Following the collapse of the previous operator of the Aer Lingus Regional brand, Stobart Air in June of this year in addition to the UK based regional carrier, Flybe back in March last year. A large void has been left in the regional airline market between Ireland and the United Kingdom.
However, there may be a glimmer of hope on the horizon as the newly formed startup airline, Emerald Airlines has announced its intention to begin commercial flights operations hopefully by the end of this year and take over the Aer Lingus Regional division and services.
Emerald Airlines, which is currently in the process of obtaining its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the Commission for Aviation Regulation in Ireland, was founded by Irish businessman Conor McCarthy in May of last year and had planned to begin regional services in Ireland long before the collapse of rival Stobart Air.
Late last month, Mr McCarthy who is also the Chief Executive of the Irish airline announced that Emerald Airlines had signed a memorandum of understanding with Aer Lingus, which if followed through with, would see Emerald Airlines operate Aer Lingus Regional services over a ten year period from 2023 to 2033.
As the airline is still awaiting its AOC, this has resulted in Aer Lingus taking up a number of routes that were previously operated by Stobart Air. While the startup airline is seen as the prefered operator for the Aer Lingus Regional franchise, the previous franchise contract isn’t due to expire until January 2023. The Irish Government are now seeking to find an interim operator to operate the Aer Lingus Regional brand at least until the end of the year and possibly into 2022.
Meanwhile, Emerald Airlines hopes to obtain its Irish AOC by September so that it can be ready to take over the Aer Lingus Regional contract and is also trying to bring forward its startup plans following the collapse of Stobart Air. In preparation for the commencement of commercial operations, Emerald Airlines has obtained two ex Virgin Australia ATR 72-600 aircraft which according to McCarthy are currently undergoing maintenance at Exeter Aerospace.
Emerald Airlines has also been proactively hiring staff members, including pilots and cabin crew, who are currently undergoing conversion training to the ATR 72 aircraft at the manufacturer’s training facility in Toulouse, France. McCarthy also added the airline was in negotiations for a further four ATR 72 aircraft and hopes to have a fleet of fourteen aircraft by the end of year.
Prior to its collapse, Stobart Air had operated the Aer Lingus Regional brand under a franchise agreement since 2010 when the airline and Aer Lingus entered into a joint venture to start regional flights around Ireland and Northern Ireland, a previously unserved market by the Irish flag carrier.
However, following the collapse of the Dublin-based airline, all of Aer Lingus Regional flights including two PSO (public service obligation) routes, funded by the Irish Government, are currently being serviced by Aer Lingus and British Airways subsidiary, BA CityFlyer with both carriers set to continue operating these routes until the end of August 2021.
With the Irish Government due to break for the summer holidays, cabinet officials are actively trying to find a successful bidder for the seven month Aer Lingus Regional contract that will go on to replace franchisee Stobart Air. The successful bidder for this contract is touted to be announced in the “next couple of weeks” according to Aer Lingus spokesperson.
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