Aer Lingus poised to name Emerald Airlines as its new regional carrie

Aer Lingus is poised to name Emerald Airlines as its new regional carrier this week, with the new service likely to begin in January. The airline has been in talks with Emerald, founded by aviation entrepreneur Conor McCarthy, since December on taking over the Aer Lingus Regional contract formerly held by Stobart Air. “Aer Lingus and Emerald Airlines are at the final stages of agreement, and Aer Lingus is hopeful that an announcement will be made in the coming days,” the Irish flag-carrier said. It is likely that Mr McCarthy’s operation will begin flying regional routes for its new partner from January 2022, a year ahead of the original timetable set for the service. Stobart Air’s deal with Aer Lingus ran until the end of next year, but that airline folded in June, throwing a question mark over what would happen to the network between then and January 2023, when Emerald had been due to take over.<br/>