Aer Lingus had bid for the LHR-EDI/ABZ routes themselves (and lost out to Virgin) so clearly they had a solution in mind for aircraft. I believe there may be a couple of EI A320s whose leases are due to expire in 2013 and which can be extended.
Originally Posted by AerLingus231
I think it's the fact that virgin don't have pilots or crew at the moment to operate A320's that means having to lease out the route. It'd also mean that the new aircraft could be painted in virgin colours, which has been rumoured.
I think it's more the fact that Virgin has no experience of short-haul operations and no real capability to develop that experience quickly. And the Virgin livery will certainly be on the aircraft (whoever operates them) - that's not just "rumoured".