WATERFORD Airport
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Well, at least they give it a try. It is the best Waterford can hope for, realistically.
As for being cheapskates - that's true, but I have seen too many start-ups investing in over-the-top marketing, designer office furniture, flashy cars for the executives only to go bancrupt sooner than later.
As for being cheapskates - that's true, but I have seen too many start-ups investing in over-the-top marketing, designer office furniture, flashy cars for the executives only to go bancrupt sooner than later.
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That SF340 photo came from Saab Leasing's website, perhaps they are leasing an aircraft from them, perhaps not, the photo is copyrighted, perhaps they have permission, perhaps not.
A friend of mine, some 20 years back, was to start an airline, I advised him to have a pic of the aircraft on the tarmac with the crew in all their shiny braid and trolley dolly attire there to impress.
\
I also advised another start-up wannabe friend to publicise an up-market in flight service (to justify the non loco fares), minimal check-in times and all that nonsense, all Aer SouthEast have is a fake photo of a geriatric aircraft supposedly in their livery.
This has all the signs of a schoolboy project!
P.S. Don't Icelandic's have something of a track record regarding airline failure's and monies being absconded?
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Well, they are starting at the end of July and as I understand it, the aircraft will be operated by an established operator. Do you expect them to lease an aircraft one month early just to be able to take nice pictures?
While I understand your points, they are much more relevant if an airline starts in a competitive environment. Aer Southeast is competing with no-one at WAT. The various gimmicks you mention will probably be only relevant for those who are willing to drive to DUB just to save 10 or 20 EUR and they are certainly not the prime target group of Aer Southeast. For them, it is most important to spread the news that a London service is available from WAT again and to have a distribution channel. If they need to attract customers by handing out free food and dolling up flight attendants, they are doomed anyway.
While I understand your points, they are much more relevant if an airline starts in a competitive environment. Aer Southeast is competing with no-one at WAT. The various gimmicks you mention will probably be only relevant for those who are willing to drive to DUB just to save 10 or 20 EUR and they are certainly not the prime target group of Aer Southeast. For them, it is most important to spread the news that a London service is available from WAT again and to have a distribution channel. If they need to attract customers by handing out free food and dolling up flight attendants, they are doomed anyway.
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For them, it is most important to spread the news that a London service is available from WAT
You haven't tried booking on their website have you? ... They are not operating to London, not even to London-Luton ... They are operating to some place called Luton
I've just tried to make a booking on their website. It tells me there are no flights on any of the dates I tried despite those dates being highlighted on their calender. Good start.
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If am not mistaken, LTN has been the London gateway since the days of Ryanair Budgies, so no big loss here.
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You'd be surprised at the number of international travellers that don't know where Luton is, much the same as many don't know where Stansted Mountfitchet, Gatwick, Southend-On-Sea etc. are and that is why they are prefixed with 'London'.
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Well. I guess that the first thing international travellers wanting to travel to Waterford by air will do is to do a google search if there is an airport at all and what services are available (and they will be the far smaller group of customers of the airline as the service is clearly targeted at the outbound crowd, not the inbound crowd). It seems very unlikely these punters from abroad will go straight to "www.aersoutheast.com", see "Luton" and come to the conclusion that there is no London service.
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That's exactly it Virgin Blue, the challenge for any carrier is to draw awareness and do so with very very limited budget. That is the biggest challenge, even above price...
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Aer Southeast. For them, it is most important to spread the news that a London service is available from WAT again
The guy behind this supposedly has 25 years in aviation, whenever I've read that sort of marketing previously they have elaborated detailing a bit more of a career background, whether management, CEO or whatever.
The website has gone up before it has been built, 'one liners', complete with spelling mistakes, are being added, anyone in aviation marketing would describe Luton as "London-Luton", there's a pic of a SF340 that is straight from a Google Images search of "Saab 340" that has been paint shopped and not very well at that, it goes on and on.
It is apparent that this is a one-man show and I'd question what he's been doing for his 25 years in aviation, an engineer, a traffic officer, check-in clerk, pilot, because it doesn't seem like he's got much, if anything, of a commercial background.
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Well, as I said, it is this offering or none at all. I prefer to applaud people who actually start-up a business. I do not want to talk their effort down from my armchair.
It is not as if Waterford airport or the people of Waterford could choose between a dozen of blue-chip airlines begging to serve them.
It is not as if Waterford airport or the people of Waterford could choose between a dozen of blue-chip airlines begging to serve them.
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Harry,
That is correct, they should label things properly, the outfit seems amateurish, but I wish them well.
From a marketing and launch perspective they need to be bold and think outside the box, i'd focus heavily on Waterford area, what event could they get tagged with to get them in the news. Like and share promotions to win flights, focussing on VFR and in tandem approach any industry in the area for corporate deals, not close to the examples but any in the agri sector, they'll need to do their homework. The like and share will spread the word to relations and friends on the GB side... that would be the strategy, both strands in tandem....
That is correct, they should label things properly, the outfit seems amateurish, but I wish them well.
From a marketing and launch perspective they need to be bold and think outside the box, i'd focus heavily on Waterford area, what event could they get tagged with to get them in the news. Like and share promotions to win flights, focussing on VFR and in tandem approach any industry in the area for corporate deals, not close to the examples but any in the agri sector, they'll need to do their homework. The like and share will spread the word to relations and friends on the GB side... that would be the strategy, both strands in tandem....
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Harry - I'm sure your intentions are good but perhaps you might like to email your suggestions directly to Aer South East ? If they really are struggling to know how to run an airline, they may well be grateful to hear the ideas from someone with lots of experience. Maybe you could take on some kind of business mentor to them ? Would give you the kudos of having been actively involved in bringing a fledgling airline into reality