Aer Lingus - 5
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If the load factors are so bad on those routes i.e Paris Amsterdam and Nice why not drop them? Easyjet serves all of them, and introduce new destinations were they have no competition ( like they did recentrly to MIlan etc). Of the top of my head Madrid, Brussels, Lisbon, Frankfurt spring to mind. Jet 2 seem on the ball by introducing new routes for summer 2009 such as Menorca and Jersey were no other LCC carrier from BFS fly to. It just seems to make sense to give people some new and fresh, its a win win customer gains and they don't have any or extremly limited competition, so and have a much higher chance of filling their half empty planes.????? any one agree?
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Belfastmark
It is hard to say what the exact loads on EI flights ex Belfast are but I do believe that Paris, Amsterdam and Nice are all low. Like less than 50%. Paris was very poor early in the summer, the papers reported something awful like 25% at the time when Flybe axed Paris from the city airport.
I think Aer Lingus management thought that going into the sought after routes ie where existing markets existed they could easily woo the passengers over and gain a reputation locally quite quickly.
It would be very difficult to develop new markets that were not previously served without the backing of a travel agency/firm. Aer Lingus will not maintain a route that does not achieve an average of 100 seats out of the 172 on the A320, well at least it must be achievable in the short term. This is the case for the new Milan and Munich routes. These 2 routes are being launched with a guarntee that a travel agency takes 100 seats on each flight.
Passengers have habits and easyjet is another word for flying in these parts well at least thats what I see & hear.
All that said Easyjet are not having an easy time at all describing Belfast as being a very challenging place at the moment. Jet2 will be the weakest of the 3 airlines (easyjet, Jet2 and Aer Lingus) in terms of finances and staying power. Aer Lingus will be fine here,however they could be a bit more clever about scheduling. Amsterdam is a big leisure route and it departs at 0650 a mid day or evening would be better in terms of connections and city breaks. Easyjet wins hands down here as they moved to an evening rotation, same is the case with Paris easyjet does evening. A weekend in Paris, easyjet provides better schedule. (Aer Lingus comes back too early on Sunday).
Jet2 will be out for the winter almost completely and this will be a good time for Aer Lingus to improve. Not sure how successful Paris/Amsterdam will be for Aer Lingus or Easyjet for that matter. I can remember in the early 90's when British Midland launched a daily DC9 only to axe it soon after. a Daily 737 has been working for Easyjet until now and all of a sudden the capacity increased for 149 seats a day to 321 not to mention the daily shortlived flight by Flybe. Amsterdam is a similar story.
I cant think what other markets that would be possible from Belfast and suited to a 172 seater. Brussels was looked at but there is an issue with getting slots and it must be morning out and a late back on Thur/fri type stuff, well thats what i have been told. Frankfurt, again would be reliant on connections and to be honest thats not a great success through Amsterdam???
ALot of passengers are still going down to Dublin for longer flights. That's what i am being told. How do they go about changing that habit of a decade or so????
EI-BUD
It is hard to say what the exact loads on EI flights ex Belfast are but I do believe that Paris, Amsterdam and Nice are all low. Like less than 50%. Paris was very poor early in the summer, the papers reported something awful like 25% at the time when Flybe axed Paris from the city airport.
I think Aer Lingus management thought that going into the sought after routes ie where existing markets existed they could easily woo the passengers over and gain a reputation locally quite quickly.
It would be very difficult to develop new markets that were not previously served without the backing of a travel agency/firm. Aer Lingus will not maintain a route that does not achieve an average of 100 seats out of the 172 on the A320, well at least it must be achievable in the short term. This is the case for the new Milan and Munich routes. These 2 routes are being launched with a guarntee that a travel agency takes 100 seats on each flight.
Passengers have habits and easyjet is another word for flying in these parts well at least thats what I see & hear.
All that said Easyjet are not having an easy time at all describing Belfast as being a very challenging place at the moment. Jet2 will be the weakest of the 3 airlines (easyjet, Jet2 and Aer Lingus) in terms of finances and staying power. Aer Lingus will be fine here,however they could be a bit more clever about scheduling. Amsterdam is a big leisure route and it departs at 0650 a mid day or evening would be better in terms of connections and city breaks. Easyjet wins hands down here as they moved to an evening rotation, same is the case with Paris easyjet does evening. A weekend in Paris, easyjet provides better schedule. (Aer Lingus comes back too early on Sunday).
