Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
Eirules wrote:The people on here who screamed for MHQ have gotten their result. Hospital & ICU at record lows, connectivity & aviation jobs also the same. For now I’ll refrain from naming names but I really hope that those of you who demanded in January that we become Craggy island are now offering
Jobs to the hundreds effected. If not, shame on you, you got what you demanded & I’m happy to name / expose you
OA260 wrote:If the Emerald Airlines deal falls through then its probably curtains for Aer Lingus Regional as we know it and the routes ( only most profitable ones ) will be carved up between EI and BA leaving a void that may not be filled.
BrianDromey wrote:So replacing 3+ ATR flights with 1x daily A320, timed for connections might be the way EI replaces EIR in the short to medium term.
Phen wrote:BrianDromey wrote:So replacing 3+ ATR flights with 1x daily A320, timed for connections might be the way EI replaces EIR in the short to medium term.
Yes it will be interesting to see what happens there. I wonder if Emerald gets delayed or falls through, if EI would consider A319s again and operate the likes of DUB-EDI or DUB-BRS themselves (perhaps though with reduced frequency) and timed to cater for TA connections. I imagine it could be relatively easy to source a few 319s within the group if they so wanted.
Phen wrote:Yes it will be interesting to see what happens there. I wonder if Emerald gets delayed or falls through, if EI would consider A319s again and operate the likes of DUB-EDI or DUB-BRS themselves (perhaps though with reduced frequency) and timed to cater for TA connections. I imagine it could be relatively easy to source a few 319s within the group if they so wanted.
dstc47 wrote:My regrets concerning the Stobart failure, many authors not least Covid but EI may have a big question to answer about the award of the contract to Emerald, the details of this deal might come out now.
RTE reporting this morning that the future of Lufthansa Tecnik at SNN is also under review.
BestWestern wrote:Stobart / Aer Arann was a great operator for the many years they’ve flown regional routes. They filled a great niche in Ireland, and tried many routes that a larger aircraft couldn’t be profitable on
Ryanair was a Thorn in their side in Shannon, with RE taking over routes that FR dropped. As soon as RE built them to twice or thrice daily, FR would restart, and the whole circle began again.
The mess with Flybe and the instability within Stobart hasn’t helped at all. I know that many here are dumping on EI for switching regional suppliers, but that’s businesss. It’s tough being a contract supplier, as it always comes to Price. EI at the start we’re excellent partners - going as far as acquiring ATRs for the operation.
Hopefully this is an opening for CityJet to step in. Perhaps Air Nostrum is more likely.
EISG1129 wrote:I would echo the comments made by others that Aer Arann/Stobart Air were a great operator and they filled a niche in the Irish market.
Back in the Aer Arann days, they established quite a reasonable network of domestic routes (when there were more than two routes from DUB that had PSO contracts), and they also established quite a respectable number of regional routes to the UK from the smaller airports such as GWY and WAT. These were routes which it simply would have made no economic sense for an airline such as EI or FR to attempt to operate with an aircraft the size of an A320 or 737-800.
While the routes from the smaller regional airports such as GWY and WAT are long gone and have been since roughly 2011/2012, some of the routes established in the Aer Arann days, such as DUB-IOM and DUB-BRS, transferred over to Aer Lingus Regional and kept on operating up until the problems in aviation brought on by COVID-19. I lived on the Isle of Man for about three years and as such flew with RE from DUB to IOM on a regular basis during that time. It would simply make no sense for EI to put an aircraft the size of an A320 onto the route. There is a reasonable size Irish community on the island and it would be unfortunate if, between COVID-19 and the liquidation of Stobart Air, that route were to fade away, as the only other link to Ireland from the Isle of Man is a seasonal ferry service.
Certainly, it will be interesting to see what emerges over the next few days/weeks with regard to the routes where Stobart was the operator, in terms of alternative operators, when it simply isn't logical to use an alternative aircraft from the Aer Lingus fleet.
I for one will miss Stobart - I always found their crew pleasant and enjoyed flying with them. My thoughts are with all whose employment is compromised by the events of the last few days.
BestWestern wrote:The Stobart bankruptcy probably makes it more difficult for Emerald to come into the market.
They no longer have a readymade airline to take over.
I see CityJet as a natural fit for Aer Lingus. They have a long history of working together, and are a competent operator. I’m not sure how viable the CRJs are on the EI regional routes, but would give them much more scale with growth potential, and allow EI to relaunch routes - in a way that LH are doing - without having to fill an A320.
