The planners in the Greater Belfast area have excelled themselves once more.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11139463
Can't believe that. I'm over in Liverpool at the minute and this is going to make the travelling home a hell of a lot more expensive. Was getting return flights there for £26.
QuoteLiz Fawcett, spokeswoman for Belfast City Airport Watch, which opposes the runway extension, said: "Residents are very pleased.
"They had a particularly unpopular 6.30am flight and certainly this will give some respite."
Unbelievable self interest there, probably didn't like the idea that a free state company was operating in east belfast anyway.
thats a pisser, the flights from east midlands suited me down to the ground. Wonder will they try and get into Aldergrove.
Surely birmingham to dublin would be better for you than Aldergrove?
Quote from: pintsofguinness on August 31, 2010, 01:58:44 PM
Surely birmingham to dublin would be better for you than Aldergrove?
Not really, i can do east midlands in 45mins, bham airport is 20 mins, but East mids is only £15 or so to park the car for a weekend and is dead handy whereas Birmingham and more especially Dublin airport i dont like one bit. As well as that you always seem to get better flight deals on the East mids to Belfast route rather than Bham to Dublin.
That said next trip home will be on the ferry courtesy of the old tesco vouchers.
(http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/kuntz.jpg)
Quote from: Bogball XV on August 31, 2010, 01:47:36 PM
QuoteLiz Fawcett, spokeswoman for Belfast City Airport Watch, which opposes the runway extension, said: "Residents are very pleased.
"They had a particularly unpopular 6.30am flight and certainly this will give some respite."
Unbelievable self interest there, probably didn't like the idea that a free state company was operating in east belfast anyway.
Unbelievable assumption that they had it in for a "free state company". ::) The self interest from Fawcett is no worse than some of the posters on this thread.
I will make it clear that I have no time for O'Leary, a patronising one trick pony who has done very well for himself in one area of business, but he does not deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Branson or Stelios Haji-Ioannou.
Ryanair's problem in Belfast is that unlike the rest of Ireland, there is much stronger competition from other budget airlines like Easyjet, FlyBe and Jet2, they don't have a near monopoly like they do in Dublin. Also I would say that more cynical nordies don't put up with the level of being patronised compared to the rest of Ireland, Steilos might come across as a git but he doesn't carry a "fúck you" attitude around with him all the time. Issues like runway extensions hide other excuses, Ryanair could easily bag slots at Aldergrove if they were serious about expanding their Belfast routes.
It is disappointing that Ryanair are stopping these services as it will affect some people, but other airlines cut and change routes and airports including the two in Belfast all the time without getting big news headlines. I'm simply not going to lick holes here. At least the staff working for Ryanair at the City will get the chance to work elsewhere and if there is real demand, other airlines will fill the routes.
Shame Belfast airport is more user friendly than Dublin, Can't see myself using it now with the cheap flights gone :-\
Quote from: ross4life on August 31, 2010, 04:24:38 PM
Shame Belfast airport is more user friendly than Dublin, Can't see myself using it now with the cheap flights gone :-\
Agree, Dublin Airport is a freakin' nightmare. Haven't flown out of the City in years though.
Quote from: 45 metres on August 31, 2010, 03:09:06 PM
Quote from: Bogball XV on August 31, 2010, 01:47:36 PM
QuoteLiz Fawcett, spokeswoman for Belfast City Airport Watch, which opposes the runway extension, said: "Residents are very pleased.
"They had a particularly unpopular 6.30am flight and certainly this will give some respite."
Unbelievable self interest there, probably didn't like the idea that a free state company was operating in east belfast anyway.
Unbelievable assumption that they had it in for a "free state company". ::) The self interest from Fawcett is no worse than some of the posters on this thread.
Unless it was the only 6.30am flight and the rest don't start until about 8.00am what's unbelievable about it? I'm only pointing out that ms fawcett saw the loss of 50 locally based jobs as a success, that's self interest to me.
Quote from: 45 metres on August 31, 2010, 03:09:06 PM
Quote from: Bogball XV on August 31, 2010, 01:47:36 PM
QuoteLiz Fawcett, spokeswoman for Belfast City Airport Watch, which opposes the runway extension, said: "Residents are very pleased.
"They had a particularly unpopular 6.30am flight and certainly this will give some respite."
Unbelievable self interest there, probably didn't like the idea that a free state company was operating in east belfast anyway.
Unbelievable assumption that they had it in for a "free state company". ::) The self interest from Fawcett is no worse than some of the posters on this thread.
I think the same.
Look at Poots statement. Any time any company goes to pull out of OWC theres a hullaballoo, but not in this case, hes accepted it, even though its clearly avoidable. ****.
And yes, I may be bitter and twisted, but they're worse... ;)
Is there not a recurring theme here. MOL demanded x, in this case the taxpayers build him a longer runway or he would pull out lock stock. The airport faced him down and he is off.
