Aer Lingus made Short-Route Partner by Virgin Atlantic Airways

Aer Lingus flights would now be operated on select UK routes on behalf of Virgin Atlantic Airways. Media reports recently said that Virgin Atlantic Airways has selected Aer Lingus to operate some of the UK routes feeding Virgin Atlantic’s long-haul services.

This would be Virgin Atlantic Airways’ first domestic flights to be operated under its brand by Aer Lingus. This step is being taken by Virgin Atlantic Airways to help replace the passenger traffic lost after the acquisition on partner BMI by British Airways.
 
Dublin-based Aer Lingus said that it would be using the aircraft carrying Virgin Atlantic Airways brand to operate a combined 24 flights every day connecting Manchester and two cities in Scotland with London’s Heathrow Airport.

Virgin Atlantic Airways owner Richard Branson said that the airline is acquiring some takeoff and landing slots at Heathrow surrendered by its main competitor British Airways for winning antitrust approval for the BMI deal. Branson said that the flights to be operated by Aer Lingus under its own brand would be Virgin Atlantic Airways’ first short-haul services.