Aer Lingus - 6

[Jamie2k9]

They have 2 aircraft to cover.

[Just a spotter]

IMHO, all rather strage from EI management on the handling of a resumption of a West Coast route.

Why come out so fast to deny it? Surely, with new route subsidies, even moderatly good load factors in the initial year could make the route viable (assuming an aircraft and crew resources are avilable). If they interline with the EI shorthaul & regional network and get the service away during the CBP 'window', it could be a real option for Irish and UK pax.

Unless of course, they've got their poker faces on and are pushing for a deal with someone somewhere for something in order to kick it all off.

JAS

[clareview]

West coast

All this speculation about EI and the west coast is gettign very repetitive why do we need to go over the same ground time after time?

[airbourne]

Maybe its because those who post here are interested in Aer Lingus and want to talk about it on a flying forum!

[clareview]

West coast

Of course we are all interested in aviation, and, in this case, Aer Lingus but do we need to talk about the same thing, time after time, the same speculation time after time and so on? Surely there are other interesting thoughts that could be aired?

[akerosid]

Well, here's some food for thought. It now seems quite possible, if not likely, that Europe and possibly the US will enter a double dip recession, with an obvious implication for demand. How does EI respond to this - and how quickly can it do so?

Does anyone know when leases on the current 320 fleet are expiring; can it ground a number of its s/h aircraft, as FR has done; it is possible to replace some of those 320s with more 319s at reasonably short notice?

Also, now that RE has stopped flying domestically on some routes, can more of its fleet (even ATR42s) be repainted in EI colours and used on regional services?

[ryan2000]

Aerlingus never went back into expansion mode after the 2008 recession began to ease so it shouldn't have any problem coping with a so called double dip. The moan about the travel tax hindering growth is now seen for what it is. An attempt by airlines to increase their yield without making any attempt to grow traffic let alone develop routes that would bring inbound tourists to Ireland

Only danger for them is possible over exposure to Sun Routes although after another miserable Summer, people will still opt for Santa Ponsa before Salthill if at all possible!

[Jamie2k9]

A further update for charter flights that EI will operate this winter:
Dublin - Geneva - Sat
Dublin - Toulouse - Sun
Dublin - Salzburg - Sat
Cork - Salzburg - Sat
London-Gatwick - Grenoble - Sun

[EI Premier]

A further update for charter flights that EI will operate this winter:
Dublin - Geneva - Sat
Dublin - Toulouse - Sun
Dublin - Salzburg - Sat
Cork - Salzburg - Sat
London-Gatwick - Grenoble - Sun

@ Akerosid - This is exactly how EI will cope with an impending potential contraction in economic activity. More information on how EI have diversified away from the purely cyclical/seasonal nature of their business model should be evident in the H1 results. Use of the fleet during the winter season for charters will represent a new source of Revenue for EI.

As I've posted elsewhere, I do hate the word double-dip because not only has it been one promoted by most propaganda driven media outlets since the first quarterly growth was recorded in any Western economy post 2008 - but it is also technically incorrect.

Does anyone know when leases on the current 320 fleet are expiring; can it ground a number of its s/h aircraft, as FR has done; it is possible to replace some of those 320s with more 319s at reasonably short notice?

Unlike FR, EI don't really have a significant amount of overcapacity in the fleet on an average annual basis - certainly not during the summer season. I don't see the need to ground aircraft when they can be used to generate other revenues as above - specifically when there are fixed financing costs associated with them that must be serviced?

Top line revenues, would certainly be affected with a disproportionate impact upon premium revenues on Long Haul routes - however EI have been in ''survival'' trending to stabilisation mode for the past two years - so they are much better positioned to withstand a secondary shock on this occasion.

