Excel Airways
 

Thread Opener

my guess would be 737-800 i recall they used that aircraft last summer on that route!!

i wouldnt worry to much about the type whatever it is its bound to be tech!:)

B757-200 has been operating this route over winter. May change for summer.

B747-400's for Excel Airways
 

Excel airways are to operate 2 ex ANA B747-400 aircraft for Travel City.

The aircraft will replace existing B747-200/300 equipment.

(Source - Airliner World June 2006)

Excel
 

On the subject of Excel, what does `V` stand for at end of flight number?

Hi There,

If the flight number ends with a "V", then i am led to believe that this flight is a no-meal flight. So i presume that the "V" stands for .... value ?????

Hope this helps

XLA208V/209V
 

Flights operated by B757-200 until 27th May.

Note: Return flight on 21st May only, arrives Manchester at 07.45 according to Flight Check.

EXCEL AIRWAYS TO LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE IN IRELAND
 

For Immediate Release 24 May 2006


Excel Airways, a leading charter operator in the UK and part of Avion Group listed in Iceland, is pleased to announce the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary in Ireland with immediate effect. The subsidiary, which will represent the airline under the Excel brand, will base its headquarters in Dublin.

The new operation is being headed up by Bill Smith, Managing Director and Carol Anne O’Neill, Commercial Director. Both have worked for many years in the travel industry in Ireland. Bill Smith was one of the founding members of Falcon Holidays in Ireland and became managing director and CEO for Falcon/JWT. Carol Anne O’Neill has an extensive background in the travel business in Ireland and was the former Operations Director for Falcon/JWT in Ireland.

The company will provide short, medium and long haul charter services for Irish tour operators and travel retailers commencing in the May-October 2007 holiday season. Target routes from Ireland will include Florida, Mainland Spain, the Balearics, Canary Islands, Portugal, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt. It is anticipated that at least two new routes will be introduced in the mid and long haul market. In the first year of operation, the company expects to carry in excess of 65,000 passengers.

Excel Airways has grown rapidly over the last six years, operating a core fleet of 17 aircraft with additional aircraft on lease during the peak Summer season. The airline flies to over 50 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America from 12 UK airports. Excel Airways Group was listed on the UK Stock Exchange prior to being acquired by Avion Group in 2004, an Icelandic investment company focused on global air, land and sea transportation worldwide. In 2005, Avion Group acquired Travel City Holdings and with Excel Airways Group, forms a significant part of Avion’s Travel and Leisure Division.

Commenting on the formation of the Irish Operation, Bill Smith said:

“We believe that the arrival of Excel Airways is excellent news for tour operators and travel agents in Ireland. The Irish public are taking more holidays than ever before and with Ryanair and Aer Lingus no longer providing a charter service, we believe that the arrival of Excel Airways will fill an important gap in the market.

We intend to offer real variety to tour operators and provide further opportunities to generate extra revenues for travel retailers.”

Magnus Thorsteinsson, Executive Chairman of Avion Group added:

“I am delighted to announce our entry into Ireland, one of Europe’s most successful economies representing a lucrative and attractive market for Excel Airways. It is very pleasing that our senior management is in place in Ireland and with their strong background in the travel industry, will be particularly welcomed by the tour operators and independent retailers in Ireland.

Naturally, it is our intention to offer real variety and greater choice for the general public.”

Excel goes Irish !
 

Excel Airways to launch international airline in Ireland

Excel Airways, a leading charter operator in the UK and part of Avion Group listed in Iceland, is pleased to announce the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary in Ireland with immediate effect. The subsidiary, which will represent the airline under the Excel brand, will base its headquarters in Dublin.

Excel Airways, a leading charter operator in the UK and part of Avion Group listed in Iceland, is pleased to announce the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary in Ireland with immediate effect. The subsidiary, which will represent the airline under the Excel brand, will base its headquarters in Dublin.

The new operation is being headed up by Bill Smith, Managing Director and Carol Anne O’Neill, Commercial Director. Both have worked for many years in the travel industry in Ireland. Bill Smith was one of the founding members of Falcon Holidays in Ireland and became managing director and CEO for Falcon/JWT. Carol Anne O’Neill has an extensive background in the travel business in Ireland and was the former Operations Director for Falcon/JWT in Ireland.

The company will provide short, medium and long haul charter services for Irish tour operators and travel retailers commencing in the May-October 2007 holiday season. Target routes from Ireland will include Florida, Mainland Spain, the Balearics, Canary Islands, Portugal, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt. It is anticipated that at least two new routes will be introduced in the mid and long haul market. In the first year of operation, the company expects to carry in excess of 65,000 passengers.