For example, EI could relaunch DUS and BER with a CR9, and when traffic returns, the 320 takes over again, and the CR9 operates to CGN and STR - as an example. This isn’t possible on a prop.
davidjohnson6 wrote:Emerald can hire staff... but do they have the systems, processes and physical infrastructure to do what Stobart did ?
An airline is more than just having qualified people on a payroll
OA260 wrote:Kerry Airport's funding request refused
Kerry Airport, which is reeling from the withdrawal of Stobart Air from its publicly-subsidised Aer Lingus route, was refused a government grant last October due to an investment loss it took on an unusual €1.5m stockmarket bet.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/c ... l?type=amp
It seems at the moment KIR finds itself in a worrying position unless it can get some sort of plan together to bring back air service .
ClassicLover wrote:OA260 wrote:Kerry Airport's funding request refused
Kerry Airport, which is reeling from the withdrawal of Stobart Air from its publicly-subsidised Aer Lingus route, was refused a government grant last October due to an investment loss it took on an unusual €1.5m stockmarket bet.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/c ... l?type=amp
It seems at the moment KIR finds itself in a worrying position unless it can get some sort of plan together to bring back air service .
I'm really quite surprised that the airport had €1.5 million to invest in the stockmarket, which then net them a €300k ish loss due to the downturn due to Covid. Doesn't this airport always have its hand out for Government cash? I'm very surprised indeed.
OA260 wrote:Looks like EI are interested in the PSO subject to a deal from the government .
It has also said it is ready to operate the Public Service Obligation air route between Dublin and Kerry, subject to an appropriate agreement being put in place with the State.
http://www.rte.ie/news/business/2021/06 ... on-sector/
AmricanShamrok wrote:OA260 wrote:Looks like EI are interested in the PSO subject to a deal from the government .
It has also said it is ready to operate the Public Service Obligation air route between Dublin and Kerry, subject to an appropriate agreement being put in place with the State.
http://www.rte.ie/news/business/2021/06 ... on-sector/
Very interesting development, the prospect of a double-daily A320 on the route and night stopping at KIR (I'm assuming this as the report says EI has difficulty with CFN as its aircraft are too large for the runway there). Also the Estonian airline Nordica has apparently expressed an interest in running it. They fly CR9s.
AmricanShamrok wrote:prospect of a double-daily A320 on the route and night stopping at KIR
JAmie2k9 wrote:KIR have made profits of about €800,000-€1 million per year pre 2020 and Covid.
Phen wrote:AmricanShamrok wrote:prospect of a double-daily A320 on the route and night stopping at KIR
I wouldn't expect to see a night stop, the cost of operating a 320 on that route alone would be massive never mind the cost of overnighting crews too. Far more likely to be a very early departure out of DUB and back.
BrianDromey wrote:I think the terms of the PSO require day returns? Although right now, I’m not sure that is necessary.
Are there any operational restrictions for the A320 at KIR? Ryanair’s 738s seem to manage….
Phen wrote:AmricanShamrok wrote:prospect of a double-daily A320 on the route and night stopping at KIR
I wouldn't expect to see a night stop, the cost of operating a 320 on that route alone would be massive never mind the cost of overnighting crews too. Far more likely to be a very early departure out of DUB and back.
OA260 wrote:Aer Lingus caught out by Stobart Air liquidation
There had been a breakdown in communication at senior level between the two airlines
Aer Lingus was caught unawares by Stobart Air’s collapse last Friday as there had been a breakdown in communications at a senior level between the two carriers, the Irish Independent understands.
https://m.independent.ie/business/irish ... 39463.html
Certainly not a good way to run a partnership when both sides had a fractured relationship since it was announced they were to loose the franchise.
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Should there be railway stops at Strathfoyle, City of Derry Airport and Ballykelly?
Minister outlines her ambitions for rail services in the north west
http://www.derrynow.com/news/news/64128 ... kelly.html
A rail link would certainly be beneficial to LDY although doubt we will see it anytime soon .
OA260 wrote:Looks like it wont be long before the routes are launched again. Just depends who offers the best quote.
ClassicLover wrote:OA260 wrote:Looks like it wont be long before the routes are launched again. Just depends who offers the best quote.
I like how the article points out that "Aer Lingus has stepped into the breach" as though they're some kind of saviour. The passengers were, for all intents and purposes, theirs anyway