[ayroplain]

The moan about the travel tax hindering growth is now seen for what it is. An attempt by airlines to increase their yield without making any attempt to grow traffic let alone develop routes that would bring inbound tourists to Ireland

Not as simple as that. I think you'll find that the airlines found no attraction in the removal of the travel tax when, at the same time, the DAA were increasing their charges by 40% (which the Aer Lingus CEO described as "insane"). In Aer Lingus' case they don't have the fleet to expand (they can barely keep the current schedule going as it is with what they've got) and Ryanair (who do have the aircraft) were never going to expand here either without getting what they would consider proper concessions from the DAA. Nobody will ever convince me that T2 as we know it was ever required by anyone including the airlines. This millstone will be around the country's neck for the foreseeable future and even still the waste continues with the place lit up on the outside like a Christmas tree night after night.

[Jamie2k9]

Dublin Airport charges are coming down next year only slightly. T2 is not that difference to many other capitial city airports don't see why many people have a problem with it. Its here and people need to deal with it.

[positive]

Having used Dublin Airport for well over 30 years its definitely needed T2...I wish people would stop thinking T2 will be at full capacity or even near it from day 1.Both T1+T2 are grand to use now at all times during the day compared to a rather cramped T1 which did exist.... Its makes a change for Dublin Airport to have spare terminal capacity..

[ayroplain]

Its here and people need to deal with it

Well, if my neighbour wants to build an extension on his house he's welcome to do so as long as he doesn't expect me to pay for it.

Having used Dublin Airport for well over 30 years its definitely needed T2

Agreed but not at that cost to the Exchequer (either the DAA's admitted or Ryanair's suggested)

According to plans I was shown the next grandiose idea by the DAA was to extend Pier B out with the resultant closure of 16/34. "Insane" doesn't even cover it. However, this the Aer Lingus thread so I won't go on.

Interesting item in today's Indo. I have no sympathy with anyone who arrives at the airport 45 minutes before the stated flight departure time.
Bruce Arnold: Why our 'friendly' airline has lost me as passenger - Analysis, Opinion - Independent.ie

[EI Premier]

Dublin Airport charges are coming down next year only slightly. T2 is not that difference to many other capitial city airports don't see why many people have a problem with it. Its here and people need to deal with it.

What do you mean - people need to deal with it? The DAA needs to deal with it's massive debt burden, that's what needs to be dealt with - and urgently.

I don't dispute that Terminal 2 was needed. It is a fantastic facility but it's supposed levels of efficiency never seem to exist when I travel through it.

For example - a recent report stated that over 90% or more of passengers were getting through security within the timelines as laid down by the regulator. There's a lot of number fudging going on here - because I am reliably informed that security waiting times were up to 45 minutes this morning at T2. Any time that I have travelled through T2 - security wait times have been moderate, with wait times of up to 25 minutes even via Fast Track!

Well, if my neighbour wants to build an extension on his house he's welcome to do so as long as he doesn't expect me to pay for it.

Very much agreed.

EI Premier

[PPRuNeUser0176]

We all have to pay for things we don't want to. Did I want to pay for the bankers. No. Much rather pay for T2 than them.

[airbourne]

Can we move the last 5 posts to the DUBLIN thread and then stay on topic?

[DannyKelly22]

i see EI have updated their Fleet Info page, only thing is they havent put the names for the 4 new aircraft, but they have removed ORD for the A330 fleet info.

[PPRuNeUser0176]

All Aer Lingus flights to/from JFK on Sunday are cancelled as well as MAD - IAD today.

[DannyKelly22]

all flights to jfk have been cancelled today 27th and tomorroow 28th, next available seat from JFK-DUB isn't until 1st September and thats only a business class seat, next seat after that isnt until 2nd sept and that was before todays 104/5 and 108/9 was cancelled. Starting to feel for all my friends working for EI out at JFK now, hope u all keep safe.

[Shamrock350]

Aer Lingus have also got a new tagline, Aer Lingus. Great Care. Great Fare. will be rolled out in the coming weeks along with a new marketing campaign by the new agency Irish International.