Residents of the Aran Islands are to get long-term certainty around flights to and from the mainland following the announcement by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys of a new €4.9 million air service contract.
The Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract, which comes in to effect next week, will run until 2026 and will provide more than 68,000 seats annually to the island communities.
The move is a particularly positive development as the contract involves a new direct service to the smaller islands of Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr.
The contract is with Galway Aviation Services Limited, trading as Aer Arann Islands. It follows an extensive consultation with island stakeholders and a full procurement process.
Ms Humphreys said the contract is a fantastic development for the island communities and sends a huge signal out ahead of the summer tourism season.
“This contract gives certainly to the communities of Oileáin Árainn. It ensures they can continue to avail of a year-round, reliable and affordable air service to and from Aerfort Chonamara.
“And for the first time, we will now have direct flights to Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr – two wonderful island communities that are so steeped in history, culture and folklore.
“What better way to spend your summer holidays than on Oileáin Árainn or our other offshore islands?”
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 by the operator to meet any demand above the agreed PSO seating allocation.
Locals have long campaigned for certainty around flights to the Aran islands which they say will serve as a complement to the daily ferry sailings.
The news is a significant boost for the tourism sector on the islands, particularly after a difficult few years arising out of the pandemic.