Aran Islands air service tender reopened after controversy

The Government has re-advertised the tender for the €3.6 million subsidised air services to the Aran Islands it cancelled in controversial circumstances last year.

The decision to cancel the tender last September represented a major climb-down by the Government. It cancelled the tender in the face of widespread local opposition from islanders on the three Aran Islands who were angry at the proposed loss of fixed-wing air services to the islands after a helicopter firm emerged as a preferred bidder for the contract.

Residents were also angry that the new air service would relocate from Connemara Airport (Aerfort na Mine) to Galway Airport, many miles away.

Aer Arann Islands has operated the contract for the past 45 years and employs 40 people.

The new tender specifies that the new service will be between the islands and Aerfort na Mine.

In the aftermath of the tender being cancelled, Executive Helicopters, which was the preferred bidder for it, called on the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to include an alternative site to Aerfort na Mine, "so as to allow for a competitive tender process".

Aerfort na Mine is owned by the current operator of the service, Aer Arann Islands.

The total numbers flying to the islands last year increased by 2.5 per cent, from 38,473 to 39,506.

Tenders must be lodged by June 3rd.