Aer Lingus is to “accelerate” its strategy of turning Dublin into a hub for UK regional airports to the US, with tickets going on sale for new Aer Lingus Regional flights.
Aer Lingus Regional flights from 11 UK airports to Dublin will be operated through a franchise agreement with Emerald Airlines when they start on 17 March.
The new operation will offer more than 340 flights per week, including “high frequency” routes from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Dublin, which will both operate up to four times daily.
There will also be three daily services from Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester, as well as twice daily flights from Leeds Bradford.
Aer Lingus Regional will also fly to Dublin from the Isle of Man, Newcastle, Exeter, Cornwall Newquay and Jersey.
The UK regional flights will also connect through to Aer Lingus’ flights to 11 North American destinations, including New York, Los Angeles, Boston and Seattle.
Lynne Embleton, Aer Lingus’ chief executive, said: “Today is about opportunities. Opportunities for our UK customers to connect with ease to Aer Lingus flights to North America and to take advantage of the US pre-clearance facility.
“Opportunities for customers across UK and Ireland as we develop the Aer Lingus regional network, and opportunities for the Irish economy and Irish aviation as we expand our hub at Dublin.”
Conor McCarthy, Emerald Airlines’ chief executive, added: “We’re delighted to be able to commence operations under our franchise agreement with Aer Lingus well ahead of plan, in line with the recovering customer demand.
“The time is right for Emerald Airlines to begin operations under the Aer Lingus Regional brand and we truly look forward to welcoming our customers onboard our flights.”
Emerald is also planning to start operating flights between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK next year.
The airline said it had “reached a long-term commercial agreement” with George Best Belfast City, with the aim of flying to “many cities in the UK as soon as possible in 2022”.
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