While its not good for the travelling public of Belfast, its time more people stood up to Ryanair's bully boy tactics.
I think it's more a case of MOL realising that the local folk of Norn Iron have too much sway in things that shouldn't be of concern to them - he'll never be able to build a hub out of Belfast City Airport, so he's getting of town.
Living in a flight path isn't that bad. I spent 3 summers living under a Heathrow route that went on more or less 24 hours a day, and you just learn to tune out. Unless of course, you think there's a chance you might be able to claim against someone, in which case your ears would obviously turn to muck and those planes would ruin your otherwise wonderful existence.
I say good riddance. Why do they need the extra runway? It's not rocket science. Their breaks are faulty and so they need the extra bit of road for breaking. Instead of O'Leary pumping more money into break pads and pilots who can put their foot really down, they wanted the easy way out with extra tarmac and then threw their bath water out of the pram. Give an inch and he'll be looking a couple of miles.
Quote from: dublinfella on August 31, 2010, 05:09:25 PM
Is there not a recurring theme here. MOL demanded x, in this case the taxpayers build him a longer runway or he would pull out lock stock. The airport faced him down and he is off.
While its not good for the travelling public of Belfast, its time more people stood up to Ryanair's bully boy tactics.
Nail on head ... O'Leary's an odious little gobshite who treats his employees with as much disdain as his passengers
While I agree that O'Leary is a gobshite of the highest order, I also prefer to be able to fly to lots of destinations from my local airport than to not be able to. And Ryanair offer the best chance of that happening for me.
I rarely used Ryanair from the City Airport, and I'd have flown quite a bit over the time they've been here.
Give me Easyjet any day. They go to much more interesting destinations.
Years ago I worked on the sale of Belfast City Airport when Shorts owned it, and the restrictions on flights were as plain as day, down to having to fly over Belfast Lough as opposed to the city at certain times. I remember thinking that they must have changed when Ryanair began flying out, because they went out so early.
Rois there's only one Easyjet out of Belfast City and that's to Luton!
The reason Belfast City has less interesting destinations is that its runway was designed for shorthaul flights and smaller planes. The furthest regular flight out of it is a chartered ski flight to France in the winter.
I'm definitely not an aviation expert or fuel advisor, but it would seem that Spain and Italy must be out of range for aircraft from that airport, otherwise someone would have tried making money out of it.
Why don't yous like Dublin airport, it's hateful alright but so is every other airport.
Belfast Intl you can get parked a 5 minute walk from the airport for about £4 a day, you then rarely have to queue at check-in, security is a breeze, and the facilities are never crowded.
Belfast City is a 10 minute bus ride from the city centre, and getting from that bus to sitting in the departure lounge normally takes less than 10 minutes.
Dublin airport is attrition.
Yes I realise that thewobbler, I live 10 mins from the City Airport and 20 from the International, just saying that where I have a choice, I would generally tend to have gone with the International flight, be it bmibaby for East Midlands, Easyjet for Glasgow or Stansted.
I have been on the chartered ski flight but it was to Geneva :P
We're lucky in Belfast to have two airports, it is not a massive hassle to get to the International from within the city.
Quote from: 45 metres on August 31, 2010, 03:09:06 PM
Quote from: Bogball XV on August 31, 2010, 01:47:36 PM
QuoteLiz Fawcett, spokeswoman for Belfast City Airport Watch, which opposes the runway extension, said: "Residents are very pleased.
"They had a particularly unpopular 6.30am flight and certainly this will give some respite."
Unbelievable self interest there, probably didn't like the idea that a free state company was operating in east belfast anyway.
Unbelievable assumption that they had it in for a "free state company". ::) The self interest from Fawcett is no worse than some of the posters on this thread.
I will make it clear that I have no time for O'Leary, a patronising one trick pony who has done very well for himself in one area of business, but he does not deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Branson or Stelios Haji-Ioannou.
Ryanair's problem in Belfast is that unlike the rest of Ireland, there is much stronger competition from other budget airlines like Easyjet, FlyBe and Jet2, they don't have a near monopoly like they do in Dublin. Also I would say that more cynical nordies don't put up with the level of being patronised compared to the rest of Ireland, Steilos might come across as a git but he doesn't carry a "fúck you" attitude around with him all the time. Issues like runway extensions hide other excuses, Ryanair could easily bag slots at Aldergrove if they were serious about expanding their Belfast routes.
It is disappointing that Ryanair are stopping these services as it will affect some people, but other airlines cut and change routes and airports including the two in Belfast all the time without getting big news headlines. I'm simply not going to lick holes here. At least the staff working for Ryanair at the City will get the chance to work elsewhere and if there is real demand, other airlines will fill the routes.
Ryanair will have 12 aircraft in Dublin this winter, down from 30 a couple of years ago. That is due to the incompetent of someone else of course. His only recent success is driving Aer Arrann into Examinership which hopefully they will emerge from.
