1 BuyantUkhaa: Thanks for the info. Would you also have this data for their European flights? Why is everybody going from Caracas to Porto but not back? Holidays?
2 Kappel: INdeed strange, same as EWR-OPO and OPO-EWR. Huge difference in loadfactor.
3 Hardiwv: This is due to seasonality but apparently TAP suffers more from seasonality discrepancy than other bigger legacy carriers. Rgs,
4 JJ8080: Thanks for the numbers, Hardi. wow, 99%! Also, very good LF on routes from CCS, GIG and EWR to OPO... However, it is strange that none of the OPO depa
5 Hardiwv: The flight probably had a lot of overbookings leading pax to be rebooked on GRU-LIS. 99% is indeed amazing load factor. Overall all ruotes in Brazil
6 Carmelo: I dont get it...OPO-CCS got a 90s laodfactor but CCS-OPO only 50s...do they hate Portugal that much to not fly back?!
7 LAXintl: Such monthly directional variations are quite common globally. For instance a few days ago I posted about LF for United's Hong Kong services. A month
9 BuyantUkhaa: It's the other way around, they go to Portugal and "stay" there. It's probably seasonal, but if it isn't the reason might possibly be
10 JJ8080: True.. Overbookings would explain it. You are right, considering both FOR and REC are doing well, adding NAT to the flight would not be smart. I like
11 LipeGIG: High load factors explained by additional service cut during June. Some routes just got 50% of the scheduled service. Good for TP for sure, but still
12 C010T3: Now, we know how TP got those marvellous load factors to OPO: By cancelling flights! Passengers by route in June: Rio de Janeiro - Porto 1636 São Pau
13 Hardiwv: Performance in all routes were excellent to very good, except for NAT. It seems the right decision to merge NAT with another Northeast flight. REC is
14 LipeGIG: Thanks, just confirms that OPO-GRU-OPO got 4 flights only during june and OPO-GIG-OPO 7 flights (both should be 8 or 9). If the scheduled time table
15 JJ8080: Perhaps they should consider to open a new market.
16 Airbazar: The Portuguese have the habit of going back to Portugal in the summer to visit friends and relatives and stay a long time, as much a whole month. Wha
17 LipeGIG: OPO-EZE 3x weekly would be a very smart decision for sure.
18 Hardiwv: Lets see the numbers for LIS - GRU-LIS 8,299 pax LIS-GRU 7,691 pax GIG-LIS 6,546 pax LIS-GIG 6,213 pax Rgs,
20 Airbazar: I agree, especially with the recent announcement from Ryanair that they'll be setting up a base in OPO. I suspect TP's days there are numbered.
21 AIR MALTA: Any numbers on their european route. Have used them on BRU-LIS-BRU and I was really impressed with their crews and inflight service. I can say that th
22 Hardiwv: TAP does not need to operate in EZE because it already counts on TAM codeshare to EZE. Rgs,
23 Airbazar: Well, not exactly. That would be ok if there was enough O&D demand from/to Portugal but I suspect that's not the case. I don't think there is a lot o
24 Hardiwv: I agree there are many other options for TAP before EZE which anyway is well covered by the codeshare with TAM. TAP could capitalise on the Brazilian
25 BuyantUkhaa: I always wodered why TP doesn't fly LIS-VIE, that could have both O/D and Austrians going to various places in Brazil. I mean, TP flies to PRG, BUD, W
26 Airbazar: Here are my reasons: IST is a *A hub and Turkey is a significant tourist destination from Portugal. In addition, IST is a good alternative to FRA whe
27 LipeGIG: [/quote] If you want to carry passengers from EZE to Spain, TAM code share is not a solution as it demand 2 stops and 2 waits Agree. In order to have
