Aer Arann to End Galway Flights

Irish regional carrier Aer Arann has confirmed that it will suspend all of its services from Galway Airport for the Northern Winter season. The carrier, which offered international links to Edinburgh, London Luton, London Southend and Manchester, Edinburgh and domestic flights to Waterford, said that bookings “have continued to deteriorate” and all these routes are “projected to be loss-making during the thinner winter season”, when bookings are historically lower.

Aer Arann is the only operator providing scheduled flights from Galway but has seen demand slip over recent years. In 2007 the airport handled over 300,000 passengers but traffic has slipped over subsequent years to just 160,000 in 2010.

The Irish carrier says it has been “working closely” with Galway Airport to “explore all commercial options in an environment where passenger numbers and revenue have continued to decline,” but was unable to resolve the problem.

“We sincerely regret having to make this decision and we particularly regret the impact that this will have on our customers, on our staff in Aer Arann Regional and on the staff of Galway Airport” said Paul Schütz, Chief Executive Officer, Aer Arann. “The reality however is that we are not yet a year out of examinership and we are not in a position to continue to operate routes that are not commercially viable.”

In the months ahead Aer Arann intends to work with Galway Airport with the intention that a strategy be put in place for the re-launch of services from Galway at the beginning of the summer season next April, including routes to the UK and France.

“The emphasis now must be on sustainable services and by suspending loss-making services for the winter season both Galway Airport and Aer Arann Regional are doing what is best for both businesses at this time and we can work together on the potential for a resumption of services in 2012”, added Schütz.