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Aer Lingus goes A330 ... again.

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Old 22nd Jan 2006, 04:00
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Aer Lingus goes A330 ... again.

Well, after all the waiting, it looks as if we have white smoke.

Aer Lingus, according to this morning's Sunday Times, is to announce an order for four A330s (model not specified) for delivery beginning later this year and running into next. This will be an interim fleet and Aer Lingus claims it is still negotiating with Airbus and Boeing for the long haul deal. The Sunday Times quoted $400m (E330m), although if this is part of a wider deal (even at some future stage) involving A350s and more A32X aircraft (13 more required to reach target fleet strength), that price is probably well over the mark. Airbus has been offering some very good discounts on the A350 (not that it made any difference to its success in getting orders).

It's good news for EI, since it gives them the ability to add new US flights from this Winter. However, there may still be the need to add A330s (or A340s, if they can't get 330s) to grow the fleet, since the current A333s will need to be replaced, as they can't be updated with modern IFE for weight reasons.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspap...003500,00.html
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Old 22nd Jan 2006, 14:15
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The double-decker A350 is the European manufacturer’s answer to the highly successful Boeing 787.
Got to love the accurate reporting!
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Old 22nd Jan 2006, 16:40
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It's almost like The Times was a newspaper who thought that everything American was good and everything European was bad.

Which is why that newspaper is no longer a paper of record.
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Old 23rd Jan 2006, 10:14
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Do you guys think it's the best idea to replace 330's with more 330's I mean it's the 333's that need to be replaced as akerosid said, which means for capacity reasons, they'll probably replace them with more 333's and not 332's, but A.L. want to expand on the routes and there's talk amongst folk in there of flying further afield, would it not make more sense to go with the 340

Oh, and what do you think the chances are of them forking out a little extra to have individual display screens for each passenger to enjoy more than 1 or 2 movies on a medium/long haul flight. I know it's a little thing to some, but when your stuck in the middle row down the back with the TV screen 8 rows away from you and the seat in front occupied by a 4 year old that keeps standing up so he can see the screen, little bas I mean come on, it's 2006 not 1986 I'm sorry, that happened to me a few years back brings back bad memories

S.C.
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Old 23rd Jan 2006, 11:06
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The A340 would have marginal performance off the relatively short runway at Dublin. It is not suitable for Dublin Airport. The A330 is already limited off the Dublin runway in what it can do for EI on total take off weight. I think EI have no choice but to go for A330 and I would imagine they will go for the cheapest version they can find. As EI have little money for this cpital spending. The AIRBUS will be much cheaper and more avbl than 777. Also lower costs crew etc... A330 is their only choice sadly.
enplaned who seems to know a little about this matter says on A340 & A330 orders etc in 2005:-
* A340 and A330-300 orders number just 30, 777 orders number 154
* Boeing twin-aisle dominance in 2005 gives it much larger share of value than of numbers of aircraft. CSFB estimates Boeing got 54% of 2005 orders by number, 70% by value.
* Airbus supersalesman John Leahy says that Boeing was resurgent in 2005 because it cut prices. But WSJ notes Tim Clark of Emirates says the 777 is more reliable than the A340 and that the 777 has exceeded all planned performance criteria. Air Canada Chairman Robert Milton says the 777 has considerable economic efficiencies over Airbus models. Air France CFO says that A340s "from the 1990s" (presumably A340-300s, since Air France does not fly the second-generation A340) burns 15-20% more fuel ( enplaned comment: holy cow!) than similar vintage 777s.
Airbus's mid-sized long-haul product range doesn't seem to be working, as we've said before. WSJ says Airbus is considering tweaking the products again.
It's hard for us to see Airbus making its money back on the A340-500/600 program. Yes, it was a derivative from the A340-200/300 program, but it involved a heavily modified wing (wing root extension, as opposed to a wing tip extension), new engines, new landing gear and a big weight increase (so a significant number of other components were likely beefed up). And it will be difficult for Airbus to devote more resources to the A340 given all its other commitments. Plus, we kinda doubt there's an economic way to tweak the A340 to make up the performance gap on the 777.
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Old 23rd Jan 2006, 11:08
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The A330s are intended as an interim solution; I doubt very much if the stated cost of EUR330m is correct. That would be fine if they needed the aircraft indefinitely, but these will be leases for about 7 years, until the 350s become available.
My guess is that EI is doing a pretty long term deal with Airbus, with will cover its short and long haul fleet and this deal is only the first stage of it. This will cover supplemental capacity, but they will need to replace the earlier A330s, as I don't think these can be fitted with PTVs and a modern IFE without weight penalties which would rule them out on the ORD route.
The A340 isn't much use to EI; it's a pretty poor performer (the -300 anyway) and Dublin's runway length would limit its performance considerably. You certainly couldn't get it to fly any further than Chicago and east coast routes (incl. FL). They might, if nothing else were available, lease some for a short time, but in the long term, it's long haul twins like the A330-200/300X and A350.
As to PTVs, certainly these have to be fitted. Only one of the 332s is fitted now - 'DAA and with the new DXB route starting in late March, they need to have the other two retrofitted. Starting a new route like this (where there is so much competition from the likes of EK) would be a very bad move; this is (literally) a new departure for EI and it needs to get itself known as a respectable brand; starting with a second rate Y class would be a false economy. DM knows only too well what an aggressive competitor EK can be and there are lots of alternatives from DUB; VS is starting to DXB this Summer as well.
(Don't forget that when flying to the US, it's a pain to have to travel via LHR, but when flying east, it's pretty much the same direction, so EI can't count on people settling for a second rate product if they can get much better via LHR, CDG, AMS or wherever.)