As a High Court juge said here recently '
the truth and Ryanair are uncomfortable bedfellows' (http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/daily-mail-london-england-the/mi_8002/is_2010_June_5/ryanair-truth-strange-bedfellows-judge/ai_n53908208/). So I wonder what the really issue is? Were they losing money there?
Quote from: pintsofguinness on August 31, 2010, 06:15:03 PM
Why don't yous like Dublin airport, it's hateful alright but so is every other airport.
Have been to some of the Worlds busiest airports for me Dublin far to crowded especially on peak travel times, I'm not sure will the new terminal change that
When you land in George Best Belfast City Airport your out the departure door within minutes compared to Dublin the walk sometimes out takes longer than the flight
Quote from: ross4life on August 31, 2010, 06:23:50 PM
Quote from: pintsofguinness on August 31, 2010, 06:15:03 PM
Why don't yous like Dublin airport, it's hateful alright but so is every other airport.
Have been to some of the Worlds busiest airports for me Dublin far to crowded especially on peak travel times, I'm not sure will the new terminal change that
When you land in George Best Belfast City Airport your out the departure door within minutes compared to Dublin the walk sometimes out takes longer than the flight
Ah that walk does my head in alright they need to look at that, how any elderly person does that with bags etc is beyond me. Do they still have though gates in the portacabins, I haven't had to go down there in a couple of years but f**k me that must have been a two mile walk!
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 06:21:20 PM
His only recent success is driving Aer Arrann into Examinership which hopefully they will emerge from.
Well not exactly wholly accurate. Aer Arann committed to so many new aircraft, they were in trouble despite Ryanair.
Quote from: pintsofguinness on August 31, 2010, 06:27:55 PM
Quote from: ross4life on August 31, 2010, 06:23:50 PM
Quote from: pintsofguinness on August 31, 2010, 06:15:03 PM
Why don't yous like Dublin airport, it's hateful alright but so is every other airport.
Have been to some of the Worlds busiest airports for me Dublin far to crowded especially on peak travel times, I'm not sure will the new terminal change that
When you land in George Best Belfast City Airport your out the departure door within minutes compared to Dublin the walk sometimes out takes longer than the flight
Ah that walk does my head in alright they need to look at that, how any elderly person does that with bags etc is beyond me. Do they still have though gates in the portacabins, I haven't had to go down there in a couple of years but f**k me that must have been a two mile walk!
They still had the portacabins in June anyways i think there only used for Ryanair flights? the public transport is a problem in Dublin too.. have to wait ages for the right bus & then it takes almost a hour to arrive in the City Centre
Had a flight booked for November, as well as accomodation paid up front in England.
Now the flights not running, im gonna lose out on the hotel payment. >:(
Quote from: Rois on August 31, 2010, 06:30:16 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 06:21:20 PM
His only recent success is driving Aer Arrann into Examinership which hopefully they will emerge from.
Well not exactly wholly accurate. Aer Arann committed to so many new aircraft, they were in trouble despite Ryanair.
Aer Arrann took the new aircraft after Ryanair went to war with them on the Cork - Dublin and Dublin - Kerry routes which led to a need for cash last year.
The volcano and the new aircraft may have caused them to run out of cash this month, but Ryanair strangled them before that.
Quote from: ross4life on August 31, 2010, 06:48:21 PM
Quote from: pintsofguinness on August 31, 2010, 06:27:55 PM
Quote from: ross4life on August 31, 2010, 06:23:50 PM
Quote from: pintsofguinness on August 31, 2010, 06:15:03 PM
Why don't yous like Dublin airport, it's hateful alright but so is every other airport.
Have been to some of the Worlds busiest airports for me Dublin far to crowded especially on peak travel times, I'm not sure will the new terminal change that
When you land in George Best Belfast City Airport your out the departure door within minutes compared to Dublin the walk sometimes out takes longer than the flight
Ah that walk does my head in alright they need to look at that, how any elderly person does that with bags etc is beyond me. Do they still have though gates in the portacabins, I haven't had to go down there in a couple of years but f**k me that must have been a two mile walk!
They still had the portacabins in June anyways i think there only used for Ryanair flights? the public transport is a problem in Dublin too.. have to wait ages for the right bus & then it takes almost a hour to arrive in the City Centre
In fairness to Dublin airport the bus service to other parts of the country is great though, you'd be in Omagh quicker by public transport from Dublin airport than Belfast international. Bus goes direct from the airport.
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 07:50:25 PM
Quote from: Rois on August 31, 2010, 06:30:16 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 06:21:20 PM
His only recent success is driving Aer Arrann into Examinership which hopefully they will emerge from.
Well not exactly wholly accurate. Aer Arann committed to so many new aircraft, they were in trouble despite Ryanair.
Aer Arrann took the new aircraft after Ryanair went to war with them on the Cork - Dublin and Dublin - Kerry routes which led to a need for cash last year.
The volcano and the new aircraft may have caused them to run out of cash this month, but Ryanair strangled them before that.
