Aer Lingus (EI, Dublin International) has outlined its fleet operation plans for the upcoming year with the wet-lease of a B767 from an unspecified operator scheduled for a period of 12 weeks during next year's summer high season.

The aircraft, which will supplement the Irish carrier's longhaul fleet of three A330-200s, four A330-300s, and three Air Contractors B757-200s, will be used to increase capacity on Aer Lingus' daily Shannon to Boston flights, currently operated by the B757. The resulting free B757 will then be used to add a third daily flight on its Dublin to New York JFK route.

Aer Lingus says it is also considering its options apropos the return of four A320-200s currently on wet-lease to Little Red, the Virgin Atlantic (VS, London Heathrow) division that is set to be dissolved next year.

"Aer Lingus is currently exploring a number of new opportunities in the context of its short haul fleet arising from the controlled phase out of Virgin "Little Red". Other exit costs associated with the cessation of "Little Red" services are largely mitigated through inbuilt flexibility in contractual arrangements related to these services," it said.

The Irish carrier also noted that while talks with Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) over its order for nine A350-900s had largely been concluded, it was still in the process of evaluating the European manufacturers' upgraded A330 offering, the A330neo.