Viability of Gibraltarian National Airline?

[Capetonian]

MAD-ALC in 2h12m prices starting from €30 each way by AVE. Wouldn't that be a reason for decline in air traffic?

Faster, more comfortable, more reliable, and less stressful than the airport experience and wasted time at each end.

[EI-BUD]

Yes Captonian you're correct but equally not quite as competitive as FR at €17.50 return which was widely available...

[paully]

Doesnt matter really how cheap Iberia made flying via Madrid.The Gibraltarians would always use BA in preference to anything Spanish

[EK77WNCL]

Which is where that excellent LCY-MAD-GIB idea comes into play!

I don't know if it's just my love for aviation, but I don't always see the train as the better alternative, if people understood that 20-30 minute check in was available (I'm thinking of routes like NCL-LHR, but it must apply for GIB too) with things like free fast track available on some airlines, along with food and drink on the aircraft (Bmi regional is one I can think of - and BA for breakfast)... Flying would be a much more attractive alternative.

The only problem with GIB-MAD is probably immigration as it definitely wouldn't arrive as a domestic flight

[Rain dog]

For most people, and business travellers especially it is the best option - for the exact reasons capetonian mentioned.

It's faster, it's considerably more comfortable, work can be done easily and phone calls can be made en route and you arrive in the city centre, without security and the expense of extra travel.

Most people regard airports as an overpriced and stressful experience, because, well, they are. And ofcourse most airlines these days, especially ones priced 'competitively' are godawful.

You may love aviation, most people for good reason, do not.

[paully]

EK77

You don`t understand the situation..There are many in Gibraltar that havent been to Spain in years and furthermore have no intention of doing so...(.largely caused by distrust that the Spanish themselves have created)...Those that have to go there do prefer the AVE train...The rest wouldnt go if you paid them

[compton3bravo]

Hit the nail on the head Paully! You can get a good train from Algecerais or San Roque (just down the raod) to Cordoba and the AVE to Madrid or Barcelona for starters.

[Capetonian]

Yes Captonian you're correct but equally not quite as competitive as FR at €17.50 return which was widely available...

To which you need to add the cost of getting to and from the airports, the value of your time, and the stress and aggravation. It makes the train cheaper in the end. I use trains on journeys up to 6 or 7 hours and often even more, I find it's invariably a more pleasant option, although it can appear more expensive until you factor everything in.

EK77WNCL we are nearly all on this site because of a love for, or an interest in, aviation. That cannot override the practicalities that your enthusiastic approach to what routes you think might be viable is making you overlook.

For example, I would love to see a service from Cape Town to Hawarden (Chester). It would suit me perfectly, I'd use it maybe six times a year, and so would some of my friends and family. Do the sums ........ it's dead in the water.