That's a good idea Steve. We had considered it to Narbonne, but always thought it would be too expensive. Might have a look, as we need to go back in November.
Love it John! Flying Ryanair means several things, not least of which is discovering your level of fitness as you embark on that long walk in Dublin Airport from security to the A terminal. I think it is probably around a mile or so?
Last year, when Sarkozy was in town, we couldn't drive into the airport and were just ushered on our way past the entrance slip road. I carried on to the next roundabout and turned right into the remains of the field and parked there quite happily and free of charge, whilst I saw my friend David off.
Good point Steve, but no use for me as I would need to fly back to Dublin or Belfast (depending on which child I was inflicting a visit!).
It's not blackmail Brian it's the terms and conditions. Mick O'Leary's business model is, and always has been, like it or p*ss off. I find it refreshingly frank. Aer Lingus and their pals in the IATA cartel ripped travelers off for decades and without O'Leary importing the Southwest model to Europe I'm sure we'd all still be being ripped off. I rarely travel with them myself of course :-) but at least they set a price point that other more friendly airlines have to trend towards.
Whenever I've flown with them I've found it an experience. Years ago coming out of Warsaw I'd paid my tenner or whatever for priority boarding so I was first through the gate. Unfortunately we were boarding via a bus so I ended up at the back of the bus which meant I'd be last onboard (some priority). However an Irish Builder who was working in Warsaw (obviously a smart guy as he'd seen the writing on the wall in Ireland) was standing beside me and told me not to worry as he had this problem every week and had a solution. When we arrived at the aircraft he just hit the emergency button on the rear doors of the bus and we stepped off straight on to the steps and were first onboard. I've no doubt that O'Leary himself would have admired my traveling companions initiative. Now you can book a seat which avoids the cattle stampede across the tarmac but takes away some of the competitive fun of being a Ryanair passenger.
Personally, if Ryanair pulled out of Nice and Marseille then the impact on me would be more expensive tickets to Ireland and the UK. He's already had a dingdong with Marseilles, over some union stuff I think, and pulled some aircraft that were based there out.
Reminds me of the first time we flew into Carcassonne with Ryanair, more than 12 years ago, on one of their "prop" planes. "Arrivals" became "Departures" with a little judicious moving of a screen or two. You walked out of Arrivals/Departures straight into the carpark which was little more than a field, the remains of which can still be seen if you need to take a hire car. And yes, Phil, a refurb is definitely needed. With the need for "clean" airports these days (i.e., people arriving should have no contact with people departing), it means they herd everyone down to security and the departure area AN HOUR at least before the plane has even landed. As for the so called drinks dispensers, give me a break!!!!
TGV & Eurostar for us normally, which isn't a silly choice for anyone living as far south as between Perpigan and Montpellier. If you book well ahead (4 months for Eurostar 3 for TGV) the prices are reasonable. Given the lack of check-in grief, baggage/liquids grief, no airport travel and parking etc etc it can be cheaper and pleasanter than Ryanair/Easyjet, and for us it adds about 1-1/2 hours door to door. And it saves me from the crushing injury to my hand inflicted by petrified OH.
Same in Bergerac...my son couldnt beleive the airport no more than the size of a small B and Q!
We live in Villefranche de R in Aveyron and if Ryanair pulled out of Rodez, (50 minutes by car) we'd loose our flights to Dublin, London and Charleroi (Belgium), so it would be very inconvenient as lots of family and our Gite visitors use it. My daughter comes about 3-4 times a year with the grandchildren.
The alternative is Toulouse which is 1 hour 45 minutes by car.
When we bought out house here there were no local flights so it's an added bonus. The hotels, restaurants and car hire companies all gain as lots of tourists come to this little know region. The airport was recently enlarged and upgraded as a result of all the flights coming in. Everyone complains about Ryanair but if you book well in advance you do get a much cheaper deal. Even if you have to say no to insurance, bags, seat choice, priority etc.
My OH recently had to return to Belgium at very short notice, ±€80 with Ryanair or ±£450 from Toulouse with BrusselsAirline. That was for a single fare! Which would you choose?
Yes, everyone complains about them but no one is obliged to use them are they?
Thanks for the explanation Jackie. Carcassonne could certainly do with a refurb. There is not much beyond security except the drinks dispensers!!
Withdrawal of Ryanair flights from Carcassone would be a pain, although our friends travel from the North West, so our flights are limited anyway, and Nimes is also a Ryanair destination. As you say, the refurbishment of Carcassone en Pays Cathare would be pointless if Ryanair withdrew. The EU is looking at subsidies given by local authorities to regional airports and budget airlines to see if there are any breaches of EU competition law - this might be the reason for rumours spreading. If the findings are that there are breaches, this will affect all budget airlines flying into the Languedoc and other areas. Let us hope that this is not the case then.
Richard we live in the Dordogne...and now my OH is 64...he doesnt enjoy the 10 hour drive from Calais and the 13 hour journey in total...so we do it once a year. I return monthly to visit my elderly mother and my son and brothers...so fly. It would have a huge impact on us if Ryanair departed locally..for a start we would spend a much larger amount flying....and have a much bigger journey to get to the airport. Several of our friends locally who live on just a retirement pension would be hit hard and not get back anything like as frequently.
Those deals are negotiated pretty fast as there is a lot of money at stake!! When Ryanair decided against keeping a base in Marseille, Airfrance moved in immediately.
We lived in Newbury and have a flat there now. I can drive to Southampton airport in 20 minutes...but I choose to fly to Stanstead, a good 3 hour journey...because even taking into account the tube and train, I save at least £100 for every flight...which is no small saving. Our best friends on the other hand will do anything to avoid Stanstead...so when we booked their flight to us, instead of Stanstead to Bergerac we booked Southampton, it cost us £230 more! Personally, I would rather put up with the misery of a long journey and hike across London and enjoy the saving on a good meal in a restaurant!
There's a co-incidence for you: Jayne's husband re-wired my house. If Ryanair pulled out would it have a major effect on those Brits buying a property down here and hence needing Graham's services ? Probably not a major one - as Jayne says most people who keep a house here choose to drive. However, the airport is packed with Brits visiting friends and family when Ryanair flies out. If Ryanair pulled out it would no doubt cause a dint in the local economy, but I doubt it would be hugely noticeable.
By the way: I completely flooded the house last night, leaving a tap on ALL NIGHT. Graham's wiring has been well tested and hasn't blown up yet !
Absolutely agree Glen.
Sheila...sorry
Yes without a doubt if Ryanair was no longer flying to Bergerac it would make a massive
difference to many French companies....
Car Hire...
Supermarkets
restaurants
Gites
Hotels
Immobiliers....AND on goes the list.
Perhaps another operator will step in to take over the air space....BUT when?
How long does it take to negotiate these deals?
The devil you know is better than the devil who chases the last one.
I agree with Southampton as an airport, Richard. Just brilliant. Unfortunately Flybe have pulled the plug on Isle of Man to Southampton flights, mores the pity.