28 JJ8080: Agree. And they would also be able to fill EZE-LIS with connections from SCL, ASU, MVD, LIM(?)...
29 LipeGIG: I don't think so, the market from such cities to LIS is limited and to do another connection is worst or the same IB for example already offers. EZE
30 JJ8080: Ok, thise cities doesn't have big demand to LIS, however, small demand from 4/5 cities is enough to colaborate with at least 20/30 daily pax... Regar
31 Airbazar: To tell you the truth I don't quite understand what TP's strategy is regarding OPO. Actually I'm not entirely convinced that TP knows what their state
32 Hardiwv: I was referring to traffic Portugal-Argentina only. EZE-MAD and EZE-BCN is already served and I do not see TAP playing a role here. I personally thin
33 Airbazar: Not really. For starters TAAG won't be serving many European cities, certainly not daily. Second, they are not a member of any alliance. And third, I
34 Hardiwv: You are correct. TAP will continue to dominate the corporate and business traffic to LAD, there is not doubt. On the other hand, the fact that TAAG w
35 LipeGIG: As i explained, the best strategy for an EZE flight would be to attract closer Spanish markets like Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, La Coruna and some
36 Airbazar: TP was never the only carrier between LIS and LAD, during TAAG's black list period. Just because TAAG will be flying its own metal to LIS, not much i
37 Hardiwv: You are correct. Thanks for the clarifications. TAP is now finalising its restructuring which will start with profound changes in its operations in B
38 Airbazar: I think concentrating their outbound connecting bank to Brazil in the afternoon and evening is great because it's closer to the African departures thu
39 JJ8080: I don't understand why they are doing such thing, since the only poor-performer was LIS-NAT, that AFAIK, kept the same frequencies.
40 Hardiwv: This is a very good point. In fact there is no doubt that the higher utilisation rate of TAP fleet will lead to higher yields and maximisation of hub
41 JJ8080: Agree, it's smart to aim yields since they must not have the highest ones. However, I still think that NAT should have droped in favour of another de
42 Airbazar: According to the news, NAT is going back up to 4x weekly. http://www.opcaoturismo.com/noticia.php?id=15545 I think it's worth considering that some o
43 Hardiwv: I have information that NAT goverment spent a huge amount in promotional activities in Portugal. On the other hand, the reduction of charter flighst
44 LipeGIG: This is good news. I expect NAT to recover in the upcoming winter season when the traffic to Northeast is stronger. I'm sure that NAT (Rio Grande do
45 LatinThug: I've read recently that TAP are considering serving BEY (Beirut) as the next destination in the euro-med area. Do you think this would be a good optio
46 Hardiwv: Of course TAP did they homework. Brazil has the biggest Lebanese and Syrian community living abroad, mostly in Sao Paulo, and the market Brazil-BEY i
47 BuyantUkhaa: But MS already flies LIS-CAI. As said, VIE would be good, both for O/D and connecting two Star Alliance hubs.
48 LatinThug: what would be the benefits of serving CAI ??
49 JJ8080: I wrongly had in mind that it was already a 4x weekly service. Anyway, I hope LFs improve now with a bigger/better schedule and better overall market
50 LipeGIG: You will rely on BEL-Europa market as i doubt they will attract leisure traffic the other way. BEL is too limited, and with a little business market.
51 Hardiwv: I forgot MS already flies LIS-CAI in codeshare with TAP. I agree with Lipe and I do not think BEL would work and now is the wrong time to open any ne
52 LipeGIG: If they open LIS-POA-NAT-LIS, three days a week, to complement the service to NAT, this might work in my view. POA provides good cargo, good VFR beca
53 Rafabozzolla: Are you really suggesting that NAT bound pax should fly to POA and back??? If TP want to fly to southern Brazil, they now can with the overnights to
54 JJ8080: Your point is tottaly valid. Maybe, MAO would be a better tag than BEL... Plenty of eco-tourism and also some business... Sorry if I got you wrong an
55 LipeGIG: No, nothing changes on current LIS-NAT. I'm suggesting 3x weekly LIS-POA with return POA-NAT-LIS No, POA alone would take care of the flight LIS-POA.
56 Gayrugbyman: Why do TAP fly to places such as LUX, but not to major cities such as MAN/BHX or EDI? Can there really be a market betwen Portugak and Luxembourg?! Th
57 Airbazar: 13% of the population in Luxemburg is of Portuguese nationality. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_Luxembourger
58 LipeGIG: TP could use places like MAN and other market in UK and Europe to connect Portugal and also to feed their operations to South America, which could be
59 Hardiwv: " target=_blank>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugu...urger Luxemburg and Switzerland both have substantive Portuguese communities which explains wh
60 LatinThug: I believe TAP wont expand in the UK as they have a codeshare in place with BMI, that covers MAN BHX and EDI. Previously Portugalia had flights to MAN
61 LipeGIG: HAM is an interesting destination as there's a Portuguese community. TP already serve HAM. I believe what Hardi want to say was MAN and not HAM.
