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Ryanair still talking about Europe-US LCC flights that could impact US majors...

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johnsonrod

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 25, 2006
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This article came out today and I had to translate it from German to English (Google Translator - not a perfect translation). Unlike Norwegian Longhaul, Ryanair could LEGALLY fly from many European hubs to the US. For this article, Ryanair talks about potentially using widebodies out of Frankfurt Hahn to the US. Again, I believe they are watching NLH's results and waiting to pick up used widebodies on the open market (maybe from the Gulf Carriers that are replacing fleets with newer airplanes)... Also, keep in mind we are talking about a different demographic than what the US majors target (i.e., the business traveler who would refuse to sit on tight sardine seats on Ryanair). Still, it would be interesting to see how the legacy carriers on both sides of the Pond would respond as Ryanair adds more and more capacity over time...

See below:

http://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtscha...iegen-fuer-10-euro-nach-amerika-12944601.html



The European market leader in the low-cost airlines will continue to fly for ten euros passengers to the United States. "We are going to set up a sister company to start with 15 to 20 aircraft. Four or five years later , 30 to 40 are , "said Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary with the Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung (issue of 18 May ) . " 8 to 10 European airports could be connected with 10 to 15 destinations in the United States." The airport Frankfurt -Hahn he said, can be a target in Germany .

Ten Euros are only the starting price . " Of course, come charges for suitcases, for the food on board , for the video. We will also set up a business class , which will cost more . " Long-haul flights but would start earlier than in five years because no planes were available on the market and still too expensive at present . "We must wait for the next crisis , then the prices fall again. " The next crisis will definitely come , "Three golf societies , just follow the the same business model , namely to guide passengers about the Golf - it is not going .
One will survive , others will fail, " O'Leary told the Sunday newspaper on.

" Hahn remains our most important airport "

The end of August Ryanair will introduce tariffs for business . The customers get a " seat in the front rows , so they go later and can get off quickly after landing. Free umbuchbare tickets , preferred security check , discounts for frequent flyers " . The price will be 78 euros on average. A normal ticket would cost 48 euros on average currently . For families but would the end of June a special offer introduced .
For baggage and seat of children it could then give concessions and discounts.

O'Leary stressed according to the newspaper that the enhanced control of major airports , for example, of Cologne and Nuremberg mean no departure from provincial airports. " Hahn is by far our most important airport in Germany . " Financial support for the ailing airport will Ryanair but can not afford .
"If we pay more fees, rising ticket prices, and then fly less. "

The CEO, who leads the airline since 1993 , admitted that many of his proposals from the past were not serious . He had claimed , among other things , buy Lufthansa, plan to introduce standing room and a toilet fee. "That was great PR for us. We were a small airline, did not have much money for advertising. Since you have to attract a lot of attention. "Now he no longer need such a communication strategy.
 
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Hahn was rebuilt specifically for Ryan air. Now they bitch they cant keep funding the airport. Classic.

If an airline like Ryanair has yet to start transoceanic, it's a safe bet the market is limited. Who can afford a world tour trip if they can only afford $10 tickets?
 
Hahn was rebuilt specifically for Ryan air. Now they bitch they cant keep funding the airport. Classic.

If an airline like Ryanair has yet to start transoceanic, it's a safe bet the market is limited. Who can afford a world tour trip if they can only afford $10 tickets?

Maybe the first 10 seats on te flight start at $10 and go up in increments from there - it's called yield management. Regardless, the tickets will start very low and passengers will pay for everything else. Bringing bags? Each will cost $50. Bringing a carry on bag? Pay $30. Want an aisle seat? Pay an extra $50. Want some food? Pay $15. And do this for each flight. Nobody can argue with Ryanair's short haul model because it is super successful in Europe. It has built 20-30 hubs throughout Europe with 10+ based aircraft each. I have flown on Ryanair and EasyJet and both offer good value-for-money if you keep your comfort expectations low. Don't expect comfy seats if you are paying very low airfares... That said, Ryanair is evidently trying to "improve" customer service and even offer a business class product - maybe premium economy.

As for developing a successful transatlantic model - who knows? Ryanair has been talking about this for a long time and their stock value is dependent upon growth. With Europe pretty saturated with LCC carriers, maybe this is the next growth vehicle for them. No doubt they are watching and learning from NLH. With Emirates recently getting stymied in their own transatlantic ambitions, maybe they will sell older 1st generation 777-200/300s or older A330s to Ryanair for cheap as they get newer aircraft just to slam the US legacies that fought so hard to keep Emirates out. You never know...
 
There should be plenty of "relatively new" wide bodies available over the next 10 years. As the 787s and A350s arrive, the 767s, 777s and A330/340s will leave and become available. JAL and ANA have plenty of 767s and older 777s they will be replacing over the next decade or so that could fit nicely in a Ryanair operation.

I suppose Ryanair could locate 40-50 747-400s in the desert tomorrow and operate a dual-class service if they really wanted to (with suitable airfields). Probably get newer generation aircraft. I have read that Ryanair is bleeding pilots to the Middle East Big 3 - perhaps a wide body operation in Europe could help stem that tide if they just paid a decent wage to fly them.
 
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Hahn was rebuilt specifically for Ryan air. Now they bitch they cant keep funding the airport. Classic.

That statement is WRONG. HHN was converted to civilian use in 1993 (ex Hahn Air Base) and was rebuilt mainly to relieve FRA and to take advantage of its missing night curfew (like most airports in Germany/Europe have). Ryanair didn't move in until 1999. There have been controversies about tax breaks though.

You have a similar situation in NRN (ex RAF Laarbruch).
 
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There are many in Europe that know how to play the Ryanair game. Only the uninformed get caught with the "extras". If this model goes transatlantic, then it may be fun to watch. GL might blow a gasket.
Its not a fun place to be a pilot however. The management is ruthless. Check out some UK documentaries investigating this operation, particularly addressing fuel emergencies declared in the past by some Captains due to Ryanair's policy regarding fuel planning and cost savings. The crews interviewed were anonymous on screen due to fear of retribution.
Employees have been disciplined in the past for using company electricity to charge cellphones in crew lounges, and don't dare grab a soda from the galley!
You have to be desperate to work there, and many are bailing to Middle East carriers. The promise of widebody aircraft on long haul routes might change the picture somewhat.
 
^^^^ ... and if I may add FR's customer service is not the errr... greatest. There have been a few news stories about their pax being stranded or left on airplanes with the lavs locked.

The game changer would be the acquisition of Aer Lingus. It had been prevented before, but one never knows....
 
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I have flown them several times for "free" at no cost except for taxes, but knew about added extras and how to play it. That worked, as long as you just boarded with little or nothing except the clothes you wear. It was actually cheaper to use a package carrier to send your luggage ahead to the hotel at destination. The most expensive fare I ever paid was 25 British pennies from Gatwick to Dublin, plus 25 pounds tax. Would not fly with them again however since I found out more about their shady operation.
 

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