Aer Lingus Regional

Aer Lingus Regional is the regional and commuter-flight brand of Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus. Rather than functioning as a conventional standalone airline with its own independent commercial identity, the brand has been used through franchise arrangements under which an external regional carrier operates the aircraft and flights while Aer Lingus provides the customer-facing brand, network framework and associated commercial arrangements. The brand was created in 2010 through an agreement between Aer Lingus and Aer Arann. The arrangement was intended to expand Aer Lingus's short-haul network, particularly between Ireland and regional destinations in the United Kingdom. Aer Arann operated the flights, supplied the crews and managed the operational side of the service, while aircraft were presented in Aer Lingus Regional colours. Initial route announcements included services from Dublin to Doncaster-Sheffield and Durham Tees Valley, as well as a Cork–Glasgow route. Existing Aer Arann services linking Irish airports with the United Kingdom were progressively incorporated into the Aer Lingus Regional network. Aer Arann later consolidated more of its own-branded flying into the Aer Lingus Regional operation. The network included connections from Dublin to destinations such as the Isle of Man and Kerry, and services from Waterford to airports in the United Kingdom. The brand's operating model and route structure were designed for short sectors where turboprop aircraft could provide frequent links between Ireland, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom and nearby European destinations. In 2014, Aer Arann announced plans to rebrand itself as Stobart Air. This corporate change did not immediately alter the Aer Lingus Regional operation, and Stobart Air became the principal franchise operator. Its fleet was based mainly on ATR turboprop aircraft, including ATR 72-600s, which were suited to the relatively short routes and smaller regional airports served by the brand. Stobart Air also operated Irish public-service-obligation routes, including the Dublin–Donegal and Dublin–Kerry links, alongside commercially managed Aer Lingus Regional services. The COVID-19 pandemic sharply reduced the network. International flights were reduced and then suspended from late March 2020, although the domestic public-service routes continued because they were considered important transport links. Aer Lingus and Stobart Air also announced plans for a Belfast City Airport base with six United Kingdom routes, but the aviation downturn created severe financial and operational pressure. Stobart Air subsequently reduced its workforce substantially and was unable to retain the Aer Lingus Regional franchise in a competitive process. In June 2021, Stobart Air terminated its franchise agreement while entering liquidation. The termination led to the immediate cancellation of the remaining Aer Lingus Regional services operated by Stobart Air. Aer Lingus temporarily covered some routes itself, while other services were provided for limited periods by BA CityFlyer or alternative operators. Temporary arrangements were also made for the Irish public-service routes, including Dublin–Donegal and Dublin–Kerry. Emerald Airlines was selected as the successor franchise operator after the 2020 tender process. It began operating Aer Lingus Regional services on 26 February 2022, earlier than the originally anticipated March launch, after being awarded the Dublin–Donegal public-service route. Emerald initially assembled a fleet of ATR 72-600 aircraft, including aircraft leased from Chorus Aviation that had previously been associated with Stobart Air and Virgin Australia Regional Airlines. Under Emerald Airlines, Aer Lingus Regional resumed its role as an Aer Lingus-branded feeder and regional network. Services have primarily connected Ireland and Northern Ireland with destinations in the United Kingdom, while the brand's broader scheduled remit has also included France and th…

