Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
ClassicLover wrote:I called today and the Bulgaria call centre advised I would have to pay in full and get the voucher back because they can't take voucher payments over the phone.
AmricanShamrok wrote:In my experience, the EI call centre staff are extremely limited on what they can do. If it’s anything other than a straightforward flight booking, forget it. Want to pay for a cabin bag? Absolutely not. Pay for a pre-selected seat? You must be mad.
AmricanShamrok wrote:ClassicLover wrote:I called today and the Bulgaria call centre advised I would have to pay in full and get the voucher back because they can't take voucher payments over the phone.
In my experience, the EI call centre staff are extremely limited on what they can do. If it’s anything other than a straightforward flight booking, forget it. Want to pay for a cabin bag? Absolutely not. Pay for a pre-selected seat? You must be mad.
OA260 wrote:AmricanShamrok wrote:ClassicLover wrote:I called today and the Bulgaria call centre advised I would have to pay in full and get the voucher back because they can't take voucher payments over the phone.
In my experience, the EI call centre staff are extremely limited on what they can do. If it’s anything other than a straightforward flight booking, forget it. Want to pay for a cabin bag? Absolutely not. Pay for a pre-selected seat? You must be mad.
Its a mixed bag sometimes they are good other times terrible you do miss the Irish call center at least they were able to think outside of the box on many occasions. If I have any seating issues I usually get it resolved at the Business check in or lounge the team there are great god help us if that gets outsourced.
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Just back from FRA . Outbound had 128 passengers and way back just 33. I was surprised by how quiet FRA was and many places in T2 shut . Just a note of caution anyone using Aer Lingus into T2 the skytrain is shut and a shuttle bus operates the long way so allow an extra 30 mins from train / T1 .
The number of odd engine cowlings seems to be increasing .
EI321 wrote:I've noticed it too, the random Aer Lingus cowlings are getting worse. It seemed to be just A330s up to recently but quite a few A320s are appearing with mismatched cowlings now.
How long does it take to replace a cowling? Surely it wouldn't be difficult to paint them as the aircraft itself wouldn't need to go into the paint hangar, just fit them in hanger 6 overnight?
On another paint note, great to see the Emerald ATRs in the new livery, it quite suits them.
ltbewr wrote:The current issues of Russia's war in Ukraine and seeing this thread brought up some memories. One of the most interesting experiences I had at SNN in 1984 was seeing an Aeroflot plane at a gate while waiting for my return flight (on a scheduled charter Transamerica Airlines DC-8) to JFK. This was during the 'cold war' so I was a bit arrogant as to the then USSR. Apparently they stopped there daily for refiling on flights to/from JFK, Havana and elsewhere in the Americas. Passengers were allowed to leave the plane and in a conversation with a bartender he said they were not good customers. I went through SNN as only the then version of Aer Lingus and maybe Pan Am had direct service to DUB from JFK and other places in the USA. SNN was the default until a few years later with deregulation for almost all charter flights between the USA and ROI.
Does SNN have any direct flights to the USA and was their any pre-pandemic ?
richcandy wrote:I'm flying out of BHD with BA in a few days. I have a club Europe ticket, but no status do I have access to a lounge? Last time nothing was open, the time before that I could use the BA lounge but I'm not sure if that ever re opened.
shamrock321 wrote:I’ve taken that flight quite a few times assuming you were on the 657 pre pandemic and it was unusual to see loads as low as that…had 14 on a late SXF-DUB one night!
AmricanShamrok wrote:ltbewr wrote:The current issues of Russia's war in Ukraine and seeing this thread brought up some memories. One of the most interesting experiences I had at SNN in 1984 was seeing an Aeroflot plane at a gate while waiting for my return flight (on a scheduled charter Transamerica Airlines DC-8) to JFK. This was during the 'cold war' so I was a bit arrogant as to the then USSR. Apparently they stopped there daily for refiling on flights to/from JFK, Havana and elsewhere in the Americas. Passengers were allowed to leave the plane and in a conversation with a bartender he said they were not good customers. I went through SNN as only the then version of Aer Lingus and maybe Pan Am had direct service to DUB from JFK and other places in the USA. SNN was the default until a few years later with deregulation for almost all charter flights between the USA and ROI.
Does SNN have any direct flights to the USA and was their any pre-pandemic ?