When the PSOs are cut Aer Arann would have been finished anyway, this is their only chance but its going to take something massive to save them at this point.
Ryanair weren't allowed to fill their planes out of Belfast City because of the short runway length versus the heavy takeoff weight of the B738 (the only plane they fly), they generally need 75% full planes to break even, so their margins there were tiny. They were hanging on in the hope that the runway extension would go ahead, without it they would always go. Doubt they'll fancy going head to head with Easyjet at Aldergrove. Talking of further cut backs at Shannon today as well.
Quote from: The Worker on August 31, 2010, 06:58:54 PM
Had a flight booked for November, as well as accomodation paid up front in England.
Now the flights not running, im gonna lose out on the hotel payment. >:(
where you flying to? Does none of the other companies do flights to the same area?
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 07:50:25 PM
Quote from: Rois on August 31, 2010, 06:30:16 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 06:21:20 PM
His only recent success is driving Aer Arrann into Examinership which hopefully they will emerge from.
Well not exactly wholly accurate. Aer Arann committed to so many new aircraft, they were in trouble despite Ryanair.
Aer Arrann took the new aircraft after Ryanair went to war with them on the Cork - Dublin and Dublin - Kerry routes which led to a need for cash last year.
The volcano and the new aircraft may have caused them to run out of cash this month, but Ryanair strangled them before that.
Yes but no but. Believe me, I know a bit about it ;)
Quote from: Rois on August 31, 2010, 08:56:56 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 07:50:25 PM
Quote from: Rois on August 31, 2010, 06:30:16 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 06:21:20 PM
His only recent success is driving Aer Arrann into Examinership which hopefully they will emerge from.
Well not exactly wholly accurate. Aer Arann committed to so many new aircraft, they were in trouble despite Ryanair.
Aer Arrann took the new aircraft after Ryanair went to war with them on the Cork - Dublin and Dublin - Kerry routes which led to a need for cash last year.
The volcano and the new aircraft may have caused them to run out of cash this month, but Ryanair strangled them before that.
Yes but no but. Believe me, I know a bit about it ;)
Did Ryanair not attack Aer Arann on the Dublin - Cork route increasing frequency and charging buttons until Aer Arann dropped theirs from 7 a day to 1 a day?
Did they then not bid for the Dublin - Kerry PSO route getting Aer Arann off its most profitable route?
Did Aer Arann not then run into difficulty until a mystery investor put up the cash?
Did Aer Arann not then enter an arrangement with Aer Lingus which led to the new aircraft only in the last 12 months?
Tell me where I am incorrect.
Quote from: Rois on August 31, 2010, 08:56:56 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 07:50:25 PM
Quote from: Rois on August 31, 2010, 06:30:16 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 06:21:20 PM
His only recent success is driving Aer Arrann into Examinership which hopefully they will emerge from.
Well not exactly wholly accurate. Aer Arann committed to so many new aircraft, they were in trouble despite Ryanair.
Aer Arrann took the new aircraft after Ryanair went to war with them on the Cork - Dublin and Dublin - Kerry routes which led to a need for cash last year.
The volcano and the new aircraft may have caused them to run out of cash this month, but Ryanair strangled them before that.
Yes but no but. Believe me, I know a bit about it ;)
(http://www.starstore.com/acatalog/vicky-pollard-l-poster.jpg)
Quote from: dublinfella on August 31, 2010, 05:09:25 PM
Is there not a recurring theme here. MOL demanded x, in this case the taxpayers build him a longer runway or he would pull out lock stock. The airport faced him down and he is off.
While its not good for the travelling public of Belfast, its time more people stood up to Ryanair's bully boy tactics.
George, kick the wife's head in and drink two liver's worth of booze, Best Belfast City Airport is privately owned so the taxpayer wouldn't have had to fit the bill. Love them or loathe them the fact is that Ryanair offer cheap flights end of story and this will be a big loss. I'd rather stay at home than travel through Aldergrove where the road links are crap and the staff absolute pigs. Give me Dublin any day
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 09:07:04 PM
Quote from: Rois on August 31, 2010, 08:56:56 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 07:50:25 PM
Quote from: Rois on August 31, 2010, 06:30:16 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 06:21:20 PM
His only recent success is driving Aer Arrann into Examinership which hopefully they will emerge from.
Well not exactly wholly accurate. Aer Arann committed to so many new aircraft, they were in trouble despite Ryanair.
Aer Arrann took the new aircraft after Ryanair went to war with them on the Cork - Dublin and Dublin - Kerry routes which led to a need for cash last year.
The volcano and the new aircraft may have caused them to run out of cash this month, but Ryanair strangled them before that.
Yes but no but. Believe me, I know a bit about it ;)
Did Ryanair not attack Aer Arann on the Dublin - Cork route increasing frequency and charging buttons until Aer Arann dropped theirs from 7 a day to 1 a day?
