But that still doesn't answer the question does it?

the rise in passenger figures from UK regionals does not point to people cutting out breaks, it indicates more people are going away than ever, if you think about it. UK regionals are predominantly outbound markets, so, take this example:

Let's just say a couple goes on 4 short breaks per Anum and 1 big 2 week holiday. That's 10 pax in the system per year.

That couple then decides, as suggested here, money is tight, so go on one big 2 week holiday and perhaps 1 short break, that 4 pax in the system. That would then result in less passengers through the airports and thus negative figures, but, that's not happening, is it, it's the opposite.

So, that's why I originally said that Maybe it just suggests that people want to go elsewhere for their breaks.

Less trips, more price sensitive people i.e a trip to Barcelona will likely be less than one to Dublin so you can s

FR have also taken capacity out because of the daa spat and this has lead to less 9.99 fares for example which would drive a lot of volume and those looking for a cheap deal.

Aer Lingus regional are not as exposed to a declining inbound market to Ireland from the UK as others are, I would suggest. There work is significant in feeding pax IRL UK from US and vice versa...when I've flown to GLA or EDI with them a big portion of the passengers are ex US...

No more inbound from NCL with the new schedule anyway.

WOW increase from 9 to 11 weekly next summer (14 May).

TBH I am a little surprised growing so well, one wonders if 2 daily will be the limit? and will Icelandair will start at some stage?

11 to 14pw from May next year apparently.

Ryanair also supposedly announcing summer schedule on TUE.

Differently 9 to 11, it has never operated at 11 weekly this year.

Might be a new route or two but one could already served at DUB.

FR Routes
 

New routes to Munich (2 daily), Stuttgart (1 daily) in addition to Naples already announced for winter.

New routes to Paphas (2 weekly) and resuming Marrakech (2 weekly) in March.

Increase Hamburg to daily and Naples to 5 weekly in summer.

Capacity increased by 450,000 seats next summer.

http://corporate.ryanair.com/news/ry...art/?market=ie

Rumour has it Cathay Pacific will be launching flights to Dublin. They've currently got a Facebook competition to guess the names of the three 'beer related' destinations that they're launching. It looks like DUB will be joined by BRU and CPH.

TI figures out today showing a slowdown for Irish tourism in the peak summer with expected decline in British tourists concerningly matched by lower annual visitors from mainland Europe.

One month decline out of seven (for Europe) can't really be read into very much. I do agree it is a concern.

Dallas appears more likely from what I have read.

I think DUB along with BRU and CPH were mentioned because CX have stated that three new European destinations are to be added to their network along with their Facebook page indicating that they will be 'beer' related hence DUB was mentioned and not DFW.

If it's just European and associated with beer, they also have gaps at Munich, Prague, Berlin and Cologne. Are there any other reasons to believe it may be Dublin?

How is the runway for Hong Kong nowadays? I know that previously, it used to be said that a Dublin-Hong Kong route would not be viable as it would not be possible to take full cargo onboard because of the length of the runway in Dublin. Is this still an issue for A350s (as in Cathay's fleet) or 787s?

Yes however not a major one.

Cathay Pacific have announced 4 weekly service from next June. A350-900.

00.50-06.45 - 11.55-07.05 - Summer
00.15-05.30 - 11.00-07.30 - Winter

Congratulations Dublin! Maybe use it in a while.

Do you think news of the Hong Kong flights will increase the chances of a Tokyo announcement?

Would that be the longest direct scheduled flight off Dublin's current runway infrastructure?

Brilliant news!! Now fingers crossed for Beijing

Yes – it's further than LAX which was the longest previously.