Air Wales at GLA

[Findo]

Air wales are already known to be starting a bus stop service Plymouth, Cardiff, Newcastle to Glasgow. The BAA schedule showed them with a day stop at GLA.

It now becomes apparent that they are doing a Galway return in that time.

Air Wales (http://www.galwayadvertiser.ie/dws/story.tpl?inc=2003/11/06/news/38971.html)

:cool:

[Voldermort]

This would explain why RYR announced the PIK-SNN route last week there must have been a LEEK at Air Wales!!:} I guess the good people of Galway can expect to see lots of big yellow posters with smiley 737`s on them in the very near future.I think Awyr Cymru will have to do some serious advertising to make this route work and they could start by putting it on their website :confused:

[Yak97]

I see, with the usual Air Wales attention to good schedule planning, that the article quotes a 1345 arrival & departure.

[Grange End Star]

Fairly obvious that arrival at galway is at 1315 and departure back to glasgow is at 1345.

[MerchantVenturer]

A very interesting development for Air Wales to commence a route far away from its heartland.

If this works it may encourage the airline to look for similar 'away' routes as well as within and from Wales.

I note that Airnet Wales, a group made up of Welsh airline operators and airport owners, is intent on pushing forward the long-held dream of a network of routes within Wales.

If the proposal does become a reality ( subsidies will probably be necessary for some of the sectors) it may be that Air Wales will get involved in some of these routes, although their ATRs might be too big to fill.

[flower]

I see Air Wales today have finally formerly announced the Cardiff- Brussels twice daily flight


The network that you mention Merchant Venturer could only work if heavily subsidised, Maybe a route on Mondays and Fridays only would be sufficient as rumour has it that it is for the benefit of Welsh AMs, and as they are very good at spending tax payers money on white elephants in this Country, they would think nothing of spending inordinate amounts of Welsh Taxpayers money on projects which benefit few, whereas if they help fund the long overdue motorway link from the M4 to Cardiff Wales airport it would have a major impact on the Welsh Economy.

[Flyin' High]

According to todays Irish Times the Galway-Glasgow route has been pulled. Although it still appears on Air Wales Web site.

Anyone any ideas?

(I would post a link to the full article but I seem to have a problem with it!) :hmm: :\

[nef]

They haven't really given it much chance to see what bookings are like! Maybe something to do with FR's upcoming PIK-SNN service?:confused:

[Grange End Star]

Looking at Air Wales Website, the reason given for the withdrawal is that Aer Arran are starting the same route in the not to distant future and two carriers on the same route would not be viable.

Seems fair enough

[Findo]

A Statement by Air Wales

Air Wales has decided to withdraw from the Glasgow Galway route, having learnt that Irish airline Aer Arann had already made arrangements to service the route themselves. An Air Wales spokesperson commented:

“When we announced our intention to launch this service we were unaware that any other airlines were interested in servicing the route, or indeed had imminent plans to start it. We've since discovered that our Celtic cousins at Aer Arann were themselves very close to launching the same route, and of course, it's simply not viable for two airlines to run this service. We've taken this decision out of respect for Aer Arann and wish them every success with its launch.

“Air Wales is committed to serving the best interests of travellers to and from Ireland , and we're confident that this decision is in the public's best interest. We are still committed to the expansion of the Air Wales network in Ireland and will continue to service our existing routes between Cork and Dublin


:hmm: :hmm:

However as Aer Arann have not yet announced the service and Ryanair have announced a PIK / Shannon service will anyone start to Galway ? If it is Aer Arann will they go to PIK instead ?

:confused: :confused:

[LGS6753]

Aer Arann's website tells of a Galway - Prestwick service due to start soon.
But they seem to have been rushed into it because the details are not complete, there's no timetable and no start date.

[Findo]

Aer Arann announces Galway to Glasgow Prestwick Service
Aer Arann, Ireland’s premier regional airline today announced that it is committed to operating the Galway to Glasgow Prestwick route following the news that Air Wales no longer intends to operate the service.

Aer Arann will be in a position to operate the service from December 2003, subject to satisfactory commercial negotiations with Galway Airport. A further statement will be issued in the coming weeks to confirm schedule and fare details.

Aer Arann currently operates over 90 flights per week in and out of Galway Airport on three routes including Galway to Dublin, London Luton and Manchester.

Commenting on the announcement, Jennifer Mooney, Commercial Manager Aer Arann said, “Having carried just under 115,000 passengers through Galway Airport this year, we feel we are exceptionally well positioned to operate this service and look forward to introducing what will be our third UK service from Galway Airport. This is further testament to our commitment to increasing air access to the people of Galway and the West of Ireland”

:O :O

[Topcover]

So when the lads from Galway Airport were talking to Air Wales about the proposed service to Glasgow,they er,forgot to tell them that Aer Arann were also going to start up on the route.

Right yea.

Aer Arann decided to shut the door on Air Wales.Last thing they want is Air Wales expanding into the Irish Regionals .Next they would want the PSO routes.

God ,we remember what happened last time ....who were they again ......Euro...something or other.......

[Eh Hello?]

I'm sure you'd get short odds on a bet that Aer Arann wanted this route at some stage in the future, were pretty p---ed off that Galway secured another carrier to start immediately (bird in the hand etc.) and something happened which resulted in Air Wales pulling out, allowing Aran to jump in to save the day!

Funny that Air Wales blamed their withdrawal on the fact that Arann were going to start and the REA press release says they decided to do it when Air Wales decided to pull out. Chicken, egg, chicken........

