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| CS-TKK Airbus A320 SATA International |
Portuguese carrier SATA International operated it’s last Funchal to Dublin service today Sunday 10th November 2013, after the arrival of CS-TKP Airbus A320-CS-TKP Airbus A320-214 construction number 2011 operating RZO640 touching down at 1111 local.
CS-TKP departed Dublin using positioning callsign ‘RZO9641’ at 1207 local bringing to an end an association with Dublin Airport which began in 1998 operating Boeing 737-300s on it’s Funchal route.
The Boeing 737-300s were gradually phased out between 2002 and 2005 and replaced by more modern and fuel efficient Airbus A320s.
Irish Travel website Travel Extra reported “The decision by SATA is for fleet rather than commercial requirements using the craft to bolster the Azores route run by the airline”.
I enclose a link to Travel Extra’s Sunday Supplement.
The withdrawal of SATA International from the Dublin market highlights the growing dominance of Aer Lingus and Ryanair in the short-haul segment, as both carriers continue to pursue unit cost reduction this will put further pressure on competitors.
On 15th May, 2013 Centre for Pacific Aviation published an analysis “Portugal’s SATA seeks partners as it considers trans-Atlantic expansion, short-haul transformation” to read click here.
SATA International based at Ponta Delgada operates a fleet of 4 Airbus A310s and 4 Airbus A320s.
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 10th November 2013 All Rights Reserved.
