#AranIslands - Helicopters are no substitute for airplanes, say residents of the Aran Islands opposed to the Government's new contract for air services to the Galway Bay island chain.
According to TheJournal.ie, nearly half a century of daily plane services to the islands is set to come to an end next month following the State's granting of the tender for the route to Executive Helicopters.
The Galway-based company's plans to run helicopter flights out of Carnmore – some 50km from the ferry link at Rossaveal – have raised the ire of islanders who fear being stranded on the mainland if flights cannot be made.
Concerns were also heard at a recent meeting on Inis Mór over the reliability of such a helicopter service in often severe weather around the islands.
Two years ago the Government sought EU permission to extend the daily air service with operated on a €6 million deal, but the new four-year tender constitutes a 30% cut with an annual cap of €900,000.
TheJournal.ie has more on the story HERE.
