Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus (Code AITA: I.E.(internal excitation) ; Code ICAO: EIN ) is a Irish Airline company , based with Dublin.

It is the national company of the Irish Republic.

History

Beginnings

Aer Lingus Teoranta east creates on May 22nd 1936 by Blackpool and West Coast Air Services. The name, Aer Lingus is an Anglicanism of the Irish Aer Loingeas which means air fleet (just like Aeroflot). The name is proposed by Richard F O' Connor, employee with the land register of the so enthusiastic Comté of Cork but of aeronautics. Five days after its creation, the company opens its first air link between Dublin and Bristol with a De Havilland 84 Dragon (number EI-ABA) (Photo), baptized Iolar (eagle). Later the same year, the company acquires a second apparatus, one De Havilland 86 Express train, with 4 engines and a capacity of 14 passengers.

In 1938, Iolar is replaced by a of Fast Havilland DH.89 Dragon and a second DH86B is bought. Two Lockheed L-14s arrives in 1939, those are first very out of metal of Aer Lingus.

In January 1940, a new airport is built in the suburbs Dublin (current the Aéroport of Dublin) and Aer Lingus settles there. New a DC-3 is acquired to carry out the connection Dublin - Liverpool and Dublin - Shannon. The traffic is disturbed at the time of the Second world war, the only assured connection being the flights bound for Liverpool and Manchester.

Post-war period

November 9th 1945, a regular service is restored with an inaugural flight towards London. Starting from this date, the planes of Aer Lingus are painted in green and money and the first Airline hostess make their appearance. In 1946, a new Anglo-Irish agreement gives has Aer Lingus the exclusive rights on the traffic between the two countries in exchange of a participation of British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways (BEA) of 40% in Aer Lingus.

The same year, the first regular service bound for continental Europe was inaugurated with the opening of the connection Dublin-Paris (Le Bourget) in DC3, followed in 1947 by an Dublin-Manchester-Amsterdam connection. Because of the fast development of the company, seven Vickers Viking new is bought in 1947, however, because of their performances and their maintenance costs, they are quickly resold.

Always in 1947, Aerlínte Éireann is created with for goal to ensure the transatlantic flights between New York and the Ireland. Three Lockheed Constellation are ordered but a financial crisis delays the project. The Constellation are then sold with BOAC and the transatlantic flights are pushed back. During the end of the Years 1940 and the beginning Years 1950, Aer Lingus introduced of new roads towards Brussels, Amsterdam and Rome. Because of expansion of its network, the company belongs to very first to order Vickers Viscount 707s in 1951. In 1956, Aer Lingus has its new colors: dark green with a white line on the level of the port-holes.

First transatlantic flights

April 28th 1958, Aerlínte Éireann operates the first transatlantic flight of Shannon to New York. Three Lockheed Constellation are used for the triweekly connection. The planes are rented with the American airline company Seaboard World Airlines. January 1st 1960, Aerlínte Éireann is famous Aer Lingus - Irish International Airlines. Aer Lingus enters then the era of the jets on December 14th 1960 when three Boeing 720 are delivered. They are firstly used for the service towards New York, but also the very new connection towards Boston.

In 1963, Aer Lingus adds of Carvairs to its fleet. With this apparatus, the simultaneous transport of five cars allows. Carvair is a not very economic choice for the company, this being partly due to the increase in the sea traffic.

The Boeing 720 is a success for transatlantic Aer Lingus and its flights. In 1964, the company receives its first Boeing 707.

Jet

Conversion towards one 100% jet of the European fleet starts in 1965 when the first VAT 1-11 begins a service of Dublin and Cork towards Paris and via Manchester towards Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt. New colors are adopted the same year with clover on the tail of the plane and the title Aer Lingus-Irish International just with the top of the port-holes. In 1966, the last shares held by Aer Rianta are transferred to the Irish ministry from Finances.

In 1966, the roads of Shannon towards Montreal and Chicago are inaugurated.

In 1968, flights at the beginning of Belfast in Northern Ireland towards New York begin. The service is cancelled soon because of the beginning of the Conflit north-Irish. 1969 see the introduction of the Boeing 737 into the fleet of Aer Lingus to answer the strong demand on the line Dublin - London. Aer Lingus gradually extends the flights into 737 on all its European network.

