Aer Arann Ireland�s leading regional airline welcomed the announcement today by the Department of Transport that the airline has been successful in renewing its tender to operate the Kerry, Galway, Donegal and Sligo Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes.

Aer Arann has been successfully operating these routes since 2001 and today�s announcement confirms that the airline will continue to operate these services until July 2008.

Aer Arann currently operates over 500 flights per week across 17 UK, 6 domestic and 2 French routes and has experienced considerable growth in the past three years carrying just under 1 million passengers in 2004.

Commenting on the announcement Padraig O�Ceidigh, Managing Director for Aer Arann said �We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to continue operating the Kerry, Galway, Donegal and Sligo PSO routes and are exceptionally well positioned to provide an excellent service to these regions.

In the past we have worked closely with the airports and business and tourism interests to increase passenger numbers to these regions and we look forward to further developing these routes over the next three years.�

He added �We are disappointed that we have not been given the opportunity to continue operating the Knock-Dublin route and I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the professionalism of the Knock Airport staff and management team. We have enjoyed working with them and regret that Knock will no longer form part of our domestic route network�

Aer Arann was awarded the European Bronze Airline of the Year Award for 2004 by the European Regions Airline Association and was chosen from among 65 airline members throughout Europe to win the coveted award.

For more details log on to www.aerarann.com

Jennifer Mooney, Marketing Solutions Tel: 087-8336450

Micheal O�Callarain, Aer Arann Tel: 087-7992420

Notes to the Editor

About Aer Arann Aer Arann is one of the fastest growing regional airlines in the world with a turnover in excess of EUR94 million per annum and passenger numbers of just under 1 million for 2004 representing an increase of 62% on the previous year.

The airline currently operates over 500 flights per week across 17 UK, 6 domestic and 2 French routes. The company employs 350 staff and has experienced substantial growth over the past year with the launch of 9 new routes as well as increases in flight frequency and the addition of two ATR72 aircraft, bringing its fleet total to ten.