Runway 31

Sure other airlines axe routes, but with Ryanair they generally seem to create markets from nowhere so when they don't make routes work it is interesting to wonder why.

Brabazon,

But isn't it just as interesting to ask why when they do launch new routes (Haugesund, Klagenfurt etc).

Let's face it, if you start operating flights to 10 places no-one's ever heard of, and in two years' time are still flying to 9 of them, that's got to be a pretty good result in anyone's books.

They cut the PIK-STN route from 10 flights a day to 5 during the summer.

How many routes have BA for example axed over the last 10 years ? and why. Probably for the same reason as Ryanair, they are not making money on them. Airlines are a business and if routes are not profitable why would they be operated.

As you stated Brabazon, RYR generate new routes from nowhere and if despite everything they do generate profits from them after a reasonable time why would they continue with them?. Better to give them up and try somewhere else.

The PIK-STN route while enabling passengers to get some really cheap flights and greatly increased the numbers of passengers carried, did not give good yields. By cutting the number of flights they are able to up the price a we bit, generating higher profits and allow the aircraft to be used to open up new destinations.

Have FR dropped KLU (Klagenfurt) from STN, or is there just an error in their site? It is on the maps, but not the search or time table.

Normally they make a song and dance when dropping routes, and I can't see them pulling out of here with the busy ski season coming up, unless there is another local dispute of some sort?

The initial deal with KLU has expired and the airport and the region refused to continue paying Ryanair tons of money, hence the withdrawal.

London will be served from KLU by Carinthian Spirit with effect Dec. 17 by a daily flight to LTN.

KLU – LTN 11:50 – 13:05 (Z2 551)
LTN – KLU 13:45 – 17:00 (Z2 552

Carinthian Spirit has just become the first European customer for the CRJ900.

And more to the point with Prestwick-Stansted they replaced a 130 seat aeroplane with a 180 seat one, but it is still a drop if you do the maths.
Which I did.
Eventually.
:D

Am I right in remembering that FR used to have 9 flights each way STN PIK at some time?

There used to be 10 flights per day between STN and PIK. Now however, there are only 5 per day, which Ryanair are struggling to fill even at rock bottom fares. The competition is so intense now on the Glasgow to London route especially with flyglobespan now operating, Ryanair can't lower their prices any more. I suppose the only way to attract more business now will be to enhance their customer service, reserved seating etc.

No.

:8

The BOH - HHN certainley wasn't axed for being a loss maker. Average load factors were mid 70's%. It was replaced with the Gerona route where load factors are only slightly higher. Both routes were not possible due lack of available aircraft and the fact BOH was not seen as an area for further route enhancement. That still baffles me somewhat.

Load factors are not a guage on profitability, yeild is! You can fill an 800 with 1p fares or half fill with £9.99, guess which route would be chopped?

Klagenfurt will feature from Luton as the yields against the hike from introductory airport prices, means that Ryanair cannot make enough money from the route.

If you do a search on this site under Carinthian Spirit, I was well ahead of the game!

Regarding Ryanair's Prestwick - Stansted route. It still outperforms the competition from Glasgow. According to CAA figures the Prestwick-Stansted route carried 48266 passengers in August on the 5 return Ryanair flights dailly. In contrast Glasgow-Stansted had only 40447 passengers on 7 daily flights (5 x Easyjet + 2 x FlyGlobespan). Even with Air Berlin entering the fray from Glasgow, Ryanair would appear to have a good future on the route. Would suggest FlyGlobespan will be the vulnerable carrier.