Wonder if we'll see an Airbus Exec stepping off one of the new 330's to announce an order .....

On that, anyone know the dates for the deliveries?

JAS

All I've heard is that the 332 (DUO) is coming in May and the 333, 'DUZ, in June. The 332 has already been rolled out and is doing flight trials; the first of the new 320s, 'DVE, has also been rolled out in full EI colours.

Isn't there due to be a board meeting tomorrow? Might we expect them to announce something as a result of that, or is it too soon after receipt of the RFPs?

No announcement so far; I wonder will they hold the announcement over until the Paris air show?

I got "Airline Business" in the post today and Enda Corneille is quoted as saying that "we are looking at a number of routes to the US for next year and the east coast continues to be an interesting market for us".

What's left on the east coast? Charlotte? Miami? (Miami seems a lot more likely!). I thought DFW was high on the list, but only a very optimistic FR planner would regard that as "East Coast"! Also, bear in mind that these comments were made before the govt announced O/S with Canada, although doubtless EI would have been kept aware of possible developments.

If they are looking at new routes next year, that's going to result in a few more aircraft; presumably, since the three new routes to be started this year (IAD, SFO and MCO) are operated through the Winter, they will also want to increase frequency on this (certainly MCO!) next year too.

Cork
 

Tonights Evening Echo reports that Aerlingus will announce new routes from Cork from October.

I presume this will involve a re scheduling of one of the 4 based aircraft. My prediction is that Alicante, Faro and Tenerife will not operate and will be replaced by routes to Central and Eastern Europe. Munich and Riga being among the favourites.

Anyone heard further news on when new long haul A/C are going into service. I am flying from the US to Europe in late June and would like to see if I can grab one of the new planes.

Business Class
 

Will EI have Business (Premier) Class to/from MCO?
Their booking engine is not very clear - it states 'Please choose an alternative date or class for travel'. I did this and got the same answer.
No problem booking economy.
AFAIK all other EI long haul flights have Business Class.
Anyone out their know the true situation to/from Orlando?

My information is that it will be an Economy service only to Orlando. Am also hearing that the decision on the next long hauler (787/A350 class aircraft) is put back now until June. Is the Paris Air Show in June? I would hazard that the likes of Paddy Power bookmakers might be inclined to shorten the odds on the 787 being chosen?

Dont mind what type is chosen as long as they can get off the runway at Cork with a reasonable load! :rolleyes:

Any news about these new routes from Cork?

New Cork routes
 

Well if EI introduce new routes from Cork and Glasgow isn't amongst them, then their Route Planner is mildly insane :E

Yet they are dropping Cork-Manchester from 5th June and annoying many pax who were booked on that route....:ugh:

Bhx-ork
 

Does anyone know if the EI service will continue through winter 2007/8?

Load factors during winter 2006/7 on EI & WW averaged between 70 & 75% and you would hope that this would produce sufficient yield although I have to say I did not manage to monitor the fares via the booking engine throughout the winter.

I was disappointed that Baby added a second flight on certain days until
the end of May and again then from Sept onwards (by cutting BHX-BOD to 5 a week). This aircraft could have been used elsewhere and I doubt that they have any intention of making it twice a day in winter.

Pete

Dropping ORK-MAN ? It only started a few weeks ago, surely they haven't given it a go yet ? Mind you, there has been NIL publicity about it. If they were going to go head to head with Baby on the route, then some sort of marketing stategy would have been helpful:rolleyes:

I'm not sure what the thinking was when the route was started. Was it so that they could have some routre anouncement for Cork and with no aircraft going there, it was the only alternative? Was it to hang on to slots at MAN?

As regards the service from Cork this winter. I'm sure some new routes will be anounced. I'd expect to see some of the capacity going to providing higher frequencies on existing routes. Amsterdam going double-daily every day and Paris going to 9 or 10 times a week are most likely. Cork-Amsterdam has provided good loads and yields throughout this winter. The route got a major boost with the problems at Heathrow last year. A lot of business inter-lining passengers switched to Amsterdam and then stayed using it.

If Aer Lingus will announce new Cork routes as the local media has reported, and if this involves no new aircraft then I would expect existing routes to be axed or get reduced frequency.

Hoping for new routes and increased fequencies means hopping for a new aircraft, and I'm not holding my breath.

New routes at Cork
 

Charlie Roy
I think the evening echo was talking about new routes for the winter only. This is since Alicante and Faro will not be operating for the winter and Tenerife could be the same. As far as I know no routes are being axed, just some new winter routes are being introduced to fill up the schedule. I'd guess a ski route such as Geneva or Salzburg. Alternatively they could increase frequency on existing routes just for the winter. Whatever is launched is unlikely to continue for Summer 2008 but may return for Winter 08/09.

Aer Lingus - 4
 

Anyone heard anything about Aer Lingus plans to set up a UK base?

Charlie Roy->Cork to Faro, Alicante and Nice will be dropped for the Winter. That frees up 11 rotations. I can't see a new aircraft for Cork before Summer 2008 at the earliest. As much as a new aircraft, what Cork really needs from Aer Lingus now is for the much discussed but never appearing, pilots' base to be established.

The proposed Cork pilots base is quite complicated by the generous allowances the guys and gals are allowed for overnighting in Cork.

Nice work if you can get it!

They get standard civil service rates!
Would you begrudge them that?

Its the good ol attitude of trying to drag everyone else down. I don't have it so why should they. This is the real face of o'learyism and capitalism. Only a few are allowed do well, everyone else must race to the bottom. Its actually akin to communism in that respect.
Regrettably there are also plenty of pilots who would rather drag down their better-off colleagues that actually fight to improve their own conditions. Too scared to take on their own bullying management, it's easier to have a pop at someone else.
Little men (and women) and far too many of them.