With over 500 entries to the Awards in 2008, Aer Arann is honoured to have been shortlisted in this highly competitive category.

Over the past year Aer Arann has carried out a number of customer focused improvements to our web presence including; a completely redesigned and easy to user interface, a new simple 3 step online booking process (reduced from 6 steps) with all inclusive pricing, along with innovative services such as M-Ticket where we send a free SMS to passengers with their Itinerary details.

The winners of the 2008 eircom Golden Spiders will be announced at a gala dinner on Thursday, 20th November in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin. Comedian Des Bishop will host the event. Further details on the eircom Golden Spider Awards 2008 can be viewed online at www.goldenspiders.ie.
 

This change will see an increasing concentration on the charter and wet lease programme introduced during the summer, and a reduction in marginal scheduled services. These changes will be implemented on completion of an ongoing review of the airline’s operations.

Aer Arann’s key routes will be unaffected by this change which is being implemented to ensure the airline’s long-term future.

The new business model will maximise aircraft utilisation with a core scheduled operation of 9 aircraft and additional aircraft allocated to the charter and wet lease market. Future growth for the foreseeable future is expected to be generated in this market.

Currently the airline operates 12 aircraft on scheduled services and has one aircraft on wet lease.

The airline has entered into discussions with staff representatives on the cost reduction programme associated with the new business model.

Regrettably, it is likely that this will lead to a reduction in staff numbers of up to 100 people. However, redundancies for flight crew and engineers may reduce depending on the progressive introduction of new charter and wet lease business.

Aer Arann is committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure the company’s viability and long term development.

Aer Arann offers it’s thanks to all of its loyal customers for their continued support and looks forward to continuing to offer them a quality regional airline service.

“This is an excellent opportunity for Aer Arann to take over an existing route and develop it by offering our unique brand of quality service” said Fergal Barry, Aer Arann’s Commercial Director.

“We also very happy to ensure there is no break in service for regular customers as we introduce a second Scottish service from Cork”, said Mr Barry.

Kevin Cullinane, Aviation Marketing Manager at Cork Airport, said “This is great news for Cork Airport as we are acutely aware of the importance of ensuring that the Munster region continues to enjoy excellent connectivity to a key business and tourist destination. Over the past week the business community in Cork and the Greater Munster region has sought to have a new service in place from the end of October next and we are delighted that Aer Arann will provide them and their customers with an enhanced service to and from Glasgow as well as Edinburgh going forward. I believe that Aer Arann is not only meeting that requirement but exceeding it by giving our mutual Customers quality service and enhanced connectivity to the Scottish market while at the same time providing direct access to the South of Ireland for our Celtic cousins.”

Mark Rodwell, Chief Executive of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, said “We are delighted with Aer Arann’s announcement today that they will operate flights between Glasgow Prestwick and Cork.

“We have a strong relationship with them and hope this new service will build on the success of their current service to Donegal. It will maintain our strong coverage of the Irish market, which has always been popular with Scottish business and leisure travellers due to the short flight times and huge variety of attractions on offer. “Cork is not only an ideal city break location due to the shopping and nightlife on offer, but venture outside the city and you will find some of Ireland’s best scenery. County Cork is also renowned for its excellent seafood restaurants.

“We are confident this new service will also cater for the inbound market as Ayrshire and Glasgow are popular destinations among the Irish with a wide range of attractions including golf, shopping and exciting nightlife.”

The following is the planned schedule for the Cork (ORK) Glasgow (PIK) services:

MTWTF– RE473 ORK PIK 1145 1315
——Sun RE473 ORK PIK 1430 1600

MTWTF– RE474 PIK ORK 1340 1510
——Sun RE474 PIK ORK 1625 1755

This 20% off offer is for travel from 4th September and applies to all seats on all routes that are booked during the 4-day sale period.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone planning a trip in the next few weeks or anytime in the coming months to book now and save another 20% off the low-fare price”, said Fergal Barry, Aer Arann’s Commercial Director.

“Our sale period runs from Thursday 4th September until Midnight on Sunday 7th September and it’s designed to give people a chance to make great savings now and then travel when it suits them”, said Mr. Barry.

“This is a genuine ‘something for everyone’ sale” said Fergal Barry, “business passengers can buy and fly immediately and leisure passengers can plan ahead for their trips knowing their low fare is secured” he continued.

20% Off fares can be booked during the 4-day sale at www.aerarann.com and are available on all Aer Arann routes.

Fares are subject to availability and a small number of routes do not operate on a year-round basis.

Passengers can save 20% on Aer Arann routes including:

• Cork to Dublin, Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff and Edinburgh.
• Donegal to Dublin and Glasgow Prestwick.
• Dublin to Cork, Donegal, Galway, Knock , Sligo , Cardiff, Derry and Isle of Man.
• Galway to Dublin, Waterford, Amsterdam , Cardiff, Edinburgh, London Luton and Manchester.
• Kerry to Manchester.
• Waterford to Galway, Amsterdam, Birmingham, London Luton and Manchester.

In accordance with PSO route requirements Aer Arann will provide a daily early morning service from Knock to Dublin and an evening return service, beginning on October 1st 2008.

Aer Arann had operated the Knock – Dublin PSO route until July this year and had bid for the contract to continue flying the route as part of the public tender process earlier this year covering all PSO routes. This tender process was conducted in accordance with EU regulations.

“We’re very happy to have been awarded this route and to return to Knock”, said Aer Arann Managing Director Garry Cullen.

“While we were delighted to win the contracts for four PSO routes, we were initially disappointed not to retain the Knock route as we had developed a very loyal customer base”, Mr. Cullen continued. “However, we will now renew our relationship with our business and leisure customers and we look forward to offering them a quality and cost effective service”.

