Sir, – I was very disappointed to read of the cancellation of the Aran Islands air service from Inverin ("State air service contract withdrawn from Aer Arann Islands at likely loss of 40 jobs", August 27th).
Being a Londoner of Irish parents, myself and my family return to Ireland most years for our annual holiday and if we are ever in the west a trip to the Aran Islands is a must.
A rare beauty and tranquillity are there to be found once you explore the quiet back-roads, tracks and paths away from the main tourist areas.
Flying from Inverin is by far the most convenient way for us to get to and from the Aran Islands. The service is fast and reliable and the flights are frequent. If this service is cancelled, I’m sure it will damage the valuable tourist trade that the islanders rely on, as well as having a knock-on effect for the whole of Connemara. – Yours, etc,
CON FITZPATRICK,
Clapham,
London.
Sir, – Why must Irish politicians reinvent the wheel whenever a development or new service is required. Ending the long-running, safe, efficient, successful and popular Aer Arann service using aircraft designed for the job, the Britten Norman Islander, is an example of “here we go again”. The proposal to use helicopters is flawed. While they are magnificent machines for certain specific tasks, they do not lend themselves to a scheduled “island-hopping” operation.
Can the Minister please listen to the islanders themselves and other “island-hopping” operators around the world, who would tell him the same thing for free . – Yours, etc,
GARRET BRADY,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – Aer Arann, aside from being a fine company, has provided excellent services and employment in Cois Fharraige for many years.
It is disappointing that a Government decision means a significant element of this important economic activity now migrates to the Galway city industrial area.
One wonders what the impact will be for the very survival of this small airline and what consideration was given by Government to the broader adverse economic and social impact it will surely have in such areas as Indreabhán, An Spideal and Cheathrú Rua, where jobs are hard to come by and economic activity less than vibrant!
It is Government decisions such as this that add to the economic divide, where businesses in urban areas are largely in recovery and those in peripheral or rural areas face more and more challenges. – Yours, etc,
CHARLES SINNOTT,
Galway.