New London link set to be part of Aer Arann rescue

Date Published: 14-Oct-2010

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

A second route between Galway Airport and London could potentially be launched next March as part of the Aer Arann rescue package.

One of the proposed investors in the troubled airline is the owner of London Southend Airport, which is just a 45 minutes by rail from London city centre. It is set to enter a five-year agreement with Aer Arann to use London Southend.

Aer Arann and Galway Airport officials have said it would be “inappropriate” to speculate or comment on the potential launch of a new Galway route while the airline is still in examinership.

However, industry sources are quick to point out the “obvious synergies” between Galway and Southend airports.

British transport company the Stobart Group is planning to invest €2.5m in Aer Arann as part of a consortium which is understood to include Pádraig Ó Céidigh, who owns the airline.

The group told London Stock Exchange this week: “Stobart Group has agreed terms for a five year operating agreement with Aer Arann to use London Southend Airport, for flights starting in March 2011, with volumes expected to grow to 300,000 passengers annually.

At the moment, Stobart is building a railway station next to the airport, which will provide high-frequency links to Stratford (for the Docklands area and Canary Wharf) and a 45 minute journey time to London’s Liverpool Street Station.

An industry analyst told the Galway City Tribune: “Looking at Galway and London Southend as regional airports, in terms of access, passengers and freight, the synergies are obvious.

“The Galway to London to Luton accounts for around 40% of Galway Airport’s business. That’s a very popular route, so there would be further capacity for another London route,” the expert said.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.