62 Hardiwv: Thanks, Lipe. I meant MAN. And as you point out I agree HAM must be a destination with good returns to TAP and surely some very good feed to Brazil.
63 LatinThug: where else in europe should TP expand?
64 Hardiwv: In my point of view: Europe - VIE, IST, DUS and Berlin. Rgs,
65 LipeGIG: Based on the potential of business to Brazil and some business to US and Angola Athens Stavenger (oil) Manchester Plus Istanbul Tel Aviv
66 Hardiwv: ATH has very poor yields, MAN has potential, while SVG has narrow traffic focused on oil and nowadays is very much a captive market of KLM and to les
67 LipeGIG: TP decided also to run LIS-GIG 10 weekly with 3 daylight operations LIS-GIG-LIS on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Therefore, GIG will have 12 week
68 LipeGIG: ATH is a low to middle yield but it's also high yield as wealthy individuals like to visit the country, and TP can attract the traffic to Brazil. SVG
69 LatinPlane: With regards to TAP's other African destinations, how are those perfoming? Particularly the countries that were ex-Portuguese colonies: Sao Tome & Pri
70 Hardiwv: Lipe, SVG is a very thin market and LIS is no hub to attract enough traffic from SVG. KLM has the hub location and density which makes SVG possible 4
71 LipeGIG: Load factor (average of the two directions) - June/09 Dakar - 73% Sal - 57% Bissau - 76% Casablanca - 65% Sao Tome - 70% Luanda - 73% Maputo - 86% Th
72 Hardiwv: ATH, VIE, IST have potential and in fact I think there is a chance for TAP-operated flight. Regarding a thin and narrow market such as SVG in which t
73 LipeGIG: So we disagree. I do believe there's market considering EWR, LAD, GIG and of course Portugal it self, to run a profitable operation SVG-LIS with ERJ1
74 WINGS: Would such a route even be profitable with an E145? I have serious doubts about this. Currently the F100 would likely be the best option, both in ter
75 LipeGIG: I considered a small plane, but even the F100 is a good equipment to perform such route. And i agree, considering E-Jets as the entry-level plane for
76 WINGS: I also agree. The E-Jets family would be the ideal aircraft for Portugalia's fleet renewal program. The F100 at times can be large for certain routes
77 LatinThug: when is the portugalia fleet renewal actually happening? this has been ongoing for years now... and how many aircraft would the go for?
78 LipeGIG: Agree, it's a better equipment (on a cost basis point of view) than a regional jet for 50 seats, and fits small markets and places with small runways
79 Airbazar: At this point I'm not so sure there will be a Portugalia left for much longer. The aquisition of PGA has caused nothing but trouble for TAP, and with
80 WINGS: While I agree that Portugalia have caused Tap some recent headaches, they are not in a position to weigh down Tap. The loss accounted by Portugalia i
81 Airbazar: That wasn't my point. My point is that TP won't be allowed to buy any new aircraft any time soon given the huge losses that they are experiencing. I
82 BuyantUkhaa: But TK already flies LIS-IST, and weren't they a Star Alliance partner already, or soon to be? Does the E145 have the range for that?
83 Hardiwv: I forgot about it. Is TK codesharing with TAP on LIS-IST? I think the major destination missing from TAP network is VIE which is also a Star hub. The
84 LipeGIG: Would be very good for both Embraer and even more to TAP. Europe is a very competitive market and many new routes for sure present possible daily loa
85 Hardiwv: Here are the number of July, another holiday month (with more demand for loads rather than premium seats) - Top routes (load factor) - 1. EWR-OPO 99%
86 Airbazar: I don't see TAAG affecting TAP all that much. Remember that SAA was operating a daily 744 on behalf of TAAG before ,so there's really not that big of
87 Hardiwv: I think there is a chance for more frequencies LIS-EWR. As I mentioned and you agreed, EWR seems the perfect destination for TAP to expand service be
88 C010T3: I'm sorry, but when did they stop exactly?[Edited 2009-08-21 06:02:55]
89 Hardiwv: Continental started LIS in 1997 and has continued service since with B757. My mistake, what happened is that in 2004 Continental and TAP terminated t
90 LipeGIG: Yes, it's a holiday month but they are able to charge a premium (peak season) plus, with planes full, they got some very interesting Y higher fares.
