Aer Arann to continue flights from Knock

Aer Arann to continue flights from Knock


Anton McNulty

THE daily Aer Arann service from Ireland West Airport Knock to Dublin will continue to operate as normal despite the airline entering into a period of examinership.
Last week it was announced in the High Court that Mr Michael McAteer of Grant Thornton had been appointed as Interim Examiner to the airline, which has accumulated €18m in debt. The company said a loss of €6m sustained during the volcanic ash crisis, as well as losses of €6m in 2008 and 2009, have forced it to seek examinership.
Padraig Ó Ceidigh, CEO of Aer Arann said there was a strong possibility that the airline would survive and a statement from the company said they intended to operate normally during the period of examinership.
“Aer Arann intends to operate normally during the period of examinership and intends to fly all Aer Arann services which includes the daily service between Ireland West Airport Knock and Dublin.
“No flights have been cancelled or are planned to be cancelled and reservations can continue to be made on www.aerarann.com. Aer Arann intends that there will be no impact on customer travel or bookings as a result of the move into examinership.”
Following the High Court hearing on September 8, the airline is to remain in examinership for an initial period of up to 70 days, when they hope to re-organise and re-structure the business.
“Aer Arann and the Examiner will also use the time to negotiate with potential investors and a number of parties have expressed their interest in the airline. Aer Arann would like to thank all of the airline’s loyal customers for their support to date and looks forward to continuing to serve them,” the statement read.
Aer Arann was set up in 1970 and currently employs 320 people and operates several routes in Ireland and also serves a number of cities in the UK and France.