Image courtesy of Sean Flynn

Stobart Air one of Europe’s leading franchise, ACMI and charter aviation specialists has retired the ATR72-500 aircraft from its fleet following the cessation of Flybe Isle of Man contract on 31 March where the carrier had been operating services to Birmingham and Manchester. Flybe brought the Isle of Man base in-house using its own DHC8-400 aircraft.

According to John Dwyer NLSPOT List EI-REL MSN 748 operated it’s last Flybe service on 16 March and was ferried to Monchengladbach , Germany on 17 March. It’s sistershop EI-REM MSN 760 operated its last Flybe service on 30 March and was ferried to Monchengladbach on 31 March.

Aer Arann the predecessor to Stobart Air placed an order for 10 ATR72-500 series in 2006 in a contract valued at over $180 million, is the single largest aircraft investment by a private Irish passenger airline and the third largest in Irish aviation history at the time.

To mark the introduction of the ATR72-500 to the fleet a special colour scheme was commissioned by Aer Arann. Inspired by Celtic rings, or triskels, from the ancient monuments at Newgrange in County Meath. Clusters of triskels signify pulses to communicate the human and personal touch. The colour scheme incorporates refreshed and updated corporate colours. Silver and gold have been added into the palette to bring in a celebratory theme giving the aircraft a really distinctive look.
                                           

Image of courtesy of @elevationair

In 2009 Stobart Air received UK CAA ATR72-500 certification for the airport’s steep approach into London City, the approach path to which demands a 5.5° glideslope.

Stobart Air operates a fleet of 19 ATR42/72 and Embraer 195 aircraft from bases at Amsterdam, Cork, Dublin, London City, London Southend on behalf of Aer Lingus Regional, British Airways Cityflier, Flybe and KLM Airlines and operates Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes from Dublin to Donegal and Kerry, under Aer Lingus Regional brand.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 7 April 2019 All Rights Reserved