Jet2 will be out for the winter almost completely and this will be a good time for Aer Lingus to improve. Not sure how successful Paris/Amsterdam will be for Aer Lingus or Easyjet for that matter. I can remember in the early 90's when British Midland launched a daily DC9 only to axe it soon after. a Daily 737 has been working for Easyjet until now and all of a sudden the capacity increased for 149 seats a day to 321 not to mention the daily shortlived flight by Flybe. Amsterdam is a similar story.
I cant think what other markets that would be possible from Belfast and suited to a 172 seater. Brussels was looked at but there is an issue with getting slots and it must be morning out and a late back on Thur/fri type stuff, well thats what i have been told. Frankfurt, again would be reliant on connections and to be honest thats not a great success through Amsterdam???
ALot of passengers are still going down to Dublin for longer flights. That's what i am being told. How do they go about changing that habit of a decade or so????
EI-BUD
Last edited by EI-BUD; 30th Aug 2008 at 13:14.
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I wonder if the UK taxes on air travel are levied in NI as well as the mainland; this can add significantly to the cost of a one way (let alone a return) ticket. This being the case, probably not surprising that many pax still come down to DUB.
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UK airport departure tax
Hi Akerosid
The Uk airport departure tax is applicable to NI departures too!! Sadly.
Despite this the level of passengers using Belfast from the border regions is up significantly. If you are in the car parks at Belfast airport you see far more Southern Reg cars than ever before! They have been lured by low air fares and convenience, ie no congestion, plus a big marketing campaign recently by BFS airport south of the border!
The Uk airport departure tax is applicable to NI departures too!! Sadly.
Despite this the level of passengers using Belfast from the border regions is up significantly. If you are in the car parks at Belfast airport you see far more Southern Reg cars than ever before! They have been lured by low air fares and convenience, ie no congestion, plus a big marketing campaign recently by BFS airport south of the border!
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interesting comment on the Openskies to BRU thread that DUB-JFK is being considered. That would cause a dent in the Premier traffic I imagine, especially among those for whom flying the Shamrock excuses the odd dip in service quality and who are happy enough with a jazzed up 752 rather than an EI fit A330.
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Hi West Coast
I don't claim to be in the know and I don't work for Aer Lingus, but have sought the same answer about the LAX route. I think that there is no decision on this out there. Note that all of the newspapers reported that it would be 'suspended' as oppossed to axed. However, for what it's worth I found this comment on trip advisor.
Posted on: 10:52 am, June 14, 2008
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Hi KMG21
I can absolutely guarantee you that Aer Lingus will NOT return to LAX next Spring or after that. They are gone for good.
Used to be employed by the "National Airline" and got this from the horses mouth and it's not Dermot Mannion (the Boss)
Personally I think that it will depend on the economic climate come early next year and the strength of the dollar etc..
If you hear anything else, let us know.
EI-BUD
I don't claim to be in the know and I don't work for Aer Lingus, but have sought the same answer about the LAX route. I think that there is no decision on this out there. Note that all of the newspapers reported that it would be 'suspended' as oppossed to axed. However, for what it's worth I found this comment on trip advisor.
Posted on: 10:52 am, June 14, 2008
SaveHi KMG21
I can absolutely guarantee you that Aer Lingus will NOT return to LAX next Spring or after that. They are gone for good.
Used to be employed by the "National Airline" and got this from the horses mouth and it's not Dermot Mannion (the Boss)
Personally I think that it will depend on the economic climate come early next year and the strength of the dollar etc..
If you hear anything else, let us know.
EI-BUD
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As EI-BUD said, it's still unknown what will happen with this route however management and the press still say the route is "suspended" they used the same term for Dubai which then changed to "axed" but there have been rumours that EI has been in contact with hotels around LAX so maybe they will return at some point next year. It depends what happens with fuel and the new cost cutting plan.
It has been at best a mixed year for LAX in terms of routes added and lost.
Foreign airlines cutting flights to Los Angeles International Airport - Travel - LATimes.com
JAS
Foreign airlines cutting flights to Los Angeles International Airport - Travel - LATimes.com
JAS
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the press are having a field day with the BFS base due to the CAA's posting of traffic numbers. Imagine if the IAA had done the same all these years...
Table: Air Passenger Movement (Number) by Irish Airport, Foreign Airport, Month and Direction
Unfortunately, it takes about 6 months for the data to appear, so January 2008 is the last date available.
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I certainly do not have the first clue how to run an airline and it may reflect in this post but.....