91 C010T3: It's funny how you have a problem with LIS. First, HAM and CAI weren't served from LIS, now, CO stopped flying EWR-LIS.
92 Hardiwv: You are completely right. TAP fares remain very high, for example, AMS-Northeast Brazil in Y for limited stay are currently EUR 2,400 or over USD 3,5
93 Airbazar: They already serve EWR twice daily (from LIS and OPO), plus CO serves EWR-LIS. I think they would be better off going after another connecting and O&
94 Hardiwv: In the case of TAP makes sense to cut capacity, from end August business demand picks up and has stronger demand. KLM for example will add capacity i
95 Airbazar: It would have to be a city with a good mix or O&D and *A connections. SFO, YYZ, and BOS come to mind as the stronger candidates. MIA would be another
96 Pyrex: What strong leisure demand from Portugal? I have yet to meet a Portuguese person that has either been to Miami or is remotely interested. Portuguese
97 Airbazar: You must not know the right people then There are charters between LIS and Florida (White flies to FLL, and other fly with charters out of Spain), an
98 LatinThug: Whats stopping TAP and SATA code-sharing on the LIS-BOS route ?? I think that would be the next logical step for TAP to take in the North American mar
99 Airbazar: Actually a small news article I read today hints that they may be starting new destinations this year as a tactic to combat the crisis: http://econom
100 LatinThug: Can you add to that information.... will the new destinations be long haul or in Europe/Med area?
101 Airbazar: The article doesn't hint at any specific destinations. It simply states that they may be opening up new destination still in 2009.
LatinThug From Portugal, joined Jan 2007, 26 posts, RR: 0 Reply 102, posted (2 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 2199 times:
ok if i think logically... they dont have enough long haul aircraft to start a new far-away destination, therefore it must be in short-medium haul...
There were rumours of starting flights to BEY... another option might be ATH, Cairo or IST, but they already code-share on the latter two routes, so unlikely... where else ??
Hardiwv From Netherlands, joined Oct 2004, 7468 posts, RR: 57 Reply 103, posted (2 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 2181 times:
Quoting LatinThug (Reply 102): ok if i think logically... they dont have enough long haul aircraft to start a new far-away destination, therefore it must be in short-medium haul...
Also considering that TAP will start operating LIS-GRU, LIS-GIG and LIS-BSB red-eye on both legs increasing ground time in these airports significantly reducing operational use of aircraft.
Quoting LatinThug (Reply 102): There were rumours of starting flights to BEY... another option might be ATH, Cairo or IST, but they already code-share on the latter two routes, so unlikely... where else ??
VIE could represent a very good opportunity: it is a Star hub, good corporate and leisure demand (plus one of the world's biggest conference destinations), and Sky Europe (the only player in this market) offers very bad schedule and is filing for bankruptcy. VIE is also among Europe's top 20 busiest airports (20 million/pax year - bigger than BRU, for example) and one of the few with traffic increasing (+5%).
As mentioned above, MAN or ATH could also be good targets.
Airbazar From United States, joined Sep 2003, 3887 posts, RR: 9 Reply 104, posted (2 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 2156 times:
Quoting LatinThug (Reply 102): ok if i think logically... they dont have enough long haul aircraft to start a new far-away destination, therefore it must be in short-medium haul...
Didn't they announce that they were parking aircraft this Fall as they reduce frequencies to their Brazilian cities? Also, doesn't OPO-EWR end at the end of the Summer? I'm pretty sure there will be a couple of A330's sitting around somewhere. But then again, it's more likely that they would be adding short-haul destinations. My guess would be Eastern and Northern Europe for the "snow-birds"
Quoting Hardiwv (Reply 103): Also considering that TAP will start operating LIS-GRU, LIS-GIG and LIS-BSB red-eye on both legs increasing ground time in these airports significantly reducing operational use of aircraft.
