Aer Arann *

Easily the smallest airline in the British Isles, and dating back to 1970, Aer Arann Islands has clinched a four-year Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract worth €4.9m from the Irish Government to provide air services to the Arann Islands, off western Ireland from Connemara.

It will run until 2026 to ensure essential mainland connectivity for the local communities and will also boost tourism.  The airline operates three ten-seat Britten-Norman Islanders.

The contract will also see the introduction of a flexible scheduling scheme that will allow the operator to better respond to local service demands, such as island festivals and events. Ad-hoc and scheduled non-PSO flights will also be provided to meet any demand above the agreed PSO seating allocation.

From its Connemara Airport base, County Galway, serves Inishmaan, Inishmore and Inisheer, all gravel strips.  It is not the easiest place to get to as the nearest airports served by Aer Lingus are Shannon, a one-hour drive, and Dublin, at least 2hrs 30mins.

https://aerarannislands.ie

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Michael Power, United Kingdom

Nice to know that the Islander is still working in the west of Ireland, but is it worthwhile going all that way for a ten minute flight. Better to travel to Newquay and experience the Isles of Scilly.