The Ams from belfast with EI must be doing really bad! They have reduced frequency from daily to 4 weekly for the summer timetable. Why bother? Why not create a new summer route/s. They could make a fortune as people really love their summer holidays and more and more people are now creating their own holiday. I'm thinking the likes of Bodrum, Dalaman, mabey somewhere in Greece, even places like Las Palmas, Tenerife. I've run out of places to think! Anybody else agree with me?
The Ams from belfast with EI must be doing really bad! They have reduced frequency from daily to 4 weekly for the summer timetable. Why bother? Why not create a new summer route/s. They could make a fortune as people really love their summer holidays and more and more people are now creating their own holiday. I'm thinking the likes of Bodrum, Dalaman, mabey somewhere in Greece, even places like Las Palmas, Tenerife. I've run out of places to think! Anybody else agree with me?
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belfast mark
You said AMS is cut by EI for rest of the summer season. Where did you hear that? I checked booking engine and all of Sept still available on a daily basis??
BUD
You said AMS is cut by EI for rest of the summer season. Where did you hear that? I checked booking engine and all of Sept still available on a daily basis??
BUD
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belfastmark
ok I didnt realise that Aer Lingus had it Summer 09 flights onsale already! Well at least it is staying , so thats something to be glad for!
Interestingly, it looks like from online reservations at Aer Lingus that Belfast/Heathrow is only 3 daily in Summer 09. Perhaps another flight to be added???
ok I didnt realise that Aer Lingus had it Summer 09 flights onsale already! Well at least it is staying , so thats something to be glad for!
Interestingly, it looks like from online reservations at Aer Lingus that Belfast/Heathrow is only 3 daily in Summer 09. Perhaps another flight to be added???
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Aer Lingus are about to start an unrelentful approach to cost cutting.
According to one report I read they are looking at airport charges and have not ruled out switching airports to lower charges.
I hope we re not going to see BVA, GRO etc here, thats one of the key points EI have. Now that Sean Coyle is there tho you never know. He will be aware of the low fee's available and how much can be saved, obviously yields will suffer if this did happen
According to one report I read they are looking at airport charges and have not ruled out switching airports to lower charges.
I hope we re not going to see BVA, GRO etc here, thats one of the key points EI have. Now that Sean Coyle is there tho you never know. He will be aware of the low fee's available and how much can be saved, obviously yields will suffer if this did happen
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More trouble ahead?
Taken from this morning's papers.
Interesting stuff, but some tough times ahead on the IR front me thinks..
Aer Lingus plans to use US crew
Aer Lingus to shed 1,300 in €100m savings plan - Irish, Business - Independent.ie
Interesting stuff, but some tough times ahead on the IR front me thinks..
Aer Lingus plans to use US crew
Aer Lingus to shed 1,300 in €100m savings plan - Irish, Business - Independent.ie
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Is now the right time ?
Maybe its time to swallow your pride and let Ryanair step in
and take over EI.
I know that 99.9% of staff at EI must think I am mad but think about it
do you really want to be in the same shoes as the poor ZOOM and XL staff, forget what has been said about MOL he must know what he is doing and even people at EI must see that.
before you all reply and have a go at me just stop and think for a second or two.
Ryanair has gone from a small Irish Airline to a world leading Airline
now being one of the worlds largest Airlines with a fleet of medern aircraft with 100's more on order, every month they seem to announce hand fulls on new destinations and most of them are to so called main city airports
just take a look at Ryanairs website.
So looking at it would it not be a better choice to let MOL in ?
now feel free to shoot me down, its only my thoughts and what I would want to happen if I worked for EI.
and take over EI.
I know that 99.9% of staff at EI must think I am mad but think about it
do you really want to be in the same shoes as the poor ZOOM and XL staff, forget what has been said about MOL he must know what he is doing and even people at EI must see that.
before you all reply and have a go at me just stop and think for a second or two.
Ryanair has gone from a small Irish Airline to a world leading Airline
now being one of the worlds largest Airlines with a fleet of medern aircraft with 100's more on order, every month they seem to announce hand fulls on new destinations and most of them are to so called main city airports
just take a look at Ryanairs website.
So looking at it would it not be a better choice to let MOL in ?
now feel free to shoot me down, its only my thoughts and what I would want to happen if I worked for EI.
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Aerlingus
Heard that everything is on the table including politically sensitive routes.
Friday could be an interesting day. The Government are being fully briefed on developments.
Friday could be an interesting day. The Government are being fully briefed on developments.