The Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, T.D. announced today (Tuesday 2nd September 2008) that following detailed discussions, a new contract to provide scheduled air services on the Knock-Dublin Public Service Obligation (PSO) regional air route has now been offered to Aer Arann. The new contract will commence on 1st October 2008 and will cease on 21 July 2011.
There is currently no service in operation on the Knock-Dublin route. Under the tendering process carried out earlier this year by the Department of Transport, Aer Arann was the second preferred bidder for the route.
Aer Arann already provides services on the PSO routes linking Dublin with the regional airports in Galway, Derry, Sligo and Donegal, while Ryanair provides the Kerry PSO service.
Aer Arann will operate the service under a combined contract that will also cover the Derry/Dublin PSO service. The contract provides for one daily return service on the Knock route and two daily return services between Derry and Dublin.
Scheduled departure times on all routes will continue to enable passengers, particularly business passengers, to make same-day return journeys from the regional airports.
ENDS
Further info:
Press Office, Department of Transport: 01 6041090 / 01 6041091
Olive Stephens 01 6041087 / 087-7601642
