Aer Lingus Fleet/ Routes Discussion Pt 2 (ALL possible routes included)

Singapore has a geographical advantage that we do not have.

Also, Iberia already serves Tokyo. As it happens, the flight back to MAD regularly transits close to Ireland because of the polar route usually taken.

Now time for something different!

Has the argument ever been made for dedicated cargo 330 for EI?

Looking at airlines like Qantas and Qatar, their flight crews will operate both pax and cargo depending on their roster and training.

I know EI Cargo is a decent sized operation and they use the 330 for belly frieght but when aircraft come to the end of their pax life, they could easily be converted to freighter. Like those 321CEO a few years back.

So many cargo operators in and out of Ireland, what are the arguments for and against this idea?

See I am that old I still called it EI Cargo!! But yes, you are right!

And now that you mention the the modifications, it reminds me of the QR 330s with the strengthened nose gear.

I don’t think IAG has any dedicated freighters anywhere in the fleet? Last I remember was a pair of leased 747-8s for BA about 10 years ago? Three letter designator for the operator was GSS IIRC, can’t remember the callsign.

Modern widebodies can haul a lot of freight, the A330 and particularly the 777 killed off a massive number of smaller cargo operators after introduction….look at Aer Turas.

There’s likely not enough business on dedicated, scheduled cargo services for EI to compete with DHL/FedEx/UPS etc, ASL already have what is available sown up from Ireland. That leaves charters for one offs or short term lift, which Cargolux are very good at. Can’t see EI making headway if they tried, and if BA chucked in the towel in LHR/STN, that says it all.

The key word there is Qatar…. 😉 IAG have a sizeable cargo network already… and someone mentioned above has a 25% stake in… you guessed it, IAG!

Anyone know what loads were like for Marrakesh this winter? Not the usual destination for EI so curious as to how it did.

Similar here, was on the EI flights at mid-term and they were rammed. I guess it helps that FR had already established the market. Coupled with EI's strength in the travel-agent market it seems to be a winner for them. Seems to be attracting people that may have usually gone to the Canaries but want something different or more upmarket.

DVE heading to Shannon, presumably for repainting this morning. End of an era

It does seem odd but there's a national strike in Belgium today, lots of cancellations at BRU including the return to Dublin so looks like they may have taken the opportunity to get one last revenue flight in before positioning to SNN.

Depends on the nature of the strike action

If the security at BRU is on strike, then you can fly in but not fly out with passengers. They might even have flown on a hand baggage only basis. Very important flight out of Dublin on a Monday.

Someone did the math as to the cost to put folks up in hotels etc and determined it was cheaper to fly out with pax and come back empty

EI-XLU out of paint in Hamburg, fuselage done but tail back in primer after being white for a few months.

Still no engines so a while yet.

So would this mean a far flung flight?

I can't imagine a new airport in Spain or Portugal would mean a change to their working conditions but I wouldn't know.

Madeira maybe?