Stobart Air has announced news of a €25 million investment which will facilitate the creation of 60 new jobs as well as the addition of jet aircraft to its fleet and new senior management appointments.
The airline, which operates under the Aer Lingus Regional brand in Ireland as part of a franchise agreement with the country's national carrier, currently operates a fleet of 17 aircraft with routes across Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Kerry and Donegal airports.
According to businessworld.ie, Stobart Air is on track to ferry approximately two million travellers this year after flying 1.45 million passengers in 2016.
The company is currently campaigning to recruit 24 pilots and 36 cabin crew and anticipates that all of these positions will be filled within the next few weeks. This will bring the airline's total workforce number to 570, while the upcoming addition of two Embraer E195 jets to its fleet will allow Stobart to transport passengers over longer distances, starting with routes out of London Southend Airport.
Stobart Group Deputy Chief Executive Warwick Brady, said: "We are pleased to build and grow our aviation capabilities and Stobart Air will play an important part in the Stobart Group's investment plans. The decisions we have taken reflect our firm belief that Stobart Air, together with our franchise partners and our airport at London Southend, can continue to expand and perform."
