A new chapter for our Regional flights with Emerald Airlines

We’re delighted to announce a new franchise agreement with Emerald Airlines to operate Aer Lingus Regional flights. The ten-year agreement will start on 01 January 2023.

The new agreement will offer choice and certainty to those flying between Ireland, the UK and beyond. Emerald Airlines will operate ATR turboprop aircraft on the regional routes with Aer Lingus branding and livery.

The agreement ensures connectivity between the island of Ireland and Regional Airports in UK, the Isle of Man and Jersey, with options for network expansion to more regional airports in the future.

Although the contract is not due to commence for 18 months, we are working closely with Emerald Airlines to evaluate options with respect to an earlier contract start date in light of Stobart Air recently ceasing operations.

Conor McCarthy, Founder and Chief Executive, Emerald Airlines and Reid Moody, Chief Strategy & Planning Officer, Aer Lingus with cabin crew from Emerald Airlines and Aer Lingus

Speaking about the new franchise agreement, our Chief Executive, Lynne Embleton,  said “We are delighted to sign the franchise agreement with Emerald Airlines and excited about the opportunities this new chapter in Aer Lingus Regional services brings to our overall offering for our customers.  This agreement will give choice and certainty to our customers flying between Ireland, the UK and beyond.  We very much look forward to partnering with Emerald Airlines, and to growing and developing Aer Lingus Regional over the coming years.”

Conor McCarthy, Founder and Chief Executive of Emerald Airlines said “This is a major development for Irish Aviation and the wider tourism industry. The combined strengths of both airlines will allow us to offer optimised connectivity from popular cities and routes across Ireland, the UK and beyond. Emerald Airlines have ambitious plans to grow and develop this partnership over the next few years with the first ATR aircraft joining shortly. As we add additional aircraft to our fleet we will be recruiting 400+ new staff members which is a great boost for the industry which has been so badly impacted by the pandemic.”