81-527: Aer Lingus Regional is an Aer Lingus brand which is used for commuter and regional flights. Aer Lingus Regional scheduled passenger services operate primarily from Ireland to the United Kingdom , France , and the Channel Islands , along with services from Belfast , Northern Ireland to the places mentioned. Services were operated by Aer Arann and then its successor Stobart Air until
162-514: A de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide replaced Iolar , and the company purchased a second DH.86B. Two Lockheed 14s arrived in 1939, Aer Lingus' first all-metal aircraft. In January 1940, a new airport opened in the Dublin suburb of Collinstown and Aer Lingus moved its operations there. It purchased a new DC-3 and inaugurated new services to Liverpool and an internal service to Shannon . The airline's services were curtailed during World War II with
243-519: A hybrid business model of low-cost and traditional carriers, operating a mixed fare service on its European routes and full service, two-class flights on transatlantic routes. Ryanair owned over 29% of Aer Lingus stock and the Irish state owned over 25% before being bought out by IAG in 2015. The state had previously held an 85% shareholding until the Government's decision to float the company on
324-566: A 16% stake in Aer Lingus and was offering €2.80 for the remaining shares, a premium over the €2.20 the shares were trading for. The firm was trading at €1.13bn but Ryanair's offer valued it at €1.48bn. On the same day Aer Lingus rejected Ryanair's takeover bid. On 5 October 2006, Ryanair confirmed it had raised its stake to 19.2%, and said it had no problem in the Irish Government keeping its 28.3%. The Irish Times reported that
405-420: A 30% stake in Aer Lingus which it agreed to sell to IAG on 10 July 2015 for €2.55 per share. In August 2015, Aer Lingus' shareholders officially accepted IAG's takeover offer. IAG subsequently assumed control of Aer Lingus on 2 September 2015. Aer Lingus was founded on 15 April 1936, with a capital of £100,000. Its first chairman was Seán Ó hUadhaigh. Pending legislation for Government investment through
486-441: A 40% holding by British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and British European Airways (BEA). Because of Aer Lingus' growth the airline bought seven new Vickers Viking aircraft in 1947, however, these proved to be uneconomical and were soon sold. In 1947, Aerlínte Éireann came into existence to operate transatlantic flights to New York City from Ireland . The airline ordered five new Lockheed L-749 Constellations , but
567-407: A Cork expansion with no mention of Dublin, with Aer Lingus saying bulk seats would be bought on Aer Arann planes without an actual financial take-over. On 26 January 2010, it was confirmed that Aer Lingus and Aer Arann would launch a new franchise agreement. On that same date, new routes from Dublin to Doncaster-Sheffield and Durham Tees Valley were announced by Aer Lingus Regional, in addition to
648-532: A binding deal with Lufthansa to acquire BMI for £172.5 million. On 30 March 2012, the purchase was approved, subject to the condition that the combined group divest itself of 12 daily slots and lease two daily slots at Heathrow airport. The acquisition was completed on 20 April 2012, and the BMI fleet and routes were integrated into the British Airways schedule throughout 2012. Slaughter and May advised IAG on
729-509: A change of government and a financial crisis prevented the service from starting. John A Costello , the incoming Fine Gael Taoiseach (Prime Minister), was not a keen supporter of air travel and thought that flying the Atlantic was too grandiose a scheme for a small airline from a small country like Ireland. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Aer Lingus introduced routes to Brussels , Amsterdam via Manchester and to Rome. Because of
810-533: A destination, but discontinued these flights in 2001. The first Airbus short-haul aircraft arrived in 1998 in the form of the A321 , initially to mainly operate the Dublin-Heathrow route. Six were delivered in 1998 and 1999 and three of these continue in service today. The first A320 was delivered in 2000, with three more added to the fleet by 2001. On 1 February 2001, Aer Lingus Commuter merged back into
891-619: A former member of the Oneworld airline alliance, which it left on 31 March 2007. After the takeover by IAG, it was expected that Aer Lingus would re-enter Oneworld, however, at a press briefing on 15 November 2017 the airline's then CEO Stephen Kavanagh stated that the airline has "no plans to join Oneworld". The airline has codeshares with Oneworld, Star Alliance and SkyTeam members, as well as interline agreements with Etihad Airways , JetBlue Airways and United Airlines . Aer Lingus has
