Possible Jet Aircraft to join AerArann Fleet

Steyr

http://www.galwayfirst.ie/content/view/2230/962/


Jet off to Europe from Galway Airport in 2009?


by Martina Nee

The purchase of a fleet of jets by airline carrier Aer Arann could mean greater access to European cities from Galway by 2009.
According to reports, Aer Arann will make their decision whether to buy the jets by the end of next year and it is hoped that the purchase will transform the airline’s operations across continental Europe.

Founder Padraig O’Ceidigh has said that the airline will not be able to extend its route network beyond Britain and northern France unless they acquire the long-range jets. The jets will allow the carrier to fly from cities such as Galway and Waterford to a number of European destinations.
Aer Arann currently has 15 turbo-prop aircraft, and in 2009 it will receive the remaining deliveries from a €180 million order it placed last year to buy 10 new short-haul aircraft. It is also believed that an Aer Lingus code-share agreement yet to be ratified by the former state airline is likely to be implemented by January.

The airline, which employs 400 people, expects to carry 1.4 million passengers this year and has a target to boost that number to two million within five years. It expects to generate revenue of about €105 million this year, up from €95 million in 2006.

Hopefully this will happen!

RoundyMooney

Aer Arann has been quietly expanding and turning ever increasing profits over the last few years.

Fair play to them, it can't be easy taking on the LoCo carriers in this day and age.

dogmatix

Any idea what types of jets they are buying? Airbus or smaller CRJ's (and the like)?

More power to them - here's hoping they stay off Ryanair's radar and continue to grow.

ian_m

They are investigating Embraer or Bombardier as manufacturers.

Steyr

Embraer.

ch252

Good to see Galway airport expanding still, you never know...a longer runway could soon follow, I heard they can actually do it, its just down to money now. They got a few guys in to check it out there recently, push 08 15 metres to the north and lengthen it from there is what a controller there told me.

Darragh.

Oilrig

Good luck to them!

I spent a while chatting to one of the Aer Arran senior managers a while ago at a corporate do, very refreshing attitude, and also very sharp...

Hope they stay away from the 146's... :eek:

dogmatix

Was wrong with the 146's? BA used to use them on the Dublin to Gatwick run. I really liked them.

Punchy07

dogmatix wrote: »

Was wrong with the 146's? BA used to use them on the Dublin to Gatwick run. I really liked them.

I presume they're awkward for airlines due to their 4 engines,wasnt that the problem with the DC-10?There were other aircraft that had the same capabilities as the DC-10 but worked off 2 engines.I'd love to see Aer Arann get something like the Embraer 170/190 series,i'd love to see them over here,I doubt they will though

Run_to_da_hills

They will have to tarmac the landing strip on Inis Mor

parsi

RoundyMooney wrote: »

Aer Arann has been quietly expanding and turning ever increasing profits over the last few years.

Fair play to them, it can't be easy taking on the LoCo carriers in this day and age.

Certainly on Cork -Dublin they are a breath of fresh air. Pleasant and flexible. That said its a bummer they dropped the 08:00 flight -this was a respectable time to be travelling up to Dublin. The earlier 07:00 is such that you may as well get the 07:30 train.

dogmatix

Embraers? Pity - strictly from a "looks" point of view the CRJ wins hands down. The Embraers are too weedy and skinny looking. Also the CRJ is 2+2 I believe while the Embraer is 2+1 (confirming they are just too skinny).

ian_m

I'm sure they will be concentrating on the economics of the fleet.

I'm looking forward to seeing the paint work on a jet.

Mythago

dogmatix wrote: »

Embraers? Pity - strictly from a "looks" point of view the CRJ wins hands down. The Embraers are too weedy and skinny looking. Also the CRJ is 2+2 I believe while the Embraer is 2+1 (confirming they are just too skinny).

Embraer 135/145 are 2+1 but production has been discontinued, so any "new" purchase would likely be Embraer 170's, which look like a mini 737

pclancy

Great airline, flights to cardiff last autumm from Dublin were lovely, great service.

WexCan

Mythago wrote: »

Embraer 135/145 are 2+1 but production has been discontinued, so any "new" purchase would likely be Embraer 170's, which look like a mini 737

E170/190s are lovely aircraft, have some friends at fly(may)be who work on them - bright, reasonably spacious and 2x2 config seating.

