AER ARANN plans to launch new routes from Galway and Waterford to London Southend Airport from March 27th.
These flights are the first evidence of the influence of UK transport group Stobart, which last year agreed to invest €2.5 million in Aer Arann to rescue the business from collapse.
Stobart owns Southend Airport, and is seeking to develop it as a feeder for London similar to Stansted.
It is set to capitalise on London hosting the 2012 Olympics. The airport is a 50-minute train journey from central London.
Aer Arann will operate flights twice a day from both Galway and Waterford to London Southend.
The Waterford route will operate daily.
The Galway service will operate directly four days a week and be routed via Waterford on the other days.
The new services will be the first to be operated into London Southend Airport by an Irish commercial airline.
Aer Arann chief executive Paul Schütz said he was “confident” there would be “strong demand” for the services.
Alastair Welch, managing director of Stobart Air and London Southend Airport, said it was as a “significant milestone in the development of London Southend Airport”.
“2011 is a very big year for us with a new railway station and control tower now complete, and a new passenger terminal, runway extension and airport hotel also under way.”
Stobart last year said it expected Aer Arann over time to carry up to 300,000 passengers a year on routes to Southend.
Aer Arann exited examinership last year after an 11th-hour deal was agreed with the Revenue Commissioners.
Stobart and its owner Pádraig Ó Céidigh were among its backers.
