The new Aer Lingus UK flights between Manchester, UK and the USA moved a step closer to reality. The US Department of Transportation issued a Show Cause order approving the carrier’s plans and asking for any final objections. Lacking those (and none are expected) the order should take effect by the end of the month.
One formally approved the routes will be eligible for sale under both Aer Lingus and British Airways flight numbers, in addition to the native Aer Lingus UK code.
Last week the company delayed the start of US flights. Again.
The carrier previously planned to launch both New York City and Orlando service on 30 September. New York now expects to operate from 1 December. Orlando service will commence 10 days later.
The delayed start can be attributed, in part, to the lack of operating license. Without that in hand the company can neither fly to the US nor sell tickets originating in the US. Typically airlines want a couple months to build up sales before beginning operations. With the revised timeline for the final certification that should make the December launch more viable.
Restrictions on passenger flow between the two countries also inhibit demand. While the UK recently relaxed rules, allowing vaccinated arrivals from the US without quarantine, the US did not reciprocate. Until that opens up expect traveler demand to remain anemic.
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