Christmas Day Traffic

McWotever

I was under the impression that there is no scheduled services on the 25th December. How wrong I was.

Bummer1234

Mad ain't it, Looked at flightradar at 1 and couldn't get over all the flights passing ireland heading stateside.

Clonmel1000

Are all the Irish airports closed today and if so what about the likes of LHR and CDG? Thanks

fr336

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

Are all the Irish airports closed today and if so what about the likes of LHR and CDG? Thanks

LHR must be open as I've seen BA and other flights going in and out from the US, France, probably plenty more.

LXFlyer

I'm pretty sure that Ireland is the only country in western Europe that does not have any flights operating on Christmas Day now.

From what I can tell each of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow in the UK all have departing and arriving flights, albeit a greatly reduced programme.

Devil08

There's a flight back to the North Pole anyway, thought that was the only one

Foggy43

BA operate a near to normal 'intercontinental' departure service on Christmas Day. Any reductions will mostly be to North America. Arrivals are normal. No domestic flights and a very reduced European service.

LHR that is!

notharrypotter

Shannon Airport is open on Christmas Day.
Dublin Airport is closed till about 0400 on the 26th.
Cork Airport is closed too until 26th

That being said I dont believe there is any scheduled traffic into or out of Ireland on the 25th.

fr336

notharrypotter wrote: »

Shannon Airport is open on Christmas Day.
Dublin Airport is closed till about 0400 on the 26th.
Cork Airport is closed too until 26th

That being said I dont believe there is any scheduled traffic into or out of Ireland on the 25th.

Any idea why?, say compared to Dublin?

notharrypotter

Historical.

North Atlantic Diversionary Airport.

Growler!!!

fr336 wrote: »

Any idea why?, say compared to Dublin?

Ha ha cos there more airports on the island than just Dub:D

Any ideas why Irish airports still close? I first came across this in the late 90's when I had to join a ship in NZ. Had to leave Ireland on Christmas Eve stay the night in London then get a BA flight west to LA then onto Auckland. Lost Stephens day too due to flying over the international dateline.

LXFlyer

It's just Irish culture - everything closes down for Christmas Day.

EchoIndia

Historically I imagine that demand for travel on the day is fairly low and would not be regarded as justifying the whole airport (DUB) being up and running. That may change in time, I suppose.

Tenger

I would concur...its an Irish cultural/historical fact. I personally welcome it.
I expect it may change in the next 5-10 years however.

EDIT: Well I personally like the acknowledgment (and the day off from work))
However I expect that airline/traffic demand as well as cultural shift over the next few years will see the cessation of services seem less appropriate.
I believe (can't be 100%) that it stems from the DAP Fire service being off so no flights ops can take place.

fr336

Tenger wrote: »

I would concur...its an Irish cultural/historical fact. I personally welcome it.
I expect it may change in the next 5-10 years however.

How come? (Sorry to be dense)

LXFlyer

fr336 wrote: »

How come? (Sorry to be dense)

Because times change - whether old customs such as the entire country shutting down for a day will perpetuate is debatable in the medium/long term.

As I posted above - there is not one single other country in western Europe that has no flights anymore on Christmas Day.

fr336

lxflyer wrote: »

Because times change - whether old customs such as the entire country shutting down for a day will perpetuate is debatable in the medium/long term.

As I posted above - there is not one single other country in western Europe that has no flights anymore on Christmas Day.

Well it's still a very catholic country if I'm not mistaken? I personally don't see too much of an issue with Ireland shutting down for just one day; the UK maybe slightly more of an issue if any (but of course that doesn't really now)

L1011

Did DUB ever open on Christmas Day? If not, Joseph O'Connor did very poor research for one of his novels that has the protagonist going out there on Christmas :pac:

CIE used to operate bus services on Christmas yet Dublin Bus doesn't, which I find very odd.

shamwari

Well, one of my siblings works in DAP and I think more than most, they bloody well earn that day off given all the sh*te they have to put up with in the run up to Christmas. Catholic country or not, one day off to be spent with your family is something everyone should have and shouldn't be sacrificed to meet ever growing commercial expectations (or greed in other words). That's my tuppence worth....and Christmas rant over...:D

LXFlyer

fr336 wrote: »

Well it's still a very catholic country if I'm not mistaken? I personally don't see too much of an issue with Ireland shutting down for just one day; the UK maybe slightly more of an issue if any (but of course that doesn't really now)

The point that the previous poster is making is that times have changed considerably over recent years and that in 5-10 years we may have changed further, and as such international flights may happen. But then again, perhaps not!

I'd like to think that Ireland has moved on somewhat from being governed by the catholic church - but that is a different debate entirely.

The UK has no domestic flights on Christmas Day, only international flights, nor does it have any domestic rail services, with very limited bus/coach services.

LXFlyer

MYOB wrote: »

Did DUB ever open on Christmas Day? If not, Joseph O'Connor did very poor research for one of his novels that has the protagonist going out there on Christmas :pac:

CIE used to operate bus services on Christmas yet Dublin Bus doesn't, which I find very odd.

