Aer Lingus to cut 70 jobs in its Belfast base

smurfjed

Reported in the Independent, looks like the majority of the staff will be redeployed to Dublin, they are not changing the flight schedules.

Sad news for those involved.

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/aer-lingus-is-cutting-up-to-70-jobs-at-irish-base-34724188.html?utm_source=outbrain_top_drawer&utm_medium=outbrain&utm_campaign=Outbrain%20On%20Site

kub

Does that mean that BA will be looking after the maintenance of the fleet up there?

kub

kub wrote: »

Does that mean that BA will be looking after the maintenance of the fleet up there?

Probably just route then through Dub via an aircraft change in Heathrow as is usually done.

highlydebased

Rumblings on another site they will drop out of BHD entirely

JCX BXC

highlydebased wrote: »

Rumblings on another site they will drop out of BHD entirely

If that site is PPRuNe, then those "rumours" started years ago. If the routes are to be pulled, could these slots finally result in a sensible departure time from SNN-LHR?

Still sad for all involved, clearly shows how EI has yet again failed to see much of a market in NI.

Locker10a

This is sad news, I hope EI will remain committed to Belfast, I feel IAG are sort of just looking at figures from EI and plucking out what they consider to be of a lesser return on investment, and cutting back in those areas, without consideration for things like public perception, growth of market share etc.

LXFlyer

highlydebased wrote: »

Rumblings on another site they will drop out of BHD entirely

Given that the Aer Lingus statement clearly says the contrary I don't see that happening.

Bussywussy

kub wrote: »

Does that mean that BA will be looking after the maintenance of the fleet up there?

Most likely along with EI looking after BA in DUB

arubex

lxflyer wrote: »

Given that the Aer Lingus statement clearly says the contrary I don't see that happening.

Companies are 'committed' to 'serving' a market until... they decide that they aren't.

From my perspective travelling from / to the North, Aer Lingus have never had a consistent offering from either Belfast airport except London. When IAG tossed Gatwick slots to the regulator as a concession it was the beginning of the end; why throw-away a decently-perfoming route instead of sacrificing a few Heathrow slots? It was clear then what IAG's priorities would be and Aer Lingus remaining in Belfast isn't one of them.

LXFlyer

arubex wrote: »

Companies are 'committed' to 'serving' a market until... they decide that they aren't.

From my perspective travelling from / to the North, Aer Lingus have never had a consistent offering from either Belfast airport except London. When IAG tossed Gatwick slots to the regulator as a concession it was the beginning of the end; why throw-away a decently-perfoming route instead of sacrificing a few Heathrow slots? It was clear then what IAG's priorities would be and Aer Lingus remaining in Belfast isn't one of them.

Of course changes can take place but releasing a statement with that clear a commitment means it won't be happening in the short/medium term.

goingnowhere

Do EI still have the UK civil service transport contract for London Belfast?