OK then, its just that the Irish Times before christmas stated that the DAA was still in talks with them. SO do we take it from that then that T2 is as we all thought the white elephant of the celtic tiger or is there any glimmers of a possible chance that maybe if the conditions are right and that any issues can be over come that no one wants to use it.

I dont think they will come either, I think the DAA is chasing a carrot that they will never get to eat!
Whilst it is good the DAA are talking to airlines, I just wouldnt be able to understand the logic of Air India changing from non-stop to a 1 stop service, and lets face it, DUB only has the PBC going for it, so like I said in my previous post, the benefits will be null and void by adding the stop.

Not really. Whilst it is underused now, theres nothing wrong with improving infrastructure and its more of a 'future' investment. I think people miss this point out, as it was always unlikely airlines were going to fall over themselves to serve DUB as soon as T2 opened, but eventually it will show its benefits.

Over 17.3 million passengers at DUB between Jan - Nov.

Latest News > Passenger Figures November 2010

I would say total traffic for 2010 will be between 18.5 - 19 million.

Also on the news today. FG said that if they get in power they will scrap the Travel Tax.

For a long time, I dismissed the possibility of AI. However, let's not forget that India is a very important economy - for tourism and (particularly) trade, so getting a foothold in this market would be a huge boost; the fact that AI is state owned and Ireland has good relations with India helps; hopefully this is being pursued at a diplomatic level.

Since our economy is as bad as it is, we need to explore every possible avenue for growth; those parts of the economy which can contribute to growth should be pushed as hard as possible, to ensure that this contribution is maximised. If the DAA can reel in AI, this would be a huge boost and worth any pull/influence that can be exercised to make this happen.


Quote:
"Whilst it is good the DAA are talking to airlines, I just wouldnt be able to understand the logic of Air India changing from non-stop to a 1 stop service, and lets face it, DUB only has the PBC going for it, so like I said in my previous post, the benefits will be null and void by adding the stop."

I was wondering about that myself; AI moved to introduce a lot more n/s flights, but I understand that these launches have not been very successful, (a) because of payload restraints and (b) the market is not there to the extent expected. This is why they are still looking for a new en route point - one less congested and cheaper than FRA.

To my mind, the biggest obstacle is the runway length at DUB, but if this shortcoming can be addressed with a commitment to extend it and some level of interim compensation, fine.

Let's try and be positive; it's an uphill battle, but they may yet be able to pull it off.

Well said Akerosid, glad there's a bit of optimism here! (even though, like many, I'll believe it when I see it)

Runway may not a huge obstacle as the 777-200's that AI use on their long-haul flights are similar to the ones which Delta used to serve Atlanta with from DUB a few years ago which were able to take off from the current runway (as it wasn't fully loaded with fuel).

And remember that the flight time from Dublin to Atlanta westwards is similar to Dublin to New Delhi eastwards, i.e. just under 9 hours, so it should be possible. Also bear in mind that AI are channelling all their international long-haul traffic through Delhi so we would not have to worry about further destinations like Mumbai and Chennai being served using the same equipment.

The destinations across the Atlantic that AI serve are all 7-8 hours flight time so there should be no issue there either.

AI also have the 787's ordered so if they go through, the runway problem will be negated.

If the story is still doing the rounds, there must be some hope!

Yes but based on market levels, even with LHR down the road, BHX will have more of a demand, especially in the India direction than DUB ever will. Id bet even MAN has a bigger demand than DUB.

You say this:

Then this:

So basically, if payload is to be restricted at DUB also, what exactly are AI gaining by using DUB as a stop on an already non-stop flight?!?
Also, if the DAA are just going to throw money/compensation at AI to serve them, then whats the point for the DAA. Thats no way to run a business, and once the money runs out it will all end in tears, guaranteed.

It not just that, its about being realistic too

Aer Lingus Regional add 3 weekly flights to Rennes.
Tuesday - 1 flight
Saturday - 2 flights

The old portacabin
 

Any news on when the old portacabin beside Pier D will finally be removed. It seems to be disused now except as a passenger corridor from Gates at the far end of Pier D to the aircraft stands beside the portacabin.
Quite an eerie feeling as you pass quietly through remembering back to the heady days when the place was thronged, buzzing and alive and FR displayed slip-in cardboard/plastic departure boards to places you couldn't even pronounce.
Thanks in advance for any info.

It was due to be taken down when T2 opened so I would expect it to be gone soon.

Pier D at Dublin Airport More Space At The Gates

Air India
 

dublin_eire

DEL - MEL was to start this winter as part of the Delhi expansion but politics got in the way - can you believe that? Quite a public spat I believe between Air India and a Government minister or MP.

Pete

I've just been doing some research into flying to Dublin in a couple of months. It seems BA do not fly there anymore. Since when and why? Surprised me as it's such a popular route (or has the competition defeated them?)

BA and Dublin
 

BA has not had a mainline presence in Dublin for many years (maybe 10 years) When Aer Lingus was part of the One World alliance, BA had a code share arrangement with it to Heathrow. The final BA link to Dublin was to Gatwick. BA's regional affiliates also gradually withdrew (probably in the face of competition from Ryanair and Aer Lingus when it was going down the low cost route. Similarly British Midland has reduced services to Heathrow to 4 a day from 8 at one time.

It seems that most long haul connection from Dublin is done vai Paris, Amsterdam or Abu Dabi or, westwards, vai and Aer Lingus gateway in the US

BA ended its mainline prescene in DUB only 2 years ago, it operated 4 daily LGW-DUB with mainline 737s up until then.

BMI reduction on the LHR route was because Lufthansa reduced the BMI fleet by 5 aircraft.

Last time I checked BA have code share agreement with Aer lingus on DUB - LHR and LGW.

I think March 1991 was when BA pulled out of the Republic of Ireland, their eventual return was via a BA franchise, CityFlyer Express who flew ATRs and later RJ100s from their base at Gatwick on behalf of BA. This route then passed to BA itself when they bought out CityFlyer but they couldn't make it pay with BA mainline (again) and it was dropped at the start of 2009. One of the problems of BA LGW moving to only B737-436s was it's too much aircraft for some routes.

BA CitiFlyer also operated a short lived LCY-DUB run from 2008-2009. This was axed due to CityJet's holding their own on the route with CFE having poor loads.

BA do still code share on Aer Lingus services into LHR and LGW though.

They dropped AMS and BRU at the same time, it's not just a lack of capacity, it's a shift in business model.

Airlines are now begining to operate out of T2. It's about time to.

Aer Lingus - all LHR flights, some european arrivals/departures (6 daily) and all LGW from Tuesday Jan 18
Delta - all flights
Eithad - all flights
US - all flights from Monady Jan 17
CO - expected to move lather this week.

EI should have everything in by the 25th
CO are in on the 19th.

Dublin Queries
 

Is Ryanair entirely now on Pier D? What was the logic of the old portacabin surviving this long as it blocks access to some of the gates on Pier D?

Are the B747 freighter services going to continue using gates at the new T2?

Why are Aer Lingus operating A330s transatlantic from the low cost pier when there are airbridge stands available on the main pier?

And finally (I think) will Aer Lingus still be using Pier D when T2 opens completely?

** Guess where I was on Saturday?

They use Pier D for unloading aircraft when they arrive in from the US. They use airbridge stands (Pier B) for departures as all their flights go through the US pre-clearance facility. Atleast T2 will offer enough capacity to unload and reload the A330s at the same gate rather than shuffling them around the airport.

Saturday's EI121 departed from Pier D.....so not all flights currently use the CBP facility. Indeed last time I was through American were on Pier D too.