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#1732781028645972-674: A further US$ 600 million. IAG's operational headquarters, which controls the management of both its British and Spanish subsidiaries, are at the Waterside building in Harmondsworth , Greater London. The structure of the main operating companies is: The key trends for the International Airlines Group are shown below (as at year ending December 31): In 2012, it was reported that British Airways ' profits had been wiped out by Iberia 's losses, and that
1053-661: A largely negative response particularly from trade unions. In December 2008, Aer Lingus announced that the Shannon – Heathrow service would resume from 29 March 2009 following new arrangements with the trade unions on staff costs and the Shannon Airport Authority on airport charges. However at the end of June 2009 the company had accumulated losses of €93 million and Chairman Colm Barrington confirmed this situation could not continue. In October 2009, newly appointed Chief Executive Christoph Mueller announced
1134-473: A loan to Air Europa into a 20% shareholding. On February 23, 2023, IAG announced completion of a deal to purchase the remaining 80% of Air Europa for 400 million Euros. The European Commission, in January 2024, opened an in-depth investigation into proposed acquisition of Air Europa by IAG. Some of the markets competition concerns were: 1) Spanish domestic routes, including those between peninsular Spain and
1215-459: A low-cost carrier, which did not fit with Oneworld's pitch to the premium international frequent flyer. On 6 February 2007, however, the airline announced its intention to form a new alliance with JetBlue . This new alliance was to act as a weblink between the two airlines, enabling Aer Lingus customers to book JetBlue destinations from the Aer Lingus website. In 2008, it also announced an alliance with United Airlines for connecting services within
1296-433: A new low-cost airline to operate short- and medium-haul routes from IAG's Madrid hub and provide transfer feed onto Iberia's longhaul network. Iberia Express began operations on 25 March 2012. On 4 November 2011, IAG agreed in principle to acquire British Midland International (BMI) from Lufthansa , in a deal which would increase IAG's share of slots at Heathrow airport from 45% to 54%. On 22 December 2011, IAG agreed
1377-607: A new route from Cork to Glasgow . It was also decided that previous Aer Arann routes to Cork would all be transferred to Aer Lingus Regional. Aer Arann services to Blackpool and Cardiff from Dublin would be transferred to Aer Lingus Regional also. Though Aer Arann and Aer Lingus founded Aer Lingus Regional together, Aer Arann operated all flights and managed those flights with Aer Arann flight crew on board. All aircraft were painted in Aer Lingus Regional livery, and both airlines anticipated new routes being announced as
1458-641: A parent company, Aer Lingus was associated with Blackpool and West Coast Air Services which advanced the money for the first aircraft, and operated with Aer Lingus under the common title "Irish Sea Airways". Aer Lingus Teoranta was registered as an airline on 22 May 1936. The name Aer Lingus was proposed by Richard F O'Connor, who was County Cork Surveyor, as well as an aviation enthusiast. On 27 May 1936, five days after being registered as an airline, its first service began between Baldonnel Airfield in Clondalkin, Dublin and Bristol (Whitchurch) Airport ,
1539-565: A preliminary merger agreement in November 2009. In April 2010, British Airways and Iberia signed a full merger agreement, with an intended completion date of late 2010, subject to securing the necessary regulatory approvals. The merger between British Airways and Iberia was completed on 21 January 2011, and shares in the new holding company IAG began trading in London and Madrid on 24 January. On 6 October 2011, IAG created Iberia Express ,
1620-622: A primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and has been a FTSE 100 constituent since 24 January 2011. It has secondary listings on the Madrid , Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia stock exchanges, and has been a constituent of the IBEX 35 index since 1 April 2011. In March 2015, Qatar Airways purchased a 10% stake in International Airlines Group for €1.2 billion (US$ 1.26 billion). By early 2020, this had increased to 25% costing
