#IslandNews - "It’s like Groundhog Day"… reports RTE News as residents on the Aran Islands could be forgiven a touch of dark humour this week, after it emerged that the contract to operate daily flights to and from the mainland was being terminated.

In a dispute over the terms of its four-year contract with the Government, Aer Arann served notice that it will end the deal in early December.

It is not the first time that the air link between the islands and Conamara has been the subject of discussion. In fact, in recent years, it has almost become an annual occurrence.

Air and ferry travel to 19 islands [see related to Aran] is subsidised by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

The Public Service Obligation (PSO) subvention is paid to different operators, to ensure there are regular crossings to and from the islands for residents.

Figures on the Department’s website show that the total PSO cost comes to over €5.95 million each year.

Given the seasonal nature of tourism to the islands, the subsidy ensures that islanders can access the mainland all year round. Or at least, that is what is intended.

For much more on the story, click here.