Aer Lingus snubs Stobart Air supplier renewal

Aer Lingus has decided not to make Stobart Air its preferred supplier for a new commercial agreement, which would have commenced from 2023. Stobart Air will continue to operate the Aer Lingus franchise until that time. Stobart Group warns that if it is not awarded a new commercial agreement, it can exercise its right to an early break clause for the lease agreement of eight ATR aircraft in April 2023 at a cost of $21.2million (plus finance and maintenance costs). Doing so would allow Stobart Group to exit its pre-existing parent company guarantees, the company confirmed. Stobart Group states that