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

Focusing or retreating to where you make the most profit is a great strategy in the short term but leaves them wide open to competition with nowhere to else to go. The current short haul strategy means they can't compete with the European legacies on product, loyalty or frequency, and can't compete with Ryanair on cost.

The summer sun market is big enough for two major carriers, a third would likely devestate Aer Lingus. Even then, any new summer routes Aer Lingus attempt, Ryanair quickly replicates.

Returning to Central and Eastern Europe or Scandinavia in their current form would obviously be a disaster but the fact they couldn't make these routes work or felt the need to retreat to reliable markets proves there's an underlying issue with the business that needs to be adressed or they'll eventually face them again in the remaining markets they've become reliant on.

Fleet, product and brand position all need attention in Europe. Unfortunately IAG only wants to see the bottom line, they'll never want to invest in Aer Lingus short haul enough to see the significant change needed imo. The drip feed of A320neo's, just 8 in 5 years and almost exclusively for Heathrow, speaks for itself.

I'd imagine it's partly to put football fans from countries they don't want visitors from off going to the World Cup.

I know why they're there, that's my point. IAG needed a particularly strong business case (LHR savings) from Aer Lingus to invest in those aircraft but getting more of them for the wider European network looks set to be a slower process compared to other group carriers.

Can anyone explain the rationale that EI don't offer through-connections to the European network from Donegal. If originating in CFN you can book to the US but not Europe. Seems like a missed opportunity (but unsurprising when EI is involved!). Likely due to PSO restrictions I guess, to stop it being used for holidays and to leave the seats for those needing it for commuting/regional use.

Also the PSO contract is held by Emerald Airlines, not Aer Lingus. I assume they did not tender on the basis of being a franchisee, though the public statements at the time did highlight the onward connectivity opportunities.

Aer Lingus would be the first port of call to pay for the rebooking. They do the approach of refusing to look for seats on other carriers a lot, but are still liable for the costs under 261

It hasn't operated under the actual tender holders brand for a long time, except the pandemic era Amapolaflyg era

It's been sold as Aer Lingus with both Stobart and Emerald; Flybe with Loganair. Loganair also ran other Irish PSOs as BA before then

Aer Arann pre 2012 was the last time it was consistently branded by the actual tender holders.

Sounds like a software limitation that is only designed to enable Europe-USA connections and it's not worth the money to modify it for just a single route to do Europe-Europe connections.

XLU spotted at XFW again. Flight testing should be underway shortly. It won’t be long now until all 6 XLR’s are on hand with XLW also preparing for tests.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/194588565@N03/54675807200/in/photostream/lightbox/

Anyone know what happened the Aer Lingus flight to Lanzarote today? Seen it turned back off the south coast of Cork.

Can’t remember where I saw but someone said it was an engine issue

Weather related I imagine, fairly meaty storm ripped through the midwest yesterday during the day.

Due Dublin 2015 this evening.

https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/aer-lingus-plans-us-codeshare-with-qr-as-iag-and-qatar-airways-continue-to-get-closer-724376

Aer Lingus applies to use QR tail code on Transatlantic routes.