It makes more sense to return them to the leaser tbh. Aer Lingus have even less market visiblity in this market than Virgin. They did eventually learn this lesson with the Gatwick base debacle. BA/EI are a long way away from being close enough to do what you suggest, there's surely a lot of groundwork and agreements to be worked through even if the Irish government wave this through. By the time all that's done, those surplus aircraft will be long gone.
Last edited by Skipness One Echo; 29th Jan 2015 at 10:25.