It is one of the two likely near-term outcomes for Stobart Air, which operates the Aer Lingus Regional service. Alternatively, Stobart Group would seek to buy a 49pc stake in Stobart Air from accountancy firm EY, which is the admin­istrator to UK-based Connect Airways.. Stobart Air is part of Connect. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Aer Lingus Regional primarily operated flights between Ireland and the UK, feeding passengers on to the Aer Lingus transatlantic network. If Stobart Group could buy the 49pc stake in Stobart Air, it might be able to prevent the carrier from falling into examinership. "Stobart Group never comments on speculation or market rumour," said a Stobart Group spokesman.

Source: Irish Independent April 16, 2020 01:30 UTC