It is odd, but even London has no bus/rail services on Christmas Day, yet Edinburgh and Cardiff do have local bus services!

veetwin

Yeah everyone is on here bemoaning the fact that everything shuts down for one day a year like its a bad thing. A day without flying, shopping, pubs, consumerism, etc.

As someone who works at the airport I for one hope we keep this "backward" tradition. Back to work for me tomorrow but happy to be there and happy to have one day off at least.

kona

Not everybody gets the Xmas off in the airport!

Bsal

Doesn't Aer Lingus ops work christmas day/evening due to the early morning arrivals on the 26th from the USA.

veetwin

Bsal wrote: »

Doesn't Aer Lingus ops work christmas day/evening due to the early morning arrivals on the 26th from the USA.

Pretty much normal ops from 04.00 for every carrier on Stephens day.

billie1b

Tenger wrote: »

I would concur...its an Irish cultural/historical fact. I personally welcome it.
I expect it may change in the next 5-10 years however.

EDIT: Well I personally like the acknowledgment (and the day off from work))
However I expect that airline/traffic demand as well as cultural shift over the next few years will see the cessation of services seem less appropriate.
I believe (can't be 100%) that it stems from the DAP Fire service being off so no flights ops can take place.

Dublin Airport have a ghost crew of ATC, Fire Crew, Airport Police and other workers on Christmas Day, its not open to scheduled traffic but still open for emergencies

vicwatson

fr336 wrote: »

Well it's still a very catholic country if I'm not mistaken? I personally don't see too much of an issue with Ireland shutting down for just one day; the UK maybe slightly more of an issue if any (but of course that doesn't really now)

Religion and aviation - now there's a first

fr336

vicwatson wrote: »

Religion and aviation - now there's a first

Not sure I follow? :P

EchoIndia

lxflyer wrote: »

The UK has no domestic flights on Christmas Day, only international flights, nor does it have any domestic rail services, with very limited bus/coach services.

There were a few UK domestic flights - Virgin "Little Red" and a few BA Shuttles seen on FR24 during the day.

urajoke

There's no ghost crew of ATC. There is a couple of controllers on standby at home. A few continental airlines such as Lufthansa have asked for the airport to open on Christmas Day but the DAA has said no. How long they resist no one knows. It's a bit like Croke park being asked to open for a 100 people to view a game. They have a threshold of profitability when enough airlines ask and the DAA thinks it's worth their while to do it then they might consider it.

LXFlyer

EchoIndia wrote: »

There were a few UK domestic flights - Virgin "Little Red" and a few BA Shuttles seen on FR24 during the day.

I stand corrected - so that must be one of the first times Aer Lingus flight crew have been working on Christmas Day!

Either way, it's a greatly reduced programme.

Stinicker

Christmas Day can traditionally be a day to find lower priced flights compared to the days either side of the 25th which are very expensive compared to off peak times. Personally I think closing on Christmas Day is the right thing to do and I wish we would adapt a German style Sunday closing to put the brakes on consumerism and its lavish waste. Bars/Pubs should be closed once a month with one Sunday every month dedicated to family time and rest, stop the consumerism and give people time together. Such a bunch of alocho's queuing up to get into Bar's last night after midnight. Christmas day is lovely and more days a year like it are needed.

LXFlyer

Stinicker wrote: »

Christmas Day can traditionally be a day to find lower priced flights compared to the days either side of the 25th which are very expensive compared to off peak times. Personally I think closing on Christmas Day is the right thing to do and I wish we would adapt a German style Sunday closing to put the brakes on consumerism and its lavish waste. Bars/Pubs should be closed once a month with one Sunday every month dedicated to family time and rest, stop the consumerism and give people time together. Such a bunch of alocho's queuing up to get into Bar's last night after midnight. Christmas day is lovely and more days a year like it are needed.

That's fine - but for the many single people out there your idea wouldn't be the most appealing - we're not all lucky enough to have families to spend time with!! I'm referring to your extension of everything being closed rather than Christmas Day itself (for clarity).

notuslimited

I may be wrong but I seem to remember a small Cessna doing a touch and go at Dublin Airport on Christmas Day either last year or the year before.

Jamie2k9

lxflyer wrote: »

It is odd, but even London has no bus/rail services on Christmas Day, yet Edinburgh and Cardiff do have local bus services!

In the UK huge parts of the railway close for major works which are carried out on Christmas Day, Stephens Day and into NY's. Couldn't ever see Irish Rail workers doing the same but hey they don't even run Dublin commuter on the 26th.

I stand corrected - so that must be one of the first times Aer Lingus flight crew have been working on Christmas Day!

Aer Lingus crew work every Xmas day.

There's no ghost crew of ATC. There is a couple of controllers on standby at home. A few continental airlines such as Lufthansa have asked for the airport to open on Christmas Day but the DAA has said no. How long they resist no one knows. It's a bit like Croke park being asked to open for a 100 people to view a game. They have a threshold of profitability when enough airlines ask and the DAA thinks it's worth their while to do it then they might consider it.

