Article from BTNews 3 SEPTEMBER 2018
All change for CityJet
Aircraft in Aer Lingus colours return to London City Airport (LCY) next month after the Irish national carrier signed a deal with Dublin-based CityJet, which is pulling out of operating scheduled services marketed under its own brand.
In a leasing arrangement, CityJet will provide two repainted Avro RJ85s to Aer Lingus to operate the Dublin – London City route from 28 October. Aer Lingus will operate six daily round trips on weekdays, with a reduced service at the weekend.
CityJet’s bigger Sukhoi SSJ100 is not yet certificated for LCY but could be brought in at a later date, also in the Aer Lingus livery.
The development completes the CityJet transition in recent years from being an airline serving scheduled markets under its own name to becoming a provider of capacity to customer airlines throughout Europe.
As the Irish Independent among others reported last week, the agreement also leaves Aer Lingus and sister company British Airways – both owned by IAG – as the only carriers on the Dublin – London City route.
The expansion means Aer Lingus will increase its operations between the two capitals to up to 50 daily flights, confirming Dublin – London as the busiest international air route in Europe.
(See also “Morgan quits London City” and “BA CityFlyer expanding” in this issue).
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