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.

As an Aer Club member I'm delighted. Won't have to fly BA to the east anymore to collect Avios :D

Assuming of course that Avios are awarded properly. In my experience that's far from certain.

Any news of Japan Airlines doing the same?

Musings from today's Irish Times.


Irish tourismindustry only a Trump tantrum away from disaster

You have posed the question twice now.

What's the obsession with Japan Airlines and Tokyo?

I think there are bigger candidates in Europe that would see such a service before Dublin.

Well, given that they chartered a flight to Dublin last month, I was beginning to think that JAL was looking at starting regular direct flights.

@canberra97 who put you in charge of what people are allowed to ask? You're also having a go at a poor chap on the Gatwick thread who asked another question you disapproved of. Now leave off mate, you're embarrasing yourself. Again. I learn by asking, now pipe down and let people be.

JAL is an outside chance as DUB is of course a large Oneworld hub as Aer Lingus rejoin, stranger things have happened, but don't be afraid to ask. There's lots of knowledgable peeps who might help with some info on here. Use the block button if you have to :)

Great news on the HKG route. Is there anywhere I can find a list of most popular destination for passengers ex. Dublin that have to connect at another airport? Surely, the likes of São Paulo would be up there no?

JAL - Years off if ever, only the major hubs have flights to Japan. Market filled for now with new HKG. BEJ is possible but my money is on it not happening.

Not much traffic between Ireland and Sao Paulo, even during the Olympics there wasnt much of a demand for a direct charter!

There must have been a reason why JAL operated a charter to Dublin. I'm sure they were testing the route for future direct flights. It couldn't have been a one off.

Well you can tell yourself if you wish.

You do realise the point of a charter? They occur all the time? I don't think JAL even sold tickets for the service.

Someone paid them to do it. The end.

Its entirely plausible that they'll never operate another charter to DUB ever again.

Normally I would like to be wishful in my thinking - but I'd say that Tokyo is not really the priority in Asia from Dublin. I'd say the next Asian routes in Dublin's range would be Beijing and Bangkok, these are frequently enough mentioned.

After them two - maybe Delhi and Shanghai would be contenders.

Why isn't Tokyo a priority? Largest city in the world and will be hosting the next Olympics.

Because it's not a realistic hub, it doesn't have a large focus on traffic and the market is very limited.

One or two fairly sketchy reasons don't make a route. We see this all the time with people who think that xxx is a great route because they go there. It's taken an age for DUB to get a Chinese route, this proves the market isn't massive and there won't be a sudden explosion of east asian routes.

Do you think theres a chance it might happen in the next few years? After seeing Cathay Pacific launching flights, will they be tempted to do the same?

Dublin will be Cathay Pacific's 13th European destination, whereas Japan Airlines serve only 5 European cities. Europe isn't really a priority for JAL as their partnership with Finnair gives them access to most major European cities, and Helsinki is well placed for a Europe-Asia hub. Dublin is only suited to be a Europe-North America hub given its location, so I can't see JAL entering the market anytime soon.

That's a shame. I was starting to be hopeful for a second. That leaves ANA then. What are the chances of them flying to Dublin?

same as anyone else in East Asia - not very high

Not much business demand (and that's what pays the bills) and low tourist demand

KLM up AMS from 5 to 6 daily four days a week next summer.