I take the man at his word, BUT its hard to believe that United post merger with Continental do not have 1 spare airframe to operate the route themselves!!
I would concur with this airbourne, though I feel that it is part of a bigger picture re importance of the United Interlining with AerLingus in the states, this is profitable and United wont want to be less connected to AerLingus with a view to safeguarding same. Also is there Star Alliance Significance in this extention? Do Star want to give Aer Lingus good reason to choose Star over EI returning to OneWorld ... assuming that they do actually move to an alliance as has often been mentioned...?
EI-BUD