Two Irish airlines have today joined forces to offer new flights to the Emerald Isle out of Glasgow Airport.

Aer Arann and Aer Lingus have reached a franchise arrangement which results in a brand new service to Cork and increased frequency to Dublin, effective from March 28. The new services - on sale now at www.aerlingus.com - will be branded 'Aer Lingus Regional' and operated using Aer Arann ATR 72-500 aircraft and crew.

Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said: "We are delighted to welcome Aer Arann to Glasgow Airport and to have them working in partnership with Aer Lingus. As one of one Scotland's longest serving international airlines, Aer Lingus provides a vital social and economic lifeline between our two countries.

"Ireland is one of Scotland's biggest overseas tourism markets, generating millions of pounds for the Scottish economy, and a crucial trading centre for many Scottish exporters. The Aer Arann/Aer Lingus partnership will allow even greater opportunity for business and leisure travel between Scotland and Ireland, with increased frequency on the important Glasgow to Dublin route particularly good news.

"The addition of regular services to Cork, a new destination for Glasgow, is also good for business and tourism. As the focal point of Southern Ireland, Cork is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, close to some of Ireland's most famous landmarks. We are confident this new link will prove popular with travellers from Glasgow, and with Irish business and leisure passengers."

Today's announcement of new flights from Glasgow Airport is the third in as many weeks. Barrhead Travel have announced their own-brand summer flight programme serving Barcelona and Palma, while Kiss Flights will operate out of Glasgow to 12 European sunshine destinations in 2010.

Scott Taylor, Chief Executive, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, added: "We are delighted at this announcement by Aer Arann and Aer Lingus. As a result Glasgow will welcome an estimated 13,000 net tourist visits to the city generating in the region of 25,000 room nights. We will intensify our marketing and PR activity in Ireland and help maximise inbound leisure and business tourism from this key territory."

Christoph Mueller, Chief Executive of Aer Lingus, said: "This franchise agreement is good news for all stakeholders in Aer Lingus as it will allow us to serve key regional destinations, linking them with our Dublin transatlantic network as well as offering our business and leisure customers improved schedule and frequency options."

Paul Schütz, Chief Executive of Aer Arann, said: "This is a major development for Irish aviation and the tourism industry. The combined strengths of both airlines, including brand power and market presence, will allow us to offer a quality customer product that meets the capacity requirements of existing and new destinations including Glasgow".

In total, the franchise agreement will see Aer Arann operate 12 routes from Dublin and Cork, including current Aer Lingus and Aer Arann routes as well as 3 new routes such as Glasgow to Cork.

Aer Arann is a leading regional airline and in addition to operating routes for Aer Lingus Regional the airline will continue to operate under its own Aer Arann brand on routes within Ireland, from Ireland to the UK and France and from the Isle of Man to London and Paris.