Why is RYR flying KIR-HHN with 80 passengers

dohouch

I've done this flight three times in the last 10 days. Each time paying just €20 there abouts. Why would Ryanair fly these planes? This can't pay. This must be a big loss for them.

bikeman1

If the route was loss making, then they would bin it fairly quickly. Ryanair's Revenue team would be best to ask for this. I would imagine the route operates with very low fees from both airports as a start.

The route loads very well in the peak period and I have seen some quite high fares. At this time of year Ryanair is essentially barely breaking even. They don't shut down their whole route network because every flight they operate isn't making them big bucks. It is the longer term picture.

I wouldn't advise you to travel on some trans Atlantic flights at this time of year. You have flights operating in some directions with enough pax that could fit on a single coach.

LiamaDelta

There's a massive German diaspora in the region, the Liebherr factory in Killarney and significant German investment in hotels in the area. It's one of the routes that has been the backbone for the airport and ryanair for the past 21 years

EchoIndia

Intra-European airlines generally don't make big money in Jan/Feb but they can't just park their fleets and furlough staff until the more lucrative time of year returns. Ryanair must have an enormous amount of activity data that enables it to maximise revenues, whatever time of year it is. The low-cost model relies on attractive fares and heavy promotional activity to keep people making bookings and taking trips at times of the year that were once a travel "desert". I've lost count of the number of Ryanair e-mails I've received in recent weeks, citing any number of reasons why now is the time to make a booking.

You may recall too that during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ryanair, instead of grounding most of their fleet (with associated storage and maintenance costs), actually kept most of their aircraft active, albeit at much reduced levels of activity. This kept pilots current as well. In this way they were able quickly to ramp up operations when restrictions were lifted.

dohouch

Forgot to say, pretty sure 737 8200, each time 80 passengers on board, +Approximately 10 no-shows.

PCros

*Misread title

Tenger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058397017/why-is-ryr-flying-kir-hhn-with-80-paying-souls

Do you know what the loads where on the return sector, or on.the other days?

dohouch

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123189071#Comment_123189071

i don't work at KIR or live close enough to monitor arrivals and departures , so no, but can't think it varies hughley.

Captain_Crash

It’s the quietest time of year for most European airlines. I came home from a quick trip to SEA the other day and the crew was telling me there was only 50 on board, on an A332 with a capacity for 266 pax.

dohouch

I did ask Mrs Gemini what is the cost of keeping a 737 in the air for an hour, just the fuel bill. Lots of obfuscation on her part, but at least $3,500 and hour. I don't give much credence, but it's a starting point , and from there it just goes up, crew, depreciation etc. the airports at both ends may well be free in the winter months.