1701-489: A radical cost-cutting plan that would lead to the loss of 676 jobs at the company and see pay and pension reductions for those being retained. The total plan aimed to achieve savings of €97 million between then and 2011. As a 6-week consultation process began, Mueller refused to rule out further cuts in the future. International Airlines Group International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. , trading as International Airlines Group and usually shortened to IAG ,
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#17327810286451782-564: Is a British-Spanish multinational airline holding company with its registered office in Madrid , Spain, and its corporate headquarters in London , England. It was formed in January 2011 after a merger agreement between British Airways and Iberia , the flag carriers of the United Kingdom and Spain respectively, when British Airways and Iberia became wholly owned subsidiaries of IAG. British Airways shareholders were given 55% of
1863-459: Is planned to establish a new Austrian subsidiary of Vueling as a replacement for Niki. In April 2018, it was reported that IAG was considering a takeover of Norwegian , a low-budget competitor to the group, however by early 2019 IAG had fully disposed of its stake in Norwegian. In June 2019, IAG signed a letter of intent to purchase 200 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft even though at the time of
1944-542: Is the frequent flyer currency of Aer Lingus , British Airways , Finnair , Iberia , LEVEL , Qatar Airways and Vueling , and can also be used for travel within the oneworld alliance including the likes of American Airlines , Japan Airlines , Qantas , etc. A restructure in 2015 meant that all of IAG's affiliated loyalty programmes which use Avios, including Avios Travel Reward Programme, British Airways Executive Club, and Iberia Plus, were transferred to Avios Group, an IAG subsidiary. It
2025-455: The Dublin and London stock exchanges on 2 October 2006. The principal group companies include Aer Lingus Limited, Aer Lingus Beachey Limited, Aer Lingus (Ireland) Limited and Dirnan Insurance Company Limited, all of which are wholly owned. On 26 May 2015, after months of negotiations on a possible IAG takeover, the Irish government agreed to sell its 25% stake in the company. Ryanair retained
2106-561: The Irish aerloingeas [ˌeːɾˠˈl̪ˠɪɲɟəsˠ] , meaning "air fleet") is the flag carrier of Ireland . Founded by the Irish Government, it was privatised between 2006 and 2015 and it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of International Airlines Group (IAG). The airline's head office is on the grounds of Dublin Airport in Cloghran , County Dublin . Formed in 1936, Aer Lingus is
2187-628: The cargo airline Aer Turas , owner of some DC-8 freighter jets. Between 1987 and 1989, new Boeing 737s arrived to replace the older ones, and six Fokker 50s were added to the Commuter fleet. During 1990, after the passage of the deregulation act for the airline industry in Ireland, Aer Lingus reconsidered its operational policies. It retired the BAC One-Elevens and replaced them with five new 737s. In 1991, four Saab 340 Bs arrived at
2268-546: The BMI acquisition. On 8 November 2012, IAG made a cash tender offer to buy Vueling , a Spanish low-cost airline based in Barcelona. The offer was €7 per ordinary share of Vueling, with the total cost of acquisition anticipated to be €113m. It was funded from internal IAG resources. The reported total assets of Vueling as of 30 September 2012 were €805m and in the nine months to 30 September 2012 it had generated profits before tax of €59m. An increased offer of €9.25
2349-687: The Balearic and Canary Islands; 2) Short haul routes between Madrid and some of the main EEA, plus routes between Madrid and Israel, Morocco, the UK and Switzerland; and 3) Long haul routes between Madrid and North and South America. The deal was scrapped in August 2024. IAG is incorporated as a Sociedad Anónima in Spain, where the company board meetings are held, and is domiciled in Spain for tax purposes. IAG has
2430-552: The European no-frills airlines while offering intercontinental flights, phased-out Business class travel for short-haul flights, but retained cargo services on a small number of routes. A large order for A320 aircraft saw deliveries commencing in 2004 and continuing to 2011. The delivery of these aircraft allowed the withdrawal of the Boeing 737 . On 29 October 2005, Aer Lingus withdrew its last two 737 aircraft from service, marking
2511-651: The European Commission. In September 2021, IAG announced that British Airways would terminate its major short- and medium-haul base operations at Gatwick Airport with immediate effect resulting in the cancellation of more than 30 routes. This came after labour negotiations regarding the handover of these operations, most of which were still suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to a newly formed budget subsidiary within IAG failed. In August 2022, IAG converted
