March return for Aer Lingus Regional

The Aer Lingus Regional brand will reappear from St Patrick’s Day after Conor McCarthy’s Emerald Airlines and Aer Lingus confirmed a plan to re launch the service earlier than originally anticipated.

Emerald Airlines sealed a 10-year contract with Aer Lingus this year to operate the Aer Lingus Regional service from January 2023.

The service had been operated by Dublin-base Stobart Air until June, when that carrier collapsed. It was owned by UK stock market-listed group Esken.

Emerald and Aer Lingus had previously signalled that they would look at relaunching the Aer Lingus Regional services sooner than 2023.

Emerald will start flying on March 17 and by mid-summer will be operating more than 340 flights a week across 11 routes. It said fares will start at €29.99.

High frequency routes including Dublin-Edinburgh and Dublin-Glasgow will be served up to four times a day. Emerald will also be operating services to destinations such as Newquay Cornwall, Exeter and the Isle of Man. Leeds, Bristol and Newcastle will also be served.