Aer Lingus has announced that it has increased capacity on the Dublin to London Gatwick route by 56%, with the carrier adding two additional daily rotations for a total of six daily rotations which commenced on the 19th of October (Aer Lingus website), with new early morning departures at both ends of the route, providing higher frequency with a wider range of timings, which will be particularly attractive to business traffic.
The increased London Gatwick route capacity increase is consistent with its demand-lead strategy, as the carrier re-deploys capacity from Southern Europe to Northern Europe (Investor Day Conference Call 28th of September), where their is an increased business traffic mix.
Aer Lingus has been winning back market share in the key London market with the carrier having market share of 45% in 2010 up from 39% in 2009 (Flying in Ireland April 2011), having product differential in the market with roll out of new fare pricing structure, participation in GDS, seat selection and mobile phone check-in option.
The roll out of the Economy Flex a quasi business class product allowing customers re-book flights which offers flexibility ,together with the roll out of the pre-order hot meals in 2012 (Investor Day Conference Call 28th of September), will be particularly attractive to business traffic on routes such as Gatwick.
The increased frequency on the London Gatwick route will be attractive offering increased connecting opportunities to partners British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
With the Aer Lingus policy of commercial neutrality it will be particularly interesting to see how it will develop at London Gatwick in relation to new partnerships in due course, where the carrier could gain potential connectivity to the Asia market, or alternatively passengers could book through point to point.
Three new carriers will be launching new routes to Asia from London Gatwick over the comong months including Air Asia X six times weekly to Kula Lumpur from today 24th of October (Channel News Asia 13th of July 2011), Korean Airlines three times weekly to Seoul from the 28th of March 2012 (Flightglobal 5th October), and Vietnam Airlines twice weekly to Ho Chi Minh City from the 9th of December (Travelmole 11th October)
EIN230 depart Dublin
EIN231 depart London Gatwick at 0650 arrive Dublin
***Revised timings***
*EIN230 Dublin based aircraft.
*EIN231 London Gatwick based aircraft.
EIN236 depart London Gatwick at 1250 arrive Dublin
EIN243 depart Dublin
EIN245 depart London Gatwick at 1750 arrive Dublin
EIN246 depart Dublin
Operated by A320.
Gatwick Airport Perdicts 100 extra flights per day
http://news.fhr-net.co.uk/3559/gatwick_airport_predicts_100_extra_flights_per_day/
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 24th October 2011 All Rights Reserved.
