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20/05/2009
Aer Lingus 'Takes Off' With 1m Belfast Passengers
Ireland's state-backed airline has become an inflight 'millionaire' as troubled Aer Lingus reveals bookings in the North have soared ahead of target.
Despite bad news this week on its overall financial performance, the Irish flag-carrier has now taken 1m bookings in the 17 months since it began operating from its controversial Belfast hub.
The Aldergrove International Airport in Belfast base has proved to a fillip for the otherwise ailing company.
The establishment of the base in Belfast caused controversy because it involved switching Heathrow connections from Shannon.
Now, it has emerged as the second biggest carrier operating from Aldergrove behind low-cost airline Easyjet.
Aer Lingus points to the load factor on its Belfast to London flights, as 79% of its seats were occupied, which is up a quarter on figures from April last year.
The Belfast to Malaga, Lanzarote and Paris routes are also proving popular.
However, the airline recently announced it planned to reduce some of its services from Belfast and Dublin because of the economic downturn.
Aer Lingus Chief Executive Officer Dermot Mannion has also recently handed in his resignation.
The airline's Chairman, Colm Barrington stepped in until a successor is appointed.
The resignation of Mr Mannion in April, who joined the airline in 2005, was as a major surprise in the industry.
Last summer, the airline was weathering badly in Belfast - with this million passenger target being a major boost.
In August 2008, the six month figures from the UK's Civil Aviation Authority showed just over 109,000 passengers used the Belfast to Heathrow link, well behind the 170,000 passengers who used Shannon to Heathrow during the same period in 2007.
Meanwhile, Ryanair, which operates from the smaller George Best Airport, near Belfast city centre has claimed today that compared to Aer Lingus at Aldergrove over the past 17 months, its services attracted 50% more passengers.
Ryanair says it did so while using one Belfast-based aircraft, compared to the three planes located at Aldergrove by Aer Lingus.
See: Mannion Quits Aer Lingus For 'New Ideas'
See: Aer Lingus Dismisses 'Bankrupt' Claim
See: Low Flying Aer Lingus Still Committed To NI
(BMcC)
Despite bad news this week on its overall financial performance, the Irish flag-carrier has now taken 1m bookings in the 17 months since it began operating from its controversial Belfast hub.
The Aldergrove International Airport in Belfast base has proved to a fillip for the otherwise ailing company.
The establishment of the base in Belfast caused controversy because it involved switching Heathrow connections from Shannon.
Now, it has emerged as the second biggest carrier operating from Aldergrove behind low-cost airline Easyjet.
Aer Lingus points to the load factor on its Belfast to London flights, as 79% of its seats were occupied, which is up a quarter on figures from April last year.
The Belfast to Malaga, Lanzarote and Paris routes are also proving popular.
However, the airline recently announced it planned to reduce some of its services from Belfast and Dublin because of the economic downturn.
Aer Lingus Chief Executive Officer Dermot Mannion has also recently handed in his resignation.
The airline's Chairman, Colm Barrington stepped in until a successor is appointed.
The resignation of Mr Mannion in April, who joined the airline in 2005, was as a major surprise in the industry.
Last summer, the airline was weathering badly in Belfast - with this million passenger target being a major boost.
In August 2008, the six month figures from the UK's Civil Aviation Authority showed just over 109,000 passengers used the Belfast to Heathrow link, well behind the 170,000 passengers who used Shannon to Heathrow during the same period in 2007.
Meanwhile, Ryanair, which operates from the smaller George Best Airport, near Belfast city centre has claimed today that compared to Aer Lingus at Aldergrove over the past 17 months, its services attracted 50% more passengers.
Ryanair says it did so while using one Belfast-based aircraft, compared to the three planes located at Aldergrove by Aer Lingus.
See: Mannion Quits Aer Lingus For 'New Ideas'
See: Aer Lingus Dismisses 'Bankrupt' Claim
See: Low Flying Aer Lingus Still Committed To NI
(BMcC)
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19 October 2007
Ryanair Hits Out As Aer Lingus Takes Flight
With Aer Lingus proceeding with its plan to close the Shannon-Heathrow route and open a new Belfast hub instead, its biggest rival (and ironically, its biggest shareholder), Ryanair is now set to provide three additional daily flights to London to ensure Shannon Airport's capacity and traffic does not fall as a result of this Aer Lingus closure.
Ryanair Hits Out As Aer Lingus Takes Flight
With Aer Lingus proceeding with its plan to close the Shannon-Heathrow route and open a new Belfast hub instead, its biggest rival (and ironically, its biggest shareholder), Ryanair is now set to provide three additional daily flights to London to ensure Shannon Airport's capacity and traffic does not fall as a result of this Aer Lingus closure.
02 June 2009
Ryanair Flies Low
The budget airline Ryanair has revealed financial returns showing a major nosedive in operating profits. Ryanair plunged into the red by €169.2 million (£145.9m) in the year to March after being hit with a 59% hike in its fuel bill.
Ryanair Flies Low
The budget airline Ryanair has revealed financial returns showing a major nosedive in operating profits. Ryanair plunged into the red by €169.2 million (£145.9m) in the year to March after being hit with a 59% hike in its fuel bill.
05 November 2013
Concerns Raised Over Threatened Aer Lingus Strike
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Transport and Tourism, Timmy Dooley TD, has voiced his concern at the news that 91% of IMPACT cabin crew members at Aer Lingus voted in favour of industrial action.
Concerns Raised Over Threatened Aer Lingus Strike
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Transport and Tourism, Timmy Dooley TD, has voiced his concern at the news that 91% of IMPACT cabin crew members at Aer Lingus voted in favour of industrial action.
05 November 2012
Aer Arann To Suspend Services From Waterford Airport
Aer Arann, operating as Aer Lingus Regional, is to suspend its services at Waterford Airport with effect from 6 January, 2013. The routes affected will be Aer Lingus Regional services from Waterford Airport to London Southend, London Luton and Manchester. The airline will continue to operate as normal from Waterford up to 6 January, 2013.
Aer Arann To Suspend Services From Waterford Airport
Aer Arann, operating as Aer Lingus Regional, is to suspend its services at Waterford Airport with effect from 6 January, 2013. The routes affected will be Aer Lingus Regional services from Waterford Airport to London Southend, London Luton and Manchester. The airline will continue to operate as normal from Waterford up to 6 January, 2013.
17 January 2011
Arann Flies To Scotland With Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus and Aer Arann have announced plans for a new route from Shannon to Edinburgh as part of the franchise agreement between the two airlines. From 27 March, Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Aer Arann, will provide flights to Shannon from Edinburgh five days a week.
Arann Flies To Scotland With Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus and Aer Arann have announced plans for a new route from Shannon to Edinburgh as part of the franchise agreement between the two airlines. From 27 March, Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Aer Arann, will provide flights to Shannon from Edinburgh five days a week.
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Ireland WeatherToday:A dry day with any low cloud and mist clearing during the morning leaving long spells of warm sunshine. Breezy at times around the coast. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:A fine end to the day with some sunshine, then clear spells overnight. Low cloud could form around some Irish Sea coasts later in the night. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
