FlyU
 

A company called FlyU is looking for people in Flight this week. They say they are going to operate a 146-200 from Waterford to European cities and holiday destinations, and from Galway to holiday destinations. I assume the goal is to be up and running for the S07 season. Anyone know where the startup funding is coming from?
I wish them luck, but I have to say that - at least online - the advertisements do not appear especially professional.

Any suggestions on the start-up routes?

My guess is CDG and Malaga will be included.

If this company sets up in Waterford at the airport where are they going to have their offices. With the basing of an ATR by RE, that implies extra staff as well maybe even a crew room.
Last time I was in the airport ( a few months ago) there wasnt alot of space left upstairs or downstairs.
Are there any plans for extension to the terminal?

Anyone know where the Bae146 is being sourced from ? Seems like an odd place to launch an airline from especially after the Euroceltic fun and games.

Euromanx tried these routes from GWY albeit via IOM. Loads were pretty miserable and they didn't stay long at it. I wonder if new start up carriers actually carry out market research before launching routes!

Global Pilot
 

Global Pilot

You have a point. While I was delighted when Euromanx launched those routes from GWY, I had my doubts over the success of the CDG route given that RYR were offering a direct (and cheaper) flight to Paris (albeit to Beauvais) from SNN.

Let's hope this new airline has, as you said, has its research done.

Malaga from Galway
 

The Paris route was via the IOM but Malaga was a direct nonstop flight. I thought that this route did well. I understood at the time that the London City flights ,paris and IOM were all very poor but the Malaga route was the one good performer. Does anyone have any statistics for this route.

I could see a Malaga, Faro, Rome and Prague routes being well subscribed. What does anyone else think of these?

odd place to start an airline funny how ryanair started up orginally at waterford airport!:D

These would be some of the routes that came to my mind too. However, with EI operating all these routes just next door at CRK, will flyU be able to compete?

Could FlyU compete
 

Thats an interesting question. Firstly the big challenge a new airline has is to get its name out there. I think often many dont have agressive enough marketing. If it was starting up in the old days of the travel agent booking , ie pre internet booking, it would get a good shout , So lets hope it does some very spectacular marketing and promotion to get the name out there.

To answer your question. If the company gets its name out there and people see Waterford as a credable alternative to Cork or more importantly Dublin, then I can see them competing alright.

Without sounding negative the start up costs of an airline are huge , say an engine needs replacing on the 146 (i think thats what they are getting ?) that would take a big lot of funds to replace. . And besides all that, a small operator often has significant costs in terms of administration, sales , management, and if the operation is small ie only 1 or 2 aircraft, then the company has high unit costs. Again I dont want to sounds negative .

What an airport like Waterford needs is an airline like Flybe to come and heavily market low prices and get the word out there that a range of destinations are available at low prices, frequently. Aer Arran are good too , but the prospects would seem greater with a growing company lke Flybe .

But hey I wont shoot down a new carrier before it gets off the ground. Its just that it seems that few small new carriers survive with limited operations. I just hope that the backers have deep pockets.

Although highly unconnected when I hear of new operators starting up and a 146 is mentioned i remember reading the Fuelled by belief book , re Virgin Atlantic Cityjet .I have to say that was an interesting read. Have any of the rest of you read it ?

Yes. WX certainly had their problems with the 146 (and Virgin) in their first few years . However, Pat Byrne did say at the end of the book that the 146 is a more reliable aircraft these days compared to when they first set up so hopefully it will be the right choice of aircraft for flyU.

FLyU
 

Hi,

Like some of the earlier speakers - I don't want to sound negative. But, with the exception of CDG, key routes may possibly be Malaga and Faro. WX, found this a tough route on a good day. The prime people on this route are 2 different markets - golfers and apartment owners. From experience I have found both will go to Cork or Shannon to save a fiver. So, if you look at Malaga from Cork. I've picked late April - and EI's highest return fare on a weekend - €306 inclusive of taxes etc. You then pop in midweek and you can knock €150 off this fare. Faro the fares are even lower. And this is before we add FR into the pot.
I would strongly argue in favour of routes from Waterford. There are economics which people forget. Reasonably car parking - this can save you €50-60-70 depending on how long your away. Driving to Cork, Dublin or Shannon €20 - €30 in petrol etc. So, suddenly what looks like an expensive ticket isn't really. But get that through to the public.

The reliability question - Manx and AF have and had this well sussed. Manx tended to maintain at night and pre-empted problems. AF don't appear to have such huge issues.

Additional routes - AMS and PAR maybe. Only time will tell.

Sincerely,

Shamrogue

If you sign up for JetSpares and Power-by-the-hour, you know exactly what your costs will be

Just searched for Fly U on the net, no web site is apparant.

I personally wouldn't trust an airline that doesnt hav a web site.

If they're still looking for a general manager (per the Flight ad), it's not too surprising they don't have a website up.

Just because there is no website up doesnt mean there is none prob wait for the airline to be launched before putting it up