Yes SU had a hub at SNN in the 80s and early 90s as a refuelling stop for their transatlantic flights as their Tupolev fleet didn't have the legs for nonstop ops. There were many "exotic" destinations appearing on the departure boards at that time. As Ireland was the westernmost non-NATO country in Europe, it made sense for them to establish a hub there. I believe they also paid Aer Rianta (the then owners of SNN) in aviation fuel rather than currency, which led to the development of a jetty outside the airport on the Shannon Estuary to accept fuel imports. I flew SNN-ORD with them in 1994 but was too young to remember the experience.
To answer your last question, this summer (2022), SNN will have scheduled flights to JFK and BOS with EI, and EWR with UA. Pre-pandemic, we also had SNN-JFK with DL and SNN-PHL with AA (and going back further to 2018, SNN-YYZ with AC).
kaitak wrote:... finally welcomed Emerald, which has started to operate the DUB-CFN flights, its first route.
planemanofnz wrote:kaitak wrote:... finally welcomed Emerald, which has started to operate the DUB-CFN flights, its first route.
What is the traffic/catchment on this route? CFN itself is so far away from Donegal town (1 hour+ by road).
ClassicLover wrote:
Does anyone know if the traffic figures for the route are published anywhere?
planemanofnz wrote:kaitak wrote:... finally welcomed Emerald, which has started to operate the DUB-CFN flights, its first route.
What is the traffic/catchment on this route? CFN itself is so far away from Donegal town (1 hour+ by road).
AmricanShamrok wrote:planemanofnz wrote:kaitak wrote:... finally welcomed Emerald, which has started to operate the DUB-CFN flights, its first route.
What is the traffic/catchment on this route? CFN itself is so far away from Donegal town (1 hour+ by road).
That's an interesting question. The geographic catchment is actually quite small due to poor road infrastructure and public transport to the airport being practically nil. I would say the bulk of western/south Donegal would be within a 1 hour drive but I have relatives in Inishowen (northeast Donegal) and it would take them nearly 2 hours by road to access it. LDY would be much closer to that side.
On the other hand, the KIR geographic catchment area is much wider (catering for basically all of Kerry as well as much of west Limerick and north Cork too) due to better roads and public transport access.
AerTuras1987 wrote:Morning all, first time poster, long time lurker. Some interesting visitors in Dublin the last few days with multiple fuel stops with Air Canada 787's, come lighter days it might be quite a sight with Etihopian aircraft also on the ground at similar times. This morning 2nd also sees an EL AL 787-9 depart, possibly in for wing paint issues.
AerTuras1987 wrote:Morning all, first time poster, long time lurker. Some interesting visitors in Dublin the last few days with multiple fuel stops with Air Canada 787's, come lighter days it might be quite a sight with Etihopian aircraft also on the ground at similar times. This morning 2nd also sees an EL AL 787-9 depart, possibly in for wing paint issues.
One a second note, I am really not impressed & disappointed with the IAA & the minister for transport for not being proactive and pulling the Certs for Irish registered aircraft in Russia. Rossiya continue to operate their 747s on the Irish flag. https://fr24.com/SDM5631/2afe6e2d
They won't be able to receive payments from their Russian carriers so they can't sit on their hands on this. Be proactive and pull the certs for crying out loud.
EI321 wrote:I see an EL AL 787 flew into DUB today, presumably for refueling to avoid Ukraine airspace?
OA260 wrote:AerTuras1987 wrote:Morning all, first time poster, long time lurker. Some interesting visitors in Dublin the last few days with multiple fuel stops with Air Canada 787's, come lighter days it might be quite a sight with Etihopian aircraft also on the ground at similar times. This morning 2nd also sees an EL AL 787-9 depart, possibly in for wing paint issues.
One a second note, I am really not impressed & disappointed with the IAA & the minister for transport for not being proactive and pulling the Certs for Irish registered aircraft in Russia. Rossiya continue to operate their 747s on the Irish flag. https://fr24.com/SDM5631/2afe6e2d
They won't be able to receive payments from their Russian carriers so they can't sit on their hands on this. Be proactive and pull the certs for crying out loud.
Welcome and thanks for the info . Totally agree Irish Aviation does not need all this influence of blood money and serious questions need to be asked if reports are to be believed about the Dublin embassy being a HQ for spies etc ..
In the old Aeroflot SNN days it was always rumoured that illegal exports were channeled through on the HAV service from SNN . Its very sad nonetheless as I flew SNN - SVO - DEL once and was a great experience but wouldn't touch them now or for a very long time to come.
