How is an airline that nearly went bust not so long ago going to finance this?
I am not great with the proper financial issues at stake but this is my simpleistic version of events:
It is the turn around in revenue stream over the last 12-18 months that has allowed it. Aer Arann were slowly decling, so their ability to get finance was getting harder. The Stobart Group injected some cash into the operation and gave an element of security to the Aer Arann debtors. (4 new ATRs had been on order already) The deal with EI to operate under the Aer Lingus Regional franchise gave them marketing presence and a passenger feed that they had not had before. And all the public statements on the franchise operation are showing growth and positivity.
Ironically the deal that ended the Aer Arann public brand is the deal that probably saved the company from closing down.