Saw on the news today that FR want to sell EI's LHR slots to BA and Cityjet in order to gain approval by the EU to merge fully! HA

LHR Slots
 

Correct me if I'm wrong but as part of the privitisation of Aer Lingus wasn't there a clause that the Irish Government must approve any sale of LHR slots, and since the government are strongly opposed to the proposed takeover I think we can safely assume that the chances of them approving any sale is zero.

New Routes
 

5 New routes from Dublin from October, not yet announced but bookable on the Aer Lingus website.
Helsinki, Finland - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Copenhagen, Denmark - Daily
Agadir, Morocco - Saturdays
Bucharest, Romania - Tuesdays and Saturdays
Funchal, Madeira - Tuesdays and Saturdays

I think people may have jumped the gun on the ORK-MAN route. Although it is not bookable for Summer 07, it is bookable for winter 07/08 :eek::confused::eek:

Forgot ORK!
 

Sorry to the Corkonian contingent! We forgot ORK-MUC and also, ORK-MAN will be continued through the Winter.

There will also be increases in frequencies to 14 European destinations and DUB-VNO will be continued through the Winter.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/business/?jp=MHKFKFAUCWGB

Aer Lingus's latest A320, EI-DVF, was delivered Toulouse-Dublin today.

Ork-mad
 

Cork-Madrid isn't bookable after the end of October. Now I could be mistaken but I'm almost positive that it was for sale for the winter when I checked a few days ago! Are they dropping the route for the winter?

Yes, Madrid is gone rumours that Kracow and an increase in Prague frequency is to be announced shortly. They don't want to be as dependent on Sun routes from Cork this Winter. No point in Cork people shouting for more direct services if they're not going to support them.

Ork-bhx
 

Cork-Birmingham will be daily from October.
Daza

I think the root of the problem was Ryanair launching a competing Shannon-Madrid service shortly after EI launched the Cork service. There probably isn't enough demand for two services to Madrid from munster during the winter. EI have taken the commercially wise decision to drop the route for the Winter rather than run the service at a loss for the winter months (which Ryanair will probably be doing) and try to find a more profitable way to use the aircraft. Hopefully Madrid will be back for next summer.

EI-DUO, new A330-202, arrived this evening at 7.38pm, operating EI 991 from TLS.

Ei 991
 

EI 991 that arrived this evening was not EI-DUO it was our new A320 EI-DVE. EI-DUO is having its interiors fitted at present and should have its IAA C of A late next week for acceptance on to the Irish register.

Thanks for clarifying that EI-BED. Isn't it odd that EI-DVE (which was line no. 3129) was delivered after EI-DVF (line no. 3136); was there any problem with EI-DVE?

Nice to see them starting African service i.e Agadir.

Does Ireland have an open skies agreement with Morocco? I was just thinking of all the trouble that Ryanair had with starting services from Marseille and Hahn to Morocco. As far as I know this will be the first ever Scheduled service from Ireland to Morocco, all previous services being charters.

A350 for EI?
 

Today's Sunday Times* reports that the airline is in exclusive talks for a $1b deal with EI for widebody aircraft, with proposals likely to be brought before the June board meeting.

Although the article suggests that now might be the wrong time to buy, it's also fair to point out the Airbus is pretty desperate to sell the 350 and US Airways has apparently been offered HUGE discounts. I'm sure EI will get a very good deal and with first deliveries due in 2013-14, one can expect that Airbus will also provide the airline with significant interim capacity.

(* Sorry, can't add a link; Irish Sunday Times no longer on web :* )

Its been rumoured than Ryanair are to open a base at bristol, announcement expected today. Does that rule out Bristol as an option for Aer Lingus in their quest for a UK base. If so what are the options left in the pot.

Absolutely; that's Bristol off the list as far as EI is concerned - if the FR rumour turns out to be correct. I believe Birmingham is still an option, though. It's very considerably bigger a market than Bristol ... (you have to say that with a Harry Enfield Brummy accent!)

Of course, it could be FR playing games and anticipating what EI might pick. Who's to say they won't put about a similar rumour about BHX. EI wouldn't go into an FR market, but I wouldn't put it past FR to go into an "EI market".

when will this new base be announced?

im still hopin BFS stands a chance, we need more expansion!

EI-DUO
 

Aer Lingus new A330-202 EI-DUO is scheduled to arrive in DUB from TLS at 1950 this evening as EI-991.