Stobart Air has confirmed it will cease operations at Shannon Airport from January 5th with the loss of 20 flights a week. The franchise flying partner to Aer Lingus said the decision followed a review of its services at Shannon.
Formerly Aer Arann, Stobart Air operates services from Shannon to Bristol, Birmingham and Edinburgh on behalf of Aer Lingus under the Aer Lingus Regional brand. The airline enjoyed a 43 per cent increase in passenger numbers on these routes in September compared with the same month last year.
The company confirmed last night: “Stobart Air, operator of Aer Lingus Regional, will end its Shannon-based services with effect from January 5th next.
“This is a regrettable decision, and not one taken lightly. Shannon does not fit with our current strategic plan, and we have to make the right long-term choices for the airline.”
It said passengers with bookings for flights after January 5th would be contacted directly by the airline in the coming days. All passengers would be rebooked on alternative Aer Lingus Regional flights from other airports or given a full refund. All Stobart Air employees at Shannon Airport would have the opportunity to be redeployed within the firm.
Replacement carriers
A Shannon Airport spokesman said it had been informed. “This decision is outside our control and we are already in talks to secure replacement carriers for these services and are assisted by the fact that these routes have delivered strong passenger numbers,” the airport said.
The news comes in the same week that it was confirmed Stobart had won a tender process on the Kerry-Dublin and Donegal-Dublin routes from early next year.
Fianna Fáil spokesman on transport Timmy Dooley said: “This a big disappointment but it shouldn’t undermine totally the element of recovery in passenger numbers that has taken place at Shannon.”
Shannon, he said, must now find a replacement airline if it wanted to develop as a hub.