Aran Island residents vow to resist air service decision

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

Over 600 people attended a meeting with Minister of State for the Gaeltacht Joe McHugh in Furbo, Galway, yesterday to protest against the decision of the Government to grant a four-year air service contract to Executive Helicopters, based in Woodford.

The contract is capped at an annual €900,000 – a 30% cut to the tender which had been secured by Aer Árann Islands which operated the service uninterrupted since 1970.