In response to Neidin's comment (which I didn't see as I was posting this at the time), I totally agree, but I've always wondered why there is such a muted protest by EI - or even IALPA - to the whole runway issue. It's not just EI's issue; it really makes DUB a very undesirable destination for long haul carriers. Only recently, Comrade Minister was in Singapore and BKK talking to SQ and TG; how do you sell an airport like DUB to airlines that have aircraft than can fly n/s - but can't because of rwy limitations?
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Old 23rd Jan 2006, 11:27
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Or what about the Dreamliner 787 for Aer Lingus? Questions though are Aer Rianta planning to expand Dublin Airport and including the Runway? And what new routes into US are they planning have heard BGI mentioned?
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Old 23rd Jan 2006, 15:10
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Is that a new rumour for BGI Barbados or Ben Gurion International Tel AViv.
Both seem curious and whimsical but welcome.
I guess Ryanair are somewhat unlikely to compete on those routes.
LCC airlines to Israel ..... difficult. Although I imagine Ryanair would call any new Gaza strip airport opened Jerusalem East
A 20 minute turn could be a good idea!
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Old 23rd Jan 2006, 15:11
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I can't understand why anyone think EI would go for Boeings. They have just completed a move to an all-Airbus fleet, with easy transtion for flight and cabin crews from any one aircraft type to the next, and common flight crew ratings for a lot of them. Throwing Boeings in the fleet would only undermine that, possibly blow any price deal they have with Airbus, and add massive additional costs in preparing crews to fly them. At this point in time, Boeings and EI seem like a totally illogical option to me.
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Old 23rd Jan 2006, 17:01
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Isn't BGI Barbados? It wouldn't surprise me if they went for some Caribbean destinations, but I would say that they will prioritise the new US potential first.

Most of what I've heard suggests SFO is a virtual dead-cert, plus one FL destination (Miami more likely than MCO) and another, possibly back to BWI?

As for the Dreamliner, I've afraid that selection of the 350 (which admittedly isn't confirmed) would rule this out; it's a one or the other choice. The Dreamliner is an all-new design, but the fact that it has done so well last year puts EI at a disadvantage, in that Boeing doesn't feel the same pressure to make an "offer it can't refuse" to EI, whereas if Airbus were to lose EI to the 787, it would be slap in the face with a large, wet fish to them.

The good news anyway is that EI is looking forward.

