Aer Lingus - 4
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Flight times suggest a Dublin based aircraft
Maybe Aer Lingus have another surprise or two up their sleeves, that's all I'm suggesting.
Join Date: Nov 2006
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EI to LGW
What interests me about this new DUB LGW route is that it will require the use of a 320 all day each weekday. They EI website mentioned delivery of 2 new 320s in the winter, and I was under the illusion that these 2 were destined for the new base at BHX/BFS?
What does anyone else think?
What does anyone else think?
Join Date: Mar 2005
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That's one of the reasons I thought they might be reducing frequency to Heathrow. As well as freeing up slots for the new base, it would free up an aircraft to operate to Gatwick.
Join Date: Aug 1999
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According to the Sunday Times, EI is in talks with CO to lease slots at LHR, to enable to CO to start t/a ops next Summer. Neither is saying anything. However, leasing slots would presumably bypass the issue of govt approval; no doubt CO would pay very handsomely for the use of such slots.
Re EI t/a services from LHR, I don't see it happening, although even if it did, I don't think govt approval would be required. As long as it plans to operate flights on any route where there is open skies, then the govt could not, legally, prevent them. BFS is a possibility, but probably less likely if a deal with CO happens.
Also reported that EI has requested 4w. slots from BHX to PRG, although even if it does get the slots, it doesn't mean it necessarily has to operate to PRG.
Re EI t/a services from LHR, I don't see it happening, although even if it did, I don't think govt approval would be required. As long as it plans to operate flights on any route where there is open skies, then the govt could not, legally, prevent them. BFS is a possibility, but probably less likely if a deal with CO happens.
Also reported that EI has requested 4w. slots from BHX to PRG, although even if it does get the slots, it doesn't mean it necessarily has to operate to PRG.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Bhx-prg
akerosid
I believe that PRG was not on the original list from what was rumoured on a local forum but of course this could be just to secure the PRG slots, I
assume the other end could change to BFS fairly easily?
BHX-PRG is operated daily by BMI Baby averaging of 100 per flight virtually
all year round and fares can be anything but lo-cost, so four a week EI is plausible.
Pete
I believe that PRG was not on the original list from what was rumoured on a local forum but of course this could be just to secure the PRG slots, I
assume the other end could change to BFS fairly easily?
BHX-PRG is operated daily by BMI Baby averaging of 100 per flight virtually
all year round and fares can be anything but lo-cost, so four a week EI is plausible.
Pete
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Why wouldn't EI fly BFS-LHR only with one A320 based at BFS. They could then base the other A320 at BHX pick up a few key routes there. Watch the market, then slowly add aircraft to each base as they see fit. To me they could open at both airports and why not this would be a very safe option. EI DUB/LGW expansion would seem to be a way of freeing up slots at LHR. PRG is already well covered at BFS so unlikely EI operation. How is PRG covered at BHX.
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Actually, if they wanted to launch Belfast, they could always do it with a Dublin-based aircraft flying in a W pattern. It's how they serve SNN and do one of the daily LHR-ORK rotations
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Prague
gate 22
BHX-PRG is run daily by BMI Baby and most days it is a 735 despite averaging over 100 all year round.
As soon as CSA pulled the BHX service Baby fares went up and this route could definitely do with some competition.
There is also the possibility that SkyEurope might be pulling off the Krakow and other routes uncovered or will be November are, Stockholm, Madrid, Valencia, Venice, Pisa, Berlin, Budapest, Riga, Oslo, Helsinki &Toulouse, which gives Aer Lingus an abundance of choice from BHX.
BHX could also take competition on Milan, Paris, Munich, Copenhagen
to name but a few as well.
Pete
BHX-PRG is run daily by BMI Baby and most days it is a 735 despite averaging over 100 all year round.
As soon as CSA pulled the BHX service Baby fares went up and this route could definitely do with some competition.
There is also the possibility that SkyEurope might be pulling off the Krakow and other routes uncovered or will be November are, Stockholm, Madrid, Valencia, Venice, Pisa, Berlin, Budapest, Riga, Oslo, Helsinki &Toulouse, which gives Aer Lingus an abundance of choice from BHX.
BHX could also take competition on Milan, Paris, Munich, Copenhagen
to name but a few as well.
Pete
Join Date: Aug 2002
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One based A/C at BFS could be very likely.
At the moment their is limited space at BFS for a new based airline. Limited check-in desk/limited gate/limited stands even during the Winter months.
