Do EI have the aircraft capacity to significantly expand at the moment anyway?

The reduction in passenger tax in the South hasn't exactly prompted a response from them.

Aircraft are not the issue, they can lease more should they wish to. Don't make the mistake of comparing the FR model of flooding cheap seats on new routes with AL. AL is a mature business with a different business model to FR. AL crunches the numbers and if they cant project a profit from the get go then they wont operate a new route. The current business model is all about yield management, ancilliary revenue and increasing aircraft utilisation during the winter months to smooth out the work. Hence the Novair contract. The recent announcment of new routes for summer 2014 and increases on existing routes will have both fleets working hard. Also there are lots of opportunities to be reviewed for both the 320 and 330 fleets during winter. The Little Red contract could lead to additional work from other airlines/operators.

I have had a recent visit to Lanzarote, and noted both on my arrival day (Sunday 20th October) and departure day (Sunday 3rd November) that there was an EI 7778 / 7779 flight operating.

This flight did not appear on the website to book, a scheduled Sunday arrival commenced on 27th October for the Winter timetable, meaning that there were 2 departures on both 27th October and 3rd November.

Was this additional service a Charter flight, did it operate for the whole of Summer 2013 or just from late September / early October when demand for holidays in the Canaries increases ?

EI charters etc
 

See thelingussource.com

Always a few charters extra etc

EI7778/7779 was a charter between 6 October-3 November for Thomas Cook taking over from Avion Express who's seasonal base finished at end of September.

Hangar 6, many thanks for the reply, I have just had a quick look and it appears that this flight operated between 06OCT and 03NOV inclusive.

Also many thanks EI-A330-300, you must have just been typing as I was penning my last response.

Dublin-Hannover
 

Glad to see EI finally giving DUB-HAJ a try, at 4/7 this could work (no doubt inspired by the crazy growth BA has seen on its LHR-HAJ link).

I think it is great that EI have announced Hannover-Dublin. Who knows, they may extend it for the winter (even 2/7) if it works for them. I think it is a brave move considering Hamburg is 1 1/2 hours up the road and Ryanair flying to Bremen which is an hour away.

The IT reports that almost 83% of crew in SNN have accepted the proposals for SNN T/A services.

Hanover, since when have EI cared about FR flying near by.

FR possibly discontinues BRE-DUB, as no flights yet bookable April 2014 forward (most other BRE routes are loaded for then).

HAM flight is daily and has an earlier timing, which allows some US connectivity. The HAJ flight is timed more attractively for point-to-point traffic, particular on Sundays, but if I'm right with no long-haul connections?!

Unfortunately not without a night-stay from HAJ-DUB, would think the route will be successful, hoping it will be year-round!

EI & GOAL send aid to Philippines
 

Reported in The Irish Independent, 21st Nov 2013, EI teaming up with GOAL to send 40 tonnes of aid to the Philippines. Cargo flight will go from Dublin to Dubai and then onward.

Being reported elsewhere that crew and ops are giving their time free of charge.

Aer Lingus and GOAL send aid to Philippines - Independent.ie

JAS

Think everything is free. They tweeted earlier:

What's happening to the 149/184 LHR slots?
 

Rumour is EI will not be operating these from next summer. Any idea who will?

Not a rumour they have swapped them for another pair. Planned with over a year. Thinks its BA who they have them now.

Old Slot
LHR-DUB 06.40-08.00
DUB-LHR 21.10-22.25

New Slot
LHR-DUB 13.25-14.45
DUB-LHR 11.15-12.35

Old Slot was to costly and demand wasn't there for the 06.40 most used the 07.40 service while the new slot reduces the gap in the schedule that would of being left with the extra LHR-ORK flight.

Hey there, those in the know have any idea when the first B757 will de delivered? Is the refit going to be done in DUB or SNN?

OH-LBR (to be EI-LBR) with SNN Aerospace for the last month or so. AFAIK it's all being done there

Didn't know they could fit 757 in their hangar

Yup they can. It's quite a large hangar.

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