We also had the old Belavia TU's at SNN .
OA260 wrote:AerTuras1987 wrote:Morning all, first time poster, long time lurker. Some interesting visitors in Dublin the last few days with multiple fuel stops with Air Canada 787's, come lighter days it might be quite a sight with Etihopian aircraft also on the ground at similar times. This morning 2nd also sees an EL AL 787-9 depart, possibly in for wing paint issues.
One a second note, I am really not impressed & disappointed with the IAA & the minister for transport for not being proactive and pulling the Certs for Irish registered aircraft in Russia. Rossiya continue to operate their 747s on the Irish flag. https://fr24.com/SDM5631/2afe6e2d
They won't be able to receive payments from their Russian carriers so they can't sit on their hands on this. Be proactive and pull the certs for crying out loud.
Welcome and thanks for the info . Totally agree Irish Aviation does not need all this influence of blood money and serious questions need to be asked if reports are to be believed about the Dublin embassy being a HQ for spies etc ..
In the old Aeroflot SNN days it was always rumoured that illegal exports were channeled through on the HAV service from SNN . Its very sad nonetheless as I flew SNN - SVO - DEL once and was a great experience but wouldn't touch them now or for a very long time to come.
We also had the old Belavia TU's at SNN .
kaitak wrote:I can also remember going on a school trip to SNN, back in the days when you'd fly down to SNN on the 747 and come back on the train - all for IRL£16. We wrote to Aeroflot and they were kind enough to let us go on board an IL86 (CCCP-86067) and we were very impressed. It was a great experience.
kaitak wrote:I don't want to go into politics here, but every aspect of this is so sad. As for Irish lessors, good luck in getting those aircraft back! It's going to take a while.
AMP44 wrote:Shame Belfast - Exeter has a gap in service. BA terminates on 14 March and EI starts 8 May.
EI321 wrote:I see an EL AL 787 flew into DUB today, presumably for refueling to avoid Ukraine airspace?
ClassicLover wrote:kaitak wrote:I can also remember going on a school trip to SNN, back in the days when you'd fly down to SNN on the 747 and come back on the train - all for IRL£16. We wrote to Aeroflot and they were kind enough to let us go on board an IL86 (CCCP-86067) and we were very impressed. It was a great experience.
My Manager at work was telling me the other week about how he took his Scout troupe on one of these flights to SNN on Aer Lingus and the train back. Apparently loads, if not all of the children's first time in a plane. Sounds like it would have been fun.
Whenever I had to do any work in our Shannon office, I would take the DUB-SNN-DUB flights instead of the train. Even when our roles all became redundant in 2009, we had to have some kind of training and it was in the Free Zone so I still flew there and back. People thought I was mad, but I'm glad I did it as we'll never see it again I wouldn't think.
BrianDromey wrote:kaitak wrote:I don't want to go into politics here, but every aspect of this is so sad. As for Irish lessors, good luck in getting those aircraft back! It's going to take a while.
Even the mechanics of getting seized aircraft out of Russia would be difficult, I imagine. I assume, but dont know, if the Russian border is open to foreign passport holders even before pilots would get access airside to aircraft, be able to fuel and file flight plans. I assume an "Aeroflot" aircraft on an EI-reg, being repossessed would not be a Russian aircraft, but the more I think about it the more difficult it seems to get these aircraft out of Russia.
Fliplot wrote:I believe the Russian airlunes will refuse to pay parking for grounded aircraft. The airports will then "legally" impound the airceaft for non payment and the aircraft will remain in limbo in Russia. If the circumstances were normal the leasing comoanies would negotiate payment and the aircraft qiuld be repossessed. But sanctions now make that impossible. Fun times without the fun!
kaitak wrote:OA260 wrote:AerTuras1987 wrote:Morning all, first time poster, long time lurker. Some interesting visitors in Dublin the last few days with multiple fuel stops with Air Canada 787's, come lighter days it might be quite a sight with Etihopian aircraft also on the ground at similar times. This morning 2nd also sees an EL AL 787-9 depart, possibly in for wing paint issues.
One a second note, I am really not impressed & disappointed with the IAA & the minister for transport for not being proactive and pulling the Certs for Irish registered aircraft in Russia. Rossiya continue to operate their 747s on the Irish flag. https://fr24.com/SDM5631/2afe6e2d
They won't be able to receive payments from their Russian carriers so they can't sit on their hands on this. Be proactive and pull the certs for crying out loud.
