CityJet announce termination of Shannon - Paris route

It was almost inevitable when Aer Lingus announced that it it was reinstating the Shannon - Heathrow route that CityJet's days were numbered on the Shannon - Paris route. And today the inevitable happened when the Air France subsidiary announced that as and from October 24 it was terminating it's Shannon - Paris route.
CityJet were seen as the white knight who stepped in when Aer Lingus moved it's Shannon - Heathrow slots to Belfast. The business community on the western seaboard from Kerry to Mayo had lost the vital connectivity to a major European hub that it had enjoyed for 60 years with Aer Lingus. 
The business community grasped the life line with fervor and supported the route which was operated by Air France subsidiary Regional as CityJet did not have sufficient aircraft to allocate the necessary frames to the Shannon route. Anecdotal evidence showed that load factors were high on the Embraer 145 aircraft. 
It had always been the intention that the larger RJ85 aircraft would be used on the route which would also allow an earlier departure from Shannon by basing an aircraft at the Irish airport. 
As the Irish economy dipped into recession the pressure to generate profit on the route grew, exacerbated by the eventual allocation of RJ85 aircraft to the route. When Aer Lingus announced it's U turn on the Heathrow slot any bad will towards Aer Lingus rapidly receded when 'business as usual' was re-established.
CityJet to be fair have taken the view that they would have settled for a break even on the Paris route but load factors in recent times would appear to be well wide of the mark, languishing in the low to mid forties. Chief Executive of CityJet Geoffrey O'Byrne White said that "Unfortunately, the continuing economic downturn, which has hit the Mid West particularly hard in recent months, has led to a steep decline in the route's performance, and we cannot foresee passenger numbers and revenues reaching a break-even level."

VLM name to disappear in favour of CityJet

From January next the VLM name will disappear in favour of CityJet. The move comes as the Blegian regional operator VLM becomes integrated into Air France-KLM. Both CityJet and VLM will maintain separate AOC's (Air Operators Certificates) and operate independently of each other. Commercially though the travelling public will see just one entity.

Former CityJet EI-DJJ joins FAB

Former CityJet BAe 146-200 msn E2040 EI-DJJ has joined Bolivian military operator TAM as FAB 103. The aircraft was built in 1985 and delivered to CityJet in May 2005. 

On May 13, Bolivian President Morales was present in LaPaz for the official arrival of the aircraft which is configured for 92 passengers and 6 crew. An impressive T33 escort was assembled for the arrival and can be seen in the picture link :FAB103

With thanks to Antoin Daltun

EI-RJT diverts to Gatwick

Today's CityJet flight BCY 82K operated by RJ85 EI-RJT diverted to London Gatwick after smoke was reported in the cockpit. The aircraft with 24 passengers and 4 crew was over the English Channel when the incident occurred, prompting the aircraft to divert. Passengers have been accommodated on this evening's Ryanair Gatwick-Shannon service.

Aer Lingus reinstate Heathrow route as CityJet increase capacity

Aer Lingus reintroduced the Heathrow - Shannon slot tonight after a break of just over 14 months. Tonight's flight EIN 387 was operated by A320 EI-DES which arrived at 19.27z. The 'new' Heathrow - Shannon services operate twice daily on weekdays with a morning only service on Saturday and an evening only service on Sunday.

Meanwhile it was case of getting the retaliation in first at CityJet who got the jump on Aer Lingus when they increased capacity on the Paris - Shannon route on Saturday evening. From last night the twice daily Paris - Shannon flights will be operated by RJ85 aircraft. Last evening 's service was operated by RJ85 EI-RJU. CityJet have also revamped their schedule with a very early 5.40 am departure from Shannon utilizing an aircraft which now overnights in Shannon. It had been a criticism of the CityJet service that connecting with services in Paris had been compromised with the late morning arrival of the Shannon originating flight.

Whilst connectivity from Shannon is now better than it has ever been, there must surely be excess capacity with the combined London and Paris services and a soft market. It remains to be seen who will blink first.

CityJet to base RJ85 at Shannon

Air France subsidiary CityJet are to base an RJ85 aircraft at Shannon from May and change the timing of the morning departure to 6.30am with a Paris arrival at 9.30am local. Since the service was introduced last spring the airline have operated the route with Embraer 145 aircraft leased from Regional Airlines. The original intention had been to operate the route with RJ85 aircraft but a shortage of frames led to the implementation date being pushed out. A similar frame shortage led CityJet to pull off the Dublin -Knock PSO (Public Service Obligation) route which it tendered for last summer.

