From today's IRISH INDEPENDENT
Aer Arann takes flying battle to Ryanair with its brand new fleet
IT may be a David and Goliath struggle but Aer Arann is throwing down the gauntlet to the giant Ryanair.
A signal of its intent can be seen in the fact that two giant aircraft manufacturers are battling to secure a €150m fleet expansion from the regional carrier.
The rapidly-growing Irish airline is determined to upgrade and expand its 12-strong fleet - and the €150m investment will be the third biggest fleet contract ever placed by an Irish airline.
The new fleet will allow it to further develop its route network - and expand operations yet further into the continental EU.
The new aircraft will offer Aer Arann much greater efficiencies, at a time when Ryanair is taking on the regional airline on domestic routes for the first time.
The Irish regional airline now enjoys turnover of more than €100 million - and has 500 flights per week across 13 UK, five domestic and three French air routes.
It employs almost 400 staff, and the €150 million fleet contract ranks as the most ambitious expansion attempted by the airline since Padraig O'Ceidigh took control in 1994.
Aer Arann currently operates a fleet of 12 ATR turbo-prop aircraft - five 42-seater and seven 72-seater planes.
The new contract aims to replace the older aircraft with quieter, more efficient types capable of even longer operating schedules.
Aer Arann plans to stick with turbo-props rather than jets due to efficiency of operations - and their suitability for "leaner" regional and seasonal routes.
Two major aircraft manufacturers are now battling for the contract - the French-based ATR group and Canadian company Bombardier.
While Aer Arann has to date operated only ATR aircraft, Bombardier's Dash 8 turbo-prop commuter plane ranks as one of the best selling aircraft in the world.
It boasts a significant share of the giant US regional commuter market - and is renowned for its efficiency and reliability.
Yesterday, ATR put its newest type, the ATR 72-500 series, on display at Cork Airport.
The French combine - which has close links to the Airbus consortium - claims its new model is quieter and more efficient than earlier designs and also offers significantly more flexible flying operations.
Aer Arann expects to confirm the winner of the contract award next month with the first new aircraft set to begin replacing older models in the fleet by the end of the year.
"We haven't decided yet which firm will get the contract - but we are at an advanced stage of discussions," an Aer Arann spokesperson said.
"This is a very exciting development for us."