A DEAL to sell the airline behind plans for scheduled flights from Carlisle Airport could be nearing completion.
The News & Star reported in August that Stobart Air, which operates Aer Lingus regional services, was on the verge of being sold to Irish operator CityJet.
Now The Times is quoting “informed sources” suggesting that a deal between the two airlines could be sealed by the end of the month.
It would create one of Europe's largest regional airlines.
Stobart Air has tabled plans to start daily passenger flights from Carlisle to London Southend, Belfast and Dublin.
But its future ownership has been in doubt since the investment house Invesco Perpetual indicated last year that it wanted to sell its 40 per cent stake.
The company is the second largest shareholder in Stobart Air behind Stobart Group, which owns 45 per cent of the business and is also the owner of Carlisle Airport.
It is not clear what, if any, impact a change of ownership at Stobart Air would have on plans for flights from Carlisle.
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