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2592-424: The Government would possibly seek judgement from the courts, and referral to competition authorities in Dublin – although this would be automatic under European regulation, as the combined group would control 78% of the Dublin – London passenger air traffic. On 29 November 2006, Ryanair confirmed it had taken its stake to 26.2%. On 21 December 2006, Ryanair announced it was withdrawing its bid for Aer Lingus, with
2673-417: The Irish government maintained a 28% shareholding, while employees held 15%. The stock IPO offer price was €2.20. Aer Lingus withdrew from the Oneworld airline alliance on 31 March 2007, instead, entering into bilateral agreements with airlines including British Airways , Virgin Atlantic , Delta Air Lines , KLM , and United Airlines . Aer Lingus explained the move stating the carrier was repositioning as
2754-399: The Irish government via Aer Rianta. The airline's first General Manager was Dr J.F. (Jeremiah known as 'Jerry') Dempsey, a chartered accountant, who joined the company on secondment from Kennedy Crowley & Co (predecessor to KPMG ) as Company Secretary in 1936 (aged 30) and was appointed to the role of General Manager in 1937. He retired 30 years later in 1967 at the age of 60. In 1938,
2835-546: The San Francisco routes were discontinued as of 24 October 2009 . Services from Washington, D.C., resumed on 28 March 2010 when the airline began flights from Washington, D.C., to Madrid , Spain in a joint venture with United Airlines. The airline terminated this route on 30 October 2012. Service to San Francisco resumed on 2 April 2014. Dublin–Washington Dulles service began in May 2015. The Dublin–Los Angeles route
2916-481: The Spanish airline was in a fight for its survival. By 2013, Iberia had lost a billion euros, requiring IAG CEO Willie Walsh to defend the IAG merger. After further losses, IAG's balance sheet was in deep deficit as Iberia fought low-cost competition and a recession, and Walsh admitted that British Airways should perhaps have postponed the merger, saying, "If I'd known the Spanish economy was going to deteriorate to
2997-524: The UK, gradually replacing the Dakotas, until Aer Lingus replaced them in 1966 with secondhand Viscount 800s. The airline entered the jet age on 14 December 1960 when it received three Boeing 720 for use on the New York route and the newest Aer Lingus destination Boston . In 1963, Aer Lingus added Aviation Traders Carvairs to the fleet. These aircraft could transport five cars which were loaded into
3078-478: The US. With the flotation of Aer Lingus on the stock exchange, Aer Lingus had planned to expand its route network, but this was put on hold due to the economic situation. On 5 October 2006, Ryanair launched a bid to buy Aer Lingus. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said the move was a "unique opportunity" to form an Irish airline. The "new" airline would carry over 50 million passengers a year. Ryanair said it had bought
3159-455: The United Kingdom, using a six-seater de Havilland DH.84 Dragon biplane (registration EI-ABI), named Iolar (Eagle). Later that year, the airline acquired its second aircraft, a four-engined biplane de Havilland DH.86 Express named "Éire", with a capacity of 14 passengers. This aircraft provided the first air link between Dublin and London by extending the Bristol service to Croydon . At
3240-888: The United States using the Airbus A330 and in May of that year, Aer Lingus operated the first A330-300 ETOPS service over the North Atlantic. This led to the phasing out of the Boeing 747 and the briefly operated Boeing 767 -300ER. On 2 October 1995, the Boeing 747 service ceased operations after twenty-five years of service. By that time, over eight million people had travelled across the Atlantic in Aer Lingus Boeing 747s. The late 1990s saw Aer Lingus return to Belfast with service to New York via Shannon. It also added Newark Liberty International Airport as
3321-531: The United States, there had in fact been a previous service to Montreal from 1966 to 1979. The great circle distance of 5,926 kilometres (3,682 mi) is comparable to the service to Chicago. At the same time, Mannion linked the funding of new long-haul aircraft to replace the A330 fleet with the privatisation of the airline. The Dubai service ceased in March 2008 as the airline sought to increase its market share in
Aer Lingus Regional - Misplaced Pages Continue
