Aer Aran receives Palme d'Or

Regional airline Aer Arann, has been awarded the Palme d’Or honour by the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) at an awards ceremony in Barcelona.

The event which forms part of the Associations Annual General Assembly was attended by over 600 international press and airlines' delegates.

The annual ERA awards recognise achievements by selected member airlines and airports in the preceding twelve month period.

The Palme d’Or is a special honour presented in recognition of sustained excellence and high business performance over an extended period.

It also takes into account support for the intra-European air transport industry. The honour is held in perpetuity and there are currently only two other holders of the award Air Nostrum of Spain and London City Airport.

Aer Arann was chosen from among 65 airline members throughout Europe to receive the accolade and has held the ERA Bronze Airline of the Year Award for the past two years.

The airline currently operates over 600 flights per week across 39 routes with passenger numbers in excess of 1 million per annum.

Chairman of Aer Arann Padraig O’Ceidigh said: “It is a huge honour to be accepted into the ERA Order of the Palme d’Or and I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of all the team at Aer Arann.

"This award is a testament to the hard work, dedication and professionalism of all those who helped to achieve this.

" I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal customers for their continued support and as we move into the next stage of our growth and development, we look forward to continuing to provide them with the high levels of service and efficiency which have become the hallmark of Aer Arann.”

Founded in 1980 the ERA is the only body representing the interests of the regional air transport industry in Europe.

It is an Association of over 230 companies, including 65 airlines and over 160 associate and affiliate members comprising aircraft & engine manufacturers, international and regional airports and avionic suppliers and service providers.