Aer Lingus And British Airways Step Up To Replace Stobart Air Cancelations

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With the recent and untimely demise of regional carrier Stobart Air over the weekend, IAG airlines Aer Lingus and British Airways are stepping in to help stranded customers. Stobart Air announced on the evening of June 11th that it was ceasing operations with immediate effect. The two airlines coming to the rescue have announced the former Stobart routes that they will be able to operate while also acknowledging the gaps they won’t be filling.

Aer Lingus’ smallest aircraft is the Airbus A320, which will likely be used to serve the routes once operated by Stobart’s ATR72s. Photo: Laurent Errera via Wikimedia Commons 

A day after Stobart Air announced its immediate cessation of operations, Aer Lingus announced the details of a replacement schedule for Aer Lingus Regional customers. Stobart Air and its ATR72-600s had been operating services under the Aer Lingus Regional brand under a franchise agreement.

“Teams across Aer Lingus have been working through the night progressing alternative flying operations from tomorrow to provide a service for Aer Lingus Regional customers.” -Aer Lingus

Which Stobart Air services will Aer Lingus and British Airways fly?

Of the twelve routes immediately impacted by Stobart Air’s decision to cease trading, Aer Lingus (mainline) says that it will operate five routes, which are as follows:

  • Dublin / Edinburgh
  • Dublin / Manchester
  • Belfast City / Manchester
  • Belfast City / Birmingham
  • Belfast City / Edinburgh
A visualization of Aer Lingus mainline service covering for Stobart Air’s absence. Photo: GCMap.com

Additionally, for at least the next week, British Airways, with its BA CityFlyer brand, will operate two services:

  • Belfast City / Exeter
  • Belfast City / Leeds Bradford
BA CityFlyer is so far only committing to one week of service on its two routes. Photo: GCMap.com

Other Stobart services still in jeopardy

“Alternative operations for the outstanding routes are still being determined,” Aer Lingus said as part of a statement. Notably, these routes are:

  • Dublin / Kerry
  • Dublin / Donegal

Aer Lingus and BA CityFlyer have decided that several direct routes won’t be picked up. Thus, customers scheduled to travel on the following three routes “are being offered alternative flights.”

  • Belfast City / East Midlands
  • Dublin / Glasgow
  • Dublin / Newquay

The alternatives offered were not disclosed by Aer Lingus. However, in the case of Dublin-Glasgow, we know it’s possible that customers could connect through London Heathrow with British Airways. Alternately, Ryanair operates direct service between these two cities.

BA CityFlyer operates Embraer regional jets. Photo: Alf van Beem via Wikimedia Commons 

Aer Lingus issued an apology for its Aer Lingus Regional customers and notes that those impacted are being contacted directly and offered details of an alternative flight, where feasible. Furthermore, all impacted customers also have the option of a full refund.

A regional carrier operating a fleet of ATR72 aircraft, Stobart Air cited the continuing impact of the pandemic as the cause of its closure. It noted that the global health crisis had resulted in almost no flying since March 2020.

Were you affected by the sudden collapse of Stobart Air? Please share your experience with us by leaving a comment.



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