Did they then not bid for the Dublin - Kerry PSO route getting Aer Arann off its most profitable route?
Did Aer Arann not then run into difficulty until a mystery investor put up the cash?
Did Aer Arann not then enter an arrangement with Aer Lingus which led to the new aircraft only in the last 12 months?
Tell me where I am incorrect.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/war-in-irish-skies-as-regional-rival-claims-oleary-told-him-fk-off-1445701.html (http://www.independent.ie/national-news/war-in-irish-skies-as-regional-rival-claims-oleary-told-him-fk-off-1445701.html)
O'Leary seems to enjoy being a total gobshite for no good reason sometimes. I have heard a story about him once walking past the Aer Arann ticket desk at Dublin Airport and making throat slitting gestures to the sales staff and telling them they'd all soon be out of work.
Quote from: Bogball XV on August 31, 2010, 04:48:22 PM
Quote from: 45 metres on August 31, 2010, 03:09:06 PM
Quote from: Bogball XV on August 31, 2010, 01:47:36 PM
QuoteLiz Fawcett, spokeswoman for Belfast City Airport Watch, which opposes the runway extension, said: "Residents are very pleased.
"They had a particularly unpopular 6.30am flight and certainly this will give some respite."
Unbelievable self interest there, probably didn't like the idea that a free state company was operating in east belfast anyway.
Unbelievable assumption that they had it in for a "free state company". ::) The self interest from Fawcett is no worse than some of the posters on this thread.
Unless it was the only 6.30am flight and the rest don't start until about 8.00am what's unbelievable about it? I'm only pointing out that ms fawcett saw the loss of 50 locally based jobs as a success, that's self interest to me.
I don't think Ms. Fawcett see the movement of jobs as a success than a reduction in noise pollution especially early in the morning. And if she has self interest, so what? It is not as if O'Leary has a self interest in forcing competitors out of business and the jobs lost in connection. He isn't going to lose sleep over it.
Quote from: thewobbler on August 31, 2010, 05:40:30 PM
I think it's more a case of MOL realising that the local folk of Norn Iron have too much sway in things that shouldn't be of concern to them - he'll never be able to build a hub out of Belfast City Airport, so he's getting of town.
Wonderful! Let us install a dictatorship instead "that knows what is best for all of us" regardless, eh?
Quote from: thewobbler on August 31, 2010, 05:40:30 PMLiving in a flight path isn't that bad. I spent 3 summers living under a Heathrow route that went on more or less 24 hours a day, and you just learn to tune out. Unless of course, you think there's a chance you might be able to claim against someone, in which case your ears would obviously turn to muck and those planes would ruin your otherwise wonderful existence.
So, what you are getting out is that just because you were able to cope with aircraft noise for a couple of months at a time means that everyone should be able to do so all the time? I'm sure that is great if you're trying to get your child to sleep, have slates blown off your roof (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8253612.stm), have a condition like hyperacousis etc or do shift work? Noise pollution along with its air pollution from aircraft is a problem all over the world and not just limited to parts of Belfast. You'll never find airport managers or airline executive staff living in places along busy flight paths either.
Quote from: thewobbler on August 31, 2010, 06:08:16 PM
While I agree that O'Leary is a gobshite of the highest order, I also prefer to be able to fly to lots of destinations from my local airport than to not be able to. And Ryanair offer the best chance of that happening for me.
Lets look at the routes that Ryanair fly from the City airport to.
Glasgow Prestwick, FlyBe already fly into Glasgow International from the City airport which is closer to Glasgow city centre than Prestwick.
Liverpool, you can either fly with Easyjet from the International Airport, or use FlyBe to go to Manchester and be 30 miles away, nearer than some of the cities Ryanair claim to fly to.
Bristol? Again Easyjet do the same airport from the International.
East Midlands, BMIbaby fly here from the International.
Stanstead? Easyjet will be continuing their City airport to Luton service, FlyBe will take you to Gatwick. If you must go to Stanstead, Easyjet will take you there from the International, and if you need to go to Heathrow, Aer Lingus can serve you.
So if you are prepared to use either the City or International Airports in Belfast, those five destinations Ryanair current fly to will still be easily reached by other carriers after October. The only thing missing is the choice of carrier on some destinations.
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 06:21:20 PM
Quote from: 45 metres on August 31, 2010, 03:09:06 PM
Quote from: Bogball XV on August 31, 2010, 01:47:36 PM
QuoteLiz Fawcett, spokeswoman for Belfast City Airport Watch, which opposes the runway extension, said: "Residents are very pleased.
"They had a particularly unpopular 6.30am flight and certainly this will give some respite."
Unbelievable self interest there, probably didn't like the idea that a free state company was operating in east belfast anyway.
Unbelievable assumption that they had it in for a "free state company". ::) The self interest from Fawcett is no worse than some of the posters on this thread.
I will make it clear that I have no time for O'Leary, a patronising one trick pony who has done very well for himself in one area of business, but he does not deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Branson or Stelios Haji-Ioannou.
