Speaking following the announcement that Aer Arann has gone into voluntary examinership, Fine Gael Galway West Senator, Fidelma Healy Eames, said Galway Airport is highly dependent on Aer Arann being able to restructure its debts and build on its strengths into the future.

“As a former member of Galway Airport I am acutely aware of the impact the demise of Aer Arann would have on the future of that Airport and the surrounding region, as well as on other local airports around the country.

“Aer Arann is the key airline that fulfils a regional development remit and provides connectivity between the regions and Europe. It is well known that Galway has historically benefited from high-end investment and multi-national interest as a result of the winning combination of Galway airport and Aer Arann. Just ask the IDA and Galway Chamber of Commerce. If this Government was a smart one, it would provide Aer Arann with every possible support to ensure its survival and continued existence.

“The airline has undergone serious difficulties in recent times with poor trading reported in 2008 and 2009. This was followed by the volcanic ash crisis earlier this year which was largely ignored by the Government, despite calls from the company for assistance.

“Aer Arann has voluntarily gone into examinership in the hope that it will be given the space to restructure its debts and get its affairs back in order. To that end I wish it well. It is not an easy time for management and staff. Regional airports the length and breadth of the country depend on Aer Arran for their survival. Galway Airport is no different.

“The Government must show commitment to job retention and regional development particularly in the West. Batt O’Keeffe must get off his hands and start taking the future of Aer Arann and the western region seriously. I am not at all convinced that he heeded previous calls by Aer Arann’s Padraig O’Ceide. Now is the time to act while there is still hope.”