3402-482: The United States. From Autumn 2007, Aer Lingus commenced direct flights to Orlando , San Francisco and Washington, D.C.- Dulles , facilitated by the arrival of two new Airbus A330 aircraft in May 2007. The airline also serves Boston ( Logan International Airport ), Chicago ( O'Hare International Airport ), and New York ( JFK Airport ). Aer Lingus ended its Middle-Eastern Route to Dubai in March 2008 and ended its Los Angeles route in November 2008. The Washington D.C. and
3483-473: The airline adding an additional 70,000 seats during its winter season, with 580 flights a week. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , all international flights were first reduced to a limited schedule and then temporarily suspended from 28 March 2020 until further notice. The two domestic PSO services continued, to maintain "vital links". Aer Lingus Group, together with Stobart Air, announced on 23 July 2020 that it
3564-822: The airline announced that it would establish its first base outside the Republic of Ireland at Belfast International Airport in Northern Ireland . Services from Belfast International commenced in December 2007. As of July 2008 , the airline had three Airbus A320 aircraft based at the airport, serving eleven European destinations. Significantly, this move restored the Belfast International to London Heathrow Airport link and Aer Lingus cooperated with its codeshare partner British Airways on this route to connect with BA's network at Heathrow. To do so,
3645-664: The airline discontinued its Shannon -Heathrow service, a move that generated political controversy in the west of Ireland, particularly as the Shannon-London route was still profitable. The airline predicted that this move would add one million additional passengers annually. The Shannon to Heathrow service has since been reinstated. After five years at Belfast International Airport, Aer Lingus announced on 19 July 2012 that it would be moving its operations to George Best Belfast City Airport . The airline transferred its Belfast – London Heathrow flights to there, and also announced
3726-644: The airline until 1986. Conversion of the European fleet to jet equipment began in 1965 when the BAC One-Eleven started services on continental Europe. The airline adopted a new livery in the same year, with a large green shamrock on the fin. In 1966, the remainder of the company's shares held by Aer Rianta were transferred to the Minister for Finance . In 1966, the company added routes to Montreal and Chicago . In 1968, flights from Belfast , in Northern Ireland , to New York City started, however, it
3807-660: The brand on 17 March 2022. Prior to its planned launch, Emerald was granted the PSO route between Dublin and Donegal, accelerating the brand's relaunch of operations to 26 February 2022. As of November 2024, Aer Lingus Regional operates or has previously operated to the following destinations: As of August 2023, Aer Lingus Regional — operated by Emerald Airlines — operates the following aircraft: [REDACTED] Media related to Aer Lingus Regional at Wikimedia Commons Aer Lingus Aer Lingus ( / ˌ ɛər ˈ l ɪ ŋ ɡ ə s / air LING -gəs ; an anglicisation of
3888-406: The brand that I’ve worked with for years. And it's a brand that I trust". At the 2019 Paris Air Show IAG also agreed to purchase 14 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, 8 for delivery to Iberia and 6 to Aer Lingus , with options for a further 14 of the aircraft. In November 2019, IAG announced that it planned to acquire Air Europa from Globalia, for €1 billion. The deal, funded by external debt, and
3969-603: The commercial flotation of Aer Lingus on the Dublin stock market, the Irish government agreed to abolish the Shannon Stopover from the end of 2006 in stages. The company began conditional (or "grey-market") share dealings on 27 September 2006 and was formally admitted to the Official Lists of the Irish Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange on 2 October 2006. At the time of the flotation,
4050-451: The commuter division to replace the Short 360 aircraft. By 1992, Aer Lingus's entire original 737-200 fleet had been replaced and it was now the first carrier in the world operating all three versions of the second-generation 737. These were the −300, −400 and −500 series, although the −300 did not stay long in Aer Lingus service. In 1994, Aer Lingus started direct services between Dublin and
4131-435: The company was to be placed into liquidation, resulting in the cancellation of all Aer Lingus Regional flights, affecting 12 routes. Aer Lingus subsequently announced that it would operate five of these routes for the time being, and that BA CityFlyer would operate two for at least a week. The former fleet of ATR planes was placed on the market by Stobart's principal shareholder. The Irish government sought an airline to operate
