Aer Arann signs franchise deal with Aer Lingus

1/27/2010 9:59:00 AM

Aer Arann and Aer Lingus have today announced that agreement has been reached to establish a franchise arrangement between the two airlines. Under this franchise agreement Aer Arann will operate 12 routes from Dublin and Cork. The routes will include current Aer Lingus and Aer Arann routes as well as 3 new routes. One of the three new routes is Dublin to Durham Tees Valley which will operate five days a week rising to six daily flights from May. These franchise services will be branded as “Aer Lingus Regional” and operated using Aer Arann ATR 72-500 aircraft and crew. All franchise flights including Durham Tees Valley to Dublin are on sale from today on www.aerlingus.com.

Welcoming the new agreement Aer Lingus Chief Executive Mr. Christoph Mueller said; “This franchise agreement is good news for all stakeholders in Aer Lingus as it will allow us to serve key regional destinations, linking them with our Dublin transatlantic network as well as offering our business and leisure customers improved schedule and frequency options.”

Aer Arann Chief Executive Mr. Paul Schütz also welcomed the agreement calling it an “a major development for Irish aviation and the tourism industry. The combined strengths of both airlines, including brand power and market presence, will allow us to offer a quality customer product that meets the capacity requirements of existing and new destinations including Durham.

Aer Arann is a leading regional airline and in addition to operating routes for Aer Lingus Regional the airline will continue to operate under its own Aer Arann brand on routes within Ireland, from Ireland to the UK and France and from the Isle of Man to London and Paris.

Durham Tees Valley Airport Director Kerry Quinn welcomed the latest news as ‘a demonstration that airlines have confidence in our airport and its potential for future growth.’
She added “It really is good news that Aer Arann sees the potential for Durham Tees Valley as part of its development plans in partnership with Aer Lingus. With approaching three million people living within an hour’s drive of the airport, we know there is a strong market for travellers, both business and leisure, between the region and Ireland—and, of course, what will make the service specially attractive for the local business community is that they can connect via Dublin to a wide range of Aer Lingus international routes. This news follows on from other new business announcements for the Airport and is a further endorsement of the terminal development plans we recently unveiled.

Today’s announcement has also been warmly welcomed by the area’s tourist organisation visitTeesvalley who say there is tremendous potential in attracting more Irish visitors to the North East.

Says Julia Frater from visitTeesvalley “We know from past experience that there are very strong connections between Ireland and the region and I’m sure that very many people with family and friends in our area will be delighted with news that they will soon be able to fly into Durham Tees Valley Airport.

“The new service will also greatly assist in promoting the attractions of the Tees Valley and surrounding area to the Irish market.”

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