Which would allow them to deploy the aircraft to some other destination rather than have them parked in LIS all day.
LatinThug From Portugal, joined Jan 2007, 26 posts, RR: 0 Reply 105, posted (2 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 2156 times:
Where else in Northern Europe?
They already fly to Copenhagen,Olso, Stockholm and Helsinki... are you suggesting St.Petersburg ????
as for Eastern Europe... is there much demand for LIS - Bucharest or Sofia ?
Moldova and Ukraine might be interesting due to the large number of immigrants from those countries working in Portugal - but this would be very low yield VFR traffic and the traffic connecting onto long-haul at LIS would be negligable..
Hardiwv From Netherlands, joined Oct 2004, 7468 posts, RR: 57 Reply 106, posted (2 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 2139 times:
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 104): Which would allow them to deploy the aircraft to some other destination rather than have them parked in LIS all day.
They will be used to run GRU and GIG because OPO-GRU/GIG will continue daylight and additional LIS-GRU/GIG flights will also operate daylight. In addition, daylight flights to Northeast Brazil and CNF could also use the early morning A330 arrival aircraft.
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 104): I'm pretty sure there will be a couple of A330's sitting around somewhere. But then again, it's more likely that they would be adding short-haul destinations. My guess would be Eastern and Northern Europe for the "snow-birds"
They will be parked during the day in GRU/GIG/BSB because of new red-eye schedule. This will bring TAP operations in line with competition as GRU/GIG is full of aircraft parked during the day to allow for capturing higher yielding markets/pax.
The only European airlines still operating daylight schedules in GRU/GIG are KLM (GRU), IB (GRU, second daily flight), IB (GIG), BA (GIG), AF (GRU and GIG for second daily flight) and of course TAP (GRU and GIG for additional LIS and OPO flights).
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 104): Also, doesn't OPO-EWR end at the end of the Summer?
OPO-EWR will be discontinued. OPO-GIG and OPO-GRU will continue daylight, but with less frequencies.
Quoting LatinThug (Reply 105): They already fly to Copenhagen,Olso, Stockholm and Helsinki... are you suggesting St.Petersburg ????
as for Eastern Europe... is there much demand for LIS - Bucharest or Sofia ?
The best would be to reinforce position in existing markets such as OSL or CPH because of the creation of more long-haul hub banks in LIS due to red-eye operations in GRU/GIG/BSB.
BuyantUkhaa From Mongolia, joined May 2004, 2491 posts, RR: 3 Reply 108, posted (2 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 2067 times:
Quoting LatinThug (Reply 105): Moldova and Ukraine might be interesting due to the large number of immigrants from those countries working in Portugal - but this would be very low yield VFR traffic and the traffic connecting onto long-haul at LIS would be negligable..
But those already have direct flights from their home carriers, and TP codeshares with PS on LIS-KBP.
I agree that VIE would be the most obvious new destination, but of course increased frequencies to strong destinations could be an option. Perhaps DUS as it has a large catchment area, but I must confess I really don't know if there is much market potential.
What about new flights to N Africa with ERJ/Fokker aircraft, let's say Algiers or Tunis? They could act as feeder flights for Brazil in the former case, and also serve tourism in the latter.
Pyrex From Portugal, joined Aug 2005, 2342 posts, RR: 18 Reply 110, posted (2 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 2032 times:
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 97): You must not know the right people then There are charters between LIS and Florida (White flies to FLL, and other fly with charters out of Spain), and CO sells a lot of package deals in the Summer months to Florida. That's how they keep the flights full in both directions. There's also a good number of Portuguese people living in South Florida up and down the gold coast. the Portuguese do not go to Florida for the beaches. They go there to experience Miami beach, to catch a Caribbean cruise, and to visit DisneyWorld.
Maybe, but the Disneyland and Caribbean cruise market is better served by charter airlines, no? You also have plenty of flights from LIS to Cancun, Havana, Punta Cana, etc. for all the package tour operators but I don't see TP starting those routes any time soon.
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 97): There's less walking involved in transfering between term.E and term.B in BOS than between piers A/B and pier E at AMS.
Yes but (correct me if I am wrong, haven't been in AMS in a while) your walk is inside the terminal and past security, not outside in the freezing Boston winter only to have to go past TSA again, is it not?