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#17327810286454212-404: The continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel, Stobart Air temporally laid off most of its 400 employees, with only 16% of Stobart Air's workforce to be retained, primarily to operate the domestic Irish routes. When he was announcing the end of first quarter results for Aer Lingus' parent IAG in May 2020, Chief Executive Willie Walsh revealed that a different provider might operate
4293-464: The current aircraft operated by the group, see the fleet details for each of the main operating subsidiaries - Iberia , British Airways , Aer Lingus , and Vueling . The entire company serves around 200 destinations. IAG Loyalty operates Avios the frequent-flyer programme , which was created from the merger of the Air Miles , BA Miles, and Iberia Plus Points schemes on 16 November 2011. Avios
4374-495: The early 1980s, the 707s were phased out. In 1984, the airline formed a fully owned subsidiary, Aer Lingus Commuter , so that Aer Lingus could fly to larger cities in Ireland and Britain whose flying time from Dublin did not require jet aircraft. These services employed five of the Belfast-built Short 360 after conducting a trial with the Short 330 . Around this time Aer Lingus purchased a majority shareholding in
4455-472: The end of Boeing aircraft at Aer Lingus, and the beginning of an all-Airbus fleet. On 27 October 2005, Aer Lingus announced its first scheduled service to Asia from March 2006 as Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, where Chief Executive Dermot Mannion was based when at Emirates . Despite the Aer Lingus press release describing it as the first long-haul service outside
4536-464: The expanding route structure, the airline became one of the early purchasers of Vickers Viscount 700s in 1951, which were placed in service in April 1954. In 1952, the airline expanded its all-freight services and acquired a small fleet of Bristol 170 Freighters , which remained in service until 1957. Prof. Patrick Lynch was appointed the chairman of Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta in 1954 and served in
4617-426: The first of two Boeing 747s for use on the transatlantic routes. The company later purchased a third for its fleet but quickly offered it for lease because it was not initially profitable for the company to fly 747s across the Atlantic. In 1974, Aer Lingus unveiled a new livery which eliminated the word International and/or Irish from the fuselage titles. The livery included two colours of blue and one green, plus
4698-420: The fuselage through the nose of the aircraft. The Carvair proved to be uneconomical for the airline partly due to the rise of auto ferry services , and the aircraft were used for freight services until disposed of. The Boeing 720s proved to be a success for the airline on the transatlantic routes. To supplement these, Aer Lingus took delivery of its first larger Boeing 707 in 1964, and the type continued to serve
4779-495: The intent of pursuing another bid soon after the European Commission finishes investigating the bid. The EC has been concerned that the takeover would reduce consumer choice and increase fares. On 27 June 2007, the European Commission announced its decision to block the bid on competition grounds saying the two airlines controlled more than 80% of all European flights to and from Dublin Airport. On 7 August 2007,
4860-471: The latter's closure in June 2021. The contract for the franchise was then awarded to Emerald Airlines and services resumed on February 26, 2022. The possibility of the brand, and associated operating arrangement were first announced on 6 January 2010, when Aer Lingus hinted to the media that it was interested in expanding its UK services with the help of what was then Aer Arann. It was also mentioned as solely
4941-548: The mainline operation. The business was severely affected by the 9/11 attacks in the United States. In response, the airline cut staff numbers and destinations and reduced its fleet. As a result, it weathered the storm and returned to profit, largely through lowering the airline's cost base, updating the fleet with modern Airbus equipment and developing new routes to mainland European destinations. Aer Lingus had previously largely neglected mainland Europe in favour of US and British destinations. It positioned itself as competition to
