One of the State's aviation regulators has queried a new UK-based airline about its activities after it began selling flight tickets here this week without first getting the necessary licences to operate in the Republic, writes Barry O'Halloran
The Commission for Aviation Regulation told The Irish Times yesterday that it put a number of questions to newly-launched carrier, FreshAer, after the company began offering flights to Irish consumers via a phone line and the Internet.
It is running a promotion inviting consumers to "book now" with the Evening Herald newspaper. FreshAer is currently operating from offices in England.
Airlines have to be licensed by the Commission for Aviation Regulation and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), or their equivalents in other EU countries, before they can operate here. The IAA is responsible for safety and the commission handles issues like finance and insurance. FreshAer has not applied to either Irish body, or to the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). It is not licensed anywhere else in Europe.
A spokeswoman for the commission said the agency was concerned that it began trading without applying for, or getting, licences. "We are seeking clarification about a number of issues," she said.
FreshAer intends to begin flights from Dublin to destinations in the UK and Spain in October. Both aviation agencies said it could take up to six months to get licensed.
Mr John Lepp, of FreshAer, said last night that the company intends applying for the licences in three weeks. He said that another airline, Icelandic Air, which is licensed, would operate its services while the company went through the application process. "I can assure you that our operation is absolutely kosher," he stressed. "We have spoken to both the commission and the IAA and they are aware of what we are doing."
One of FreshAer's founders is former Aer Lingus employee Mr Tony Robinson. Its management also includes one-time Ryanair chief pilot Mr Kim Duggan, former Aer Aran boss Mr Bob Laird, and former senior figures from Transaer and Storm Aviation.
The company has a registered address in Berkshire, England, but intends moving to premises in Swords, Co Dublin, in four or five weeks. It says it has an initial bankroll of €7 million and intends taking delivery of four Boeing 757s in September and will pay a €2 million deposit to secure them. It will lease the aircraft.