Aer Lingus - 5

[tigger2k8]

no doubt BFS-LHR will be mentioned in the "policitcally sensitive" routes

the cutback of flights at BFS this winter and the removal of 1 base aircraft for 4 months should surely save a hell of a lot of money (BCN,CDG,FCO and MXP, also FAO but thats always seasonal, but keeping AGP for a change), anyone got any estimates on money saved?

[ItsAjob]

Why not clear out dead wood management and office staff?

[Bearcat]

why not shift their head offices etc out to a local industrial estate?

[ryan2000]

Aerlingus recently stated that the transatlantic operation from Shannon has only been profitable for one year in the last ten. An unprecedented boom in air travel from Ireland and they can't make money on Shannon US routes.

Why wasn't this situation addressed? Everyone knows that the A330 is a totally unsuitable aircraft for SNN JFK.

Has Aerlingus looked at alternatives?

What's it costing to operate A330's on 20 minute sectors between Shannon and Dublin?

In the past the comical bilateral agreement was used as an excuse but we've been in open skies situation since March 2008.

[Aisle2c]

"Baggage, labelled at check-in, must weigh under 10 kgs/22lbs and be small enough to fit in overhead bins or under your seat. "

While the new 10kgs limit for carry on is welcome news, is this a prelude to reducing the hold baggage to 15 kgs ?

[ItsAjob]

Sounds like another copycat brainless idea.
Sounds like even the passenger care and convenience is on its way out now.

[FutureCC]

I had a excellent flight back from Faro to London Gatwick last night, but the inevitable thought crossed my mind - Are Aer Lingus going to make it through this tough time. It would be a real shame to see them go, as both flights I have done were excellent.

[Provance]

Doubt EI will go down that route. I think they realised that their cabin baggage limit was very unrealistic

[FutureCC]

I found 6 kilos quite unreasonable, when I made the booking it was 5! If the Shannon Transatlantic routes are not profitable? Why keep them operating?

I don't understand why the A330 isn't a good aircraft to do the transatlantic routes?

[Aisle2c]

6kg was indeed unreasonable. 10kgs makes more sense for the business market who want to be on and off without waiting around, but while Ryanair appear to be turning the family market away, I hope someone in Aer Lingus has the sense not to follow them down the same path. My gut feeling is that it is a forlorn hope.

[840]

6kg was also a bit thick because it was out of synch with BA and KLM and an awful lot of Aer Lingus passengers are travelling on BA or KLM codes on the ticket.

Also, given the volume involved I'd wondered how you could get to that volume and stay under 6kg. Carry an empty case?

[ayroplain]

I don't understand why the A330 isn't a good aircraft to do the transatlantic routes?

Too big for thin routes. The likes of Delta/Continental/USAir have more versatile fleets and are flying B757's T/A on less popular routes.

[EISNN]

Dunno where the statement that the A330 is not a sensible aircraft to be using from SNN to JFK came from? However, I've been very reliably informed that it is indeed perfect for the route as well as SNN BOS, DUB to JFK, BOS, MCO or ORD. And before anyone jumps in and says that the loads are not good outta SNN I can also tell you that they are. In particular the BOS to SNN is out performing the BOS DUB for the third/fourth year in a row. SNN JFK with both DL and EI are holding their own and doing very well with near full flights. I believe their business cabins are only doing ok though as well as CO to EWR. But business class cabins to and from DUB and many of the major european hubs are suffering the same hit.

DL pulling outta SNN is probably very understandable as with the economic downturn the west of ireland can only be seen as a seasonal route and having two carriers on the one route or three if you include CO on EWR route is very likely too much for the market. One carrier operating should be enough for the winter or at least this winter anyway. But it shouldn't be a 757. Either CO bring in a 767 to operate daily if EI don't operate to JFK this winter or else let EI and CO hammer it out with every second day operations or something. Sounds a bit too idealistic I know but it's worth a try.

[Skipness One Echo]

Dunno where the statement that the A330 is not a sensible aircraft to be using from SNN to JFK came from?

Sensible in the winter? Shannon, like Glasgow is MASSIVELY seasonal and VFR across the pond. As to the 757 and 767, the capacity with Continental is virtually the same unless they release a B767-400.

[Faire d'income]

Why wasn't this situation addressed? Everyone knows that the A330 is a totally unsuitable aircraft for SNN JFK

It seems not quite everybody. What would you suggest and don't say move it to Cork?

[EISNN]

@SKIPNESS

****Sensible in the winter? Shannon, like Glasgow is MASSIVELY seasonal and VFR across the pond. As to the 757 and 767, the capacity with Continental is virtually the same unless they release a B767-400.****

For the last 14 years SNN-JFK during the winter has been for the most part very successful. - immediately post 9/11 like most other carriers it didn't do very well and traditionally from mid Jan to mid/late Feb would've been quiet up until about 10 years ago. However, as I mentioned earlier, with the current economic climate only one carrier should be operating each day.

Also just as I'm a bit on the long legged side if you're saying that roughly the same amount of seats are on both CO's 757's and 767's then I don't think I'd like to fly with CO on their 757's for longer than 30 mins never mind fly across the atlantic which is a shame cos I heard that CO have a nice service. but I'm probably going off topic and this bit should probably be on another thread.

[Skipness One Echo]

For the last 14 years SNN-JFK during the winter has been for the most part very successful

What's the ball park load factor like in February with an A330-300?
It's way too big for the route in the quiet season surely.

The B767-200 and the B757-200 have the same capacity as near as dammit, it's just that most fly the B767-300 these days which is bigger. Continental have the option of the B757-200 or the similar but longer legged B767-200, hence Shannon gets the B757.

[ItsAjob]

The best solution would be to scrap the Shannon stop.

Im sure the people in Shannon would not stop traveling to the US, the only difference is they would have to drive to Dublin.

You don't exactly see the Heathrow New York flight stopping in Cardiff to pick the locals up do you!

[ryan2000]

Shannon Stopover

Shannon stopover is gone since 2008 although Aerlingus voluntarily stop there on the way to Boston and Chicago just 20 minutes after leaving Dublin. They drop in on the way back again.

Is there any other airline in europe operating a schedule like this on their way to North America?

It's like BA or Virgin calling into Bristol on the way to Chicago or KLM stopping in Rotterdam on their way from Amsterdam to the Dutch Antilles.

[FutureCC]

I am sure the new CEO, the German man whom I have forgotten his name! Will stop that nonsense of stopping off in Shannon to pick up passengers. A total waste, as said - people in Ireland will not say no to going to America if they had to drive to Dublin.

If Aer Lingus wants to survive (will they?!?!) then serious cuts have got to be made. Especially on waste!!!

Very surprised they even started such a stupid idea. NO to Shannon-US routes!