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 104): My guess would be Eastern and Northern Europe for the "snow-birds"
But where else could they fly? They already serve CPH, OSL, ARN and HEL, and increasing capacity in those routes can be done very easily ad-hoc by replacing A319s/A320s with A321s as needed.
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 104): Which would allow them to deploy the aircraft to some other destination rather than have them parked in LIS all day.
Maybe do a GRU/GIG-EZE/SCL tag-on instead of sitting around in Brazil all day? One can only dream...
Quoting BuyantUkhaa (Reply 108): What about new flights to N Africa with ERJ/Fokker aircraft, let's say Algiers or Tunis?
Not sure about Tunis (doesn't Tunisair already fly that route) but Algiers has a lot of potential. There is a lot of business demand between Lisbon and Algiers (oil, banking, construction industry, etc.) and I am sure TAP would at the very least be able to command very healthy yields with an ERJ.
Read this very carefully, I shall write this only once!
Airbazar From United States, joined Sep 2003, 3887 posts, RR: 9 Reply 111, posted (2 months 2 weeks 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 2012 times:
Quoting Hardiwv (Reply 106): They will be parked during the day in GRU/GIG/BSB because of new red-eye schedule. This will bring TAP operations in line with competition as GRU/GIG is full of aircraft parked during the day to allow for capturing higher yielding markets/pax.
Every single A330/A340 flight arrives from Brazil/Africa/US early in the morning. MPM/JNB/LAD/GRU/GIG depart late at night. You will have at least 4 widebody aircraft sitting on the tarmac in LIS all day and evening unless I'm missing something very obvious. That's enough time to do a R/T of about 2000nm. That covers all of Europe and N.Africa. With some adjustment of the schedule, there's even enough time to send a plane out to the Middle East.
Quoting Pyrex (Reply 110): Yes but (correct me if I am wrong, haven't been in AMS in a while) your walk is inside the terminal and past security, not outside in the freezing Boston winter only to have to go past TSA again, is it not?
You don't have to set foot outside in BOS if you chose to walk which is comparable to the distance in AMS and a whole lot shorter than what you have to walk between terminals at LHR or JFK for example. Even if you chose to take the inter-teminal bus, you're never exposed to the weather as the bus pulls up right in front of the terminal door which is covered.
Hardiwv From Netherlands, joined Oct 2004, 7468 posts, RR: 57 Reply 112, posted (2 months 2 weeks 2 days ago) and read 1964 times:
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 111): Every single A330/A340 flight arrives from Brazil/Africa/US early in the morning. MPM/JNB/LAD/GRU/GIG depart late at night. You will have at least 4 widebody aircraft sitting on the tarmac in LIS all day and evening unless I'm missing something very obvious.
There are plenty of routes which depart LIS in the morning: NE Brazil, CNF, additonal GRU/GIG daylight flights and even EWR, and then there is the interchange of the 4 weekly LIS-OPO-GIG-/GRU flights which also have morning departure. I am sure TAP will co-ordinate aircraft deployment to enhance utilisation ratio.
But if TAP has some aircraft in the tarmac iddle it is not bad as it will certainly help improve TAP on-time performance, one of its weakest point because of the extremely high aircraft utilisation factor so far.
Airbazar From United States, joined Sep 2003, 3887 posts, RR: 9 Reply 113, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1927 times:
Quoting Hardiwv (Reply 112): There are plenty of routes which depart LIS in the morning: NE Brazil, CNF, additonal GRU/GIG daylight flights and even EWR, and then there is the interchange of the 4 weekly LIS-OPO-GIG-/GRU flights which also have morning departure.
I'm not disputing that. I'm just saying that all of TP's arrivals are in the morning, so if a flight is departing at night that plane will have arrived in LIS in the morning. TP does not have any afternoon long-haul arrivals, AFAIK.
Quoting Hardiwv (Reply 112): But if TAP has some aircraft in the tarmac iddle it is not bad as it will certainly help improve TAP on-time performance, one of its weakest point because of the extremely high aircraft utilisation factor so far.
