Aer Arann

Infobox_Airline
airline=Aer Arann
logo=Aer Arann logo.svg
logo_size=
IATA=RE
ICAO=REA
callsign=AER ARANN
parent=Aer Arann
founded=1970 (Galway)
headquarters=Dublin, Ireland
key_people=Pádraig Ó Céidigh (MD & Owner)
hubs=Dublin Airport
Cork Airport
Galway Airport
Waterford Airport
focus_cities=Cardiff Airport
Manchester Airport
Frequent_flyer_program=Silver Club
fleet_size=20
destinations=29
website= http://www.aerarann.com

Aer Arann is a regional airline based in Dublin, Ireland. They operate 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.

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 airlines routes and fleet, launching scheduled services in 1998. Also in 1998, the government awarded the airline the POS 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 2008, Aer Arann entered into a franchise agreement with Nex Aviation and introduced service to Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Malaga, and Faro using the BAe-146 aircraft.

Today Aer Arann is a fast growing regional airline with a turnover of €100 million and passenger numbers in excess of 1.15 million in 2007.

The airline operates 600 flights per week with a fleet consisting of ATR turboprops and BAe-146 jets. They serve multiple destinations in Ireland and the UK, as well as destinations in France, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands.

Destinations

Fleet

The Aer Arann fleet includes the following aircraft (as of 03 October 2008):

Note: The BAe 146-200 are operated by either Nex Aviation or Flightline (UK) on behalf of Aer Arann.
Also please note that the Islander is operated by Aer Arann islands.

In May 2006, Aer Arann placed an order worth €180 million for 10 ATR72-500 series aircraft. [http://www.eads.com/1024/de/investor/News_and_Events/news_ir/2006/2006/20060516_atr_Aer_Arann.html]

ilver 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: [http://www.aerarann.com/travel_information/silverclub.htm]

*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 toll free number specifically for Silver Club members.

External links

* [http://www.aerarann.com/ Aer Arann]
* [http://www.aerarannislands.ie/ Aer Arann Islands]

References