Aer Lingus - 5

[Captain Flynn]

Aer Lingus announcement of new North America route

Rumour doing the rounds in Dublin is that careful consideration is currently been given within Aer Lingus to operating a route from July to a previously unserved destination in either Canada or USA. From what I have been led to believe the routes been considered are Dublin -Toronto (via BFS) Dublin - Denver or Dublin - Dallas. The route planned will be operated using an A330-200 with spare capacity generated from the closure of DUB-LAX and other USA route trimmings. For some reason recommencing Los Angeles route has been ruled out. It is expected that the final decision to go ahead will not be made until after cost saving negotations with the Pilot union are completed possibly as early as the end of next week. Aer Lingus management are currently seeking up to 2 million Euro in savings from the pilot body as part of a current cost saving initative with a focus on long haul operations. The Irish travel trade has for some time been lobbying Aer Lingus to operate a scheduled route to Canada and I suspect that this may be the likely choice.

[snipes]

after cost saving negotations with the Pilot union are completed possibly as early as the end of next week.

Well I can PROMISE you, that the above timeline will leave you (or whoever) bitterly disappointed. I'll stand over these words.

[tigger2k8]

Captain Flynn, i hope that new route is true! would be nice to see a new transatlantic route at BFS (even tho its coming from dublin) i for one would use it

[Just a spotter]

For some reason recommencing Los Angeles route has been ruled out.

Anytime I flew the route, LF's seemed good in economy.

That said, LAX has lot a number of international airlines in 08, most citing the high costs and what they saw as relatively poor facilities at Tom Bradley terminal (I don't know if that was from a pax or operations point of view).

From what I hear people saying, the number of people heading to Aus and NZ from Ireland seems to be continuing it's rise ... perhaps serving that might be an option.

JAS

[840]

Very few airlines fly the whole way to the Antipodes now [IIRC Virgin, BA, Qantas, Air NZ, Air France (to Tahiti)].

However, some form of route to a point in Asia that can offer a one-change trip should surely be considered.

LAX would prosper more if there could be more of a link-up with Air NZ there, as it would be a single change to New Zealand and the westward route to New Zealand is more of an option than the westward route to Australia.

[Charlie Roy]

Easyjet war at Gatwick

Easyjet have just announced new routes from Gatwick (starting April 2nd):
Zurich (Dep 1650 v EI @ 1240)
Vienna (Dep 1105 v EI @ 1145)
Munich (Dep 1255 v EI @ 0640 + 1750)

[racedo]

Easyjet response not really a shock as they fully intend to protect their base.

Given they have seen off BA on many routes then they will play hardball with EI all the way.

An Orange V Green fight.....hmmmmm.

[Shamrock350]

Well Aer Lingus compete with them at Belfast so know what to expect, funnily enough the best performing routes out of Belfast are the ones that compete with easyjet, Malaga and Faro. I think Lanzarote is the strongest though, load factors of around 85% last I heard.

Aer Lingus are actually cheaper than what easyjet are offering from Gatwick.

Munich one way

Aer Lingus - £28.99
easyjet - £29.99

Vienna one way

Aer Lingus - £28.99
easyjet - £31.99

Zurich one way

Aer Lingus - £28.99
easyjet - £29.99

So Aer Lingus have the cheaper fares but easjet has the brand power. Advertising is up and running for Aer Lingus though, a TV campaign due to start soon. Watching the ITV news last night showed London covered in snow and people taking shelter in a bus stop with an Aer Lingus advert for Munich glowing in the dark...nice bit of extra advertising for them

[Bagmanlgw]

Aer Lingus Routes

With the first round of expansion announed at Gatwick does anyone care to speculate / know what routes are in the offing for the next wave of expansion ?

I know long haul has been talked about but what about other european routes ?

Bagmanlgw

[Skipness One Echo]

Well Aer Lingus compete with them at Belfast so know what to expect, funnily enough the best performing routes out of Belfast are the ones that compete with easyjet, Malaga and Faro. I think Lanzarote is the strongest though, load factors of around 85% last I heard.

strong competition + cheapest fare = losses all round

Lots of growth, no profit, no yield.

[johnrizzo2000]

EI have the advantage for business travellers on the MUC route as they offer 2 daily flights, and their ZRH flight is earlier allowing more time in ZRH.

EI are going to find it tough against EZY, as they are so well known. I'd love to see EI and BA codeshare on some of their routes ex LGW!!

[apaddyinuk]

An Orange V Green fight.....hmmmmm.

Lovin it!

How did no one seem to cop that when they opened up in BFS?

[akerosid]

Rumour on A.net suggests that Dermot Mannion has agreed a deal to leave. Apparently, board dissatisfaction over failures on long haul - particularly given that DM was originally hired (from an EK background) to expand non-US long haul.

Deal apparently to be announced within three weeks.

[snipes]

Link please? Thanks!

[suasdaguna]

yeap;...heard too he's gone shortly. i'm not so sure it's a welcome input as he's a fair man to fight his corner and has defended the brand staunchly.

[racedo]

How did no one seem to cop that when they opened up in BFS?

Ah the old days are gone. Would have put a wink but its an Orange one.

[EI-AAA]

Ryanair leaves SNN

Ryanair reducing planes/staff in SNN
100 staff gone
More reductions next winter, down to 2 planes
So much for his concern for SNN!
How can anyone believe a word he says about anything?

[colegate]

bagmanlgw, what makes you think that any additional routes will be announced by EI from LGW? EZY have just made the prospects of the planned new EI routes look awful. Itis going to be a grisly summer for EI at LGW. I will certainly be a disastrous summer for them there.

[Bagmanlgw]

EI at Datwick

Colegate

Reason for asking was that i had heard that they were looking to base up to 8 planes at Gatwick ?

Hense what routes they had planned ?

[sawtooth]

EI looking for aircraft to expand the Gatwick base according to the chairman:

Irish independent
"Aer Lingus is also working up a plane order to service its newly announced Gatwick base and is actively talking to Boeing, Airbus and leasing companies about getting "two or three aircraft fairly immediately".

Airline's new steward aims to set right course in turbulent times - Irish - Independent.ie