Aer Arann pull out of PIK

[billyg]

It didn't take the new Euromanx GLA-IOM route long to put paid to PIK-IOM. Arann spokesman said that it appeared that pax wanted to use Gla and not Pik, begs the question as to why Arann didn't use Gla from the outset!

[runawayedge]

billyg would be obliged if you could point me to, or post that press release:8

[billyg]

The story was in the Glasgow Herald on Wed the 3rd!

[Findo]

From the Isle of Manonline


AIRLINE SCRAPS GLASGOW FLIGHTS
04 December 2003


FLIGHTS to Glasgow's Prestwick airport will be halted from early next month.



Launched just nine months ago by Aer Arann, the route has performed disappointingly.

Low passenger figures have forced the decision to scrap the service from January 8.

However, the company has promised to review the situation to see if the route could reinstated.

'While disappointed with the development the consistently low load factors experienced on the route since its launch last May necessitated the airline's decision to suspend services,' a spokesman said.

'Aer Arann will monitor market conditions over the coming months to assess whether a commercially viable service can be reinstated in the long term.'

It's another blow for travellers coming just weeks after confirmation British Airways CitiExpress is scrapping four routes: Dublin, Liverpool, Birmingham and Glasgow.

While new operators have been found for two routes – Eastern Airways for Birmingham and Loganair for Glasgow – no replacements will be found for the remaining routes.

About 60 BA ground staff jobs remain in doubt although talks are continuing to see if the new operators could take on some of the workers.

BA CitiExpress has made a commitment to its core business services, to Gatwick, Manchester and Luton.

Last month EuroManx, which has not been in negotiations with BA, announced extra services to Dublin and Liverpool plus a new service to Glasgow which should help offset the loss of Aer Arran's Scottish connection.

Transport Minister John Shimmin has admitted talks are continuing with airlines over increasing and improving links, but no firm plans have been announced.

[ALLMCC]

Funny how Aer Aranns' press release when they pulled the plug on Belfast City - Dublin was almost exactly the same after only operating the route for 8 weeks! The main reason for poor load factors on this service was down to absurd timings and a poor fare structure.

The fact that almost certainly the a/c were required for the increased Dublin - Cork services following the Aer Lingus withdrawal would also have been a factor!

It would be nice if airlines would at least be honest when citing reasons for withdrawing services!

[OCC]

Also nearly word for word the same reason as given for stopping the DUB-SNN route !!!

OCC

[runawayedge]

Thanks for the help. Interesting they do not post bad news releases on their web pages

[ALLMCC]

Yes but then most airlines do their homework first before starting a route and then give it longer than a few weeks to prove itself (with the possible exception of Air Wales of course who seem to drop routes before they've even started)!

The "headless chicken" syndrome springs to mind!

[runawayedge]

Would tend to agree.....a spokesperson for an airline that says they don't know if passengers prefer Glasgow or Prestwick is indicative of an airline that goes with the wind rather than evaluating the commercial feasability of a potential route