• Welsh

Aer Lingus and Aer Arann Franchise Takes Flight From Cardiff

Published: 28 March 2010

Aer Lingus Regional, operated under a franchise agreement between Ireland’s regional airline, Aer Arann, and the national carrier, Aer Lingus, took to the skies today from Cardiff Airport.

In a welcome boost for business and tourism in the Cardiff region Aer Lingus Regional will offer three daily roundtrips to Dublin and a daily roundtrip to Cork from Cardiff with increased capacity due to an upgrade in aircraft size from an ATR 42-300 to a seventy-two seat ATR 72-500. 

As well as the increased frequency and capacity to Ireland, the new routes now also offer trans-Atlantic connectivity to New York, Boston, Chicago and Orlando from Dublin which will greatly enhance both business and leisure traffic between Cardiff and the US, as well as offering customers significantly shorter travel times than travelling to London for US flights.

Speaking at Dublin Airport today as the first Aer Lingus Regional flight departed Stephen Kavanagh, Aer Lingus Chief Commercial Officer said; "The expanded route network will enable us to serve key UK regional destinations with improved frequency and schedule options, while providing connectivity with our transatlantic network."

Also welcoming the departure of the first Aer Lingus Regional flights, Aer Arann Chief Executive Paul Schütz said;

"With our franchise partner we have created a product that offers a customer-focussed schedule with increased frequency and both regional and trans-Atlantic connectivity. The additional flights on the existing Dublin and Cork routes combined with new connecting services linking Cardiff with the US offers a significant boost to both business and the tourism industry at a time when it is badly needed.

Our combined brand power and quality products make it an excellent service for passengers and we look forward to welcoming both new and existing Aer Arann and Aer Lingus customers on board our flights from today", he continued.

Spencer Birns, Cardiff Airport's Head of Air Service Development commented: 
 
"The new services offer many advantages to South Wales travellers, including better business timings on Cardiff to Dublin flights and the advantage of being able to clear immigration in Dublin before travelling on connecting flights to the USA.  
 
Wales has many business links with the US, especially with cities such as New York, Chicago and Boston and these connections will be a major benefit for travellers who visit the States on a regular basis.

We would encourage South Wales travellers to support the new services and consider Aer Lingus Regional from Cardiff when visiting Ireland or the US this year, as they'll find the service to be a much more convenient, hassle-free and a more cost effective way of travelling."