We all thought we would have to wait weeks or months for news, but here is the announcement:
Aer Lingus to share flights with Ethiad Airways in new commercial agreement - Irish, Business - Independent.ie
To take effect from Q3 2012. (can I assume this means from Oct?)
Aer Lingus will cooperate with Etihad Airways on flights between Abu Dhabi and Dublin and have full access to flights across the network beyond Abu Dhabi, to points including Australia , Asia-Pacific, the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East.
In addition, Etihad will cooperate with Aer Lingus on services to a total of 18 destinations, including Dublin to New York, Boston, London Heathrow , Amsterdam, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Lisbon.