Aer Lingus Regional emerged from a 2010 franchise initiative between Aer Lingus and Aer Arann. Aer Lingus was seeking to strengthen its regional and United Kingdom network without taking over Aer Arann financially. Under the agreed structure, Aer Arann operated the aircraft, employed the flight crews and managed the flights, while services were marketed and presented under the Aer Lingus Regional name and livery. The initial launch was announced in January 2010. New services included Dublin links to Doncaster-Sheffield and Durham Tees Valley, together with a Cork–Glasgow route. Existing Aer Arann services from Ireland to the United Kingdom were progressively transferred into the new brand. This gave Aer Lingus a regional network supported by a specialist operator and allowed Aer Arann to use the larger carrier's brand and distribution system. In 2012, Aer Arann moved additional own-brand services into Aer Lingus Regional, including routes from Dublin to the Isle of Man and Kerry and routes from Waterford to London Luton, London Southend and Manchester. Some services were later suspended, including the Waterford operation. Aer Arann also announced an intended purchase of eight ATR 72-600 aircraft, with the first aircraft delivered in 2013. The ATR fleet type suited the brand's short-distance routes, regional airports and frequency-oriented operating model. Aer Arann announced in March 2014 that it intended to rebrand as Stobart Air. The corporate rebranding was designed partly to enable the company to pursue other franchise agreements, and it did not itself change the Aer Lingus Regional service arrangement. Stobart Air continued to operate the Aer Lingus-branded regional network and also won Irish public-service-obligation contracts. Dublin–Donegal and Dublin–Kerry became important domestic links, with the latter's public-service arrangement later extended. Services at Shannon were cut in early 2015 and the base was closed, although Shannon flying was subsequently resumed. The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted the network. International flights were first reduced and then suspended from 28 March 2020. The domestic public-service routes continued because they maintained important links within Ireland. In July 2020, Aer Lingus and Stobart Air announced a proposed Belfast City Airport base with five ATR 72-600 aircraft and six United Kingdom routes. The plan was announced during an exceptionally difficult period for aviation and its implementation was affected by the broader crisis. Stobart Air also faced substantial workforce reductions in 2021, retaining only a minority of its pre-pandemic workforce. Aer Lingus parent company IAG indicated that another provider might operate the routes after Stobart Air's franchise expired. A competitive process was held in 2020, and Stobart Air did not retain the franchise. Emerald Airlines was selected as the preferred successor, with a transition initially expected in 2023. The transition occurred sooner than expected. On 11 June 2021, Stobart Air notified Aer Lingus that it was terminating the franchise because the company was entering liquidation. Aer Lingus Regional flights operated by Stobart Air were canceled, affecting 12 routes. Aer Lingus temporarily operated five of the routes, while BA CityFlyer provided two for at least a limited period. The Irish government arranged temporary operators for the public-service routes: Amapola Flyg received the temporary Dublin–Donegal contract, while Ryanair began Dublin–Kerry service commercially. Emerald Airlines was confirmed as the new franchise operator in August 2021. It leased ATR 72-600 aircraft, including aircraft previously associated with Stobart Air and Virgin Australia Regional Airlines. Emerald planned to begin on St Patrick's Day 2022, but the award of the Dublin–Donegal public-service route accelerated the relaunch. Aer Lingus Regional services resumed on 26 February 2022. The brand subsequently continued as an Aer Lingus regional network operated by Emerald Airlines, with routes primarily linking Ireland and Northern Ireland to the United Kingdom and selected nearby European destinations.

1. 2022Emerald Airlines relaunches the brand

   Emerald Airlines commenced Aer Lingus Regional operations on 26 February 2022.

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2. 2021Stobart Air franchise ends

   Stobart Air entered liquidation and terminated its Aer Lingus Regional franchise, causing the cancellation of its remaining services.

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3. 2020Pandemic suspension and Belfast expansion plan

   Most international services were suspended during the COVID-19 crisis, while a proposed Belfast City base and six-route expansion were announced.

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4. 2014Stobart Air succeeds Aer Arann as operating identity

   Aer Arann announced its rebranding as Stobart Air while continuing to operate Aer Lingus Regional services.

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5. 2013First ATR 72-600 deliveries

   The first aircraft from Aer Arann's planned ATR 72-600 acquisition entered service.

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6. 2012Additional Aer Arann routes transferred

   Aer Arann consolidated further services, including routes involving Dublin, Kerry, the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom, into Aer Lingus Regional.

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7. 2010Aer Lingus Regional franchise announced

   Aer Lingus and Aer Arann announced the new franchise arrangement, with Aer Arann operating flights under the Aer Lingus Regional brand.

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An Aer Lingus-branded regional network focused on convenient short-haul connectivity between Ireland, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom and selected nearby European markets, using franchise operators and turboprop aircraft.

• Aer Lingus Regional scheduled servicesRegional passenger aviation2010

  Short-haul scheduled passenger flights marketed under the Aer Lingus Regional name and operated by franchise partners. The network has primarily connected Irish and Northern Irish airports with regional destinations in the United Kingdom, with additional services to France and the Channel Islands. Flights are generally suited to turboprop aircraft and smaller regional airports rather than long-haul or high-capacity trunk routes.

• Irish public-service-obligation routesDomestic regional aviation2014

  Government-supported domestic links intended to preserve connectivity between Dublin and regional Irish airports. Dublin–Donegal and Dublin–Kerry have been central routes in the Aer Lingus Regional operating history, although individual contracts and temporary operators have changed over time.

