ORK sounds interesting - would there be a market? Today 17:34
Manx Airlines did IOM ORK in the early 90s with J41/SH6 one a 2 weekly schedule i think it did well when it flew in the summer months.

I think that it was only for 2 seasons.

Dublin is served twice daily from IOM with a DUB based ATR42 machine. The LCY service is IOM based with an ATR72.

I was not aware the IOM-DUB was PSO funded - who pays for it?:confused:

IOM-DUB is not a PSO, but the Irish domestic PSOs are under threat for which, afaik, the ATR42s are mainly used.

RE do have CWL/BLK/INV as well as IOM as non-PSO DUB routes which I think are operated with DUB based aircraft, so if the PSO goes away would they drop those routes as well? They could probably keep 1 DUB based ATR busy which would secure the future of the DUB-IOM route provided it is performing well financially

If the non-PSO routes are sustainable now then what difference should the PSO routes make? Other than maybe some scheduled time changes?:confused:

PSO and non-PSO routes are currently interworked, but as you say schedule changes can get around that. The main difference if PSO routes go away is the loss of economies of scale. Costs per aircraft will probably go up at the DUB base compared to what they are now since the nuymber of based aircraft there would probably be reduced

Is DUB not Aer Arann's main base and HQ? Without DUB they wouldn't really have a large operation would they?

A few aircraft based here and there with a few in Cork and that would be about it!

Manx2 website says they are only offering a limited service on the route until after the New Year period. Anyone know why?

AFAIK, the main reason why RE have kept the ATR42s is because it is somewhat tricky to get the ATR72 into places like Sligo or Donegal (plus there is probably no demand for a 70 seater anyway). Aer Arann would need to sort out if it is worth keeping just one ATR42 for markets such as INV, BLK, CWL or IOM is sensible or not.

I think the main issue is whether or not Aer Arann would keep the ATR42 if they should lose the PSO - and if not, whether or not IOM could sustain an ATR72. The route has 3.500 pax/month, which would give a decent 80% load on a daily ATR72, but only 40% or so with a double-daily flight. Question therefore is if the market does need a day return option or not. If so, anything larger than an ATR42 might be a problem and a Manx2.com 4x daily 19seater service the better solution.


Their CEO said a couple of months ago that RE is interested in getting ACMi work overseas in order to get a bit less dependent on their scheduled services across the Irish sea.

MUFC
M2 are probably offering a limited service as a result of Eastern's load factors and because they have to fit the flights into existing schedules without additional aircraft.

I would suggest a) using whatever spare a/c capacity they have available within the existing fleet and :-
b) Eastern aimed at the business market with high fares and Manx 2 need to test market reaction to a different type of service.

I feel sure that they will very quickly be able to read the market and all being well, be able to offer a permanent service with increased frequencies.

The CAA stats for August (partially), Sept and Oct will make interesting reading. The route currently carries between 450 and 550 pax monthly.

Has anyone noticed the new timetable format? I have looked at it in detail and it really is a complete mess particularly the Belfast flights! For a start it doesn't show which flights operate to BFS and which ones to BHD. In addition, the dates of operation are totally confusing.

BTW, I did e-mail the airline twice for clarification but alas got no response from them which is a pity as the website is otherwise well laid out and user friendly.

Virginblue you are right about the Atr 72 operation into short runways.they do like having the atr42's for them. But there is no discussion on having a 42 or a 72 on different routes, Thats the beauty of the 72, the overheads are close to the same. All crew's are rated on both aircraft. When the demand on a route is high they can put a 72 on it or when its quiet just a 42. All RE routes are the same. Thats why you see the likes of DUB BLK having a 42 during the week and a 72 at the weekends. If the demand is there they can put a 72 on it. They have options for 4 more 72 500's with ATR. Reasons I am sure they have not taken them is good leases on 42's that they have had a long time and also the lack of demand on the PSO routes for bigger aircraft. Im not totally sure is it still but RE's biggest base is Galway with Dublin second with one less aircraft. ORK has only 2 and WAT IOM having one each.

Are the NHS IOM - CEG flights still running?

No, they finished in early July

Any news on how the new IOM-NCL route is doing?

IOM-NCL
 

As far as I am aware, the route is out-performing all expectations, and as a result they will go double daily (Fridays only) from end of this month.

Looking at the schedules for March onwards, they are currently offering 10 flights per week for all of Summer 2010; Once Daily on Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun and Twice Daily Mon, Wed & Fri.

Think the latest press release stated the load factor was at around 60-70% for most flights up to start of October (12-13 pax per sector).

Eastern proved there was a demand and with lower fares and fewer seats to flog - Manx2 are on to a winner!

It's not rocket science-boat costs £200+ with car then a 2.5 hr drive to N.E. you can get flight and book hire car for less, why did Ricky Lake not think of this ???

It would seem Manx2 are much more shrewd operators now than Eastern! The route works but not with the Eastern business model. Simples