RTÉ will close the Aertel service on Thursday 12th October 2023. The service was an important point for late travel deals since 1993, though the Travelfinders service run by Peter O’Hanlon.
Travelfinders was told by Peter O’Hanlon to Don Shearer last year and will continue as a web service.
RTÉ says decision to close the Aertel service, long after equivalent services in other broadcasters, is based on three main factors:
- The availability of all Aertel content – and more – across RTÉ’s television, radio and online services, including the RTÉ News and RTÉ Radio Player apps, and on other online platforms and media.
- Increased audience demand for RTÉ programming and content online and through apps and smart speakers.
- Lack of support technology available for Aertel, a limited legacy text service. Many technical components in the Aertel systems are no longer supported by the manufacturer, with further elements losing support later this year. The technology required to deliver the Aertel service has limited availability and is not supported on many newer TVs or set top boxes.
All Aertel information is available on www.rte.ie/aertel.
Travelfinders deals are stil available on https://www.travelfinders.ie.