It will take either Aer Lingus or Ryanair to request full operations on the 25 for the airport to open. It's pointless opening for around 20 flights on the 25 based on current operators who operate on the 25th. I also think in future it will change.

shamwari

Just heard on the news that Donegal regional airport has been closed due to essential equipment being damaged by lightning. Not expected to reopen until late tomorrow at the earliest.

marketty

notuslimited wrote: »

I may be wrong but I seem to remember a small Cessna doing a touch and go at Dublin Airport on Christmas Day either last year or the year before.

I think it was a microlight with no radio, which unlike a Cessna would not normally be allowed into DUB airspace let alone land, but as the airport was closed the airspace was downgraded (to class G I think?).
Its on YouTube somewhere

marketty

marketty wrote: »

I think it was a microlight with no radio, which unlike a Cessna would not normally be allowed into DUB airspace let alone land, but as the airport was closed the airspace was downgraded (to class G I think?).
Its on YouTube somewhere

Found it I think!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TezmH4U_h8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Doesn't say anything about Christmas day though, and he doesn't touch down (landing fees maybe?!)

westdub

marketty wrote: »

Found it I think!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TezmH4U_h8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Doesn't say anything about Christmas day though, and he doesn't touch down (landing fees maybe?!)

That was taken during the ash cloud closure, hence the parked aircraft and less than wintry conditions....;)

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Tenger

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Who mentioned religious needs?

It a tradition. I'm far from religious but I still appreciate an acknowledgment of the day.
I have been a victim of the US shutdown on Thanksgiving......(do not go to New England around then)but I don't begrudge them 1 day of 365 to proclaim that family is more important than commercial needs.

highlydebased

Don't think it's too much to do with religion- Look at Malta- a country very much deeply rooted in religion moreso than Ireland, yet on Christmas day the airport remains open and Air Malta operates most its schedule. Even the bus service operates a normal schedule with just 2 hours off in the afternoon for drivers to be with their families

notharrypotter

Every year we are treated to press statements from the dfifferent sections of the transport industry regarding the "RECORD" numbers they will carry this christmas.

If christmas was an ordinary travel day just how many LESS people would be flying over the Christmas/New Year period.

Preset No.3

westdub wrote: »

That was taken during the ash cloud closure, hence the parked aircraft and less than wintry conditions....;)

Like this one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaFAnWqbziM

eatmyshorts

Stinicker wrote: »

Christmas Day can traditionally be a day to find lower priced flights compared to the days either side of the 25th which are very expensive compared to off peak times. Personally I think closing on Christmas Day is the right thing to do and I wish we would adapt a German style Sunday closing to put the brakes on consumerism and its lavish waste. Bars/Pubs should be closed once a month with one Sunday every month dedicated to family time and rest, stop the consumerism and give people time together. Such a bunch of alocho's queuing up to get into Bar's last night after midnight. Christmas day is lovely and more days a year like it are needed.

And what is Sunday is my only day off? How am I supposed to get things done?
Not everyone works the standard Monday to Friday.
If you want to use your Sunday as a day of rest and spend it with your family, then you're welcome too. But don't be shoving your views down my throat like some 1960 's parish priest.

urajoke

Stinicker wrote: »

Christmas Day can traditionally be a day to find lower priced flights compared to the days either side of the 25th which are very expensive compared to off peak times. Personally I think closing on Christmas Day is the right thing to do and I wish we would adapt a German style Sunday closing to put the brakes on consumerism and its lavish waste. Bars/Pubs should be closed once a month with one Sunday every month dedicated to family time and rest, stop the consumerism and give people time together. Such a bunch of alocho's queuing up to get into Bar's last night after midnight. Christmas day is lovely and more days a year like it are needed.

And what about the many 10's of thousands of shift workers you just going to show us the two fingers and tell us tough luck.

markpb

urajoke wrote: »

There's no ghost crew of ATC. There is a couple of controllers on standby at home.

How do they get called in if there's no one in ATC at the airport? Are they all tuned into LiveATC hoping Mechs cat doesn't turn off his PC at an inopportune moment? :-)

notharrypotter

the enroute centre in Shannon and Shannon airport are open.
There would be arrangements for Shannon to initiate a call out of the necessary Dublin staff if the situation warrant's it.

A320

Cork must if had an ATCO on shift as there was heli ops to the kinsale gas rigs

Tea 1000

vicwatson wrote: »

Religion and aviation - now there's a first

Ah there's plenty of examples! Ever heard of Knock airport?

eatmyshorts wrote: »

And what is Sunday is my only day off? How am I supposed to get things done?
Not everyone works the standard Monday to Friday.
If you want to use your Sunday as a day of rest and spend it with your family, then you're welcome too. But don't be shoving your views down my throat like some 1960 's parish priest.

Chill out. He's not shoving anything down your throat and clearly stated that it was a personal opinion.
For crying out loud, this place is one of the most hostile places on Boards. Another poster asked politely how the jump-seat works by giving an example he experienced and got many hostile posts back like "what's wrong with that? What's your problem with it?".
I think we need a new emoticon - an angry looking person with tapping foot, hands on hips and raised lip!