Ryanair's problem in Belfast is that unlike the rest of Ireland, there is much stronger competition from other budget airlines like Easyjet, FlyBe and Jet2, they don't have a near monopoly like they do in Dublin. Also I would say that more cynical nordies don't put up with the level of being patronised compared to the rest of Ireland, Steilos might come across as a git but he doesn't carry a "fúck you" attitude around with him all the time. Issues like runway extensions hide other excuses, Ryanair could easily bag slots at Aldergrove if they were serious about expanding their Belfast routes.
It is disappointing that Ryanair are stopping these services as it will affect some people, but other airlines cut and change routes and airports including the two in Belfast all the time without getting big news headlines. I'm simply not going to lick holes here. At least the staff working for Ryanair at the City will get the chance to work elsewhere and if there is real demand, other airlines will fill the routes.
Ryanair will have 12 aircraft in Dublin this winter, down from 30 a couple of years ago. That is due to the incompetent of someone else of course. His only recent success is driving Aer Arrann into Examinership which hopefully they will emerge from.
As a High Court juge said here recently 'the truth and Ryanair are uncomfortable bedfellows' (http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/daily-mail-london-england-the/mi_8002/is_2010_June_5/ryanair-truth-strange-bedfellows-judge/ai_n53908208/). So I wonder what the really issue is? Were they losing money there?
They might only have 12, but only Aer Lingus will still offer them any real competition in their main market, other competitors will fly to no more than a handful of destinations.
Quote from: Dougal Maguire on August 31, 2010, 09:36:11 PM
Love them or loathe them the fact is that Ryanair offer cheap flights end of story and this will be a big loss.
Ryanair however are not the only airline that offer "cheap flights" though, they love to give that impression though that they are always cheaper. Depending on your circumstances as to when you book, how much baggage you plan to carry and things like checking in, sometimes Ryanair may give you the cheapest deal. Otherwise if Belfast is accessible to you, Easyjet, FlyBe or BMIBaby can often work out better.
I see in a statement to the LSE that Ryanair are claiming that their departure from Belfast City could affect up to 1000 jobs. I would take that with a large pinch of salt.
The problem with the City Airport is that it is so close to the city centre compared to many other airports in Europe which could be an advantage, but its location puts limits on expansion that Aldergrove doesn't have. Also for a city the size of Belfast to have two domestic airports quite close together both operating international flights is unusual.
Quote from: Dougal Maguire on August 31, 2010, 09:36:11 PM
Quote from: dublinfella on August 31, 2010, 05:09:25 PM
Is there not a recurring theme here. MOL demanded x, in this case the taxpayers build him a longer runway or he would pull out lock stock. The airport faced him down and he is off.
While its not good for the travelling public of Belfast, its time more people stood up to Ryanair's bully boy tactics.
George, kick the wife's head in and drink two liver's worth of booze, Best Belfast City Airport is privately owned so the taxpayer wouldn't have had to fit the bill. Love them or loathe them the fact is that Ryanair offer cheap flights end of story and this will be a big loss. I'd rather stay at home than travel through Aldergrove where the road links are crap and the staff absolute pigs. Give me Dublin any day
I don't think it was a case of the airport facing him down either - I was under the impression the airport want to go ahead with the longer runway. Is it not the residents who are opposing this?
Quote from: 45 metres on September 01, 2010, 01:00:18 AM
Quote from: Dougal Maguire on August 31, 2010, 09:36:11 PM
Love them or loathe them the fact is that Ryanair offer cheap flights end of story and this will be a big loss.
Ryanair however are not the only airline that offer "cheap flights" though, they love to give that impression though that they are always cheaper. Depending on your circumstances as to when you book, how much baggage you plan to carry and things like checking in, sometimes Ryanair may give you the cheapest deal. Otherwise if Belfast is accessible to you, Easyjet, FlyBe or BMIBaby can often work out better.
I see in a statement to the LSE that Ryanair are claiming that their departure from Belfast City could affect up to 1000 jobs. I would take that with a large pinch of salt.
The problem with the City Airport is that it is so close to the city centre compared to many other airports in Europe which could be an advantage, but its location puts limits on expansion that Aldergrove doesn't have. Also for a city the size of Belfast to have two domestic airports quite close together both operating international flights is unusual.
Well I've been flying from Liverpool to Belfast at least twice a month for the last 7-8 months and Ryanair come up the cheapest every time and by a right bit sometimes. You could be chatting half the price of Easyjet. So as far as I'm concerned their the best I've been dealing with for that short hop. So it's bad news from were I'm looking at it.
And the idea of just heading to Manchester airport is a balls if it's a regular trip your making. The hassle and cost of doing that isn't logical.
Quote from: supersarsfields on September 01, 2010, 09:54:00 AM
Quote from: 45 metres on September 01, 2010, 01:00:18 AM
Quote from: Dougal Maguire on August 31, 2010, 09:36:11 PM
Love them or loathe them the fact is that Ryanair offer cheap flights end of story and this will be a big loss.