The same can't be said about the DAA; despite the fact that 10/28 was built only in 1989, they just didn't have sufficient vision to recognise that DUB could be a long haul hub (some believe it was deliberately kept short, to avoid SNN being overflown); that's the kind of BS that holds Irish aviation policy back. Unfortunately, the new runway (about which very little has been heard recently) won't be open until 2012-13 (it's slipping further back), so we're stuck with a runway that's too short for the next 6-7 years. The chances of the minister ordering the DAA to do the needful are pretty slim.
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Old 23rd Jan 2006, 18:04
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DM has said any new Airbuses will have crew rest (for CPT for instance).

The existing EI 332s and 333s are some of the first off the line so the 330-343Xs being built now with higher MTOW and engine ratings will probably have about the same range as the existing 332s.
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Old 23rd Jan 2006, 21:58
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Akerosid, why is it every time we comment on something that affects Irish aviation, other than Ryanair, the blame always comes down to the DAA and the Goverment

Some very valid points made by all about why the 330 is the proper move forward for EI, but I hope DM did have the forsight to look into increasing passenger comfort on these new aircraft. This raises the question, will he refit the remaining aircraft in the long haul fleet to have a standardised layout?
I've afraid that selection of the 350 (which admittedly isn't confirmed) would rule this out
I think those A350 posters around the airport is a good enough indication

A330 is their only choice sadly
What a shame, I always love seeing that big Delta 777 push it's way between busses onto the B pier on a summers morning Do I take it your a 777 fan neidin?
S.C.
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Old 24th Jan 2006, 06:17
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If you look at the development of Irish aviation and in particular, aviation policy, over the last few decades, there is a history of lost opportunity; what has been achieved has been as a result of forcing the government (mostly due to EU regulations) and what has been lost has largely been due to obstacles placed for political reasons by successive governments.

I don't think it's unfair or unreasonable to say that Irish aviation policy has been irresponsible, shortsighted and obstructive. The interest simply isn't there; you need only look at a map to see how important aviation policy should be to Ireland.

Why is it that it has taken until 2006 - and then under extreme protest, becoming the only EU nation to negotiate a delay to the Open Skies deal - for the stopover to be wound down?

Why is it that a runway was built in 1989 which was/is a good 1500' shorter than it should be?

Why is it that while govt ministers and the Taoiseach go to India, China etc etc, to build new trade links, but the DAA plans an expansion of terminal facilities which obstruct the development of cargo facilities; while pax numbers have gone up very impressively, cargo handling has flatlined.

The minister said, within the last year, that DUB is part of the state's critical infrastructure; that being the case, why doesn't the govt take a hands on interest in the airport's development and ensure that it has the capacity and infrastructure to move development forward.

I'm not saying that everything that goes wrong is the govt's fault, BUT I maintain that Irish aviation policy has been extremely badly run, lacking in interest, vision and energy and that has cost us - and continues to do so.
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Old 25th Jan 2006, 20:40
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While its great that EI are getting some badly needed new airframes it looks like they are going to go with the A350. Bad move. This clapped out heap of junk only looks effecient against the MD-11(Finnair) and 767-200(US air). Airbus have been so busy with the A380 that they have lost the plot with a330/a340 I fear that the a350 will meet the same fate as the a345/6. Normally Aibus produce a fantastic product, the A320 is still wins more orders than the 737NG and its 20years old! Shows how ahead of its time the A/C was.
The 777/787 would be a much better choice, and while Boeing are probably not offering dealt that EI cannot refuse, the 777/787 will prob ahve better residule values and operating costs, long term. 777 also allows more flexability should a new runway be built in Dublin. Also EI will inevitabely be competing against EK/BA/SQ all with 380/748/77X they need any advantage they can get, and of late Airbus have not been delivering stellar products from cost or reliability point of view.

