Aer Lingus to Operate Vueling Long Haul (Rumour)

Jamie2k9

Appears to be a post on several sites that Aer Lingus will wet lease 2 A330's to Vueling to commence long haul ops from June 2017.

LAX tweeted about Vueling launching BCN yesterday but swiftly removed it.

Apparently announcement next Wednesday.

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While it looks good on paper I am still somewhat surprised. Interesting to see if it happens and where EI will source some old A330's.

Tenger

Saw mention a week or two ago about IAG launching a low cost long haul operation out of BCN.
I dont think EI can spare 2x A330's0 this year from their fleet of 10-12?
I guess it will be something like IAG leasing in 2 aircraft to operate under their AOC which in turn will operate with EI flight crew and Vueling cabin crew? Similar to the IAD set-up that EI had with United a few years back?

Jamie2k9

Tenger wrote: »

Saw mention a week or two ago about IAG launching a low cost long haul operation out of BCN.
I dont think EI can spare 2x A330's this year from their fleet of 10-12?
I guess it will be something like IAG leasing in 2 aircraft to operate under their AOC which in turn will operate with EI flight crew and Vueling cabin crew? Similar to the IAD set-up that EI had with United a few years back?

Indeed aircraft will have to come from outside current fleet. Reckon if it happens VY will just be the sales agent and everything else EI. If it was exclusively US routes then I suspect EI may base cabin crew in the US (like flight deck) something I don't think VY would be best to equipped to do.

goingnowhere

EI ran MAD-IAD for several years for UA so has form in this area, EI was a world leader in wet/damp/dry leasing before those involved created GPA and the airline leasing business.

IAG has a stack of 330/350 frames on order for EI/IB/BA so may be able to move things around by leaving IB flying A340's if oil stays cheap.

Easier for EI to operate as EI is a ETOPS A330 operator and has managed to be the most profitable airline in the IAG. There is talk that 1 of the A330's for EI in 2017 is a replacement not addition so there is 1 frame already spare

Irish Steve

Based on a few comments I've heard from friends who are close to the day to day, the shortage won't be just airframes, there will be interesting times ahead for flight crew resourcing as well if a couple of extra long haul airframes have to be added to the mix.

Van.Bosch

I wonder would EI have preferred the aircraft themselves for their own expansion?

Jamie2k9

Van.Bosch wrote: »

I wonder would EI have preferred the aircraft themselves for their own expansion?

No, expanding by 5 A330 is one season is not a good idea and would likely hurt profits. This way they can make some profit on the side so in theory a win win for EI.

Van.Bosch

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

No, expanding by 5 A330 is one season is not a good idea and would likely hurt profits. This way they can make some profit on the side so in theory a win win for EI.

Would they have used them to replace the leased 757's or would that be too much I wonder?

kevinandrew

Replacing the 757s with A330s isn't likely, far too much of a jump in capacity and undermines the whole idea of having the 757s in the first place.
As it stands Aer Lingus is getting 2 A330s for themselves, one as a replacement frame and the other for the Miami expansion. It seems reasonable to expect it will also receive another two A330s destined for the rumoured Vueling expansion, I don't see how it's possible for Aer Lingus provide the frames from it's current 2017 planned fleet.

Stovepipe

insufficient pilots/cabin crew /mechs/loaders/ops,etc,etc.....

Locker10a

Stovepipe wrote: »

insufficient pilots/cabin crew /mechs/loaders/ops,etc,etc.....

Most of these can be sourced via agencies as per similar previous EI operations for United Airlines and Virgin

Bussywussy

Na any plans to retire 1 A330 have been shelved at the moment.