Ryanair however are not the only airline that offer "cheap flights" though, they love to give that impression though that they are always cheaper. Depending on your circumstances as to when you book, how much baggage you plan to carry and things like checking in, sometimes Ryanair may give you the cheapest deal. Otherwise if Belfast is accessible to you, Easyjet, FlyBe or BMIBaby can often work out better.
I see in a statement to the LSE that Ryanair are claiming that their departure from Belfast City could affect up to 1000 jobs. I would take that with a large pinch of salt.
The problem with the City Airport is that it is so close to the city centre compared to many other airports in Europe which could be an advantage, but its location puts limits on expansion that Aldergrove doesn't have. Also for a city the size of Belfast to have two domestic airports quite close together both operating international flights is unusual.
Well I've been flying from Liverpool to Belfast at least twice a month for the last 7-8 months and Ryanair come up the cheapest every time and by a right bit sometimes. You could be chatting half the price of Easyjet. So as far as I'm concerned their the best I've been dealing with for that short hop. So it's bad news from were I'm looking at it.
And the idea of just heading to Manchester airport is a balls if it's a regular trip your making. The hassle and cost of doing that isn't logical.
Same as that, I travel every week and Ryanair are way cheaper. I've just booked my flights for November with flybe. Each one nearly four times as expensive as I usually pay ryanair. I refer ye to my other post on this thread.
No-one has asked the obvious question. Ryanair fly the same fleett.
Why exactly do they need a longer runway for the same planes?
Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on August 31, 2010, 08:40:31 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 07:50:25 PM
Quote from: Rois on August 31, 2010, 06:30:16 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 06:21:20 PM
His only recent success is driving Aer Arrann into Examinership which hopefully they will emerge from.
Well not exactly wholly accurate. Aer Arann committed to so many new aircraft, they were in trouble despite Ryanair.
Aer Arrann took the new aircraft after Ryanair went to war with them on the Cork - Dublin and Dublin - Kerry routes which led to a need for cash last year.
The volcano and the new aircraft may have caused them to run out of cash this month, but Ryanair strangled them before that.
When the PSOs are cut Aer Arann would have been finished anyway, this is their only chance but its going to take something massive to save them at this point.
Ryanair weren't allowed to fill their planes out of Belfast City because of the short runway length versus the heavy takeoff weight of the B738 (the only plane they fly), they generally need 75% full planes to break even, so their margins there were tiny. They were hanging on in the hope that the runway extension would go ahead, without it they would always go. Doubt they'll fancy going head to head with Easyjet at Aldergrove. Talking of further cut backs at Shannon today as well.
Quote from: dublinfella on September 01, 2010, 11:18:26 AM
No-one has asked the obvious question. Ryanair fly the same fleett.
Why exactly do they need a longer runway for the same planes?
They want larger planes for European flights. They need a larger runway for this.
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 09:07:04 PM
Did Ryanair not attack Aer Arann on the Dublin - Cork route increasing frequency and charging buttons until Aer Arann dropped theirs from 7 a day to 1 a day?
Did they then not bid for the Dublin - Kerry PSO route getting Aer Arann off its most profitable route?
Did Aer Arann not then run into difficulty until a mystery investor put up the cash?
Did Aer Arann not then enter an arrangement with Aer Lingus which led to the new aircraft only in the last 12 months?
Tell me where I am incorrect.
Nowhere are you incorrect. It's just not the whole picture. I'm giving up on this now, I run the risk of being sacked.
Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on August 31, 2010, 08:40:31 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 07:50:25 PM
Quote from: Rois on August 31, 2010, 06:30:16 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 31, 2010, 06:21:20 PM
His only recent success is driving Aer Arrann into Examinership which hopefully they will emerge from.
Well not exactly wholly accurate. Aer Arann committed to so many new aircraft, they were in trouble despite Ryanair.
Aer Arrann took the new aircraft after Ryanair went to war with them on the Cork - Dublin and Dublin - Kerry routes which led to a need for cash last year.
The volcano and the new aircraft may have caused them to run out of cash this month, but Ryanair strangled them before that.
When the PSOs are cut Aer Arann would have been finished anyway, this is their only chance but its going to take something massive to save them at this point.
Ryanair weren't allowed to fill their planes out of Belfast City because of the short runway length versus the heavy takeoff weight of the B738 (the only plane they fly), they generally need 75% full planes to break even, so their margins there were tiny. They were hanging on in the hope that the runway extension would go ahead, without it they would always go. Doubt they'll fancy going head to head with Easyjet at Aldergrove. Talking of further cut backs at Shannon today as well.
Dublin - Cork isn't a PSO.
For the record Ryanair gets
€660,000,000 (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2010/0501/1224269451828.html) a year in government subsidies. It would most likely shut down if these were withdrawn.
