Stobart Air to operate routes from London on behalf of British Airways

Airline Stobart Air London, London, United Kingdom Aer Lingus and Cityjet.

Cityjet last month transfer its Dublin-London City Airport road to Aer Lingus but provides the aircraft and crew to operate under the agreement.

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority is investigating whether the Aer Lingus-Cityjet agreement qualifies as a merger, and if so, if it limits competition on the road.

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BA Cityflyer flies from London City to Dublin, Paris Orly and Zurich. It is understood that the Stobart routes will operate at the discretion of the British Airways subsidiary.

Meanwhile, the Republic's regulator, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission confirmed that it has contacted Aer Lingus and Cityjet regarding their agreement on the Dublin-London City Airport route.

The competition watchdog has also provided badistance to its counterparts in the UK.

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The UK investigation into the Aer Lingus-Cityjet deal could take until December 24th. At that point, the regulator will decide whether to allow the deal

Cityjet started flying under the Aer Lingus brand as scheduled earlier this month.

Aer Lingus's announcement of its intention to take on the Dublin-London City service triggered the UK investigation.

UK-based and Spanish-registered International Airlines Group owns both Irish and British Airways, which also offers flights between Dublin and London City Airport.

Stobart is spending € 36 million leasing two Embraer 190 craft over three years from Limerick-based Nordic Aviation Capital on the back of its agreement with British Airways.

The airline has also begun hiring 40 extra people, 10 captains and first officers, and 30 cabin crew, as a result of the deal.

Graeme Buchanan, Stobart Air's managing director, said that the airline is growing fast.

Stobart flies regional services between Irish and British airports for Aer Lingus and operates in Southend-Isle of Man service for UK carrier Flybe.

British Airways will be recruited as a customer. Stobart Air is poised to grow pbadenger numbers by 17 per cent to two million this year.