Stobart Air has announced its collapse just weeks after announcing two new routes from Cardiff Airport.
The Irish air operator which runs Aer Lingus' regional services said on Friday night it was terminating its franchise agreement with the airline and was in the process of appointing a liquidator. The sudden announcement led to the cancellation of several flights on Saturday from Dublin and Belfast City airports to UK cities.
And it means that new routes to Cardiff Airport, which were announced last month, have been cancelled.
On May 5 Stobart Air announced two new routes from the Welsh capital to Dublin and Belfast that were due to start later this summer. It was promised the Cardiff to Dublin route would initially run three times a week from August 30, with prices starting from £39.99.
The Cardiff to Belfast route was advertised as running four times a week from June 28 with fares from £29.99.
Asked about what will happen to the Welsh services, a spokeswoman from Stobart Air said: “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 ran a total of 12 routes from Dublin and Belfast Airport. All passengers booked on the following Aer Lingus Regional routes are advised to check the Aer Lingus website for updated information on refund or re-booking options:
- Belfast Airport to: Edinburgh; Exeter; East Midlands; Leeds; Birmingham; and Manchester
- Dublin Airport to: Kerry; Donegal; Edinburgh; Glasgow; Manchester; and Newquay
The statement added: “Stobart Air apologises to all its customers for the inconvenience caused at such short notice. All 480 staff at the airline have been informed.
“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-stong team of skilled and talented aviation professionals.”
Before the coronavirus pandemic Stobart Air ran 900 flights weekly across 30 routes throughout Ireland, the UK, and western Europe. However restrictions on travel over the last year saw its operating schedule reduce by up to 94%.