Nah. The biggest culprid of TP's delays are the lazy employees of Groundforce. There's absolutely no excuse why at an airport as small as LIS, a piece of luggage should take an hour to come out (or be loaded). These from a group of people whose cost is 20+% above the European average. Absolutely ridiculous. And they still have the nerve to go on strike.
Hardiwv From Netherlands, joined Oct 2004, 7468 posts, RR: 57 Reply 114, posted (2 months 2 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 1803 times:
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 113): Nah. The biggest culprid of TP's delays are the lazy employees of Groundforce. There's absolutely no excuse why at an airport as small as LIS, a piece of luggage should take an hour to come out (or be loaded). These from a group of people whose cost is 20+% above the European average. Absolutely ridiculous. And they still have the nerve to go on strike.
I think you have a point, especially consideirng that KLM also operates with an extremely high aircraft utilisation ratio but maintains a very good on time performance. The issue is that TAP long-haul fleet is much smaller, and although I recognise that "ground-related issues" such a baggage handling have an influence, if an aircraft is delayed because of weather or unscheduled maintenance it could generate a spill-over effect leading to delays. I have no doubt that TAP punctuality will improve.
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 113): I'm not disputing that. I'm just saying that all of TP's arrivals are in the morning, so if a flight is departing at night that plane will have arrived in LIS in the morning. TP does not have any afternoon long-haul arrivals, AFAIK
You are correct, I see your point. But as I said, in the current crisis many airlines have idle aircraft, BA and VS already grounded several airplanes, KLM even leased airplane to partner KQ. And in the case of TAP you also have the issue of schedule improvement to enhance yields. But I agree that perhaps some of the parked aircraft could have some use to operate some medium-haul routes (North Africa?) or to enhance capacity in existing European routes.
BuyantUkhaa From Mongolia, joined May 2004, 2491 posts, RR: 3 Reply 115, posted (2 months 2 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 1588 times:
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 113): Nah. The biggest culprid of TP's delays are the lazy employees of Groundforce. There's absolutely no excuse why at an airport as small as LIS, a piece of luggage should take an hour to come out (or be loaded). These from a group of people whose cost is 20+% above the European average. Absolutely ridiculous. And they still have the nerve to go on strike.
And it seems they will, tomorrow and the day after. I can see why TAP is keen to get rid of them...
Airbazar From United States, joined Sep 2003, 3887 posts, RR: 9 Reply 116, posted (2 months 2 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 1579 times:
Quoting BuyantUkhaa (Reply 115): And it seems they will, tomorrow and the day after. I can see why TAP is keen to get rid of them...
Unfortunately TP can't get rid of Groundforce becuase they own it and as we know TP is a government company. At least this time the government seems to be siding with TP rather than the Union.
Airbazar From United States, joined Sep 2003, 3887 posts, RR: 9 Reply 117, posted (2 months 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 1259 times:
Looks like August performed slightly better than last year, at least in regards to passenger numbers: 1.7% increase compared with August 2008.
Also of interest, during the months of June and July, the 3 new routes showed the best LF of all European destinations. Of course, most other European destinations have multiple daily frequencies so it's like comparing apples and oranges. But here are the numbers: MOW 78%, HEL 75%, WAW 75%.
LipeGIG From Brazil, joined May 2005, 7807 posts, RR: 63 Reply 118, posted (2 months 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 1165 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
Also August show impressive growth on LAD route, that become the 2nd largest and probably will become the first soon. LAD, GIG and GRU (in alphabetical order) seems to me the 3 best performing long haul routes.
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 117): Of course, most other European destinations have multiple daily frequencies so it's like comparing apples and oranges. But here are the numbers: MOW 78%, HEL 75%, WAW 75%.
To me, this shows that there's more spaces and markes waiting to be served by TP. Considering it's position in LAD, GIG and CCS, three important oil markets, i believe TP should invest in markets that originate such traffic.
Airbazar From United States, joined Sep 2003, 3887 posts, RR: 9 Reply 119, posted (2 months 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 1072 times:
Quoting LipeGIG (Reply 118): To me, this shows that there's more spaces and markes waiting to be served by TP. Considering it's position in LAD, GIG and CCS, three important oil markets, i believe TP should invest in markets that originate such traffic.
