Other European Frequent Flyer Programs - EI to announce more big cuts, outsource services

Long-haul continues to cost Aer Lingus dear. More job cuts, pay cuts and jobs to be out-sourced, according to Wednesday's Irish Times:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2009/1007/1224256100724.html

And more cuts to their long haul flying programme:

DUBLIN, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Aer Lingus's restructuring plan to reduce annual operating costs by 97 million euros ($143 million) will hit both long and short-haul flights, but the bulk will fall on the long-haul network, its CFO said on Wednesday.

"Primarily the additional cuts will come on the long-haul network and as of this morning we will be announcing that we are taking a further aircraft out of the business on long haul," finance director Sean Coyle told state broadcaster RTE.

Also from rte.ie

"A spokesperson for the airline said the long-haul operation is a significant loss-maker, accounting for 70% of its losses."

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1008/aerlingus.html

The SNN-JFK route looks like it will be next.

Considering they want to reduce staff in SNN by 100 there is a good chance SNN-JFK is gone.

I heard a rumour this evening, which I can scarcely believe, that they intend to run a JFK/BOS to SNN circle service a couple of times a week. I don't believe it, myself, but interesting idea on thin routes in thin times.

I heard a rumour this evening, which I can scarcely believe, that they intend to run a JFK/BOS to SNN circle service a couple of times a week. I don't believe it, myself, but interesting idea on thin routes in thin times.

They did this back the 80's.

The overall announcement is certainly very disappointing & firstly I think we should offer our sympathies to all affected at EI.

As a regular passenger with the airline, I simply cannot see how this will ever work, ie. DUB-SNN-JFK. What business person is going to fly via SNN, or any leisure passenger for that matter? This will also increase crew operating times quite significantly, as well as eroding any possibility of connecting traffic.

In my opinion, this is simply delaying the cancellation of the route which is costing the airline most severely. Additionally, such a routing will have a significant impact on aircraft cycling etc.

Is it not now high time that the people of the SNN region are stopped from adding to the potential demise of EI. I think it's truly disgraceful that an airline is forced to provide such a routing - obviously because of government pressure.

Over the past couple of years, many of the frontline staff in EI have agreed to huge cuts & have sacrificed much - while still maintaining an all round excellent service onboard.

The demand is not there for JFK services ex SNN directly, it's just that simple. Why is it fine for Delta to pull out but EI are forced to remain?

The medium term road ahead is going to be a difficult one, with another round of concessions etc, however this new routing is simply economic insanity. Losses will continute to occur on this route, meaning more hardship for EI employees while the people of the SNN region won't even use the route to it's capacity.

In my opinion, there is far far too much cutting going on yet again, with no focus on even trying to maintain some level of normality. Yes there are legacy practices in place but not across the whole airline & not surprisingly it seems that crew will once again face the brunt of cuts - a wonderful manner in which to raise morale amongst the very ambassadors of the airline.

It's a difficult road ahead, being made much more averse because of measures such as this new routing, which quite simply will have exceptionally low load factors.

EI Premier.

I heard a rumour this evening, which I can scarcely believe, that they intend to run a JFK/BOS to SNN circle service a couple of times a week. I don't believe it, myself, but interesting idea on thin routes in thin times.

You mean JFK/SNN/BOS/SNN/JFK??? Why would this not work???

What about doing what DL did when it was required to have the 1 stop in SNN for every flight that did not stop, that way you coulld pick your days to travel to SNN

Or could they run a JFK/BOS/SNN/BOS/JFK/SNN ?? (INTL CONNECT PAX ONLY ON JFK/BOS ROUTE?

That said I think it is time to run all TA direct to DUb and offer connect flights to SNN on a A320, It is not like the flights into SNN are all day. Run a flight from DUB down to SNN for all connecting pax and then have that flight go onto LHR as part of the current SNN/LHR routing