Emerald Airlines says Brexit dual-certification split adds operational strain

Emerald Airlines is still dealing with operational problems caused by the UK's departure from the European Union, according to its chief executive. Keith Butler pointed to the burden of holding two separate air operator's certificates, one for its Dublin base and one for Belfast.

Speaking at the European Regions Airline Association general assembly in Belfast, Butler said the dual certification brings major challenges for a carrier of Emerald's size. Dublin sits inside the EU while Belfast does not. Aircraft and personnel cannot be shifted freely between the two operations.

Butler gave an example. An aircraft on the UK register has to be flown and maintained by staff who meet British rules, so pilots and technicians are not interchangeable across the two bases. When an operational problem comes up, Emerald cannot easily move equipment or people from one base to the other.

Recruitment in Northern Ireland is a further difficulty, he said, because there are fewer chances to train staff locally than there were before Brexit. Butler told delegates he would like to see pilot and technician certification in the UK and Ireland brought better into line.

Emerald began flying regional services for Aer Lingus in 2022 and has expanded each year since, according to Butler. The carrier now operates 20 ATR 72-600 aircraft, with 13 based in Dublin and seven in Belfast.