With Europe continuously decreasing its dependency on foreign oil and increased use of renewable energy, that would mean that TP needs to extend its reach to places like China and other "far off" emerging economies. Surely not an easy thing to step into.
LipeGIG From Brazil, joined May 2005, 7807 posts, RR: 63 Reply 120, posted (2 months 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 1034 times:
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Quoting Airbazar (Reply 119): With Europe continuously decreasing its dependency on foreign oil and increased use of renewable energy, that would mean that TP needs to extend its reach to places like China and other "far off" emerging economies. Surely not an easy thing to step into
Agree, but i mean that Europe continue to provide substantial part of human resources required for the deep oil exploration. I can tell you Rio receives more than 10,000 europeans with short workers visa related to oil every year (plus a bigger number for limited visits related to research, drilling and support activities) and i'm sure LAD would receive a good number also. These valuable human resources come from some places in Europe where the oil business is strong, and in general fly premium classes or purchase last minute tickets.
Flying to CCS, LAD and GIG more than any other airline in Europe (more than AF/KL and more than IB), TP could be taking more advantage of this, even creating a real "Petroleum Club".
To Asia, i believe India could be a better place to link considering the business ties will be bigger, with more Indian companies investing in Brazil. TP could get some advantage of the fact EK and other "linking" carriers do not fly to GIG and CCS, and offer limited service to LAD.
C010T3 From Brazil, joined Jul 2006, 1786 posts, RR: 15 Reply 121, posted (2 months 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 1030 times:
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 119): With Europe continuously decreasing its dependency on foreign oil and increased use of renewable energy, that would mean that TP needs to extend its reach to places like China and other "far off" emerging economies. Surely not an easy thing to step into.
It's funny you should say that, because Galp's president said that Portugal has become self-sufficient in terms of energy because of Brazil:
Airbazar From United States, joined Sep 2003, 3887 posts, RR: 9 Reply 122, posted (2 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 907 times:
Quoting C010T3 (Reply 121): It's funny you should say that, because Galp's president said that Portugal has become self-sufficient in terms of energy because of Brazil:
"Energy independence" is a very vague statement. What the article doesn't state is that the reason Portugal can achieve energy independence is because of their increasing shift towards renewable energy. IIRC, today more than 40% of all the energy consumed in Portugal comes from renewable sources. I believe that's the highest in Europe. Europe is now looking to North Africa to build huge solar panel fields that could supply, by some estimates, up to 25% of all energy requirements for Europe. Portugal is already there due greatly in part to its geographic location.
WINGS From Portugal, joined May 2005, 2780 posts, RR: 74 Reply 123, posted (2 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 894 times:
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 122):
"Energy independence" is a very vague statement. What the article doesn't state is that the reason Portugal can achieve energy independence is because of their increasing shift towards renewable energy. IIRC, today more than 40% of all the energy consumed in Portugal comes from renewable sources. I believe that's the highest in Europe. Europe is now looking to North Africa to build huge solar panel fields that could supply, by some estimates, up to 25% of all energy requirements for Europe. Portugal is already there due greatly in part to its geographic location.
I don't believe that Portugal has reached the 40% target. I also believe that this figure only relates to ''electricity''.
Airbazar From United States, joined Sep 2003, 3887 posts, RR: 9 Reply 124, posted (2 months 3 days ago) and read 785 times:
Quoting WINGS (Reply 123): I don't believe that Portugal has reached the 40% target. I also believe that this figure only relates to ''electricity''.
I think you're right nevertheless the march towards independence from foreign oil continues. The World's largest solar energy power plant is in Portugal and the majority of Portugal's electricity today is from hydroelectric powerplants. I believe the 40% mark for electricity has been surpassed.
WINGS From Portugal, joined May 2005, 2780 posts, RR: 74 Reply 125, posted (2 months 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 711 times:
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 124): I think you're right nevertheless the march towards independence from foreign oil continues.
Correct.
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 124): The World's largest solar energy power plant is in Portugal
Correct.
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 124): I believe the 40% mark for electricity has been surpassed.
I have checked out the numbers, and I do believe that you are correct. Portugal apparently achieved this mark in 2008. We are now aiming for 50% of all electricity consumption coming from renewable sources by 2010. Amazing when you take into account the EU's goal of just 20% by the year 2020.
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