From 1970 to 1990

In 1970, Aer Lingus takes delivery as of its 2 first Boeing 747 for its transatlantic flights. In 1974, new colors are revealed and the word International disappears on the fuselage from the planes. The new colors include blue and green as well as a white clover on the tail.

In September 1979, Aer Lingus becomes the first airline company other than Alitalia to transport the pope Jean-Paul II. Sovereign pontiff flew on board a Boeing 747 especially modified for the occasion (serial number: EI-ASI, nickname: St Patrick). He used this plane to fly of Rome to Dublin then Shannon towards Boston. At the beginning of the Years 1980, the Boeings 707 are withdrawn from the fleet.

In 1984, a subsidiary company, Aer Lingus Commuter are formed. It then makes it possible Aer Lingus to propose destinations in Ireland and in the United Kingdom who do not require the use of jet at the beginning of Dublin because of the short distances. These roads are operated in the first times by five Shorts 360, after tests concluding with the Shorts 330. At the same period, Aer Lingus takes the majority of the shares of the company cargo liner Aer Turas , which has some DC-8 version cargo liner.

Between 1987 and 1989, new Boeing 737 are delivered in order to replace oldest of the fleet, and six Fokker F50 are added to the fleet Commuter . During 1990, after the deregulation of the air traffic in Ireland, Aer Lingus must reconsider its policy and modernize its fleet. The VAT 1-11 are withdrawn and five Boeing 737 arrive. In 1991, four Saab 340 are delivered for Aer Lingus Commuter in order to replace Shorts 360. In 1992, all Boeing 737-200 are withdrawn from the fleet for 737 of second generation: the series -300,-400 and -500. Aer Lingus is then the largest operator in the world for this type of apparatus.

Float Airbus

In 1994, Aer Lingus begins a direct service between Dublin and the United States by using the Airbus A330 and as from May, all the transatlantic flights is operated in A330. These changes lead to the progressive withdrawal of the Boeing 747 and the Boeing 767 -300ER briefly used. October 2nd 1995, the jumbo jet accomplishes its last flight for the company after more than 25 years of service. Boeing 747 will have transported more than 8 million passengers above the Atlantique. The end of the Années 1990 sees the return of Aer Lingus to Belfast with a service towards New York via Shannon. The International airport Newark Liberty in the New Jersey is added to the transatlantic network. However, this service will remain only a few years.

February 1st 2001, Aer Lingus Commuter is dismantled and all the apparatuses and destinations are then taken charges some by the company mother: Aer Lingus. According to the Attacks of September 11th, 2001, the company is touched hard. The operations are strongly reduced, of the employees are laid off and of the apparatuses are resold. The company since found the way of the profit by re-examining all its sales strategy: lower costs of exploitation, modernization of the fleet, choice of only one manufacturer (Airbus) to lower the maintenance costs and formation, and development of new destinations towards continental Europe (in the past, Aer Lingus had especially privileged the destinations towards the United Kingdom and the USA). Aer Lingus is at low prices presented from now on in the form of a company similar to a Airline company, such as for example Ryanair, EasyJet, or Germanwings. The Class businesses and the transport of Fret on the flights short mail were removed.

In March 2006, Aer Lingus proposes its first regular service towards Asia with a flight towards the International airport of Dubai to the United Arab Emirates. Although the company presents it like the first long-distance service except the United States, it is it should be noted that a flight bound for Montreal with the Canada was proposed between 1966 and 1979. The distance between Dublin and Dubai east of 5.926 kilometers (3682 miles), it acts of a comparable flight that towards Chicago. However, Los Angeles remains the longest service of Aer Lingus with 8.338 kilometers (5181 miles).

October 29th 2005, Aer Lingus separates from its two last Boeing 737. EI-CDH (one 737-500) carries out its last connection return ticket between Dublin and Nice. These two Boeing 737 (EI-CDH and EI-CDG) are resold with the Russian airline company Rossiya.

June 6th 2007, Aer Lingus reinforces its relation with the European manufacturer by ordering 6 new A350 and 6 Airbus additional A330-300. This order will make it possible Aer Lingus to extend its long-distance network, but also to replace its oldest A330.

Market cap

In order to prepare the quotation of Aer Lingus to the Stock Exchange Dublin, the Irish government decided to abolish the Shannon stopover starting from the end 2008. Aer Lingus currently flies towards Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, Orlando and San Francisco.

