Stobart Air (Dublin International) could face competition on its regional Irish and UK routes once the contract ends in 2022. The Irish white-label carrier currently operates for Aer Lingus (EI, Dublin International) under the Aer Lingus Regional brand.

Speaking to the Irish Times during an IAG International Airlines Group Q1 2020 results call on May 7, the group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Willie Walsh said that other carriers had expressed an interest in assuming the contract.

Aer Lingus has yet to renew its contract with Stobart Air to provide these services, with Walsh insisting that the decision rests with Aer Lingus CEO Seán Doyle. “We have had a good relationship with them, but they got distracted by faraway hills,” Walsh said of Stobart Air.

Under the existing contract, Stobart Air receives a fee for operating the aircraft and providing the crew, with Aer Lingus marketing and selling the seats. In a recent statement, Stobart Group said the deal with Aer Lingus was crucial to ensuring Stobart Air’s future once the COVID-19 pandemic had passed. Stobart Group also said that it was taking a 49% stake in Stobart Air, while leaving voting control with staff through an employee share trust.

Stobart Air was part of Connect Airways, a business jointly owned by Stobart Group, Virgin Group and Cyrus Capital Partners, that also owned now-defunct flybe. (2002) (Exeter). Connect and flybe. are under court protection from creditors in the UK.

According to the ch-aviation schedules module for the week commencing August 17, Stobart Air offers the following services for Aer Lingus:

Stobart Air operates a fleet of 18 aircraft, consisting of one ATR42-600, fifteen ATR72-600s and two E190s.