Aer Lingus Regional staff land majority stake thanks to Brexit

Stobart Group sold off a majority shareholding in the airline that operates the Aer Lingus Regional franchise to the carrier’s 450 employees last year to ensure the operation complied with EU rules following Brexit. An employee benefit trust owns a 51% stake in Stobart Air, which operates 19 routes between Irish and UK regional airports for Aer Lingus. The remaining 49% is owned by Connect Airways, the airline group that also owns Flybe, the distressed UK regional carrier. Stobart Group transferred Stobart Air, formerly Aer Arann, to Connect Airways in return for a 30% shareholding in the new airline group last February. At the same time, Connect also took control of the heavily loss-making Flybe.<br/>