Transatlantic route to Kerry?

Quaderno

Just found on radiokerry.ie:

05 Oct 2011
Possiblity of Transatlantic Flights for Kerry
The US city of Myrtle Beach is seriously considering the possibility of starting flights to Kerry. Mayor of Killarney Sean Counihan who has just returned from a trip to South Carolina City which is twinned with Killarney says they are extremely enthusiastic about the possibility. The Killarney delegation also offered Cork as a possibility if Farranfore was not suitable; however Kerry Airport has confirmed that it can cater for transatlantic flights. Spirit Airlines in the US was mentioned as a possible carrier and if it materialised it would lead to one flight a week for 16 weeks a year. If the plan comes to pass, it will follow the already successful Charlotte - Dublin route, which brought 70,000 visitors to Ireland in its first year.

I seriously hope that will never come to pass. If there is one thing KIR doesn't need it is tightened security. It's very wise to mention Cork at that stage...

David086

What aircraft we talking here?

Quaderno

According to airfleets.net Spirit is currently operating 26 Airbus A319, 7 A320 and 2 A321. The straight line distance between MYR (Myrtle Beach) and KIR would be nearly 3600 miles/5800km, so realistically only one of their A319s could remotely be capable of doing this, though ETOPS would be a serious issue for a small LCC. I don't think Spirit could do this alone, they would most likely need to source a bigger aircraft somewhere else.

sparrowcar

Would be a nice addition for the local economy but I just can't see it happening in the present climate

muppet01

Quaderno wrote: »

According to airfleets.net Spirit is currently operating 26 Airbus A319, 7 A320 and 2 A321. The straight line distance between MYR (Myrtle Beach) and KIR would be nearly 3600 miles/5800km, so realistically only one of their A319s could remotely be capable of doing this, though ETOPS would be a serious issue for a small LCC. I don't think Spirit could do this alone, they would most likely need to source a bigger aircraft somewhere else.

They would never be allowed operate an A319 to Kerry across the pond.

Quaderno

muppet01 wrote: »

They would never be allowed operate an A319 to Kerry across the pond.

Even if they would (and I seriously doubt that as well) - I can't see how that could ever be profitable. You would need to undergo an incredibly difficult certification process to get at least one airplane and crew up to the task. But then only 16 weeks with one flight each per year? Even if you maxed out the seating capacity of the plane in a one-class configuration (highly unlikely on a route like this) and have a 100% load in both directions you wouldn't even reach 5000 pax for the whole year. That's never going to be feasible...

ScouseMouse

And what about Michael O'Leary?

He wouldn't allow another LCC start into Ireland.

Although, that WOULD be some scrap.

Plowman

This post has been deleted.

Quaderno

Another piece on the topic in todays Kerryman: http://www.kerryman.ie/news/serious-plans-for-us-flight-to-kerry-2896765.html

(...) While a number of airlines are being touted, it is understood that low cost carrier Spirit Airlines is a preferred option as it currently runs successful flights from Myrtle Beach into Canada and Central America. (...)

Delancey

Another dumb idea to be added to the bin with the likes of the Offaly Airport plan.

wjp

What is needed is direct flights from chicago to shannon or kerry. aerlingus has forgotten those that want to go the the southwest of ireland, they are only interested in dublin. hope spirit or ryan air will help us out and bring us into shannon or kerry.

Tenger

wjp wrote: »

What is needed is direct flights from chicago to shannon or kerry. aerlingus has forgotten those that want to go the the southwest of ireland, they are only interested in dublin. hope spirit or ryan air will help us out and bring us into shannon or kerry.

EI are not a charity, they did have flights from SNN to Chicago and the people did not flock to them, thus they have focussed on the profitable routes!!!
As it stands SNN has flights to/from New York and Boston by EI, why not connect ORD-BOS-SNN?

Secondly do you really think EI are going to operate one of their A330's into KIR?

The only way Spirit are going to get to KIR is by hiring in a B757/B739ER from another airline, can KIR even handle a B757?

Neworder79

Tenger wrote: »

The only way Spirit are going to get to KIR is by hiring in a B757/B739ER from another airline, can KIR even handle a B757?

It as in the past, not sure about takeoff weight restriction for TA length route though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3PMoBQBSkg

roundymac

Tenger wrote: »

The only way Spirit are going to get to KIR is by hiring in a B757/B739ER from another airline, can KIR even handle a B757?

Even a B739ER would have difficulty doing that route, the range according to the Boeing web site is not great, just about make the North American mainland, ie, Canada/Newfoundland. This was during a discussian on what to replace the 757 with on another site.
If EI won't operate one of their A330 into Cork then you can forget them going to Kerry,

Davidth88

My memory may be playing me up.

Wasn't there already charters to/from the US/Canada to Farranfore ?

roundymac

Yes, but they returned via Shannon. 757's I think were used.

highlydebased

Yup, ATA did charters into Kerry before with 757s.

Tbh I think this is just another case of politicians making blatant, illinformed and grandoise claims with not having any understanding of how things work. Tis like the politicians who go in the paper saying "We need a flight to X and I spoke to X airline". This is the sort of interference we really DONT need!

I'm sure EI will operate Shannon-Chicago again. Just not right now.

muppet01

They could market a 1st class service on a 319 to compete with BA001 Speedbird .............:D

wjp

Yep, EI has let us down big time, passengers now have to travel to Dublin the night before their trip and pay for a place to stay, so wrong. time for other airlines to step up and compete.

highlydebased

wjp wrote: »

Yep, EI has let us down big time, passengers now have to travel to Dublin the night before their trip and pay for a place to stay, so wrong. time for other airlines to step up and compete.

You expect Aer Lingus to provide a transatlantic service from Kerry? :S They'd be very reluctant to provide a service to Europe let alone! Wake up and smell the roses!

And what about Shannon an hour and a bit up the road with year round service to New York?

Delancey

wjp wrote: »

Yep, EI has let us down big time, passengers now have to travel to Dublin the night before their trip and pay for a place to stay, so wrong. time for other airlines to step up and compete.

Sweet Jesus , are we talking about the Republic of Kerry ?

L1011

wjp wrote: »

What is needed is direct flights from chicago to shannon or kerry. aerlingus has forgotten those that want to go the the southwest of ireland, they are only interested in dublin. hope spirit or ryan air will help us out and bring us into shannon or kerry.

EI would still operate to Shannon if it was profitable. Seems the people of the southwest forgot EI rather than the other way around.

owenc

Are they foreal how could they possibly operate out of that airport? That airport is really small and there wouldn't be enough passengers to make it profitable.. is the route actually going ahead? I think we should have a route bfs to st johns or somewhere like that, only 3 hours to there. It would be nice to be able to fly to america without having to sit on a plane for hours on end!

Dogwatch

owenc wrote: »

Are they foreal how could they possibly operate out of that airport? That airport is really small and there wouldn't be enough passengers to make it profitable.. is the route actually going ahead? I think we should have a route bfs to st johns or somewhere like that, only 3 hours to there. It would be nice to be able to fly to america without having to sit on a plane for hours on end!

Last time I was in St. John's it was in Canada!!!!!!!! unless you mean the North American continent.