During the summer of 2008, CityJet briefly operated RJ85 aircraft on a third daily Shannon - Paris service at the weekends.

The basing of the CityJet aircraft at Shannon will be welcomed, especially by business travellers who had complained that the near-lunchtime arrival in Paris of the current morning service limits the range of onward connections which are possible from the French capital.

Announcing the change to the schedule, CityJet's CE Geoffry O'Byrne White said the airline would rely on the "continued support of businesses and leisure passengers in the Mid West and in the current tough economic environment, that support will be vital if the route is to continue."

The move comes weeks before Aer Lingus recommence operations on the Shannon - Heathrow route.

CityJet add EI-RJY

Air France subsidiary CityJet have added another RJ-85 to their fleet. The aircraft is registered EI-RJY,msn E2307, hex code 4CA6AC and had been noted crew training in the UK since Thursday of last week using the flight number BCY100T. Yesterday evening the aircraft positioned from Norwich to Paris DeGaulle using trip number BCY065P.

CityJet RJ85 in emergency landing

The Air Accident Investigation Unit have opened a file on an incident with flight BCY 5008 last night at Dublin airport. The aircraft EI-RJX with 88 passengers and 4 crew landed shortly after 10.00pm having declared emergency on approach. Airport rescue services were deployed for the uneventful landing. The aircraft was inspected and towed off the runway approximately one hour after landing. Due to the impending investigation by the AAIU, CityJet did not comment on the case of the emergency being declared.

CityJet dips into the red for 07

Air France - KLM subsidiary CityJet has posted a loss of €16.2m for the twelve months ended March 2008, in sharp contrast to the previous year's performance which saw €22m go back in the coffers. 

The airline says that the turnaround in it's fortunes were as a result of a major fleet upgrade which involved acquiring 24 RJ85 aircraft and it's purchase of VLM, an expenditure which is thought to have cost in the region of €180m. The takeover was announced in February 2008 although it was October before the UK's Office of Fair Trading finally gave it's approval.

Total revenue for the financial year was €293.5m (+12.4% on the previous year) of which scheduled services accounted for €290.7m, freight and charter accounting for the balance.

The UK market is now the airline's largest market, representing sales of €130.3m (+380%). The Irish market accounted for €42.2m (+34%) with mainland Europe taking the balance.

CityJet and VLM to swap routes

The first evidence of a clean up in the route structures of VLM and CityJet following the takeover of the Dutch airline by Air France-KLM will happen in January when CityJet commence service on the LCY-AMS route. The route was previously served by VLM who will replace CityJet on the Eindhoven - London route. The changes take place from January 5 next.

CityJet diverts to Stansted

CityJet RJ85 EI-RJH operating flight AFR 5011 from Dublin to Paris DeGaulle diverted to Stansted on Tuesday last, December 9 due to a fuel system indication malfunction. The aircraft was south of Heathrow when the problem developed. The aircraft routed north between London City and Heathrow to Luton before turning for Stansted where a landing was made on runway 05. Hopes of a quick fix were dashed after two hours when the passengers were disembarked and transferred via LCY and LHR to their destination. The aircraft re-entered service later on Tuesday.

Fleet comings and goings

Some fleet changes of late :

CitJet have added another RJ85 EI-RJZ msn E2325 which was delivered to Dublin from Norwich on Monday November 24 in CityJet colours.

Ryanair were due to lose another B737-8AS today. EI-CSZ msn 32780 was due to be delivered from Prestwick to Chateauroux on lessor return.

CityJet RJ85 makes emergency landing

CityJet RJ85 EI-RJB operating flight number AFR 5048 from Paris DeGaulle to Florence on Saturday last returned to the airport with an unspecified technical problem. The aircraft landed safely 23 minutes after take off. Less than an hour later the aircraft was airborne again for Florence. On the approach to Florence the crew discovered a hydraulics problem and declared an emergency. The captain elected to divert to Pisa where the aircraft landed without nose wheel steering.

Ryanair action moved to Commercial Court

The Irish Times reports that the Minister for Transport has moved to fast track a High Court proceeding by Ryanair by moving it to the Commercial Court. The action was lodged by the airline following the decision by the Minister for Transport to award the Knock - Dublin PSO route to Aer Arann. The route was originally awarded to CityJet following a tendering process and was due to commence in July. CityJet withdrew from the contract before the service was initiated, reportedly due to the hold up in the  merger with VLM which would have freed up aircraft.

Ryanair contended that the only way the Minister could have awarded the contract to Aer Arann would have been if identical conditions had applied. 