Mr. Cullen pointed out that Aer Arann is committed to the development of services from the regional airports and recognises these as vital parts of the national infrastructure.

“Direct services from the regions to major airports such as Dublin are key to Ireland’s economic development”, said Mr. Cullen. “They play a vital role in providing necessary access both for business travellers and the regional tourism industry”, he continued.

Aer Arann’s morning flight from Knock will depart at 0710hrs, arriving in Dublin at 0755hrs, six days a week. The Sunday departure time from Knock will be 0900hrs, arriving in Dublin at 0945hrs.

The evening flight will depart Dublin seven days a week at 1815hrs, arriving in Knock at 1900hrs.

Paul Schütz joined Aer Arann in 2006 as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary. He has more than 18 years experience in the airline industry including senior finance and general management roles. He is a Management Accountant and a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

“These are excellent appointments for Aer Arann because they offer both a smooth transition period and high levels of continuity as we continue with our development plans”, said Padraig O’Ceidigh.

“We have known for some time that Garry was due to retire”, he continued, “and it was important for us to retain his expertise on the Board and to appoint a new CEO with the experience, ability and drive that will allow Aer Arann to build on our success as Europe’s fastest growing regional airline”.

Paul Schütz began his airline industry career with Ryanair before moving to British Airways as Finance Analyst. He went on to become Director of Finance and Administration in Virgin Express and then moved to BWIA West Indies Airways initially as Chief Financial Officer and later becoming Joint General Manager. He later joined Eirjet as Managing Director in 2004 before he was recruited to join Aer Arann two years later.

Paul Schütz was raised and educated in Limerick. He is approaching his 42nd birthday and is married with three children.

Reacting to his appointment Paul Schütz said he was looking forward to “leading Aer Arann’s team of talented and committed airline professionals”.

“There is no doubt that these are challenging times for the airline industry globally”, he said, “but I believe we have both the right fleet and route network to allow us to face those challenges by building on our direct access business model”.

“Our new ATR-72 aircraft are highly fuel efficient”, he continued, “and as more join the fleet they will increase our ability to compete effectively while maintaining superior levels of customer service”.

Both Padraig O’Ceidigh and Paul Schütz praised outgoing Chief Executive Garry Cullen for his outstanding contribution to Aer Arann and to the Irish airline industry.

“It was a major coup for Aer Arann when Garry agreed to join us as CEO almost three years ago”, said Padraig O’Ceidigh. “His experience as a senior airline executive over many years, including those as Chief Executive of both Aer Lingus and LIAT in the Caribbean, was invaluable as we developed our route network and built an airline that could compete successfully in the European market”.

“Personally, I am delighted that Garry has accepted our invitation to join the board of Aer Arann”, he continued, “and the fact that his knowledge and experience will continue to be available to us augurs very well for the future”.

Reacting to the appointment of Paul Schütz as his successor Garry Cullen commended the Board for their vision in appointing a “chief executive with talent and ambition coupled with an obvious commitment to Aer Arann and a strong desire to lead its development as a leading European regional carrier”.

Following the appointments by the Board of Aer Arann Garry Cullen and Paul Schütz will work together as Chief Executive and Chief Executive Designate for a transition period up to the end of 2008. Paul Schütz will retain his responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary during this period.

Commenting on the commencement of the new route, Fergal Barry, Commercial Director, Aer Arann said: “The launch of Aer Arann’s City of Derry to Dublin service today is a significant milestone for the Northwest and for Aer Arann. We have significantly increased capacity and reduced fares on the route. As a result, Aer Arann promises easier access and greater choice for business and leisure passengers both in Dublin and in the Northwest”.

Welcoming the arrival of the airline to the city, Mayor Councilor Gerard Diver said: “Over 26,000 passengers used the daily Derry-Dublin service during 2007 and it has proved a vital local connection to and from Dublin. The arrival of Aer Arann, and the continuation of the service, offers an important opportunity to increase business and tourism links”.

Derry Mayor Councilor Gerard Diver, Aer Arann Crew Kieran O’ Halloran, Aer Arann Captain Catriona Murphy,
Aer Arann First Officer David McCabe and Aer Arann Commercial Director Fergal Barry at the inaugural flight.

Flights are from only €25 one way including taxes from Dublin to City of Derry, and £20 one way including taxes from City of Derry to Dublin.

Flight schedule

Weekday flights depart daily from City of Derry Airport at 08:30am Monday to Thursday, arriving at 9:15 to Dublin, and also departing at 19:45, arriving in Dublin at 20:35. On Fridays, morning flights depart City of Derry Airport at 8:10am, arriving in Dublin at 9:00am.

From Dublin, flights leave at 6:55am daily, arriving at 7:45am at City of Derry Airport. The evening flight departs at 18:30 from Dublin, and arrives at 19:20 at City of Derry Airport.

On Saturdays, flights depart at 9:15pm and 16:55 from City of Derry Airport, arriving in Dublin at 10:05 and 17:45 respectively. From Dublin, flights depart at 8:00 and at 15:35, arriving at 8:50 and 16:25 respectively.

On Sundays, flights depart at 12:15pm and 19:45 from City of Derry Airport, arriving in Dublin at 13:05 and 20:35 respectively. From Dublin, flights depart at 11:00 and at 18:30, arriving at 11:50 and 19:20 respectively.

The additional flights are:

Tues 9th September departs Cork 11:00 arriving 14:05
Tues 16th September departs La Rochelle 14445 arriving 1550 in Cork.
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