Aer Arann Islands is a regional airline serving Galway with the Arann Islands. The Airline was founded in 1970 as a way to help connect the island communities to the Irish mainland. The airline helps to transport both people and cargo between the islands and the mainland. During peak seasons the airline can operate up to 25 flights a day, operating 7 days a week. The Government of Ireland awarded the airline a Public Service Obligation Contract, meaning that they are required by the Irish state to operate these services, however, this is subsidised by them. Aer Arann Islands also provides charter services for passengers and cargo across Ireland and the United Kingdom. The airline has a fleet of 3 Britten-Norman Islander aircraft which each have a maximum capacity of 9 passengers
As of November 2021, Aer Arann Islands operates to 4 destinations across the Arann Islands and Galway on the mainland of Ireland. The current route portfolio is:
COUNTRY | CITY | AIRPORT |
---|---|---|
Ireland | Inishmaan | Inishmaan Aerodrome |
Inishmore | Inishmore Aerodrome | |
Inisheer | Inisheer Aerodrome | |
Inevrin | Connemara Airport |
You are allowed to bring 1 item of hand baggage with you onboard the aircraft which should not weigh more than 2kg. There is no set size for the hand baggage, however, it is expected that it should be small enough that it doesn't obstruct any of the doors and exits.
You are also entitled to bring 1 checked bag with you on your flight. This can have a maximum weight of 10kg and must not be over. If you require additional luggage or the case is overweight you may be charged a surcharge fee by the airline and your luggage may not travel with you on your flight but may follow on the next available service.
Aer Arann Islands only offers one class of travel across all of its aircraft. As the flights are very short there is no inflight catering or shopping service. All passengers receive the same baggage allowance and boarding/disembarkation procedures. All seats aboard the Britten-Norman Islander are the same and are laid out in rows of 2, with a maximum capacity of 9 persons. The seat is a standard seat for this aircraft and flight duration.
The airline doesn't have wifi or inflight entertainment available on their aircraft, due to the shortness of their flights. Flights are an average of 15 minutes in length, so you shouldn't get bored during the flight! Enjoy the scenery and the flight, before you know it you'll be landing! The aircraft doesn't have USB or charging facilities installed.
Aer Arann Islands currently doesn't offer any check-in online facilities and so you must do this at the airfield prior to departure.
As previously noted, the airline doesn't allow you to check-in online and so you must do this at the airport. The airline states that you should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure and that they close their check-in facilities 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
The airline doesn't offer a frequent flyer program.
Aer Arann Islands is not a member of any airline alliance and operates independently from all other airlines within the Republic of Ireland.
The airline has its base of operations at Connemara Airport, located in Inevrin, county Galway. Only Aer Arann Islands services this airfield.
Aer Arann Islands use one type of aircraft on all of their services. They use the Britten-Norman Islander aircraft which can accommodate up to 9 passengers. The airline has 3 aircraft currently in service.
Alternative Airlines
There are multiple airlines that operate flights across Ireland. As Aer Arann Islands operate services to island locations you could also choose to use one of the many ferry services from the mainland.
FAQs
When does the airline fly to each island?
Please see below the flight schedule for the airline. Note that on Saturdays the earliest flight is 9 am for all destinations and on Sunday the first flight is 10 am.
Connemara Airport to Inis Mór | Inis Mór to Connemara Airport |
---|---|
8:30 am | 8:45 am |
10:00 am | 10:15 am |
11:30 am | 11:45 am |
4:00 pm | 4:15 pm |
Connemara Airport to Inis Meáin | Inis Meáin to Connemara Airport |
---|---|
9:00 am | 9:15 am |
10:30 am | 10:45 am |
4:30 pm | 4:45 pm |
Connemara Airport to Inis Oírr | Inis Oírr to Connemara Airport |
---|---|
9:00 am | 9:15 am |
10:30 am | 10:45 am |
4:30 pm | 4:45 pm |
How expensive are tickets with Aer Arann Islands?
The airline offers multiple ticket types, suited to various needs and budgets. The airline offers reduced rates on tickets for citizens of the Arann Islands.
Return/Oneway | Fare Type | Visitor | Islander |
---|---|---|---|
Return | Adult | €55 | €35 |
Student | €45 | €24 | |
Child | €27 | €24 | |
Group | €50 | ||
Family | €164 | ||
Oneway | Adult | €30 | |
Student | €25 | ||
Child | €15 |
*Children must be 12 and under | Group tickets include 6 passengers | Family tickets are for 2 adults and 2 children