Aer Lingus Regional
 

Thanks for the information on the EI Regional capacity.

As far as I'm aware, 4 x ATR72-500's and 2 x ATR72-212's have been dedicated to the regional brand. The aircraft which had the accident in Shannon was later replaced with one of the other 212's being painted in EIR colours. According to Ascend, the damaged airframe is due back in Service in December but I'm not sure if this is reliable.

On the topic of growth, I think they'll continue to add one or two routes here and there over the coming seasons. The real question in my mind is whether or not they can step up the game a little and pick up some EI mainline flying on thinner routes which are hard to justify with a A320 series aircraft. It's been reported in the past that EI were examining the options for C-Series and E-Jets......could these find their way into the Aer Lingus Regional brand? The economics would be appealing for Aer Lingus given the lower cost base of Aer Arann and Aer Arann would presumably get access to routes and growth otherwise not achievable on its own. Prospective routes could follow the Lufthansa Cityline model and involve flights complimentary to the mainline e.g. additional frequency to key European destinations.

Just a thought but from a financial perspective, it'd be appealing for both operators I'd imagine.

Not unless Aer Arann were to buy the jets themselves, which won't happen.

Remember, all of the financial risk in the Regional franchise lies with Aer Arann. In turn, Aer Arann retain the bulk of the profits from the routes, with Aer Lingus being given a royalty fee for the use of their brand name, where they would've otherwise broke even or lost money operating the routes under their own metal, while also increasing the amount of transfer passengers onto their long-haul flights (where the real money is).

So assuming Aer Lingus make an order for regional jets in the future, they would become part of the 'mainline' fleet.

Aer Lingus had discussed the possibility of regional jets to run thinner european routes, then it all went quiet. All of a sudden they had quietly slipped in A319's.......was that as an alternative?

Ok, point taken regarding the ownership of the aircraft but the question remains, could EI use the Regional brand to develop additional routes which it would find uneconomical to do so on its own? Especially to develop routes beyond the Ireland / UK axis.

@ Mart,

I think the leasing of the A319's is the path of least resistance to allow EI better manage capacity on certain routes. I'm not overly familiar with the A/C but I'm lead to believe it's not the most favoured of A/C at the moment due to having very similar maintenace costs to the A320. I assume the operating costs (fuel, crew etc.) are lower than the A320?

The purchase of any smaller aircraft by EIN will be a long term project and I really can't see them making any major purchases in the near future. The E-Jet market seems to be opening from a lessor perspective but it's arguably an unnecessary expense for EIN to take an additional type into the fleet at the moment.

Well, the A318 is a known dog (only 54 in service) but there are over 1,200 A319s currently flying, so "not the most favoured" is a relative term! :cool: One of the A319's key selling points is the commonality with the A320, so I wouldn't expect much difference in maintenance costs between the types; on the other hand, I'd expect considerable savings (compared to geting a different aircraft entirely) from not having to stock two sets of spares for everything.

Has EI said what routes the A319 will be used on next summer?

All in Pricing - Aer Lingus

About time...except they don't include the handling fee.

IRISH LAD - 2 x A319 are moving to the Belfast Base for the Summer Season, these are the 2 that are already in Dublin at the moment.

Other related EI news. Apparently they have won the contract to provide catering for EK flights which begin in January.

Hi Cyrano,

When I speak of the A319 not being a favoured A/C, I speak of it from what I'm told by people involved in the leasing business. Apparently lease rates of the A/C have not held up as airlines aren't particularly eager to acquire the type at the moment. I would view the A/C in the same light as the B737-700.....successful on orders initially but fading as time goes on when compared to its sibling.

Danny, you are right on this one, Servisair will handle EK and EI will provide catering!!!

EI-BUD

Aer Lingus voted second best shorthaul carrier by 8000 Which? Members. :)
Thomas Cook 'The Worst Short-Haul Carrier', Consumer Watchdog Says

Aer Lingus came second to Swiss last year too. Although there was only one point in it then. Aer Lingus has dropped from 71% to 67% and Swiss has jumped from 72% to 76%. Still it's a great job done considering they would've been up against some of the big European airlines with more money. I put it down to their friendly, helpful staff. :D:D:D:D

the link below is for the results last year

http://www.which.co.uk/news/2010/06/...survey-215804/

EK to use Aer Lingus lounge in T2, they have no plans yet to build there own one but are due to announce a sharing agreement with another airline. Can't see EY and EK going to share so EI is the only carrier left.

Aer Lingus announced Stockholm and Verona from DUB as well as increased flights on 13 other routes, from DUB and FAO and AMS from Cork.

Aer Lingus announces two new routes for summer 2012 | Irish Examiner

Anybody know any details on the capacity increases and what routes?

So Maastricht is scraped out of the new summer routes for sure?

And no mention of Cork Frankfurt either. Still 3 vacant slots on Monday Wednesday and Friday for one of the Cork aircraft. Please not another bucket and spade route?

See page 34 on Dublin page. Jamie2k9 posted details but has since said further changes have happoned and he would update it again when the whole schedule is confirmed by EI.

We will have to wait and see what affect Ryanair have on Cork-Palma route. As EI have reduced it from last year.

No a suprise. With good schedule to AMS and EIN with FR, it would of turned out LGW-EIN route did.

I thought ORK-FRA was set in stone and the slots had been granted too? either they've found a better yield route or the slots are going to Dublin :ugh:

Maybe waiting to see what Ryanair are going to do. They have started to go head to head with EI out of Cork in the last few years.