Stobart Air has announced that it has ceased flight operations flights with immediate effect and has stated that it is now in the process of appointing a liquidator for the airline. In a company statement, Aer Lingus stated that Stobart Air had cited the “continuing impact of the pandemic which has resulted in almost no flying since March 2020.”

Before the pandemic, Stobart Air used to operate up to 940 flights across 43 routes in 11 European countries and currently has a fleet of 13 ATR aircraft, which are based are airports around Ireland and also operates a number of flights to the UK. The airline also has around 480 employees with the majority of its staff based at its head office in Dublin.

Stobart Air has operated Aer Lingus Regional under a franchise agreement since 2010. However, with the contract due to expire in December 2021, Aer Lingus put the regional service out for tender last September. The regional franchise agreement was then subsequently awarded to a new regional airline called Emerald Airlines, which was established in May last year.

Earlier in April of this year, Esken Limited, which was formally known as the Stobart Air Group announced that Ettyl Limited, an Isle of Man-based group had agreed to purchase a majority shareholder position in the company. However, according to Stobart Air, this purchase agreement has now fallen through and has forced the airline to cease flight operations.

In a company email, seen by AeroNewsX, the Managing Director of Stobart Air, Andy Jolly said “It is now clear that Ettyl is unable to conclude the transaction to acquire Stobart Air UC on the original terms, or to obtain an alternative package within the required timescale. Esken has, therefore, exercised its right to terminate the contract with Ettyl for the transaction with immediate effect.”

As of this moment, Aer Lingus has stated that it will operate five out of twelve routes operated by Stobart Air. These routes will likely be operated by the carrier’s Airbus A320. Aer Lingus stated that it will operate two routes from Dublin Airport (DUB) to Edinburgh and Manchester, while the other three flights will be operated from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

In an updated statement, seen by AeroNews, Aer Lingus confirmed that “for at least the next week BA City Flyer will operate two routes” However the Irish based airline added that “alternative operations for the outstanding routes are still being determined.”

Stobart Air also used to operate a number of public service obligation (PSO) routes across Ireland and the UK including two vital routes to Kerry and Donegal from Dublin Airport. The status of these two important routes remains unclear, however the news that Stobart Air has cease trading will certiainly be a blow for regional connectivty for Irish aviation.

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Source: https://aeronewsx.com/stobart-air-enters-liquidation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=stobart-air-enters-liquidation