THE chief executives of two aviation firms who tendered for the Aran Islands air service have clashed over the costs of their rival bids.
Chris Shiel of Executive Helicopters has claimed Aer Arann Islands (AAI) quoted him almost four times as much to use Connemara airport, which it owns, as Galway airport is charging for its facility 27 miles away.
Pádraig Ó Céidigh of AAI has countered by accusing Shiel of securing a “sweetheart deal” from Galway airport. He said the fee quoted to Executive for use of Connemara was the same as the one proposed to AAI for the use of its own facilities.
Galway county council and Galway city council jointly own the airport at Carnmore. It is leased to Brian Conneely, a property developer.
Last month Executive beat AAI in a tender to secure a four-year, €3.6m contract to provide air services to the three Aran islands. The government has cancelled the tender following complaints by islanders, and after AAI took court action challenging the scoring system used.
Advertisement
The Department of Public Expenditure said the tenders were scored in accordance with the “most economically advantageous” principle set out in EU and national rules. “The score weightings were decided in consultation with the contracting authority — the Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht — on the basis these criteria offered the most economically advantageous solution,” it said.
The contract for the past four years was worth about €1.5m a year, but the next tender will be for €900,000 per annum. The government has agreed a one-year extension of the existing contract with AAI at €1.62m a year. The tender process will re-run next year.
Shiel said he would not challenge the decision to cancel the tender despite being the winner. He plans to tender again, but said his bid could be jeopardised if the Galway councils deny Executive a lease at their airport.
One source said Executive made a far more detailed submission than AAI, and outscored the incumbent in most categories.