200 protest about planned Aran Islands switch to helicopter service
Two hundred people have protested outside the Taoiseach's office in Castlebar, Co Mayo over changes to the Aran Islands air service.
Plans are being made to have a daily helicopter service linking the islands with the mainland from Galway Airport.
Gaeltacht Minister Joe McHugh recently announced plans to sign a new PSO contract with Executive Helicopters Ltd to operate a daily helicopter service to the islands from Galway Airport at Carnmore.
However, local people want the current 45-year airplane service at Inverin to remain unchanged.
One local said: "It's very important we save our fixed-wing service. The helicopter alternative would not suit us because of its position on the wrong side of Galway, too far away from people trying to get back onto the island.
"All our services are on the side of Galway where the Connemara Airport is. We're here, we're not going away and we expect a solution."
