Aer Lingus - 6

[Una Due Tfc]

I guess it would eventually lead to the end of the codesharing with JBU, who have a far better product in my personal experience than US, UA, DL and especially AA

[Epsomdog]

Sober?

I'm sure most of the 2 million + passengers on the DUB / LHR route would love to take the scenic route via EDI.

I was thinking two aircraft and crews operating 3 sectors in opposite directions. Instead of the current 3 separate routes. I make that a 33% saving!

[BFS watcher]

A little problem to fix

I wonder how quickly the £20 million court case by BFS against Aer Lingus will be settled to ensure a smooth takeover?

[EGAC is Better]

Does anyone know if EI have actually applied to keep the slots currently assigned the VS Little Red?

Epsomdog might actually be on to something if looked at from another direction. EI take those slots and ultimately IAG get the go ahead with the buyout, BA could operate those services on behalf of EI freeing up their own slots for LHR expansion without affecting DUB-LHR frequencies. Kills two birds with one stone, frequency stays as is on BA's EDI/ABZ/MAN and the slots lost to VS effectively make their way back to BA.

Add to that some daily A330's when they are available on DUB/LHR which would free up another couple of slots. IAG/BA have a lot to gain without even needing to change EI in any way.

[Omnipresent]

AFAIK the Little Red slots will automatically revert back to BA if no other airline applies to keep them.

[Jack1985]

The above is correct.

[Epsomdog]

EI applied for the EDI slots shortly after LR closure announced. ABZ was a possibility as well. This all happened befor the IAG bid and the oil price slump!

[EI-BUD]

IAG may see a value in Aer Lingus operating some of the frequencies on some routes ( assuming the take over proceeds), Aer Lingus has a lower cost base than BA and if tickets also sold on BA website could prove fruitful.

We shall have to wait and see !

[brian_dromey]

Would BA Union agreements even allow EI to operate UK domestic or EU routes long-term out of LHR/LGW?

[Epsomdog]

Would BA Union agreements even allow EI to operate UK domestic or EU routes long-term out of LHR/LGW?

Yes.

Maggie sorted that out years ago!

[PC767]

No.

Via BALPA BA pilots have strong agreements in place, in this instance relating to exactly which BA routes BA pilots are entitled to fly.

[Epsomdog]

Aer Lingus already have UK based crews operating out of LHR,LGW & BHD to UK, Irish and European destinations. Also, remember we're not talking about EI merging with BA. IAG will become the owner of EI, which they say will be left as a separate operating entity.

[Epsomdog]

EGAC

Epsomdog might actually be on to something if looked at from another direction. EI take those slots and ultimately IAG get the go ahead with the buyout, BA could operate those services on behalf of EI freeing up their own slots for LHR expansion without affecting DUB-LHR frequencies. Kills two birds with one stone, frequency stays as is on BA's EDI/ABZ/MAN and the slots lost to VS effectively make their way back to BA.

The advantage EI have, is they are already up and running. BA, I assume would need to find extra aircraft (over and above their existing ones on the routes) and crews to operate the additional services. Of course they could hire EI to do it for them

[brian_dromey]

So let me get this straight, because I am not sure I follow.

(If) EI are to be awarded 'remedy slots' which were designed to enhance competition on Scottish routes to LHR (because its would-be parent bought the competition on those routes), BA could then operate them on behalf of EI, but because EI have aircraft 'ready to go' they would operate selected services between LHR and EDI/ABZ on behalf of BA, on behalf of themselves?

[Heathrow Harry]

one thing is for sure fares DUB-LHR will go through the roof..............

[Una Due Tfc]

Well I'd imagine they would want to keep prices relatively competitive for connections, otherwise Irish pax will just go through FRA/CDG etc, or TY/EK/The unmentionable if heading that direction, and as for point to point, BE are pretty cheap out of LCY, then there's FR out of LGW,LTN and STN, Stobart in SEN. It's different now from the old airline cartel days, in that BA and EI are now only 2 of 6 airlines serving the 2 cities

[MAN FLEX 99]

one thing is for sure fares DUB-LHR will go through the roof..............

I really doubt that will happen considering that there is still the option to fly to LGW, LTN, STN and LCY out of DUB. If it is over priced to LHR people will choose an alternative. LHR transit traffic will be part of a longhaul fare.

[stab3.5up]

And siptu will be at the airport roundabout having another non existent strike!! Tbh I think in all likelihood no mater how long it drags out its a done deal lets be honest. The devil will be in the detail. Will Stobart air EI flights become flybe or cityflyer express etc etc etc. Will they outsource hsndling in DUB, etc etc etc

[brian_dromey]

I don't think there will be any significant change to StobartAir flights, EI Regional has worked very well against FR into the UK regional airports and helped in building a strong hub for EI at Dublin. I don't see why the formula, much less the brand would change. IB retain their IBRegional operation.

I doubt handling at DUB will be outsourced, what could happen is that IB, BA and possibly AA flights are handled by EI, not sure about Vueling.

[EI-A330-300]

I see a lot of this will be good for T/A out of DUB and how a JV would work well.

Finnair and AA are not part of IAG and yet they have a JV agreement with BA so if Walsh was really interested in this then they could add EI to the mix without bringing them under IAG.

Besides some savings from EI HQ I don't see IAG brining a lot to EI but taking a far greater amount.

I think it's highly likely the Government will also reject it, all but FG have said they are opposed to the sale.