Customers whose flights have been affected should check Aer Lingus’ website for details regarding refunds or re-booking.
All Aer Lingus regional flights that were operated by Stobart Air have been cancelled with immediate effect.
The news comes as Stobart Air has ceased trading and is now in the process of appointing a liquidator, with the company citing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on air travel as the reason.
Stobart Air operated 12 routes from Dublin Airport and Belfast Airport.
In a statement on Saturday, Aer Lingus said: “Late on the evening of 11 June, Stobart Air notified Aer Lingus that it was terminating its Franchise Agreement with Aer Lingus with immediate effect.
“As a result, all Aer Lingus Regional flights operated by Stobart Air are cancelled. Stobart Air referred to the continuing impact of the pandemic which has resulted in almost no flying since March 2020.”
Aer Lingus apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused by the cancellations at such short notice and is now advising customers of their options for refund or re-booking.
The airline said: “Customers who were booked to travel on flights operated by Stobart Air are advised not come to the airport and to check the Aer Lingus website for updated information on refund or re-booking options.”
All Stobart Air flights on the following routes have been cancelled:
- Belfast Airport to: Edinburgh; Exeter; East Midlands; Leeds; Birmingham and Manchester
- Dublin Airport to: Kerry; Donegal; Edinburgh; Glasgow; Manchester and Newquay
Stobart Air said in a statement: “It is with great regret and sadness that Stobart Air can confirm that the Board is in the process of appointing a liquidator to the business and the airline is to cease operations with immediate effect.
“This unavoidable and difficult decision means that all Aer Lingus Regional routes, currently operated by Stobart Air under its franchise agreement with Aer Lingus, have been cancelled.
“Stobart Air apologises to all its customers for the inconvenience caused at short notice. All 480 staff at the airline have been informed.”
It added: “Last April, Stobart Air announced that a new owner had been identified. However, it has emerged that the funding to support this transaction is no longer in place and the new owner is now unable to conclude the transaction.
“Given the continued impact of the pandemic which has virtually halted air travel since March 2020 and in the absence of any alternative purchasers or sources of funding, the Board of Stobart Air must take the necessary, unavoidable and difficult decision to seek to appoint a liquidator.
“A franchise flying partner to leading domestic and international airlines, Stobart Air has acknowledged the significant contribution, loyalty, dedication of its 480-strong team of skilled and talented aviation professionals.”
Pre-Covid, Stobart Air operated over 900 flights weekly across 30 routes throughout Ireland, the UK and Western Europe.
However, the airline saw its operating schedule reduce by up to 94% since March 2020.
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