You seem to be forgetting BD. True for ORK or SNN, though.

Buzz was integrated fully in FR and does not exist as a separate entity.
I agree that it would make no sense for FR to allow through-checking on FR routes. They would be destroying their business model, which has been so successful for them.
That is also why it seems to me that it makes sense for EI and FR to remain run as distinct entities. You cannot operate an FR-style LCC model for long-haul operations. So, it seems to me that, either they get rid of EI LH routes, or keep them separate from FR.
Short-haul is another story, though. EI is already operating that on an LCC model and integration into FR would make sense. The one bit that does not quite fit here is the LHR routes, especially LHR-DUB. I would imagine that either FR keeps these as is, with interlining etc... and run them separately from other SH routes together with the long-haul routes (perhaps with a handful of others, such as DUB-AMS, DUB-FRA and DUB-CDG) or just gets rid of them and sells the slots.

That would probably recoup all the money that he pays for EI

Is this right? I thought that Buzz was going to be kept as a legal entity (albeit flying planes in FR colours) because it had a UK licence which, in certain situations I cannot remember, was beneficial to FR which operates under an Irish licence.

Ryanair shares have hardly moved today, which means that market believes a) the bid will fail or b) Ryanair has some cunning plan for the airline. You cannot, in general, run a unionised high cost business alongside a low cost, non-unionised one because it vastly improves the negotiating position of the low cost workers.

If BA had any ambition to operate outside London, it would be a sensible buyer for the long-haul operation. However, as it can't even run planes from Manchester (1 exception), EDI etc then I can't see them taking on a hub in Dublin.

It was. It became Buzz (Stansted) Ltd. A UK carrier - thus able to fly to places like Prague, which at the time was non-EU.

Having had a quick search it would appear that Buzz closed down in October 2004. In line with various 'Eastern' European countries having joined the EU.

http://www.answers.com/topic/buzz-airline

Shame really. They were a good LCC. I had a great flight STN-HEL with them.

I'm simple so I can not answer my own simple questions.

Which sense is in having two hubs so close-by ?
Is DUB generating such a huge local traffic ?
If you have to fly to North America, why add 2 or 3 hours of travel time flying first in the opposite direction and not use the US immigration facilities in DUB?
If BA takes over the DUB hub, can they fly to the US under the Bermuda II ?
Is it not London better located for not N.A. longhaul destinations (Far East and Africa) ?
On which connecting EU route can DUB be smartly used ? (please, no mileage runs :D ) MAD-HEL ?
A lot of rumor about closing or scaling down LGW... so why move out from LGW to enter DUB ?
In case of a takeover, BA will compete 'short haul face to face' with FR. Is it smart ?

Very minor: BA purchasing EI... is the same airline with an hole in the pension plan and with an average age of the fleet in double digit number range ?

I do not like FR and even less MOL, but curious to see how he could reinvent the TATL sector.

If BA is dying for an other hub, it should consider something perhaps in the EU but on the opposite corner... let me say Athens or Sophia. Think about a flight from Australia lasting 4 hours less (perhaps even non stop) and feeding connecting EU flights out of south east EU.

Yes I know BD are there, but to the best of my knowledge you can’t do a single ticket through booking onto BA using BD as the feeder, EI currently operate code share flights with BA. So you can make your booking with BA under a BA PNR.

In any case BD are even more restrictive with the interlining of baggage.
So using BD still has us ending up with the same hassles. :(

That might be ok, if your arrival airport is the final destination, but if you need to fly on further, you’d have to connect onwards. Connecting in the U.S. & flying internally in the U.S. is not exactly the pleasurable or streamlined of experiences. Particularly after a long haul across the Atlantic. Not something you may want to deal with, I think. :eek:

BA does not codeshare with BD on DUB-LHR. It does not mean that you cannot interline. You can in fact interline a BD DUB-LHR to many BA long-haul destinations on most fares, even on discounted economy fares (eg: BA's L class DUB-NYC at €387+ allows the DUB-LHR sector to be on either BD or EI). And if you do a proper interline, i.e. on the same ticket, you do not get any baggage interlining problems with BD.
The interlining restrictions you get with BD is where you buy your BD flight and your connecting flight separately.
As to other airlines than BA, BD not only interlines but codeshares its DUB-LHR flights with every Tom, Dick and Harry.

Cheers for the info “NickB” about BD’s interlining possibilities. Reading their website you really get the impression that interlining is a total no-no !!!

Unfortunately though, it only applies to DUB departures, as BD only fly there. Hence for ORK departures, EI is our only option. I really do hope I’m wrong with my misgivings about the future, but it doesn’t look good.

I really feel that passenger comfort, convenience & service are going out the window these days, under the guise of “enhancement”. It used to be easy to travel a few years, in fact I travelled the world as a younger man, without any of these concerns that “progress” are bringing us.

Absolutely not. It does not even arise as Bermuda II is for UK/US air traffic, not Ireland/US. Under the Ireland/US agreement, Irish airlines operating to the US must be Irish **owned** (greater than 50% of stock).

And an hypothetical Aer Lingus purchased by British Airways is going to be ...? Irish ? British ? :confused:
And if to remain Irish and keep the longhaul BA can only purchase a (even big) minority stake, but still a minority, why it should bother ?

Anyway, after the MOL offer, the BA option could be not any more realisitc.