Aer Lingus was initially introduced on a resale market (" grey-market") September 27th 2006, to be allowed thereafter on the official lists of the Irish Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange on October 2nd 2006. At the time of the stockmarket entry, the Irish government had 28% of the shares, while the employees had 15% of them.

Alliances

Aer Lingus withdraws alliance Oneworld on April 1st 2007, however, the company decided to keep bilateral bonds with members of Oneworld and does not intend to join another alliance. November 19th 2006, it announces that agreements were signed with American Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qantas. The decision to leave Oneworld was made because Aer Lingus was repositioned as a company at low cost carrying out of point-to-point (with the difference of the companies operating by hubs).

However, on February 6th 2007, Aer Lingus announces its alliance with JetBlue Airways. This alliance is especially an alliance " internet" : the customers of Aer Lingus can reserve at the beginning of Dublin or Shannon, one of the 51 destinations operated by JetBlue in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean since Internet site of Aer Lingus, and vice versa for the customers of JetBlue.

Public offering of purchase made by Ryanair

October 5th 2006, Ryanair lance an public offering of purchase of 1,48 billion euros on Aer Lingus. Michael O' Leary, chairman of Ryanair, announces that it is a “single opportunity” to form a large Irish airline company. “The new” company would transport more than 50 million passengers per annum. Ryanair has already 16% of the actions Aer Lingus and proposes 2,80 euros per remaining action. The very same day, the direction of Aer Lingus rejects the offer. October 15th 2006, Ryanair confirms that it already acquired 19,2% of Aer Lingus and that there is no problem with the fact that the Irish government keeps its 28,3% that it has.

November 29th 2006, Ryanair announces that it has from now on 26,2% of actions.

December 21st of the same year, Ryanair cancels its public offering of purchase on Aer Lingus, but with the intention to launch a news of it when the European commission delivers its opinion on the first offer. If this offer is accepted, the European commission fears a reduction of the offer and an increase in the tariffs.

June 27th 2007, the European commission announces its decision to prohibit the repurchase of Aer Lingus by Ryanair by justifying that these two companies control more than 80% of all the traffic to the airport of Dublin and that would lead to a situation of quasi-monopoly.

Development abroad

February 14th 2007, Aer Lingus announces its intention to create at the beginning of 2008 its first bases abroad, i.e. of out of the Irish Republic. This base is located at the International airport of Belfast, in Northern Ireland. Aer Lingus invests 100 million euros there by basing 8 apparatuses there, creating thus more than 1.000 direct uses.

Agreement Open Ski

March 22nd 2007, following the agreements Open Ski which remove the lawful barriers of the transatlantic air traffic, Aer Lingus announces 3 new lines long-distance carrier bound for the United States: Orlando (3 flights per week), San Francisco (4 flights per week) and Washington D.C (4 flights per week).

Key figures

Aer Lingus realized in 2006 a turnover of 1.115 million euros.

Aer Lingus had 4000 employees at the end of December 2006 and transported 8,6 million passengers in 2005. The productivity of Aer Lingus is almost twice less by employee than that of Ryanair because the wages are 60% there more raised and than the planes 50% less fly.

Float

Aer Lingus exploits 39 apparatuses at October 12th, 2007:

In order to extend its long-distance flights, on June 6th, 2007, Aer Lingus order at Airbus of 6 A350 XWB placed (delivery as from 2014) and of 6 Airbus additional A330 -300 (delivery as from 2009).

At October 12th, 2006, the Middle Age of the fleet was 5,1 years, detail:

  • 3,1 years for these 24 A320
  • 8,7 years for these 6 A321
  • 8,3 years for these 9 A330

Destinations

Aer Lingus exploits lines on departure and arrival of the airports of Dublin, Shannon and Cork:

the United Kingdom

The London-Dublin connection represents between 8 and 9% of the turnover of Aer Lingus, which faces in particular on this segment the competition of Ryanair.

Europe

the United States of America

United Arab Emirates

  • a destination:

Africa

  • a destination:

Appendices

Random links:Boiry-Saint-Martin | Boophinae | Duke of Broglie | Park of the Keeper | Fritz Haas | Irving,_l'Illinois