Aer Lingus

[TheLocalYokel]

The Aer Arann (Aer Lingus franchise) 6 x weekly from Shannon commences tomorrow (1 July).

It's good to get Shannon back so quickly after Ryanair dropped the route in March following its major scaling back at SNN.

The SNN ATR 72 is scheduled to arrive at 1655 on weekdays, twenty minutes after the daily Aer Arann (also Aer Lingus franchise) ATR 72 from Cork.

As Aer Lingus's first ever international route was Dublin to Bristol (Whitchurch) in the 1930s it will be pleasant to have not one but two Shamrock-painted aircraft on the ground together, especially as for most of the past seventy-odd years Aer Lingus has operated into Bristol.

It's only gone cold in the past few years.

 

[alphagolf]

Aer Lingus to operate BRS to DUB from March 2011

Flights will operate 3 times a day Sunday to Friday x 3 and twice on Saturday's with an ATR72

Onwards connections to New York, Boston, Chicago and Orlando with US immigration available at Dublin.

EI3280 DUB 0635/0750 BRS
EI3281 BRS 0815/0930 DUB

EI3286 DUB 1515/1630 BRS
EI3287 BRS 1700/1815 DUB

EI3288 DUB 1845/2000 BRS
EI3289 BRS 2030/2145 DUB

This will be an improvement on having to transit AMS, BRU or CDG for North American destinations as will eliminate back tracking! Lets hope it can do well.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

There has been speculation over the past 12 hours as to what was going to be announced this morning.

Some were hoping for a return to a non-stop NYC service which is probably some way off, especially as the recession and the world economy is only now beginning to improve.

It's a welcome move to have Aer Lingus back on BRS-DUB.

I wonder what Ryanair will do, if anything. They had already slightly reduced next summer's schedule on BRS-DUB from 3 x daily to 2 x daily on some weekdays but this announcement means there will still be lots of seats next summer.

BRS had a similar arrangement with Aer Lingus in the 1990s when a morning departure from Lulsgate connected with the JFK departure from Dublin that called at Shannon where the US immigration and other entry formalities were carried out. These formalities are now handled at DUB.

 

[Aviador]

This is really good news but for obvious reasons but it's a kick in the teeth compared to what the airport should be having. At least the US immigration clearance will be done in Dublin which will shave off some time when you eventually land in New York. I assume the flight will be operated by Aer Arran.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Yes - Aer Arann ATR 72s.

 

[backtrack]

Great little addition. Little in terms of only an ATR72 (very suitable) but great in terms of connections with EI across the pond along with the custom/immigration clearance done in DUB.

Probably something EI should look at trying to offer from other UK regional airports perhaps that not currently served.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

They've tried DSA and MME though and both failed

They've also reduced CWL from 3 x daily to 2 x daily.

As for BRS-DUB, Ryanair has reduced its frequency this winter and next summer.

It used to operate 3 x daily all year but now is 3 x daily only on Mon and Fri and 2 x daily for the rest of the week.

DUB is invariably BRS's most popular route year after year, though it's been dropping in numbers in recent years with just under 288,000 using it in 2009.

EI has been seen off the route before by Ryanair. It remains to be seen whether they feel it worth their while to try to do so again.

EI has come and gone at various times at BRS since the 1930s. Dublin-Bristol (the old Whitchurch airport) was Aer Lingus's first international route. It commenced before World War 2.

 

[Aviador]

They've tried DSA and MME though and both failed

The important thing to remember too is that Aer Lingus only serve four US destinations, and when DSA/MME had a once daily service that only connected to 2 US cities; New York JFK and Boston. So there isn't that much to connect onto at DUB

True Humberside but will all due respect, Bristol is in a different league.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Bristol airport eyes slice of American pie

Bristol airport is hoping the arrival of an Aer Lingus service to Dublin with connections to four American cities will make up for the loss of Continental Airlines’ New York link last year.

The Irish carrier will return to Bristol from March 27 when an Aer Lingus regional service will start with connections from Dublin to New York, Boston, Chicago and Orlando.

Passengers will be able to clear US customs in a new airport terminal at Dublin and arrive at New York JFK as domestic US passengers.

Connection times at Dublin are as quick as one hour on the Boston and New York routes, and the airport believes that its customs facilities and connection times will appeal to leisure and business passengers.

Business customers may also prefer the route to Continental’s service as it uses JFK rather than Newark airport.

The flights between Bristol and Dublin will operate three times a day on six days a week and twice a day on Saturdays. They will use a 71-seat Aer Arann ATR 72 aircraft and crew.

