Yes, Aer Lingus had a base in LGW operating as normal on it's own Irish AOC.
Aer Lingus management initially denied to staff all knowledge of the Astraeus "project" although it's been in the open since at least August. Then they claimed they needed Astraeus to obtain a UK AOC in order to fly from UK to non-EU destinations. More LIES. Then they claimed Astraeus were being brought in to ensure continuity of UK operations during potential forthcoming industrial disputes in ROI. Half truth. Really this whole Astraeus Dry/wet switch lease plan is just another way to add pressure on all IALPA Pilots, both ROI and UK based, and is a stick to beat them with at the Labour Relations Commission talks which are happening in Dublin over the next 10 days.
Management have said nothing about Astraeus after 6 months, as negotiations are at a critical stage involving many stakeholders including Irish Government.
Aer Lingus Flight Ops Dept will never, long term, fly 2 different SOPs, 2 Crew groups etc, expect the Astraeus pawn to get the boot shortly, yes a huge waste of cash, attempt at a Union bust, this plan was cooked up earlier in the year before the new CEO arrived, and in this bad economic climate now never even necessary!!! But EI management are quite good at wasting cash reserves aren't they
..... Astraeus owners must be laughing all the way to the bank....while the EI Pilots will be reconverted back to Irish AOC, more expense!!! Don't worry about it...it's an Irish thing............ahem...Ryanair inspired thing...