this year, which will open up US flights to Aer Lingus, without the govt being able to do anything to obstruct them, so they need to be looking for new (or used aircraft) to add capacity.
This is why I still believe that whichever manufacturer can provide EI with the capacity it needs in the short term will be in a better position to win the long haul fleet replacement deal.
"Spare a Triple 7, guv?"
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Tks Aeroskid.
Flew SAA from Jo'burg to LHR on Wed night on a 747-400 with an impressive IFE System, with video on demand in Y Class..contrasted with the last time I flew EI on one of the 300's to Boston there is no comparison in terms of IFE.
Having said that, I have been a big loyal EI traveller for many years and would love to see their long haul fleet and routes expanded.
While in Cape Town a couple of weeks back it struck me that an EI direct route could prove to be quite lucrative...lots of tourist traffic and ex-pats too.
I assume the Air Transit 330's are the newer longer range type?
I also read somewhere that one of the Air Transat 330\'s is the infamous Azores glider...is this true?
Flew SAA from Jo'burg to LHR on Wed night on a 747-400 with an impressive IFE System, with video on demand in Y Class..contrasted with the last time I flew EI on one of the 300's to Boston there is no comparison in terms of IFE.
Having said that, I have been a big loyal EI traveller for many years and would love to see their long haul fleet and routes expanded.
While in Cape Town a couple of weeks back it struck me that an EI direct route could prove to be quite lucrative...lots of tourist traffic and ex-pats too.
I assume the Air Transit 330's are the newer longer range type?
I also read somewhere that one of the Air Transat 330\'s is the infamous Azores glider...is this true?
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Yes, one of their A330-200s is the Azores glider, C-GITS. I guess it'll be useful for cutting down fuel bills for the SNN stopover; just climb to FL180 and glide down!
But seriously, folks, the JP shows Air Transat operating 3 332s and a single 333; subject to Mark's comment above and TS actually wanting to part with them (rather than saying "TS" to Aer Lingus), EI would probably take the three 332s alone. All the 332s are -243 models, which have an MTOW of 230t - the same as EI's 332s. Still, that gives them a pretty decent range and if need be, I think they can get the MTOW up to 233t*.
It did surprise me that TS was mentioned as a possible source of 332s and since we've already had a report that QF was a source, I'd rather wait until we hear something firm; I'm sure EI is knocking at a lot of doors - TS, QF, LX and others - and regardless of what's rumoured, the deal isn't done until the dotted line is signed.
(*Oddly enough, Cyprus Airways' A330-243s have an MTOW of 233t as well, although their longest route is LCA-MAN.)
But seriously, folks, the JP shows Air Transat operating 3 332s and a single 333; subject to Mark's comment above and TS actually wanting to part with them (rather than saying "TS" to Aer Lingus), EI would probably take the three 332s alone. All the 332s are -243 models, which have an MTOW of 230t - the same as EI's 332s. Still, that gives them a pretty decent range and if need be, I think they can get the MTOW up to 233t*.
It did surprise me that TS was mentioned as a possible source of 332s and since we've already had a report that QF was a source, I'd rather wait until we hear something firm; I'm sure EI is knocking at a lot of doors - TS, QF, LX and others - and regardless of what's rumoured, the deal isn't done until the dotted line is signed.
(*Oddly enough, Cyprus Airways' A330-243s have an MTOW of 233t as well, although their longest route is LCA-MAN.)
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Interesting stuff.
I presume that in the interest of maintaining yields and mkt share on North Atlantic routes that whatever EI lease will be retro-fitted with a reasonably up to date IFE system.
I trust a 340 300 is out of the question?
I presume that in the interest of maintaining yields and mkt share on North Atlantic routes that whatever EI lease will be retro-fitted with a reasonably up to date IFE system.
I trust a 340 300 is out of the question?
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It wouldn't surprise me if it came to that; the A340 was ruled out of the long haul fleet replacement plan because of the runway length and the fact that the 340 isn't a great performer in terms of climb performance and speed.
However, if they could get some for t/a, it might just work. From what I gather, it's a little bit easier (but not much) to get 340s than 330s and 777s. I actually thought that with OA going under (they're now appealing against the EU decision), that might yield some suitable aircraft.
I'm sure EI is considering all the options.
However, if they could get some for t/a, it might just work. From what I gather, it's a little bit easier (but not much) to get 340s than 330s and 777s. I actually thought that with OA going under (they're now appealing against the EU decision), that might yield some suitable aircraft.
I'm sure EI is considering all the options.