Despite the loss of the Continental service, and of Goldtrail charter flights last year, Bristol’s passenger numbers for 2010 rose by 1.8% year-on-year to 5.7 million.

The flight losses were offset by new charter flights from Wings Abroad; new easyJet routes to Amsterdam and Paris; Brussels Airlines increasing its flights from two to three a day; and increased capacity by Flybe and Ryanair.

A Bristol airport spokesman said the full impact of Continental’s departure was not seen in 2010’s figures as it only happened in November.

However, he said that Continental had only operated one flight a day and that the airport had not previously had daily flights via Dublin to four US destinations, meaning there was potential to maintain or increase transatlantic traffic.

KLM is also adding a fourth daily flight to Amsterdam, providing more transatlantic options.[/textarea]
http://www.ttglive.com/c/portal/layout? ... ican%20pie

BRS used to make a virtue of flying to Newark saying many passengers found it more convenient than JFK.

Potential to maintain or increase transatlantic traffic? In theory I suppose but it would mean nearly 90,000 passengers per year using the Dublin and other European hubs from BRS to fly transatlantic just to make good the passengers lost by Continental's departure.

I suspect this is the latest example of an airport spokesman resorting to the genre's beloved spin.

 

[pmscb]

Hi Humberside, yes ive flown into both airports and Newark is defo closer to Manhatten than JFK. If ever i went back to New York i would look at flying into Newark 1st.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Airport team takes Bristol to the Big Apple

A delegation from Bristol showcased the city at a major American travel exhibition last month. Representatives of Bristol Airport joined Destination Bristol at the New York Times Travel Show from 25-27 February, raising awareness of the transatlantic links available with Aer Lingus via Dublin.

The New York Times Travel Show attracts exhibitors from all over the world and is attended by travel professionals, media and consumers from across the US. Bristol’s stand featured iconic images of the city and the South West, as well as offering the chance to book a range of packages with Aer Lingus Vacations.

At the show, the Bristol delegation met with American tour operators and travel agents to educate them about Bristol and the new Aer Lingus route. The team also met numerous travel writers from some of the largest travel publications in America, in order to generate positive press on the region.

From 27 March, Aer Lingus Regional will fly three-times daily between Bristol and Dublin, making transatlantic connections to and from New York (JFK), Boston, Chicago and Orlando accessible. Connecting passengers from Bristol will also benefit from the new US Customs and Immigration clearance facilities in Dublin’s new Terminal 2, allowing them to arrive in the US as domestic passengers.

Between 2005 and 2010 around 500,000 passengers travelled directly between Bristol and New York. Travel by foreign residents using Bristol Airport has increased 161 per cent since 2003, with each overseas visitor using the Airport worth an average of £410 to the regional economy.[/textarea]
http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/news-an ... eb-11.aspx

You have to give the BRS management team its due. They don't hold back when it comes to pushing their airport's services.

They spent a lot of time, money and effort in publicising the Continental route to Newark during its five and a half year life. It didn't work out for them in the end but they couldn't be accused of not trying.

 

[Aviador]

One of LBA's previous management teams visited New York and the World trade Center to push our region and the importance of providing direct flights between New York and the Yorkshire region.

They actually flew to New York using a similar service as to what Aer Lingus will be providing from Bristol airport this summer. You can check-in and depart at say 8'o'clock in the morning and you can be in New York having lunch for around 1pm their time.

Unfortunately for LBA, not long after Aer Lingus started to offer this connection to New York from Leeds Bradford, Ryanair came in. Aer Lingus left LBA shortly afterwards after suffering declining loads.

(Spelt "Center" intentionally)

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Aer Lingus Regional inaugural flight to Dublin

(28/03/11)

Bristol business and tourism received a welcome boost today as the first Aer Lingus Regional flight to Dublin, operated by Aer Arann, took to the skies from Bristol airport. Today’s launch marks the third Aer Lingus Regional connection between Bristol and Ireland with services also currently available to Shannon and Cork.

Operating under the franchise agreement between Aer Lingus and Aer Arann, the Bristol to Dublin service includes 3 return flights 6 days each week and two returns flights on Saturdays with new morning, afternoon and evening frequency options for business customers. The 20 weekly return flights between the UK South West’s largest city and Dublin will also boost leisure and tourist travel to the capital.

To mark the celebrations, all passengers travelling on the first flight to Dublin today enjoyed a complimentary breakfast reception in the departure area prior to boarding. In addition, a special green carpet was rolled out for the first passengers to ensure they received a warm Irish welcome.