Mweelrea

Fair play to Aer Arann they're certinly going places
Looks like Connacht will have two quality airports if Galway can expand.Should bring a massive boost to the province

WexCan

Definitely good to see Aer Arann expanding with Irish aviation as it is. Now if only they could sort out the older ATRs

cedar

from what I hear,they'll be lucky to afford the the new atr's they've ordered for next year let alone new jets.Sounds like spin to divert attention from poor preformance on many of there routes which will be cancelled next year.

ian_m

Aer Arann has recently announced flights from Galway to Newcastle and Bristol, Sligo to Manchester as well as Waterford to Birmingham.

May saw Aer Arann create a new base at Waterford Airport with a ATR 72 aircraft, operating services to London Luton, Manchester, Birmingham and Lorient.

2007 has by far been Aer Arann's most successful year of operations, and has seen increased destinations, increased frequencies, increased capacity and increased fleet across the network.

WexCan

Wonder if they'd be interested in the new ATRs - the 600 series I believe?

cedar

Yip all that is true but the ticket prices are down in order to compete and so are the profits,also they plan on only operating 10 aircraft next year down from 14 last year.On there turnover of 108million they only made .5 million profit.
Also there previously most profitable route cork-dublin is now operating at a loss due to ryanair competion.Like other routes from the west of Ireland under competeion from ryanair now operating from shannon and knock and will have to be abandoned in the new year.By there own admission they are fighting for there lives next year....

benbulbin

Shocked by the low profit for 07, not a great result after one of their busiest years and facing into a slowing economy. The runway extension at Waterford could also erode their profits in the coming years with competition from the big boys there.

So it looks like the E-jets are vital to allow expansion beyond the UK/Ireland. And, however baseless, it would remove the safety/reliability fears of the ATRs, some people still don't like the turboprops, especially in winter weather.

pclancy

Its true, a lot of people outside of aviation would worry that turboprops are unsafe and noisy compared to jets. Ive often heard people say "oh look at that old propeller plane!" not knowing its actually brand new

kraggy

Looks like it's going to happen

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0111/aerarann.html

pclancy

Cool! Good to see them do well, I wonder what types will be considered.

Steyr

kraggy wrote: »

Looks like it's going to happen

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0111/aerarann.html

Ok lads whos up for a Boards pisser in AGP?

Steyr

Hey guys i CAN confirm that Aer Arann are getting two BAE146 Jets to be based at EICM and will be in Aer Arann colours!

ch252

Steyr wrote: »

Hey guys i CAN confirm that Aer Arann are getting two BAE146 Jets to be based at EICM and will be in Aer Arann colours!

You beat me to it!!lol
Can only mean a good thing for eicm!
Darragh

WexCan

Will be intersting to see how succesful this will be. The aircraft will be operated by another company (Nex?)

I'd say most routes will be fine, not sure on Bordeaux though.

vulcan57

This is brilliant news! It will be great to see jets in Aer Arann colours and get some pictures. Like Darragh-k says it can only be good news for Carnmore, maybe now is the time to re-open the campain on expansion of EICM to allow other companies to use jets. Roll on May!

Steyr

WexCan wrote: »

Will be intersting to see how succesful this will be. The aircraft will be operated by another company (Nex?)

I'd say most routes will be fine, not sure on Bordeaux though.

AFAIK its going to be an all Aer Arann Operation.

ch252

Steyr wrote: »

AFAIK its going to be an all Aer Arann Operation.

Well according to galway bay fm Wexcan is exactly right, nex aviation will be operating them on arann's behalf, dont see why they would do that though.

Darragh

Steyr

darragh-k wrote: »

Well according to galway bay fm Wexcan is exactly right, nex aviation will be operating them on arann's behalf, dont see why they would do that though.

I stand corrected, either way it's all good!:)

ch252

I still dont see why they would let another company run them....more expensive in the long run no?

Darragh

Neworder79

Because NEX Aviation already have the aircraft, crew and operated the routes last year. This is a good move for both, giving NEX a recognise brand and booking system, and Aer Arran a chance to test new jet operated routes.

Their current strategy is to operate cheaper turboprop aircraft form short field airports and this niche protects them from direct competition with the heavies. It's been successful so far but it also restricts their network expansion due to the ATRs range.

