The Government has re-advertised the tender for the €3.6m subsidised air services to the Aran Islands, Co Galway that it cancelled in controversial circumstances last October.

A West of Ireland-based air service is challenging in the High Court the State’s decision to award the Aran Islands contract to a rival service.

Executive Helicopters — the preferred tender to provide an air service to the Aran Islands — has said it will offer a reliable, faster, and more efficient service.

Residents of the Aran Islands have promised a “massive” campaign of resistance to the withdrawal of the air service contract from Aer Árann.

A helicopter has been destroyed and two others badly damaged in a fire at a hangar in Oranmore, Co Galway.