Aer Arann
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IOM LCY
My thoughts aswell Cyrano, How will changing the branding and putting a bigger aircraft on the route change anything especailly during the winter schedule. Its Aer Aranns way of saying we are not happy with the LCY route and its under serious review. I could see them closing the base and changing the DUB flight to Aer Lingus Regional operating it just daily. There business model has changed in the last few years, They are now carrying alot of passengers on their flights, 69,000 on EIR for the month of OCT alone. They have scrapped all there marginal routes, All Galway ops, KIR MAN, WAT BHX. Why would the IOM be any different? I dont think people in the IOM will care though as they are always complaining about Arann. Best thing that could happen the IOM is EasyJet start operating a daily Gatwick. With RE off the LCY route and flybe's LGW numbers that route would be sustainable on a A319 no problem giving a good mix of business and leisure passengers.
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Interesting developments / statements from Aer Arann on the IoM route to LCY. The more I consider the future of Aer Arann, the more I see it becoming a pure Aer Lingus Regional (or franchise) operator. The Aer Lingus name offers the brand credibility they need along with a decent product (i.e. not some very tired ATR 42's). The model of operating from Irish regional airports (GWY/WAT etc.) to the UK appears to be losing favour probably due to marginal (if any) profitability. The benefit of the EI brand on the IoM is probably next to nil so probably won't see IOM->LCY go to an EI Regional setup.
The real questions arise in my mind over the Stobart involvement. It seems the SEN routes have been killed off for now. As EZY are now a SEN operator, I feel it's conceivable they'll just view Aer Arann as an investment (rather than as RE being a necessary evil to get people flying into SEN) and if air cargo opportunities arise, then they may use Aer Arann as a route to offer this service to the wider group of Stobart clients??
Another thought......as the Aer Arann / Aer Lingus Regional model appears to be working well for both operators, does anyone else see this as a potential growth route for Aer Arann as a company in its own right? i.e. Aer Arann could become a regional carrier for larger operators across Europe by providing a low cost regional flying service to the franchise owner, while Aer Arann would get access to new markets while benefiting from the franchise owners name recognition??
The real questions arise in my mind over the Stobart involvement. It seems the SEN routes have been killed off for now. As EZY are now a SEN operator, I feel it's conceivable they'll just view Aer Arann as an investment (rather than as RE being a necessary evil to get people flying into SEN) and if air cargo opportunities arise, then they may use Aer Arann as a route to offer this service to the wider group of Stobart clients??
Another thought......as the Aer Arann / Aer Lingus Regional model appears to be working well for both operators, does anyone else see this as a potential growth route for Aer Arann as a company in its own right? i.e. Aer Arann could become a regional carrier for larger operators across Europe by providing a low cost regional flying service to the franchise owner, while Aer Arann would get access to new markets while benefiting from the franchise owners name recognition??
vulcanised
Perhaps Papa2Charlie was referring to RE's plan until recently to base a couple of aircraft at SEN to operate new routes to the near Continent, rather than the existing WAT route.
I really cannot fathom the airline's thinking on WAT. The WAT-SEN route is being reduced mid week during the winter apart from the Christmas/New Year period, while WAT-LTN stays at just 4 x weekly. I simply cannot see the point in continuing to operate WAT-LON to two different airports with the traffic levels having fallen off a cliff in the past six months. It was obviously Stobart's investment muscle that resulted in the transfer of the bulk of the flights to SEN in March - probably simply because they wanted to show the Stock Market some positive results from their substantial investment in SEN. It now seems almost as if RE have served their purpose as far as Stobarts is concerned and with easyJet now on board all their efforts are being concentrated in that direction. I hate to say so, but perhaps a return for the winter of all WAT flights to LTN would be appropriate from a commercial point of view. Once the new SEN terminal is open (probably in March) enabling the train station to really show its benefits to passengers, then reintroduce WAT-SEN for next summer.
At present RE seem to be simply retrenching to minimise cash outflow rather than adopting a coherent plan for the future. Like others here I can see RE morphing entirely into being simply Aer Lingus Regional. Commercially that is probably the best outcome for all concerned because the fewer routes that RE fly in their own right, the less recognisable their brand becomes.
Perhaps Papa2Charlie was referring to RE's plan until recently to base a couple of aircraft at SEN to operate new routes to the near Continent, rather than the existing WAT route.