Ultimtely I do not believe that having an all Airbus(or Boeing) fleet is all that necessary, in terms of engineering and crew support both the A320 and A330 have their own spacific training and ratings. The CCC concept only makes it easier to train for both, as far as I know seperate line training is needed. So not such a big deal, as most other training is thrown in by the manufacturers.
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Old 25th Jan 2006, 20:50
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Aha! But Boeing did not avail of all that fancy advertising that lines the pockets of the DAA!
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Old 26th Jan 2006, 04:24
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I would certainly have preferred the 787. My big concern about the A350 is that it's still an eight abreast aircraft whereas the 787, with a wider cabin, can be operated in a 9-abreast configuration, should EI wish to go down the long haul low cost route. The principal concern is that FR has signalled its intention to go down this route and if they were to do this, being a 738 customer already, the 787-8/9 would almost certainly be their choice and having discussed this on the Orders yahoo-group, the 787 at 9-abreast would kill the 350 on costs per seat/mile.

That said, the A350 will be a better aircraft than the 330, which is already a superb aircraft, so while one can argue that it's a warmed over A330, it's still an improvement on an already very good aircraft and it's one which will serve EI very well indeed. It has a very healthy range and even if it can only be operated in an 8 abreast layout, its economics will still be pretty impressive just not quite as good as the 787.

One point to bear in mind, however, is that even if EI were to go Boeing, the 330 would still be a preferable interim aircraft to the 777, which EI may regard as too big. The proposed A330-200 deal, regardless of whether Boeing or Airbus is chosen, will most likely be a lease for about 6-7 years, rather than an outright purchase, so it doesn't preclude a 787 deal.

I still think the 350 will get the green light; Boeing had a very good year last year and by all accounts (with the 787 likely to win at SQ next month and at EK - long expected to be a 350 customer - later in the year) this year will be good; the 350 has had a less good year and Airbus will be particularly keen to get new airlines on board; losing EI won't upset Boeing too much and they may not feel the need to offer EI a "killer" deal. Losing EI would be a lot more damaging to Airbus. Remember, it's not just the value of the deal but the fact that a 320/330 operator has dumped the 350 and the impression this creates.
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Old 26th Jan 2006, 10:20
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The principal concern is that FR has signalled its intention to go down this route
Over MOL's dead body, I'd imagine.
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Old 26th Jan 2006, 19:44
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Thumbs up Aer Lingus goes A330 again

Now with no announcement forthcoming about a 787/350 order that was supposed to happen at the end of December,then postponed to January and now not expected till the middle or the end of the year,let us have a look at a few things.

EI supposed to codeshare with EK thru DXB
Mr Mannion is supposed to have reached a deal with DAA about an upgraded/new bussiness class lounge and new transit area at DUB,one of EI's A332 away at the moment getting upgraded/lie flat seats in Premier class.
Maurice Flanagan of EK hints that 787 is a much better aircraft than A350 and if -10 goes ahead,which it more than likely will, EK will place an order in May/June for it and a roumor that Boeing has told EI that they have 3 x 777s that EI can avail of.

Now DM being schooled at EK is definitely in the EK frame of mind and familiar with EK workings,might this suggest something to someone.


You can take the man out of EK,but you cannot take EK out of the man.
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Old 26th Jan 2006, 19:57
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This is no bad thing, as long as EI can get some acft to operate the new routes it is allowed, from November this year. So does this mean the rumour about the four A332s is out the window? Even if EI decides to go with the 787, the 332 is probably the best interim aircraft. But if Boeing can provide 777s as part of the deal, all the better ... They'll need more than three aircraft betwen now and 2011-13 though, with expansion and the need to replace the old 333s too.

Much as I'm sure the 350 will be a grand aircraft altogether (to be sure), the 787 looks like being better and with the heavy hitters going for the 787 almost entirely - AI, QF, AC last year and SQ, EK and (possibly) BA this year - does EI really want to be left with what most airlines perceive to be second best?

Good news that they're upgrading the 332s as well; I was hoping they wouldn't start the new DXB route with an un-upgraded aircraft.

Interesting times ahead. While Boeing has had a very good year last year, there is an incentive for them to push the 787 at EI; for an existing 320 and 330 operator to reject the 350 and pick the 787 would be a psychological kick in the nethers for Airbus ...
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Old 26th Jan 2006, 23:05
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if A350s are a sign DM is reversing the WW Ryanair-ising of EI... I'm all for it
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