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#17327810286455022-581: The new venture between the two airlines grew. In March 2012, Aer Arann streamlined its own-branded services into Aer Lingus Regional, transferring to Aer Lingus Regional routes from Dublin to the Isle of Man and Kerry, Waterford to London-Luton, London-Southend and Manchester. The airline later suspended all services from Waterford. In 2012, Aer Arann announced that it intended to purchase 8 ATR 72-600 aircraft to help replace and expand its operations. The first of these aircraft were delivered in late April 2013 and
5103-569: The newly liberalised transatlantic market. On 6 June 2007, Aer Lingus strengthened its relationship with the European manufacturer by ordering six of the new A350-900 and six A330-300. These were used to expand long-haul operations as well as replace three older models. Deliveries of the A330 began in February 2009. In, 2011 Aer Lingus switched their remaining three A330 orders to A350-900s, with delivery no sooner than 2017. The A350 orders were subsequently assumed by IAG in 2015. In preparation for
5184-647: The operation of a thrice-daily London Gatwick service (no longer operated), and on 31 March 2013, launched services to Faro and Málaga . Aer Lingus based 2 aircraft in Belfast City Airport for the Winter 2012–2013 season and a third aircraft arrived for the Summer 2013 season. On 22 March 2007, as a result of the EU–US Open Skies Agreement , Aer Lingus announced three new long-haul services to
5265-477: The position until 1975. In 1956, Aer Lingus introduced a new, green-top livery with a white lightning flash down the windows and the Irish flag displayed on the fin. On 28 April 1958, Aerlínte Éireann operated its first transatlantic service from Shannon to New York. In 1960, Aerlínte Éireann was renamed Aer Lingus. Aer Lingus bought seven Fokker F27 Friendships , which were delivered between November 1958 and May 1959. These were used in short-haul services to
5346-658: The rejection of two prior bids. In May 2015, the Irish government agreed to sell its stake in Aer Lingus to IAG, as did the Aer Lingus board in late January 2015. The takeover became irreversible on 18 August 2015. In March 2017, it was announced that a new low cost longhaul airline named LEVEL was to start operating from Barcelona in June 2017. On 29 December 2017, it was announced that IAG bought major parts of defunct Austrian leisure airline Niki including 15 Airbus A321 aircraft and traffic rights in Düsseldorf , Munich , Vienna , Zürich and Palma de Mallorca . It
5427-445: The remainder expected through 2024. On 20 March 2014, Aer Arann announced its intention to re-brand and form Stobart Air to allow the company to seek further franchise agreements. There was no change to the operation of Aer Lingus Regional services. On 27 November 2014, Stobart Air was awarded public service obligation (PSO) contracts between Dublin and Donegal Airport from 1 February 2015. The existing Dublin to Kerry Airport route
5508-543: The routes once the Stobart Air contract expired at the end of 2022. Following a competitive tender process in 2020, Stobart Air was not successful in retaining the Aer Lingus Regional Franchise. From January 2023 a new operator would take over, with Emerald Airlines as the preferred option. On 11 June 2021, Stobart Air informed Aer Lingus that it was terminating its franchise agreement, as
5589-721: The same time, the DH.84 Dragon was used to inaugurate an Aer Lingus service on the Dublin-Liverpool route. The airline was established as the national carrier under the Air Navigation and Transport Act (1936). In 1937, the Irish government created Aer Rianta (now called Dublin Airport Authority ), a company to assume financial responsibility for the new airline and the entire country's civil aviation infrastructure. In April 1937, Aer Lingus became wholly owned by
5670-497: The scale that it did, we may have delayed the decision but ultimately I believe the merger is the right thing". From 2014 on, Iberia returned to profitability, showing Walsh's predictions had been justified. In February 2021, IAG said that it has lost about €7 billion due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but it had €10.3 billion of liquid funds to get through the crisis. British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling and LEVEL operate under their separate brand names. For details of
5751-637: The shares in the new company. Since its creation, IAG has expanded its portfolio of operations and brands by purchasing other airlines – BMI (2011), Vueling (2012) and Aer Lingus (2015). The Group also owns the Level brand and Avios, the IAG rewards programme. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Madrid Stock Exchange . It is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index and IBEX 35 Index. British Airways and Iberia signed
