Stobart Group, which also operates Southend Airport, winners of this year’s Prestige Airport of the Year – South England Award, have confirmed that they are still in discussions to sell its Irish arm, Stobart Air after losing out on the contract to operate the Aer Lingus Regional service.
Warwick Brady, CEO of Stobart Group, said: “The Group remains in positive discussions with a number of interested parties and continues to target an exit from Stobart Air before the end of the current financial year.”
Dublin Aerospace boss Conor McCarthy was selected by Aer Lingus to operate the Aer Lingus Regional contract, when Stobart’s current contract is up at the end of 2022.
Mr McCarthy confirmed he is now in exclusive negotiations with Aer Lingus to operate the Aer Lingus Regional service from 2023.
This means his Emerald Airlines is now a potential buyer for the Dublin based Stobart Air unit. His new company, Emerald Airlines, is a new company without planes or staff to operate the service.
Mr McCarthy said: “Emerald Airlines looks forward to these negotiations in coming weeks with a view to concluding a binding contract and progressing our ambitious plan to roll out a fleet of 15-plus ATR-72 Aer Lingus-branded aircraft from Dublin, Belfast, Cork and Shannon.
Emerald Airlines has also started the process to secure its own air operator’s certificate.