[jetstream7]

Can't remember seeing this elsewhere, but news reports today that Air Wales plan a CWL-LPL route - what about GLA though?


http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/content_objectid=13631987_method=full_siteid=50082_headline=-Air%2DWales%2Droute%2Dboosts%2Dnorth%2Dsouth%2Dlink-name_page.html


Air Wales route boosts north-south link

Nov 17 2003

Madelaine Brindley, The Western Mail


A MAJOR step towards linking North and South Wales will be taken today (mon) as the country's national airline adds new domestic routes to its portfolio.

Air Wales will for the first time provide a daily return service to Liverpool, slashing the travelling time between North and South Wales.

The Swansea-based airline today(mon) also announced plans to fly daily to Newcastle and Plymouth from Cardiff starting on December 8.

The extension of domestic flights from Cardiff International Airport brings Air Wales's portfolio of destinations to seven.

And the move comes just a week after the airline announced the start of a twice-a- day return service to Brussels from Cardiff, due to start in January, and which will replace the abandoned British Airways route.

Flights to Newcastle and Liverpool start at £49, while prices for flights to Plymouth will start at £29, both excluding taxes.

Air Wales chairman Roy Thomas said the route to Liverpool represented a major coup for the four-year-old company as the company would become the only airline to offer domestic flights to and from Merseyside.

He added, "We're delighted to be launching these important new services from Cardiff Airport.

"We know the importance of good air links to businesses in Wales and we’re confident that this new service will receive strong support from travellers in the Principality and open up countless opportunities for business in the area.

"Air Wales is a rapidly expanding airline and we are committed to increasing the portfolio of regional destinations we serve."

And Cardiff International Airport managing director Jon Horne said, "Links to Liverpool open up opportunities for people in North Wales to access the capital of the Principality."

While the principal principle focus for the new air routes is business, it is also hoped that the services will promote tourism and leisure traffic between Wales, Liverpool, the North East and South West of England.

"This route isn't just about business," said Mr Thomas. "We also anticipate it will become popular for holidaymakers wanting to get away for a short break.

"Both Liverpool and Newcastle have become extremely popular weekend destinations over the last few years and our new service means a weekend in either city will be available in only a very short flying time from Cardiff."

This is not the first time Air Wales, which also has a regular service to Cork and Dublin and offers daily flights between Swansea, Cardiff and London, has aimed to promote tourism and short breaks.

It recently launched a City Slickers surfing package in a bid to entice high-flying exec- utives away from the smog of London to the beauty of Gower and local surfing hotspots.

The extension of Air Wales' domestic portfolio also goes some way to creating a new hub for the airline at Cardiff International Airport.

Mr Horn added, "These developments herald the beginning of an Air Wales hub at the airport and open up a range of new destination opportunities for business and leisure travellers alike.

"Reconnecting Cardiff with the North-East is very welcome and had been one of our objectives for some time.

"Creating Cardiff's first ever link with Plymouth offers people throughout the South West a new range of air service connections.

"All of the new destinations enable air travel to provide a swift answer to long and tedious road or rail journeys."

* Air Wales flights are available from the booking centre on 0870 777 3131.


It's a pity there's no mention of this on the website so you can't book online...also...where's the Glasgow gone? - thought this was an extension of the NCL route

[Voldermort]

Looks like GLA was only going to be viable if they could continue to Galway which it would appear is now not going to happen.This must be some kind of record to pull out of an airport twice before ever starting,it would have been interesting to see how well the GLA-Plymouth sector would have done maybe they will try EDI or ADN as they do seem keen for a Scottish route:hmm:

[billyg]

It looks like Air Wales' lack of courage to face up to the "mighty" Aer Arrann on the Glasgow - Galway route has resulted in a total cop-out by the airline!

[Powerjet1]

Seems that Aer Arran have changed their mind about starting Galway- Glasgow PIK and have opted for Galway-Edinburgh starting 19 Dec with a daily evening flight.

[runawayedge]

British Airways franchise partner Loganair today announced the establishment of a direct air service between Glasgow and Galway and Edinburgh to Isle of Man. The new Galway service will commence operations on Monday 3 May. This niche market will be served six days per week by 34 seat Saab 340 aircraft.

With a flight time of 1 hour 15 minutes, the service will depart Glasgow at 18.40 arriving in Galway at 19.55. It then departs Galway at 20.20 arriving in Glasgow at 21.35. The service will operate daily except Saturday. Loganair will offer a single class service on board the aircraft, and business travellers can benefit from both BA Miles and On Business awards.

Loganair's Chief Executive Jim Cameron said "'this link recognises the importance of an air service between Scotland's largest city and the largest city on Ireland's western seaboard. There are strong cultural and trade links between the two regions, and we know the service will be well supported by both business and leisure passengers."

Joe Higgins, Chairman of Galway Airport said he is "delighted by Loganair's announcement and looks forward to working with the airline to develop a successful route. The airline is well established, having operated national and international flights for over forty years and I look forward to Loganair delivering the high standards of service quality set by British Airways to Galway."

Stephen Baxter, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said, "this new service is a significant boost to the two regions" and pledged his full support to developing another successful route from Glasgow.

The Edinburgh to Isle of Man service will commence on 3 May 2004 using the Saab 340 34 seat aircraft.

Operating Monday to Friday, the flight will depart Edinburgh at 09.50, arriving Isle of Man 10.45, departing Isle of Man 14.40, arriving Edinburgh 15.35.

Jim Cameron, Loganair Chief Executive said, 'The introduction of Edinburgh - Isle of Man compliments our service from Glasgow to Isle of Man which we took over from British Airways CitiExpress on 1 March 2004. We believe that there is a growing potential for business and leisure travel on these services'.

Found this on Loganair's site interesting...going back though this thread