Excel Airways has grown rapidly over the last six years, operating a core fleet of 17 aircraft with additional aircraft on lease during the peak Summer season. The airline flies to over 50 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America from 12 UK airports. Excel Airways Group was listed on the UK Stock Exchange prior to being acquired by Avion Group in 2004, an Icelandic investment company focused on global air, land and sea transportation worldwide. In 2005, Avion Group acquired Travel City Holdings and with Excel Airways Group, forms a significant part of Avion’s Travel and Leisure Division.

Commenting on the formation of the Irish Operation, Bill Smith said:

“We believe that the arrival of Excel Airways is excellent news for tour operators and travel agents in Ireland. The Irish public are taking more holidays than ever before and with Ryanair and Aer Lingus no longer providing a charter service, we believe that the arrival of Excel Airways will fill an important gap in the market.

We intend to offer real variety to tour operators and provide further opportunities to generate extra revenues for travel retailers.”

Magnus Thorsteinsson, Executive Chairman of Avion Group added:

“I am delighted to announce our entry into Ireland, one of Europe’s most successful economies representing a lucrative and attractive market for Excel Airways. It is very pleasing that our senior management is in place in Ireland and with their strong background in the travel industry, will be particularly welcomed by the tour operators and independent retailers in Ireland.

Naturally, it is our intention to offer real variety and greater choice for the general public.”

Not very good news for Eirjet

I think eirjet will be worried, but they will be ok! they are owned by a tour operator, so they'll always have business! what aircraft will the new ''Green Excel'' operate?

johnrizzo2000

Are you sure? I understood Eirjet was privately held by a small number of individuals (including the management) and partnerships, not by a tour company. Which tour company do you think owns them?

One of the investors in Eirjet owns tour operator Omnitours, a small operator
that would hardly have sufficient business to keep the Eirjet fleet flying.

Excel to Rhodes
 

Anyone have any idea which aircraft Excel likely to use to Rhodes ex LGW 28 Jun, returning 5 Jul XLA5024/5? I was passing through Gatwick on Wednesday, and as I was boarding my 15.30 flight the 5024 (departure ~09.00) was still boarding......:confused:

I never realised that eirjet flies so little for the omni tours/ malaga express etc group! They have a lot of flying for other companies, so this new greener excel, will be a threat!

anyone got an idea of which aircraft type will go into Ireland, i can see a few applicants from DHL if 757 :\

This is a major threat for Eirjet.
The vast majority of their flying contracts are for other tour operators and given Eirjet's appalling performance track record it will be easy for Excel to pick off their business.

Several of the other UK charter operators also have aircraft based in Dublin, do they bother with establishing an Irish subsidiary ? Within the EC nowadays there is no need to.

And so, regarding the "threat to Eirjet", what's the difference ? Monarch, First Choice, etc have been in this market for years, let alone the likes of Futura.

All FCA flights are for their Irish tour operator business aren't they and therefore they shouldn't loose any flying to Excel

Excels record aint the hottest either.....its all those clapped out ex Air Atlanta 757 and 767s I reckon....the 737-800s cant be all that bad, surely?

My guess is that 737-800s will be used....the 757s will prob be phased out once the 739s start arriving....but you never know!

As for EirJet....most of their flying is for First Choice brands in Ireland. Excel Ireland would appear to be headed by ex Falcon(as First Choice trades in Ireland) people, so my guess is eirJet will loose a lot of business.

all gone a little quiet
 

after a little bit of a ropey start and merging their UK operators all under Excel banner
How are they doing now on timekeeping for '06 particularly long haul.

Not to bad i don't think, Flyjet are the worst for delays this summer.

Well they are doing bad at NCL.

XLA4151 19:25 KAVALA/GREECE & SKIATHOS INDEFINITE DELAY

I wish they would use their own aircraft at Newcastle, we always end up with the cr*p. :) :)

Believe most of the punctuality problems to be long haul and 757 routes, the 800s are performing quite well, but with the odd problem creeping in here and there. When the 900s come along and the 75s disappear we should see delays reducing. If anyone has seen the picture of the XL 757 after it was hit by a hailstorm - that's what it looks like on a good day anyway.

Thought NCL had one of the best records for punctuality of all the regional bases...

DVR6K I would be highly surprised if XL's NCL operation is among the highest for ontime departures as the TF reg 737-400 they have based up there is quite unreliable and certainly over the past weekend delays have been fairly lengthy to a couple of flights. It was the same last year, maybe XLA will take notice that this a/c lets them down and replace it. It also has to tech stop quite often on the longer routes out of NCL. If XL intend on keeping it why not send it to a base in the south, where distance is less of an issue?

On a positive note, the finnair 757 is performing well, as is FJE who have been subcontracted out for 3 years by XL for operation at NCL.

