Aer Lingus - Take 2

[ZuluLima]

With the pending takeover of EI by OneWorld members IAG (BA, IB) there would be a good chance of seeing some green A330s in DFW. The previous rumor of EI being interested in DFW didn't hold much water, although it seems there is some demand independent of alliance ties. I think it would be hard for them to overlook any large AA hub from DUB, especially since LHR is maxed out. I'm glad Ryanair couldn't assimilate Aer Lingus, and quite hopeful the IAG takeover is approved. Seems like a win for EI, IAG, DFW, and probably plenty of other letters. I'll predict approval of takeover, and DFW flights starting summer 2017. Thoughts?

[Charlie]

In an article yesterday in Irish Central, it references Aer Lingus adding 2 new routes by 2016. One rumored to be LAX and the other "in Texas". Goes further to say that IAG's joint business agreement with AA and AY help to strengthen the case. Thus, the "Texas" route most likely would be DFW.

http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/tra ... -2016.html

Sure hope that Dallas & Ft Worth mayors and DFW leaders spend time wooing other European carriers to DFW not just strengthening the ties with BA and LH.

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/busin ... 78970.html

We shall see...

[Greg]

I'd love to see this happen, but I am skeptical... I wonder first how many daily passengers go from DFW, or Texas as a whole, to Ireland. Then we may be able to better determine the case for the route. Who knows, maybe 3x a week to start?

[BigDman]

As much as I would like to see this happen, I just don't see it. Looking at the traditional US-Ireland markets NY, Chicago and BOS, these cities have strong cultural and historic links going back centuries which is what seems to drive these flights, mainly VFR. Leisure oriented services to LAX were short-lived and dropped along with IAD and SFO , though SFO was recently restated as well as a new market, MCO opened. Honestly, the Irish communities in Texas are so small, I doubt that EI would expend their limited resources on such an insignificant market, despite AA's megahub here. It would indeed be nice to see those Emerald Green A330s roaming our ramps, but I would not get my hopes up.
































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[ZuluLima]

Sorry guys, but the route will have little to do with O&D traffic, which you are correct about (that's why we don't have a flight already). This is all about connections. How many people visit The Netherlands? KLM makes it work with an A330. Take the existing O&D, which draws from well over 10 million on the Texas end, and add business, and connections through a mega-hub and a useful EU entry point, and there is no reason to doubt the success of the route.

It's all about the potential of what a combined EI/BA/IB would mean in terms of growing Aer Lingus and DUB. Would you agree that AA could make it work? Because that is exactly what will be happening. EI will join the JV with AA and BA, and it would be both airlines on the route, regardless of who's metal does the flying. Unfortunately this also means we could get screwed with a AA 763 doing the flying, but I would guess EI is a better fit.

I doubt that EI would expend their limited resources on such an insignificant market

"Insignificant market"? Way off the mark, even as concerns Ireland. Don't rule out any AA hub (well, maybe PHX). Hell, if AUS can get a BA 777 with effectively no US connections, I think we could sustain an A332.

[Greg]

Good points... well, time will tell. I would certainly love to see it happen. No doubt the airport would offer the usual incentives - free landing fees for a time, reduced rent, etc.

[ZuluLima]

As an update, recently the Irish government approved the IAG takeover, and a few days ago Ryanair agreed to sell their holding to IAG at the offered share price. Of course this is all just preamble to whether or not DFW will get EI, but we'll never know until these hurdles are cleared. Looking good for now.

Widebody fleet details:

MSN___Type_____Delivery date__Reg._____Name
269___A330-202__01/04/2014___EI-LAX___St. Mella
330___A330-202__28/03/2015___EI-EWR___St. Thomas
397___A330-202__31/03/2015___EI-DAA___St. Keeva
841___A330-202__25/05/2007___EI-DUO___St. Columba

847___A330-302__26/06/2007___EI-DUZ___St. Aoife
985___A330-302__27/02/2009___EI-EAV___St. Ronan
1025__A330-302__12/06/2009___EI-EDY___St. Munchin
1106__A330-302__07/04/2010___EI-ELA___St. Patrick

A359: 9 Orders - 3 per year beginning 2018

More eye candy:

[ZuluLima]

Aer Lingus already looking to add trans-Atlantic fleet capacity including 757 and A330s:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aer-lingus-eyes-long-haul-fleet-growth-415146/

[ZuluLima]

Latest news:

IAG are assigning some more widebody metal to Aer Lingus; 2 A330-300s arriving in 2016:
http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/iag-confirms-aer-lingus-airbus-deal-34174314.html

Aer Lingus beefs up trans-atlantic network with 3 new routes in 2016:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151021006117/en/Aer-Lingus-Announces-Major-Long-Haul-Expansion-2016

Aer Lingus and BA codesharing on flights to US destinations, including DFW, starting Dec. 10:
http://airlineroute.net/2015/12/07/baei-codeshare-dec15/