Aer Lingus franchise

The specialist airline analytical publication anna.aero has reported on a new Irish regional carrier which is believed to be setting up to challenge Stobart Air for the Aer Lingus Regional franchise, which expires in late 2022. (See BTN 21 September Stobart Air for sale?)

The contract for this franchise will be one of the most coveted prizes for European regional operators in the next couple of years.  Much will depend on the views of Aer Lingus owner IAG on the situation.  'Regional' has a major operation at Belfast City Airport which could become a base for BA Cityflyer, swapping the current Q400 operation for the more attractive Embraer E series, and perhaps for the future the locally part-sourced Airbus A220.

Emerald Airlines is believed to be setting up to try and win the contract. (Emerald Airways was a niche UK operator until 2006.)  Emerald Airlines is the brainchild of Conor McCarthy who has a significant aviation pedigree: he was CEO of Aer Lingus Commuter, Co-Founder of AirAsia, MD of PlaneConsult, Executive Chairman of Dublin Aerospace, and – until late 2019 – Non-Executive Chairman of Stobart Air, now said to be for sale by the Stobart Group.

For full details visit anna.aero  
www.anna.aero/2020/11/02/aer-lingus-regionals-1-9-million-seats-emerald-to-face-stobart-for-franchise

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