The Department of the Gaeltacht has offered Aer Arann a four-month extension on its Aran Islands contract until Executive Helicopters takes over.
The company, which recently lost out on an open tender to provide the islands’ air transport services for the next four years until 2019, will now continue to provide the service until February 2016.
Executive Helicopters was expected to embark on the new contract from October 1st after being identified as the preferred bidder by the Department. However, issues over the availability of Galway Airport for helicopter flights appear to have delayed the handover process.
“In order to ensure that an air service continues to be provided to/from the Aran Islands, the Department will be engaging with the existing service provider with a view to agreeing the terms of an extension to the existing contract from 1 October 2015 to 1 February 2016,” read a statement from the Department.
The move comes after a visceral backlash from islanders over the plans to replace airplane charters to Aran with helicopter flights. Campaigners say it will provide a “huge blow” to residents and businesses in the local community, and 40 jobs at Aer Arann are expected to be lost when the handover takes place.
A series of protests have taken place both on the mainland and in the Aran Islands since the changes to air services were announced in August. The move threatens to bring an end to Aer Arann’s 30-year association with the islands.
Speaking earlier this month, Minister of State for the Gaeltacht Joe McHugh said nothing is signed or sealed in relation to the four-year transport contract.
Officials from the Department will be writing to Galway Airport to enquire as to the availability of slots for helicopters after it received legal advice relating to the matter. The minister has pledged to maintain a “clear line of communication” with the island communities during the changeover.
A spokeswoman for Executive Helicopters Ltd said the company will not be commenting on the matter due to constraints imposed on bidders as part of the tendering process.