2011 is a very special year for Aer Lingus as it marks 75 years of the Green Shamrock flying. On May 27th 1936 Aer Lingus launched its first ever flight between Baldonnel and Bristol, with five passengers, on a six-seater De Havilland 84 Dragon named Iolar, - meaning ‘eagle’ in Irish.

Dublin flights will connect Aer Lingus New York, Boston, Chicago and Orlando services to and from Bristol which currently has no direct services to the United States. As well as the convenience of flying from their home airport connecting passengers from Bristol will also benefit from the new US Customs and Immigrations clearance facilities in Dublin that will allow them to arrive in the US as domestic passengers.[/textarea]
http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/news-an ... light.aspx

Not quite right.

The first two rotations were yesterday (27.3.11), but I suppose a Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening rotation would be awkward for senior staff of airline and airport to attend for a publicity session - after all they can't be expected to give up their weekends, can they?

Very annoying for the passengers who were on the first flight to miss out on some free nosh though.

 

[Aviador]

That is a bit naughty. Are you sure the press release wasn't from yesterday or was it dated the 28 as it is in your post?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

It's dated 28 March on the airport's web site press release section and talks about a complimentary breakfast reception before today's flight.

There was no morning flight yesterday, only late afternoon and evening rotations, although I suppose there is the concept of an all-day breakfast.

The flights did operate yesterday according to Ceefax and the airport web arrivals/departures pages.

I suppose this could be seen as another example of my beloved spin, though perhaps more a roll of the wrist rather than full-blown wrist or finger action - and for the avoidance of doubt I'm using a cricket analogy. :shok:

The story is carried on Reuters News as well and they spell out the date of the inaugural flight as Monday 28 March, though their 'report' is little more than a reproduction of the BRS/Aer Lingus press release.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/ ... 5320110328

 

[Aviador]

Looking at it another way, it wouldn't make it into the local rag if they'd publicised the event on a weekend.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Dublin

There was another article in the Bristol evening newspaper yesterday.

It played up the US connection, though in truth it's little different than the other hubs available from BRS at AMS, CDG and BRU where worldwide connections can be made, and had plenty of quotes from airline and airport concerning demand and how popular the route will become.

In fact, on the first outbound to DUB on Monday morning there were only seven passengers who were flying on to the USA. I say 'only' because I don't know what they were expecting but it doesn't seem many on the face of things, albeit this is a new service. I don't know what the overall load was.

The CEO of Aer Arann was on the first flight and made the interesting remark that this new route was a key part to 'expand' their operations at Bristol.

Currently Aer Arann as Aer Lingus Regional flies from BRS to DUB 3 x daily, to Cork daily and to Shannon 6 x weekly.

Aer Arann has flown from BRS to both Nantes and Galway in the past few years so may be they have those in mind again though Shannon and Galway might be too much of a good thing having regard to their close proximity. When Arann flew to Galway previously they were up against Ryanair flying to Shannon but that airline withdrew from the SNN route last year.

 

[Aviador]

This sounds like a repeat performance of what Aer Lingus did at LBA even down to the press releases suggesting the connection is a major link to New York. The service did attract a high level of publicity but in the end it amounted to little more than hot air.

I have to say, I can't wait until Ryanair dabble in the trans atlantic market especially if they offer regional departures. CO, AA and BA wont know what's hit them.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I spotted this on the World Golf website (I'm not a big golf fan - I tend to belong to the Mark Twain school that regards golf as 'a good walk spoiled').


NEWPORT, Wales, United Kingdom -- The Celtic Manor Resort -- host of golf's historic 2010 Ryder Cup -- announces Aer Lingus and Aer Arann have teamed to offer travelers (sic) international flights between major U.S. cities and Bristol Airport (BRS) in nearby southwest England...................................................................................

http://www.worldgolf.com/newswire/brows ... Flights-UK

Given that a similar service operates from CWL, this seems particularly odd with Sir Terry Matthews, the self-made Welsh billonaire, being the owner of Celtic Manor and a great proponent of all things Welsh. Indeed, there are some in the Welsh aviation scene who would love him to buy Cardiff Airport from the poorly-performing current owners, Albertis.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Bristol-Dublin

The Aer Lingus timetable for winter 2011/2012 shows BRS-DUB continuing its summer 2011 schedule of 20 flights per week.

Ryanair is also showing 21 flights per week for the winter too, a continuation of the current summer schedule.

That's a lot of seats for summer, let alone winter.