Aer Arann

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Aer Arann
IATA
RE		 ICAO
REA		 Callsign
AER ARANN
Founded 1970 (Galway)
Hubs Dublin Airport
Cork Airport
Galway Airport
Waterford Airport
Focus cities Cardiff Airport
Manchester Airport
Fleet size 18
Destinations 24
Parent company Aer Arann
Headquarters Dublin, Ireland
Key people Pádraig Ó Céidigh (MD & Owner)
Website: http://www.aerarann.com
Aer Arann ATR 72 in the former color scheme

Aer Arann is a regional airline based in Dublin, Ireland.[1] The airline operates scheduled service on 40 different routes between Ireland, France, and the United Kingdom. Its main base is Dublin Airport, with hubs at Cork Airport, Galway Airport and Waterford Airport.

Contents

[edit] History

Aer Arann was established in 1970 to provide an island hopping air service between Galway and the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. They started operations using a single Britten-Norman Islander in August, 1970.

The turning point for the airline was in 1994 when Pádraig Ó Céidigh purchased the airline. Ó Céidigh began to expand the airline's routes and fleet, launching scheduled services in 1998. Also in 1998, the government awarded the airline the PSO route between Donegal and Dublin followed by the route between Sligo and Dublin.

In 2002, service to the United Kingdom and Jersey was introduced, followed by service to Lorient and Nantes in Brittany in 2004.

In 2007, Aer Arann had a turnover of €100 million and passenger numbers in excess of 1.15 million.

In 2008, in recognition of the company's marketing achievements, the Head of Sales and Marketing, Colin Lewis was awarded the All Ireland Marketing Leader of the Year Award by the Marketing Institute of Ireland.[2]

In 2008, Aer Arann entered into a franchise agreement with Nex Aviation and introduced service to Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Málaga and Faro, using the BAe-146 aircraft during the summer months. The Amsterdam service, which was operated by an ATR 72-500, ended on the 14th of January 2009.

In October 2008, the airline announced that they would be implementing a cost saving programme, due to the downturn in passenger traffic, which would involve some focus on charter flights and leasing of their crews and aircraft to other airlines.[3] The airline initially stated that up to 100 redundancies would be needed, but this was later revised to 70 which would represent a 20% reduction of staff.[4] The airline's key routes will remain unchanged.

[edit] Destinations

[edit] Fleet

ATR 72 at Leeds Bradford Airport, UK in the current colour scheme

The Aer Arann fleet includes the following aircraft (as of March 2009):[5][6]

Aer Arann Fleet
Aircraft Total In Service Seats Orders Notes
ATR 42-300 4 48(3) 50 (1)
ATR 72-201 3 70(2) 68(1)
ATR 72-500 4 72 3
Britten-Norman Islander 3 9

In May 2006, Aer Arann placed an order worth €180 million for 10 ATR72-500 series aircraft.[7]

In October 2008, Aer Arann announced that as part of a cost saving plan they will try to lease 4 of their 13 ATRs to other airlines.[8]

[edit] Silver Club

The Silver Club is an invitation only program that Aer Arann launched in 2008. It is designed to reward frequent flyers for their loyalty to the airline. The perks of the program include:[9]

  • Business lounge access at Dublin Airport’s Anna Livia Lounge and the Jack Lynch Lounge in Cork Airport.(UK airports to be added later)
  • No fees for changing tickets.
  • Increase in baggage allowance to 25 kg.
  • Ability to choose your seat at check-in.
  • Dedicated Free-phone number specifically for Silver Club members.

[edit] Codeshares

In 2008, Aer Arann and fellow Irish airline Aer Lingus signed an interline agreement. The agreement allows for passengers to book tickets to/from Cork to any Aer Lingus destination in the United States directly from Aer Lingus. Customers will fly to/from Cork to Dublin where they will then transfer onto Aer lingus.[10]

In 15 January 2009, Aer Arann signed a code-share agreement with Abu Dhabi airline Etihad. The deal will allow Etihad's regional passengers to book one-ticket flights from Galway, Cork and the Isle of Man to Abu Dhabi. Under the deal, which is now in force, the Abu Dhabi-based airline will place its two-letter ‘EY’ code on Aer Arann’s regional flights from Dublin to Cork and Galway in Ireland and also to the Isle of Man.

[edit] Inflight services

Aer Arann has a buy on board programme offering Doolittles sandwiches and drinks for purchase.[11]

[edit] See also

Aviation portal

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Contact Information." Aer Arann. Retrieved on 25 May 2009.
  2. ^ http://www.aimawards.ie/2008/finalists/12marketingleader.htm
  3. ^ Aer Arann announces cost reduction programme
  4. ^ Aer Arann completes review of operations Jobs saved - some route changes
  5. ^ Aer Arann Fleet List
  6. ^ Aer Arann Islands Fleet List
  7. ^ http://www.eads.com/1024/de/investor/News_and_Events/news_ir/2006/2006/20060516_atr_Aer_Arann.html
  8. ^ http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/20/business/EU-Ireland-Aer-Arann-Cuts.php
  9. ^ http://www.aerarann.com/travel_information/silverclub.htm
  10. ^ http://www.aerarannblog.com/aer-arann-and-aer-lingus-ink-new-interline-deal/
  11. ^ "Inflight Menu." Aer Arann. Retrieved on 2 December 2008.

[edit] External links


v • d • e
Airlines of Ireland

Aer Arann · Aer Lingus · Air Contractors · CityJet · Nex Aviation · Ryanair

 Flag of Ireland
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aer_Arann"
Personal tools