Originally Posted by rkenyon
Why do Emirates only have widebodied (ie. big!) aircraft. Surely it can't be efficient using A330/B777 size aicraft on routes such as DXB-BAH/MCT/DOH.
I did a BAH-DXB leg the other day, and there were 15 people on a A330. I think the flight schedule isn't so good, as the first flight from BAH doesn't get into DXB until around midday. The other flight is in the evening.
Maybe it would be better to fly a A319/B737 sized aircraft, and increase the number of flights per day to 4. Probably be the same capacity, but far more flexible for the passenger.
Or maybe EK don't mind losing money on some routes
Cheers,
Rick
Unlike most airlines, they don't have a "short haul fleet". This helps them use planes on route such as DXB-DOH and use the same plane for DXB-LHR, which in turn allows them to have a more efficient use of planes. During peak season, most s-haul flights are full.
Having a dedicated short haul fleet would not be great IMHO. On how many airlines can you fly on a 50 min flight, and get 500 channels of IFE?
Also - the cargo loads must be quite high for EK to keep operating their short haul routes. They have more than enough demand for other routes and if it was more profitable, I am sure they would ditch their Middle East network and fly all long haul routes.
In terms of passenger travel, the flights are quite expensive if travelling ex Dubai and therefore profitable for EK. Off peak DXB-DOH vv was coming close to $450 USD
I understand that many people are on connecting flights, and this is just a theory
Cheers