Aer Lingus, Emerald & Stobart

The Irish Independent reports that that the Aer Lingus Regional operations contract will change hands from the end of 2022 with Stobart Air handing over to Emerald Airlines headed by Conor McCarthy.

McCarthy founded repair and overhaul provider Dublin Aerospace in 2009 and was Non-Executive Chairman of Stobart Air between 2018 and late 2019.

Emerald Airlines and the Irish flag carrier have already finalised the agreement and the contract is expected to be formally signed soon according to newly-appointed Aer Lingus Chief Executive Lynne Embleton. “We’re making really good progress with Emerald on the regional franchise,” she said. “That’s going along nicely.”

Aer Lingus named Emerald Airlines as preferred bidder to take over the contract in November 2020 and the two have signed a memorandum of understanding. Emerald expects its Air Operator Certificate to be awarded in July or August and has a senior management team in place, according to the newspaper.

“Our first two ATR72 aircraft are due for delivery later this summer, at which time we aim to have our respective approvals and operating licences in place,” McCarthy said, reiterating that Emerald Airlines will eventually operate a fleet of 15 ATR72 turboprops.

The first two are being leased from Canada’s Chorus Aviation Capital, starting from the second half of this year and Emerald plans to operate wet-lease services to clients within the European Union.

Esken Plc, recently agreed to sell its subsidiaries Stobart Air and Carlisle Lake District Airport to another start-up, Isle of Man-based Ettyl who now operate Aer Lingus Regional.  A number of routes have been added including most recently Belfast City to Glasgow with up to 19 flights a week.  From George Best Airport (BHD) Aer Lingus currently flies to 10 destinations.

See also BTN 10 May Cardiff gets two Aer Lingus routes.

www.aerlingus.com

https://stobartair.com

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