Aer Arann targets British transatlantic fliers

Regional airline Aer Arann is targeting British transatlantic fliers as it bids to boost traffic on its routes.

The carrier said yesterday that it is planning to create 50 jobs and invest €144 million in eight new aircraft as part of a growth strategy begun last year.

Interim chief executive, Seán Brogan said it has identified a market for connecting travellers from British regional airports to Aer Lingus transatlantic flights from Dublin.

He added that the airline expects this business to bring in an extra 100,000 passengers this year.

Mr Brogan explained that a number of the British regional airports the company serves have no transatlantic service, leading it to begin offering connections to the US from Dublin.

“As an example, Bristol did have a transatlantic service that ceased, we recently undertook a huge campaign there and we have quadrupled our transatlantic traffic since,” said Mr Brogan.

Regional services
The airline flies regional services for Aer Lingus and recently moved its Dublin Airport operations to terminal two, allowing it to connect with the larger company's services.

Aer Arann said yesterday that over the next 12 months it plans to hire new flight and cabin crew, and engineering and support staff, growing its workforce to 370 from 320.

It is also taking delivery of eight new aircraft from French manufacturer ATR at a cost of €144 million, which will be used on the regional routes it operates from Cork, Kerry, Knock and Shannon airports to Dublin and Britain.

The airline also predicted yesterday that it will carry 1.2 million passengers this year and said that it has seen traffic grow by 32 per cent over the last 12 months.

Mr Brogan said that the company, which had to be rescued after being put into examinership and placed under court protection from its creditors in 2010, is likely to return to profit next year.

The recruitment drive and aircraft purchases are part of a strategy, involving restructuring, new investment and the extension of the Aer Lingus deal to 2022, on which Aer Arann began working last year.

Mr Brogan also hinted that the airline would look at bringing the franchise it operates for Aer Lingus to other European markets in the medium term.

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar welcomed the announcement yesterday saying that Aer Arann is proving that it is possible to operate successfully as a regional airline.

Corporate financier
British transport and logistics group Stobart and Invesco Asset Management each own 45 per cent of Aer Arann.

Stockbroker and corporate financier Cenkos Securities holds the remaining 10 per cent.

Stobart’s original investment in 2010 paved the way for the airline’s rescue.