Tommyinyork FJE have had delays, not many I say, but it happens to all airlines and I don't think they are the worst for delays this summer, they seem to have improved since last year.

Yes, TF-ELY went tech in Greece and was delayed for about 24 hours. XL brought in the Air Class Airways 737 to fly the Newcastle - Verona flight.

Chris

Well, -400 or no -400 (and it is a nasty machine), NCL recorded 85% on time performance a couple of months ago compared to a regional base average of 80% so it ain't doing too bad!

Exeter
 

I see next summer Excel will have 5 flights a week from Exeter - Lanzarote, Corfu, Heraklion, Tenerife and Dalaman. Any chance they may consider a base there in the future?

Airhumberside,

Interesting comment, where did u get this info and when do the XL flights commence from EXT?

Info is from the Excel website. They have some flights this summer at Exeter (3 a week I think) but next summers flights start in May

My pennies worth....Flew with Excel last month. As expected their plane had gone " Tech " but to their credit, they had arranged for "Pegasus Airlines "to fly us to spain. Only got there about 40 mins late, which is not to bad. Flight on time on way home. In my opinion they were ok

Excel Airways
 

Does anyone know why XLA use so many diff aircraft types of there own and other airlines, surely this must not be cost effective.

According to Jethros fleet listing there are using the following.

A320's from Air Malta
B737-400 from Air Atlanta Icelandic (granted Avion is there parent)
B737-800 (there own and Miami air's)
B747-300 (i know these are for Travel City)
B757-200 (there own and leases from Air Italy & Finnair)
B767-200 (there own)
B767-300 (there own)
MD80's leased from Skywings UK Jet

Or to put it another (simpler) way:

B737-400 - Air Atlanta
B737-800 - Excel
B747-300 - Air Atlanta
B757-200 - Air Atlanta (being transferred over to UK reg)
B767-200 - Air Atlanta (ditto)
B767-300 - Air Atlanta (ditto)
MD83 - Skywings

The 800s pretty much look after themselves, but the merger with Air Atlanta has caused all sorts of issues with the leased aircraft so until the paperwork is complete, nothing can really be done with regards replacing the fleet. 900s on their way to replace 757s is just about it. Any rumour of a 747-400 joining the fleet soon?? May have got my wires crossed with that one.

Cost effectivity is clear when you have a look at the state of the leased aircraft! The airline can't be paying big bucks for them.

MD-83 just there for the summer to take advantage of the market at EMA and someone who counts beans worked out it will be profitable so that's why it's there. Again, a pretty minging aircraft but it gets people from A to B in one piece and back again so job done! Ditto with the 734 at NCL. And the jumbos...

Two ex-ANA B747-400s coming next year for LGW + MAN to Sanford, replacing 747-300s being used this year. Rumours of TravelCity also extending into Dominican Republic + other parts of the Caribbean, though not sure if this is additional work or just replacing the Excel brand on their Caribbean operations and taking over from Golden Caribbean.

DVR6K, I thought the 747s were doing OK this year - certainly a quantum leap from last summer's performance (in every sense of the word).

Believe they are doing well this year, but they are heaps!! Will the new 400s be in the blue of XL or the red of TC direct??

747-400
 

My understanding from the press release is that the 400's will be operated by Excel Airways on behalf of TCD.

Any chance of NCL getting a more reliable aircraft based there? Granted the leased finnair plane has no problems but the 737-400 constantly lets the airline down and as DVR6K has said its a heap and not the usual XL standard. Or is XL moving towards subcontracting their work out at smaller bases, eg Flyjet at NCL (should they return in septemeber when the 2nd AY a/c returns to finland), Air Malta at BRS/BHX etc

Transwede,

NCL is actually XLA third biggest base behind LGW and MAN with the routes continuaully expanding. The -400 is leaving the fleet at the end of the year so next year will probably see at least 1 X -800 and 1 X 757 (Finnair). Not sure what will happen in the winter if FJE do not return - perhaps a year round AY aircraft. Anyone have any news on this?
TCD may also look at NCL again perhaps with a 767 asthey are all part of the same company now.
The 737-400 has actually been performing pretty well as far as I am aware - one tech problem a few weeks back but the other delays have actually been the -400 rescueing other XLA flights with tech a/c being the -800!

AY don't have 757s to spare in the winter which is their peak season, when they have a surprisingly long haul programme for the entire 757 fleet.

Much of it is to the Canaries (about 6 hours from Helsinki) but they also do some real long-hauls with them, almost daily to Phuket in Thailand (tech stopping in India) and to several resorts in Northern Brasil (tech stopping in Tenerife). That's a huge long haul in a max-charter seated 757.

It's a far northern thing to have your peak in the winter, the Canadians are the same. In summer they both prefer to go up to their cabins by the lake.