• ATR 72 regional fleet servicesTurboprop aircraft operations2013

  Aer Lingus Regional services have been closely associated with ATR turboprop aircraft, especially the ATR 72-600. The type provides a practical balance of capacity, operating economics and runway flexibility for short routes linking Ireland with regional airports in the United Kingdom and nearby markets.

• 2021Terminate the Stobart Air franchiseOther

  Stobart Air entered liquidation after losing the Aer Lingus Regional franchise tender and facing severe pandemic-related pressure.

  What changed. Stobart Air terminated its franchise agreement with Aer Lingus on 11 June 2021.

  Aftermath. Aer Lingus Regional flights operated by Stobart Air were canceled, temporary replacement arrangements were made, and Emerald Airlines became the successor franchise operator.

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• 2021Appoint Emerald Airlines as successor franchise operatorStrategy

  Aer Lingus ran a competitive process to identify a replacement for Stobart Air.

  What changed. Emerald Airlines was selected and prepared an ATR 72-600 fleet for Aer Lingus Regional operations.

  Aftermath. The brand resumed scheduled services under Emerald Airlines on 26 February 2022.

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• 2014Rebrand the operating company as Stobart AirStrategy

  Aer Arann sought a corporate identity that would allow it to pursue additional franchise agreements.

  What changed. Aer Arann announced its intention to operate as Stobart Air while maintaining the Aer Lingus Regional service arrangement.

  Aftermath. Stobart Air became the principal operator of the Aer Lingus Regional network for several years.

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• 2010Create a franchise-based regional brandStrategy

  Aer Lingus wanted to expand regional and United Kingdom services while using a specialist operator rather than acquiring Aer Arann.

  What changed. Aer Lingus and Aer Arann established Aer Lingus Regional, with Aer Arann operating the flights and Aer Lingus supplying the brand and commercial framework.

  Aftermath. The arrangement created a dedicated regional network and transferred a number of Aer Arann routes into the Aer Lingus-branded system.

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• 2022Aer Lingus Regional services resume under Emerald Airlines

  Emerald Airlines began operating Aer Lingus Regional flights on 26 February 2022, earlier than the initially planned launch date.

  Product launch
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• 2021Stobart Air terminates Aer Lingus Regional franchise during liquidation

  Stobart Air informed Aer Lingus that it was ending the franchise agreement as it entered liquidation, canceling the remaining Aer Lingus Regional services operated by the company.

  BankruptcyOther
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• 2021Emerald Airlines selected as Aer Lingus Regional franchise operator

  Emerald Airlines was confirmed as the successor franchise operator following a competitive tender process.

  M&A
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• 2020Aer Lingus Regional plans Belfast City base

  Aer Lingus and Stobart Air announced plans for a Belfast City Airport base with six new United Kingdom routes and five ATR 72-600 aircraft.

  Product launch
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• 2020COVID-19 pandemic suspends most Aer Lingus Regional international services

  The pandemic caused international services to be reduced and then suspended from 28 March 2020, while the domestic public-service routes continued.

  OtherRegulation
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• 2014Aer Arann announces rebrand as Stobart Air

  Aer Arann announced that it would become Stobart Air in order to pursue additional franchise opportunities; the Aer Lingus Regional operation continued under its existing arrangement.

  Leadership change
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• 2014Stobart Air receives Irish public-service route awards

  Stobart Air was awarded public-service-obligation contracts covering Dublin–Donegal and Dublin–Kerry services.

  Regulation
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• 2012Aer Arann consolidates routes into Aer Lingus Regional

  Aer Arann transferred additional routes from its own brand into the Aer Lingus Regional network, broadening the franchise operation.

  Other
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• 2012Aer Arann announces ATR 72-600 acquisition plan

  Aer Arann announced plans to acquire eight ATR 72-600 aircraft to support replacement and expansion of its regional operations.

  Product generation
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• 2010Aer Lingus and Aer Arann announce the Aer Lingus Regional franchise

  Aer Lingus and Aer Arann confirmed a new franchise arrangement under which Aer Arann would operate regional flights using the Aer Lingus Regional brand.

  Other
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1. Aer Lingus Regional
2. Stobart Air