08 January 2010

Aer Lingus "poised to trim Gatwick services"

Aer Lingus is being tipped to confirm a reduction in operations at Gatwick less than a year after the UK base was established.

An announcement on plans to reduce capacity is expected today.

The Irish carrier, which is in negotiations with employees on a restructuring plan to save €97 million a year, is expected to cut some of the 13 routes its runs from Gatwick, the Irish Times reported.

Quoting sources, the newspaper said the airline would withdraw two or three of its five Gatwick-based aircraft rather than expand to an eight-strong fleet as originally planned for summer 2010.

The Aer Lingus network from Gatwick covers 13 European destinations and was established only last April. Routes include Eindhoven, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Faro, Malaga, Warsaw, Lanzarote and Tenerife.

But the newcomer to the London airport has faced a fares battle with the UK’s largest budget carrier EasyJet, which this week launched an advertising campaign comparing flight prices with Aer Lingus from Gatwick (see previous TravelMole story).

by Phil Davies

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Your Comments (3)

Clear strategy is essential

Aer Lingus as the national carrier of Ireland needs a clear strategy linked to tourism. whilst focusing on ex-Ireland business segments, VFR & commuters etc, it needs to focus on top source markets and promote Ireland as an inbound tourism destination. De-link the UK hubs and have an independant strategy. Bundle ground products Hotels / Car / Experiences and move away from the low cost carrier concept, achieve differentiation and develop the niche.

By Ahmed Tageldeen, Monday, January 18, 2010
GIVING UP A BATTLE NEVER FOUGHT.

It is a shame that we can't have healthy competition and can't get away from the dominance some carriers have at specific airports. Having said that, Aer Lingus could well have thrived with its services from Gatwick had it marketed itself better. As Michael Caine once said "Not a lot of people know that".....Aer Lingus - the fittest survive, you need the fighting fittest team behind you!

By yvonne scott, Friday, January 8, 2010
Aer Lingus rudderless.

Since its privatisation some years back, Aer Lingus has been a rudderless company, with no clear strategic direction. Its over-inflated cost structure and botched attenpts at abandoning parts of its core ex-Ireland business, in search of growth out of non-Irish airports, leave it on the slippery slope to oblivion. One year, it's Dubai, next it's Gatwick, next it'll be Madrid.

By Barry Murphy, Friday, January 8, 2010