The Belfast case is a simple one, Ryanair fly only one type of plane and fully loaded it needs a longer runway. This is why the Derry airport runway extension was needed. Other carriers may have smaller planes so they can make a go of it.
By having one type of plane Ryanair have economies of scale and only one type of training for pilots etc. Other airlines have a different approach Aer Lingus are now looking at smaller (120 seater) planes for less busy routes and Cityjet use this model to LCY.
I've just listened to the Stephen Nolan podcast on this issue. It's worth a listen.
well you must realise michael o leary is not concerned about anything else but the bottom line. belfast nor belgrade nor timbuktoo matter a toss to him, money is the only thing and he is very good at it.
any chance we could have him take a look at the way ireland is run, he could trim some of the fat.
Quote from: mannix on September 10, 2010, 10:18:41 PM
well you must realise michael o leary is not concerned about anything else but the bottom line. belfast nor belgrade nor timbuktoo matter a toss to him, money is the only thing and he is very good at it.
any chance we could have him take a look at the way ireland is run, he could trim some of the fat.
He has gone from 4 aircraft to 1 in Shannon.
He has gone from 30 aircraft to 12 in Dublin.
He is pulling out of Belfast and moving the aircraft to Barcelona.
And people want him in charge here?
all for a good reason, trimming away unnecessary bills. people in ireland can never work a day in their lives and get free money, i know at least 2 dozen of them and at least half them are working for cash on the side, 100 euro a day and 200 on the dole. its crazy and a michael o leary would end it.
dublin and belfast served their purpose and are of no use because of their taxes on ryanair.I have used them between shannon and beavais dozens of times, cheap and efficient but no frills and you are going to pay if you want to play games with them.
Quote from: mannix on September 11, 2010, 03:22:12 AM
all for a good reason, trimming away unnecessary bills. people in ireland can never work a day in their lives and get free money, i know at least 2 dozen of them and at least half them are working for cash on the side, 100 euro a day and 200 on the dole. its crazy and a michael o leary would end it.
dublin and belfast served their purpose and are of no use because of their taxes on ryanair.I have used them between shannon and beavais dozens of times, cheap and efficient but no frills and you are going to pay if you want to play games with them.
He is pulling out because he can't make money here. In Shannon he blames the tax, in Dublin it is Terminal 2 while in Belfast it was the runway length. They pulled out of Angouleme (http://www.discover-poitou-charentes.com/blog/?p=41) because they wouldn't pay Ryanair more than the contracted amount. They pulled out of Valencia (http://www.holavalencia.net/2008/10/24/ryanair-to-valencia-suck-it/) because they wouldn't engage in 'constructive discussions'. They reduced capacity in Manchester (http://www.regen.net/news/ByDiscipline/Economic-Development/login/927689/) costing 600 jobs (their figures) and completely withdrew from Blackpool (http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Ryanair-to-quit-Blackpool-airport.4727852.jp?CommentPage=2&CommentPageLength=10) because of a local tax. It announced it was pulling out of Prague (http://www.praguepost.com/business/4345-ryanair-pulls-out-of-ruzyne-over-passenger-fees.html) due to 'fees', Granada (http://www.granadainfo.com/cheap_flights.htm) because the local council stopped subsidising the flights while in the meantime it demanded an end (http://www.ryanair.com/en/news/end-45m-euro-pso-subsidies) to the subsidies Aer Arann were getting. It pulled out of Newquay (http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=253), reduced capacity at Doncaster (http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/2009/08/robin-hood-airport-hit-by-ryanair-pull-out/) and shafted up to 5,000 passengers by pulling out of Fuerteventura (http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article5321348.ece) in 2008. In all of the above Ryanair blamed the local airport, council or government, or all three.
Ryanair have threatened many times to pull out of Ireland. That will never happen for the simple reason that Irish airlines are regulated by a Patrick Neary/Irish style of regulation. i.e. let us know what ye're at, if it suits like.
Up to 2006 people thought that a Sean Fitzpatrick or a Michael Fingleton were great fellas and would make good ministers. Be careful what you wish for.
http://www.rte.ie/business/2010/0923/ryanair.html (http://www.rte.ie/business/2010/0923/ryanair.html)
Pulling an aircraft out of Kerry now that it forced Aer Arran off the subsidised route but leaving a flight a day just in case they think of going back on it.
Quote from: mannix on September 10, 2010, 10:18:41 PM
well you must realise michael o leary is not concerned about anything else but the bottom line. belfast nor belgrade nor timbuktoo matter a toss to him, money is the only thing and he is very good at it.
any chance we could have him take a look at the way ireland is run, he could trim some of the fat.
He was interviewed on BBC's Newnight a wean of weeks ago. They asked would he consider taking on consultative role in the British Government on how to safe money. He just laughed and said he's not interest one iota on how Britain runs it's country. Said he's a Paddy and to-be-sure, they wouldn't want a Mick about the place, telling them they are wrong.