Has any order for new aircraft been placed? We heard it was inevitable at the Farnborough Air Show and although some reports made it sound official, I don't actually recall RE or ATR confirming it.
The old 42s regularly suffer from tech delays, it mainly seems to be engine issues as well. Aer Lingus want to grow the franchise, management can't stress enough how successful it's been but there's nothing they can do until new aircraft arrive and the older fleet is replaced.