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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.
You could well be right there.
I do believe EI could make a much better job of the LHR/EDI route than VIrgin. VS never had the right mindset for shorthaul high density ops. These type of routes have been EIs bread and butter for years.
As for the LGW issue, EI could have made that work, had they the commitment to take on Easy Jet at their own game. This is the third time EI have pulled out of Gatwick. Will they ever make it four?