2012-11-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — Aer Arann, operating as Aer Lingus Regional, is to suspend its services at Waterford Airport with effect from 6 January, 2013.
The routes affected will be Aer Lingus Regional services from Waterford Airport to London Southend, London Luton and Manchester.
The airline will continue to operate as normal from Waterford up to 6 January, 2013.
Passengers with bookings for flights after 6 January, 2013 will be contacted directly by the airline in the coming days. All passengers will be re-booked on alternative Aer Lingus Regional flights from other airports or given a full refund.
All Aer Arann employees at Waterford Airport will be redeployed in the company.
The airline will continue to offer services to London Southend from Dublin Airport and to Manchester from Cork Airport and Shannon Airport.
The airline, who is currently concluding a strategic growth plan, described the suspension of services from Waterford as regrettable but necessary.
Sean Brogan, Interim Chief Executive at Aer Arann said: ‘We are in the process of finalising a new business plan that will put the airline on a path for growth.
‘We have worked hard to overcome recent challenges, built a successful new partnership with Aer Lingus and grown our passenger numbers. If we are to protect and nurture these gains, we have got to concentrate resources on services that offer sustainable returns.
‘Over recent months, the airline has conducted a root and branch evaluation of all routes. It was clear from this evaluation that our Waterford routes have not performed to a sustainable level.
‘As a result, we have taken the decision to suspend all services from Waterford from 6 January next. This decision is regrettable, not least because of the professionalism and support we have received from everyone at Waterford Airport.
‘We sincerely regret the impact that this decision has on our customers.
‘We do not rule out returning to Waterford at some point in the future if the business case can be justified,’ Mr Brogan concluded.
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