With only one based A/C at BFS this could give the airport time to extend the Apron and check-in hall during the Winter months in order to be ready for more based A/C for Summer 2008.
BFS/LHR route would give them the opportunity to test the Water before basing more A/C.
According to BFS staff the airport Management are actively drawing up plans to Extend the check-in hall and have already asked Hertz and Avis who have offices beside the check-in hall to move in order for it to be extended.
At the moment their is limited space at BFS for a new based airline. Limited check-in desk/limited gate/limited stands even during the Winter months.
With only one based A/C at BFS this could give the airport time to extend the Apron and check-in hall during the Winter months in order to be ready for more based A/C for Summer 2008.
BFS/LHR route would give them the opportunity to test the Water before basing more A/C.
According to BFS staff the airport Management are actively drawing up plans to Extend the check-in hall and have already asked Hertz and Avis who have offices beside the check-in hall to move in order for it to be extended.
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EI Base
richardnei
Interesting post about the facilities at BFS, BHX in theory could take three based EI aircraft tomorrow if it was just down to check-in space and aircraft parking.
Not sure what Servisair would think though
BHX pushed through 911000 pax last month and T1 & T2 check-in seemed to cope although I am sure some would have plenty of comments about
security especially in T1.
Flybe are weak at BHX at the moment due to delays, Baby are doing their best to clean-up with some knackered old craft but it is just waiting for someone like EI or EZY to come knocking at the door. Rumours state that BHX is willing to listen so the opportunity is there.
Pete
Interesting post about the facilities at BFS, BHX in theory could take three based EI aircraft tomorrow if it was just down to check-in space and aircraft parking.
Not sure what Servisair would think though
BHX pushed through 911000 pax last month and T1 & T2 check-in seemed to cope although I am sure some would have plenty of comments about
security especially in T1.
Flybe are weak at BHX at the moment due to delays, Baby are doing their best to clean-up with some knackered old craft but it is just waiting for someone like EI or EZY to come knocking at the door. Rumours state that BHX is willing to listen so the opportunity is there.
Pete
Join Date: Aug 1999
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DUB-DXB-DUB, Winter 07/08
I see EI has gone back to its original schedule - i.e. day flight to DXB/overnight DXB-DUB - for the Winter; the current schedule seems to maximise the potential for connections, which I assumed would be EI's intention on this route. With EY now promoting connections via AUH, I thought EI's plan should be to strengthen its DXB operation and build a link with EK, yet it has never really done this - not just now, but ever.
Is EI really interested in the DXB route, or is it likely to be axed next Summer, to make way for new US routes?
Is EI really interested in the DXB route, or is it likely to be axed next Summer, to make way for new US routes?
Join Date: Apr 2002
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I think we'll see EI leave the DXB route next year unless they change their schedules, marketing spend etc.Look how much EY new service is being promoted on radio,tv and press etc.It's like EI have no interest in the route or maybe the cargo revenue off sets the passenger revenue.No figures yet have been aired on the route's preformance which tells a story.
Join Date: Aug 1999
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It will be very embarrassing to EI if/when it does happen, especially after all of DM's talk about a hub at DUB. With the winter schedule, (i.e. the overnight dep from DXB, arriving at 0500 and the first t/a departure at about 10.30 - apart from SFO), it seems they're not really trying at all. Either get it right or get off the route.
They could easily maintain the current schedule through the Winter, even with increased t/a routes; it might mean adjusting a few schedules, but surely it's worthwhile making existing routes work before starting new ones? Does EI even market at all in DXB, or did it make any attempt whatsoever to interline with EK and market interline routes via DXB?
And again, what must this say about any prospect for eastbound expansion beyond DXB, even without QR/EK coming into DUB?
They could easily maintain the current schedule through the Winter, even with increased t/a routes; it might mean adjusting a few schedules, but surely it's worthwhile making existing routes work before starting new ones? Does EI even market at all in DXB, or did it make any attempt whatsoever to interline with EK and market interline routes via DXB?
And again, what must this say about any prospect for eastbound expansion beyond DXB, even without QR/EK coming into DUB?
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Aerlingus
The longer Aerlingus dither about an overseas base the more likely they are to be outmanouvered. I realise that these decisions can't be made lightly but they've had ample time to consider the options.
Hard to see major overseas growth while their fleet expansion remain so modest.
Hard to see major overseas growth while their fleet expansion remain so modest.