Aerlingus Regional Still using Aer Arann Call Sign

airman737

Just wondering why are Aerlingus Regional using "Arann" Call sign?

westdub

Because the operator of the aircraft is still Aer Arann and the Aer lingus Regional is just a contract operated by them on behalf of Aer Lingus...

Simply put as long as Are Arann own the aircraft they will use the ''Arann'' callsign...

McWotever

airman737 wrote: »

Just wondering why are Aerlingus Regional using "Arann" Call sign?

Because Aer Arann operate the Aer Lingus Regional brand.

airman737

westdub wrote: »

Because the operator of the aircraft is still Aer Arann and the Aer lingus Regional is just a contract operated by them on behalf of Aer Lingus...

Simply put as long as Are Arann own the aircraft they will use the ''Arann'' callsign...

Why did aer arann go to the expense of repainting the liveries on the ATRs if they are just hired on contract?

Neworder79

Aer Arann was on it's last legs a couple of years ago and just managed to scrape through by writing off debts in the examinership process, and with some investment from a white knight investor, Stobart.

With falling traffic, closing bases, and a brand damaged by several incidents and years of negative media as well as poor operational performance, they turned to Aer Lingus who's regional routes were struggling with larger A320 jets in the economic downturn.

The deal involves Aer Arann operating some of the routes for Aer Lingus, using the Aer Lingus branding and livery so the public have the confidence in booking and flying with well trusted brand. EI get a franchise fee and can offer more frequency and hub connectivity to their network, Aer Arann survive to fly another day and profit from operating the routes.

Tenger

As above,

....most of the regional flying in the USA is done by airlines contracted out to the major carriers. United Express and Delta Connect are a franchise operation with several small airlines operating the routes on behalf of United and Delta respectively. American Eagle are a wholly owned subsidary of American Airlines.....however I think they are currently up for sale under the AA bankruptcy plan.

bluecode

Exactly, passengers may believe they're flying Aer Lingus but they're not. It's still Aer Arann.

Turbine

Just to clarify, Aer Lingus don't contract the routes out to Aer Arann, that would imply some sort of exclusivity and profit-sharing. Aer Arann are a franchise operator for Aer Lingus, with the franchise being Aer Lingus Regional. Technically, any airline can become a franchisor of Aer Lingus under that brand. So while Aer Lingus receive a franchise fee for the use of their brand and have a say in on-board service, they don't share the profits with Aer Arann. But the benefit for Aer Lingus is that they're receiving a franchise fee from routes that they wouldn't otherwise operate themselves because the economics of the A32X make it unsuitable for such routes. They also receive additional connecting passengers on their USA flights, which they retain the full profits of.

It's true to say that by the time Aer Arann went into examinership, they had a damaged brand, but they had already entered a franchise agreement well before this and they've only transferred all of their flights to the franchise in the last few months, so I wouldn't say they entered the franchise because of the negative media attention etc. The main reason for them entering into a franchise with Aer Lingus was because the Aer Arann brand wasn't well known outside of Ireland. So by using the Aer Lingus brand instead, it allowed them to enter new markets with a much more recognised brand which in turn increased passenger numbers.

The fact that Aer Arann are about to sign an order for 8 new ATR 72-600s just shows how much they've profited from this franchise agreement.

basill

Other benefits for AL are the branding into new markets/cities at little or no risk. When the markets pick up/demand increases don't be surprised to see regional jets or mainline AL operating into some of these smaller airports.

Also the feed onto the Atlantic has been beneficial.