Emerald Airlines plans to pursue additional ACMI deals to diversify beyond the franchise work. Such arrangements could include leases to other carriers facing capacity shortages.
The airline expanded its operations in 2025 through an ACMI agreement with British Airways, which covers aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance for English routes. Directors noted that this contract provides a platform for further opportunities in the sector. The airline
Emerald Airlines also operates a public service obligation route between Dublin and Donegal, which receives government funding.
The airline recorded its first operating profit of €9.6m for the year ending 2024, which followed an operating loss of €7.6m in 2023. The carrier operates as the exclusive franchise partner for Aer Lingus Regional services, which connect Ireland with regional airports in the England, Scotland, the Isle of Man and Jersey.
Chief executive Keith Butler described the result as a defining moment for the airline. He stated that Emerald Airlines now runs the most extensive Aer Lingus Regional network to date. At Dublin Airport, the carrier handles more than a quarter of all Aer Lingus departures.
The franchise agreement with Aer Lingus, which runs for ten years from January 2023, relies on ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft flown under the Aer Lingus brand. This setup allows codesharing with British Airways on certain routes and supports connections to transatlantic flights from Dublin. Revenue for 2024 reached levels that supported the profit after startup costs eased from the previous year.
Pre-tax losses halved to €11.52m in an earlier period, which tied to the completion of the biggest summer schedule in 2023 with 31 routes and nine new launches. The carrier took delivery of ATR 72-600 aircraft on lease from ACIA Aero Leasing in May 2025 to bolster the fleet. These additions support growth in regional travel across Ireland, England and France.
Emerald Airlines, which started commercial flights in February 2022 after the closure of Stobart Air, bases its headquarters at Dublin Airport. The company employs staff across Ireland and the England through a subsidiary. Future plans include evaluations for earlier expansions under the franchise and responses to supply chain issues that affected operations in prior years.