According to reports they haven't decide on their move to jets yet and demand for regional jets means it will take time to deliver aircraft when they do. A jet fleet means a change of strategy and higher operating costs which will impact on fares.

But Waterford will have improved an runway in a couple of years, so they may have no choice but to compete with Ryanair.

gally74

the new galway waterford route will be a God send,

wayed it go aer arann

Steyr

Neworder79 wrote: »

Because NEX Aviation already have the aircraft, crew and operated the routes last year.

I flew from GWY to AGP last year for a 2 week break with a mate, had to land in EIWF to refuel and collect more passengers, we flew on the 146 with Nordic Airlines, are they connected with Nex??

sm123_irl

Steyr wrote: »

I flew from GWY to AGP last year for a 2 week break with a mate, had to land in EIWF to refuel and collect more passengers, we flew on the 146 with Nordic Airlines, are they connected with Nex??

It was Atlantic Airways operating the flights for Nex as they did not have their own AOC at that time, thats all sorted now so everything will be run by nex using the arann brand

Steyr

sm123_irl wrote: »

It was Atlantic Airways operating the flights for Nex as they did not have their own AOC at that time, thats all sorted now so everything will be run by nex using the arann brand

Good news, it was Atlantic/Nordic alright! clean 146!:)

JSK 252

Whats the difference between a BAE 146 and an Avro RJ?

*Kol*

Basically the same aircraft, AVRO is an updated version.

Blurb from the BAE website below:

The Avro RJ is the short haul jet successor to the BAe 146. In addition to the 221 BAe 146 aircraft built between 1983 and 1992. 166 Avro RJ aircraft were built up to programme closure in 2001 making it the most successful British civil jet programme ever. The Avro RJ introduced updated Honeywell LF507 engines, increased design weights, a redesigned 'Spaceliner' cabin and digital flight deck featuring CAT3A autoland. As with the BAe 146, the family is available in three sizes spanning 70 to 112 seats and retains the competitive economics, outstanding performance and quiet clean

characteristics that facilitate access to a wide range of demanding city centre airfields such as London City

pclancy

Wasnt there an issue with their aircon that often made pax and crew feel sick?

I also remember watching a 146 takeoff from london city and my god it was loud!

WexCan

flybe's been having some problems with it's 146 fleet, crew have refused to work on them because of worries about fumes etc. There's been a few incidents of crew passing out, though the exact details I'm not sure of.

They plan to replace the 146 with the EMB 190.

146 is a lovely aircraft though.

kraggy

WexCan wrote: »

flybe's been having some problems with it's 146 fleet, crew have refused to work on them because of worries about fumes etc. There's been a few incidents of crew passing out, though the exact details I'm not sure of.

They plan to replace the 146 with the EMB 190.

146 is a lovely aircraft though.

Sure that wasn't the Dash 8's Wex?

FidesEtRobur

sm123_irl wrote: »

It was Atlantic Airways operating the flights for Nex as they did not have their own AOC at that time, thats all sorted now so everything will be run by nex using the arann brand

Apparently Nex still don't have their own AOC so the new flights are to be operated by Flightline

WexCan

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=493770&in_page_id=1770

Dash 8 is a different problem entirely.

Victor

http://www.aerarann.ie/about_us/news.htm#100108 Spreading well outside their current reach.

Cooperation with Nex Aviation using 100 seater BAE 146-200.

But see http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&q=Nex+Aviation&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Steyr

Seen a pic of one of the 146's done up in the New AA Colours ( Triskels etc, Blue engines ) Looks really smart!

damo

kraggy wrote: »

Sure that wasn't the Dash 8's Wex?

The problem with the Dash 8's is with the landing gears....some scandanavian airline if i remember correctly grounded all its dash 8's due to several collapsed gears. Ugly, ugly plane anyway, good riddance i say!!

The 146 has had problems with fumes reported....all in all not looking so good for flybe's fleet.

dogmatix

Nah - the Dash-8 is a very handsome beast. In it's original form that is - then they started to stretch the airframe and the current versions look ungainly and awkward.

Anyhow I read that the reason the SAS Dash-8 crashed was due to either maintenance issues or environmental factors and nothing to do with the quality of the aircraft itself.