Aer Arann yesterday moved to reassure passengers on the Kerry-Dublin route that its service had been brought "back to standard".
There had been a chorus of complaints about flight delays on the public service route in recent months, with passengers experiencing hours of delays in some cases. Kerry Airport management had become increasingly concerned.
Mr Peter Bellew, airport spokesman, said there had been a "fantastic" service by Aer Arann until November. Problems were now resolved, he said.
Yesterday in a joint statement by Aer Arann and Kerry Airport, the airline's chief executive, Mr Pádraig O'Céidigh, said: "We are currently operating with an on-time performance of 85 per cent, which is well above the European average. Weather and related issues have caused disruptions in the past month. Aer Arann staff and management have worked hard to bring the service back to the standard which our customers have come to expect. I believe we have now achieved this. However, we remain committed to further developing and improving the service we offer."
Mr Denis Cregan, chairman of Kerry Airport, said the airline had been "key to the growth of tourism in Kerry over the last four years". The airport had been assured "some recent operational problems were now resolved", he said. An Aer Arann spokesman confirmed it will seek to renew its public service contract on the Kerry route.