In the wake of winning State-funded contracts to operate routes between Dublin and Donegal and Kerry, Aer Lingus Regional service provider Stobart Air has announced its intent to invest €13.8 million in expanding its fleet.
The expansion plans include the leasing of a new ATR42 aircraft from Nordic Aviation Capital for the Dublin-Donegal route, which will allow Stobart to operate a larger ATR72 aircraft for its Kerry service, increasing seat numbers on that route by 50% in 2018.
Stobart's contract for the services between Dublin and Donegal and Kerry is valid until the end of January 2022. In 2017, upwards of 33,000 people flew between Dublin and Donegal, with an estimated 51,000 availing of the Dublin-Kerry service, and Stobart is confident it can increase those figures to a combined total of 100,000.
