Aer Arran to replace Aer Lingus ?

[Sunflyer]

Looking increasingly likely that Aer Arran will be operating Summer flights from EDI-DUB, twice daily in place of Aer Lingus.

Aer Lingus and Aer Arran shortly to join Star Alliance.

[Callum Johnstone]

So does this have implications for the existing routes to Cork and Galway? Do Aer Arran have the spare aircraft to take on a whole raft on new Dublin-UK routes, and still serve Cork and Galway?

It seems a shame to lose the Aer Lingus A320 service, if true. EDI-DUB is a major route, carrying a lot of pax. It should never have dropped to once per day. Aer Lingus would have been better to have chopped some of their more obscure European routes and bolster their bread and butter UK routes instead. They can hold their own against Ryanair, especially on routes like EDI.

[GoEDI]

Heard today this could be 3x daily. No word on how it may affect the GWY and ORK services, I'd be very surprised if they cut ORK though especially. See what happens I guess...

[GLAGAZ]

Done deal. 3x daily by the looks of it (Saturday 2x). 2 flights by Aer Arran and 1 by Aer Lingus.

Gaz

[Humberside]

Cork-EDI becomes an Aer Lingus regional route too

[figgi_gsm]

3 airlines operating on 1 route

Accoring to the aer arrans website the cork flights are operated by them on behalf of aer lingus.

''Aer Arann wishes to advise that from March 28th 2010, this route will be operated by Aer Arann on behalf of Aer Lingus. Click here to book on www.aerlingus.com for bookings from March 28th onwards. ''

[GoEDI]

EDI-DUB departures at 0820(ATR), 1510 (A320) and 1950 (ATR) I reckon this is a good move by EI, however still only JFK bookable as a US connection hopefully the rest will be added in due course now the early flight is back.
Also ORK is going 11x weekly with 2 depatures on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday at 0900 and 2050. 0900 only on a Saturday and 2050 only on Tuesday, Wednesday.
All flights will operate with an EI flight number with aircraft in EI regional livery.
GWY still bookable on Aer Arann's website at 5x weekly too.

[Sunflyer]

maybe also why Ryanair reduced DUB to twice daily........ wonder if Ryanair may move their evening flight to winter times, as Aer Arran's times are better

[GoEDI]

Talk on pprune of RE announcing LDY-EDI next week. Presumably this would be operated in their own right like GWY, if it happens that is...

[GoEDI]

As expected LDY now on sale 6x weekly from 20th May. Just trying to work out the timetable because the aircraft arrives at 1110 but departs at 1555. This is not an EI regional route though it's an Aer Arann one.

http://www.rte.ie/business/2010/0301/aerarann.html

[GoEDI]

With regards to the timetable GWY has been increased to 6x weekly too and aircraft will operate LDY-EDI-GWY-EDI-LDY. Those ATRs are going to be a common sight at EDI this summer now!

[GoEDI]

First ATR now in the EI livery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shanair/4415212040/

[BAboy]

The EI livery suits the ATR.

Was talking to a mate who works at EI in DUB.

He said that the EI regional fleet will double from4 to 8 ATR's in the next 9 - 12 months and with the exeption of LHR and LGW all EI Uk services will be operated by regional ATR's,

[Porrohman]

It'll be interesting to see how this affects EI's market share. It presumably allows them to maintain or perhaps increase frequencies and should reduce costs but how will passengers react to an ATR versus the previous A320 when they have the alternative of choosing a Ryanair 738? EI will presumably hope that greater frequencies will increase the opportunity for pax to use DUB as a hub for onward connections.

I don't suppose the journey time will be much different for and ATR vs an A320 or 738 such a short route.

[GKirk]

Can't really see MAN-DUB going from 4/5 A320s to 4/5 ATRs, same with BHX-DUB.