Stobart Air (Aer Lingus Regional) Cancels All Flights

bagand96

Stobart Air, who operate under the Aer Lingus Regional brand has suspended all operations and will enter administration. 

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/stobart-air-flights-cancelled-passengers-b1864611.html

Information from Aer Lingus who sold all tickets : https://www.aerlingus.com/support/flight-disruption-information/

Alan_Bowen

Very sad news, but not unexpected. They had agreed to a sale to a 26-year-old man with no experience and seemingly no money either. Normally it is the buyer of a business who needs to carry out due diligence, in this case, it appears the sellers, the airline itself, failed to do enough on the buyer. 480 staff unemployed and many people now unable to either return home or take their planned holiday

Westin

@Alan_Bowen - wasn’t he one of these crypto-currency millionaires?

bagand96

Alan_Bowen said:

Very sad news, but not unexpected. They had agreed to a sale to a 26-year-old man with no experience and seemingly no money either. Normally it is the buyer of a business who needs to carry out due diligence, in this case, it appears the sellers, the airline itself, failed to do enough on the buyer. 480 staff unemployed and many people now unable to either return home or take their planned holiday

A very decent little airline in the Aer Arran days. All started to unravel once part of the Stobart group. As you say, thoughts with the staff who are never the cause of these events, but always the hardest hit. 

daveyjp

BA Cityflyer now operating some of the routes.  

Alan_Bowen

Westin, possibly in his dreams. The only obvious issues in the past where his name appeared was a story of unfulfilled orders for computing equipment that he advertised on eBay and some, or all, of which was never delivered...If I can find that in 10 minutes, why couldn't Stobart? 

bagand96

Alan_Bowen said:

Westin, possibly in his dreams. The only obvious issues in the past where his name appeared was a story of unfulfilled orders for computing equipment that he advertised on eBay and some, or all, of which was never delivered...If I can find that in 10 minutes, why couldn't Stobart? 

I'm wonder if the business had unfortunately come to a point where Ettyl were the last chance (and only) option.  I agree it appears some due-diligence was missed, unless desperation took over.

A shame, they were a decent operator, there's a space in the market there that will be filled I am sure.

RC1

Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post but I’m wondering if someone on here may know a little more than I do regarding passengers rights after booking with Aer Lingus and having my flight cancelled due to Stobart Airs liquidation. 

When the story broke on the news about the flight cancellations I checked my emails and the ‘Manage Booking’ section of the Aer Lingus website and there was no mention of the cancellations, then on the homepage of the website I found a statement saying all Stobart Air flights were cancelled. 

I then had to book a train & ferry to replace my now cancelled flight and I completed the refund request form on the Aer Lingus site as suggested in the airlines statement. They said they would be in touch but as of yet nothing. 

I have just seen that the route I was due to travel (Belfast City-Leeds Bradford) is now being operated by BA Cityflyer, could/would this affect my rights to a refund as I no longer need the flight based on making alternative travel arrangements. If Aer Lingus try to say I’m not eligible for a refund would I have any comeback?

I have also had to spend extra money on an additional night in a hotel as the ferry isn’t until the following day. Would I be eligible for any kind of compensation for this additional cost?

Even still when I look at my booking on the Aer Lingus website it says ‘Operated by Stobart Air’. Aer Lingus haven’t actually told me that my booking is now operated by BA Cityflyer, it just says on the homepage of their website that the route is now being operated by BA Cityflyer until 18th June (no mention of whether or not that date will be extended)

bagand96

The Aer Lingus help page (linked above) says the following:

Further Details of Aer Lingus Regional Replacement Schedule

Aer Lingus has announced further details of its replacement schedule for Aer Lingus Regional customers.

Aer Lingus Regional had been operated by Stobart Air under a franchise agreement. Late on the evening of 11th June, Stobart Air notified Aer Lingus that it was ceasing operations with immediate effect. Teams across Aer Lingus have been working to provide a service for Aer Lingus Regional customers.

Of the twelve routes immediately impacted by Stobart Air's decision to cease trading, Aer Lingus will operate five routes and for at least the next week BA City Flyer will operate two. Alternative operations for the outstanding routes are still being determined.

All impacted customers are being directly contacted and offered details of an alternative flight where feasible. All impacted customers also have the option of a full refund.

Aer Lingus wishes to apologise to Aer Lingus Regional customers who have been affected by Stobart Air ceasing operations.

 

Daily Operations by Aer Lingus

Belfast - Edinburgh
Belfast - Manchester
Belfast - Birmingham
Dublin - Edinburgh

Daily Operations by BA CityFlyer until 18th June 2021

Belfast - Leeds Bradford
Belfast - Exeter

That statement implies you will still have the option of a refund, even if they do offer an alternative flight.  I wouldn't be too worried about not hearing from them yet, they will likely be working in date order when dealing with Stobart Air bookings. There's also still a large volume of Covid-19 cancellations, so refunds will likely take some time.


You won't be entitled to claim compensation for extra expenses.  Although EC261 regulations (or the new UK equivalent) does provide for compensation/expenses for cancelled flights, it is the responsibility of the operating airline.  In this case that's Stobart Air who've gone bust to there's no one to claim from.

richardw

easyJet is launching flights https://mediacentre.easyjet.com/story/15078/easyjet-launches-12-new-uk-domestic-routes-to-give-brits-more-options-to-reconnect-or-take-a-break-this-summer