Welcome and thanks for the info . Totally agree Irish Aviation does not need all this influence of blood money and serious questions need to be asked if reports are to be believed about the Dublin embassy being a HQ for spies etc ..
In the old Aeroflot SNN days it was always rumoured that illegal exports were channeled through on the HAV service from SNN . Its very sad nonetheless as I flew SNN - SVO - DEL once and was a great experience but wouldn't touch them now or for a very long time to come.
We also had the old Belavia TU's at SNN .
I remember a story about a woman in Shannon who was supposed to be flying with Manx Airlines - and somehow ended up on the flight to Minsk! I think she was put in a jail cell in overnight and returned on the next flight. How one could possibly manage that, I don't know; you think there'd be tiny little clues here and there, that this aircraft might not be going to somewhere in the UK!
I can also remember going on a school trip to SNN, back in the days when you'd fly down to SNN on the 747 and come back on the train - all for IRL£16. We wrote to Aeroflot and they were kind enough to let us go on board an IL86 (CCCP-86067) and we were very impressed. It was a great experience.
I don't want to go into politics here, but every aspect of this is so sad. As for Irish lessors, good luck in getting those aircraft back! It's going to take a while.
AmricanShamrok wrote:planemanofnz wrote:kaitak wrote:... finally welcomed Emerald, which has started to operate the DUB-CFN flights, its first route.
What is the traffic/catchment on this route? CFN itself is so far away from Donegal town (1 hour+ by road).
That's an interesting question. The geographic catchment is actually quite small due to poor road infrastructure and public transport to the airport being practically nil. I would say the bulk of western/south Donegal would be within a 1 hour drive but I have relatives in Inishowen (northeast Donegal) and it would take them nearly 2 hours by road to access it. LDY would be much closer to that side.
On the other hand, the KIR geographic catchment area is much wider (catering for basically all of Kerry as well as much of west Limerick and north Cork too) due to better roads and public transport access.
iRISH251 wrote:This is a good quick analysis of the potential impact of the sanctions over time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrgI4gB5W2o
dstc47 wrote:AmricanShamrok wrote:planemanofnz wrote:What is the traffic/catchment on this route? CFN itself is so far away from Donegal town (1 hour+ by road).
That's an interesting question. The geographic catchment is actually quite small due to poor road infrastructure and public transport to the airport being practically nil. I would say the bulk of western/south Donegal would be within a 1 hour drive but I have relatives in Inishowen (northeast Donegal) and it would take them nearly 2 hours by road to access it. LDY would be much closer to that side.
On the other hand, the KIR geographic catchment area is much wider (catering for basically all of Kerry as well as much of west Limerick and north Cork too) due to better roads and public transport access.
While the geography of Donegal is not particularly favourable to airport builders, CFN is indeed very isolated, with much of Donegal finding Derry Airport and, in the past, Sligo Airport more easily reached from the more populous parts of the county. Indeed its survival must be regarded as something of a miracle, given the failure of commercial services from GWY, WAT and Sligo, all of which have bigger potential markets. The small amount of oil and gas traffic might have helped. Got to ask about the PSO need here though, given the highly localised benefit provided.
Clydenairways wrote:GWY in particular suffered once the motorway was built and the fact that the local council had management chose to invest in the wrong things over the years and didn’t prepare for the inevitability. I recall reading that they didn’t want to invest in development to accommodate jets and Ryanair because the gravy train of Handout money would end. They also gave jobs to cronies and had very high average salaries compared to other regional airports. I recall a particular senior person coming across as quite arrogant when interviewed, entitlement just like a politician! The market was not at fault at all.
NOC on the other hand ran their airport well, and invested in the right things for the future, such as Cat 2.
WAT could have been a much better position if they tried to push for the runway extension 20 years earlier, it would allow it to have maximised the mixed aviation activity which doesn’t need to totally rely on passenger revenue, such as GA,SAR, Sun Holiday flights etc. there was also talk of locating an aircraft maintenance facility there for A320/737 sized aircraft. The revenue of all these activities could have made it more sustainable.
Clydenairways wrote:CFN survived because of the continued lack of good road infrastructure in the region.
dstc47 wrote:CFN is indeed very isolated ... The small amount of oil and gas traffic might have helped.