Aer Arann Islands

Aer Arann Islands
Founded 1970 (Galway)
Operating bases Connemara Airport
Key people Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Chairman)
Website www.aerarannislands.ie

Aer Arann Islands is an Irish airline headquartered in Inverin, County Galway.[1]

History

Aer Arann Islands was established in 1970 by James Coen and Ralph Langan to provide an island-hopping air service between Galway and the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. Operations, using a single Britten-Norman Islander, began in August 1970. This service has since been moved to the less distant Connemara Airport. Pádraig Ó Céidigh acquired the airline in 1994. As of 2014 it still used Islander aircraft.

After failing to win a 4-year public service obligation (PSO) contract for services to the Aran Islands, the airline had been due to terminate services on 30 September 2015, to be replaced by Executive Helicopters services from Galway Airport. However, a reprieve was granted due to protest over the change of airport and loss of local jobs and the tender was withdrawn. Aer Arann Islands will continue services until at least February 2016, pending a revised tender launch.[2]

In June 2018, the airline announced that it intends to terminate its PSO contract and cease all flights on 6 December 2018, two years before the contract was due to expire. This development is understood to be due to a dispute between the airline and the government relating to charges for flights that are not covered by the contract.[3]

Current Fleet

Aer Arann Islands Fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers Notes
Britten-Norman Islander BN2A 2 – 9
Britten-Norman Islander BN2B 1 – 9
Total 3 –

Destinations

Aer Arann Islands destinations

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Contact." Aer Arann Islands. Retrieved on May 15, 2016. "Address: Aer Arann Islands, An Caislean, Inverin, Co. Galway, Ireland."
  2. ↑ "Aran Islands Reprieve". Airliner World: 7. November 2015.
  3. ↑ Siggins, Lorna (6 June 2018). "Aer Arann to quit contract for Aran Islands two years ahead of time". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
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