Aer Arann and Aer Lingus have 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.

The Blackpool service will operate daily with an increase in capacity using the modern 72-seat ATR72-500 aircraft. The daily service will provide connections to Aer Lingus services to New York.

All of the franchise services will be branded as “Aer Lingus Regional” and operated using Aer Arann ATR 72-500 aircraft and crew.

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 Blackpool.

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.

Paul Rankin, Blackpool International’s Airport Director commented: “This is fantastic news for our passengers from across Lancashire & the Lake District. The new franchise agreement between Aer Arann and Aer Lingus will mean an increase in the number of seats available and passengers will be able to link into the Aer Lingus Dublin transatlantic network – effectively from February, customers will be able to book straight through from Blackpool International to JFK New York!”

Paul added: “From 28th March, the route will be branded ‘Aer Lingus Regional’ and flights to Dublin are on sale from today, with flights linking on to the States available from February 2010 at www.aerlingus.com.”

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