I really cannot fathom the airline's thinking on WAT. The WAT-SEN route is being reduced mid week during the winter apart from the Christmas/New Year period, while WAT-LTN stays at just 4 x weekly. I simply cannot see the point in continuing to operate WAT-LON to two different airports with the traffic levels having fallen off a cliff in the past six months. It was obviously Stobart's investment muscle that resulted in the transfer of the bulk of the flights to SEN in March - probably simply because they wanted to show the Stock Market some positive results from their substantial investment in SEN. It now seems almost as if RE have served their purpose as far as Stobarts is concerned and with easyJet now on board all their efforts are being concentrated in that direction. I hate to say so, but perhaps a return for the winter of all WAT flights to LTN would be appropriate from a commercial point of view. Once the new SEN terminal is open (probably in March) enabling the train station to really show its benefits to passengers, then reintroduce WAT-SEN for next summer.
At present RE seem to be simply retrenching to minimise cash outflow rather than adopting a coherent plan for the future. Like others here I can see RE morphing entirely into being simply Aer Lingus Regional. Commercially that is probably the best outcome for all concerned because the fewer routes that RE fly in their own right, the less recognisable their brand becomes.
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Before anything else Aer Aran need to get their house sorted, for once and for all from an operational standpoint. There are regular, substantial delays throughout the network, both on the RE and EI side. The 72-500s are all less than 5 years old, they should not be having the level of technical delays they appear to be having. I'm at my wits end with the continued, regular delays on evening MAN services, to both ORK and SNN.
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Are they actually suffering frequent technical delays on the ATR72-500's or is it an operational issue (e.g. flight crew positioning etc.)? Had a look at their punctuality figures for Jan - Jul and they're claiming 83.9% on-time. While it's at the lower end of the ERAA stats, they're not the worst. That said, it looks like there is clear room for improvement here.
On the subject of passenger loads etc., the seem to have operated with a load factor of 58.8% across all services. That said, the traffic relative to last year for the airline is up by 31.4% to 614k passengers with ASK's increasing by 33.4%.
All numbers are from the latest issue of Regional International (ERAA magazine).
On the subject of passenger loads etc., the seem to have operated with a load factor of 58.8% across all services. That said, the traffic relative to last year for the airline is up by 31.4% to 614k passengers with ASK's increasing by 33.4%.
All numbers are from the latest issue of Regional International (ERAA magazine).
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October's pax statistics show a continuing trend:
Luton to Galway 6844 in 2010, 1471 in 2011
Southend to Galway 1413
Total in 2011: 2884 v. 6844 in 2010
Luton to Waterford 5688 in 2010, 1335 in 2011
Southend to Waterford 2530
Total in 2011: 3865 v 5688 in 2010.
Luton's other Irish routes have held up better, showing modest growth, although Knock has declined by 3%.
Southend needs its new terminal and runway in operation. I note that the last cottage on the approach has been demolished this week so progress is being made.
Luton to Galway 6844 in 2010, 1471 in 2011
Southend to Galway 1413
Total in 2011: 2884 v. 6844 in 2010
Luton to Waterford 5688 in 2010, 1335 in 2011
Southend to Waterford 2530
Total in 2011: 3865 v 5688 in 2010.
Luton's other Irish routes have held up better, showing modest growth, although Knock has declined by 3%.
Southend needs its new terminal and runway in operation. I note that the last cottage on the approach has been demolished this week so progress is being made.
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Missing a trick?
Waterford to London - either Luton or Southend is almost forgotten. 90% of pax just look at EI/FR on the web and that's it good luck. Part of the issue is the drive from WAT to DUB is now perhaps 1.5 hours on a good road.
Fare comparison - 17th Jan - FR - DUB LTN DUB - picked at random €60.00 all in
RE - from WAT to LTN - first issue - Aer Arann website advises "includes all fee's and service charges" ..........but it does not - you have to add a visa card payment . Now I can't fly to Luton on the days I want - so I've picked the next best days €109.00
Now, in this instance - the fare diff is not too bad and when you calculate in €59.00 to pay for fuel and parking at Dublin - it's fine.
However, you then need to get this point across to the public - which is currently not happening. Secondly, it is rare enough to see the two fares this close together.
