Aer Arann to hold further discussions about Kerry to Dublin route on Friday - O’Donoghue

Aer Arann is expected to enter into further negotiations with the Department of Transport on Friday over the possibility of taking up the Kerry Airport to Dublin route, Kerry South Fianna Fáil TD John O’Donoghue has learned. Deputy O’Donoghue understands that the management of Aer Arann have already been in detailed discussions with officials in the Department about replacing the flights which were controversially dropped by Ryanair.

“There is definitely some solid negotiations going on between the Department of Transport and Aer Arann and I understand that further discussions will take place on Friday,” said Deputy O’Donoghue. “I have been pressing the Department and Minister Dempsey hard to bring about an agreement, because otherwise Kerry and Kerry Airport will be badly hit by the Ryanair decision not to honour their contract to offer three flights a day on the route which was due to run until next summer.”

“My hope is that a deal can be done and Aer Arann will be able to step into the gap created by Ryanair’s selfish decision. These flights are very important for business and tourism reasons throughout Kerry and also have a major impact on Kerry Airport. We all know that it is important to ensure as many visitors make use of Kerry Airport as possible and securing a new arrangement with Aer Arann will help achieve that goal.”

“I will continue to discuss this matter with officials in the Department, with Minister Dempsey and with Aer Arann over the coming days and hopefully we will see some progress when the discussions resume on Friday. As soon as there is definite news I will of course let the people Kerry know.”

“My hope is that we will soon have a solution to this problem which has been caused by Ryanair’s ongoing greed and disregard for the people of Kerry,” Deputy O’Donoghue concluded.