Ryanair says that a different contract was agreed by the Minister and Aer Arann from that agreed by the Minister and CityJet and wants a court order quashing the awarding of the contract to Aer Arann and instigating a new tendering process.

The hearing in the Commercial Court is due to be held on January 20 2009. Aer Arann have said that they will abide by the Court's decision.

Airport tax to stop LCY service ?

A report in today's Irish Times suggests that the decision by the Government to impose a travel tax in this month's budget could prevent CityJet from launching a Shannon - London City service. It appears from the report that CityJet have been looking at the possibility of launching a London City service from the mid west airport for some time but the lack of aircraft capacity has prevented the service from taking wings. The decision by the UK's OFT which clears CityJet's takeover of Dutch airline VLM would have created the required capacity but a rethink is now on the cards as a result of the budgetary tax. In response to the suggestion that passengers on an LCY route would be mostly business passengers who wouldn't notice the tax, CityJet CEO Geoffrey O'Byrne-White responded that the tax alters the economics of the route compared to other routes they might serve. 

CityJet select CTC as preferred training provider

CityJet have selected CTC Aviation Group as a preferred training provider after visiting their Crew Training Centres in both the UK and New Zealand. CityJet wanted to demonstrate a commitment to their cadet pilots throughout their training - this desire led to 'CityJet Wings', a program established in May of this year by CTC to suit CityJet's requirements.

The first 'CityJet Wings' course of 2008 consists of four students, one from France and three from the UK. The students arrived in Hamilton, New Zealand earlier this month to start the initial phase of their airline training program.

OFT decision to allow CityJet / VLM merger ?

The Uk's Office of Fair Trading today approved the acquisition of VLM by Air France-KLM. The proposed deal had been stalled for several months pending a decision by Air France-KLM as to how they proposed to overcome the virtual monopoly that they would hold on certain routes in the event of the deal going through. 

The deal maker was the decision by KLM to surrender 8 slots at London City airport to Eastern Airways.

Air France said that the decision by the OFT will allow close cooperation between VLM Airlines and CityJet. Just what form this cooperation will take remains to be seen but AF-KLM have had long enough to ponder the options.

CityJet receive silver at ERA Awards

At the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), Ireland's CityJet received the silver award behind Aegean of Greece.

CityJet was commended by the judges for it's clear business strategy allowing it to continue it's bold and robust network extension at London City Airport, and still achieve continued solid financial performance and profit development. The CEO of CityJet Geoffrey O'Byrne White accepted the award in Manchester at the ERA dinner on Thursday last.

New airliner additions

A few recent airliner additions to the Irish register are as follows : EI-WXA RJ85 msn E-2310 has been registered to CityJet and was seen in Norwich on October 1. EI-ECD B737-8FH msn 30826 has been registered to Royal Bank of Scotland Aviation Capital. The aircraft is ex EC-JHV of Futura. It been operating for Sun Express in Turkey.

CityJet host aviator reunion at Casement

Yesterday, CityJet hosted an event at Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel which saw the reunion of almost 100 aviators who were involved in the making of such screen classics as Blue Max (1966)and Darling Lily (1970) which were made on location in Ireland. CityJet Chairman Geoffrey O'Byrne White is a former Air Corps pilot who maintains strong links with his former 'employer'. In March 2006 he was instrumental in organising the return visit by Spitfire 161 to Baldonnel. Five aircraft, including replicas were present for the event yesterday - three Tiger Moths, a Stampe SV4 and the Air Corps Avro 631 Cadet serial C7. One of the aircraft which arrived from Wexford was piloted by Geoffrey O'Byrne White and ex Air Corps pilot JJ Sullivan. Pilots from the Air Corps helped recreate the dog fight scenes in Blue Max, assisted by civilian pilots, including Derek Piggott who at 88 years still flies occasionally and came from his home in the UK for the occasion. Derek was the only pilot willing to fly the stunt at the climax of the film which saw two rivals challenge each other to fly under the spans of a bridge. Playing both roles and using different camera angles to achieve the desired effect, Derek flew 15 times under the wide span and 17 times under the narrow span of the bridge over the River Blackwater in Fermoy, Co. Cork. The wing tips of the Fokker Triplane replica had 1.2m of clearance on each side when passing under the narrow span. The stars of Blue Max were George Peppard, James Mason and Ursula Andress. Also among those present yesterday were Ken Byrne, an Air Corps pilot from the sixties who piloted Ursula Andress in the film and Tony Rowe, an aircraft engineer who was responsible for keeping the aircraft in the air. Tony said that over the years, 1000 men claim to have helped fit Ursula Andress' parachute belt but he is the only one who can truthfully make the claim !