Aer Arann to continue air service to the Aran Islands

Aer Arann will continue its air service to the Aran Islands for another year.

The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has confirmed its contract to provide the State-subsidised flights has been extended to the end of September 2016

The interim contract will cost €1.62m, during which time a procurement process will take place for a new tender.

The announcement comes after a climbdown by the Department of the Gaeltacht, which had issued a now cancelled contract to a helicopter service - a move opposed by residents of the islands.