[onajetplane]

Disappointed to read that Aer Lingus will be cancelling their Belfast City – Heathrow route. Will be a big loss for Belfast. Having used the route numerous times, the flights were almost always full. Seemingly Brexit is to blame given Aer Lingus has lost the right to operate a domestic route. Highly doubt BA will increase their existing service given presumably just much more profitable routes for them to operate – nevermind anyone booking onto a BA long-haul flight with a connect in Heathrow is better to fly on their service Dublin anyway to avoid the considerable taxes.

[AMcWhirter]

I ought to point out that this does not affect EI subsidiary Emerald Airlines which is continuing to expand flights between BHD and mainland UK.

In summer 2023 this carrier will be adding Jersey and Newquay to its network (in addition to operating extra flights on existing rouyes).

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onajetplane

[FrDougal]

The route is not actually being axed as of yet.

The base is being closed (the pilot base shut some time ago and was crewed by Dublin based pilots) and the cabin crew offered alternative placements elsewhere within the company however they are wetleasing an A320 aircraft from BA which will be based in T2 LHR and used to operate the Aer Lingus schedule for the winter seasons.

The PR coming out of Aer Lingus the last few days suggest that they remain committed to the route and are exploring other ways around operating the route efficiently in light of the Brexit dilemma thrust upon them. The airline does have a UK AOC which it uses for its MAN operations however to register an aircraft or two and maintain a dedicated base at BHD for just one route is probably not very cost effective and would hamper the profitability on the route so it will be interesting to see how they commit to the route come summer 2023.

[transtraxman]

According to this article published yesterday BA will take over the Heathrow to Belfast City route.
“British Airways ramps up Belfast City flights”, (19-10-22 Ch-aviation)

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/120466-british-airways-ramps-up-belfast-city-flights

However, I am at a loss to understand why Aer Lingus needs another licence to operate flights to and from the UK. It already has (and is using) a UK AOC to operate flights from Manchester to North America. It is true that the UK company needs UK registered aircraft to fly its routes. However, that has never proved to be a problem before when wet-leased aircraft were used. Just contract some Aer Lingus (Ireland)aircraft.

What is the problem?

[onajetplane]

Just received the following from Aer Lingus:

“Dear Customer

Thank you for choosing to travel with Aer Lingus.

We wish to inform you that due to operational reasons, your flight between LONDON HEATHROW and BELFAST will now be operated by British Airways on behalf of Aer Lingus (U.K) Limited.

Check in for your flight will remain at the Aer Lingus Check-in desks.

We are confident that the service you receive from British Airways pilots and cabin crew will be to the same high standards that our customers expect from us.

We would like to thank you for your co-operation and understanding and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Please do not reply to the above e-mail address as this is an automated service and does not have a reply facility.

Yours sincerely

Aer Lingus”

Will be interesting to see whether BA will really maintain both their scheduled flights and Aer Lingus x 3 day or will they consolidate frequencies.

[AMcWhirter]

[postquote quote=1239888]

It’s taken this long for EI to advise you of the change !

[onajetplane]

@AMcWhirter – yes only received the email this afternoon. Interestingly however it is a multi-leg itinerary booked on BA.com with only this one flight originally scheduled to operate by Aer Lingus. That email came from Aer Lingus. But when I just signed into my BA account – the booking still shows the flight as operated by Aer Lingus from T2! So who knows at this point!

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AMcWhirter

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