· Aer Lingus Regional flies five millionth passenger since start of franchise flying partnership with Aer Lingus in 2010
· Airline has flown 110,000 flights during this time
· Three million of these passengers have flown through Dublin Airport
· Airline on course to fly 1.2 million passengers in 2015
· Network grown from 12 to 27 routes as of summer 2015
· €135m investment in new fleet during this time
· The airline is committed to growing its network. Recent new routes include Dublin – East Midlands, Dublin – Newquay and Dublin – Doncaster

Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Stobart Air, last week flew its five millionth passenger since the commencement of its franchise flying partnership with Aer Lingus in March 2010.

Flying on the airline’s Dublin to Glasgow route, passenger Megan Brown from Glasgow, Scotland was the official five millionth passenger to fly with the airline.

Unbeknownst to Megan and her fellow passengers, the airline had organized a surprise performance by Irish brass band, the Booka Brass Band at the boarding gate in Dublin Airport’s Terminal Two to celebrate the milestone.

Aer Lingus Regional currently operates 680 flights per week across 27 routes from 20 departure points throughout Ireland, UK and France.

Of the five million passengers to fly with Aer Lingus Regional since March 2010, three million have flown through Dublin Airport and 1.9 million have flown on the airline’s Scottish routes.

The airline has launched a number of new routes in recent months, including Dublin – East Midlands, Dublin – Newquay, Cornwall and Dublin – Doncaster Sheffield.

It was also awarded the tender to provide air services on the Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes from Kerry to Dublin and Donegal to Dublin last November.

Commenting on the achievement, Ronan Whitty, Head of Revenue Management for Stobart Air, said: “We are really excited to be flying our five millionth Aer Lingus Regional passenger. In the past four years we have flown over 110,000 flights and grown the network from 12 to 27 routes as of this summer.

“Aer Lingus Regional is on course to fly 1.2 million passengers this year, and we continue to enjoy month on month growth in passenger numbers, thanks in part to our expanded summer services and new routes including Dublin Newquay and Dublin Doncaster – Sheffield. The airline is now on a firm footing, and entering an exciting next phase of growth.”

“On behalf of Dublin Airport I’d like to congratulate Aer Lingus Regional on carrying its five millionth passenger,” said Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison. “Aer Lingus Regional is a significant customer for Dublin Airport, and we look forward to working with them to enable continued growth in its routes and frequencies from Dublin Airport,” Mr Harrison added.