Aer Lingus/Aer Arann Announcement

[Humberside]

According to posts on both airliners.net and pprune, an Aer Lingus/Aer Arann announcement will be made tomorrow. I presume a further expansion of their franchise agreement

[john2408]

Could this announcement include the new route that were mentioned by the aiport on twitter?

[EGMCfollower]

Possible announcement about 4th daily DUB-SEN rotation, but nothing else for SEN just yet.

[pug]

A possible return to DSA? Though EMA and LBA were hinted at not too long ago.

[Humberside]

The announcement was a strategic one, rather than any new routes
irishaviationresearchinstitute.blogspot.ie/2013/05/aer-arann-to-create-50-new-jobs-as-part.html

Aer Arann which operates Aer Lingus Regional, announced this morning its creating 50 new jobs as part of its 'New Beginning' strategy following the entry into service of its first ATR72-600 which aims to position Aer Arann among Europe’s top tier of regional airlines.

The 50 new jobs will increase employee numbers by 15% at Dublin Airport and at the airline’s headquarters in Dublin in flight and cabin crew, engineering and support roles bringing the company’s overall staff numbers to 370.

The airline has overseen a 32% rise in Aer Lingus Regional passenger numbers in the past 12 months and this year is on track to carry in excess of 1.2 million passengers. The airline will take delivery of a further seven new ATR72-600s by March 2014.

Aer Arann recently moved all flight arrivals and departures to Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport, and now operates from the same terminal as Aer Lingus’ mainline services. The move facilitates Aer Lingus Regional customers linking to Aer Lingus’ transatlantic services in Terminal 2 - a significant and growing part of the business which is on target to bring 100,000 passengers through Dublin’s newest terminal this year.

Aer Arann Interim CEO Seán Brogan said "We recently outlined a package of measures to grow Aer Arann as part of our “new beginning” strategy. These measures included a restructuring of the company, significant investment in new aircraft, extension of the franchise agreement with Aer Lingus until 2022, and the addition of new routes to Manchester and Birmingham. Given these measures, an increasing customer base and expanding route network, we now need to grow our team. These new positions mark another milestone in the future of Aer Arann, and we look forward to welcoming our new recruits over the next 12 months."

Aer Lingus CEO Christoph Muller said "Our franchise partnership with Aer Arann has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2010. It has enabled Aer Lingus and Aer Arann to work as a team in developing many new routes and increasing the frequency of service on existing routes. The feedback from our customers has been very positive. They enjoy the service, evidenced in the growing passenger numbers. The new fleet will further improve Aer Lingus Regional customers’ experience, and we welcome the announcement of the new jobs that this fleet expansion brings."

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar TD said "I am delighted by Aer Arann’s announcement of the creation of 50 new jobs as part of its “new beginning” strategy. Aer Arann is proving that it is possible to operate successfully as a regional airline by linking Ireland with the UK market and beyond. The company is investing in new aircraft, new routes and new jobs. I wish Aer Arann every success in its “new beginning” strategy, and look forward to more positive announcements in the future."