Several Aer Lingus Regional routes have ceased abruptly, following the collapse of franchise operator Stobart Air.
A statement from Aer Lingus said that “Late on the evening of 11th June, Stobart Air notified Aer Lingus that it was terminating its Franchise Agreement with Aer Lingus with immediate effect”.
The carrier said that customers who had booked to travel on the following flights operated by Stobart Air were advised not to come to the airport, and to check the Aer Lingus website for updated information on refund or re-booking options.
- Dublin – Kerry
- Dublin – Donegal
- Dublin – Glasgow
- Dublin – Edinburgh
- Dublin – Manchester
- Dublin – Newquay
- Belfast City – Manchester
- Belfast City – Birmingham
- Belfast City – Edinburgh
- Belfast City – Leeds Bradford
- Belfast City – Exeter
- Belfast City – East Midlands
Aer Lingus has published details of a temporary replacement schedule covering some of the above routes “for at least a week”, with Aer Lingus flying five of the routes under its own metal, and BA Cityflyer offering flights on two of the routes. More information on this can be seen here.
The news comes just weeks after an agreement had been reached for Esken (formerly the Stobart Group) to sell both Carlisle airport and Stobart Air to Isle of Man-based Ettyl.
Carlisle airport and Stobart Air sold to Isle of Man entrepreneur
The deal subsequently fell through when Ettyl was unable to obtain the necessary financing to complete the purchase.
Aer Lingus had signalled in 2020 that the contract to operate Aer Lingus Regional flights would pass to start-up carrier Emerald Airlines at the start of 2023.
The statement from Aer Lingus said that “Stobart Air referred to the continuing impact of the pandemic which has resulted in almost no flying since March 2020”.
“Stobart Air has ceased trading and is now in the process of appointing a liquidator,” it continued. “Aer Lingus apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation at such short notice of all flights operated by Stobart Air. Aer Lingus is now communicating to customers to advise them of their options for refund or rebooking.”
