Services that have been cancelled include flights to Leeds Bradford, Edinburgh, Exeter, Manchester, East Midlands and Birmingham. Aer Lingus said that all of its customers affected by the cancellations were being offered details of an alternative flight "where feasible" and also have the option of a full refund.
The Irish airline has also said that of the routes affected by Stobart's liquidation, Aer Lingus will operate five routes and for at least the next week and BA City Flyer would operate two. Flights from Belfast City Airport to London Heathrow will not be affected.
"Teams across Aer Lingus have been working through the night progressing alternative flying operations from tomorrow to provide a service for Aer Lingus Regional customers," the airline confirmed in a statement.
Stobart Air operated some routes within the Republic of Ireland for Aer Lingus as well and it is understood that all flights on those routes have all been cancelled for the foreseeable future.
Stobart Air operated a fleet of ATR42/72 and Embraer E190 aircraft and in addition to the franchise flying it did for Aer Lingus Regional, it also operated tailored ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) wet-leasing services on both short and long term contracts. It also provided private air charter flights for various customers including sports teams, tour operators, corporate firms and individual groups.
According to reports, some 490 staff are affected, around 120 of those are said to be flight deck crew and the pilots union - Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association has confirmed it was assisting its members.
Many in the industry expressed surprise at Stobart's collapse, however, the airline has been struggling in recent years. It had been involved in the failed attempt the resurrect for collapsed FlyBe under the Connect Airways brand along with Virgin and its parent company Esken. A number of poor management decisions in recent times had all had an impact on the airline plus the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic also took a great toll. As the carrier was about to lose its franchise contract with Aer Lingus (scheduled to end next year) financial problems with a possible buyer and Esken's refusal to pump more funds into Stobart Air meant there was little other option for the airline.
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