JetBlue and Aer Lingus: unholy alliance?
The American-based JetBlue is talking about the possible purchase of a stake in Aer Lingus, reported the Irish Times newspaper in citing several sources. Such an alliance would pair two low-cost airlines that have attracted a lot of public attention, though not all of it favorable.
The Irish government has said it is considering selling its 25 percent stake in the airline as part of a privatization drive required under its European Union/International Monetary Fund bailout, according to the newspaper.
The newspaper said JetBlue is the Aer Lingus management’s preferred trade investor due to the similarities of the carriers’ low-cost business models and the fact they do not compete on any routes.
Aer Lingus and its preferred partner are already connected, via a sales agreement launched in April 2008.
This allows the Irish carrier’s passengers flying into Boston and New York to connect with JetBlue’s services to 37 destinations in the US.
Following the release of its full year results in February, Aer Lingus said about 100 passengers a day are connecting between the two airlines and that the total number would "fill JetBlue for one day of the year."
Ryanair has certainly been the most successful in attracting publicity — even though it’s often negative.
Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary floated the possibility recently of removing all but one toilet from his planes to put in extra seats. Previously, he said he was considering the notion of charging for use of the lavatories.
More recently, he raised the possibility of a pay-per-view pornography service for passengers to watch during flights. He said he was not talking about large screens but on handheld devices.
"Hotels around the world have it, so why wouldn’t we?" he asked.
The planned service would also allow Ryanair passengers to gamble and play games, as well as watch erotic movies, according to The Sun.
David Wilkening
David
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