Aer Lingus’ major long-haul expansion for 2016 great news for jobs and connectivity – Donohoe

21st October, 2015

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, today (Wednesday) welcomed Aer Lingus’ plans for a major expansion of its transatlantic route offering for 2016 with three new routes from Dublin to North America. In addition to its nine existing routes to Boston, Chicago, New York, Orlando, San Francisco, Washington and Toronto from Dublin and Boston and New York from Shannon, Aer Lingus will introduce three new routes to Los Angeles, Newark and Hartford in 2016.

 

Addition of Three New U.S Routes will grow the Dublin Gateway, grow inbound tourism and create more than 200 high quality jobs

–        Number of Transatlantic routes grows from nine to twelve

–        Transatlantic seat capacity grows to over two million seats for the first time ever

–        Dublin to Los Angeles service to operate five flights per week

–        Dublin to Newark, New Jersey service to operate daily flights

–        Dublin to Hartford, Connecticut service to operate daily flights

 

The airline will commence a year round direct service between Dublin and Los Angeles from May, 2016 with five services per week. Direct daily year round flights will start in early September from Dublin to Newark in New Jersey. A third new route will commence in late September with a daily service from Dublin to Hartford, Connecticut.

 

Commenting on the announcement, Minister Donohoe said: ‘Foremost in the Government’s mind when considering the disposal of the State’s share in Aer Lingus was the benefits that would be delivered for the company as part of IAG. The airline’s ability to enhance connectivity, grow jobs and secure its future was significantly improved under IAG. Today’s announcement of three new routes, the creation of 200 new jobs and transatlantic capacity growth to more than two million seats for the first time ever demonstrates the strength of Aer Lingus as part of the Group. This news also comes on the back of the new routes and frequencies announced by Aer Lingus just two weeks ago as part of its short-haul 2016 summer schedule. All of this combines to strengthen Irish aviation and encourage additional tourists to come here which will further support our economic recovery. I wish the company every success’.

 

This is the single largest expansion of Aer Lingus’ transatlantic network since the airline commenced transatlantic flying in 1958.

 

The growth initiative will create more than 200 new, high quality Aer Lingus jobs for pilots, cabin crew and ground services staff.

Aer Lingus’ total long haul seat capacity will grow by more than 17% in 2016, representing the fourth consecutive year of more than double-digit long haul growth.

The growth plan underpins Aer Lingus’ successful strategy of expanding its Dublin Airport base into a major European transatlantic gateway. The convenience of U.S Customs and Border Protection services at Dublin has enhanced the continued growth of Aer Lingus’ Dublin operation as a connecting gateway.

The new routes will not only connect Ireland with Los Angeles, Newark, and Hartford but will also connect a range of UK and European cities.  Customers in Paris, London, Amsterdam, Rome, Manchester, Edinburgh and many other European cities will be able to choose Aer Lingus to bring them to these new U.S. destinations.

 

In summer 2016 Aer Lingus will operate 28 daily services across the Atlantic offering value to business and leisure customers in an increased number of markets across Europe and North America.

Stephen Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Aer Lingus, said: “We are delighted to be delivering on the growth opportunities that being part of International Airlines Group presents and to be creating over 200 new jobs in the process. The introduction of these three routes will open up new tourism and business opportunities with improved connectivity through our Dublin Gateway. We look forward to welcoming guests on board our new services in 2016.”

Within weeks of the completion of the IAG transaction, Aer Lingus is delivering on its commitment to grow Ireland’s connectivity and to create high quality jobs.

Willie Walsh, Chief Executive, IAG, said: “Ireland’s geographic location and US immigration pre-clearance provides IAG with the natural gateway to build our business between Europe and North America through Aer Lingus. This is the first step in our plans to add North American destinations, bring new aircraft into the fleet, increase passenger numbers and create new jobs. This shows also our keenness to develop Dublin as another key hub within the Group.”

 

Flights between Dublin and Los Angeles, and Dublin and Newark go on sale today on aerlingus.com with great each way fares, including taxes and charges, full details below. Flights between Dublin and Hartford go on sale on aerlingus.com on 3rd November 2015.

 

Ends

Press Office, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport 01 604 1090 / 01 604 1093 www.dttas.ie pressoffice@dttas.ie

 

Notes to Editor

 

Route Frequency Days of Operation Aircraft Type Schedule Time IRE Departure/Arrival Schedule Time U.S Departure /Arrival Start Date Lead in Fare
Dublin – Los Angeles 5 flights per week Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun A330 15:00/18:00 19:50/14:00 04 May 2016year round €389
Dublin – New York Newark Daily A330 13:10/15:40 17:35/05:20 01 Sept 2016year round €309
Dublin – Hartford Connecticut Daily B757-200 14:40/16:40 18:10/05:20 28 Sept 2016year round €319

 

About Los Angeles

Los Angeles is truly a global trendsetting city filled with experiences as diverse as its residents and millions of worldwide tourists.  Star-struck visitors can immerse themselves in the entertainment capital of the world’s glitz and glamour with behind-the-scenes studio tours, world-class amusement attractions and theatrical spectacles.  Year-round fantastic weather shines on Southern California’s 75 miles of beautiful coastline and hundreds of miles of scenic biking and hiking tours for outdoor lovers.  L.A.’s cultural attractions are second to none and include the Space Shuttle Endeavour; Walt Disney Concert Hall; the Getty Center; and many unique art, history and science museums. L.A. is also home to some of the world’s most famous and stunning entertainment and music venues, such as L.A. LIVE and the Hollywood Bowl, as well as award-winning restaurants of international cuisine helmed by innovative chefs.

About Newark, New Jersey

Newark is the urban heart of New Jersey and is a gateway to Manhattan, located just 8 miles west of the island and 2 miles north of Staten Island. Newark is the state’s biggest metropolis and is home to an arts and culture renaissance that features major performing arts and sports venues as well as international cuisine, galleries and museums. The Newark Museum is a complex of art and science exhibits, a mini-zoo, a planetarium and more. Theatre, music and dance performances take place at venues such as the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Newark Symphony Hall.

About Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford is the gateway to New England. Not only is it the state capital of Connecticut but Hartford is also the insurance capital of the world, with a slew of historical attractions, a thriving arts and entertainment centre, a revitalised riverfront and beautiful parks and public gardens. It was here that the lovable Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer were born in the imagination of celebrated author Mark Twain and immortalised on paper during the writer’s Hartford years. Twain’s home and those of fellow literary figures Harriet Beecher Stowe and Noah Webster are open to the public. The Wadsworth Atheneum, the oldest public art museum in the USA, houses Pilgrim-Century furniture, the Amistad collection and a special treasure-hunt system to entice children to explore the museum.