Ryanair

[Jerry]

Looks like Ryanair have dropped Malta completely.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Looks like Ryanair have dropped Malta completely.

Malta is not currently shown for the coming winter or next summer but, that apart, what makes you think it's been dropped, Jerry?

I ask because a number of Ryanair BRS routes to such places as Poland, Romania, Lithuania and Italy were not show in the booking engine for next summer until the past week or so. In fact, two of the six Polish routes are still not shown; neither are such routes as Bergamo and Budapest, but they are all shown for the coming winter.

At the moment the Ryanair EXT route to Malta is not shown either for the coming winter or next summer, but that might be in the same position as CWL-MLA and appear in the coming weeks, at least for next summer. Ryanair often waits until near the start of the summer season before putting some routes previously flown into the booking engine.

 

[Jerry]

Malta is not currently shown for the coming winter or next summer but, that apart, what makes you think it's been dropped, Jerry?

Because it was all onsale on the 25th August when I posted an update on the thread

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Because it was all onsale on the 25th August when I posted an update on the thread

OK thanks, but there have been times in the past when Ryanair have removed routes already shown for a season only to reinstate them later. Perhaps they don't do it these days as often as they once did when there could be half a dozen versions of a summer season before the final one emerged, with routes coming and going and sometimes days of operation altered.

It might be COVID-related if the plan at the moment is not to show availability but that could all change before the end of next March if a vaccine is found, and I noted a hint of optimism today in the words of the Westminster Health Secretary and one of his government's senior advisers.

 

[Jerry]

I suppose we can only hope that the route does get put back onsale in the future!

 

[Jerry]

Surprised to see them doing a charter for Cardiff Blues!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1311629395019345922

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I take it this is the flight to Parma mentioned by Geoff in the Movements thread - to play Zebre in the PRO14. I wonder why they chartered such a big aircraft. Can't be taking many supporters given the restrictions in so many parts of Wales (even if spectators are allowed in Italy - I don't know if that is the case).

 

[Jerry]

I take it this is the flight to Parma mentioned by Geoff in the Movements thread - to play Zebre in the PRO14. I wonder why they chartered such a big aircraft. Can't be taking many supporters given the restrictions in so many parts of Wales (even if spectators are allowed in Italy - I don't know if that is the case).

It is surprising as usually they use an airline like Eastern Airways. Maybe they felt they needed a bigger aircraft for social distancing reasons? I'd imagine it would be the squad, staff and press onboard not fans.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

It is surprising as usually they use an airline like Eastern Airways. Maybe they felt they needed a bigger aircraft for social distancing reasons? I'd imagine it would be the squad, staff and press onboard not fans.

Not much social distancing in scrums, mauls and rucks etc during the match.

 

[Jerry]

Not much social distancing in scrums, mauls and rucks etc during the match.

True!

 

[Jerry]

Another rugby team charter from Ryanair today!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1312052301603975174

 

[Jerry]

Ryanair do seem to be doing quite a few sports team charters lately!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1325479988938878976

 

[superking]

If they have aircraft about doing nothing, they just as well do sport charters. Its easy money and get paid well on time i would think.Not long ago they would not look at sport charters at all,so with this covid 19 around they must have quite a few aircraft knocking around doing nothing,as in days they had no spare aircraft before covid. Covid has a little silver linning for them.

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

But what happens to the other operators who would have ordinarily rely on these sporting charters.

Also what happens when passenger number returns will Ryanair continue to operate these flights?

my concern for the sake of the industry, Ryanair muscling in on these flights and causing hardship to other charter operators.

many of these teams especially rugby teams would be price sensitive. So how come a Boeing 737-800 comes up cheaper than a smaller aircraft say an Embraer 145.

I hope there’s enough work to go around for everyone.

 

[superking]

If and when passenger numbers get back to the level that Ryanair is happy with then i can see them dropping the sports flights as im sure more money to be made from these flights than regular rotations as it seems most airports around Europe are shut due to low/no passengers so airlines are looking for work where ever they can get it.I can blame these sports clubs in going for cheaper operators which makes sense,but when the airlines drop them the clubs have to pick up the bits with going back to their regular airlines and im sure in a few cases they will charge more to the sports clubs for being dropped. It does put pressure on the regular airlines that do these flights as they are inclueded in their costings and they rely on these flights to a certain extent.
The costing for a 737-800 are done on a low cost airline basis i would think,but some of these low cost airline fares are not very low cost.
Well i do hope that when/if they get virus sorted out that the sports clubs use their normal air lines again as airlines that are doing some of this work at the moment will drop these charters and go back to operate the routes that is their regular work.

 

[Charterman]

Couple of reasons for the larger aircraft:

- Charter rates on the B738 are now often in line with rates from smaller aircraft operators. Generally because aircraft/crew need to be kept current/airworthy, desperate need to keep cashflow coming in and the low cost of fuel at the moment.

- Although it varies depending on sport/competition, generally clubs are instructed to maintain social distancing as much as possible. Some teams are more stringent with this than others, but it is affecting team choices on transport hence why we are seeing a lot of larger aircraft operating. Where smaller aircraft are used, this is often just the team (only those on teamsheet)/VIPs, and all other personnel will travel by other means.

 

[Jerry]

Looking at the flights they look specifically to be Pro14 teams so maybe a possible contract with them as the Pro14 are based in Dublin.

 

[Jerry]

Booked Ryanair Cardiff to Faro for April total price was £49.99 with seat selection and priority boarding and 2 cabin bags. Redeemed one of the vouchers i have from them dropping it down to £31.22. I'm determined to fly ryanair from Cardiff!

 

[Seasider]

Well done Jerry, let them know that Covid won't stop us travelling.

 

[Jerry]

Ryanair's only 737 700 at Cardiff. This brought in the Treviso rugby team.