5832-484: The signing the 737 MAX was still grounded worldwide following the two fatal crashes likely caused by the design of the MCAS system. Aviation analysts have questioned IAG's leadership in making such an order when the 737 MAX design is still being rectified. IAG CEO Willie Walsh , shrugged off the plane's uncertain future. "We're partnering with the Boeing brand", he said. "That's the brand that I'm doing business with. That's
5913-481: The sole route being to Liverpool or Barton Aerodrome Manchester depending on the fluctuating security situation. On 9 November 1945, regular services were resumed with an inaugural flight to London. From this point Aer Lingus aircraft, initially mostly Douglas DC-3s , were painted in a silver and green livery. The airline introduced its first flight attendants. In 1946, a new Anglo-Irish agreement gave Aer Lingus exclusive UK traffic rights from Ireland in exchange for
5994-653: The two PSO routes on a temporary basis before a new tender for a long-term contract. Amapola Flyg was granted the Dublin–Donegal PSO route on a temporary basis, while Ryanair launched Dublin–Kerry service on a commercial basis without PSO funding. Emerald Airlines was confirmed as the Aer Lingus Regional franchise operator in August 2021, leasing six ATR 72-600s from Chorus Aviation , formerly operated by Stobart Air and Virgin Australia Regional Airlines , and planned to launch operations under
6075-496: The white shamrock on the fin. In 1977, Aer Lingus recruited its first female pilot, Gráinne Cronin – the airline was the second in Europe (after SAS ) to introduce female pilots. In September 1979, Aer Lingus became the first European airline other than Alitalia to be used by Pope John Paul II , when he flew aboard a specially modified Boeing 747 (EI-ASI or St. Patrick) from Rome to Dublin and later from Shannon to Boston . In
6156-471: Was accepted by the Vueling board on 9 April 2013, and received majority shareholder approval on 23 April 2013. IAG took control of Vueling on 26 April 2013. In December 2012, IAG completed the merger of the cargo operations of British Airways, BMI and Iberia into a single business unit, IAG Cargo . In January 2015, IAG made a bid of €1.36 billion for Aer Lingus . This was expected to be accepted, after
6237-477: Was also extended to 2017. On the same date, all services to/from Shannon were confirmed to be axed from 5 January 2015, and the base there closed on the same date. The airline later resumed services to/from Shannon. In January 2018, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross , announced that Stobart Air would continue its two PSO routes, Dublin to Donegal and Kerry, until January 2022. That year saw
6318-431: Was expected to be completed in the second half of 2020, subject to regulatory approval. On 20 January 2021, IAG announced that it had renegotiated its deal to acquire Air Europa (via Iberia) for €500 million as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic . It also negotiated to delay payment to Globalia for 6 years. Completion of the deal was expected to take place in the second half of 2021 with the acquisition subject to approval by
6399-560: Was reintroduced on 4 May 2016. Other US destinations include Hartford , introduced on 28 September 2016; Seattle , introduced on 18 May 2018; Minneapolis-St Paul , introduced on 1 July 2019. After reporting losses of €22 million for the first half of the year, in October 2008, Aer Lingus announced a €74 million cost-saving plan. This plan included cutting up to 1,500 jobs, scaled back ground operations at Cork airport, and outsourced all ground staff at Dublin airport. This met with
6480-540: Was soon suspended due to the beginning of the Troubles . Aer Lingus introduced Boeing 737s to its fleet in 1969 to cope with the high demand for flights between Dublin and London. Later, Aer Lingus extended the 737 flights to all of its European networks. In 1967, after 30 years of service, General Manager Dr J.F. Dempsey signed the contract for the airline's first two Boeing 747 aircraft before he retired later that year. On 6 March 1971, Aer Lingus took delivery of
6561-401: Was to establish a base at Belfast–City Airport with six new routes to Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Exeter, Leeds/Bradford and Manchester with five ATR72-600 aircraft based at Belfast City and over 200 weekly flights. The news was welcomed by airport and government officials in what was described as "an extremely challenging environment" during the coronavirus pandemic . In 2021, due to
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