Aer Lingus to leave Oneworld
 

I've felt this has been on the cards for some time now but have heard it 'off the record' from a few people in the airline today.

Seems an official announcement will be made within a few weeks with the seperation happening very quickly after that.

From what I hear there's been no love lost between EI and other Oneworld carriers for some time (especially BA and IB) though certain codeshares (like AA) are likely to continue independantly.

Strange. Only about a week ago I read a short article that BA may be on the acquisition trail re Aer Lingus! Someone isn't right!

I also heard that from someone that works for EI. They seem to think that a large part of that is frustration with BA and the UK
over not granting access at LHR for more US carriers so Oneworld can grow and make full use of the potential of Oneworld.
What astounds me is that EI can say such a thing when the Irish govt. refuse to remove 100% the SNN stop for US flights.

It's mainly to do with Aer Lingus fervently pursuing the 'low-cost' business model and doing whatever is in it's best interests with little dialogue with Oneworld partners.

It's felt that the transformation to economy only on European routes and the paid-bar (i.e. a genuine low-cost model) doesn't 'fit' well with Oneworld any more.

Also EI has tread on IBs toes with rapid expansion throughout Spain etc and continued expansion throughout Europe is seen as 'stealing' connecting pax through MAD and LHR.

Couple that with the effective shutting down of TAB (EIs frequent flyer program) and there seems little incentive to either side for participation any longer.

AFAIK there's only one American long haul carrier in Oneworld and thats AA, who already have plenty of LHR access. Hard to see how allowing non-Oneworld airlines into LHR is going to help things.

Bluehair,the low cost model arguement doesn't quite stack up.For some time now,if you fly Iberia 'down the back',you get nothing to eat or drink unless you pay for it...even a water costs a pound.

Maybe BA is not too happy with Aer Lingus' intentions to base A330's out of LHR?

BA may be rocking the Oneworld boat saying that it's not the sort of move into their own back yard expected of a Oneworld partner????

Willie Walsh I expect would tell BA to **** off if they want to play that game, call their bluff, and would rise to the challenge with increased vigour!!!

Why should EI keep feeding BA longhaul at LHR when they have the opportunity of doing some of it themselves??

A330 based at LHR; tell us more, Silver Tongued Cavalier!!!

Frankly, I would not be surprised to see EI out of oneworld, although I do see a benefit in continuing its relationship with AA to the US and also of developing a relationship with CX in Asia. I've always felt HKG would be by far the best hub in Asia for EI, but they'd really need to get moving on that, before EK finally gets its act together and starts serving DUB.

As for feeding BA at LHR, I agree totally. There have been rumours that the A321s are on their way out and if this is the case, notwithstanding the larger capacity of the newer (vs. the older 320s), EI will probably want to focus on point to point for flights to LHR and develop its own long haul links. I can't imagine that the yield from pax on long haul connecting pax would be worth much to them.

In line with the low cost model Aer Lingus also told all the airlines they handle in Dub that there are terminating all their contracts. This will make it easier to achieve their 1300 redundancies. A lot of the pax-handling staff are for the boot.

I understand that as of Tuesday 10th August EI has given the One World 90 days notice of its intention to leave the One World alliance..but aiming to do it in 60 days

A very "loose" tie in will be kept with some of the One World Airlines...I heard CX mentioned

Expect the company to start "point to point" services,

And the really bad news....Willie is expected to terminate the services of the 146 pilots!!!

Me thinks, that these weekly dinner get togethers between Will and MOL are having a destructive impact on crews/staff and PAX, but for the board of EI..setting them up for a big bonus checks

I thought the issue of the 146 pilots had been sorted now; haven't they been trained - or about to train - on the new A320 fleet. I recall there was some problem about captains retraining as FOs?

Surely they wouldn't risk industrial action by IALPA in this way, victimising a particular group of pilots, just because they had been flying a particular type? I mean, that's "asking for it".

As for Asian intentions, long overdue. The mention of CX makes sense; the HKG route (if that is their plan) makes most sense of all the possible Asian routes - within range for the 332, a superb hub for pax/freight and a highly desirable tourist destination in its own right. Now if they can get that crew bunk issue sorted out, they might be able to get things together. Unless Brennan has been working behind the scenes for an amendment to the Irish/US bilateral, there's not going to be much hope for new US routes this Winter, so they might as well make the best of it.