Personally the arguement would be to have LTN daily or double daily. This covers off business users - who would see the advantage of time and petrol - they've figured that much out.
The craic of into one airport and back from another simply makes little sense.
Rant over.
Shamrogue
Fare comparison - 17th Jan - FR - DUB LTN DUB - picked at random €60.00 all in
RE - from WAT to LTN - first issue - Aer Arann website advises "includes all fee's and service charges" ..........but it does not - you have to add a visa card payment . Now I can't fly to Luton on the days I want - so I've picked the next best days €109.00
Now, in this instance - the fare diff is not too bad and when you calculate in €59.00 to pay for fuel and parking at Dublin - it's fine.
However, you then need to get this point across to the public - which is currently not happening. Secondly, it is rare enough to see the two fares this close together.
Personally the arguement would be to have LTN daily or double daily. This covers off business users - who would see the advantage of time and petrol - they've figured that much out.
The craic of into one airport and back from another simply makes little sense.
Rant over.
Shamrogue
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Waterford to London - either Luton or Southend is almost forgotten. 90% of pax just look at EI/FR on the web and that's it good luck. Part of the issue is the drive from WAT to DUB is now perhaps 1.5 hours on a good road.
Having said that looking at the seemingly daily EI ads in the London Metro and Evening Standard, if WAT ops went over to EIR I could see it being very valuable to WAT load factors if these routes could piggyback on ads promoting NOC/SNN/ORK EI flights.
Personally the arguement would be to have LTN daily or double daily. This covers off business users - who would see the advantage of time and petrol - they've figured that much out.
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Aer Arann are soon to offer free train tickets from SEN train station soon according to there site. Shows they will do anything to get passengers to use the airprot.
Maybe I'm not speaking for the majority of old LTN pax, but its the time involved getting to SEN compared with LTN that is the main issue for myself. Would happily fork out an extra £20 each way for a LTN flight at business friendly times rather than free train tickets from SEN.
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Does anyone know what a/c they will be using from Southend in early Jan? Last time I flew on EI-CPT, that was several months ago, a bit of an old shack to say the least! I flew out on an Aer Lingus regional 72, what a difference, leather seating etc. I wonder how much the state of their aircraft is affecting business. As an enthusiast it might be fun to fly on an old ATR 42, but I'm sure its not to everyones liking!
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Waterford - Southend has dropped to 10 weekly since last week for thw whole winter season. Was planned to be 13 weekly for some of the winter season.
One flight - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
Two flight - Sunday, Monday and Friday
One flight - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
Two flight - Sunday, Monday and Friday
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Forgotten
Sorry Irish Laddie,
I should further clarify my thinking on "forgotten". Waterfords core population is 50,000 people. Then you have the "suburbs" Now once you kick 20-30 Miles west - they are Cork potentials. Kilkenny is Dublin and Wexford starts to aim for Dublin also.
Now, RE works well to a point for the business community in Waterford who are time aware.
Then you have the travelling public, who go once a year to shop etc. And top of mind is Aer Lingus/Ryanair. As for London, again the business people will figure on Waterford direct, however, again, some people will not know of the airports existence - you can advertise till the cows come home and they still won't know. So, once again Ryanair/Aer Lingus will have the recognition. The swinging factor would be - does most of the traffic originate on the Irish end or the London end?
However, if you look at KK, WX, RE generally can be forgotten about. Again since the roads were sorted Dublin has a major pull.
Rgds
Shamrogue
I should further clarify my thinking on "forgotten". Waterfords core population is 50,000 people. Then you have the "suburbs" Now once you kick 20-30 Miles west - they are Cork potentials. Kilkenny is Dublin and Wexford starts to aim for Dublin also.
Now, RE works well to a point for the business community in Waterford who are time aware.
Then you have the travelling public, who go once a year to shop etc. And top of mind is Aer Lingus/Ryanair. As for London, again the business people will figure on Waterford direct, however, again, some people will not know of the airports existence - you can advertise till the cows come home and they still won't know. So, once again Ryanair/Aer Lingus will have the recognition. The swinging factor would be - does most of the traffic originate on the Irish end or the London end?
However, if you look at KK, WX, RE generally can be forgotten about. Again since the roads were sorted Dublin has a major pull.
Rgds
Shamrogue