Aer Lingus

[lbaspotter]

Are Aer Lingus Regional operator Stobart Air now on the brink of collapse after its failed investment in to FlyBE owners Connect Airways?.

Doesn't sound good either way what with with the on going Corona Virus,

Stobart Air holding company falls into administration

Connect Airways, the holding company behind Dublin-based Stobart Air, which operates the Aer Lingus Regional service, has fallen into administration in the UK, the Irish Independent has learned.

m.independent.ie

 

[lbaspotter]

Aer Lingus Regional operator Stobart Air will suspended operations on all international routes from Dublin this weekend. It will continue to operate Irish Republic domestic flights.

Aer Lingus regional carrier to suspend all international flights following 'unprecedented' drop in demand

Stobart Air will suspend all flights from Dublin from this week.

www.thejournal.ie

 

[lbaspotter]

Aer Lingus Regional (Operated Stobart Air) have now cancelled all Dublin - Leeds/Bradford flights up until May 31st, 2020 due to COVID-19.

It looks like they are trying to restart flights from Monday, June 1st operating a reduced schedule than was planned for summer 2020 1x daily Tue, Sat, 2x daily Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri & 3x daily Sun. Of course all this is subject to change..

https://www.aerlingus.com/support/flight-disruption-information/

 

[Bigman]

Not surprising given that LBA is now closed until further notice.

 

[lbaspotter]

I thought Stobart Air has gone to the wall?

Nope you've thought wrong.

 

[ls27]

Still flying in Eire

 

[lbaspotter]

It looks like Aer Lingus Regional franchise operator Stobart Air are going seek court protection from its creditors within the next few days.

Covid-19: Aer Lingus Regional operator eyes court protection

Aer Lingus Regional operator likely to ask court to appoint examiner

www.irishtimes.com

I understand the Irish Republic court protection systems works in the same kind a way as the USA (Chapter II protection) works, Basically the airline can continue to operate flights whilst the owners have to prove to the court that the airline can survive either by refinancing or selling off company.

 

[lbaspotter]

Looks like Stobart Group PLC maybe looking into repurchasing the Irish regional airline Stobart Air and lessor Propius from the administrators of Flybe parent, Connect Airways.

Stobart Group ponders move to buy back regional operator

Stobart Group is considering buying back Irish regional operator Stobart Air and lessor Propius from the administrators of Flybe parent, Connect Airways. Stobart Group is considering buying back Irish regional operator Stobart Air and lessor Propius from the administrators of Flybe parent...

www.flightglobal.com

Stobart Group ponders move to buy back regional operator

Stobart Group is considering buying back Irish regional operator Stobart Air and lessor Propius from the administrators of Flybe parent, Connect Airways.

Stobart originally sold the Irish regional operator and Propius in February 2019 to Connect Airways, a deal related to the creation of Connect Airways by Stobart Group’s aviation division, Virgin Atlantic and Cyrus Airways. Connect Airways went on to acquire the assets of Flybe, but the UK regional carrier was utlimately forced to cease operations earlier this year.

"The company confirms that it is reviewing all options in relation to the future of Stobart Air and Propius during this unprecedented time including the possibility of acquiring the businesses from the administrators,” Stobart Group says in a stock market statement, noting Stobart Air or Propius are not themselves currently in administration.

”A range of discussions are ongoing and there is no certainty that any transaction will take place,” it says. ”The board of Stobart Group believes that Stobart Air and Propius have a viable future after COVID-19 and that by working with Aer Lingus as franchise partner it can place the business on a secure footing and manage the impact of guarantee obligations in a controlled manner.”

It says the legacy obligations relate to a sale and leaseback of aircraft carried out in early 2017.

”They include maintenance commitments, together with certain obligations in respect of the franchise agreement with Aer Lingus and certain fuel hedge arrangements in respect of Stobart Air and cumulatively could potentially be significant,” it says. ”These obligations remained with Stobart Group after the Connect Airways transaction as they were scheduled to run off over a period of time and it was not possible for these to be released.”

ATR operator Stobart Air operates regional franchise flights for several carriers, most notably Aer Lingus under an agreement dating back to 2010

 

[lbaspotter]

Good news this moring as it looks like the UK based Stobart Group has agreed a deal to buy a 49pc stake in Aer Lingus Regional franchise Stobart Air.

UK Group agrees to buy 49pc stake of Stobart Air for over €340,000

The UK’s Stobart Group has sealed a deal to buy a 49pc stake – and effective control – of Dublin-based Stobart Air for between £300,000 and £400,000 (€343,000 and €457,000).

m.independent.ie

 

[lbaspotter]

Aer Lingus (Operated by Stobart Air) looks to be resuming Dublin - Leeds route from June 1st operating 13x weekly. 1x daily Tue, Sat 2x daily Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri & 3x daily Sun. The 2nd daily Tuesday flight recommences from June 23rd.
3rd daily flights on Fridays recommence on July 3rd followed by Monday flight on July 6th. The last flight to resume normal planned summer 2020 schedule is the 3rd daily Thursday flight, which now commences August 6th.

Of course this remains subject to change.

 

[lbaspotter]

Aer Lingus (Operated by Stobart Air) looks to have put back its relaunch date of its Dublin - Leeds/Bradford route to June 30th.
Flights currently shown operating 16x weekly. 1x daily Sat 2x daily Tue, Wed & 3x daily Mon, Fri, Sun.

 

[lbaspotter]

Looks like Aer Lingus has now pushed back the date of relaunching its Dublin - Leeds route until Saturday August 1st 2020. The service is set to restart with up to 8x weekly operating 1x daily Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun & 2x Fri

 

[lbaspotter]

Aer Lingus Regional (franchise operator Stobart Air) restart in August of the Dublin - Leeds/Bradford route is now confirmed.

Stobart Air to resume international flights from July

Schedule will begin on a phased basis, with more flights added in August

www.irishtimes.com

 

[BlueManc]

Just looking to find an official statement about the immediate PIA ban and came across this...

Aer Lingus back to LBA

 

[lbaspotter]

Looks like Aer Lingus Regional (operated by Stobart Air) are to take on operating the ex Flybe Leeds/ Bradford to Belfast City route starting in October.

 

[Finger66]

I have heard that too. Wonder if that will scupper any Orange plans? However if both say twice a day then both routes could survive

 

[AirBingley]

I'm sure there will have been a lot of work on the part of Belfast City airport as its departures board is not looking as healthy as ours (Flybe was a huge blow to them) and LBA Management would want an important link restoring to the city. Are they using ATR? Back in the days when Jet2 operated it, there were 3x City, sometimes a little more and 2x Jet2 services.

 

[Seasider]

If it comes about, I expect they would operate with Stobart ATR72. There isn't any advantage (against a jet) on time over such a short distance.

 

[AirBingley]

Not EI related but LBA still on easyJet booking engine. Tough one for LBA, they need Belfast back and now have 2 airlines really need in the running. Do they go for the convenience of city or strategically tempt Easyjet with a high volume performer in the hope of more! Decisions, decisions, we don't see this too often at LBA!

 

[White Heather]

Not EI related but LBA still on easyJet booking engine. Tough one for LBA, they need Belfast back and now have 2 airlines really need in the running. Do they go for the convenience of city or strategically tempt Easyjet with a high volume performer in the hope of more! Decisions, decisions, we don't see this too often at LBA!

Aren't they on the booking engine due to easyJet being in partnership with Aurigny?