Stobart Air sold

Carlisle Lake District Airport and Stobart Air, owned by Esken Ltd, have both been sold to Isle of Man-based Ettyl Ltd for a nominal sum.  The not unexpected announcement was made last Thursday 22 April to the London Stock Exchange. 

Esken, as the Stobart Group, put the airline up for sale last year and in February announced its name change and the forthcoming departure of chief executive Warwick Brady to Servisair. (See BTN 15 February Stobart becomes Esken)

Ethyl is headed by Jason Scales, whose original intention was to set up an operation to provide additional capacity to and from the Isle of Man at times of peak demand, such as during the annual TT motor cycling races and the ‘Festival of motorcycling’ in late Summer.

In a statement Ettyl said it would retain the carrier’s headquarters in Dublin and its key executive team including managing director Andy Jolly.

Commenting on the acquisition, Jason Scales, CEO, Ettyl Ltd, said: "We are delighted to have signed agreements for these acquisitions. In the immediate term it will be very much business as usual in respect of both Stobart Air and Carlisle Lake District Airport’s operations and our deal ensures that the great teams within those businesses are retained.

We will be making further announcements over the coming weeks and months regarding our plans. Ettyl sees significant opportunities for increased regional connectivity as economies recover from the impacts caused by the pandemic and return to stability across the UK and Ireland.”

As things stand the existing Aer Lingus Regional contract, operated by Stobart Air, does not expire until the end of 2022.  Last November, businessman Conor McCarthy’s Emerald Airlines was named the preferred bidder to operate the contract when the Stobart Air contract expires and its key operations at Belfast City and Dublin airports. McCarthy also owns aircraft maintenance firm Dublin Aerospace.  Aer Lingus Regional is ultimately owned by IAG.

Stobart Air currently has a fleet of 13 turboprop ATR aircraft, but due to the impact of the pandemic is operating a limited schedule that includes public service obligation routes to Dublin from Donegal and Kerry, as well as some services out of Belfast.

In the meantime, under the Aer Lingus banner, Stobart Air is to introduce services from Belfast City to Newquay Cornwall to commence on 28 June and initially operate three times weekly plus the Dublin to Exeter route to commence on 30 August.

www.carlisleairport.co.uk     www.stobartair.com

https://ettyl.im

www.aerlingus.com

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Jim Bright, Gretna - Scotland

I only hope that the new owner of Carlisle Airport is serious. Stobart let the place run down, but at least we have now a shiny new terminal. All that is needed now is flights from Europe with Lake District customers.